Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 3 (of 16)United States. Congress
History
Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 3 (of 16)
United States. Congress
Law -- United States; United States -- Politics and government
Mr. DAYTON said, he had been instructed by the Legislature of New
Jersey, in case any prospect presented itself of a removal of the seat
of Government, to offer, in their name, the public buildings in Trenton
for their accommodation. He, therefore, gave notice that, in case the
bill went to a third reading, he should produce his instructions, and
move the substitution of Trenton in the room of Baltimore. At the same
time, he was free to declare his opinion of the impolicy of the proposed
measure. The provision of the constitution had arisen from an experience
of the necessity of establishing a permanent seat for the Government. To
avert the evils arising from a perpetual state of mutation, and from the
agitation of the public mind whenever it is discussed, the constitution
had wisely provided for the establishment of a permanent seat, vesting
in Congress exclusive legislation over it. While he declared this as his
creed, he begged it to be understood that there were, in his opinion,
some rightful grounds of removal. There were four such, two of which
were the following: if the place should be found a grave-yard for those
who resided in it, or if the inconveniences of conducting the machine of
government should be so great as to prevent the due transaction of the
public business. For the existence of these, no fault could be attached
to the District. If, therefore, a removal took place on their account,
Congress were bound to indemnify the proprietors. There were two other
grounds of removal, which would justify a removal without indemnity, as
they would be the effect of the misconduct of the inhabitants of the
District. These were, the evidence of a turbulent spirit, endangering
the safety of Congress, and of a determined resolution, arising from a
dissatisfaction which the Government or Congress expressed in favor of a
recession.
When he stated these grounds for removal, Mr. D. said, it was not from
any apprehension of their occurrence. On the contrary, he believed the
Government in perfect safety, and he was convinced, if any hostile arm
should be raised against it, the inhabitants of Columbia would be ready
to shed their blood in its defence.
Nothing could exceed his surprise at the motives expressed by the
gentleman from Maryland for bringing forward this measure. He should
have expected, if the gentleman wished to promote the interests of the
city, he would have imitated the example of the Athenians, who, in order
to make a particular fund devoted to theatrical exhibitions sacred, had
passed a law punishing with death any man who should move to divert it
from its allotted purpose; and that the honorable gentleman, instead of
bringing forward this bill, would have introduced one punishing with
death the man who should move a change of the seat of Government; so that
he who made the attempt might know that he did it with a halter around
his neck.
Mr. MACLAY moved to strike out the words “Baltimore,” and “Maryland,” in
the first section.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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