The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-01-12
Duusstir.
TO THE rSHABIrAxrs OF rHe STATE or
FLORIDA.

FED ',-CasSeas,
The cause in which we have e.
ga red, shows that the hanef,d influence OF !.
dcsPotic government, has not extended So Car as
go render ms insensit,e OF our natural rights, or
to deprive us 1T the resolution necessary 20 as
sert and maintain them, II was honorable for
the people of Florida, TO have renamed Iowa, 10
the Sovereign, whose protection they enjoved
without any condition, degrading or oppressive,
go long rs he could be considered 70 have a
crown or 4 Kingdom. SUBJECT to his control, e
any power to project the people. Various eau
SEES contributed duine that period TO am .liorate
the condition of tie inhabitants ~nt ,Finrds inso
much that tho distinctive features ct an arbi,ra-
ry government were but seldom sceraetl But
since the kingdom has been abandoned by it's
sovereign. the officers pretending to derive their
authority from him, have enl.ayored TIC cstab-
i,sh tyranny over the people, equally oppres-
s've and unauthorized, and being unawed by
the appre tension of ever being rendered &C
countab'e for their conduct, they began to prey
upon those whom il was their duty to protect,
wni'e stu they asserted the right Of exercising
authority over them
Justice instead Of being impartially admins
tered, was perverted by the influence of passion,
prejudice or interest; crimes of the most at
troc'ous nature were suffered to GO unpublished,
unless at every stage, the prosecution was sup.
ported by large advances Of money. The re-
spectacle and virtuous inhabitants were prohi-
menis in the country, while protection was ne
YER denied to the worthless and depraved-
In fine, the lives and property of the peo
pie exposed to violence and danger. from
wi'nn or without, were lett unprotected.
whiie they were not even allowed the use of the
fence e"
n government administered in that manner.
oy officers who had neither the right nor the
power TO Cypress the people, was soon discover.
ed to be tyrsnncal and oppre ssive, and with
prompdtude and resolution honorable to orr.
seNes' we nave broken the chains which were
atte mpted to be fastened upon US we have dis
claimed the authority which was exercised
without regard for the public welfare, & have
hs.ituted government such prin ciples as
VIII secure our most essential rights A chance
has been effected with little expence. highly "a
yorsbie to the general prosperity ofthe country
and 10 the happiness and security of each indiy;
auai- Inc honest and Industrious emiprants
from foreign countries, ma longer excluded from
iaho so productive, and q climate so ipy;,;nr
VIII soon make establishments among us. ;ncrea-
sing 'he value Of our property, and addino
70 the riches and strength of our state 1t will
no longer be m the power ofpetty tyrants to give
.: =" aocoroing 10 Their caprice, or Interested
views; justice shall no longer be SOLD NOR
snaii the rapacious plunderar of the neop,e he
Pro'ec'ed, by dividing with the officers of po
| vernment the spoils which he has made unop
ta e, property OF the peaceable inhabitants. No,
ienow-citizens, your legislators shall be men of
your own choice, equally with yourselves. amen
soie To the laws, and every officer Of evsru a.
partment, shall be responsible for his condnct ~
tue people, Tor whose benefit the government ia
| established. ''Ae' 10
| 10 secure these important blessings To orr
Selves and TO our posterity, some further ex
.uonS are necessary; some few sacrifices
are YET 10 De made, and am pursuaded there
|
rejoice at finding an opportunity to contribu,s
| 10 tne support OF SO good a cause There .ra
out lew, II any, so dcpraved, that thew do
us. io'e their country, or so stlinid az tn with
hod small and temporary offering, for the
"'aihhent OF great and permanent adv anita
| lhat we may participate equally. in ,ro,o.
tlon 10 our abilities, in what vet remains 70 w,
nohe 10 secure our independence, it will, ba The
care Oh the legislature to provide BY law for nm
equitable system of taxation. Those oft,cers
@tfy IN power would haze enriched tbeu
ives ny demanding exorbtant contributions
ITO" tne inhabitants, by turns have epdeovored
10 render any general system of taxation o1;ons
| ~ .ie people, because they knew, that q ms. 6,
iree government will not be supported bv .n,,
o'ner means. We may be assured then. ,S.t u,
VINO are enemies TO such system of taxa,;on
arc enehes TO their country, and wish to see
II enslaved but this artifice oflvrants !, :; Nc
sumed, will be unavailinp among nanr,,a r..
are informed OF the true principles of civil Ib.r
IV VINO know that certain rights rnust be
lue!egated to the government by each ;ndv;duot
ana certain proportion of his wealth CON,
| .riop'ed Tor Its support, that he may be made
secure IN the possession and eniovmsnt os H.
Irest '"o"' vi u'e
No doubt is therefore entertained of .,,o
neral disposition of the nhabitan,e to 800.
win the reasonable acquisitions of the e,ovn,r
"e"t now established, or or our ultimate cue
cess IN subduing any force which NAV he fo,,nd
under the command of pretended sgen,o - ms
iicers, OF that despotism which we have t,;s,s.
| del. VIC nave discar'
The people may be assured that M forr,;5.
| ole force can be bro't into opnosf;on ~ w.
that to have free and INDEPENDENT oovern,,,o co.
we have only to persevere in Inc resoln,;nn ~
| support IT. Let 1t not be said that our number
are 100 few, and our physical force too moons,
dcrable the resources of our country are s,@
Gent for our present exigencies. and orr r;cha.
and strength will increase in proportion to o,,r
wants. W V'i
Your representatives having called me % nv
ercise the office of first magistrate and ms,
duct being at all times subject to Investigation !,
WIN u my care TO execute the laws with firm.
,'ess H'u lnpartialhy I undertake this task.
however WIN the firm persuasion that your
candour will be exercised to tire p,oD.r 80 s
'en' IN the scrutiny of my conduct, and that
~ asloDs, when the public safety may require
lit. fu"e
81. FyanciSviHe, De-l
cenl6et 5, 1910