Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-11-19

rec tie most insulting demands by ths most /
arbarous and savage warfare
The prospect Of discrimination in favor OF /
Ter surpassed friends, has proved equally dclu.
i've; and plumber and conasgration have be-, |
come alike threatening to all: by her late on |
rsgeous and tyrannical demands Of our com |
il is manifest that she still iadulges
The hope OF reducing the United States To unc |
Df our territory, 70 relinqui.h all maritime
force on the lakes and all Notifications on thsir
shores, and to Ak an immoveable boundary for
the savages within the territory of the United
States, to ahandnn one hundred thousand oil
our citizens 10 their mercy, and TO give up
millions OF acres OF land already purchased.
without the right 10 purchase again within our
own jurisdiction. are among the arrogant and
insulting dsmsnds made upon US BY the British
nation, W 81, =
These monstrous and unparalleled preten.
SONS will, we donbt not, be unanimously re !.
sisted BY the nation, and condemned by the
rest of the civilized world. - r
o Danish party luminosity, to unite as bro
theirs, TO fiy 10 the standard Of our country in
the hour Of distress, have become imperiuus
duties. To encourage and enforce these duties,
We did expect was the object Of the extraordi-
ry meeting Of the Legislature Of Massachu.
setts but instead of this we have been aston
ed with Report, accepted by that Legi ,latlre,
providing for convention OF the New England
States aud we are constrained to say, with the
evident tendency to break down the Constitu
tion, dissolve the Union, and establish an indie
pendent sovereignty in New Englsnd.
ii II the views Of the Legislature been clear
~ and unequivocai.y expressed, this address
would haveNbe deemed unnecessary. But
while care is taken TO point out no essential
defect IN the Constitution. and not to expose
the nature OF the contemplated alterations, 1t ID
stated generally. that il needs " radical rer
FORM and "has failed to secure to the people
those rights which were the object of is form.
ation.-
The course adopted in the Legislative debate
upon the acceptance of this extraordinary re.
Port, has further increased our alarm At its ten.
dency. The Constitution was denounced, dcs-
pissed, condemned. 1t was declared broken,
destroyed and no longer binding and that the
New England States were At liberty to associ.
ate and combine, and take and convert the re.
venue Of the United States to their exclusive
use and benefit. Indeed we fear the meeting
OF the Legislature and the adoption Of these
measures, will cventuate in the separation Of
the New England States from the rest of the
Union.
We need not dwell upon the effects Of such
An event Suffice it to say that civil war. with
LIs
would be the inevitable result.
The government of tie United States have,
within few years, expended millions of dol
lars for the defence OF this State, and had
at the commencement Of the war more than a
thousand cannon mounted in the fortifcatiors
erected for the defence Of the seabpartl of the
United States; of which Massachusetts had
due proportion. After the war was co,nmen.
ced, and Il was judged necessary to strengthen
the several posts on the seaboards acquisitions
we're made on the Governor Of this State by the
President, in pursuance OF his duty and cons,i-
tuticnaI authority, for attachments of militia to
aid the regular troops in defence q these forti.
fcations, at the proper charge and expence of
the United States The Governor neglected or
refused to comply with such acquisitions.
With this neglect on the part Of the Executive
authority of the State. We cannot find words to
express our astonishment at an attempt totrans-
Ter the censure from those 10 whom il belongs
to the Federal Gsrernment.
To preserve the Independence OF Massachu-
sets, and to keep alive those distinctions and
irrits: ions, which instead of increasing, pros>
trate our strength and security, instead Of sli-
recting the forces Of the State 10 the expulsion
of the enemy, an army Of ten thousand men has
been voted, to be commanded and paid by this
State, and smother million has been put into the
hands Of the Governor to effect the object.
Had these troops been raised on the requisition.
and subject to the orders of the President, the
U. States must have paid the expence but as
they are not authorised to pay those whom they
cannot command, Massachusetts must support
this army by additional bnrdens upon the peo-
pie.
The atrocities of the enemy had well nigh
united all hearts--the pride and patriotism Of
the nation were excited tina FIRE Of the revolu-
ton was rekindhng; the arrogant and Insulting
&c mauds maze TO our commissioners would soon
hape united the nation a. one man, and taught
the enemy that we deserved our liberties.
But the Legislature Of Massachusetts, met,
ambition reared his head and began the work Of
viii 3 OF the monster. His insidious arts, his
ieluslve charms. his syrcn song Of peace, are
calculated Ia lure You to destruction
Appeals are made 10 your wants, your fears,
your distrcsses anil your hopes. But we should
lcem ourselves unworthy OF 8 place in your
were we 10 compliment your pas
sioss At the expence OF yessr Understandings.
You are At war safe and honorable peace is
all you Wish, y degrading and Illuminating one
YOU viii not accept How will you avoid tie
latter 10 ohtsin the former BY opposing your
government NY proposing amenimen's, alte.
rations, or the entire destruction Of that Con.
stitution, upon which all your hopes of liberty
rest BY combinations and cabais to promote
local jralousies or ambitious views BY diyid-
ing the States, and involving one section IN
war with the other We answer, No! AID we
appeal to the understanding OF the People of
MASSACHUSETTS whether this @ar is cot the rock.
and the only one, on which our natsonal safety
and individual Liberty rest.
Look around you, and see what your fathers
have acquired for you, what you now enjoy,
and what you are TO expect by submitting to
your former masters! Your civil and religious
rights are enjoyed by no other people on earth,
and will you yield themi "WiIl you give up