Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1810-04-30
Communication. :
FOR THE GAZETTE.

ed improper TO call the attention OF the elec-
tors To that subject. 1t is subject pecul-
iarly important at the present moment, not
from personal considerations, but as it res
poets the general welfare. If the majority
of the last year, in the legislature, which
was compo1ed of fede-alists, pursued pol
icy expensive, oppressive, or injurious to
the domestic or foreign interests of the
country, they, or men of their principles,
ought not to be elected. But on the other
hand, if they have pursued the true inter-
ests of the people of this Commonwealth,
there is every reason that the legislature
should continue federal.
OF the proceedings Of the Legislature,
none have excited more invidious and un-
fair remarks, than the report of the COM
mittee on the situation of our foreign rela-
tons. On this subject, the Legislature sim.
ply expressed An opinion. That they had a
right to do this, no man in the state, who
values his freedom and constitutional right,
will deny. Let these who are willing to live
under government, arbitrary like Bona
parties, and be compelled to submit in ST.
lence to any measure of the same, howev-
er rulnous or unjust, or suffer Imprisonment
and death, support men of contrary senti-
ments. Frenchmen and slaves may acqui-
esce, but don't believe the day is yet come,
shat the Freemen of Massachusetts, will
subscribe to it. When the report here al
luded to was adopted, it was strongly fear
ed, and the opinion was warranted by the
measures of the Executive Of the General
Government, by the language of many in
Congress, as we'll as the leaders of the de.
mocrats and the papers conducted by that
party, that it was the determination to in
yolve the country in a war with England.
Every judicious and rejecting man in the
country was opposed to such disastrous &
ruinous project, as a war with England must
have been, To prevent this evil, and pre-
serve the peace and independence Of the
country by the exercise of constitutional
means, was The object Of the federalists in
The Legislature. Yet the democrats, who
are striving for power and office, tell the
people, that the legislature were the advo-
Gates Of Great Britain, and opposers Of the
true interests of the country. Does the re-
port warrant this conclusion By no means.
And thoss who say 50, arc guilty of decep.
ton and talsehood. Let any candid and i'm
partial man, read the following remarks on
this subject, and then Judge.
A FRIEND TO COMMERCE.
WHEN the REPORT. of the legisla-
ture ON OUR FOREIGN REL ATOMS
was published, l Immediately procured
copy, and gave it most attentive perusaI.
had understood from both parties in this
moment Of heat and passion, that anony-
NOUS statements were TO be suspected. /
felt happv ~ the avn,ua1 IS
public men in responsible situation would
relieve me from the anxiety Of suspense
Whatever might have been my former opin-
ions, rejoiced that ! was now certain Of
receiving facts, on which / might argue
safely
Under these impressions and with these
views read the Report, and after care
ful comparison of its contents with what
have often candidly listened to from both
sides, / was compelled to receive its state
ment, to admit its arguments, and adopt its
conclusions. Since its authors have been
abused as men false TO their country and de-
voted to England, have read the Report a.
gain and again, to see if could discover a.
ny ambiguous expression, which could fur
nlsh pretext for such charge-After all,
am obliged in conscience to declare, that
think this state parer c0nfers honor on its
authors, and is in itself high encomium on
the temper and intelligence Of the people,
to whom 1t is addressed Whoever will ex.
anime It with the same attention and views,
will probably adopt my opinion.
The legislature at its last session was i'm
PEELED by the most weighty considerations
70 hotice the alarming stare cf our foreign
relations The members, assembled from
all parts VI the Commonwealth, commune
Gated to each other the anxiety of their con-
stltuents at our actual situation, and their
more solemn fears aggravated evils They
were all affected by the public feeling, and
convinced that it was duty to relieve our
citizens from the burden Of i7,lagina,v Ills.
by just and correct statement not only of
our perIis, but also of the sure means Of a.
vertmg our dangers Men sometimes give
themselves up to despair, when thew argue
only from their suiIerings and their fears.
They gain courage even at the sight of dan
gers, great beyond their approximations, if
with the discovery they learn also the means
of safety.
Under this impression the legislature raj
sed JOINT committee Of both houses, 10
consider The expediency gf expressing their sense
q me present alarming state Of our foreign re-
ldtfoHS, dnc on The causes zyhich produced IL
and sphether any, and if any, sghat measures
might De adopted 10 pyevent The eviis Of inben-
ding 79ar" 1t was certainly their bounden
duly to consult for our common good. al a
9oHi@H when our peace Gad Prosperity and
with them our liberty and religion seemed to
many to be at stake. The most scrupulous
advocate for the power and prcrogative Of
tue national government would not DENY
'hem the right, of considering the expeaiency
OF expressing an opinion on our national az
FAIRS al such time. Besides, almost every
state at the south had by its legislature 10