Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Literary
February 8, 1787
The New York Journal, And Weekly Register
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
Satirical poem on the New Jersey House of Assembly debates of July 19, 1787, mocking Mr. Inslee's opposition to granting Congress powers over sword, purse, and impost, while supporting Hamilton's views on amendments and national defense.
Clipping
OCR Quality
92%
Excellent
Full Text
POET's CORNER.
MR. PRINTER,
Please to insert the following in your next patriotic Journal.
On hearing the Debates in the House of Assembly,
Friday, July 19, 1787.
MR. H[amilton] sure
in full and condemned the mea-
sure
Which I had averr'd to be lawful and true,
And insisted that Congress Should hold sword and
treasure,
Or else constitutions and laws would not do.
He spoke on amendments which M[adison] had made,
And those that the S[enat]e supported;
Touch'd a little on debts due to France, yet unpaid,
And at I[rrational] very often retorted.
In the course of debate, he enlarg'd on the plan
Which Congress had oft recommended;
Said enough to convince a considerate man,
That our government's left undefended.
Mr. I[nslee] next rose up, with much zeal in his head,
And oppos'd Mr. H[amilton]'s motion;
"Declar'd he would vote for amendments just read,
"And that Impost was only a notion.
"He never could grant unto Congress such power;
"Since unable to govern our nation,
"And hoped the House would agree at this hour
"To vest all in the new L[egisla]tion.
"Each State can with safety, its welfare protect
"Without Congress, that proud, haughty crew;
"Choose me for your S[enator], affairs I'll direct,
"And plan a republic quite new.
"Forever they plague us, and worry, and teaze
"To grant them the Impost for life;
"The rest of the M[embers] can do as they please,
"But I know the vile plan will breed strife.
"What,—give up to Congress the sword and the
purse!
"And make them the Lords of this land?
"Believe me you'll find them a very bad curse,
"When your money they come to demand.
"Then let one and all scorn the wicked Impost
"The Congress are never worth minding;
"To trick our allies should be your first boast,
"And shew them our faith is not binding."
Having finish'd his speech the wise member sat down,
And left all the rest in amaze!
Admiring the scheme which had gain'd such re-
nown,
And what certainly merited praise.
For if paying our debts is so easily done,
And France can be very soon cheated;
What person on earth but would call it fine fun—
Let the name then of I[nslee] be repeated.
An Independent Citizen.
January 30, 1787.
MR. PRINTER,
Please to insert the following in your next patriotic Journal.
On hearing the Debates in the House of Assembly,
Friday, July 19, 1787.
MR. H[amilton] sure
in full and condemned the mea-
sure
Which I had averr'd to be lawful and true,
And insisted that Congress Should hold sword and
treasure,
Or else constitutions and laws would not do.
He spoke on amendments which M[adison] had made,
And those that the S[enat]e supported;
Touch'd a little on debts due to France, yet unpaid,
And at I[rrational] very often retorted.
In the course of debate, he enlarg'd on the plan
Which Congress had oft recommended;
Said enough to convince a considerate man,
That our government's left undefended.
Mr. I[nslee] next rose up, with much zeal in his head,
And oppos'd Mr. H[amilton]'s motion;
"Declar'd he would vote for amendments just read,
"And that Impost was only a notion.
"He never could grant unto Congress such power;
"Since unable to govern our nation,
"And hoped the House would agree at this hour
"To vest all in the new L[egisla]tion.
"Each State can with safety, its welfare protect
"Without Congress, that proud, haughty crew;
"Choose me for your S[enator], affairs I'll direct,
"And plan a republic quite new.
"Forever they plague us, and worry, and teaze
"To grant them the Impost for life;
"The rest of the M[embers] can do as they please,
"But I know the vile plan will breed strife.
"What,—give up to Congress the sword and the
purse!
"And make them the Lords of this land?
"Believe me you'll find them a very bad curse,
"When your money they come to demand.
"Then let one and all scorn the wicked Impost
"The Congress are never worth minding;
"To trick our allies should be your first boast,
"And shew them our faith is not binding."
Having finish'd his speech the wise member sat down,
And left all the rest in amaze!
Admiring the scheme which had gain'd such re-
nown,
And what certainly merited praise.
For if paying our debts is so easily done,
And France can be very soon cheated;
What person on earth but would call it fine fun—
Let the name then of I[nslee] be repeated.
An Independent Citizen.
January 30, 1787.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Poem
What themes does it cover?
Political
Taxation Oppression
What keywords are associated?
Satirical Poem
House Assembly
Hamilton
Inslee
Congress Impost
Political Debate
1787
What entities or persons were involved?
An Independent Citizen.
Literary Details
Title
On Hearing The Debates In The House Of Assembly, Friday, July 19, 1787.
Author
An Independent Citizen.
Subject
Debates In The House Of Assembly On Amendments, Impost, And Congress Powers
Key Lines
Mr. H[Amilton] Sure In Full And Condemned The Measure Which I Had Averr'd To Be Lawful And True, And Insisted That Congress Should Hold Sword And Treasure, Or Else Constitutions And Laws Would Not Do.
"What,—Give Up To Congress The Sword And The Purse! And Make Them The Lords Of This Land? Believe Me You'll Find Them A Very Bad Curse, When Your Money They Come To Demand."
To Trick Our Allies Should Be Your First Boast, And Shew Them Our Faith Is Not Binding.
For If Paying Our Debts Is So Easily Done, And France Can Be Very Soon Cheated; What Person On Earth But Would Call It Fine Fun— Let The Name Then Of I[Nslee] Be Repeated.