The American herald of liberty — Exeter, N.H., 1794-11-29 00:00:00, page 2

ichwetin, to of v
Warsaw. My 4 wrt exigence in<
terefts me ho ^iote than that of
the inhabitants dfthiSxapkal; but
since Hmyidence haft VGuchfefed™ -
to elevate meroj^^ .
allows me to manifed td ydiir Ma—
jef^~ the fenximents of Traternicy7 ’
f invoke them to move your Ma
jesty to abandon the-cruel and re ;
vengefoi ideas which are so cori’
trary to the example Kings owe
to nanbris; Wd ( F am; ^hdgethef
petfuadrd of it) are altogether,
oppoute to yourperfonal charader.
(Signed) Star i laus Augustus.
Warsaw, Aug, j*
■ ■ . i W ii,i.R. •• t
Notwithftaridifig this answer, it
was said, the siege of Warsaw was
continued, and tome of Gen. Kos
ciusko’s redoubts have been car
\ ried. However, in 1 every part of
Poland, a fpiric of hostility against
both Ruffians and Prussians exists
in its original force. All Cour
land* has determined, to make a
common cause with the Polish Re
public* The Circle of Ciebau a
lone furnifhes 5000 men, betides
opening the ports to afford the
Poles a communication with their
friends, many of whom they have
in Sweden and Denmark,
We cannot close this article;
without giving our readers the fob
lowing sentiments of Gen. Kosci
usko, on the fubjeft of feme of
the exdeffes mentioned above. It
seems, that on the 9th or tetith of
July, five persons had been
bung, and several banished, withr
out the formality of law. On
hearing this, the General exprefled
his abhorrence of such proceed
ing s by the following proclamation,
which had the desired effect:
; " AT the moment I am em
ploying all my care and solicitude
to resist the enemy, £ learn that
an enemy, more terrible than the
foreign troops, menaces us, raised
within our owninteftines. What
pissed yesterday at Warsaw has
filled my heart with the bitjereft
forrow.' The desire of punching *
the culpable was right and:praife
worthy » but why have they been
punched without the judgment
of the Tribunal! Why have the
refpe.fl and fandlify. of the laws
been violated ? Why has he who',
was sent to you in the name of the
Jaw been maltreated, info Iced and
covered with wounds ? Why has
a public officer/ absolutely inno
cent, been (hamefully deprived of
life at the fame time with the ac
cused persons? Is this the beha
viour of people who have taken
up arms to re eftablilh legal Lib
erty, the supreme authority of the
law, and that durable happiness
which carr spring from these sour
ces alone T Citizens, confider whe
ther this be hot the work of secret
and artful seducers, who, being in
intelligence with the enemy, have
led you astray, and filled your
hearts with harffinefs', and who
with to have no government in or
der that your ardour may spur
you on to trample upon Justice,
the law and all social order ? They
have no other end in view* than to
pave the way to the overthrow of
your power and your force, in the
m idst of disorder and confufion.
When no one is fare of his life,
no one will have fufficient .confi
dence to take in hand the public
* Courlandi* « considerable, territory
r of Livonia.'
interests, and watch over your fafe-.
ty and well bbing-1 Then will you
perceive but tbd late, that they
have deceived you, then will you
r-fee^beai^ce anddrypocrify otrhe^
popular flatterers who forroupd
’you ; who, engaged by the enemy,
' endeavour rd persuade you, that a
legal government is not neceflary,
iaordet that in reality there may
be none, when it shall be over
thrown, and destroyed by your
own hands.
“ As fdon as ever the military
1 cares permit me. to be absent a"
; moment from my post, I intend
' to visit ybu : Perhaps the fight of
afoldiet who expoles his life every
day for fbur fakes, will be agree
able to ybu. But, if you would
have our l ipy rhutual; I deffte that ►
you wobiu not again spread the
clouds of new Ibrro^ Over my ;
countenance ! My presence ought >
the rather to recall you to reaion,
inafmUch as we Cannot be strong
but by concord ; and it is by jus
tice only, not by violence, that we
(hall be able to enjoy locial securi
ty at home, and render ourfeives
.refpe&ableamongforeign nations.” .
DENMARK AUD S^EDEfJ,
Being the only commercial neu- i
t-ral kingdoms in Europe; have fuf- ■
sered much in -their commerce by 1
the depredations of the belligerent
powers. To: obtain refthution,
they have equipped, and have rea
'dy for sea, a formidable navy
But from dome fate events we are
led to believe^ they wifli io prefer
pacific to holtile measures. The
; Ambassador of Sweden, we learn,
has demanded of the Btitifti Court
a categorical answer to this ques
tion, “ Will, or will not, the Britijh
Court admit the vessels of Sweden
freely to carry all articles not. deem
ed contraband by e^ijiing treaties or
the laws of notions?* We have
not learnt what answer has been
given# The Danes have not as
yet made a similar demand, but
it is expe&ed they will follow the
example of Sweden ; and in case
of refufal, will make their spoilers
feel what the dtfeendents of Fan
tinbras and Charles Xll. can do at
the “ last reasoning of Kings?’
