Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1816-02-27

last observation. Blu: what is the true cause
! of these removals There are several.-Lovt
of change is one. Love of zcdrmer climate i
another. The expectation Of living with les
iabour is another. A Legislature of our own
in the midst of US, could not alter these ideas
and the measures they produce. The true
| and most influential cause is to be found in
| that system of measures, which, for the last
seven or eight years has unhapply been a
dopted by our national rulers. During the
reign of commercial restrictions and the con-
tinuance of war, we all know there was an al
most total stagnaton of busness-and an alb
sence of all enterprze.-The farmer and the
merchant are intimately connecte 10th mus
prosper or neither will for am. ,H ti of time.
Peculiar circumstances may on ST. cial occa-
sions aid the farmer while isgtaools commerce
is desroyed-but the general principle as a.
bove stated is certainly correct.-it was du-
ring The days Of darkness just mentioned, that
the spirit of emigration displayed itself; be-
fore the embargo shed its baefui influence, our
merchants and our farmers were rapidly in
creasing in numbers and wealth: population
was steadily advancing, and new towns and
villages continually rising to view to beauty
the prospect and enrich our country. Can
any man in the exercise of his reasoning pow
ers, believe that ne has been drained OF SO
many ofits inhabitants on account of any i'm
proper conduct in the Legislature of Massa-
chusetts-any want Of care and concern for
our interests in common with the interests of
the Commonwealth at large ?-No--if the
fault exist in our state goyemment--ifw we have
suffered on account Of the want Of fostering
care OF our brethren in the western part of the
state, why were there no complaints heard
before the commencement of our national EN-
barrassments Again, have not thousands
and thousands removed from all parts Of New
England, within the last len years to seek
residence in the n.iIdsr climate and better
prospect Of business in tie western states
And is all dts TO be imputed 70 tue circum-
stance of oar connection acth Massachusetts ?
Since the clese Of the war our commerce
has been and sii.f continues TO be iettered-
and of course unprodaeuve: am the spirit Of
emigration also stiii continues, because the
tide Of our prosperity has been essentially
checked by The causes above mentioned
BUT lis sad Legislature ct our own would
devise ways andmeans 10 connteractthese ua-
toward circumstances. How coaid they make
any disposition Of any Of the ps5isc ioads, ex
cePi u that part which would tail 10 our share
M The etrlstoa Qf Them 2 For ii is piain, we
anouid have only eur shase in case ofsepara-
tlon--and as to those nacutts0oted ta'adS, whica
belong TO distant proprie,ors, Legislature OF
our own could not controul them, except by
just and equal laws--dnd they are confronted
inth,s manner aozo. --Again, It's fact, that the
| Legislature OF Massachusetts the uery last ses-
sion had the subject of the pu6iic lands in this
district under consideration, and have been
making arrangements to give them additional
value and hasten their settiement-and all
this is done, while the advocates for separation
are complaining Of the, want OF all parental
| care on the part OF the government
Such arguments, my friends, may influence
hundreds, if they will not pause aud reflect
Let me SO far interest your attention as to pro-
duce this panse--ths reflection and | am
satisfied you will not draw from the cireum-
stances which have been considering, any
arguments in favor OF separation.
ARiSTiDES.