Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-07-01
Remembrance against The Var.

Remembrance against the Var.
10 The Honorable the Senate, ard the Ho-
norablc the House of Representatives OF
the United States, in Congress assembled :
The Legislature of Massachusetts deeply
Impressed with the sufferings of their consti>
tucnts, and excited by tie apprehension OF
still greater evils in prospect, feel i'm
PEELED, by a solemn sense of duty, to lay be-
fore the National Government their view
of the public interests, and IL express with
the plainness Of freemen, the sentiments OF
the people of this ancient and extensive Cons
snonwealth.
Although tie precise limits of the powers
reserved to the several state soveresg ties
have not b, en- defined by the constitution,
vet we fully coincide in the correctness of
the opinions advanced by our venerable
Chief Magistrate. that "our Constitutions
ensure to MS the freedom of speech, and that.
at this monentous period, It is our right and
duty to enquire into the grounds and origin
of the present war, to reflect OH the state
of public affairs, and to express our senti>
ments concerning them, with cecency
anil franlness, and to endeavour, as far az
cur limited influence extends, to promote. by
4emperate aud constitutional means, an ho-
norabie rec nciliation."
IF then, such are theirwhts and duties OF
vhe peopie, surely tho G, who, ut this solemn
c,,isis. are selected by them, and who are
sn,cialIy honored with their confidence,
mao venture respectfully, but frankly, to
e,p;,s, the sentiments and feelings of those
xvhor, tbcv have the honor to represent
The States, as well as the individuals
composing them. are parties to the national
compact. ald it is their peculiar duty. espc-
r;aIly in times of peril, to watch over the
sights. and euSrd the privileges solemnly
Guaranteed. bv that instrument. Certainly
then this expression, from the Legislature
30 The free and rden endent Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, willC be disregarded by
the present Congress OF the United States.
Fer although the numerous pentiohs ana
remonstrances OF tho people il ms State,
Sn relation to such measures as %ney deemed
dangerous to their rights andruin,lusto tncir
snteTests. have heretofore been received an a
manner little calculated to produce tSat mar
monv. and to cement that Union mich
-u-b, to he the permauent aim of the gcne-
,,oi government. vet we cannot but indulge
che hone. that new councils and a more con
v;l;atorv shirt will distinguish the several
branches of the present National Leg'sla-
+rr.-rhat thew will eudeavor. by the exer-
else of Justice and impartiaiity, To allsy the
anDrehensionS and restore the confidence OF
The Eastern and Commercial States-to re
move their actual suGferings, and to replace
them in the happy and prosperous condition
from which they have been driven, by
succession of measures, hostile to the rights
of commerce, and destructive to the Peace
Of the Union.
IT. is not to be expected, that a hardy and
industrious people, instructed III the nature OF
their rights, aud tenacious OF their exercise,
..btse enterprise was source ct Individual
,yeaItb and national prosperity, should find
themselves obliged to abandon heir accus-
toror1 emnIoyments, ard relinqnish the
,ne.ns If subsistence, without complaint; or
that a moral and christian people slculd
cont ribute their aid, in the prosecution OF on
onrsrs;ye war. without the fullest evidence q
As Justice and necessity.
J-6e United States, from the form OF theil
Goyernmcrt, from the PRINCIPLES OF their IN
st;tutions from the sacred professions, which
in all perieds oftheir history they have made
fron, The naxilns transmitted to them, by
,,atrio.s and sagcs whose loss they can never
sofFi cientiv deplore, nc wei as from regard
A ,I,eir best and dearest interests ought tt
he the last nation to engage in war OF am
bititin or conquest.
fionS. the PACING, mora anu t''SH't'i
-c,e,. Of Il cir citizens, the certainty tina
S;ne and prudent application ottheir resour
zee vonlti bring seasonable remedy for AM
sra,sient wrongs, would have induced
..;se and r,oviAent an impartial and tenn
,,sr.ate administration, 60 overlook u It hat
Ieen NECESSARY, any temporary cvii winch ei
the, the ambition. the intcrcst, the cupidity
or the Injustice Of foreign powers might &C
casionaliy, ard without any deep and iastinj
injury, have inflicted
w;th these maxims ard these views, w
cannot discern any thing, in the policy 0
r'reicn nations towaros US, winch IN pom
- eynsdiencv, required the sacrifice OF 8
nr and 60 certain. blessings, as nigh
have been ourportior, for such dreadiu' an IN
;oev;tnble evils, as AZ wars, ara eSpecia'.
- Renublic, entail upon the people.
Pr. when we review the aliedged cause
ot,be war against Great Britain, and NOR
. % the pretences for its continu
20 of,er the principal one was removed
a. are constrained 60 sly, that u nus IN
'',;nds oe the good people Of this Common
,',ns,th with infinite anxiety and alarm
we carpo, but recollect, whatever the pre-
Fences of the Emperor Of France may hav
hssn nretences Which have uniformly pre-
ceded and accompanied the most y.ioien
ncts Of injustice that he was tue Sole @u