346 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



The resolutions from Kentucky, which had 

 been referred from the last session of the legis- 

 lature, were called up for consideration. The 

 alteration in the federal constitution which was 

 proposed by that state, was a diminution of the 

 powers of the federal courts, and an increase of 

 those of the particular states. The assembly at 

 Danville had approached this subject with cau- 

 tion, and had not ventured to decide without 

 inquiry upon an alteration, that might materially 

 affect the interests of the commercial states ; 

 and with a view for more mature consideration 

 and further information on the subject, had re- 

 ferred it to the present session. None of these 

 difficulties occurred to the present assembly. So 

 favorable an opportunity to weaken the powers 

 of the federal constitution, and to increase their 

 own, by bringing the affairs of business under 

 the decision of the judges whom the assembly 

 annually elected, was not to be lost ; it was the 

 more welcome, as the federal constitution might 

 now be weakened in the name of liberty, and 

 their own powers be augmented under the ap- 

 pearance of joining a sister state in the cause of 

 freedom. The house resolved itself into a com- 

 mittee of the whole, debated a little upon the 

 subject, and adopted the Kentucky proposals 

 by a great majority, yeas 148, nays 34.* 



In the course of this session, it was proposed 

 to make an address to the president of the Uni- 

 ted States ; the motion was agreed to without 

 any opposition. The design of the address was 

 not barely unmeaning compliment, but business 

 and policy. It was believed by the assembly 



• P»gc 65. 



