Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1812-10-19

people on their borders, from whom they
had ferrous approximations Of an attach, and
requeRing that a number Of the militia
might be Rationed in fhofe towns. The
Council advifed that three companies OF
the detached militia fhould be called into
the fervice Of the United States for their
protection. On the 5th Of Augutt ! iiiued
| an order for that purpofeIand directed that
TWO of the companies ihoHld be fationed
at Eaftport and one company at Robbins
town, until the Prefident ihould otherwiie
] direct and the fame day by letter TO the
Secretary Of War, informed him OF the
Plantations aforefaid-and having receiv-
ed the opinion Of the Judges on the above
queftions, eaclofed to him their anfwer.-
A copy of that opinion and the letters and
papers above referred o,will be laid before
you by the Secretary.
Soon after the declaration OF war,teveral
towns on the iea-coaft applied TO the Gov
ernoF and Council for arms and ammuni-
ton, as many perions who were exempt
from military duty were detitute OF the
neceflary means Of defence. Agreeably
TO the advice Of the Council, they were,in
Gome inRarces furnilhed with thoie arti-
Giles. BY Inspecting the returns OF the
Quarter Matter General, you will be con-
WINGED of the necefEity of obtaining a iur-
ther fupPly Of fmall arms and military
flores, and the more 70, as our defence on
the fea board feems almof totally to be
contided to the militia. We have in this
| fate fever2l hundred miles Of tea coat,
number of illands near the coat are inhab-
| tied by our citizens, and more than one
hundred Of our towns may be approached
by the enemy's ihips. 1t is obvious there
fore that only a maritime defence can af-
ford them full fecurity. Still, however,
we lhould employ fuch means as we pof-
! leis for their protection, and TO this end, It
will be necefary that the whole militia
ihould be armed and equipped IN the bet
! pohibIe Manner and ready 10 march at the
! ihorteR notice, and in cafe of invahon that
arms ihould be in readibefs for every man
who is able TO bear them. In this way it
is probable that our defeniive force, and the
/ general iecurity Of the fea-board will be
as great, as # portions of the militia were
drawn from every part of the State, and
/ ftationed in few of the large towns on the
coat.
While the War, in which we are unhap-
PLY involved, continues, it is TO be carried
on only in The name and by direction of the
public. The people cannot act of them
| felves except for the defence of their poi
| teffions and territories. Without the COM
milton or particular order of the Govern
ment, they have no right to commit holtil
tiles or undertake any off1nhve expedition.
In modern warfare the troops alone carry
| on the war while the ref of the people pea
cebly follow their callings and if they re-
fran from hOiiilities, have generally. but
little to fear from the enemy's arms.
For many years, and until within a late
| period, the nations of Europe have made
war with moderation and generofitY, and
IN manner which proved they had not
forgotten that their enemies were men, &
might afterwards become friends. Indeed
war is 70 dreadful in its effects, and 70 def
tructve TO human happinefs, that the
the law Of nature allows of it only in the
utmoft extremity and requires, that when
it is Ieforted to, the perfons engaged in it
| ihall endeavor to mitigate its horrors as far
|
otJuitice and humanity. Thefe principles
OF the law of nature are confirm
cd by the preceptsof the chriftian religion.
Whatever ientimtnts may prevail among
the people Of this State concerning the iuE-
tice or e8Pediency of the PreftDt war,
hope and truft that they will perform the
du,ies enjOined on them by the Con0itu-
tutions and Laws, aud that they will 60
nothing tc obhrud the Government in the
coniItutiOnai meafures they may think
proper 10 adopt. If thoie meaiurea are
thought to Be unju6iharle or particularly
Injurious TO this part Of the Union, let us
cheriih confidence in the wifdom and
/ JuitICe OF the other States, and wait with
! patience tor the remedy provided bY the
| COnttltutlOn. In the mean time, let Us re-
gard with adherence thoie violent perfon-
al outrages, which are fatal to the peace
and dligraceful to the character of any peo-
/ pie ; let Us be watchful and determined to
! prevent tumults and difOrders Of every
n kind. by which our internal tranquility
/ would be endangered, and be as willing 10
! indulge IN Others the right of expecting
! their opinions OF public mealures, as we
are to eXerclte that right ourltves.
| iihali readily co operate with you, Gen.
tlemen, IN any meatures that may be tho't
conducive to the defence and tranquility Of
the State, and the prelervation and fccuri-
! ty OF the Union; and may the God of our
! Fathers protect us in tbs caamitous peri
Cd, and guide Us ID the way Of duty and
iafety.
CALEB STRONG.