The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-11-12

discretion of the Sec'y of the Navy, was car
ried by large majority.
From ohe Connecticut Miro
HARTFORD. Nov. l.
IMPORTANT REPORT
TO the honorable Tie General .HsSeni5ly nozv
IN session.
The committee to whom was referred the
Speech of His Excellency the Governor, with
the documents accompanying the same aud
also his Excellency's message presenting a
communication from the Governor of Massa-
Chusetts -
REPORT
That the condition of this State demands the
most serious attention of the Legislature. We
lately enjoyed, in common with the other mem
bers OF the national confederacy the blessings
OF peace. The industry of our citizens, in e.
very department. Of active life, was abundant
ly rewarded. Our cities and villages eXhibi-
ted Indications OF Increasing wealth., and the
foreign relations of the Union secured our
safety and nourished our prosperity.
The scene is now reversed. We are sum-
mnned to the field of war, and to surrender
our treasures for our defence. The fleets of
a powerful emmy hover on our coasts, block
ade our harbors, and threaten our towns and
cities with FIRE and deso atom.
When a Commonwealth suddenly falls from
a state OF high prosperity, 1T behoves the guar
dlans OF its interests to inquire into the causes,
to seek remedy
In the latter part of the century, spirit
of daring enterprise impatient of restraint
regardless of the sanctions of religion hos
tile TO human happiness AID aspiring to SUI
prene power overturned many ancient go
vernments, made Europe a scene OF carnage,
and threatened with ruin all that was valua-
ole in the civilized world. The history of its
ftS;srT0lIs Without the reach of the immense
physical power which it embodied, were tain
ted by its ccrruptions; and every state and
province IN Christendom has felt its balef
Influences. BY the pure principles inherl-
ted from our fathers, conducive, at once, T.
de preservation of liberty and order, tbs
state has been Continually exempt, in its III
terror policy, from this modern scourge Of NJ
tons. In thus wlthstanding this potent adj
versary of all ancient establishments. while
many monarches have been subverted, we
have exhibited to the world the highest ev,-
dence, that a free constitution is not incors.s-
tent with the strength OF civil governnie mt, &
that the virtue OF the people IS the best pre-
servative of both.
Occupying comparatively small TERRITORY,
and naturally associating, during the revou-
t'onary war, with States whose views were
identified with ours, our interests and inclina-
tons led us to unite i'll the great national
Constitution of the u. States. We had Justly
anticipated, from that Union, the preservation
and advancement of our dearest rights and in
terests and while the Father OF his country,
and these other great aid wise men who
mindful Of their high duties, and regardless OF
local and party considerations, consulted the.
happiness Of the commonwealth, guided our
Councils, were not disappointed in our expsc-
tation. The federal government, iii which our
own venerable statesmen were conspicuous,
was revered ia every nation. An American. in
foreign lands, was honored for his ccuntry's
sake. a rich and virtuous population was ra-
pidly reducing the limits Of our extensive will
dernesS and the commerce of America was
in every sea.
But coalition, not less evident than If de-
fined by the articles OF a formal treaty, arose
the national Administration and that
fearful tyrant in Europe, who was aspiring to
the dominion of the world. No means, howe
yer destructive to the commerce, and hazar- |
deus 20 the peace of this country. were left |
to aid his efforts, and unite our |
interests and our destinies with his. Prom this |
fatal cause, we are bereft OF the respectable |
standing we once held in the councils Of the |
nation, impoverished by a long course of COM
rnercisl restrictions, involved IN an odloys and
disastrous war, and subjected to all the com
plicated calamities which we now deplore.
Thus driven against our iuclinatiOns, from |
every object of our best hopes, and bound to |
an inglorious struggle to deferd our dwellings |
rom a public enemy; we had no apprehen- |
sion. much as we had suffered from the ma
tional government. that it would refuse to |
yield us such protection rs its scanty treasures |
might afford; much less could we doubt, that
those disbursements, which might be demand
ed OF this state would be passed to our credit |
on the books Of the treasury. Such, however,
has not beenthe course adopted by the ma
donal agents. All supplies nave BEEN with |
drawn from the militia of this State in the |
service OF the United States. The groundless
pretext for this unwaiTsntable measure was,
sheiI. sIlnn ssion 20 our Off GTs assigned ifesn
by the commander in chief, in perfect conIor- |
nifty with military usage, and thu principles |