Oracle post — Portsmouth, N.H., 1803-12-13 00:00:00, page 1

'fe^re—E
Vol. XIV.]
4f ALL THE DISPOSITIONS AND HABITS
WHICH LEAD TO POLITICAL PROSPERITY
RELIGION and MORALITY ARE INDISPENSA
BLE SUPPORTS. Washington's Legacy
MISCELLANY.
Messrs. TREADWELLS.
AS your paper circulates in the Diftrift of
Maine, you are requeued to re publish the follow
ing from the Borton papers, that the ic habitants of
that part of Massachusetts may be apprifed^f the
fubjeft, and if any measures should be taken at the
entiling or any future femon, they may ^ail them-'
selves of the opportunity of doing fomeffing, of the
(flame kind for the benefit of Maine.
Your's JONAS HANWAY.
« Let not each man's affefttota be folel, confined to ! is
" private Interest - baftud, to promote tbewelfare
f-^^^^rtAfy^ -^f^
Harwoc)b's Paraphrase, Phillippians it 4^
™%>ANtS, INSURANCE COMPANIES, and various
other Corporations, For merely Lucrative purposes, have
of late multiplied with so muc> facility, that as a branch of
Political economy, they have excited much attention, and,
perhaps a proportionate anxiety to underhand the fubjeft,
or, however, to partake of the profits. These lucrative In
ftitutionsare now Co frequent, as to become a diftind de
partment of Legiflnion, and the Legislature accordingly,
as a matter of courfe,annually appoint Standing Committees,
exclusively on the fabjefts of Bants, Turnpikes, &c.—They
are indeed, a fort of Science,or rather a branch or copartner
ship of Trade, by which nearly every denomination of cit-
Zens, (who are able to lock out for tbmfe/ves) are accomodated
What have been the procuring causes of all this over
flowing Wealth, of which these companies seem to he the
sign, I shall not attempt to explain, in general or particulars.
It is fufficient for my present perpofe, to observe only that
we have beheld our Country for many years, in a state of
Peace and Prosperity, for which, perhaps Hiftory can fur
nio ino equal example. This is, no doubt, in a great mea
sure, owing to the excellent Conflitutions, and the mild
System of Laws and Government under which we live, so
'.that it is our own fault, if we do not live happily. Tor
these favours of a bountiful Providence, our Hearts, in the
language of Gratitude, Should dispose us to acknowledge to
the Almighty Giver —" Tbe lines have fallen to us in pleafont
laces that we have a goodly beritage.r-TRov ball prepared a
fub!c, before us, in tbe presence of our Enemies, Thou anoints |
©wteadiivitb oil, Our cup runneth over."
Finding ourselves in such agreeable circumstances, we
have Icifurc to look about us for Objects, who need eur
affiCance, and as we have the Means, and a corresponding
DJpJition, to afford them Relief, nothing seems want
ing but a Plan, or Syften^ to diffufe these blessings among a
greater proportion of our fellow-creatures, and in future
agree to make it pur bufihefs, “ to male tbe crookedfirait, and
tbe rough places fmootb, and help each other to travel the
remainder of our Journey thro' life, with as much comfort
and pleasure as the lot of Humanity will admit.
Ilam not an advocate for, or an opposer of Banks, or any 1
' of the other numerous Lucrative Institutions, because I need
much information,before I can form a conclusive opinion on
a fubjedt so complicated, and which has exercised the Ge
nius of the ablest heads in Europe.—lt is, therefore, no part
,;( ray ^fign togm mm '„ *tamir,tiov of their prinaiph
how far they arc beneficial, or injurious in their operation
19thofe engaged in Trade—or of their moral, or political
tendencies, or effeas, as I feel altogether unqualified for
such investigations.—They,, however, novy encreafe so faft,
that they must have some influence, immediately, or remote
ly, on the manners and well being of Society, and may pro
duce much good or much evil.---Which of these will pre
dominate, I must wait longer, and learn from the great
Teacher Experience to decide for, or against their general
Utility. But, leaving these things and taking up the fub
te& as we find it, in the a&ual lute of Society among us,
my only view is to lay before the public as a fubjed of free
enquiry and candid difeuffion, tbe following proposition.
