'l'EXAS STATE LIBRARY
predominates. It is true for the purpose of keeping di5similar por- tions of a country united-separated by a difference of climate,- of interest, ~nd of habits-to have them represented, & th~ peculiar wants, and mterest of each a,ttended, to and at the same time, such a people are kept united together at home, their government shall be efficient against an external enemy, and respectd abroad, would seem to require a confederation of states to accomplish, such very im- portant purposes. But, we have seen what heavy draw backs such a confederation must be taxed, with, & how_ must local disquiet, dispu- tation, and unhappiness-its population must experience. But the whole question resolves itself into this, a population circumstanced as above stated, can only exist in the form of a creditable and iffi- cient Government, under the ties of a c0nfederation of States. · In the absence of a conferation, the whole, would sub-divide into smaller conferations, where Gircumstances and uniformity of interest, or climate tied them, together But neither portion would ever possess the strength, or the l"espectability, of the present confederation, of 26 states. In no event of a dissolution of the Union could a number of severed states, run into a mass, & become one large Commonwealth. Or on the other hand, would each fall back upon its own boundaries, & assume the duties & claim the station of a National Commonwealth, independant of others. No, the severance of the presant Confedera- tion would result in the creation of several small confederacies, as full of jars, disquiets and jealousies, almost, as those experienced at the present day-It is true, one might suppose, that in a small Confed- eracy, where the interest and pursuits of the people were congenial, & the climate were the same, the same contention and unhappiness would not be realized. It is probable, the causes of, real dissatis- faction would not be so great, or so numermous; - but, experience would prove, that no Confederacy-however great or small can be formed and exist without them. The Greek confederation though, small was agitated with the most violent troubles. - And ours, one of the largest ever formed is by no means free from them. Make a confederacy out of any number of our States. Take the Southern States, where circumstances appear least likely to engender dissen- tion, and form a confederacy of these states. And it would soon be found that the bane of all conferacies would soon be developed, & that is contention, dissention, & jealously among the states of the confederation. The more powerful & wealthy S'tates, would aim to domineer over, and control the affairs and destinies of the smaller States, & thus give rise to much disquiet & unhappiness - If a southern Confederation, if ever formed could be emerged into a com- monwealth Republic, I should have more confidence in its stability and prosperity. I have shown, that almost the only circumstances, that makes a confederation of States absolutely necessary, are tho~e of a wide extent of country and great diversity of soil, climate, and interest, yet even such a confederation existing from necessity-has a great many heavy drawbacks attendant upon it.- But, when we come to a smaller domain of country, where there is an assimilation < f pursuits, climate & interest, I never want to see a confederation of states, if it could be avoided; a broad & uniform COMMONWEALTH RE- PUBLIC, would be more conduci-\,e to the prosperity and happiness of
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