We Jhall continue this statement un*
til we have gone through all Europe-
Judge Cufhing’s Charge
To the GRAND JURY, at the opening
of the Circuit Court at Providence, Nov.
7» i 7 9- / ■
Pubiifhed at the request of the Grand Jury.
' —Xi
Gentlemen of the Grand Jury.
WE are now met together to difeharge
some of our refpe&i ve public duties,
in iupport of government, aad the - rights'
of foejety.- '
The great end of government,’ you know,
is peace and protection7; peace with na
tions; protection again it foreign forces/
Peace and-,order witnih, proteftioh of m
, dividual?, of all claffeS of men, Whether
| poor dr rich, in the undisturbed enjoyment
of their jolt rights, which are comprehend
ed under a Few, but important word:—
security of person aud‘ preper tf, or, if you
please, righit of man. Jience government
involves in it a iadred regard to the prin
ciples of jullice, and to all moral obliga
tions.
j fit men of ungoverned paflions injure
their neighbour in his person, property, or
good name, which is the most valuable kind
, of property,!! is the office of government to.
give ipeedy redress and fausfatUon, be the
degree Or quality of the fiiflefer or offiendi*
what it will— befidet public paniihmenc,
cafe'may require, tor crimes ^a,
c*>l example/tending to destroy
/th^^cd and fecurtiy of focicty. If dii#
honti^cn wilt ally i^afc co peifotm their
contracts, the power of the community
Hands ready to compel performance. If a
debt is due from the community itfelf,
which has procured its liberty and inde
pendence, surely the sacred principles of
justice will not be less regarded by honest
and faithful administrators of the public.
\#fciere the people are not permitted to
enjoy ihefe bleffinga./rcnrnjiH^ person and
property, untnolefted,there is tyranny, whe
ther it arises front Monarchy, Ariflocracy,
Or a Mob. Where all mea are equally
and promptly protected in the free exercise
Os these right?, there is liberty and equali
ty : Liberty, to do whatever.juft laws^made
by a free reprefedtative, allow ; equality,
that ij,as to right of protection fefpeding the
great objects of lifejibetty & property,when
not forfcked to state by criminal conduit;
refpc& ng property which a msn has fairly
and honestly obtained, not that which is
unrighteously taken or forced from aho h.
er: Not equality in regard to quantity;
for that seldom, if ever, can happen, ow
- ing, under Providence, to the infinitely
various faculties and diligence of different
individuals * Not 8 right for the indolent
to rob the laborious, to ihare equally the
^fruits of the virtuous industry ot others ;
Such being founded io extravagance ofen
thufiafm and delusion, Or in downright di(-
honesty and depravity of mind, subversive
of the hi ft principles of juftice* and the
great ends of society.
' Security of property must neceflarily be
ohC of the most important aims in every
government : it being the effeetia! means,
to mankind, of com fort,of fupporc, of exist
ence. Hence alt men seek property, the
virtuous well as the vicious, with this
difference, the virtuous under the govern
ment of confeience, the robber and the ra*
pacious, unrestrained by any principles,ties
or rules of right. In this enlightened age,
. we may ’well fqppofe a free government
best adapted ro maintain liberty, security
•nd happiness. Such governments we
now enjoy. As to religious liberty arid the
rights of confeience, it is, difficult to fay
•hoW they could be enjoyed m greater lati
tude. The fame, 1 presume, may be said
of civil rights Pa.rricoiarly, due allow
ance is made for liberty Os speech, liberty
of the press, and a decent freedom in ex
amining and cativaffing all public measures,
with the reasonable rcitr.d.ons of not in
juring private characters, or not actually at
tempting to Ihr up lediijon, of forcible
opposition to government.
Although these are privileges absolutely
neceflary to Support liberty, yet admitted
in their utmost Jatitude, without any re#
ftraint at all, being liable to very great a
buies, they might tend as mdeh to over
turn all. government, as to support a good
one. People will do well, therefore not
only to attend <0 the operations of their
own government, but, to be upon their
guard against the defignsof ill mindeg, am
bitious perlons, lulling after power and pie
emineece, who seem at perpetual war with
all government, and attempt, without
ceasing, to foment dilcord and ccnfuhon in
Tocitty.
Peace, prosperity and general blessings,
seem uncomfortable to them ; they relilh
them not, unlels they can accomphfti their
private views. To prevent the ill effects
; pf these abufe‘,it is. neCeffary that the means
of irformation and proper education fhouid
be extended, as much as may be, inrough
all clalTes of people. In this rclped, this
country has received many encomiums ;
but ftiil, probably, ways may be devised
1 loft meliorating the condition of the gene
rality of people, and more effedually bring
ing hdme the means of education and prac
tical knowledge, including moral instruc
tion, the most fundamental of all, as it were
to every man’s door. ; , '
« If these American/governments, which
all (land upon the idea of equal representa
tion and free ele&km, under which liberty
in its full extent is mofe perfedly enjoyed
than in any other country ; if these gov
ernments cannot Hand, we may difpair of
3fhe future exfftence and practicability of
freedom in the world.
