Background
James Jackson was born Devonshire, England on September 21, 1757. He went to law school and built a law practice in Savannah. He was elected multiple times to the state legislature, and was elected governor of Georgia in 1788 but declined. He was a part of the First and Second Continental Congress's, and was governor of Georgia from 1798-1801-- as well as a member of the Senate. He served until his death on March 19, 1806.
Quote
Our constitution, sir, is like a vessel just launched, and lying at the wharf,
she is untried, you can hardly discover any one of her properties; it is not
known how she will answer her helm, or lay her course; whether she will bear in
safety the precious freight to be deposited in her hold. But, in this state,
will the prudent merchant attempt alterations? Will he employ two thousand
workmen to tear off the planking and take asunder the frame? He certainly will
not. Let us gentlemen, fit out our vessel, set up her masts, and expand her
sails, and be guided by the experiment in our alterations. If she sails upon an
uneven keel, let us right her by adding weight where it is wanting. In this way,
we may remedy her defects to the satisfaction of all concerned; but if we
proceed now to make alterations, we may deface a beauty, or deform a well
proportioned piece of workmanship . . . .
she is untried, you can hardly discover any one of her properties; it is not
known how she will answer her helm, or lay her course; whether she will bear in
safety the precious freight to be deposited in her hold. But, in this state,
will the prudent merchant attempt alterations? Will he employ two thousand
workmen to tear off the planking and take asunder the frame? He certainly will
not. Let us gentlemen, fit out our vessel, set up her masts, and expand her
sails, and be guided by the experiment in our alterations. If she sails upon an
uneven keel, let us right her by adding weight where it is wanting. In this way,
we may remedy her defects to the satisfaction of all concerned; but if we
proceed now to make alterations, we may deface a beauty, or deform a well
proportioned piece of workmanship . . . .
From:
The Silence