The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-02-09
EXTRACT
From fhe Speech Of Governor Gerry, to the Leeiss
Iature of Massachuse.ts


From fhe Speech Of Governor Gerry, to the Lep;,.
lature Of MassGchusetts.
Since our last interview, the disposition ma
infested by the inhabitants ofthis commonwealth.
10 restore that general harmony, which has raj
sed them 20 that exalted station, and which in
future must form the solid basis of their social
ana political enJoyments. is highly honorable to
themselves, and animating to their public agents.
10 your powerful example, and extensive iniu-
ence, IS the community principally indebted to
TINS important change and by similar means.
t 'h's Perious crisis, you will increase and con-
nrin our national felicity. The practice amenp at
fellow citizens, of mod eration, forbearance. and
oenevolence, rs always productive of happy eff
reefs and the magnanimity which forgives. ex
hhgulshes enmty, and excites in lieu of it, gene
rosity and friendship.
The twp mighty bellgerents, who continue
to crimson the western world by their destruc-
i've conflicts, present to alternate hopes & an
Prehensions OF their pacific and hostile intentions
ihsir general conduct proclaims, that enormous
power is inmicai to justice, and adverse to good
'aith. France, indeed, has revoked her obnoxi.
GUS DEGREES; but to what effect, if in ,onform,,v
10 her late official communications !---~ Treaties
"hich or night, never can be altered oy one par
W, nave by our government been sacredly main
tanned; whilst the beliigerents, in their treatie,
win us, nave applied their municipal power to
modify, alter or annul them at pleasure Under
these circumstances, of what avail are such So
Tenn 'comPacts Are they not the ambuscades
OF perhdy, to surprize and plumber honest credu-
hty,
The government of the United States. fr ON
| the establishment of their independence to tn E
present period, in their intercourse with foreign
nations, have conducted with the utmost impar.
tiaiity, justice, and honor. They have been in
capable OF intentional injuries and to casual
wrongs have applied immediate remedies. Thew
have commended for their own rights. but have
never derogated from the rights of others. They
nave not coveted foreign territory, and in reco
veTiis WI, nave sviTioet al ,,
They have carefully avoided violent measures.
and have preferred to them amic bic nerocia-
ton. They even in this have not been hastv ar
urgent, but have exercised patience, whilst COM
patble with dignity. They have punctualIy dis.
charged their just debts, and have unlimited
credit at home and abroad. Is not such GO
vernment entitled to the highest respect, and The
strictest justice! How have the equitable claims
on the beiiigerents been answered By delsys,
which have become denials and which to inju-
RES nave added insults The crisis is rapidly ap-
preaching, If not arrived, when our government
'ES :S"ei0i' tbs degrading c7attzct, or stesse g
ft, their soOeretgn zero.
The former would fix an indeli5le stain on tbe
nation; the latter would ,1srifesf her suonted
"aagnaniniy Ifiwar, which she sill debrecates,
s'iouio be the result, she has ample means, I'M
hundred thousand brave and determined free
men, whose necks were never yoked on bondage,
"hoso swords would leap from their scabbardsl
10 ayenge their country's cause; whose native
lana, astounding with the necessaries, conyenien
ces' and Injuries oflife, can supply them with G.
very requisite for war, may bid defiance TO any
hostile nation coalition on earth In this peri
ous state of our public concerns. let us obev the
ioud calls ofnational interest and honor let Ms
support every measure of government, for ter
mihaung foreign rapine and aggression Let us
NOT foster or countenance predictions or preiu-
aces for or against G. B. or France Let us ex.
terminate those germs Of public dIssentions,
wDich threaten an harvest ofpohticaI Misery
-et us Dram every source of eign influence, &
multiply the streams of uncontaminated patrio-
tism.
The Militia has commanded the attention of
the President OF the United States, whose promo.
s'tiohs tor defence are 'fshe highest importance
TheIyast objects, embraced by the views of the
aspiring monarchs OF Euro pc their unbounded
ambition prostrating before il every obstacle of
religion, justice or humanity: Their frequent
indications of an hostile disposition towards us :
the time required to place the nation in the best
posture OF defence and the short notice which
may precede the necessity Of this, all conspre to
urge, in preference to every other consideration.
those measures which regard our public safety.
10 perfect the officers in discipline is indispen
sable on them must depend that of the soldiers
An army without rule, "a weak in proportion tn
its numbers but we'll regulated, is a movable
fortress, defended at every point The Steuben
system, OWN use, Is generally admitted, TO be
inferior to t'iat practised IN Europe II should
ne the wish Of the Legislature to ADOPT the latter
seasonable notice of it to Que members in Com
gross may promote the measure and will not
afpJnspector General Of the first military talents
. rinote expeditously the desirable object The
sfIicers 5and soldiers OF the militia of this Com
nonwcalth, have manifested martial zeal,
nghy honorable to- themselves They have
spared neither pains nor expense, TO prepare for
national defence such militia is entitled TO e.
very possible attention, sd and encouragement.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE PHIL. GAZETTE.
TIE IS mistsk IN tue nc cunt,
pub SIZED az yuur papri from he National In, Fl,