The constitutionalist — Exeter, N.H., 1810-06-25 00:00:00, page 2

N. Hampshire Legislature.
ANSWER OF THE SENATE,
TO THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.
May it please your Excellency,
It is highly gratifying to the Senate
to recognize as the Chief Magistrate
of Newhampshire, one who has so
much the confidence, and respect of
his fellow citizens.—Your repeated
services in various stations are seen
and we believe are duly appreciated by
your constituents ; altho' the benefits
resulting therefrom for atime Were ob
scured by the cloud of adversity, wast
ed and suspended over Our beloved
country by the lawless and arbitrary
conduct of thewavering nations of Eu
rope—We reciprocate, Sir, on our
part congratulations for the success of
our national government which has un
der the guidance of Divine Providence,
as yet preserved the States from the
distresses of %ear. —It is the pleasing
duty of every citizen to praise the
Lord of mercies for hisloving kindness
to the children of men. We greatly
lament that there are so many persons
who pretend they are Americans, and
yet applaud the government of other
nations notwithstanding their aggres
sions on our Citizens and Government,
and who use every endeavour to de-,
grade and weaken, if not destroy, the
only Government now existing, in the
world erected and supported by the
major voice of a Free People.—A
difference of opinion among freemen is
to be expected, and in theirintercourse
with each other, if regulated by the
principles of urbanity and philanthropy
might tend to fan the flame of free
dom and keep the fire of liberty from
extinguishment ; but when the apples
of political discord are unremittingly
scattered among the people by those
who exclusively claim the talent, learn
ing and wealth of a State, either the
mild voice of reason is not heard, or
the disseminators of discord are actua
ted by motives of selfishness, solely
that the voice of reason, warning us
of the evils springing from a state of
anarchy is not heard by our well in
formed citizens, we cannot believe, but
fear foreign emissaries under the garb
of native Americans are attempting to
io divide the citizens from their gov
ernment to subserve the ends of their
employers and to accomplish their
sinister intentions.
We believe it the incumbent duty
of each and every citizen of these
States to be cautious of accrediting the
reports derogatory to the purity or
honour of his own government, more
especially if accompanied by eulogiums
on any other nation.
We coincide in opinion with your
Excellency that the Legislature of this
State has convened at a portentous and
interesting period of the publie con
cerns ; and we cherish the hope that
unanimity and patriotism will actuate
every legislator ja the discharge of his
duties, so ^ to contribute to the wel
fare and happiness of all the inhabi
tants.
The manifold injuries sustained
by the people consequent on the pres
ent system of Banking, demands the
prompt attention and interposition of
the guardians of public and individual
credit, to shield the honest citizen from
loss of bankruptcy.
. It is with pleasure and confidential
emotions that We hear the Militia of
this State, our bulwark and safety
(under providential smiles) and main
defence when assailed by enemies or
traitors, are so well organised and
trained.+;
All proper .encouragement should
be afforded to Manufactures ; and as
far forth as the public advantage may
appear to be promoting Manufactories
will have the concurrent and.fostering
care of the Senate/
Our system of administering justice,
it is probable, may be amended. That
system was founded by our ancestors
dn the important principles of trials
by juries by whic^in every cause in
all actions above certain and well de
fined valuations either party might de
mand and have a verdict of twelve dis
interested citizens, of the vicinity, on
the Case. This invaluable rightshould
not be nullified or vitiated by judicial
or other encroachments ; and as soon
as a suitable time presents, we presume
the legislature will cause a revision of
it.
We accord with your Excellency
in sentiments that the records .of the
Counties and State should be secured
from fire or other destructions, as safe
ly as possible. We have full confidence
that every legislative measure, the ul
timate tendency of which shall be view
ed by you as promotive of the public
benefit, will receive your cordial ap
probation.
ANSWER OF THE HOUSE,
TO THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.
May it please your Excellency.
