Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1808-06-04
Patriotic Rslolutaons.

common country, and the proceedings OF the
legislature at the last session, In adopting
certain resolutions approbatory of the e1nbar-
go, and other measures CT the national adni-
nistration, moved for and had leave to lay the
following resolutions on the table:
3 Whereas the present critical and alarming
situation Of our national affairs, render it Pc,
culiarly necessary and proper that onrrhiers
should be correctly informed of the senti.
mcnts of the p eople, who arc tire only legiti
mate source OF power ard whereas certain
resolutions passed at tie last session OF the
legislature, before means bad been afforded
TO consult lhSir constituents, may have led TO
a apprehension OF the state OF public opi-
MN. And whereas, the people OF this COM
monWealth arc placed in new and extraordl-
nary circumstances, iuterdcted by the Ma
tional Government from the Ocean, and trolz
the habits and occupations to which, they and
their fathers have been accustomed from the
first settlement of The ceuniry-and at tine
same time the surplus pro duse of their fields
and fisheries is pe:ishing CT hand, from the
want Of market, and the ruinous consequent
ccs which must cnsue from the continuance
of tile present system OF measures cannot be
exceeded by tic losses and dangers to lie APP
pretended from any information which has
been officially communicated to the public
Therefore,
Rssoh'ed, by the Senate and House Of Re-
representatives. Of tie Commonwealth oi Mas
sach,lsetts IN General Court assembled,
That the citizens Of Massachusetts have a
natural, necessary, and immediate interest in
the preservation s prosperity Of Commerce,
Navigation and tee Fisheries to the success
ful extension of which under the late sdminis-
trations Of the national government they are
with The blessing of Providence, principally
Indebted for the rapid Improvements in agri-
culture and the arts, and for the unexampied
increase OF their domestic resources.
That to secure protection and encourage
mcnt to these most important and unali-
enable interests, was primary motive Tor the
aces sion Of this Commonwealth to the Con-
| stitution ofthe United States:
That we therefore view with anxiety and
alarm the operation of an embargo OF an I'M
precedeDted eXtsEt and unlimited durauon,
! Ly which not only foreign commerce is ami
iilated, hut the most grievous restraints and
endorsements imposed upon the intercourse
ixtween different states, and even between
different parts ST tie same state 81 hat al
| though a .e,atorsry Embargo may be on some
occasions expedient as measure OF precau-
ton, and the right TO impose it may be adj
mitted as incident 70 the powers OF the Matt
| onai Goyernne IT 10 regulate commerce yet
the power to create permanent embargo up
en- foreign and inland commerce. winch q ma
~ oA
consent of the Presiflent was not It Is be-
licved, contemplated By the trainers OF the
constitution and the adoption of this mea-
i sure, with view to coerce foreign nations,
s,. in our estimation, novel and dangerous
experiment., which discourages industry by
destroying its reward, disturbs the natural re-
(. lations OF the citizens, is equally rcpugnant
to the national honor and interest; and while
/ It's effects In counteracting The oppressive po-
hey OF any other nation Is at least doubtful, Is
pregnant with disastrous consequences to our
own (:
/ That if this unexanpled prohibitioD f1om.
rerce could rightluly lie enforced by Con-
gress, yet the, delegation Of All authority ia
the executive, to regulate the coasting trade,
pnd the ordinary intercourse between the citi-
.eRs OF. the same state, and to grant eXcmp-
lions and dispensations at his discretion to in
diyiduals or districts, would be not less dan
serous and extraordinary, as il might become
the formulation for oppressive monopolies and
Exclusive privileges, and prepare the coun-
S Try FOR the habitual surrender Of the legisla-
tive. power into single hand
4 That while the true policysoFthe U. States
points to the cultivation Of peace and amity
with all nations, yetif these blessings be un-
attainable by means consistent with national
honor, the people of this commonwealth will
be ever ready to sustain all. priYations and to
make every exertion requisite to support the