The Daily Advertiser

A correspondent observes, that the political face of things is daily changing itself in this City and State—that the grand question now is, not whether the Federal Constitution is a good one, but whether it will be for the interest of this State to belong to the Union, or to enjoy the benefits of independence?—Under the supposition that our Convention will incline to the latter opinion, another query has been made, the merits of which is daily discussed by many of our citizens, viz. Whether this City had not better become a free and independent Town? Before any remarks are made upon the policy or impolicy of this measure, it should not be forgotten that unless the question is properly stated, it is highly treasonable, and people ought to be cautious not to offend the higher powers—or to expose themselves to a resentment they may not have influence to defend themselves from.—The means to procure any wished for change, with respect to the too great consolidation of the counties of this State, must at present be supposed to be drawn from remonstrance, humble address and petition, &c. &c. &c. This being premised, it is to be observed that the measure is dangerous and impolitic, in itself considered;—for, in the first place, where are all these changes and revolutions to end? Your fathers, eternally restless, broke off from the Pope, and then from the house of Stewart; and Ye, a restless progeny, first rebel against your Mother Country, then break your Union and rebel against your Sister States; and now, lastly, you would divide the very members of your own political body. Secondly, should this favorite expectation ever be realized, have you not to dread the just indignation of Albany, Orange and Ulster counties?—Will not their hardy, brave and active veterans besiege your very gates?—Will they not ruin your commerce, or convert its channels either into Canada, or to the country of Rhode-Island? Thirdly, If this city is independent, she will undoubtedly be able to appropriate the whole impost to her own benefit! It is an immense sum in this point of view; it would pay every public expense incident to this city; it would pave our streets; it would erect for us fortifications, effectually to secure our property from Algerine pirates; it would maintain our poor, trim our lamps, and, in short, make this place the Tyre of the modern world. It is an advantage (as our rulers have taught us to know) which nature has put into our hands, and therefore ought not to be given up. But what are all these advantages, to the honor of being the capital of the State of New-York—to the security and wealth resulting from her protection and friendship? While this connection continues, we have neither to fear the rivalry of Quebec, nor the incursions of the savages of the desert. Rather than risque the consequences of a rupture with our sister counties, we had better be unfairly represented in our Legislature, and triflingly oppressed by an over-proportion of taxation. Alas! unhappy post, should ever independence ever be thy portion! When dust, and crowds, and noise, and ships, and workmen, and coaches, and sailors, and carts, and foreigners, shall create an eternal alarm and rattle about thy borders!

But if you will still be so infatuated as to look for this event, should the Constitution be rejected, let me advise you not to speak treason—to pursue a constitutional mode to obtain your desire—to avoid what may spill blood—and not to be the first to dissolve this astonishing, this magic spell of political tranquillity!