The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1822-02-01

submit TO the consideration .of honorable minds.
We have said that we would not again notice
the insinuatons which the Argus so often throws
out Of the connexion before referred 10 and we
have been patient for long time, under the
repetition Of their charge. We should still con-
time so, did we not know how prone some
people, who live remote from the scene of events.
arc, 10 be deceived by confident and uncontra-
dicted assertions. We therefore deem il proper
to aver, that there is no more alliance, as the
Argus chooses to style it, between the Gazette
and the Statesman than there is between the Ca
zette and the Argus. That we move along in
the sphere of our duty, without interfering with
or jostIing each other, is no proof that we sup
port their measures. We "gang our own WAYS,
and say nought at them that say nought at US"
"We hold them, as we hold the Argus-enc-
mics in warm peace friends
If it be an argument against us that we have
lent some Of our types to the printers of the
Statesman, it will have double force 10 a contra
~ direction; for where we have granted this
favour once to the Statesman, we have twice to
the Argus; and it has been practice, kept up
between us and tire Argus, since the establish
ment of that press, to interchange the favours Of
good neighbourhood. Now will anv man, how
ever astute. or however keeu his perception,
draw from this circumstance the conclusion that
we are in alliance with that paper We trust
not.
The following singular petition was read in
the House of Representatives, on Wednesday,
and laid upon the table Its object seems to be
to turn the attention of the Legislature to sys-
TEN of retrenchment. We are glad that in Of
fering it to the public we cannot be accused of
promoting the views of anti separatsts, since the
petitoning towns are thoroughly democratic,
and were almost unanimously in favour Of scpa-
ration. 1t is the natural expression Of people,
suffering under taxes, and mad with dsappoint-
ment; the whole blame of whose injured feel
ings must come heavy upon those, who deceived
them by fairy stories of light taxes and cheap
government, which would not, for a moment,
stand the touch stone of experience.
To the Ho11ourabe Senate and House Of Representa-
tires Of the State Of Maine an Legislature assembled
The petition and memorial Of the undersigned a
committee chosen by the inhabitants Of Hartford and
vicinity respectfully represent that they have witness
which have been adopted in the administration of our
state government, since separation from Massachu-
and feeling deeply interested in the consequent
ces which necessarily result from such measures
and apprehensive that the same system may be con-
tinued we conceive it to be not only right, but
duty, freely but respectfully, to call the attention Of
your honorable body to this subject.
We would remind your honUurs that in tho year
1916 and for several succeeding years. the people Of
Maine repeatedly told that their connection with
Massachusetts unnecessary unnatural and ruinous
that the public burdens occasoned by that connection
had become alarming, and indeed almost insupporta-
be and that treated in all respects as mere
colony of Massachusetts They were further told,
that if they would cordially and shake off the yoke
of colonial vassaage (as they termed m in which they
held by MASSACHUSETTS and establish an indepen
dent state government that the value of real estate
would rapidly increase that commerce and manu-
features would receive favorable and salutary i'm
pulse that markets would be greatly improved -
that there would be immediate and rapid increase
Of the circulation of money that the public expen-
ditures would be greatly reduced that orr pecunarv
burthens instead Of their present alarming magnitude
would become comparatively nothing in short tina,
we should Immediately become rich, prosperous and
happy people.
Placing unbounded confidence in those who thus fiat
tered them, with great degree ofzeal and unanimty
supported the measures-and the result, as is well
known, was the much desired division Of the state.
1t is now nearly two years since we became indie
pendent state We have formed and adopted const-
tuition appointed officers in the various departments of
state. enacted laws, and made fiscal arrangements
and in what measure we would ASK have we realized
the promised blessings The revenue drawn indirectly
from the people has been greater since separation
yet. such has been the amount of salaries fees and
emoluments in the various departments, that govern
has been constrained only resort loans
to great amount, but TO impose directly the
people greatly exceeding in any thing of the
kind heretofore known in Maine. Add to this, almost
every species Of property possess, has suffered a
diminuton of nosrly half former value the OBJ
vious effect Of which is 10 increase the demands of
Government in roDorton 10 our ahili,v "a DISCHARGE