THE House of Representatives,
with peculiar satisfaction, congratu.
lieve, if we duly reflect and properly
appreciate the Divine goodness in the
bestowment of the numerous temporal
blessings which we enjoy, that it is our
incumbent duty to render incessant
'praise to the Supreme Author of all
As your Excellency suggests, weare
convened to deliberate and decide upon
the important affairs of the State, at
an interesting juncture of our public
concerns ; and we sincerely hope that
we shall not be inattentive to the wants,
nor unmindful of the wishes of those,
whom we have the honor to represent.
We ardently desire that our patriot
ism may not be dormant, nor our time
misimproved; but that we may with
promptitude and an honest zeal per
form every official duty, and unitedly
enact such wholesome laws, and adopt
and pursue such salutary measures, as
may be productive of lasting utility to
the State.
late you on your re-election to the office
of Chief Executive Magistrate of the
State of New Hampshire. Convinced
of your patriotism and ability, the
purity of your intentions, and ofyour
undeviating attachment to the interest
of your fellow citizens, and recollect
ing the many advantages we have ex
perienced under your former adminis
trations, a grateful people could not
hesitate again to confer upon you their
suffrages.
We kindly accept your acknow
ledgements, and cannot refrain to ex
press our felicity, that you have con
sented to leave the peaceful arid hap
py walks of private life, and again to
" Obey the call of your country."
We doubt not that you approach
tion.—This has proved the ruin of
Nations, the destruction of Empires,
and the downfall of Republics.
We therefore perfectly agree and
cordially unite with your Excellency
in opinion, that, at this momentous
period of our public affairs, we are,
as the Representatives of a free people,
under the strongest obligations to use
our Utmost endeavours to promote the
welfare of our Constituents, the nation
at large, and to harmonize the public
opinion; and at the same time to im
plore the divine benediction upon our
laudable exertions.
We sincerely lament that dissensions
in politics should so inflame the minds of
any portion of our citizens, as to stimu
late them to acts of opposition to the
general government. The natural ten
dency of this must be to distract the
public councils, enervate government,
diminish the public confidence, encour
age hostility abroad arid disturb tran
quility at home.<
We are very much surprised to hear,
that any persons in this highly favoured
nation, who have the least acquaint
ance with the unpardonable aggres
sions 'on our foreign commerce, are
justifying them, calumniating our ru
lers, and condemning their administra-
The several Subjects to which your
Excellency has been pleased to call
our attention, shall receive all that con
sideration which their importance de
mands. ,'
The judicial system is considered by
us to be of the utmost importance in
protecting and' securing the lives, lib
erties and property of the citizens ; and
it ought to receive from the Legislature
every possible aid and encouragement.
If the present method of adminis
tering justice in our judicial tribunals
is defective, it is the duty of the Leg
islature to remedy the evil as soon as it
can be done with safety and pro
priety.
In approaching the Judiciary, we
ought, in our opinion, to tread with
cautious and well guarded steps ; lest
in attempting to remedy, we increase
the evil. Your Excellency will please
to rest assured, that whatever amend
ments and improvements, in that im
portant branch of the Government,
may be suggested to the House of Rep
resentatifes, shall receive all that at.
of our republican government."
The House of Representatives re
ciprocate the congratulations of your
Excellency on " the success of our
national government, whose wisdom
and firmness have, amidst the convul
sions of contending nations abroad,"
and conflicting parties at home, hither
to wonderfully maintained the peace,
the dignity and Independence of the
United States.
We Would not be unmindful of
that interposing Providence which has
been so conspicuous in enlightening
and directing our public councils to
those dignified and salutary measures,
which have been the means of our po-
the office of Chief Magistrate with
diffidence; for we presume this must
be the case with every person, duly
impressed with the high responsibility
of the elevated station, and the impor
tant duties incumbent Upon him. We
possess undiminished confidence that
faithfully employed in performing the
duties of the station, and in " support
ing the Independence and true interest
your time and your talents will be
mercies.
litical salvation. We cannot but be-
THE CENSOR....No. 1.
