The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-02-04
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gus of Thursday last contains the truly patri-
otto aud spirited proceedings OF Convention
OF Delegates from the several towns in the
county OF Oxford, District of Maine) on the
disgracefui ard ruinous policy which has SO
long been pursued by Massachusetts. We
venture to perdict that unless a different
course of proceeding is adopted unless, in
stead of thwart ag the National Government
in all its efforts for the protection and defence
OF the country instead OF attempting to make
inrcads upon our free and happy Constitu-
ton. and appointing CoavcnfionS to enfee-
Die the sacred bands" which unite our great
ard powerful confederacy unless, instead
oi all this, they speedily take American
Sround, and cooperate with the National
Government in its efforts 10 e1.f,ei fhe eiieaiV
from Maine unless. we repeat, a state OF
things like this is produced, we have no he
station in predicting that Maine viii, 81 and
~ right ought 70 be" a6soived from all CON
nection with British Massachusetts. The
people OF Maine as well their leading
men, possess courage, patriotism and energy
IN an eminent degree. For months, and e.
ven years, they have seen the CoEsTITu-
TED AuTHoRITIfs OF the only free country
ID the universe the men of their choice, Sc
che choice OF an immense majority of their
cou6trymen bearded nsuited, opposed and
even threatened by fac,ious Massachusetts
and what is the foundation of these Disgrace
ful proceedings Simply because Congress,
in obedience to the loud and reiterated calls
of their constituents, whose gallant spirits
could no longer brook the daily accumula-
ting injuries and ndguities of England, de-
clared war against that naughty and over
bearing power
The people of Maine deserve great credit
tor their forbearance. Although they have
seen the Constitution, that great reward OF
all our Revolutionary tolls and suffering, base
iy attacked although they have beheld Mas
sachuSetts in opposition to the most solemn
injunctions Of Washington busily employed
In undermining the great fabric of our Union
although they have witnessed repeated s.
deadly blows aimed at their liberties, still they
have forborne TO do themselves Justice, by as
suming that rank and Importance in the u
Mon to which they have so Just a claim /,
was not until one third of their territory had
been suffered 70 remain month after month,
~ possession OF the enemy, without alIv eff
fort to eXIell him; it was not till they be-
held MaSsac husetts endeavoring to thwart
the National Government; in its efforts for the
recovery or this territory, and even appon-
ting ConUerttons, which can only have ten
dency to assist and encourage the enemy,
that the free and hardy citizens of Maine re-
solved 20 summon the energies of their Dis
trict into the cause of their much injured
country.
The following IS the concluding paragraph
Of the report of the Oxford Contention aii,
the Resolutions. We shall endeayor to pre-
sent this spirited public paper entire in our
next. Rost PR
1t reTnins for you, fellow citizens, to impose
an impenetrable barrier TO the aspiring hopes
sfdisapPointed men. Invite your republican
brethren Throughout the District Of Maine to
a General Convention. Your hsSi re
has set the e%dmple. Unite with zetl ~ the
cause, and rally round the Stand ard of the
Union Be firm and watchful, and yeur IL
berries are safe. Peace viii again smile up
on your land in spite OF your foes at home
and abroad-every nation must have its rise
and decay. Great Britain is at her zenith Of
prosperity and power, but an overriding Pro-
violence, or circumstances as unexpected as
her acquisition of strength, viii wrest it from
her, She will abandon her unjust pretensions,
and your country will triumph
Therefore resolved, That il is expcdient
that the District of Maine constitute part Of
the State of Massachusetts, no longer than the
State OF Massachusetts gives support to the
Union.
RESOLVED, That we view with modification
and regret the conduct of the executive of
this Commonwealth in subjecting the State to
avery great expense, by refusing to call the
militia into the service of the u. s.
Res0fUed, That the proceedings Of the Lee
slsature Of Massachusetts at their late ses-
SION, were unbecoming the representatives of
q iIGS people. i nat the resolutions prOVI-
ding for the establishment of regular mill
tary force within this Commonwealth, and
the appointment of delegates to the Hartford
Concentration the ostensible purpose of revi-
sing and amending the Constitution of the u
states, were unnecessary, and as we believe,
unconstitutional and dangerous.
Resolved, That the neglect of the T,eeis-
lature, to take measures for the expulsion of
the enemy from our territory, discovers a
want of patriotism in its members is a re-
proach to the valor and intrepidity of the mi
iitia, and disgrace TO the Commonwealth.
ResoiVed, That we viii never recognize as
friends, the subjects Of G. Britain, until a trea-
~ of peace shall have been concluded De-
tween the two countries, and sanctioned by
the government ofthe u. S.
Resofced, That our resources shall not be
withheld from the General Government.
Resotved, That the war IN which our conn
try SC Engaged, is just and necessary, wagcd
IN defence OF the injured rights Of freemen &
that we VIII employ all the means within our
control to ensure its speedy and successful
termination.
ResofUrd, That however anxious we NAV
he for peace, we prefer perpetual war ra
ther than surrender OF territory as its price
and that the late correspondence Of the A.
meFican ministers, III our opinion, reflects the
highest honor On them and the Governments
which they represent.