Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1811-06-17
SPEECH /;
Gentlemen of'ibe Senate, ard
4

OGfttSNttff -
THE citizens of this Commonwealth, in
the full txercife Of their elective rights,
having called on us ID our REFLECTIVE IA
tIons. to promote their profperlty and hap
piDeis, have mauifeaed, at this critical pc
liod, al honorable confidence IN our pat
rio,c 6rnnefs ard exertions. To fHlhll
their iHf expectations, VIII be the height
of my ambition and on your cordial and
tft0ual cooperation, have the greater
reliance.
The meafures, which during the year
Ian psh, were adopted by the Executive
and Legislative departments of this State,
and which they were folicitous 10 ftamp
with impatiaiity, moderation, and Juficc,
appear 70 have met the general apprOba-
ton of the public and III mott infances,
10 have allaytG that unrelenting party fpi-
rit, which when INDUCED, has never failed,
on the ruins Of liberty, 10 ettabliih defpo-
tim. But different iyfcn has been pur-
iued by few Of our towns, and in partic-
ular our metropolis: where of late, 4" an
aftmblage" Of 4 majority Of her electors,
many Of them citizens whole talents, pro-
ftfions, property and Influence, have pla-
ced them in the mott respectable grades
IF fociety, and in high Offices of govern
rrcnt have in the mott deliberate manner,
[" unanimouny paffed various Revolutions,
too important, in their nature and sem
dency, 10 be unnoticed. The publication
of tbcle meafures, which in no inaance
have been dfavowed, 10 70 marked, as 10
admit no doubt Of their authenticity.
Had this " ahemblage" been content,
with exercifng freely THEN rights of fuf-
frage; or agretably Ia the Contribution of
me ". States, " Of pesceably petitloning
the Government fer aIedreis Of grievan-
ces = or, in conformity to the Contribution
of this Commonwealth, (" of requelting, in
an orderly ard peaceable manner, the Lee
gillative body, by addrefies, petitions or
remontrances, 10 redrels the wrongs done
them, and the grievances they fuffer," no
rational objection could have been urged
as4inft them on the contrary, their con-
duo, if il bad even reiulted from mitaken
zeal, would have been jualy aPplauded.
But their open avQwal of holtiiity TO the
Government ofth4 United States, demands
of us, in lupport q it, As iacred Official
duty. an ingenious, aud efficient line OF
ccnduct.
The meafUres referred to, were pf- d@ta-
ted On anertions that our " ancient and
l.fpeaablc metropolis" " was the frlt to
encourage COMMERCIAL enterprise !" That
This was a great fource of 80 our national
profperitv - that " it's inhabitants have
been difinguif1td by their quick difcern-
nlent Of, and their vigorous oppohtiOn to
al invsfons Of their rights = that at the
risk Of their lives and fortunes they had
oppcfcd the encToachm5nts of arbitraIy
power; !" that they had expected do
neftic Government which would protect
them in the lawful exc else Of their rights; =
that " amongf thele, the mof Invaluable
was protection, in the puriuIt Of COM
MERGE !" that " the Government Of the u.
States has, for many years pan manifeaed
a dispoftion slarmipgly hottie to com
uerce," but "nt36 emi1sHft by the late
act of Conerefs, which under certain pre-.
texts, "mfiGs a deadly wound on our
commerce = that /" the only remedy lhort
of an appeal To force, i:to change our na-
tional rulers )" and that this important
rntafure can only Be tfftded, by corref
pondent change ID the adminltTation d
this State"
In regard to thsfe petitions it is prefum
ed, that this I" alembl5ge" will not afIumt
al The merit Of encouraging commerce
OF Of oproGtion to the invshon Of on
rights, or of oppoiiHE, at the risk of iii'
AID fortune, the encroachmenis Of abb
tray power but, will admit lis fellow
Citizens az the metropolis and Of the State
&c tqual honor with themfslves on theft
iutjtets. And i is believed, that IA,
ATTENDANCE" IN whatever light il may view
the Fedcra Government, will not deny thi
fzereigg riEbt 81 its ftllOw-citizcns Of th,
". States. to e>etciie their Judgments OF
tie CONDUIT ofthat GovcInmeutto declare
their conviction, that II ~ wife, lait. i'm
partial and patriotic Government * thei
ttftimOnY. that inittad Of iihicting, il ha
warded III 10y every pofIible mean, 4 Cead
" blow, aimed by foreign powers or ca
commerce aLd 20 applaud, rtrere an,
lupp0tt their Goytrumcut, lib oppoliiio
10 thofe VINO have Proclaimed their dHai
ft6ticu to it, have pgo!CI.bed il, and doOE
"a il to deltrgttion.
The aIembIagt. IL their FRI refolu
ton, declare, = that having reviewed wit
inpartislty, our ioteigA reiatious, he
are unable TO dltccvtf any alteration
the conduit of fofI go nations. which ca
iuaify or even aPoloeize, fer The late mr.;
furss # ghe Government Oh tie III. States.
Admitting the fact, thai The aGrmbae
could rot " dlsco'Sr aoy inch alteration,
filin may haze exIiled and it CD exi
II regard t0Efanee,fn thr crirIrn pf the ~
t.oHaitutioaal Jucse, tie nationa 2ovslr
erDnent and generally otthe STATE So
esaEtnis. TEE nts!nies a'iCied 10, vel