Among all tbe BA^KSbitberto effablijbed, all tbe Public purposes
vbicb have been answered and individuals and classes accomo
dated. Whether there is not fill a clajs of People tbe meft ne
ole&d tube bave tkeftrongrjl claims to tbe attention, and tbe Fos
tering of tbe Government > In this Class (or Classes) may
be numbered the Orphan, rhe Widow, the unmarried Wo
man, the Minor, the Cripple, the Insane, the Ideot and to
comprehend, in one word, a great number and a variety
the FrienEefs. By those last mentioned, (Including Stran
gers, or Aliens) it is meant to include any, or all defcrip
(ion's of persons, which nfay not be properly classed, with
either of thnfe beforementioned, as they may, (peeking gen
erally, have some relation or friend, who are supposed to
have some degree of concern for their welfare, but. not in all
cases milling, or perhaps capable of taking care of their inter
est, but the Stranger is presumed to be defticute of such
Friends.
Let us pay a momentary atteotiori, to some of these def
cripiions of persons.—So great is the imperfedion of all
human arrangements, and such the case of Orphans and Mi
nors, &c. that a Queftibn here arises. whether their proper
ty would not generally be in a better state of Security, and
a greater probability of accumulating in a Bank, than in tbe
hands of individuals ? The responsible troublesome, & feme
times expensive Trust of Executors, Guardians, &c. would
in this way, be performed cheerfully, as far as relates to
property, free of expence, by men who would have acorn
mon concern, with the Widow the Orphan, &c. in the se
curity and increase of their property. The general superin
tendence of a guardian, in the Education and other concerns
of his Ward we may reasonably suppose to be fufficiently
burthenfome, without the trouble and rifque of the securi
ty of his property. The latter, therefore, isa part of the
charge, which is fairly prefumcable, mod Guardians, would
be glad to be free from. The Or, ban and the Miner would
thus have the bed Security for bis property, and on coming
of age, find it accumulated, so as to answer, not only every
demand for his support and education, during bis Minori
ty ; but also, to make him a Stockholder to a considerable a
mount and enable him to begin business on his own Capital.
The Widow, or the fmgle Woman, advanced in years,
perhaps, entertains "no thoughts of changing her condition."
Her utmost with, as far as the good things of this life arc
concerned, is the secure Deposit of her little all, in the
fafeft hands, and in a manner the most proda^ivc, to ena
ble her to live on tbe lutereft, as far as that may go,
without breaking upon her humble Capital. A few hun
dred Dollars (possibly so great a sum as a thousand), the
frugal Savings of money earned by hard labour, or her
portion in the dividend of an estate, or a Legacy by a re
lation or friend, forms, perhaps, much the greatest part of
her property. This in the care of a bank, and partaking
of its profits, with her habitual industry and economy,
might place her above dependance and charity, if not yield
a more comfortable living.
If a "Stranger or Sojourner," falls lick and dies among
vs, and leaves more er less property, where could there be
a fafer Deposit, until his legal heirs appear to claim it—if
none appear, the Judge of Probate, or the Attorney-Gene
ral, know what to dire&, in the disposal of it.
The laborious mechanic, now approaching to, or arri
ved at year's beyond tbe season of labour, perhaps, Offering
under the loft of fight, or tearing, or the racking pains of
the Rheumatism, or general debility, or some other of the
numerous ills, which our "Nature is heir to'' and it may be
a large family to provide for, and children to educate,
whose prudence has saved him a few hundred dollars for
sickness, or "a rainy day," might here draw his semi-annual,
or quarterly Dividend, that would soothe his pains, and
procure for him ''Wine that makelb glad the heart of Man,
and On. to give him a cheerful countenance, and BREAD which
frengtbenetb Man's heart."
