Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1809-06-12

Cia nanccs, ~ &fltCh Inc trtuuf4 Wa itif,
by The prediction Of the pre.ent tieafofef,
thar the checks contained ia the lyltem
were not iu(iicient 10 FIGURE the commune
lity agaiuf unfaithfulnefs in An officer
) Several other itates, prior 10 the regoln-
ton, fufitred frequent lolles, by deieet
in this department of their government
In altering their fate contributions. they
thought to remedy the evil, by aillsnng
the appointment of their treaiurer 10 the
legilllture-The feiut has ihown this REM
edy not to be efft tlnal and in ieyeral In
frances, they have altered their fyhem, by
adding 10 the officers, entruited with the
care of the revenue, one, in the character
| of comptroller.
Should the Legislature turn their atten-
tion tn the providing further fecurity in
this department, this mode may NOT be
altogether unworthy their notice.
| The regulations of fuch an Office might
operate, as checks on the treaiurer, by
rendering the conn rollers ianetion ne
cefIary to the fettltment of all accounts,
+, TO the payment ard receipts of all mon-
les to, or by the treaiurer, and to drawing
the fame from the bank, where by law il
| is kept-A fyitem that Mould afford in the
comptroller's Office, a particular account
with each of the debtors, and creditors of
the fate, and alto an exaef account with
the treafurer, which would at all times, ex-
hibit precifely the balance Of his account,
might be found TO contain greater fecurity
againft Multiplication of the public money,
than that under which our pecuniary CON-
Germs have been managed.
truf, gentlemen, that we may hncere-
ly and heartily congratulate each other,
and every individual in our country, that
the political year commences with the
prornife of reviving commerce, and the
TeRoration of our citizens, to the exerciic
of their faculties, and their induitry, and
to the right OF acquiring and pohefhng
property, aHerted in our declaration OF
rights to be efIensial and unalenable. We
have great reafon TO indulge the hope of
realizing thefe views, from the prompt and
amicable difpohtion, with which, il is nn-
derffood, the prefem federal administration
met the concilatory oycrtures of Great
Britain-A difpofition which is entitled TO
and will certainly receive the hearty APP
probation of every one, who hrcerely loves
the peace and PROPERTY of the nation.
While we fincerely rejoice q the prof
pea opened to the United States of re-
turning PROPERTY, and plenty, this Com
monwealth has great reaion tor telf-gratu-
lation, on the patience and firmneis, diff
played by her citizens, under priyations the
mott painful, and reffri0ions the mott IT.
reconcilable to the fprit Of freemen.-
| While the acts, enforcing thtie provifions
and relfriaions were fubmitted TO, by in-
dividuals, with rehgnation that evInced
the mott exemplary love Of order and re-
| fpeft for the contributed authorities OF
the nation, the wiidom and temperate
6rmnefs diiplaycd by the Commonwealth,
T, in their Legislature, their perfe,ering at
tachment to the union, their correct etti-
mate Of their own rights and their prudent
and constitutional mealrres for relief mult
always rebound to its highea honour.
The hYiaory Of the United States and of
this State has ever hown Mafachufetts, fub-
hitting with eheerfulnefs TO the mott impor-
tant faerifces, for Importing the common
cAufe, and general intereas of the Union, and
this without tho fnallcft diipohtion TO die
tate 10 the other members of the confedera-
ey. Under the diflre1ing circumfiances of the
Ian year, the Legislature did what duty rem
dered Indispensable, & it furely did no more.
To prevent an adoption, IN future, of mea-
furcs 70 fatal to the occupations, induifry and
fub6flenee of the people of this State. cannot
fail to be fubjca of momentous coneern to
a Legislature, entrufted with guarding the
rights of the citizens, and the Independence
of the Commonwealth.
7, may be thought sdvifeable to attempt
h.,a A.< he led
ame ndment to the Conltitution Of the Unite
States, providing. that its powers hall never
be 70 confirmed, as 10 authorize Consrcls, in
any cafe, TO enad general prohibition, or
| re6riclion of maritime commerce, to operate
| for a longer time than the ltfIion in which il
NAV be enacted, and to a certain early day
| of the next fuceeedng ftfiion. Whether a
| purpofe 70 dehrable, can be effe6ted by this,
or any other mode, nun reit with the WIFI
dom of the Legislature to decide. Although
! fome difference of opinion may exia as to
the means, ! cannot periuade myfeif there
will be any as to the importance OF iecuring
US apainft return Of the like di1refs, which,
in times leis aufpicious to peace and good
order, might produce eonvulGons. difafrous
TO the harmony, If not TO the union of the
States. TO preferve which, according to its
original intent, cannot ceafe to be the 6rit
objed of every friend to the independence
and PROPERTY of the country.
Gentlemen,
| The obferva,ion, which have been fub-
mitted, principally relate to cur mutual du-
ties, as they ariic under the Contribution of
the Gate. and arc fandioned by the ufage OF
former times, and the relation thar our con-
iliruents have been pleaied to create between
| US. The reflections which have preiume I'd
to offer, ON the effed of blind attachmen n,
10 party, YOU will, trufi think not alroget her
uniuitable to the oecafon, the time, nor the
circumstances un der which We are convened
They are diaated by pure and di6ntereit-
! ed zeal Tor the happinefs Of the whole peo-