The American herald of liberty — Exeter, N.H., 1794-10-21 00:00:00, page 1

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American Herald of Liberty.
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ACH ARGE delivered by Alexander Ad
dlfoa, Ffq. Pre fldent of tke Court, io the
Grund fury of .he County of d'legbany, at
Pittfburga, Sept. 111, 2794.*
farming and awrol situation of
* this country, at this time, are too
well kuuwn to requite a ftetemenu— On
the part of government, »e are now offer cd
lorgtvn f» or all that is pad,on condition that
we tincerely fubmic to the excite law, and
all other laws. The queftica now is, whe
ther we will accept of the terms propuied
or not. - ’
The decifiun of this qurftion is of such
importance, that 1 am fibre so will receive*
fokmn contideration from every citizen of
a sober mind. If we accept of the terms,
we (hail have peace. IF we rejed them
we (hull have war. There is no medium
between these extremes For in the pres
ent Hate of this country, it is impclKble to
expedl from government repeal of the ex
cise law. Government is the whole people
ading by their reprefentativesi The will
of Fefe re-preieniMives, mu ft not be er- :
torted by fjTce or fear; ottierwite thole
uhoconSrJu ih^m, exerciie a tyranny o
ver the rest of rhe people. .We_are a little
more thus a 17 th part of the United States.
We ought not therefore to pretend to dic
tae laws to the whole. Bui whatever .
portion we may be, if one law is repealed,
at the call of* armed men, government is
delboyed ; »o law will have any force;
every law will be disobeyed, in fonie part,
of the Union. Government is therefore >
now compelled to enforce fubmiffiun io
this law or to none. The whole force of
the United States must be exerted 'to iup
por its authority now, or the government
of the United States mail ceafc to exist.—
Submiffionor war, ti&rdotci is the alter
native.
War kfo dreadful a calamity, nothing
can juftify its admifftou, but an evil against
which no other remedy remains. That the
colonies; to- relieve tbemfelves frsni. the
tyranny of Britain, Ihould have routed to
war, no man will wonder. They had to
acquire the ill principle of liberty, an e
qual voice in framing their laws. The fame
wad the case with France. Its constitution
was overthrown, and 1 man had by i< -
hcritance,acquired a power which he codd
tranfmi-' to a ’ 3 fucceflbr, of making laws
for the whole nation. But our conflituiion
has already secured the molt democratic
principles of repefentatioa. Our com
plaint »• only against the ordinary exerciie
cf aT-giflidon. We have now more (han
a just proponion of reprefentatrves. To
fell our just proportion we may choose
whom we please. And we ought not yet
to despair, that in a If gal manner, we fhail
receive red refs, for every just complaint,
the principles of liberty are compleatly es
tablished in our conttituticn. Thole prin
ciples are(,thM the will of a majority Ihould
control^ few. We wilh now for a lib
erty deftrudive of those principles, which
we formerly fought, and the French now
fight, co establish. Our complaint is, that
the many have not yet repealed a law at
the request of the few, and therefore we
raihly propole war.
If we determine on war, loojf forward
’ to the consequences. Either we fhail de
feat the United States or the United States
will subdue us, we trail, at the end of cheQ
war be certainly not in a better
than wear# at present ; for the fame nccef
fit* the preferyation of the authority of j
government will exist for enforcing the
law then.which exiftsfor enforcing it now.
We fttall be in a worse condition, fbr gmr
ernmentwill then be under no obligation
to »rant us so favourable terms, which are
BO w offered ; but mar
so, p^f offences, penalties for pelt delin
quencies, compeeiMion fbr
.nd roimbmfement cf the
war. Ta thele I might add th. miieriee
Attending the war. Bat as Ihe^ will
the war in either eeeot, 1 ihall particularly
allude to them, i" th. faf>pofi l,on “ or
defeating the United States. .
• The above Jentimtuti of peace and obe
dience, to the lavot, vtould hante received the
tanfiion of the Grand Juryi but at a ftvt Mem
ber f declined tbeir aftnt, dlencewat thought
better, than an approbation not unantmouK
Volume IX]
PuMiJbed on Tuesdays, by StearnstWW inslow, in Mairl^treet, Exeter, (Ne^-Hamp/hire) at 6fS per annum.