The Sea-beaten Mariner, or "the War-worn Soldier," or
this heirs, who have bad the economy to save out “of bis
^penury," a part of the pittance which his Country, or his
„ employers, allowed him for his services, could here put in
his, or his WIDOW her “two Mites," towards the sup
port or education of her children.—Let it never be said of
Veterans in the service of our Country^ what the sublime
Young, so pathetically describes to be their ungrateful
condition in others:
. "Broken under arms,
In Battle loft away, with half their limbs,
Beg bitter Bread, tbro' lands their valour fav'd. 1 '
And there is, beside, the Mariner, the Soldier, the Stran
ger &c. a class which has so many anomalies, that it would
be difficult to arrange them, under generic or fpeeific names
—we mutt, therefore, for the present, call them Non-De
fcript. These may be as nume ^us, rad as much entitled
-^j, - ^^ . r r'- # r i - v^.^< . % ,, ,•"'"^
said tc have "NO HELFER.' But it is unneccflary co
fwcll the lift by Rating the number of probable, or possible
cases that may happen, of persons who have the best claims
to Humanity, and to the elite and patronage of the Government
over their property. Every one's own obfervat ion will en
able hi* to felca in the circle of his acquaintance, the un
fortunate and distressed, whose afflictions in the course of Na
ture, from the feeblenc fs of Constitution, from the difp^n
fations of Providence, or some peculiar circumstances, enti
tle them to all we can do to alleviate their Offerings, and
secure the wreck of their property, and thus to "bear one
anotbers burthens, and so fulfil tbe Law of CbriJl." Who is
he that dare, in his prosperity to fay, "my mountain ftandetb
fU^l IfcaU never be moved." Whatyfecurity have you,
that fame of the losses, or afflictions above-mentioned, may
not come into your own family. ? —You may insure against
lofsifrom your Ship, or your Floufe, against Fire—but, can
yog insure for Yourfef, against the premature decay of the
Faculties, or chronic diseases, or the Yellow Fever, or a
broken; or palsied Limb, or mental derangement, or some
other bitter ingredients, which may "be tbe portion as your
cup." %
If the Commerce and Wealth of pur Country has a&ual
ly encreafed, as these numerous lucrative Institutions would
seem to indicate, and if there really is so great profits ac
cruing to Bank Stockholders, as we daily heat— Wby
Should net the Orphan, o the Widow, tbe Minor, the unmar
ried Woman, the Mechanic, the Mariner, the Soldier, the
Stranger, the Ideot, the Cripple, the Insane, the Infirm, the
Dfreffed, of whatever age, sex, or condition.— Why Should
not they participate in these advantages, rather than trust
the Security of an individual, and reap, if not the Colder
harvests, cf some, let thefa at least be permitted to be
Gleaners of the Silver field, and leave part of their Glean
ings to their needy heirs or friends. The main object of
this enquiry then, is to extend this Guardian care, and the
Benefits of Banning to all the descriptions of persons above
mentioned, and to all others, whom it may be expedient to
associate with them.
Let then, at least, one Bank, be established, which Shall
embrace and nourish in its Lap, all such persons, of the a
bove descriptions, las Shall appear to desire it, and deposit
their Mites, with as many others of the Non-Dfoipt clas
ses, which require relief, and are the proper objects of it,
as may be confident with the nature of such a Bank. To
bring my ideas more to a point, and to give them some
Shape, let us, for example, call this the Asylum Bank, the
Benevolent, the Humane, the Philanthropic, or tn# Guardian
Bank, or by any other name, which Shall best express its ap
propriate purpose, and fufficicntly diOioguilh it from com
mon Banks.,
Whether it would be best, that the Bank, now proposed,
Should be conftruded on the fame principles, as other
Banks, or partially, or entirely different, and calculated up
on principles, adapted to its own peculiar purposes.—
Whether the Subferibers to this Bank, may receive Asso
ciates of any other description, so as to include a propor
tion of the wealthy—or, whetber they Should be connea
cd with any other Bank, already eflablilhcd,—ar, with a
" Towh-Bank," or any other about to be formed, by incor
porating , their Stocks into one Fund, on common Banking
and commercial principles, apd what proportion this Stock
Should bear to the vAyole—Whether it would better, that
.ample provision Should be made, for those herein pleaded
for, in any of the existing Banks, by admitting their Stock
to be added, from time to time, co the original Capital,
upon the fame terms is the original fubferibers, without
any advance or loss upon the sum actually subscribed.
