Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-06-21
BOSTON, June II.
ROSTON RES0LUTJ0NS-
PLAIN FACTS.

tlnate;i at TWO Nsitiioie VI uoiIstis' ooioio
i'm TO the merchants OF this town, had ar
rived, or was daily expected to arrive in
this port.
Tais property had been ordered and
. stripped in contravention OF no law OIL INC
government.
subsequently to the orders for these
SHIPMENTS, at time when 1t Was impOs-
sibie to csuntcrmand them, and alter ma
nv Of them were on their passage, law
was passed by congress, IN a midnight
session. and without any previous season.
able intimation, by which this immense
property was made Liable to seizure and
condemnation. and the owners OF it is
thereby exposed to absolute ruin.
b an article in our Bill OF Rights, it
j, declared. that 8. laws made to punish
for actions doae before the existence OF
surh laws. and which have not been de-
el,red crimes by preceding laws, are an
lust. oDpressiye and inconsistent with the
Fundamental principles Of free govern
meat"
Ryan article of the constitution OF the
United States, it is provided that no state
shall pass any er post j'ac'o iGTos.
Another article in the declaration OF
rights, recognizes the right u the people
s. In an orderly and peaoea5ie mdnnerto as
semble 10 consult ;!pon tie common sood.'
Under these circumstances, an immense
assembly Of the eitizens OF Boston, a
mons. whom were maay Of the nnEortun-
ate owners OF this property, convened ana
agreed upon the resolutions.
A great and increasing spirit Of discon-
tent peryaded the metropolis, and the aga
tation of mind and the despair which were
visible among many oil those who saw ruin
stare them in the face. excited great
apprehension in many good citizens, that
actual resistance 1couid be mcGs by force
to the execution Of this law.
This resistance it lcds the OBJECT and
spirit of the resolations 10 preoe@t, and not
to encoarage. They are al, when taken
together, predicated upon this existing
state ofthings, & were adopted TO prevent
recourse to violence, by pointing the peo-
ple TO constitutional means OF redress.
There is not sentence which can by
INV fair construction b. intended to re-
commend or threaten resistance to the
f|aws. 1t is indeed declared that the law
. " is unjust, oppressive and tyrannieai,
tending to tie ruin and impoverishment
of the citizens, and that the only means
! short of an appeal to force, to prevent
such calamity (Which HEAVEN AVERT)
is the election Of such mea to eiiice, as
will oppose By peaeeable but firm mea-
sures, the execution Of laws, which, il
persisted in, must and ac;ll be resisted"
Nothing is more clear than the words
6. must aud 1oiIl BE- resisted" denote con-
sentence. which, from the nature OF 'in-
fitriated man. when goaded by oppression
was likely TO happen. and which the citi-
zens then pray HEAVEN TO AVERT, ana
fheu cannot be construed into a threat or
recommendation Of resistance. ercept BY
malignant heart or a perperted Judgment.
II is fer these resolutions. adopted an
der such circumstances, and with these
yiews-lt is for this "peaccabIe and or
DERBY" admomition to the government. OF
the tendency Of an &c post tacto la7c-lt
is Tor this enileavor 10 divert ana allay the
feryor ofthe public mind from all thoughts
OF actual resistance. and to coniine the
Sufferers to peaceable and constitution
al mode Of redress. that the governor has
parmitted himself TO be se:iucen from his
official province. and 10 add Insult to iniu-
~. b. denouneinS an :. assembly" OF citi-
7aas. thousands os whom have All equal
stake with hiE,sclf in the preservation OF
the public peace, and who are inferior to
uoas in their attachment TO the best inter-
est of their coun:ry.
This ua:reeedeated and cruel attempt
!. to briar odiin laon the metropolis. de-
Sersss and>withouf doubt will receive an
MIGRATE exauliratioa and cxposure.