Mi feel tan y.
5* • . ♦
On such notion*, t^efeare my remarks;
From all that I have he^rd or seen, there
is a ref ntment of the people on the other
fide of the mountains against our condu&
on two grounds, as being Contradictory to
the principles of democracy,which require
obedience to a constitutional law : and as
refuting to bear any part of a burden, to
which they have fubmittsd. This resent
ment Witt nOt only carry vast numbers of
them to comply with the regular call of
the militia but to fhp forward as
Volunteers. Supposing (which may be yet
doubted) that they may at firft be interior
to us, in the art of fighting ; the interests
of the United States are so deeply invol
ved in our fubmifiion. that no expence
will be {pared to accomplish fit. And
fhculd the draught of the militia be inef
ficient, certainly a legilla ure, will enable
the Executive to raise and maintain a Han
ding body of forcel,to accomplilh the objed
of government. They will come, at differ
ent timer,in different diredions, and accu
mulated numbers ; for the whole force of
•Will the British receive us ? The gov
ernment of Canada dare not, without
authority from Loudon. And it is not to
be supposed, that Britain will rifle the loL
of the triendlhip and trade of the United
States, for so poor an object ks our bebom
ingher lubjedls. Iflhe did, ought we not
to expedl,that the United States we ald seize
her dominions on the eastern part of Cana
da and Nova Scoria, and intercept our .
communication with her. Against the
whole force of the United States, exerted
as we have reason to fear, whot have we to
rest on ? Where are our arms : Whefe are
our magazines of military ftcres ? Or where
can we obtain a supply of these articles,
but from the Unbed States, with whom
we (hall be at war. All communication
between us and our fellow citizens on the
east fide of the mountain? will be cut off.
Even the {applies of die common articles
of fife, which we receive from them, will
‘ b« prevented and net a tingle article of
rpbffor cloathiog, much lets of arm? or
7 kmrtunition, will 5e furnilhed to e», from
i < that quarter. Army after army will be
.lent against us: U a flare of Open War,
we fhail be confideredas any other enemy,
with the additional rancour attached to a
civil war. O«r agriculture will be des
troy ed, and our fields laid waste, our hou
ses burnt, and while we are fighting our
fellow citizens on one fide, the Indians,and
, God knows hovF fodn.yvill attack its on the
other:—The confidences of many among
ourselves will Oirink back with horror, at
the idea of drawing a Iword against our
brethren. They will call for neutrality.
THay will enter inraffodations for mutual
defence. Many who now from fear of
danger or inlult put on the appearance of
zeal and violence, will when it comes to
decisive exertion draw back. But thole
who are for war wilt strive, by force, to
draw in tho<e who ^e for peace. We Ihail
attack and destroy each othet, and fall by
oar hands, j Gur coin fields will be con-
To me this event appears improbable io
the Fail degree. A traib .of unfortunate .
delation* (for such 1 deem them) Iceru to
occupy the mindj of many in this country.
It is laid that no militia will come out a
gainst us; that if they de, we are so much
superior in arms, that we ihall cafily de
feat them ; that we can intercept them id
the mountains and prevent their paffdge ;
that i£ they ihould come, they will march
peaceably along, and not disturb th« citi
zens engaged tu the lawful occupations of
life ; and that at the worst, we can throw
ourielvcs under the protedioft of the Brit'
iffi. >
proclamation. If this country rejtds the
conditions offered, the whole country will
be confidcied *3 in a Hate of rebellion ;
every man must be conlidered either as a
citizen, or an enemy. If he fay he is a
citizen,he may be called upon by the force
the United States will be direded against
u ; so has the Prcfideut, who never iptaks
under the authority of government, to u
nite in subduing its enemies. If he refufe
he becomes ac enemy, and as such may
be treated. The army of government may
live among us at free quarters, may reduce
us to obedience by pluncer, fire and
Iword.