Whether the Commonwealth (withdrawing its Stock in
tbe Union Bank, or not) Shall be concerned as Partners in this
Bank, in preference and exclufton of all others-—whether
one such Bank would be fufficient for Massachusetts,
and another for Maine-— or, whether, according to the
ability of Population and Property, there Should be one in
each County, or in each of the most considerable Sea-
Ports.--" What sum ought to form tbe Capital Stock, if it
Should be thought proper to limit the Sum, as in other
Banks-—what sum Should make a Share in this Bank—
whether any kind of Eflate, real or personal, Should be
receivable for Shares in the Stock, other than Coin,or
Public Securities---whit number, and who, Shall form
the Body of Directors, —or, any other arrangements
and provifiens, it may be thought necessary to make,
are questions, which must be answered by others, who
are more competent to the fubjc&.,
If such a Bank, as is here proposed. Should be tho't
advifeable, whatever principles, er modifications of them,
may be adopted in its conftrudtion, —considering its pe
culiar Dtfgn and Obje&s, Should it not be under the
more ef,trial care and protecting Wing of the govern
ment---/^/, may not the Governor and Council,
(for tbe time being) be Directors, or otherwise have
some salutary controul in its affairs, at least for the
fame purpose, as the State Treasurer, in behalf of the
Commonwealth; is (ex officio) a Direaor in the Union
Bank.---And as from the nature of the case Judges or
Probate, must have much left in their diferetion, and
from their official Situation, have the most intimate know
ledge of the property and circumstances of those, whom
the Laws have committed to their exclusive Jurisdiction,
would there not be a propriety in appointing the Judges of
' Probate Directors (ex officio) in each County or Town,
where such a Bank may be eSlabhfhed. May not the At
torney- General, and the Solicitor - General, in their official cha
racters, have some ufeful agency in tbe concerns of such a
, Bank. But there would be probably, no want of fuimble
characters for Directors. Men of the bigheft fortunesand
: reputation, would esteem it an honorable employment, to
• take the care of the property of the various forts of helpless
people, who are the objects of this Bank, and, perhaps, for
f this reason, a certain proportion of Gentlemen of fortune,
; may, with advantage to the poorer classes, be associated
, with them, and by thus embarking their several fortunes,
I in one bottom, provide the greater Security for the whole.
Thus will "fbe Rich and tbe Poor meet together, tbe Lord is
; tbe Maker of them all. Perhaps, no men in Society, in the
: common affairs of life, give so much time and service; for
f no pecuniary reward, as Physicians and Overfears of tbe
Poor of the Tran, and Ministers and Deacons, for the
Poor of the Church. Why then Should it not be accounted
as honorable for Gentlemen of fortune and leifurc, to be
; Overseers and Deacons, in thexafe under confidcration, as
f in the others.--- But the fubjeft carries its o<vn evidence,
: agd requires no argumentation for its support.
: A fol, thus nurtured and protected by tbe Parental
, care of tbe government, and its Security and prolific
• Powers, provided for and guarded, by all the means which
ORACLE POST.
■gg^^'lMM^
TUESDAY, December 13, 1803.
QQQQCTfyQ —^QQQBQQtttt— Mts&> ms =mraraQ^^^^n^— -=- ——--
the il§auity of man has devised, and which motives
Humanity and Interest, both conspire to excite
may not fach a Bank, become as it were---" A
FATHER to tbe Father less, a HUSBAND to the Widow, and
a guiueto the Youth" that Shall be "eyes to tbe Blind,
andrite., to the Lame"--that C^aW"flrengtben the weak
bands,confirm the feeble knees"--, that Shall be
"a co,fct to tbe MOURNERs".--that Shall "break tbe Jaws
of tbe RICKED, and pluck tbe SPOIL out of bis Teeth' —that
"will l^,g the BLIND into a STREET that they know not, and
lead ^} into a foot path these they are ignorant in. That
"Jba:lfake darkness LIGHT before them, and tbe thing that is
crocked $ be STRAIT." That Shall “deliver tbe poor from
him t ifr too strong for him ; yea tbe poor and him that is in
riifery ft him that fpoiletb him" That "fall keep tbe
Simpl^FoLK in their Right, defend tbe Children of tbe
Poor, ^ punifb tbe WRONG DOER. ---That Shall" be as "a
Father the Poor, qnd tbe Cause which they know not, have
fearebe* yt. That Shall "fay to them of a Fearful heart, BE
STROK, FEAR NOT.
"Tt tbe Eyes of tbe BLIND Jhall be opened, and tbe Ears
' 'C^ ±''*J' a " be u»Jiopped,---tben Jball tbe Lamb, leap as
," qfhe tonga- 4'tbe DnM.3 th illf.ng."
(t&R'q cue bear $, th @m ^g# ,• „ ^ ~.-;\.> .' •v,,,
fees, it wih give vitnefs to ygu—becaufe you have delivered tie
Poor that cr\t, fy Q& Father less, and HIM THAT HAD
NONE TO HElp him--Tbe bleff.ng of HIM that Was ready
" ^r^i will c°& upon YOU, and YOU will cause tbe Widow's
heart to Jing for Joy,
"The Heart wh^ feels for others's woes,
Shall find each felß% Sorrow lefs,'
The man who happing bellows,
Reflected happiness Shallblefs,
FROM THE CONCORD COURIER.
An Italian Nobleman,who was fond of Swallow
ing quack medicines, found at length that he could
take no more. Before his death he ordered tbe fol
lowing words to be engraved on his tomb-stone.
