The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-01-14
DOMESTIC.


FROM 6
MORE FIRE OF THE FLINTS.
At a large and respectable meeting Of the mhabi-,
tants ofthe Town Of oath, in legal town meet
ing assembled, on the 9th December ult. the
following patriotic resolutions were unani-
mously aceepted:
Res0fVed, That in the opinion of the people of
this town, the end end object of government, is
to secure safety and protection t. tho individuals
upon whom 1t operates and to furnish them
with, the power of enjoying, in tranquility, their
natural rights and the blessings of life.
That whenever, from defect, in the form of
that government, from corruption in the admins
trstion OF it, or from other causes, those great and
primary objects arenot obtained, the people have
a right, and their duty to themselves, and their
posterity requires them to exercise it, to enquire
into the causes of'their suffering and to take mea-
sures necessary for removing their grievances
and advancing their safety and prosperity.
That the people of uhis town and the peopleIof
the state, sofar as we are acquainted with their
situstron, are now suffering privAtions and hard
ships, which Exceed, in severity, any thing Of
the kind q ich has afflicted our country since its
struggle Tor independence ; and we canno, but
consider, as the causes Of this suffering and Gala
nifty, the oppressive and arbitrary laws of the
general government, which prohibit all com.
mercc with foreign nations, and which have, by
their multiplied. restrictions, almost abolished it
among ourselves.
fa,y preparations making among as, armed men
pdfysiing our streets, and officers of that govern
nnent, under color of these laws, arbitrarily sci
zing and sequestering tie property Of individu--
ais without any possible benefit to the cemmu-
nifty, and greatly to our ANNOYANCE and terror.
That the people have a right to understand the
reason and intention Of the laws, and none can.
be constitutional, or ought ever 10 be enacted,
but such AS have a tendency TO promote the gene
raj good that the strength and support of a re-
publican Government, depend on the attach
ment and affections of tie people, and that poll
cy therefore INST Always be most heartily deprc-
Gated, which can ever deem it expedient to
pass laws which need bayonets to enforce them.
That we have hitherto borne with silencs the
severe pressure of these ruinous laws ; and al
though we deem it our duty to speak with firm.
cess and decision, our detsstation of them and
of the policy which gave rise to them, we will
still keep dova tie spirit OF Indignation, which
swells within US, at the endurance Of them, and
will conductt to wards the national governments
its several officers with suitable Difference and
moderation that We do however despair OF OBJ
tanning any redress ofthoss grievances, from that
government, while its principal effect are filed
as at present and that our only hope is. that
the state government, BY thsir demonstrates &
resolutions, may hare more influence in ~efccting
these objects, than the petitions and memorials
of individuals and town.,
Resofved, thsr.forc, Thit a respectful address
be forwarded in the name ef the people of this
town to the kegislature 81 this Commonwealth,
stating to them the wrongs and grievances we
already suseI, and the fearful apprehension we
experience OF snsed,i- having s.- calamity iii
creased, by tka addition OK still more restrictive
and ARBITRARY LAWS expressing to them
our appreciation CT the measures they have alrea-
dy adopted upcn this important object, AID re-
qdesting them to take such other immediate
steps for relieving the people either by them
selFes alone, Or in concert with other mme
al states as the extraordinary circumstance Of
cur situation may rscuire.
Also, chat a Commute. Of cafc.y erd Cares
Peneenee be appointed to correspond with COM
mitteos OF other toms, if rcces,itT, in future,
should require il, on the best laeans of relieving
our common country from It's present cmbsrrass-
ed and distressed situation, and that 1t be the du-
ty OF said committee to witch ovar tts safety OF
the people OF this torn, ai,d to give them imnle-
diste alarm, so that a regular meeting uIay be
called whenever any Infringement OF their right.
shall be committed By any person or persons an
der color and pretence Of authority derived FROM
any officer Of the U. States.
Also, that they BE- requested to attend psrti-
cularly To any injuries and insults which may be
committed or offered by any armed men patrol
ing our streets by night, and that they make COM
plant against sush in future Tor going armed, to
the terror and disturbance ofthc people, & cause
them to be arrested and punished according to
law.