While the refpe&i ve Stales, are diligent
ly employed in the great cause of internal
justice arid pfQte&ipn, the government of
the Uriidn comes in to th&r aid ; being
veiled with those important general trusts
to which the ftaces had, by experience,
found them (elves incompetent, especially
the regulation of commerce arid navigation,
at rhe general defence of the county against
foreign policy and foreign invasion.
Under these governments, in harmony,
this people havs .enjoyed .very great tran
• j qffility and prosperity for iome years: which
may be the means under kind Providence,
of perpetuating to them the immense blefl
,ing«of p^ce, liberty and independency, to
* the lataft generations. /' ,
Ypur gentleman, are now inj rafted with
<n important office, updatr the Union,Which
depends on the lews relating to crimes t
j A- .... I
gainft society and against government; all
luch offences, being cognizable under the,
- authority of the United-States, are accord
ing to your oath, to be the fubje&s of your
inquiry, and presentment, if fatisfa&orjr
Evidence appears.
The capital crime of treason is firft to
be considered.
• -ft is defined, by theconftitution and the '
law to consist in a citizen’s levying war i
gainft rhe United States, or in adhering to
their enemies, giving them aid and com
fort. .
This comprehends rising in arms to con
• troul or qppofe the laws, and tends to the
overthrow of all government, and to anni
hilate that security which every citizen
wilhes to enjoy in life. This high crime,
tending to Iweep all law and liberty be
fore it, we .havd been surprised to find, has
made its appearance ih this early period
of our national existence, in the back parts
of a After state, under ptetence of the un
constitutionality of alaW relating to excise ;
noVwithftandingthatfuchalawisexprefs
ly warranted by the constitution and not
withstanding it has been diveftrid of all
those oppressive sos mS and modes of collec
tion which have attended exciCe^ in for- •'
eign countries; leaving only fuich prdvifi. •
ons as were absolutely necessary to c^rry the
law into effeft. Thus has the question
been forced upon us* whether a small por
tion of the people foall overrule the great
majority; or whether a few (hall govern
the many. Fortunately the g eat body of
the people know their own interest and
lafety, and opposition falls before them.—
Little now probably remain?, btft that the
community, which has been injuled,- bear
the burden of the expe.-.fe occaftoncd by
this criminal combination.
Other crimes are, murder, piracies-, felo.
nies and violences committed upon the high
seas, in prejudicenatural right, and of
the fafety of navigation and commerce. &c.
&c.
Again, alt violations of the laws of re
venue, are to be carefully looked into —-
Here we must do justice to the mercantile
body, in oblerving that, akhough more
particularly affc&ed by the fydem/ iri the
firft instance, at least, yet they have gener
ally and patriotically endeavouredi to sup
port theie laws. To vigilance arid fideli
ty in this particular we shall be the rather
induced, as upon these laws depends the
immediate support of out' government; as
the revenue is laid in the most easy man
ner, to arise from the luxuries rather than,
From the necefiaries Cf life, bearing heaviest
upon those who are most able td pay : And,
because, if it be faithfully paid and col
ic fled, it msy for ever prevent dire&
taxation, tinlefs, perhaps in case of war:
In such eh event, a war of necessity, of felf
, defence, besides which no other wars can
be lawful among Chrifiiant, I doubt not
this people Would theet it with a fpiric
and fortitude suitable to the occasion arid
to their ability.
Under our present fitu'ation as to injuri
ous depredations committed upon cur com
merce and navigation, in divers parts of
the world, fears have arisen, and not with
out reafori, refpefling the consequence ; and
" much pains and .art have not been wanting
with iome, before as well as since those ag
greffiens, to precipitate us into the horrors
of war, at all hazards. But considerate men
will rather be diipofed to leave the rcfult
rtfpeaing ah appeal to the /word,'to uur rep
reieutatives, the coniiitutional judges, who
beirig best acquainted with fads and cir
cumstances, must best know when it . is ne
cefTsry to come to that last and critical re»
Jorti Xi redress can be obtained in : the
peaceable way, al] principles of humaWity,
policy or lafr, must render it far more de
firsble.
We havri reason to be thankful to heaveri,
which has blefled us with so much peatri
and prosperity, white the nations of Europe•
are groaning under the immense expenses,
cruelties and distresses of war; and when
the horrid feene will conclude, Heaven on
ly knows. May the prudrince and patriot
ism of our-fellow citizens, correfporiding to
the wife meafuresof adminiftrarion,prevent
this country from again falling ih to.thofe
fatal calamities—renewing feenes of fiaugh
ter—^accumulating loads of public debt*
already fufficient for a new arid infant na
tion to begin with. . .
It rii oft certainly be a dictate of interest
and found policy, as well as of the law of
nature and Christian duty* to. live peacea
bly, as much as may be, with al! mankind.
Peace acd harmony among nicioris are
most defiTable objeds, as well as among jri?
dividuals oi the famefociety ; as war' on
the contrary, j s the greauft caUffiity/ end’
curse which can befal the human race,
sweeping off and deft rowing more lives apd
property, and occafionir.g more human,
mifety, in short spaces, than ail other tern*
pofti divinri judgriicpts put toget her.» .
11 iS true, when forced upon a people by