til! be has determined, declared by his
T VE S DA Y; October 21, 1794.
go.ff us. Ail mutual confidence will be
at ar end, and all the bauds of Society will
be dffbfved. Every man will be afraid to
'thatgovernment like ours, is Created and
chat^eaole by the people themselves that
is by the whole people or a majority of
the whole people. Our appeal to arms is
therefore a declaration of independence,
and must iflue, either in feparationor obe-
sow, or no man will be lure to reap.—-
Povety, diff refir, and famine will extin
Haves to Britain.
dience. Government cannot recede farth
er than it has done. It has already made
facrifices, which entitle it tp grateful re
turns. It offers to forgive past offences,
and con sider us a? having never erred.
It cannot without a total extinction of
all au;hority, repeal this law while we
disobey it. Government must either fub
dug us or cast us off. For however we
may flatter ourselves with the deftruCtive
hope ot defeating government, we have no
prcfpe&of subduing it; and compelling
rhe United States to retain as in the U
nion. - Suppose us then a separate people,
wist profped have we of being able to ft
cu e thole objc&s, which are cffentUl ip
the prosperity of this country, and of far
more consequence than the repeal of the
excite law I Shall we at our own expence
subdue the Indians, leize the weftern polls
and open the Miflifippi ? Or will npt the
Bn tiff],countenanced by the United Slates,
retain the polls and arm and protect the
Indiana against us. And will not the
Spaniards, under 'he fame countenance,
block up the Mlflitippi, and refufe perhaps
all trade with u^; at prelent there is a
prof ped of an accomodation with. Britain,
and by the influence of the United States,
we have reason to hope for a surrender of
the weftern polls, and of consequence a
peace with the Indians. There is allo a
negotiation, industriously, and not un
prdmifingly, conducted with Spain for the
free navigation of the Miflifippi. The
continuance of our union within the Unit
ed States may therefore, in a fihort time le
cure us all our favourite objects. And
there must be time ; for we have to deal
with sovereign and powerful nations,
whbfe rights we cannot infringe j we must
therefore solicit and not exhort^ But sepa
rated from the United States, and of courle
from the friendship of France, and the
world, what hope have we to bend the
haughvy nations'of Britain and Spain ?
We Ihould be their Iport, or theft slaves.
- In rejediing the conditions now offered
ns by government, we cannot hope to ex
tort a repeal of the iXcife law. If we
would remove it by force, we must be able
to<cut cartelves off from the United Slates,
with the loss of our profpeiity, oar hap
pinefa, vnd perhaps oiir exiHence. A je
jedlion of the conditions is a declaration
ci war, and war is the sure road to ruin.
Let us next confider what will be the
consequence of our iubmiflion to govern
ment, on the terms offered.—-We are re
ftsrad to tfie peace and protection of gov
ernment. We fhail be tried for effeucer
aad delinquences by coons and janes in
Ohr neighborhood. But with thelc faVora
be terms, we must fubdiit th iho~ excite
ftw. L- , 4^
I The peculiar objection which lay in the
rhouths of the people on chia tided the
dountaies on this law, was this, that from
o»r local circumfiances, it drew from us a
fam of money which, was difprooortionec
te ew'wealth, and would feon exnauft oui
rmu’s houle.no man’s goods,do man\ wife,
no man’.' daughter, will be late. A icene
of general deft ruction will take place. And,
Ihould government, weary of chafteaieg us
athft leave us to ourselves; we Ihall be a
mi4rable remnant, without wealth, com
merce, or virtue ; a prey for lavages, or
coamand, w too abiuidj and too contrary
to tie duty of citizens for any man of vir
tue rod reffon to support, efpeciaily where
the United states, and to exist as an inde-
pendent people : This is a question which
ought to be fettled} previoufty to our tak
ing arms against govemmeat, while by re^
maining in it, we admit its authority to
vertd into fields of battle. No man will
fpeai to his neighbour. There will be
no ;ower of government to control the vi-
obneeof rhe wicked. No man’s life, no
" Are we prepared for a reparation from
