Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-07-08
ADD less
OF the House Of Representatives,
To THE
PEOPLE OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Address

E'r1ioqc- Cstizens-The House of Represen-
tatiyes OF Massachusetts, having nearly COM
pleted the ordinary duties of the session, upon
the eve of an adjournment, are induced 10 de-
Law their departure for their homes, by the
intelligence Just received, OF var declared oy
the u. States, against G.. Britain. Though
the recent coarse OF public affairs has lea
some of u. 10 anticipate this event, rs the ma
tural and inevitable consequence OF the mia
fuation which has presided in the national
councils. and of the fatal desertion Of your IN
terests BY some Of your own Representatives,
in Congress yet we are sensible that tins ca
lami,y will fail upon most OF You as 81 ddea
and unexpected visitation and be regarded BY
you as an instance of inconcelva6le toly and
desperation. We also know, that 1t will be
natural for you ia look towards your State Le-
pislaturc, for the suggestion otssome means
of relief from a condition so repugnaht 70
vonr wishes and interests Most gladly would
we devote our time and eXeruens to any means
OF repairing the mischief already begun, OF OF
averting the Fuinous consequences which a.
wait our coupty. But our disposition, unless
seconded by fhe active energies OF the Peo-
ple, can be ofno avail. The system dellbe-
Tately adopted at a former Session for securing
permanent power to a majority of the Senate
i'm defiance of the voice Of the people, lmpetIes
and defeats the expression OF the puollc VIII
The appreciation of wal measures by mlno-
yity III this branch, and by certain members OF
Congress from this state, ex l6lts you as dl-
Vided people to those who triumph in your dl-
visions, as a source of their own power and
the N.tional Government has been induced to
believe that your fears and disseptions combin-
ed with your sober habits, and natural aversion
fyam the appearance of opposition to the laws
are sufficient pledges for your tame a2qules-
ceace in the abandonment ct your local int
rests, and for your supporting, at the expense
OF your blood and treasure, a war, unnecessa-
ry, uniusti6able and impolilc; which, uadet
the pretence of vindlcating the independence
oi our country against nation which does not
threaten it, must too probably conSlgn your
hberties to the care Of tyrant who mas blot
ted every vestige OF independence from the
Continent Of Europe.
tiAying presented a temperate and respect
sfal a4eaorial to Congress, PRAYING them to a.
ne tin, evils Of war, without effect; 1t no
jon,rer Becomes US TO conceal our sentiments
mon Ire. causes and tendency Of The present
var. ~1,he time perhaps approaches, wheh
like other mnions OF French power and lntlu
ense,. We shall he expected to observe umid
and profound silence upol he measures OF adj
ministrasion. A war begun upon principles
SO outrageous to public opinions, to the feel
ings and interests of this people, can be sup
ported onlv by the violence which destroys
the freedom of speech, and endangers the IL
berry ofthe CT, zen. But while our chamber
is not VT encompassed by standing army,
AID the writ ot habeas corpus is not suspend
ed, we will lift up warning voice to our con-
stituents. and apprize them of their danger
When amidst the peaceful scenes, IN which
for thirty wears, you have been accustomed to
repose, YOU are made to e&gize that zear &C.
ists: wren you find that TO supply the exhaust
edvueasury, pepper money has been issued
and that direct and Cumbersome taxes must be
imposed uponycur lands and your occupations
while the means of providing for their pay
Yaeat are diminished; we feel with what III,
onisitiye anxiety You viii look around YOU
for the causes of your iribulation. No lava
sion of our country has been threatened Ne
ene,as was near. No enterprise upon your
INDEPENDENCE had been undertaken. NeitheI
treason, insurrecton, nor resistance to TIN
execution of the laws, wereto be apprehended
Your commercial rights it is true have beer