The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1820-01-18
H8BTFoRD CONpENTyONt


The National lnteligencer has commenced the
publication of series Of letters on tH,scelebrst
ed convention, signed - One Of the Convention
and tie object is 20 vindicae the honorable men
who composed il, from the aspersions which have
been literally and. wantonly bestowed upon them.
This is proper time for the truth that subject
TO appear, wheu. no political excitement d!storts
the judgement ofmen, am the objects for which
they met and pur,ued their deliberations may be
fairly viewed AID estimated by the public. II is
time the people were disabused with respect to
the motives of this body, and that the Hauford
Conreniion be no longer a sound of alarm to direct
the shafts Of melevoence against upright and
honorable citizens. The writer of the letters in
the intelligence denies expressly the charge OF
attempting to sever the union, and TO destroy the
national administration, but vindicatss it as An
highly approved measure in our republican form
of gov eminent to express the wishes OF large
portion ofcountry upon the situation and course
of public aiars--see the appeals to the original
journal of the proceedings Of that convention
which is deposited in the archives Of Massachu-
sets, for the truth of all that he shall advance;
fair transcript Of which is in the hands of the edi-
tors of the lue ligencer 70 the examination Of a
NY one who chooses to give his attention to the
subject. II ishoped that these letters will have
the Effect Of Gle airing up the misconceptions which
have too generally prevailed in regard to the mo-
tiyes which in2ue nce h the honorable members of
this convention and oftheir constituents. Ii is the
writer's object to state facts merely d that in
an impartial and dignifed manner. We wish
they may be recei vsd in the same spirit in which
they are presented TO the public We are heart.
y sick of the too prevalent practise Of distortng
the conduct Of honest men and presenting it to
the people in false and deceptive colours. merely
TO answer the purposes Of party. Political parties
are salutary to a community, where their motives
and measures are upright and honorable, but #
they are supp, rted onl, by intrigue and decep-
ton, they serve but to excite the worst passions
of men, keep kuth and modest merit in the shade,
and finally corrupt and destroy the state in which
they exist The Hartford Convention has been
made politica. engin by its opponents, and its
design totally misre presentsd, popular feeling
has been ba.eIy excited against those who com
pos it. the very best men in New. England, TO
cover them with unjust odium, aud accomplish
revolution of parties. We hope now, the truth
though II comes late, will d;spel the prejudice
which has so long obscured the understanding OF
many people.
Season for Fires On Thursday evening
last about II o'clock, the citizens, Of this town
were alarmed for the first time this season, by
the cry Of fire, which was first discovered issuing
from the Centre School-Ilouse.- II was provisien.
tlaliy discovered before II had made much prv-
gress, and happily confined to the building in
which il originated without, essentially injuring
even that. We und rstand that il was conmu-
nicated to the building by means Of ashes placed
in barrel. Wehope this, added to the numer-
Gus other Instances OF like kind will operate as
a solemn warning to those who indulge in the RI
diculous parsimony Of saving a Ii, lie at the risk
Of losing 30 much.
We are sorry to hear from Scardo rough.
that on the Same evening the barn OF Mr.. ALPaE.
Us BRYANT, took fire, which With all his stock Of
cattle, except one COW, were entirely consumed.
We learn the sufferer in this instance is an
economical and industrious farmer who had but
recently established himself near blue poi,si, so
called and that the property thcs lost constitut
ed the principal part Of his hard earnings tor
eral ysars--and deprived himself and family Of
young children Of many ofths comforts and con-
veniencies Of life at the most incement season of
the year. We hope and trust, therefore, That his
opulsnt townsnien will consider his mi.iortunes
and extend the hand Of charity to his relief.
With pity may their breasts o'eraow,
When they behold this man Of woe
And bear sympathising part
With all who are Of heavy heart"
The fire is supposed to have originated from
spark which flew from the chimney of the house. /