The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
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THURSDAY 14 NOVR. |
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 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
THURSDAY 14 NOVR.
The proceedings were confined to the Report of the Committee
on the case of Vermont entered on the Journals. As it was
notorious that Vermont had uniformly disregarded the Recommendation
of Congress, of 1779, the Report which ascribed the
evils prevalent in that district to a late act of N. Y. which violated
that recommendation was generally admitted to be unjust &
unfair. Mr. Howel was the only member who openly supported
it. The Delegates from N. Y. denied the fact that any violation
had been committed on the part of that State. The temper of
Congress on this occasion as the yeas & nays shew, was less
favorable to Vermont than on any preceding one,—the effect
probably of the territorial Cession of N. York to the U. S. In
the course of the debate Mr. Howel cited the case of Kentucky
as somewhat parallel to that of Vermont, said that the late creation
of a separate Court by Virga for the former resembled the
issuing of Commissions by N. Y. to the latter that the jurisdiction
would probably be equally resisted & the same violences
would follow as in Vermont. He was called to order by Mr.
Madison. The President & the plurality of Congress supported
and enforced the call.
No Congress till
Nov.r Monday 18
Tuesday 19 }
The Journals sufficiently explain the proceedings
of those days.[5]
Under date of November 19th, Madison wrote to Randolph:
"The prospect derived from the impost of the five Per Ct seems to be pretty
thoroughly blasted by a unanimous & final veto by the Assembly of Rhode
Island. This State, by its Delegates (who fully represent the aversion of their
constituents to the impost) voted in Congress That 6 Millions of Dollars were
necessary for the year '83, that 2 Millions were as much as the States could
raise & as ought to be required by Congress, and that applications for loans in
Europe ought to be relied on for the residue. And yet they absolutely refuse
the only fund which could be Satisfactory to lenders. The indignation against
this perverse sister is increased by her shameful delinquency in the constitutional
requisitions.
"The tribunal erected for the controversy between Connecticut and Pennsa was
I hear to be opened to-day. The Judges who compose it are Mr. Whipple of
N. Hampshire, Mr. Arnold of Rhode Island, the Chief Justice & another
gentlemn of N. Jersey & Mr. C. Griffin of Virga. Mr. Rutledge, Mr. Jones &
Genl Nelson have declined the service. On the part of Penna, appear Mr.
Wilson Mr. Reed, Mr. Bradford & Mr. Sergeant. Mr. Osborne assists in the
capacity of Solicitor. On the part of Connecticut are deputed Mr. Dyer, Mr.
Root, & Docr. Saml Johnson. The first & the last I am told, are on the spot.
It is supposed that the first object of Cont will be to adjourn the cause to a
distant day on the plea that many of their essential documents are beyond the
Atlantic. In a national view it is not perhaps advisable to invalidate the title
of this State however defective it may be, until a more important controversy is
terminated. I will make the earliest communication of the issue of this trial.
You will not forget a like promise which your letter makes with respect to the
case lately decided by the Court of Appeals."—Mad. MSS.
| The writings of James Madison, | |