-——" iterumque iterumque inonebo."— virg.
THE unparalleled inclination of the
age we live in to dissipation and licen
tiousness, and their singular contempt
for the principles and practice of virtue,
imperiously call upon the friends of re
ligion and morality for their unremit
ting exertions to prop the tottering
. edifice ; lest falling, it bury in its ruins,
not only the peace and happiness, but
the safety and existence of society.
This subject is particularly interesting
in a nation and under a government
like ours, where the people (who en
joy the supreme sovereignty of the na
tion) alone coritroul the grand machine
of state, and wield the sceptre of au
thority. But if " Corruption like a
worm i' the bud" seize on the body
politic, the springs subservient to its
touch must still be the passive agents
of its capricious, and often dangerous
inclinations.
Actuated by these considerations,
the author of this communication has
been induced to offer to the editor as
a sketch of the plan of a periodical pa
per, which if approved, will be con
tinued. The publication of the pres
ent number wilt be considered as a tacit
declaration of his approbation.
, In the pursuit of this design, he is
well aware of the difficulty of the duty
he undertakes. To intrude his advice
upon the profligate and unthinking ;
to oppose himself to the torrent of vice,
which as yet we hear roaring only at a
distance, but which threatens in its pro
gress to devour & desolate our country,
he is sensiblewill bring upon him tire con
tempt of the licentious, and the perse
cution of the cavilling. But one cor
dial smile from the lip of purity, or
one beam of approbation from the eye
of virtue, will sufficiently compensate
him for the frowns of irreligion and
arm him with fortitude and courage
successfully to resist the attacks of
profligacy.
The object of his future numbers
will be to notice and reprove those vices
which are most prevalent at the present
day, particularly those which by the
sanction of fashion have acquired such
an ascendency in society over true mor
ality as nothing but public taste can
ever suppress ; and until the profes
,sioa and practice of virtue receive the
tention and consideration which the
subject demands.
If " the discretionary power of judges
to Set aside the verdicts of juries" can
be defined by statute, so that the trial
by jury can be holden more sacred
than it now is, it will be our pleasure,
as well as our duty, to make every
improvement in our power in this in
teresting particular.
We are not insensible of the evils
which the public have experienced, in
consequence of the failure of some of
the Banks in this State ; nor of the
advantages which speculators and un
principled men have taken to defraud
many of our innocent citizens of their
hard earned property. We shall anx
iously pursue every measure within the
limits of legislation, to provide a rem
edy for, and to prevent a repetition of/
this destructive evil.
May it please your Excellency,
We would now humbly implore the
Divine benediction upon our concur
rerit ertdeavours to promote the public
good, union and fraternal affection
among our fellow-citizens ; that God
would scatter light in all our paths
and grant you wisdom and virtue, that
you may with fidelity perform every
official duty ; that when you may re
tire from the busy scenes of life, you
may be blest with an approving con
science, and the applause of a grateful
people ; that you receive and enjoy
every earthly comfort in this world, and'
be a subject of eternal happiness in
that which is to come.
The encouragement of domestic
manufactures cannot be forgotten nor
neglected by the representatives of an
enterprizing, agricultural people. This
must tend to harmonize and cement
our fellow-citizens, open a ready
market for our surplus agricultural
products, and render us less dependent
upon foreign nations.
The security of our valuable State
and County records from destruction
from fire is a subject which demands
and shall receive our prompt attention.
Being sensible it will diminish the
public expense, to have but one session
df the Legislature, we shall makeevery
possible exertion to complete the im
portant business of the State necessary
to be transacted the present year at
this time.
We are gratified to hear from your
Excellency that the vigilance and pat
riotism of the several officers of the
Militia have been apparent in organ
izing and disciplining out " citizen
soldiers," the natural bulwark of the
nation, to whom we deem it our duty
to afford every legislative aid in our
power.
