Star.
London, England, 1812-09-14 00:00:00

pacity and
main
tents.—
zo the
Every

repre-
liberty of
of their
'runny.—
. ;twit
denying
and in

'he sw-

iy assu.
freedom is

upon
of the
Ltes, by
They
of that
of the

makes
ige, and
recently, by
-Pive rea-
depend

stence
:onceived.

as they
this ad.
imediata im-
Great
your in.
of the
been
been call-
of all
ices of
ison for
of the
of pub-

;United
ling con.
tontain.
rtason for
public
and in-
wed.—
Aiously
army and
_...tiency of
board were
I
:is were
carefully
ieasures, until
,imated,
;Elation so
their
so no-
made
ity for
'ain...—
for de-
'opened.
n ; be-1
Main to,
Aurnent,
any act
• P4MIX
iektrY Ore essential-
;hts or a free people. In ihe situation- to which
undersigned have thus been reduced, they are
compelled, 'reluctantly, to resort im 'hit public de-
claration of such views of the state and relations ofl
the country, as determined their judgment and vote
upon the question of war. A, measure of this hind
IIPP appeared to the undersigned to lie more imperi-
tinily demanded by the circumstance of a message
stad manifesto being prepared and circulated at pub.
lie espence, in which the causes for wir were enume.
sated . nd the motives for it concentrated, in a manner
Suited to agitate arid influence the public mind. in
triecuting this task, it will be the study of the under-
gned to reconcile the great duty they owe to the
,ople, with that constitutional respect which is due
to the administrators of public coffcet ns.
" In commencing this view of our affairs the un-
.i 'would fail in duty to themselves did they
. from recurring to the course in relation to pub.
measures which they adopted and have undevia.
pursued fl om the commencement of this h ng
eventful session j in which they deliberately sa.
' every minor consideration to what they deem-
the best interests of the country.
" For a succession of years the undersigned have
principle dtsappreved, a series of restrictions
Comntercei according to their estimation, inef.
- respected foreign nations, and injurious,
--.lves. Success, in the system, had be-
with the pride, the character, and
Cabinet. As is natural with men,
it stake depending on the success of a
, pertinacity seemed to increase, as
became apparent. As the inefficiency
could nut be admitted, by its advo-
listiting its abandonment, ill success
II iblited to the influence of opposition. I
use the people were taught to charge
lui es avid not to its intrinsic imbecility.
things :he nndersigred deemed, it po-
ly all :tinkly for adherence to this.
:m. Tlik y were desirous, at a period ,
iblic affairs, as far as was consistent
Tendence of opinion, to co ntlibute t•
i of harmony in the public councils)
long the people. A4lll if any setae..
sus obtaisied in our foreign relations)
, being engaged in no purpose (SOT.
advancement, would rejoice in such.
Of public mama also, at she opus-

•
r.
IMlRlllMMNlMMlllitaimintommoss"
AMERICA.
•
4s ADMEN OF UMBERS OF THE HMI OP REPRZSZN•
SENTATIYES Or THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES,
ito THEIR CONSTITUENTS, OH THE SUIJZCT 01 THL
WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
le Tie- isidereigmed Maniere of Aglaia:twig% to their
• ikrersts :
tic has for its
themselves.
basis thecapakityman main
pieAt if to govern
• - • • mauve republic is the responsi-
• by of the fepiesentatives to their constituents.--
- Freedom and publicity of debate are essential to the
~rvation of such forms of government. Every
yiebetrary abridgment of the right of speech in repre-
:lllentatives, is a direct infringement of the liberty of
Qie people. Every unnecessary concealment of their
peoceedings an approximation towards tyranny.—
"When, by systematic rules, a majority takes to itself
the sight, at its pleasure, of limiting speech, or denying
it, altogether; when secret sessions multiply ; and in
proportion to the importance of questions, is the stu•
dious concealment of debate, a people may be assu.
red, that, such practices continuing, their freedom is
but short-lived.
44 Reflections, such as these, have been forced upon
the attention of the undersigned, Members of the
liouse of Representatives, a the ,United States, by
She events of the present session of Congress. They
save witnessed a principle, adopted as the law of that
• -Mow, by which, under the novel application of the
jeevsoul questiou, a power is assumed by the major
lily to deny the privilege of speech, at any stage, and
ender any circumstances of debate. And recently, by
an unprecedented assumption, the right to give rea.
eons for an original motion, has been made to depend
upon the will of the majority.
a Principles more hostile than these to the existence
of representative liberty, cannot easily be conceived.
It is not, however, on these accounts, weighty as they
• are, that the undersigned have undertaken this ad.
dress. A subject ofliigher and more immediate im.
portance impels them to the present duty.
a The momentous question of war with Great
Britain is decided. On this topic, so vital to your in.
Wrests, the right of public debate, in the face of the
world and especially of their constituents, has been
denied to.your representatives. They have been call.
ed into secret session on this most interesting of all
your public relations, although the circumstances of
fhe tome and of the nation afforded no one reason for
secrecy, unless it be found in the apprehension of the
4ffect of public debate on public opinion ; or of pub.
bpin;on 9n the result of the vote.
44 Except the message of the President of the United
Pates, which is now before the public, nothing con.
lid,ential was communicated. That message contain.
-01 no fact not previously known. No one reason for
. war was intimated, but such as was of a nature public
and notorious. The intention to wage war and in.
wade Canada had been long since openly avowed.—
) The object of hostile menace had been ostentatiously
announced. The inadequacy of both our army and
' :levy, for successful invasion, and the insufficiency of
the fortifications for the security of our seaboard were
every where known. Yet the doors of Congress were
shut upon the people. They have beets carefully
kept in ignorance of the progress of measures, until
the purposes of administration were consummated,
and the fate of the country sealed. In a situation sc
extraordinary, the -undersigned have deemed it their
duty byno act of theirs to sanction a proceeding so no.
'eel and arbitrary. On the contrary, they have made
every attempt in their power, to attain publicity for
titeir proceedings. All such attempts were vain.—
When this momentous subject was stated as for de.
4 bate they demanded that the doors should be opened.
a This being refused they declined discussion ; be.
ing perfectly convinced, from indications too plain to
be misunderstood, that in the House, all argument
with closed doors was hopeless; and that any act
giving implied validity to so flagranefin abuse of power
would' be little less than treachery to the essential
sights of a free people. In the" situation to which
,
the undersigned have thus been reduced, they are
I compelled, 'reluctantly, to resort ict this public de.
claraison of such views of the state and relations of
the country, as determined their judgment and vote

rople, will that c
'SD the administrato
ad In commencin
&nigh etl'would f
artfrain from resurri
lic measures which
tingly pursued fl or
and eventful sessic
.terifised every rninc
td the best interest:
" For a success'
from principle dts
poi Comp:tercel a
*dent as respecte
Ishiefly to ourselves
eorre identified Iv
Vie hope 'of our C
Who hiive,a great 1
favourite theory, I
its hi pelcs,ness bec
of this system col
catcs, without ell3tl
‘ ,was carefully awil
0 To this cause
• „
talcussivefailuti
In this state of this
per to take away
AI opresiive system.
) ao ethical in publi
! with the indepetu
tthe restoration 'of
anckconcoid 4asonj
Lie cgtira be thus
thert•adepipried, b 4
sons' ".toty atil
auceorrence.
, - • "i'l"ae course Of
. ,