Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-03-23

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nity when its measures appear to ofi9f-
nate in imperfect conceptions OF the mite
rests Of the whole, or inattentlon to the l'i-
portant concerns of any considerable Por-.
,ion a decent respect for the opinions OF
their fellow-citizens, and a just sense OF
their own rights, require of that part OF the
Society which feels oppressed or alarmed
prompt and explicit declaration OF thef
opinions. Such a course Of proceeding, by
producing early and frequent public DIS
cassions,. is calculated to support all such
measures as are wise and e1pedieat; and,
ON the other hand it furnishes a seasonable
opportunity to the Government to abandon
all such as are found to be inpracticable or
injurious; it is calculated at once to silence
the rnurrnurs Of the People if they are uu-
founded, and TO remove al their just caus-
es of complaint.
The Citizens OF Massachusetts are fri.
and jealous in the vindication- oil all their
RIGHTS; but their habit and their princi-
pies equally forbid resort to violent, dis
orderly, or unconstitutional means for that
purpose. They indulge pride IN the be-
lief that the Constitutions Of Government
Under wllichlhey live are SO framed, as 10
afford a peaceable remedy, for every griey-
anec to which they may be subjected They
have accordingly BY Petitions from various
parts Of the State, expressed to the presi-
DENTS the United States, their sentiments
on the oppressive operation, and destruc-
tive tendency, Of the Embargo laid on their
she's and vessels in DECEMBER, 1907
This Legislature also in the same spirit,
have heretofore endeavored through their
Senators and Representatives, to commu-
n;cate TO the Government OF the y. States,
!. their opinions and views of the system Of
policy lattly adopted and pursued by the
Administration. They have seen with re-
sere; that these peaceable efforts have not
produced any relaxation OF tie rigorous
measure complained Of; but that ON the
contrary, it has been thought proper to en-
tcrccsthe Embargo BY a late act, exceeding
ia severity all thai preceded Il; an act,
waish ifeontiuucd in operation will, IS we
appysl.ent, not only complete the d.struc-
ton Of the Commercial prosperity, but
prove highly dangerous to the public i:ber-
tx and domestic peace of this people. This
i.egisitture have also felt the NEST serious
alarm from psrceiving the other measures
lately proposed and contemplated in the
Conrrsss of the United States. Al this
awful and momentons crisis, we ought not
to affect ignorance OF those events, which
on ordinary occasions a sense of decorum
might forbid our noticing. 1t would be a
base dsre.iction of duty, if at such mo-
ment as the present, We should permit .
too scrnpu.ous regard for mere torms, to
prevent OR attempting every thing possible
for the security of our constituents, and FOR
the peace and happiness OF our common
country. This Legislature therefore with
the p,ainness and sincerity which becomes
the Representatives of free People, and
with al the respect which is due to the no.
norable body which they address, TO pre-
sent this, their solemn remonsrance, a
gainst the course of measures which is now
Expressing this part of the y. States.
Commerce has been one Of the chief en-
ploynenss of the people of New-England
from the first settlement Of the country /;
and their success has promoted and abuad-
antly rewarded the labors Of agriculture.-
The latter in It's turn has extended and en-
couraged commerce and from the joint O.
peration of these causes, ew-EnSland,
without any great staple, and without any
peculiar local advantages, has constantly
aud rapidly INCREASED IN wealth, prosperity
and power. If however. the advantages of
commerce were less Obvious and less ina
portant, yet the habits of the country, SO
long aud fvmly established, could not be
suddenly changed, without producing con-
sequences the most destructive and distress
sing, Our husbandmen and mariners can
notify an act of government be converted
Into msrehants uOr will our merchants and