The gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1798-1799, 1798-06-11

aggravated by continued nobility on
our commerce, can afford ground for
claim of the Right Of Defence againt
further outrages, that this right Of the
United States will remain undiIputed.
May we not therefore, if driven to de-
fence, with humble confidence. look
up to the Supreme 'Arbiter of Nations
for his protection and blelling, by
granting fucceiS to our exertions againf
thofe, who without any juf caufe al
lodged, feem to be dilpoled to compel
the United States to Withdraw their
ffiendhip and become their enemy
DO not the faas before the public, iuf-
tify the obieryation, that TO feparate the
people from their government is mea-
fure unremittingly purified, thereby
delroying the energy of government,
and turning the force Of a nation againf
itlelf. What then is the duty of pri-
vate citizen Is it not to exert his ut
mott ability to counterad 70 dangerous,
70 fatal policy? What more Especially
is the duty Of all our contributed au-
thorities and iuch of cur fellow citizens
as have officially bound themfelves by
the mott folemn of all obligations, to
fupport the Contribution Of the United
States
In this unhappy exigency Of affairs,
| recommend TO your immediate con-
liberation, the necefary means of de-
fence, within this Commonwealth, that
they may be ufed with effect, whenever
it fhall be confdered necedary by the
government Of the United States par
ticularly the important ratification on
C4jfIe-IQand; this fortrefs, 70 efential
TO the defence Of the harbour and town
Of Bottom, in cafe Of afault or invafion,
requires much labour, and fome ex-
pence, to give it that effect in rePelling
an enemy, which its very advantageous
ftuation would command. Some i'm
provements have been made, and with
but little c0t TO the Commonwealth !;
but to render it capable of internal de-
fence, it is necefary fmall work for
fecurity againf fmall arms, fhould be
contracted in the centre OF the place !;
this might be done with great cafe, and
at frnali expence, by employing the
convi6S on the iland in that iervice.
have the fatisfa6tion to announce to
you, that the militia Of this State with
the exception of a few corps is in very
good order, and capable Of performing
fuch fervices as the exigencieS Of the
times may politely require j-if, how
ever, any thing can be done to make it
more efficient, fhall be happy to con-
cur with you in the meafure.
will detain you no longer, than TO
fuggef to your confederation the expe-
diency of providing few heavy BrafS
Field Pieces, to be attributed upon the
fea-coafs they would be highly uleful
in cafe of anault and depreciation from
Jingle ihips, as they might be eaGly
transported from place to place, as oc-
cation may require.-While we indulge
the hope that the French Republic may
yet alter its meafures refpe6ing the
United States, and render thefe Precau-
tionary feps unnecedary yet | appre-
bend a fenfe Of our duty and interef
will not fuffer us to remain unprcpared
for difagreeable events, which 70 ftrong-
ly threaten the peace of the United
States.
In every meafure, which fhall have
for its Object the fecurity, peace and
PROPERTY of the people of this Com
monwealth, fhall be happy in afford
ing my mott hearty concurrence.
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