For the Constitutionalist.
This method prescribed by the con
stitution is unquestionably correct, but
the injudicious manner in which this
power is exercised produces the most
serious consequences.
I shall attempt to enumerate some
of the disadvantages which result from
our method of filling vacancies, and
suggest a remedy, which if not the best,
its tendency is better calculated to pro
duce a well regulated militia (which
the constitution declares —the proper,
natural and sure defence of a state)
than the present system, and would ex
cite that spirit of emulation, so neces
sary to give energy to an establish
ment of this nature.
It has been almost invariably the
case, that the field officers, paying neith
er regard to military acquirements, or
correctness of character, have recom
mended the officer Whose commission
happened to bear the earliest date.
You ask is this incorrect? If all offi
cers are equally well qualified, certain
ly not. Perhaps you may ask why is
it there are so few men of talents and
genius, who fill the offices in the militia.
It results from an abuse of that pow
er, which is very correctly vested in the
commissioned officers of companies, of
appointing their non-commissioned of
ficers ; this power is usually exercised
with regard to the capacity of a man
to perform the duty of a sergeant.
Mark the consequence. lie who is
barely qualified to perform the duty of
a sergeant, is promoted, grade by grade,
till he finds himself at the head of a
company ; perhaps self-approbation
may induce him to pursue his ambitious
course, till he reaches the summit.
Behold this, extremely noble gener
al' brandishing his untried sword at the
head l of his brigade or division ! happy
America ! whose sons are born to com
mand; we behold thy native warriors
modestly reposing their hopes of victo
ry and renown, on that unaided valour
The only pretension the Center can
make to the honour of an introduction
to the public, consists in the sincerity
of his motives, and the purity of his
intentions. To loftiness of expression
and elevation of thought he can have
no pretence, except what the solemni
ty of the duties he will inculcate will
necessarily inspire. He avows his in
tention to present the indiscretions (as
they are called) of the present day in
themost vivid colours in which he is
able to paint them ; to strip the harlot
Vice of all her tawdry finery and arti
ficial beauty, and in all her native de
formity, to " lash her naked through
the world."
For the Constitutionalist'.
Militia.
IT has been asserted, that the lliili.
tia from the nature of things, cannot
be so organized, as to preclude the ne
cessity of standing armies, which are
declared in our bill of rights, danger
ous to liberty.
Is there one friend in this republic,
whose blood does not give the li, to
this assertion ?
The Militia has been represented,
destitute of officers, arms, and equip
ments. Can this be true ? As a friend
to the establishment I am compelled to
regret that, in general, it is so ; though
I had no better means of information,
than the official returns, I must declare
the situation of the Militia, (in this
State in particular) deplorable. It
may be said by some, that our soldiers,
generally speaking, have their comple
ment of arms. What is the fact ?
should the inspector of brigade make
return only of those arms fit for actual
service, what proportion would they
bear to the number of men enrolled ?
I venture to assert not one to ten ;
Even were returns to be made in this
manner, they could not be entirely re
lied on, as it not unfrequently happens,
that the arms precede the reviewing of
ficers from one regiment to another,
and of course are very liable (through
mistake perhaps) to be returned more
than once.
Should it be granted, that this is not
a misrepresentation, some new arrange
ment cannot be too soon adopted.
I very well know these evils cannot
be, at once, corrected, but they may
much sooner, than from the present
system, or rather want of system, seems
probable.
As it respects the best mode of offi
cering the Militia, a variety of opinions
prevail, and various are the modes
which have been adopted and acted up
on in the different states.
Our constitution declares, that " the
captains and subalterns in the respec
tive regiments, shall be nominated by
the field officers to the governor, who
is to issue their commissions immedi
ately on receipt of such recommenda
tion."
seal and sanction of fashion, nr until
his endeavours are seconded by more
powerful agents than he can employ,
the Censor has to fear that his efforts
will be useless, and his exertions inef
fectual.
