The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-11-10
Erfracts from the .fassyer Of the Senate
Of 0Tassdehusetts to the Governor
Sheech.
IN SENATE.

ken up, and after a warm debate, in which
the Honorable Mcssrs. Otis. Whne. Weies,
PIiih, and 1horndike, objected to the sem
ti,nents and language of the answer ; and
the Honorable Messrs. Lincoln, Foote, and
N4oody, .viRdicated their correctness and
propriety, was accepted : and the Commit
tee who reported it, viz. the Honorable
Messrs. HHis, Lincoln, and Strong, di-
re,:ted to present it to His EXcellency.
hzay u hiease yomr E.reeAeney.
The communication which you have been
pleased to make the Legislature at the o.
pering of the present session, will meet from
the Senate with that respectful considerati-
on. which the authority and the importance
of tbs subjects, it contemplates, emincntly
demand The duties OF Legislators, at all
times arduous, have become at the present
interesting crisis OF our country, peculiarly
imposing The people with anxious soli-
citude are looking to- the measures Of gov
ernment for immediate protection and a
government faithful to principle, singly re-
gardful of the interests of the people, will
not disappoirt their reasonable eXpec,ati-
IN pursuance of the authority delegated
by the Constitution. and in the exercise OF
discretion conHded in by the people. the
Congress of the United States have placed
this country in the character and attitude
of a beliigerent with Great Britain. This
pected events, and brought into operation,
nuvcl principles. 1t is also calculated to
draw the efficiency of the government to a
hitherto untried test, and to prove Its COM
potency or inadequacy to self preservation.
In the view taken by your EXcellency of the
subject of the re9uistion by the President
of the United States of a portion of this
States quota of the detached militia, is a
striking ILLUSTRATION of the remark that as
hP - he Cf
form of government, has been altogether
Imperfect. a similar demand was made
of the Executives, of most, if not of all the
States in the Union, and while on the part
of some, there prompt jealous and
patriotic compliance, which in a period of
common danger spurns at etiquette, and
disdains complaint, on the part Of others
there has been cold. reluctant and unai-
ding assent or a cautious, doubling, and e.
quivocai refusal To believe the conduct
OF the Ational Executive, sanctioned by
the conforming measures of most OF the
State authorities, ftaiRiy unconstitutional
would require mere distrust of their patrio-
tism and our own Intelligence, than the
members of the Senate are disposed to en-
terrain. Ii the language OF the Constitution
be OF equlvocal import confidence should
yield its support to the measures of govern
ment. The hour of danger is not the fit
time tor abstract specu alton, ard to decide
principles by views to political policy would
be hardly more rational than satisfactory
The vigilance with which your Excellen-
cy would guard the sovereignty OF the STATE,
is sure guarantee for its present integrity /;
, but the jealousy with which your EXcelien-
cy regards the authority of the Nationa.
administration, must suggest an appre-
hension for the safety of the Union. If the
existence OF the eXigencies provided for by
the Constitution, as authorising requisite
on for the militia, is made dependent upon
the inform alton, or opinion of the Executi yes
-of the seDerai States, there must be want
of harmony and efficiency in the govern
ment. From situation, the Executive of |
one State would have earlier and more pre-
sise intelligence than that of another and
upon the same information, there would of
ten be diversity of action. The rope of |
sand, which connected the old Confedera-
cy, would be a chain of adamant, in COM
parison with the obligation which should
thus secure the fidelity Of the several States
to the Union. The Constitution, in the ap-
prehensioa of the Senate, anticipated occa-
sious, for which the providence of Congress
could not prepare. A resistance to law.
sudden insUrrection, and hostile invasion
are exigencies, for which prospective re-
1nedy mast be provided, and Congress are
inves ed with authority TO adopt nj cans, at
ali times, for its application. 10 defy the
CNCNt Cf NftbSCiS W III Tie garrison, /.
w nile the outposts are carried, to disregard ,
until violence succeeds, would :
be the Contamination OF political folly ,
Must we wait to be invaded before we pre-
pare for resistance Aad is the act of
preparation less teSGAzed, because it anti ,
Cipates and defeats the occasion A de-
tachment of the militia may be required, ;
and from the mere requisition its necessity /
m az be superseded. What an enemy NAV ;
not accomplish by surprise, it will often not :
attempt. fit he denied 10 rte .Wationak :
ETecRsfue, 10 decide uhon tie necessi!y Of !
q detachment Of militia, il zUiH reHderi;i4is-
fensi6Le the sNhhort ola standing ar1iy.- =
The causes of danger mostly result 'from :,
our foreign relations. These are first and
best known TO the National Executive, and
not only would their communication often
be iMpfoper. but in cases easy to be con-
cei ed, would jeopardze the safety of the
nation. To conhde them to the Executive
of the several States, the prerogative of
deciding upon such Presidential req.istlon.
would imply Information which the Const- :
hutton has denied and the existence of pow
ers, which can be exercised efficiently by
the paramount authority Only. The Senate,
therefore, learn with regret, that they are
TO dissent from the opinions of
your Excelency, on tli, most important
subject. 1t would have byen more to their !
ga tisfaction, that the patriotic and val0rous /,
spirit of the Militia of Massachuse Is shnuld
have been permitted to participate in vindi. ,
eating the rights of an abused and inoult 4