The Daily Advertiser

The following instance of the influence of a good and great man will, we presume, be acceptable to every reader who loves his country, and venerates its darling Hero—

In the late Federal Convention, it had been for a long time debated what should be the ratio of representation. and it was carried by a considerable majority to make it one for every forty thousand inhabitants. In this form the matter was sent to the press; but when the subject came for the last time, under the consideration of the Convention. and was about to be confirmed by an almost UNANIMOUS VOTE, GENERAL WASHINGTON rose, and spoke to the following effect: "Though I am sensible of the impropriety of your chairman's intermingling in your debates, yet I cannot help observing, that the small number which constitutes the representative body, appears to be a defect in your plan. It would better suit my ideas, and, I believe, it will be more grateful to the wishes of the people, if that number was increased." The question was immediately put, without a debate, upon a motion that the ratio be one for thirty thousand (as it now stands) and it was unanimously carried.

Such was the magic force of this Patriot's opinion: and it adds to the lustre of his virtues, that this critical interference (which, we are well assured, was all the share he had in the business of the late Convention) tended to promote the interest and dignity of THE PEOPLE.