We learn that Messrs Cornelius
Coolidge $ Co. have received advices of
the shipment, by several vessels bound
to different ports in this state, of the
residue of their ffock of Merino Sheep.
Nine have already arrived at Newbu
ryport in the ship Mark and Abigail,
and six remarkably fine ones arrived
at this port on Friday last in the brig
Hamlet, and on Saturday, nine, per the
Three Brothers. Thirteen are daily
expected in the ship Herschell, bound
to Portland, twelve in the brig Patri
ot, for this place, &c. We are also
informed that Messrs Coolidge % Co.
are determined to sell these sheep upon
very liberal terms, that the farmers of
this and the adjoining states may be
benefitted by an opportunity which may
never again occur, with as little iucou~ •
venience to themselves as possible.
63= The printers in the United:
States, disposed to aid the manufac
turing and agricultural interests of
their Country, are requested to insert
the above notice.
We have a report from Washington
that the French Minister has remon
strated warmly against the seizure of
French privateers at New-Orleans-—
and required the dismissal of Com. Por
ter, from the service, for the part he
has had in it.
The proceedings at New-Orleans
have, undoubtedly, not exceeded what
the law requires. Wedo not see there
fore that the remonstrance can effect
any thing. The French are very ready
to find fault. But not prompt to do
justice. Palled. .
The news of the day is, that Con
gress is to be immediately convened by
proclamation. The President, it is
said, waited only for the arrival of the
John Adams to determine on the course
he would pursue. The John Adams
has arrived, and, we shall, of course
soon know whether Congress are to
meet immediately, or not. The next
question is, why do they meet ?—What
will they do? Will they lay another
permanent embargo ?—No. The coun
try has already decided against embar
goes. Will they declare war against
France ?—No. There is a strong party
in this country in favor of Napoleon
—Congress dare not offend that party.
Will they declare war against Eng
land ?—No. A majority of the people
are opposed to such a measure. What
then will they do ? They will make
flaming war speeches : They will pro
nounce loud curses and anathema's
against England, and whispers of dis
approbation against France : They
will propose and discuss, for many days,
the old exploded system of commercial
and social restrictions ; but be careful
to lay none of them. They will talk
of Wilkinson's late army ; but will
be sure to have no army but an army
of useless officers. They will bring
forward resolutions relative to the navy,
but suffer what few ships we have to
rot in the mud of the Potomac. They
will bring in bills providing for arming
and disciplining the militia ; but the
militia will never be armed nor dis
ciplined—They will be loud in favor of
fortifications, but grant no money for
their erection.—They will talk a little
about gun-boats, and agreat deal about
torpedoes. They will propose direct
taxes ; but they dare not lay them.-
They will hold caucuses toinfluence the
elections :—They will make arrange,
merits to promote the views of the
ruling party, at she expence of the
nation. They will authorise another
loan—and adjourn.—They will do
every thing but what they ought to do-
They will tremble before the "super
eminent robber of Europe when- they
ought to oppose him like men. They
will deliberate when they ought to act,
and hesitate when they ought to de
termine. They will, in fact, do as
every other government has done which
has attempted to court the friendship
of the Corsican tyrant —they will suffer
the energies of the nation to be paralized
by foolish experiments, and to fall an
easy prey into the jaws of the de
vourer.
MASS.
Shall we behold the hand of beauty,
twining on thy brow the laurel of vic
tory ? Start not, that perfidious art
has wrested from the simplicity of na
ture, the trophy claimed by unculti
vated merit. But you ask for a reme
dy. I answer ; not till merit shall
procure its just reward, and be the on
ly claim to promotion, can our militia
be respectable.
which nature gave ; disposing the em
anations of science, and prefering the
untutored sagacity of nature to all the
erudition of a Steuben or Saxe,
>p the ffls,
CALL OF CONGRESS.
MERINO SHEEP.
NEW-YORK, JUNE 14, 1810.
BOSTON, JUNE 18, 1810-