The Kentucky Gazette

SIR,

As some proceedings relative to the fixing the seat of Government have been in my opinion, irregular and unconstitutional, and as I am affected thereby, I take the liberty of requesting a few remarks may reach the public eye thro' the medium of your paper.

When I first came with my family into this country, chance threw me into the neighbourhood of Frankfort : where I have on rent a small piece of land, and possess some lots, in fee, in the town, consequently felt interested that the permanent seat of Government should be there, if consistent with the convenience and welfare of the public, and upon no other principle did such a desire exist with me; but the imaginary importance of gaining a decision upon this subject agreeably to their wishes, stimulating the citizens of other places to make offers for the purchase of its establishment, from the Commissioners, was an argument with myself to join my neighbours in a scheme also for this purpose.

I nevertheless thought it wrong, yet as the constitution had projected this Two-Penny business, which to be sure will be read as brilliant ingenuity, and an admirable manoeuvre in the refined and accomplished art of gambling, in our sister States, this became necessary to put us upon an equality with other places; I therefore thought it my duty to concur, and subscribed as much as my circumstances would justify, for which I never felt compunction 'til I was made acquainted with the proceedings of the commissioners. and some of the conduct of the Legislature.

The decision of the former, for ought I know, may have sprung from the best of motives, be justified by the most rational policy; but their disgust and resignation, because they were not allowed more than ten shillings per day, leaves room to suspect that they accepted of the appointment, not from the most honorable and virtuous inducements, but for hire only ; which gives the blush to Republicanism, that has been long labouring to raise the Temple in the west.— Upon casting my eye on the conduct of the latter, my sensibility is stunned, and for a moment I become almost indifferent of my existence by their unparalleled act, authorising the securities for the payment of the Frankfort subscriptions to which they bound themselves. without consulting me, to compel me to payment by summary process; to God and the world I appeal,if this is not Ex post Facto, and a cruel violation of the most important rights of man; with better authority they may pass a Law to prohibit me from removing my family into the western territory, at their next session, which I shall take care to effect before that period, rather than remain in a government that can with such facility trample on the privileges of its citizens, that are supposed to be guarded by the most sacred declarations of the Constitution; my subscription I shall pay whenever called on for that purpose, but my hand shall never lay on me another obligation in this state --was I disposed to point at other constitutional violations than such as affect myself, I should mention the first appointment of the Commissioners, which was at a session not authorised for that purpose, and their reappointment, after their resignation, in a manner opposite to the letter and spirit of the Constitution--but as I shall not long feel the inconveniency of oppressive Government, I will endeavour to crawl thro' my remaining residence here with patience, and support myself with the anticipation of breathing the air in which fair freedom stirs her wings under the canopy of a mild and solid Government, where the fire of Liberty burns upon an altar that petty Tyranny dare never attempt to subvert.

A FRANKFORT SUBSCRIBER.