Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1808-05-20
l. EFT Err
To the han. HARR LS0NG 6. OTTIesq.
By JOHN @. ADAMS.

DEAR SIR,
Ihave received from one OF
my friends in Boston a copy OF printed
pamphlet containing letter from Mr.
Pickering to the governor Of the CON-
monwealth, intended fora communica-
4" ton to the legislature Of the state, dur
ing their session recently concluded. -
But this object not having been accom-
plished, it appears to have been publish
ed BY some friend Of the writer, whose
.induceme ut is stated, no doubt truly to
have been the importance Of the mat, :r
discussed in 1t, and the high respecta-
bilitv of the author.
The subjects Of this letter are the em-
barge, and the difference in controversy
between our country and Great Britain
Subjects upon which it is nv misfortune,
in the discharge of nv duties as a sena-
tor of the United States to differ from
the opinions of my colleague. The place
where the question upon the first Of
them, in common with others of great
national concern, was between him and
me, in our Off .ial cAPa"ities 4 proper OBJ
jeCt OF discussion, was the senate of the
union There it was discussed, and as
far as the constitutional authority Of that
body extended, there t was decided -
Having obtained alike the concurrence
Of the other branch Of the national legis.
lature, and the appreciation of the presi-
dent, it became the law of the land, and
as such have considered it entitled to
the respect and obedience Of every virtu-
ous citizen.
From these decisions however, the
letter in question is to be- considered in
the nature Of al appeal: in the first Ia.
stance, 70 our komHon constituents, the
Legislature Of the staer-&and in the Sc
cond, by the publication, to the people.
To both these tribunals l shall always
hold myself accountable for every act Of
nv public life. Yet, were myown poll
ticAl character alone implicated 10 the
course which has in this instance been
pursued, | should have forborar all no.
tIcc of the proceeding, and have left my
conduct in this. as IN other caers, 10 the
cantlor and discretion Of my country.
Butt this species Of appeal thus con-
constitutional grounds, which I deem it
my duty to mention for the consideration
Of the public. On a state ment Of cir
cumstances attending very important
act of national Legislation, a statement
which the writer undoubtedly believed
to be true. but which comes from only
one side of the question, and which,
~ ~ Il
points erroneous. The writer With the
most animated tone Of energy calls for
the interpolation OF the commercial
states, and asserts that Nothing bat
their sense, clearly and emphatically ex-
pressed, will save them from ruin :"
This solemn and alarming invocation is
addressed to the legislature of Massa-
ehusetts, at so late period Of their ses.
sion, that had it been received by chem,
they must have been compelled either 60
act upon the views Of this representation
without hearing the counter statement
ofthe other Side, or seemingly to disre-
gard the pressing interest OF their con-
stituents, by neglecting an admonition Of
the most serious complexion. Consider
ing the application as precedent, its
tendency is dangerous to the public
For on the first suPposition, that the
legislature had been precipitated to act
on the spur Of such an inssigation, they
must have acted on imperfect informa-
ton, and under an excitement, not re.
markedly adapted to the 'eomposure of
safe elaboration. On the second they
would have been exposed to unjust i'm.
putations, which at the eve Of an cleo
ton might have operated in the most
insqu,table manner upon the characters
of individual members.
The in,erposition of one or more state
legislatures, to controul the exercise of
the powers vested by the gene raj consti7
tuition in the congress Of the United
Iooe IS 1,,a eNS1nofIa T>nl1o,,