Springfield 1636-1886, History of Town and City, by Mason A. Green ...

314 SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1S86.
inconsistent witli tlie rights of Mankind ; whatever orders government may see
fit to make witli respect to future contracts, no government can possibly have a
right to alter private contracts, already made under her patronage, and the pro-
tection and security of laws then existing. A Usurpation in such an instance
might soon become a precedent for Usurpation still more dangerous, till the
liberties of the people were Annihilated, not to add that the increase of our paper
debt at ft time when it is already a burthen, appears a preposterous and ridiculous
remedy. You are not to favor any motion for a present revisal of our Constitu-
tion, we are far from thinking it too perfect to be amended, but as within a few
years it is to be revised, of course if then found necessary, we cannot suppose,
it would be prudent, to incur the extraordinary expense and peculiar danger of
attempting an alteration, in so burthensome & so critical a time as this, there are
matters of greater & more immediate consequence which require your attention,
and on which present relief more Especially depends the general perturbation of
peoples spirits at tliis instant, will scarcely admit that calm dispassionate deliber-
ation which is necessary in laying the ground-work in government in so large and
so commercial a state, and a state which has so many foreign as well as domestic
connections, and probably would prevent a tolerable agreement in any amend-
ments that could be proposed.
We would further observe that the tax granted in marcli last and the
method proposed for the payment thereof, under our erabarrissments we conceive
cannot be complied with, nor does it appear to us that Justice requires it should,
for if individuals are possessed of Certificates which the legislature has directed
to be received in part of said tax. why should they be precluded from paying the
same in discharge of? unless a certain sum be likewise paid in Coin ; or rather
why should we be obliged to pay any part which is to be applied to Congress, so
long as the neighboring states are making no such provision? You will there-
fore consider this as an object of your attention and use your endeavour that
such an alteration take place with regard to the collection thereof as will be con-
sistent with the abilities of the people, or that it be suspended to some future
period, or until our Sister states adopt similar measures.
If the legislature covild devise a more expeditious and less expensive method of
administering Justice in future, and for that end some alteration be made in the
Courts of Common pleas and general Sessions of the peace, we would most
heartily acquiesce therein. It may perhaps deserve a thought whether certain
Justices specially appointed, may not be empowered to go into one two or three
Countries and try causes, such as are now try ed by the Common pleas and General
Sessions of the peace, and by that means prevent the needless expence of so
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