Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1808-06-06

ResatveS, BY the Senate and House of
| Representative Of the Commonwealth
Of Massachusetts, in General Court as.
sembfed,
That the Citizens Of Massachusetts,.
have natural, necessary and immedi-
ate interest in the preservation and
prosperity of Commerce, Navigation,
and the Fisheries to the successful
extension Of which, under the late adj
ministration Of the National Govern
ment, they arc, with the blessings of
Providence, principally indebted for the
rapid improvement in agriculture and
the arts, and for the unexampled in
crease of their domestic resources
ThRt to secure protection and en-
I enlargement to these most important
and unalienable interests, was prima-
ry motive for the accession of this
Commonwealth 70 the Constitution of
the United States:-
That We therefore view with anxie-
/, ty and alarm the operation Of an En-
barge of an unprecedented extent, and
unlimited duration, by which not only
foreign commerce Is ahnihiIated, bet
the most grievous restrictions and en-
bafrassments imposed upon the inter-
course between different States, and G.
ven between different parts of the same
State THAT although a temkorarg
Embargo may be on some occasions
expedient as measure Of precaution,
and the right to impose it may be adj
mltted as incident to the powers of the
National Governmental regulate Com
merce Yet the power to create a per-
manent Embargo upon foreign and In
land commerce, which a majority of
Congress cannot repeal against the
consent of the President, was not, it is
believed, contemplated by the trainers
OF the Constitution and the adoption
OF this measure, with view to cocrce
foreign nations, is, in our estimation.
novel and dangerous experiment, which
dlscourages industry by destroying its
reward, disturbs the material relations Of
the citizens, is equally repugnant to the
national honor and interest and while
It's effects in counteracting the oppres-
sive policy Of any other nation is al
least doubtful, is pregnant with disas-
trous consequences 60 our own =.
Thatif this unexampIed prohibition
Ct commerce, could rightfully be en-
forced by Congress, yet the delegation
OF an authority to the Executive, 10 reg
aiate the coasting trade, and the ordina-
ny intercourse between the citizens Of
the same State, and to grant exemp-
tens and dispensations at his discretion
to individuals or districts, would be not
less dangerous and extraordinary, as IT
might become the Foundation for op-
PressHe monopoties and exclusive priv
lleges' and prepare the country for the
habitual surrender of the LEoIsLa rfvr
POWER into siTo'e hand -
That while thc .ue policy of the u
nlted States points to the cultivation Of
peace and amity with all nations, vet if
these blessings be unattainable BY
means consistent with national honor. |
The people Of this Commonwealth viii
be ever ready to sustain all privations, |
and to make every exertion requisite |
to support the dignity, and enforce the
reasonable pretensions of the nation |
and It being certain that no degree Of |
forbearaRce and moderation will ex- |
empt neutral nations, at all times, from
insult and aggression, and that the
claims Of military ambition can be sa-
tlated only by universal dominion, it's
the duty OF government to prepare for
events which 1t NAV be impossible to a.
vert That the spirit and resources Of |
the country are fully adequate to the
protection CT its maritime and terrific
rial rights, and ought to be directed and |
employed in such preparations as the |
experience Of ages demonstrates to be |
alone safe and effectual-We cannot.
therefore, but deprecate a system of !
measures, which, instead of providing |
for tie defence Of our ports and from |
tier, by Usual and obvious means, has
impaired our naval force, and left rs |
exposed to every invader;
That in the estimation Of this Leeis- |
lature naval force is highly important
for the defence Of this country ard the |
protection Of commerce F; and that il is |
the duty Of the Senators and Represen-
,tatiFes OF this Commonwealth in Con
gress, from time to time to use an due |
means for the gradual creation Of an e. |
fective navy
That the General Government. bav.
ing been instituted expressly TO provide
ior the common defence and general
welfare and r,raea,,,> a.. :.