circulating medium. However neceflarv*
on these grounds, an oppefition io the tx
cife law might be thiee years agn, if i<
leis necessary now. oince that period, the:
progress of this countty to wealth has btcii
amtzingly rapid—There have been mur<4
public and private buildings railed, and
fewer iheriff tales tor debt, wituin «hw
period, than Tor 2 years past proceeding.—*
Three years ago I believe, there was hard
ly a burr miillone in this coun ry ; duw
there are perhaps a doz*n. Th; quantity
of money circulating among us is fines
greatly increased ; and the value of ail
property is thereby greatly Itffcned, and
thereby the value of the txcife to be pad
by us is greatly ieffeued. Then there was
hardly any trade to the Spacilh feitkments
on the MifUHppi >it w » s 8t s °y ra c
and confined to a few adventurers; the
quantity of grain exported was but latte *
cf couije but little was withdriwn inm
our own consumption ; and this lit.e was
generally bought with goods. Now a very
■ relpetteble ttade is carried on tathe bpan
iih settlements; our traders ere 1 rested
wrfh grrat civility by the Spaniards, tad
duty on our trade is reduced to a mere tri-
bringing away dollars in return. We Iha 1
toon have the whole supply of that market
to ourselves. Last IpHng, our befit Hour
was fold there a dollar ea^ h barrel oeare?
than flour from New York --None of the
traders now depend on goods for h - pur
chate of wheat; but must purchate, at a
reasonable price, in mepey. From this
increased exportation cf our grain, the nc-*
ceflity of distillation is greatly teffen<d in
degree, and will every day lessen/ Gov
ernment does not now, as formerly supply
the army with wh.lky, through coStraflor’s
purchasing with goods; but rmplojs a
gents to purchase it with money. Late
year ten thousand dolla s was aid out in
this way, by one agent fa this country ; and
the execution of an order for ten thouiand
mere was ftoptcnly by the present troubkL
The contradict therateives have the 2 teit
*ear» purchated their fuppbd with caih.—
From these circumftancd?, and .he 1 sy, and
other expences cf the armv, government
fends far m. re money to this fide of the
monntair sjthan it would d aw back by rhe
excise. Ar the con-imemenjent of this
law, a very great quantity o» foreign fpims
was consumed in this country. Btt so
severe is the duly which this law lays on
foreign (pints, that the people on the cast
fide cf the mountains drink such fp-rte* at a
very increasing price, and our store keepers
cannut afford to bringjoreign spirits, in a
ny coi fidcrahle quantity, over the moun
tains.
As our circumfiances are thus materially
charged, so the law itfelt i< changed al o.
Originally, the duty on a fill! was 60 cdhts
per gallon ; now, it is 54. Originally, the
dmy on the gallon cf whiiky was 9 cent* ;
now, it is 7 cents. Another material al
teration isgranting.aliceßce by the month at
10 cents per gallon on the still, a provifioa
peculiarly tinted to a country, where few
distilleries work in lummer.
I do not fay, that by these alterations in
our circumstances, and the law, our objec
tions to the excise law are removed, but
they are surely kflened. We have rcaloo
allo to believe, that our remonstrance
would be lifteneJ to more efledually, if by
obedience, we put curfelves in a capacity
of being heard ; but it is natural to answer,
why complain of a law which you have
never obeyed I will go yet further, and
Rate an opinion, that the eafiell and tpee
dtdft, and I believe the only way, to ac
complilh our objed, a total repeal of this
law is intiißtly to accept of the condit'ior*
'offered by govemmeftt. boneftly comply
with theta s and thus come fairly before the
legislature With our remonstrance.
I have before listed the impoffibififv'
that the legislature ihould repeal this bw
so long as we resist it. I will now ekplaia
ip you on what grounds 1 form the upin,
ion’that they will repeal »t at soon is pol
fible, after, by pur fubmifiion, we have ri->
iored them re'their authority,and you may
judge for yourselves of the probability of
this opinion.
The present profiptfl of French affairs,
and the favourable reception which Mr.
Jay ccr ambsfadour has met with in
He ; and there is very h.t e diiti^cd- y in
[ Number 16.’