Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-17

This could not he regarded az fectious or unrea- :,
sonablc, when II IS admitted by Mr.. Adams, that
MIR. Jeif.rson and hinSelf entertained ccnsti,u-
tiona scruplcs and objections 10 the provisions OF
the treaty OF ceesion. Nothing, however, Ike
popular excitement grew out OF the measure,
aud i, is stated by Mr.. Adams tina, this project
'slurntc'ed until The period Of uhc embargo in !
Deccuber 1907. Suppose, then Tor the moment, !
(what we have not a shadow CT reason fur becv- !
ing) tina, upon the occasion OF the Louisiana Trea
~, certain lead0e influenced by constitutional
objections. admitted 10 haye been common TO Mr..
jefferson, Mr.. AdaWs and themsclvesl had con-
ceived p % ,ct OF separation and Of Northern
60 ifedcrocy, as the only pro5ahle counternoisc
10 the matui,c,ur: OF new States in the South,
doe.it toilow that when the public mind become
rcconciled TO the cesson, aud the beneficial conse'
Iueuces OF IL we're realized, (as il IS conceded by
MIR. Adams, " as the CASEY these same leaders
whoever they might be. would eta! cherish the
embry project, ~ wait tor other contingencies,
10 enable them to Ell. ct III On what authority
MIR. Adams assume that the project merely 'slun-
bered for years. II his private evidence applies on
~ to the time OF lis ogiIiu
The opposition 10 the measures OF government.
in 1SOS arose irom causes, which were common to
the people, not only Of New England, but OF all
the CONNIE rci al states, was manifested in New
York, Philadclp ha and elsewhere. by what pro-
cess oil fair reasoning then can that opposition be
referred To, connected with plan, which IL
SAID TO have originated an lSC4, and to have
been intended 70 embrace merely u northern con-
federIcy! The objection 10 the Louisiana treaty
founded Oh the just construction OF the com
pact between sovereign states. II believed
in New England, that new members could not be
aided 10 the coniederacy beyond the territoralmits
oil he contracting parties, without tire consent OF
those parties. This was considered a far sub
ice, OF remonstrance, and as justitying proposals
for an amendment of the constitution. But so far
were the Federal party from attempting to use this
rs an additional incentive 10 the passions of the
day, that in report made 10 the Legislature Of
1873, by committee OF which Mr.. Adams's eek
cellent friend Josiah Quincy was chairman, Lou-
isiana having al this time been admitted into the
Union) it is expressly stated, that sthcy hare not
been disposed 10 connect this great constitutional
question tcith the trIis'c;it cnlGmities of the
day, from which 1t IS i'll their opinion very appa-
rently distinguished both in its cause and conse-
quence.' Thltin their view Of this great cons,i-
tntional question: they have confined themselves
10 topics and arguments drawn from the constitu-
ton, with the hope of limiting the further pro-
gress OF the evil, rather than with the expectation
OF immediate relief during the continuance Of ex-
listing influences i'll the national administration
Ills report was accepted; and thus the 'proiect'
Instead Of being used fuel to the fame, is deli
beratciy taken out OF it, and presented the peo.
pie by the leaders resting distinct consider
ations from the transient calanties and for whi,l
present redress ought neither 10 be sought, nor
pecfed.
To the embargo imposed in December, 1907,
nearly all the delegation of Massachusetts was op
posed. The pre- texts for imposing it were deemed
by her citizens mockcry OF her sutIerings. Own
any nearly one ihrd Of the tonnage in the United
States, che felt thai her voice ought 10 be heard
IN what related TO its security. Depending princi-
pay on her foregn ale and fisheries for support
her situation appeared desperate under the opera
tion OF this law in lis terms perpetual. II was a
bitter aggrava,ion OF her suTerings 20 be told that
lis object was TO preserve these interests. no
people at peace, IN an equal space o. time,
dured severer privations. She could not consider
She annihilaton OF her trade as included in the
power to regulate it To herlAwyers, statesmen, aud
citizens in gener Il, it appeared a direct, violation
oi the constitution. Ii VS. universally odious.
i ne disaliecuon was not con!in d 10 the federal
party Mr. Adams, II is said, and is not contratic
Ted, announced in his letters to the members of
congress, that government must not rely Upon its
own friends. The interval from 1907 to 1912 was
n!lsd up by series OF restrictive measures
which kept alive the discomfort and irritation OF
The popular mind. Then followed the war, under
circumstances which aggravated the public dis
tess. In lis progress, Massachusetts, was deprv-
ed OF gagrsons for her ports-wiih line of sea-
coast equal In extent TO onc-tlird OF that Of a.,
The other maritime States, she was left during the
whole war nearly defenceless.-iIer citizens sub
lect to incessan! alarnI;-a portion Of the country
Invaded, and taken possession OF asa conquered ter
ritory. Her own militia arraycd and encainped at
an enormous expense pay and subsistence cup
piled from her nearly exhausted treasury and re-
spbursement refused even 10 this day. Row,
%lat under the pressure aud excitement Of these
measures, was the conduct Of the federal party
the devoted majority, with the military force o.
Che state in their hands-wih the encoura cement
10 be derived from conviction that the Northern
,
that government could not rrly on its oyyn iriends
Did they resist the law? Not in solitary i'll
stance. Did they threaten a separation OF the
States! Did they array their forces with show
"i such disposition Dit, the government or peo-
iie OF Mas achusatts in any one Instance, swerye
from their allegiance TO the Union, Tile reverse
Ut all this is the truth AbaGloacd by the national
government, because she declined, for rea.ons
which her highest tribunal adjudged to be consti-
eutional TO surrender her militia iuto tie hands of
military project, although thcY were always
equipped, and ready aud faithful under their own
officers, she nevertheless, clung to the I'm ion to
The rk OF her safety, she ordered her well trained
militia into the field, stationed them at the points
oi dagger, betrayed their expenses from her own
treasury, and garrsoned with them the national
forts Allhcr taxes and excuses were paid with
Puncuay and promPtness, an example by no
the cry for war had been loudest These facts
nre ected for other purpose but that of preparing
ior the inquiry,what becomes Of Mr. Adams skey'
his project, and his 'postua,es" The latter were
70 all intents ami purposes, to use his language,
'nonsummated.'
Laws unconstitutional in the pull opinion n al
been enacted. A great majority Of an exaggerated
people were in state Of the highest excitement
The legislature Gf his word be taken) was un-
der 'the management Of the leaders, The ia.
diciai courts were on their side s. the juries were
as he pretends contaminated a golden opportunity
had arrived Now was the winter Of their discomfort
made glorious summer All the combustibles for
revolution were ready. When, behold, instead OF
dismemb cred Union, military movements A nor
thern ooniedetacy, British alliance accomplished
AT the idVorSbe'moment OF almost total prostraton
oil The credit and power OF the national rulers
q nj Iartt ST..