been independent of the residue of the
State, that they would consider a proposal to unite them to the other
parts of the State, as a violent attempt to wrest from them the only
security for their persons or property. They would lament how little
security they should derive from sending one or two members to the
legislature at Hartford & New Haven, and all the evils that the Scots
predicted from the proposed union with England, in the beginning of the
present century, would be thundered with all the vehemence of American
politics, from the little ten miles district. But surely no man believes
that the inhabitants of this district would be less secure when united to
the residue of the State, than when independent. Does any person suppose
that the people would be more safe, more happy, or more respectable, if
every town in this State was independent, and had no State government?

Is it not certain that government would be weak and irregular, and that
the people would be poor and contemptible? And still it must be allowed,
that each town would entirely surrender its boasted independence if they
should unite in State government, and would retain only about
one-eightieth part of the administration of their own affairs.

Has it ever been found, that people's property or persons were less
regarded and less protected in large states than in small?

Have not the Legislature in large states been as careful not to
over-burden the people with taxes as in small? But still it must be
admitted, that a single town in a small state holds a greater proportion
of the authority than in a large.

If the United States were one single government, provided the constitution
of this extensive government was as good as the constitution of this State
now is, would this part of it be really in greater danger of oppression or
tyranny, than at present? It is true that many people who are _great men_
because they go to Hartford to make laws for us once or twice in a year,
would then be no greater than their neighbours, as much fewer
representatives would be chosen. But would not the people be as safe,
governed by their representatives assembled in New York or Philadelphia,
as by their representatives assembled in Hartford or New Haven? Many
instances can be quoted, where people have been unsafe, poor and
contemptible, because they were governed only in small bodies; but can any
instance be found where they were less safe for uniting? Has not every