Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-06-11
MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURES.

BosT ON. June 1.
2 AT S O'Clock in the afternoon, aerceably
to assignment, his Exccl,ency the Cover.
nor net the tive branches of the Legisla.
turein the Representatives. Chamber, and
delivered the following
SPEECH:
Ssnifemer ofthe Senate. ana Gen. s.
flsnien ofshe fl. Of Repyesentasives,
Al the last session of che late General
Sourt. memorials were presented from a
number OF towns, complaining of the Act of
congress laying an Embargo they were re
ierred to committee, who reported that.
In their opinion. the act was uncons.,tution.
al and void in divers of its provisions but.
at the same time. expressed their hope. that
the people of this Commonwealth would as
far as possible. restrain their feelings, and
wait patiently for the interposi,ion of the
otate Government for their relief This
report was accepted by the Legislature &
IL was thereupon resolved, that the memo>
rails above mentioned should be delivered to
the Governor, with request that he. or his
successor in Office, should cause the same To
be laid before the then next General Court
at an early day in their first session, In
compliance with this request, will direct
the Secretary to deliver them to the two
Houses c -.
oince the transactions above mentioned.
the embargo and non'importation laws have
been repealed this event must afford pecu
mar satisfaction to the people Of this State.
as IL seems to indicate milder and NOR e
pacing disposition in the Government /: and
may De considered as final relinquish mebt
OF that restrictive system, the effects of
which we have abundantly experienced in
the Course of the last seven years and
which, however designed to operate against
the people of Great Britain, has been found
tobe tar more injurious to us than to them.
Inc last Act laying an Embargo, intcr>
o'cted the right OF navigating from port to
port within the limits of the State, and fish
lug on It's coasts from this species of re :
straint, we have probably suffered more
than all the other States. But though those
provisions, and other parts of the act. were
generally thought to be infrngements of tie
Constitution, we have not he ard of anv vi;
oience in opposing them. Our fellow ci,i-
zens are therefore entitled to much credit.
Tor the exercise of that forbearance which
was recommended by the late Legislature
FROM the time that war was declared. a
great proportion Of the people 10 this State
nave viewed mat measure as unnecessary
anu unJustIhabie; their sentiments were full
~ expressed by their Representatives then
oiS'' anu ate' WARDS at every SUISSE
quent NEE ing OF the State Legislature
Our National Rulers had, therefore. M rea
son to expect, that, with these sentiments.
we should do any thing more in support Of
the war, than they had right, by the Con.
stitution, to demand & could not expect il.
unless they supposed we we're destitute of
moral principle. Nor has the manner of
carrying on the war. had any tendency to
satisfy us OF its policy or justice ; 1t was
commenced, and is still prosecuted against
tue unoffendng inhabitsnts of Canada, with
whom many of the people Of these States
are connected, by the ties Of blood and the
habits OF friendship. But as Congress have
authority, by the Constitution, to declare
war, and impose taxes to defray the ex-
Pense, we are bound 10 obey the laws which
are duly enacted for this purpose and am
haPPy taossesys, that nsae Of the measures