The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1818-09-29

From the Repertory

IiOu thC AsCPcitcfy
There never has been moment, since the
joyful one, in which the federal constitution
Was substituted to the miserable ineficien,
compact which preceded il, in which there
was such a perfect suspension Of all angry
party feelings as 10 the present
1t resembles more the perfect quiet, and
universal joy, which accompanied the resto-
ration of Charles the Cd, than any other pc
rod of our own or British history. There
were seen Cavalier and Round Head, Pres
byterian, High Churchmen and Roman Cath
clicks, al uniting with zeal and heartfelt
pleasure 10 welcome their discarded and gay
sovereign and if history bad not assured US
fthe contrary, we should have expected one
of the most happy and peaceful reigns. But
this quiet was very short lived and it be-
comes us if We would 'prcserve our present
state of happy domestic tranquility, to watch
narrowly the incipient causes of future dis,
cord and division.
There are those, and they are many, who
cannot anticipate any changes which should
again disturb cur tranquility.
To Judge from the state OF the public funds,
you would suppose that peace was immortal,
and that nothing could occur to destroy it.
1t may be of some use TO tie friends OF per-
petual peace, and may tend TO protract or
delay the period of disturbance TO present the
numerous sources of danger, and the advances
made towards them in the short space of three
years We do not mean to cast any censure
on any person-Some of the causes have been
unavoida ble--others are attributed TO impru-
denotes in inferior officers but they still tend
to shew that our tranquility rests opon very
slender and trembling foundations.
Our only reliance indeed for its preserva-
lion single year, reposes on the exhausted
state Of Europe; but those who have seen
how suddenly these appearances change,
will feel little confidence from this source.
1t has been often affirmed, perhaps without
any foundation, that one or more ofour ships
of war have been sent round Cape Horn TO
reinstate US in the possession of the settle
ments at Columbia River. To those who
know that justice is never the measure or rule
of nations in their intercourse with each other,
it will seem mmaterial on whose side the
right to this distant country may be.
But as i; is possible, that such an enterprise
fit be undertaken, which God forbid, tnay
be opposed by Russia or Great Britain, il
may give some pleasure to those who feel
little conscience as to the management of pub
lic affairs, to inquire what our pretentions are
to any part Of the Northwest Coast. The
only one which can be suggested, is, that Of
prior discovery and first occupation. Not to
say that this claim is liable to dispute, we
rather ask, whether If every other nation on
earth but ourselves might SET itup ne are not
prectuded. AS Colonies, we accepted from
the British Government grants Of all the lands
from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans, within
the parallels OF latitude settled by US on this
coast. In the peace of 1888, we came 10 a
division OF The Empire, and in consideration
Of release to US fall the territory eastward
Of tie Great Lakes, we virtually qpit-claimed
TO Great Britain all the territory west Of them
and of our western line from the 3Ist degree
OF n. latitude TO The limits of the Hudson's
bay Company.-Ihe title then of Great Bri.
tain as against us, reposes on the sane basis
on which we set up our pretentions TO the fish,
cries in the British bays.-Itw was her part of
the common empire assigned TO her on the d.
vision, and it does not lie in our mouths, to
deny her title to the North west coast after
having accepted and held for $50 years graats
from her of this same tersitory.
Russia, and Spain may dispute it.. but we
capnot. The discovery, if it may be so cal
led took place we believe about 1888 by two
vessels from Boston, and yetit is believed the
Governments of ihe United States for 80 wears
never took any measures TO avow or set up IFS
title to it. Ii seems to be very clear that the
executive authority Of the United States has
no power 10 found colonies, and it is even
questionable whether underour limited Con-
stitu,ion, Congress have any power to expend
the revenues OF the Uailed States in making
foreign colonies, and in promoting a policy