Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-02-09
From the Yankee.
SYNOPSIS OF SPEECHES, IN THE
MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLA>
TIJRE.-

MaSSaChn..
sets. 1t would disgust our readers were we
to press upon them all the nauseous, vulgar
and bobadil harangues that have been made
IN both houses in debating on the answer to
the governors speech. The same fury and
folly, for which the state has been so Justly
st,smatised, was still more apparent and
disgusting, by the wicked conduct of des-
perate faction. The first, in order, and
which will serve as a correct specimen, is
the speech of one FEssENDEN, Gan eastern
lawyer,) he Observed
g The distress IF the District of Maine
was intolerablc--the children we're naked
and Sarefoot--their families were deprived
OF bread tor six weeks together, and they
were entirely dependent on other parfs for
that article, and obliged to pay IS cents for
permit TO carry bread to their families
He would take the sword in one hand and
the state constitution in the other, and de-
maud his r!ghts--that we never complained
OF the French decrees-that the war was,
wicked and unjust-that our goods were
stopped OH the road and searched-ttat we
had petitoned congress for redress, and
they had refused to consider it--that the
state OF Massachusetts, had not courage to
f., assert her rights, and that congress thought
so frem the tameness of our conduct--that it
was time tc take our rights into our own
hands. We ought to pass afaw prohibiting
any person stopping vessels going from one
port to another-that we ought to establish
custom house by law, and the sooner we
came at issue with the general government
the better. This was not rebellion aud to
enforce these means we ought to call out
thirty thousand militia"
Here the house was in great disorder
the Scotchmen, Englishmen and smugglers,
who had crowded the gallery, appreciated
this rebollicus language so violently, that the
hon. speaker, very much to his credit, in
dignantly reprimanded them, told them that
this was deliberative assembly, and that
such conduct would not be permitted At
ter which. Mr.. F resumed, and in a furious
manner warned the house of their danger.l
He said, that the general government
were giving bounty of 100 dollars for mer.
cenaries, and they would fall by the guillo-
tine, or the shots from The military. To "a
dept the measures he prosposed, was the
only course to pursue to prevent the effusion
of blood.
Mr.. Otis closed the debate, by long ha.
rangue, going over the same ground Of argu
ment he did a, the town meeting III Boston,
when Mr.. Dexter, by his ecquence and ar
guments, blew up the intended convention.
1t was lucky for MIR. O. that his friend and
rival was not there. Among many other fri
volous remarks, he observed
That the state of Massachusetts would not
be alone in their opposition to the general
governmeut-all tho New England states
would be with them-New York and Penn
sylvania would be with them and if any of
the southern states we're to join the British
they would compel them to return to their
duty.
On Saturday the debate on the answer to the
rrfy nod ,rt -,
ate Mr.. Holmes occupied the floor all the
forenoon, until the adjournment. We are
promised a sketch of his excellent speech.
and shall touch but lightly upon it, until the
public are gratifed with so luminous a pro.
duction which we do not hesitate TO pro.
nounce the best reputation of federal doc
trine, and the best defence of the war and
the measures of the administrations we have
ever heard delivered in any delibcrativc as
sembly. We shall barely mention one or
two paragraphs. which were very foreibly
felt by the redoubtable Mr.. Quincy. Mr.. |
II. observed-It appeared to him that the
gentlemen were driving hard to establish
New England monarchy, before peace was
concluded. If we are to have monarchy, |
If we must have king in New England, he |
had no objection to have Josiah the first-he |
had rather have him than George the third, |
for be ras not quite so crazy. He would RAJ
ther have him han the prince regent, for he |
was not so corrupt and debauched. He |
would rather have him than Napoleon, as |
he was not so great military character as |
he was, and not SO capable of doing us harm |
= Mr.. Quincy heard all this with perfect |
couposure. He no doubt was content to find |
that even his opponent was willing to ac-
knowledge he was not so crazy as old |
George, and So corrupt as his son. But when |
Mr.. Holmes mentioned his military charac>
ter in comparison with Napoleon's, his brows
drew together. he grated his teeth, and ap--l
peared To have militeiy spasm over his |
whole system; this by degrees subsidized, and
before MIR. II. sat down, heapperaed to be |
tranquil & easy. Another paragraph of Mr..
H's. speech, we particularly admired. He
enquired
"What has become OF the cradle of your
liberties, that rocked your Hancock and
your Adams! Yor used il to celebrate Rms.
sian victories, The allies nj your enemies. and
to feast British Minister, who had insulted |
your government Where is your Beacon
HIP Where are the IN numents of your
Revolutionary glory! You have prostratcd
them to the ground l.; you have RACED the
hill on which they stood to its base, and the
very marble slabs on which were written
your triumphs and your re dictionary glory.
are now slowed away under the back stairs
OF your state house"
Wonday.-The senate met according TO
adjournment, when the order Of the day was
called for. Francis Blake (the British coun
sellor) rose and delivered preface, foil of
sound, with little sense, all tending to new
his own Importance. and to prepare his au>
dience to receive his speech with respect *
attention.
He spoke OF important documents nut mn
on the niles and OF the signs and groans of