I was well — I lifted to be better — I took medicine, and
died !° An epitaph in this Strain, will probably
perpetuate the catastrophe of the American nation.
We are free —we wife to be more Jo —we flacked th&
bond of out union and the face of our laws .' and become
saves ! It is worth while now that we may, to ex
amine if the exiftingorder,or rather disorder of things,
is not calculated to lead us to such an exit from the
stage of nations. However little we may value the
privilege of speech, the time may come, when the
firft law of prudence will be silence; when there,
may be as much freedom in this country as in France
in republican France, whose example we fellow,
and in whole steps we tread with the most duteous
obsequiousness-—in France, where a man's head is
no longer in the neighbourhood of his Shoulders,
than till he utters a sentence difrefpedful of govern
ment. Thetime may come, when a President of
thele States may banish a man who dares Speak
truth with as much republican decorum as Bon
aparte sent Sieyes to drink the Spa waters. The
firebrand which is kindling in New-York, may
light up a conflagration that shall consume our
tongues, at least destroy the power of using them.
Crofwell's fate will point out to us the road to Safe
ty. If he meet the vengeance of power for tel-
Hi & , M(„, incic is no mode of Curation remaining
to us, but to become Jacobins and tell lies—-to ex
claim in all humility, “ am I not thine ass ?" when
the Balaams whom we have chosen to govern us fee
fit to beat us sorely withtheir drawn Swords. Crof
weA's trial, which is soon to take place in the city
of New-York, will fettle the question, whether we
are bondmen or free; whether we are to count our
herds our own while our tongues utter truth, or
whether fafety is placed only in cringing submission
and Silent acquiescence. If the Administration can
once establish that doctrine of absolute Slavery, that
truth (hall not be given in evidence on trial for a
libel, every federal printer in the country may con
fidfer his labours at an end.
Mr. Jefferfon commenced his career by prom
ifirig equal and exaft justice to all men. All men
were pleased with the text, and waited anxiouSly
forthe comment. But scarcely had the honey of
premise distilled from his lips, when he raised his
arm against Chester, Miller, Sands, &c. pronounc
ed them unWorthy servants, and thrust them out of
office. Gideon Granger, a man whom we never
heffd cf in New Hampshire till he was appointed
Postmaster General, has Shown himfelf, in common
wifi other confidants of the Executive, an apt fcho
larin learning of his matter the trade of removal.
Men who fought for freedom while he was a crad.
led suckling, have become the sport of his malice.
Elated with “ a little brief authority," he breaks in
up>n the fanauary of public charaaer with the
ferocity of a Vandal; Sheltering himfelf behind
Shallow pretences as long as they can disguise ; and
when his mifreprefentatiorts are deteaed, Shewing
himfelf, without Shame, to public Speculation. No
distance of time, ho scantiness of emolument, no
purity, no harmlessness of charaaer proteas from
his grasp.
Newhamps^^
J CONCORD, NOV. go.
On Wednesday last, the Honorable General
Courtconvened at this place,agreably to adjourn
ment in June last. In the afternoon, the Spea
ker of the House not having arrived, on account
ofill health, the Hon. Nahum Parker was eleft
ed Speaker pro tern. The two Branches inform
ed each other by refpe&ive messages, that quo
rums were formed & that they were ready to
proceed to business. A refpe&able committee was
raifed,to wait on his Excellency, the Governor,
and to inform him that the Legislature were rea
dy to receive any communication he was pleased
to make ; his Excellency appointed. Thursday
at three o'clock P. M. to wait on the two Bran
ches in the Representative chamber, and make
his communications.
On Thursday, his excellency the Governor
sent the following communication to the House of
Reprefentativts, by Mr. Pearson the Secretary :
" State of New-Ham,/hire Nw. 24, 1803.
The date of my health preventing me
waiting upon the Legislature, as I have usually
done at the commencement of a ceflion, you will
please tolay the inclofcd communication before
• =■—v—CQ_mQjMti_ratfoM—u+tctroßreMragraQraQ
the Honorable the House of Representatives.
Your humble lervanc,
_ JOHN T. GILMAN.
"The Hon tbe Speaker of tbe?
House of Reprefentatives. t
—o—
— PreJident and Gentlemen of tbe Senate, Mr.
