Concord Register

COURTS IN CHESHIRE-NO. II.

Having shewn in a former communication that a reference to the people was the only method of correctly ascertaining at what place the public interest would be most promoted, by a location of the Courts, and that this course had been hitherto pursued in similar cases by the Legislature, I shall next attempt a development of some of the causes which prevented its adoption, and it will be necessary to recapitulate some of the transactions of former years.

As early as 1797-98, when the General Court convened at Hopkinton, the subject of a division of the County, and a removal of the Courts was agitated: but the burthens the aggrieved, were not at that time considered of sufficient magnitude to justify any alteration, and the project was abandoned. The subject was ushered into the notice of the Legislature again, by some of the inhabitants of Newport, in 1817 ; and precepts were issued for taking the voice of the people of the whole County, in regard to a division ; there was a large majority opposed to severing the County, but the petitioners were not satisfied, and were indulged by the Legislature of 1818 with another trial, taking the voice of the people in the northern part of the County only : the result of which was to be returned to the Judges of the Superior Court, for their consideration. I do not recollect what was the expression of the people, at that time, or the report of the Judges; but I know the effect was a continuance of the Courts at Charlestown.

Here, I wish it distinctly noticed, that neither of the above references afforded the people an opportunity of expressing their opinion on the merits of the question, introduced into the Legislature in June last. The subject for their consideration was a DIVISION of the COUNTY; not a removal of the Courts ; it is superfluous to add, that a decision of the former question, could not afford the least information relative to the expediency of the latter: much less, if the Legislature deemed a removal necessary, would it designate the place for their location.

In this situation, the subject was suffered to rest quietly until 1823, when a petition, from some of the good people of Newport, was presented the Legislature, praying that the Courts might be removed from Charlestown to Newport. As the General Court had formerly, at different periods, and with no trifling expense to the State, devoted considerable time to petitions of a similar nature, from the same source, they did not think it deserving much attention; it was regarded as a desperate effort, and the consideration thereof postponed; a course which in ordinary cases would be deemed a modest denial.

Although the local interests of any section of the County cannot be determined, but by a reference to the inhabitants of such section, yet information of the territorial divisions, limits, and boundaries, may be more correctly communicated by a Map, than any other method.

It is much to the credit and honor of the citizens of this State, that their liberality has produced a specimen, which greatly excels the delineations of any other State in the Union. Mr. Carrigain's Map, made under the authority and patronage of this State, is justly celebrated for its accuracy as well as the elegance of its execution, and is the criterion by which territorial disputes should be decided. Every attempt to influence the minds of our Legislators, by plans of any section of the State, drawn by the party himself, whose interest is to be promoted, should be regarded as ex-parte evidence, and rejected.

In 1824, at the commencement of the June session of the Legislature, the Representative from Newport appeared with a plan, purporting to be a correct map of the County of Cheshire : after a due exhibition, and a very disinterested explanation out-of-doors, it was suspended in the State-House, from the wall of the entry, between the chambers allotted to the Senate and Representatives. As this plan, and its copies, had a powerful agency in forwarding the views of its authors, it deserves more particular attention.

The first principle in drawing plans, is a correct survey ; but the authors of the caricature now under consideration, avoided this trouble and expense : by professing to take Mr. Carrigain's map for a guide, they could manufacture one cheaper, they could also make such an imitation as would tend most to advance their schemes, at the same time availing themselves of his great reputation for accuracy. As might be expected, considering the source from whence it emanated, this plan presented the town of Newport in a very conspicuous situation : but roads, rivers, mountains, and ponds, were not considered of sufficient importance to require delineation. Possibly, it might have been suggested that the roads and population of the several towns, were entitled to some consideration; but on examination of the last census, finding that the centre of population was much nearer Clare-
mont, and as good roads were already constructed, directly connecting all the other towns with that place, these items of information were deemed too important for insertion, and therefore omitted. Their object was to place Newport in the most advantageous situation; nor did they feel any obligation to disclose any facts, which might defeat their intention. The simple division lines of the several towns, with their names, was deemed sufficient ; by it, all the towns were entitled to equal consideration ; the fruitful and the barren; the populous, and the desolate. It should also be observed, that this plan was graduated on a larger scale, than Mr. Carrigain's map; and,if it is difficult for experienced artists to preserve the gradation necessary to ensure correctness, how much more so, must it be for those who are inexperienced, and whose interest dictates a deviation from the original ? It is obvious that representations, thus made, have a tendency to disseminate false impressions: but I shall reserve an account of its success until another time.

A CITIZEN OF CLAREMONT.