The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1823-01-08
MESSAGE.

The following is the
ESSAGE.
Gsntlsuen ofthe Senate, and
Gs'liiemen Of he House Of Representatives.
embrace the present moment 10 offer you
my congratulations on the commencement OF
new year, and ON your re-asscmbling 10 en-
gage IN the important duties of Legislation.
Although no form OF government Is so ra-
tional in itself, nor so we'll calculated in lis
operations to render people happy, as is that
of a representative repuhlick-yet there is
none that demands greater wisdom and integ-
ritz in It's administration. The publick :. r
ests require continual watching /; and The
changes which time and the progress of civili-
cation and the arts gradually effect, are to be
met and provided for with discriminating care.
That Massachusetts, should have sustained AN
honorable career from the humble condition
of an obscure COLONY, through the lapse of
two centuries, and under various forms of ju-
risprudence, TO her present elevated standing,
in point of population and wealth, of learn
ing, and the arts, is to be referred, under the
favour of Divine Providence, to the judicious
adaptation Of her laws to the multifarioss
wants and circumstances of the people. Diff
ferent degrees of increase and prosperity, in
deed, have marked different periods of her
progress. But under events and aspects the
most inauspicious, Improvements have never
been stationary. An inyincible progression
in numbers, and in moral and political strength,
has never ceased 10 encourage her hopes and
indicate her course. Recent, however,
under the present order of things, freer
scope has been afforded for developing her
moral and physical faculties.
4 ehnrf time onIv Nod ole ,ftar fbe FRET
founders of Massachusetts had begun their
settlements, before political and commercial
jealousies on the part of the British govern
ment became apparent; and at every period
Of her colonial existence her interests were
sacrificed to the avaricious and domineer. Dg
spirit of her parent country. But course oil
conduct thus selfish and oppressive, thousnI
designed to impede the growth of the colony,
and to insure its dependence on, and subser-
vience to Great-Britain, ultimately defeated
its own purposes. Subjected, as the colonists
were, to the unbending rigour of the colonial
system, limited commerce only was allowed
them; and even the stinted share of traiiick
they were permitted to prose cute, was encum-
bered with regulations far less calculated TO
remind them of their flia relation, than of
their inferiority and subsection. Incentives
her merchants and the accumulation Of cap
ital, which a liberal commerce only can eff
feet, was rendered impracticable. But while
made to feel the weight Of power. and to SUBJ
nit to the humiliation of colonial restrictions.
they were led, bya very natural train of
thought, not to investigate the nature of mag
ma charta, and the constitution Of England
merely, but the broad principles of all legiti-
I'D
rights Of men and ultimately TO form an esti-
mate of the value of self-control. In the
mean time, habits of industry and economy
were formed, and the skilful management of
their circumscribed interests was acquired
and thus the colonists became fitted for acting
their part well as subjects, and to sustain with
honour the separation that awaited them.
But the acquisition of independence failed
to fulfil the nnhInk antini pat;o..s. fne SJares
by mighty and united efforts had become in
dependent and free. Peace soon disclosed
truths which had hitherto been but partially
believed, that the boosted union OF the States
under the confederation, had resulted from the
pressure OF common danger, and thst some
thing WIS yet wanting to complete the reYo-
luton, and ensure the general wellare.-The
vital defect, nevertheless, was long felt and
deplored; before the national win ordained
remedy. The beneficial effects produced al
most lnstant'nneously, by the operations OF the
national government, were wonderful and in
calculable. The sudden restoration of pub
lick and private credit, the animation given
to enterprise and INDUSTRY, in the various
branches OF political economy, and the gen
eral ameiloration in the condition of the peo.
pie, which, presume, are in the recollection
OF most OF you, Were occurrences which tran
scended the hopes of the most sanguine.-
Massachusetts, shared largely for a while in
these results. But the regular order of peace
ful commerce, was destined 10 arrangement.
long series OF astonishing phenomena ensu-
ed, involving the destruction Of governments
the extinction OF nations, and change in The
habits and occupations OF a large proportion
OF, the human family in the civilized world
The citizens OF this State, observant of the
character OF the times, and yielding to the
aiiurements OF emolument attached to the
neutral flag, availed themselves freely of their
neutral right . The preteTnatural excitement
however, effected in one branch Of enterprise
left others to languish; and commerce, after
suffering unexampled vexations from the bel
hgerents, was driven from its ordinary chan
nels IN times of peace, and, eludng the sober
calculations of the experienced merchant
became the subject and the victim Of chicane
and speculation.
But Notwithstanding an mcaIculable accu-
mutation of wealth under the American flag,
whilst its neutral character was maintained.
it was not until since the late war, that Ter
Minated with so much glory TO our nation.
that the individual States have been permitted
freely to explore and cultivate their respec-
| tive resources. And it is worthy OF remark,
that although more than seven years of peace
| i re elapsed. vet time scarcely sufficient hoe