Speaker, and Gentlemen of tbe House of Reprefen
. tatives,
IN meeting you at this time, ' to which the Le
gislature was adjourned agreeably to your fe
queft, for the purpose of completeing Some par
ticular lufinefs enjoined by the constitution to'oe
done within the present year, and for attending
to such other things as may be found necessary
for promoting and preserving the peace, liberty
and fafey of our fellow citizens, permit me a
gain tq congratulate you on the general tranquil
ity ar / prosperity which is apparent throughout
In free Governments constituted as bar own,al!
the citizens have parts to perform, in which each
Should confider his ads net only as relating to
himfelf, but to others equally priveleged, and to
posterity. If this idea is correct, howmuch more
incumbent is this duty on those who arc placed id
offices of public trust ? They mutt not be content
with merely doing the duty of private citizens,
but ought to be enfamples to others in all praise
worthy and virtuous con&& ; and those who
have the power entrusted to them are under strong
obligations to provide the foeans for, and to coun
tenance and encourage, the diffeminacion of ufe
ful knowledge, virtue and morality, as indifpen
fible requisites for the support of a free Govern
ment.
The fubje& of eftablifhihg a new proportion
of tai's among the several towns throughout the
State, will claim your attention. As it will ne
cessarily require a considerable time to complete
this business, permit me to al that it may be ta
ken into consideration as early in the session as
may be convenient ; mote Specially, as it will be
necessary to pass another aft for diftri&ing the
State for the Senators which will be founded on
this.
While we ardently desire to avoid the necessity
of a (landing army, the state of our Militia has
strong claims to Legislative attention ; they are re
fpedable for numbers, and possess a large portion
of that spirit which was heretofore exhibited in the
just defence of our rights, and which gave ouc
Country independence and rank among nations ;
but they are not so well furnished with arms and
other means of defence, as would be desirable : In
addition to thi^, many valuable Officers, who have
but small estates, finding the expenses (which cus
tom Seems in Some degree to have authorized) teo
burdensome, are induced to resign; this, with other
causes, makingi&ufiim wb'avery frequent.
Some of the European nations, with whom our
Country have important commercial connexions,
and other friendly relations, are again involved in
war ; and while we view with regret the calamities
to which they are exposed, it is presumed tbe neu
tral position formerly taken by our Government,
arid the advantages which have resulted therefrom,
fufficiently point out the propriety of avoiding all
measures which may have a tendency to entangle
us in their contests. And while we exhibit a paci
fic disposition towards other nations, love to our
own Country Should incite to measures calculated
for preserving peace and good order among our
selves, maintaining the independence and dignity
of Government, and preparation for tepelling by
force (if necessary) all aggressions from foreign pow
ers.
In co-operating with you Gentlemen,, for the
purpose of promoting the general welfare, I antici
pate great fatisfaaion.
JOHN TAYLOR GILMAN.
Nov. 14, 1803.
Messrs. Ellis, Hale, and Alexander, were ap
pointed a committee by the House, to draft an an
swer to tbe Governor's communication, who re
ported the following on Monday last, which was
accepted.
Ma, it fleafe your Excellency;
THE House of Representatives receive with pe
culiar pleasure your Excellency's congratulation on
the general prosperity enjoyed by the citizens of
this State. We trust this will be admitted as no
flight evidence that the duties of the Citizen and
ithe Magistrate have in general been difeharged witli
fidelity. The diftinaion between these several du
ties pointed ou< J, your Excellency, is felt and ac
' knowledged : Those of the former are indeed Sa
cred ; but the latter have no other alternative than
perjury, or a faithful performance of the reposed
trust. A general performance of both these duties
is doubtieis necessary to the prosperity of every
Government : but we trust, that a free Govern,
ment constituted like our own, is best calculated to
secure it.
The new proportion to be dlnblifhed for the fit.
ture assessment of taxes, which alone rendered this
adjourned feffiori necessary, shall meet our earliest
attention.
The importance of a well regulated Militia, is
too obvious to be questioned by any. It furuifhes
the means of forming a regular army with a promp
titude we trust equal to the exigency of any possi
ble invasion. That our Militia possesses those qual*
hies which diftinguiffi and adorn the soldier, in a
degree equal at least to that of any country, requires
no other evidence than to which your Excellency
has drawn our attention. He who can look back
on our revolutionary war, and survey the valour
and virtue displayed in hie atchievment of our In
dependence, with one remaining doubt of the spirit
of his fellow citizens, must found it only on those
prejudices which tbould hive been left with his
binh,phce beyond the Atlantic.—lmprefled thus
highly with the importance of ourl Militto, and the
juftntfs of its claims to our attention, we dare not
pledge nuflelves to provide a remedy for every det
* fed in the present fyffem of its hrws; past c%j^
[No. 9.