Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1809-01-02
o/yN.s

III a legal mee,iag ofthe inhabitants Of
The Town " BATH, holder ne 27Ih
December, Il. L. 1905 = Samuel Da-
Wis, Esq 6eing chosen Moderator u
sud mfetias-.t qyas, ca mofio'i---
Reso!ved--I hat in the ,pinion OF the
people OF this town, the end OF govern
ment is TO secure safety and protection
TO the individuals, upon whom it ope-
rates, and to furnish them with the
power OF enjoying, in tranquility, their
natural rights and the blessing ct lie.
That whenever from defects in the
form OF that government, tiom corrup-
ton in the administration of it, or tSpm
other causes, these great and primary
objects are not oblaiaed, the people
have right, and their duty TO them
selves and their pos,erity requires them
to exercise il, to enquire into the causes
of their suffering and 10 take measures
necessary for removing their gfrevan-
ccs and advancing their safety and pros
pcrias-.
That the people ofthis town, and the
people of this State, so far as we are
acquainted with their situation, are now
suffering privations ana hardships,
which exceed in severity, any thing OF
the kind which has afflicted our country
since the struggle FOR independence
and We cannot but consider, as the
cause of this suffering and calamity,
the oppression and arbitrary laws of the
general Government, which prohibit
all commerce with foreign nations
and which have, by their multiplied re-
strictions, almost abolished it among
ourselves.
That we see with dread ard detesta-
ton, military Preparations making a.
mong us armed men patrolling our
streets aud officers OF II 1t govern
ment, under color Of these laws, albitra-
rily seizing and sequesleling the pro-
perty oi individuals, without any posi-
bic benefit to the community, and
greatly 10 our annoyance and terror.
That the people have light to un-
derstand the reason and intention ofthe
laws and none can be really cons,itu-
tional or ought ever 10 be enacted, but
such as have tendency TO promote the
general good that the strength and
support Of a Republican Government
depend on the attachment and afieotiors
OF the people; and that policy there
+ fore, must always be mos, heartily de-
precated which can deem it expedi-
ert 10 pass laws which needs bayonets
10 enlolce them.
I hat we have Hitherto born with si-
lence, the severe pressure OF these ruin
Gus laws and altho we now deem il
our duty 10 speak with hrmntss and
decision, our deiestatiop Of them aud
OF the policy which gave rise 10 thtm :
we will still keep down The spin, of Ia.
dignatlon which. swells within us at the
endul ance Of them, and viii conduct
towards The national go,e nmtnt and
/ It's several officers with suitable defer
ence and moderation - bat We Go
however despair oil cbtaining any re,
dress oI these grievances from THAI
government, while its principal oflicea
are filed rs al present and our only
hope is, that the state governments W
their rtmonstrances ard resolutions
may Lave more irAuance in tfleciirr
this object, than the peutions ana ne,
mo,ials Of individuals, AID j oNrs,
hesofred. ! 1hereiore, that respeet,
iul addlcss be forwarded IN the nsme
oi the people OF Ills Town, TO the |, is,
l,uu ct this Conmopweolth, stating
tic wrongs and grieytpets We already