tendency towards a strict construction of the instrument in the mind of the scholar, the only construction of the Constitution safe to our free institutions and to the Constitution itself. 。 one, can No familiar with the affairs of our government, have failed to notice how large a proportion of our statesmen appear never to have read the Constitution of the United States with a careful reference to its precise language and exact pro visions, but rather, as occasion presents, seem to exercise their ingenuity, unfortunately too often powerful and powerfully exerted, to stretch both to the line of what they, at the moment, consider expedient. A reference to a careful, perfect, and full analysis of that instrument, and of the grants of power really found in it, cannot fail to exert a strong and salutary influence upon such minds. It is, however, upon the mind of the student and the rising generation of our country our country that I anticipate the widely extendes useful influence of your book. If it shall be, as I hope it may, introduced as as a class-book in our schools, it cannot fail soon to produce a more sound and correct and uniform under. standing of the Constitution as it is, than has hitherto prevailed in our country. may our It has long been a favorite wish of mine, as to this state, that our public laws of universal interest be, by Legisla ture, distributed to our common schools in a form to be made a class-book for the more advanced scholars, that the current legis. lation of the state be early and thoroughly understood by those who are to be the voters of the state. may you Your book suggests the addition of the Constitution of the State, with a full index, such as that have prepared for the Federal Constitution, as a permanent class-book to precede the study of the current laws; and, if your Constitution and the laws of Congress of a general character and universal public interest could be connected with the course of study, I do not know our any thing that would go so far soundly to qualify young men to become freemen, and to discharge the duties of freemen at the polls of our elections so safely to their country and creditably to themselves. I sincerely hope the publication of your way young men book may your c lead the index in to some such valuable addition to the education of the of the republic. My leisure has not permitted me to examine all its parts as carefully as the subject demands, but the exami nations I have made, together with my knowledge of your accustomed accuracy, and invariable fidelity of intention, induce me to speak with the confidence I do of the whole work. The matter you have connected with the publication of the Constitu tion is pertinent, and such as the student of the instrument ought to be made familiar with, while the lessons of wisdom from the Father of his Country will consecrate the whole to his memory and his heart. young With the repetition of my thanks for the copy of this work, believe me, Very respectfully, and truly, yours, William Hickey, Esq. Silas Wright. FROM THE HONORABLE JOHN MACPHERSON BERRIEN, SENATOR OF THE UNITED STATES. Dear Sir, Rockingham, 28th Sept., 1847. you you the I examined the copy of "The Constitution" which sent to me on its first publication, and then expressed to favorable opinion which I entertained of the work, from its neat. ness, its accuracy, and its comprehensiveness. Of the importance of its distribution all classes of our citizens, I think no one can doubt. It is the fundamental law, thai when controls all others—the charter of our liberties, which a personal interest in understanding thoroughly. among every citizen has I would bo de gratified, therefore, to know that every citizen was possessed of copy of it, and had made himself familiar with its contents, by frequent and careful perusals of it. This would make him more perfectly comprehend his own position as a citizen of this great Republic; it would enable him to realize more cordially the intimate relation in which he stands to every other citizen; and thus its tendency would be to draw closer the fraternal bond which unites us as one people. He would become sensible how much the intelligence and virtue of each individual may promote the happiness of his fellows, and of the corresponding and unhappy influence of ignorance and vice; and this conviction would render him the advocate of all proper measures to enlarge the intelli. and improve the morals, of those with whom he is politi. cally associated. A knowledge of the Constitution, which is for the most part plain and simple in its provisions, would often enable him to spurn indignantly the efforts of demagogues to mislead him, and awaken him to a deeper sense of gratitude for the privileges which he is permitted to enjoy. gence, It would, in my opinion, be desirable that such a copy of the Constitution as that which you have prepared, should be in pos. session of each judicial tribunal throughout the land, as a standard to which reference may be had with undoubting confidence, in cases which involve questions of Constitutional law. But I ет would especially desire to see it introduced as a text-book in our schools and colleges, that our young men may be taught to know their rights, and to become acquainted with their duties, as citizens, before they engage in the employments of active life. citizen of the United States, I thank you for the benefit which you have conferred upon the community by this compilation, and you best wishes that your labors be amply remunerated. I am, dear sir, very resp'y, Yo. a Cov. Hickey. have my may Jno. Macpherson Berrien. FROM THE HON. HENRY CLAY, SENATOR OF THE UNITED STATES. Dear Sir, Washington, September, 1850. Understanding that you intend to publish a fourth edition of the volume, compiled and prepared by you, containing the Constitution of the United States, and other highly useful and interesting matter, I take pleasure in expressing the satisfaction I have derived from an examination of the work. You have displayed judgment in the materials which it embodies, and in the order with which they have been arranged. Your residence at the city of Washington, and in one of the public offices, has af forded you an opportunity of access to the original text of the Constitution, and to the other documents and records contained your volume, of which you appear to have assiduously availed yourself. Your work, therefore, deserves perfect confidence in its entire authenticity. in citizen There are so many and such obvious reasons in favor of this book being extensively circulated, and in the hands of every who can conveniently afford to purchase it, that I cannot doubt the existence of a constant and large demand for it. And citizens who are going abroad, and foreigners who are coming among us, would all do well to obtain possession of a book which comprises, within a small compass, the record of so many impor tant National events and National transactions. It is scarcely necessary to add an expression of my obtain a liberal patronage from the public, that you may richly merited for your labors. am respectfully, wishes 50 Col. W. Hickey. "H. Clay FROM THE HON. LEWIS CASS, SENATOR OF THE UNITED STATES. Detroit, November 15, 1850. any any testimo. adventitious cir. Dear Sir, Act your request I have carefully examined, and do not hesi tate to give my opinion of the value of, your edition of the Constitution, though it is a work which does not need nial of mine to its merits, nor will the expression of my judgment commend it the more to public favor. It is a monument of care, and labor, and accuracy, and may safely depend upon it's own intrinsic claims, without calling to its aid cumstances whatever. The voice of the country and the repeated orders of the Senate for its publication and distribution, are equally honorable to the character of the work, and to the ability and fidelity of the author. Its scrupulous accuracy, its analytical investigations, and the compression of the important historical facts which preceded and attended the proceedings of the Convention, and which marked the progress of the adoption of the Constitution, through all the stages of doubt and anxiety, till the final and happy consummation, have already received the approbation of several eminent men, whose letters are contained in the former edition. But if ever there was α period in the history of our country, which called upon us to look back upon the blessings which the Constitution has brought, and the difficulties it encountered before it received the sanction of the American States and people, that period is upon us. I we were now mortal upon power separated, as we were in 1787, could bring us together. Whether, with all the experience of our dangers and our blessings, we can be kept together, must depend upon the spirit with which we come up to the work. Whether the feelings of concession and compromise which ani. mated our fathers will continue to animate their sons, or enough |