Indiana Gazette, Volume 1, Number 5, Vincennes, Knox County, 28 August 1804 — Page 2

that informagovernor's conveyed to them. in all territory will readiEvery publication in

Library of a letter which governor Harrison wrote a friend about three years' since, in which he detailed his reasons and arguments

against the assumption, at that

time, of the second grade of the terri-

torial government. These reasons and arguments were unanswerable,

and sounded on a correct knowledge of the circumstances of the territory. It is well know also that they were the sentiments of every man in it, except a few in the Illinois.

By the publication of that letter, or by some other fatality, the president of the United States, who is emphatically named the man of the people

learned the sentiment of the governor and believing them to be different from those of a majority of the Freeholders, concluded that his interfe- rence in what concerns the people to approve, was highly improper. It is a fact which will not be denied, that a high officer of this government intimated to the governor that the president or some other great officer of the national government expressed their

sition to the wishes of the people, and their surprise that this territory had

not gone into the second grade of its

could remedy these inconve-

niences and apply corrections

to all these evils - they would

government. It is easier to conceive

than to describe the sensations excited

in the governor's breast by such a He well knew he had

not the will of the majority of the Freeholders of the territory, but

his situation was a delicate one, and

who does not own a foot of

it is reasonable to conclude that his

head and heart concurred in form-

ing a resolution dictated by the most consumate prudence to facilitate rather than impede a disposition to alter the term of the government whenever

it should appear to be manifested to

him that it was the wish of a respecta-

which he does not pay a cent.

ble number of people. Hence the proclamation, which has been the oc-

casion of so much party animosity and . We have but to consid-

er the resources of the territory at the present time, and compare them with what they were when the governor wrote the letter alluded to, and it will be found and admitted, that the difference if any, will not authorise a belief that the governor or any other reasonable unbiased person, can

seriously be of opinion that the people

can now support the expense of a

an objection which we have freguently heard; that a legislature chosen by ourselves will be of no benefit, as the governor can controul all their measures by the absolute veto, with which he is invest-

measure which but three years since was asserted by the governor "to be fraught with the ruin of the territory." The Citizen apprised the Free-

legislation. But the governors of seven of the states,

and the president of the United States possess a qualified

veto on all acts of legislation.

made to our adopting this

No injury however has ever

resulted to any of those states

or to the United States on account of the exercise of this power. That the measures

to the contrary, it will be believed

that the opinion of the governor has great influence on the minds of many respectable men among us; on the

post of legislation. Strange

claiming any intention to injure the

been accused by a very illiberal other under the signature of Gerald in the

holders of the territory of his disclaiming any intention to injure the

governor. He has notwithstanding

been accused by a very illiberal writer under the signature of Gerald in the

4th number of the Gazette of insinuating that the governor was actuated by improper motives. None but the vile and insiduous detractor of character, and servile flatterer of men in elevated stations, could ascribe such view to the Citizen. Without any regard to what Gerald may advance

legislation. But the governors of seven of the states,

from office. But another view of the subject: the concurrence of the governor, council and house of representatives will be essential to the enaction of a law. The governor may therefore, possibly prevent the passage of a good law, but we, by our representatives, may always prevent him from passing an oppressive or pernicious law. We think it necessary that we should have a delegate in congress. We have many rights and interests over which the United States only have a power of acting. We believe, if they are properly represented to Congress, by a delegate, that we will readily obtain what for years, we have solicited in vain. If we send a delegate who knows and feels our wants, he will be authorised to act for himself : his remonstrances will be entitled to respect and attention ; they will have weight,

and we may get such laws passed as are necessary to remove the inconveniences to which we have long been subjected. We beg leave to represent that that there is danger of an accumulation of a considerable territorial debt, unless we adopt the second grade of government - This debt as present, is inconsiderable but it is daily increasing - Its principal sources are, the expence of the general court, public prosecutions and the clerk to our present legislature - No provision has been made for the discharge of this debt, except an appopriation of fines due the territory - This fund is uncertain and at all events inadequate. But an objection has been

subject of government they regard

him as a better judge, therefore have

the proclamation would that influence to a great degree in favor of

the measure unacquainted as the Free-

holders were with all the motives of

the governors conduct in publishing it.

If any credit can be given to the assertions of Gerald, it will not be withheld when he is supposed to resound the trumpetter he professedly is: and it will be admitted by every impartial freeholder that the information which the Citizen possessed of the real motives of the governor's conduct as above stated was well founded, when they remark that Gerald declares that the governor's opinion on the subject is what it has always been. When a writer so tremblingly alive for the reputation of his patrons as Gerald seems

to be, on such an occasion by

what was mysterious

mission under the authority of

the president and senate of

the United States, but the president can remove him at pleasure. It is then the United States which will possess this veto over the acts of our legislature, and we may be well assured that if ever our governor sets himself in opposi-

tion to the known and avow-

ed rights and interests of the territory in the exercise of his veto, he will be removed

the expence of the establishment and secondly the means we possess in defraying it - Both are considered as important ; but neither are esteem-

ed material or insuperable objections. We beg leave first to promise that the most rigid economy ought to be thoroughly understood and scrupulously practiced - our officers will be few in number and for several years, until we receive an aggrandisement of population and wealth, they must not expect high wages or extravagant salaries - If bare expences, necessarily incurred in the discharge of the duties of their respective offices are paid, we think it will be all that ought to be required - not but than we are in favor of liberal, generous salaries; but our present circumstances and situation will not admit of them. Then as to the probable expence that will be incurred

by the measure - we candidly do not think that it will exceed 3,500 dollars. -- The premises upon which this aggregate expence is predicated are the following - The pay of the members of the legislature ought to be limitted to one dollar per day - This will be adequate to all their necessary expense - admit that they occupy 70 days annually, in the discharge of their duties; their. expense will amount to less than 1000 dollars. An auditor and treasurer will be required, we would allow two hundred dollars for them - Two hundred will be sufficient for the attorney general - the expence of printing will be uncertain, but we are fully convinced that for four or five years it will not exceed 1000 dollars a year, end we are informed that all the printing which will prolably be required can be done for half that sum. Two clerks with assistants occasionally, will be required, admit that the aggregate expence of clerk's hire per day is five dollars ; for a legislature it will amount to less than 300 dollars. Admit that the expence of house-rent fuel, stationar, &c. amount to 300 dollars, there will still be upwards of 500 dollars, which may go to defray the expence of collection and occasional contingencies. We esteem this calculation fair and candid, and we are confident, if generally understood it will be found practicable. Now as to the means we possess of discharging this ex-