Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-07-05

Of the Legislature Of Massachusetts 10
the Remons.rance Of the Legislature
thereof againss the yar and othe'
measures of the General Government.,
To the Hon. Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatfues of the Uaited States Of H.
merica in Congress assembled
The undersigned committee, chosen
by the minority of the Senator'S and Re,
representatives. of the commonwealth OF
Massachusetts,, beg leave to represent,
that they have perceived with extreme
regret that the Legislature OF this state,
at their present session, have presented
remonstrance to Congress, denouncing
the administration of the general go
vernmcnt, reprobating the war AS I'M
hroher, imhoftic and unjust, impeachlng
The motives of the Congress which de-
clared it, excusing and jus,ifying all the
expressions and outrsges of Great Bril-
tain. and charging majority of the re-
personalities of the people with wan
tonaess, ambition, oppression and cruel
ty. While the executive of the United
States is steadily pursuing that course
Of policy which alone can secure safe,
equitable. honorable & permanent peace,
and are actually negotiating to effect it,
it is impossible TO conceive what good
motive could induce the Legislature of
this state to vote a remonstrance so trea-
sonable in its language, erroneous in its
facts and principles, and pernicious in
It's effects.
Who that is American, can but feel
indignant to hear it stated by the Legis
tatgre OF state that we ought to have
resisted the French DEGREES, agreeably 70
the demand of the BRITISH government
That we have seducca her seamen from
their allegiance, and that we have invad
ed the territory of a heacea6le and unof
Tending neighbor! Where is the man,
who values his reputation, who would
not indignantly frown at the insinu alton.
that war was waged from motives of am
6'fion or last Of conquest ? that we are
leagued with France to Cypress the Eu
ropean Nations, and that our sovernmen,
have established chain Of military posts
"to PROSTATE the civil to the military
authority :" And what man, not alto
gether exclusively British, can, without
the deepest modification, read remon-
STRANGE which, in time Of war and pend
ing negotiation. should take the ehemp'S
ground, support their claims, and in tiis
their aggressiens' We assure the con
grcss and people of the United States,
that we utterly protest against tne state
ments and principles contained In that
huniiliAting remonstrance, 1t appears to
Us too much like The atten5pt or uis.
appointed and malignant faction, who t.
obtain power, would trample on the
rights and liberties of their cuuntry.-
We do not, however, apprehend that any
faction In the country have either the
hover or the nerve to effect purpose
of this sort. We trust and sincerely
believe that the people would resist, and
efectuaHy suffresS, every attempt to
sever or weaken our bond OF Union.-
We are aware that it is in times Of Gala
nifty aud war that ambitious and design
ing men will be tempted to stir up the
people 10 opposition and rebellion. But
We are assured that large majority OF
the people of this state would, at the |
hazal Of their lives and fortunes, resist |
all opposition to the laws and govern
ment Of their country. We believe the
war to be just and necessary that the
government have invariably maintained
strict Justice and impartialily towards |
the belliserents of Europe; that they |
have submitted to an accumulation Of |
wrongs which no other nation would
have endured; they have negotiated
until negotiation was vain that ii is |
their intention, as it is their duty, to pro-
tect the rights of commerce and of saii-
orS, peaceably if they Can, forcibly it |
they must that since the pretended re-
peal of the orders in council, every pa
ciic advance has been made, both by the
executive and by congress which was
consistent with the rights and honor OF
the nation and tina, we are willing to
endure all the evils and privations OF this
war, and to expend our property and our
blood in its prosecution. We hope the
Legislature Of Massachusetts, have bet.
ter evidence of their consistency, pru
dence, patriotism and love of peace, than
is contained in their extraol binary re-
NE zvish for teace, but we fear that
that this remonstrance, if it has any eff
feet, will tend to prevent rather than to
accomplish it. We hope that the very
proper course adopted by the Hdminis-
ration to effect peace, will meet with
he success to which it is entitled. But
should Great Britain, regardless of the