Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1810-05-07
[Whoie No. 628.

alleged as furnishing strong and irrcsisu.
bic reasons, for the expression oftheir sense
Of the alarming state Of our foreign rela-
tons" And as every honest man of all par
ties must acknowledge this statement to be
wholly correct, no man of prudence and re-
fection viii doubt Of the utility and wisdom
Of the policy, which the report recommends
as proper to be adopted 10 present ths eviEs Ct
impending srnr.
If the dismissal of Mr.. Jackson originated
in mistake and misconception, and if Con-
gress and the legislatures Of several states
under this misapprehension were adopting
resolutions and preparing acts which might
prove fatal to the peace and prosperity Of
our country, " (which might involve Us in
war with England and an alliance with
France" It was certainly right, honest, and
patriotic in the legislature OF Massachusetts
to expose these fatal mistakes, and recall our
administration TO measures, whi1h might
secure our safety and promote our haPpi-
ness.
IF the embargo and nen-intercourse laws
had produced no such effects on the belhg~
erents az our rulers enormously anticiPa-
ted ifthey encouraged France IN her out
RACES and depreciation, and only excited con
tempt and irritation in England, While they
impoverished our own Treasury, ard ruined
our own commerce, could the legislature
honestly Go. less than recommend a Feteal OF
laws productive OF such mischieyUus ct
fects!
1.-THE iqnmense ,bSzseY, the gnbriaciP1ed am
binon Of France threaten the extermlnation
Of all free governments in the world, would
it not have been treacherous in our lrgisls-
ture, would il not have shown total and
cruel insensibility 10 the great interest Of
| mankind, 10 have omitted an expression q
their wish for an accommodation with the
only nation, that opposes barrier to the
progress of an usuFper, WAC threatens tie
world with universal tyranny
If the despotism Of France has proved az
once destructive to the liberty and rights
of all nations, which have become is allies,
and at the same time depressed their NOR
IL character, ard annihilated their religious
habits, was it not the duty OF Legislators,
who had sworn 70 maintain the freedom and
| independence Of our country, and had pro-
fessed their belief IN the truth q our holy
religion, 10 protest most solemnly against
az alliance with such a nation
| This is all the last legislature have done
J in their important REPORT on our torfiga Felss-
tion5. Ifthis was wrong, let the people say
4 so. Ifall this was right II il was not only
iustifable, but the bounden duty OF our 20
iitical yyatchlnen 10 State these facts and TO
express these opinions If any ming short
of this would have been criminal neglect
Of their solemn obligation, the good pecple
of this Common wealth will know how to
yesbect men, sshc rebr05ats and cersuye these
public PROCEEDINGS. They will see WHO are
their honest friends, and who are, by folly
or treachery, their worst enemies.
| Further-Tf this REPORT was not intend-
ed to prove mere dead leHer If A. had
tendency to correct public opinion, and in-
fiuence our national councils TO represS
the zeal Of deluded pride, and cheek toe ca
reer Of dangerous prejudice keep some
! in the right way, and turn others from tie
wrong, might call on all honest men 10 APP
prove Of statesmen, whose measures prom
ised such z result But cali on them IA this
case to 20 fAFthcr--tc give 70 patriotism the
praise not only OF goo! iHte OIL but Ut SIG
cesstisE energy to rejoice, that tie rebsrt was
not only calculated 10 do good, but that i
has dore gsg4 that it has been enc mean
! Of secAring 70 us 10 this hour tile pes. ard
blessings, We have more than once rescUed
from tAe hazardous policy, which threaten
ed--mAy not say. which threatens 10 N
voiye every thing dear to Us II one ro'nnoa
ruin. SyLLY-