Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1807-03-23

- those VINO were opposed 70 the measure
ss-e not permitted to state their reasons.
a-he rnoGrtial and honorable Chairman of
ne meeting of worthless, decided that the
..restion should be taken without debate,
" ,.sbich was, contrary to every rule Of parlia-
VI ,nentary proceedings 1.-THE case.--Afterthe bu-
s;ness had taken this turn, one Of the men,
hers ofthe General Court from this county,
earne into the senate chamber and requested
leave to offer his objections, which after the
odvocates Of it had obtained vote, were
wiling to grant but the gentleman on lear
mig that his colleagues had been refused
the iiberty Of stating their sentiments he de-
clined using a privilege which aught to
hve been allowed 70 all.
81 win be asked at whose instigation this
cAme desperation was originated Wee
any complaints preferred BY the citizens
from any quarter Of the District OF Name
Was single inhabitant Of Maine deprived
Of any right or protection, which 2 govern
nent can afford No reasons of this kind
have or can be offered. What are the mo-
,iyes, then, that have operated in making
this appeal to the people | answer, it is
that few restless and ambitious persons
of both parties, NAV obtain Offices Of power
and emolumenf, and which they hope to e.
feet BY making sthc people subseryient to
their selfish plans.
These zuould be governors, senators, repre-
sentatives, Judges, sc. &c tell YOU, that the
taxes will not be greater than at present,
provided we were a separate State. Believe
them not, they say this only with wish to
lull you into a compl a1ce with their wishes
In addition to the increase Of taxes, sta
ted in 4 former number, the effect a separa-
ton, would have on the commercial inter-
ests. VIII take, for example, one town,
say Freeport, which employs about twenty
vessels in the coasting trade, each Of these
make from fifteen to twenty trips to Boston,
Salem, aud other neighboring ports, in the
course Of a year and whilst we remain con-
nected with Massachusetts, Proper, all ves-
sells trading from one port to another are eX-
empt from Custom-house fees, except a
yearly licence but in case we become sep
arated, every coaster passing from this to
Massachusetts, must enter and clear at the
Custom-house, as tho coming from foreign
port, and the fees Of this will be the smallest
part Of the Inconvenience. Now, it is fire.
guently the case, that vessels pass up the
rivers and'inlets with the tide, load with
wood, andretun with the same, and imme-
diately proceed on their passage this viii
apply to the afore mentioned town, and ma
ny others.
But if they were compelled to stop AZ
Portland, for clearance, it would cause a
delay of day, or more, with loss Of the
crews wages, and the run Of the vessel Such
IS the trade and situation OF this district,
that this regulation VIII Operate more A.
gainst the interest Of it, than any other state
in the union. But perhaps it viii be said,
that Congress may make q law, to favor us
should such request be made to the Gen
eral government, would they not treat il, as
you would child, that should give away
its cake, and then CRY for it ? They will tell
YOU, that YOU were free from this expence
and trouble when united why did you sep
arate.
But still the question recurs, are we al
ways TO remain connected with Massachu-
sets I answer, Move ought to separ-
ste when the wealth and popu a.ion Of
Maine shall dictate I've measure 1t the
tine when our foreign 5tade shall become
90 extensive, as not to compel the citizens of
Maine, to carry their lumber, wood and 9TH
er articles, to ports out Of this district, To- a
market Then, and not till then, should
Maine be separated from Massachusetts.
PUBLIC GOOD.