The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-01-18


National Government and Cd, such as were
to repel actual invasion, or under a wei
founded apprehension ofinvasion, and the due
proportion OF these services to the exigency
which induced to them. The documentary
evidence, upon which this arrangement is Il
be made, is with you, and probably will ena-
bic you, in each particular case, to determine
whether the specific service will fall within
the one or the other, or neither of the above
classes. Wherever the Militia were called
ont, pursuant to the request of an Officer
of the National Government, the expression
of that request viii appear. The evidence Of
compliance with it, however, may often be
matter of inference. If the troops were soon
after in service in the places designated, or il
the kind of service required was substantially
performed, although varying somewhat in Cir
cumstance of time or place, from the precise
letter of the requisition, it may well be pre-
sumed to be in accordance Herewith. In re-
lation to the various spontaneous movements
of the militia, in instances Of actual invasion
by the enemy, the documents will doubtless
furnish satisfactory evidence of the ground Of
demand but when the allowance is TO de-
pend upon ga aceu founded Apprehension Of
inraSiOit," there is more latitude for inquiry,
and much must result from acknowledge of the
general state of things, at The time, and from
some indulgence of liberality in the examina-
ton of the particular proofs. Without alluc-
ing to these latter, which are not within my
opportunities for nainntiAil, cannot but
urge upon your recollection, the public ankle.
ty which was manifested for the safety Of our
shipping, along the whole seaboard, and its
deienceless and unprotected state, by the for
20 If tt.aH mi
existed the highest possible degree of appre-
hsnsion, cannot better be made to appear.
than from the single fact, ths many citizens
OF property and distinction, ii the neghbor
hood OF places exposed to attack, voluntarily
abandoned their families and culinary pursuits.
and submitted themselves b fatigue and
severe prvations, for successive weeks, in the
iabonous work of constructing Notifications,
and other defences, and in performing the drill
and service OF ordinary soldiers. All the &C.
equations OF life were made 10 yiQd to sense
OF the common danger. Not only<he inhabi-
tants OF the seaboard were in state Of requi-
s!tlon, but the husbandmen from the remote
interior were drawn from their farms,to the
places OF greatest supposed exposure To
aouot the motives or purposes of sucl men.
would be 10 impeach the patriotism II the
whole people, and this, too, against the eSplic-
II declaration of the late President that
y mere rerer uds q moment, Witen The conf
dence Of the Government an lie great bdy of
cur Fetto'o Ctisens an Massachusetts, acds i'm
pared" 1t can only, therefore, be nec,essa-
~ Tor you, in enforcing this part of The caim,
to appeal to the documents which SHOW the
causes OF alarm, by the presence of aimed
shlps IN our waters, the hostile attacks q the
enemy III some places, and the measures.
winch, IN all human probability, alone pre-
vented them, IN Others. Indeed, sir, il the
view have thus taken Of the subject, lave
10 suggest the consideration, that the duti9s Of
the 81 auditor, under the INSTRUCTIONS egUat TO
nm, are merely ministerial, and in this light
ne seems himself, by his reports, to have re-
garued them. He presents to the Secretary of
w ar a list OF items, arranged under distinct
heads, and, by reference to the documsnts,
reports the evidence upon which they are sus-
tanned. The character Of these items must be
determined from this evidence and. as the
agent OF this Government, it is undoubtedly
your duty to show, that they are suchsas are
to be placed to the credit of the Common
wealth, upon the principles which have been
assumed, in their investigation.
After all, the allowance of the claimis to
depend upon Congress, and here the grounds
upeH which the payment is to be provided for,
have been again and again adverted to and
discussed. 1t would seem, as no constitutional
question can now be involved in the payment,
that wise and enlightened policy would Head
to liberal consideration of the whole-but
restricted to the provisions of the former Bill,
reported by the Military Committee justice,
demands, 10 that eTte71t, prompt apprcpria-
ton. No reasonable mind can object thus
far. The measure which has been meted to
others, we are entitled to receive. The PEG.
pie OF Massachusetts have right TO this, and
with less they will not, and ought not, be sat-
ished. 1t can be refused for none other, than
the most offensive reasons. cannot but
hope, that the subject will be recommended
by the President TO the early attention of Con-
gress, and that this only remaining cause OF
excitement and bitter recollection. between
the National and State Governments, may be
speedily and happily disposed Of. &
cannot conclude this communication with
out expressing great regret, that have receiy.
ed no information of your ovn proceedings, in
reference to your agency, since my induction
to Office. In the conversation which had
the pleasure to hold with you, early in June.
il was understood that your personal atten-
dance at Washington, would not be required,
through the summer. Whether you have
found 1t necessary to remain there, and how
you have been occupied in the service of the
State, am wholly unadvsed. You must be
aware, SIR, that heretofore, there has been a
manifestation of much feeling, upon the sub
Ject OF this agency, and it is due to a respect
iul regard for the interests Of the Government.
that it should be made in my power, at ali
times, 10 satisfy reasonable public inquiry.
With considerations of much regard,
Your obedient servant,