Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1830-03-09
NUMBER 10.

A cause of war, indeed Their ships,
TOO, the capture Of which had threatened
universal bankiuptcym 1t was discov-
cred that Great Britain was their friend
and protector Where she had taken
one, she had protected twenty !" Then
was the discovery made that subserviency
to France, hostility to commerce, a de-
termination OH the part of the South and
West to break down the Eastern States"
and especially (as reported bya Commit
tee of the Massachusetts Legislature) to
force the sons of commerce to populate
the Wilderness" were the true causes Of
the war.
But let us look little further into the
conduct of the peace party Of New-Eng-
land, at that important crisis. Whatever
difference OF opinion might have existed
as to the causes ofthe war, the country
had right to expect that when once in-
volved in the contest, all America would
have cordially united in its support. Sir,
the war effected, in its progress, a union
OF all parties at the South. But not so
New-England. There great efforts were
made to stir up the minds Of the people 10
oppose 1t; nothing was left undone 10 en-
barrass the financial operations of the
government, to prevent the enlistment Of
troops, to keep back the men and money
of New-Eng LAND, from the service Of the
Union, and to force the President from
his seat.--yes, Sir, the Island Of Eliza,
or halter I" were the alternatives pre-
scented TO the excellent and venerable
JAMES MADISON. Sir, the war was far.
Their opposed, by openly carrying on illicit
trade with the enemy; by permitting that
enemy to establish herself on the very
soil OF Massachusetts, and by opening
free trade between Great Britain and
America, with separate Custom House,
I Yes, Sir, those who cannot endure the
thought that we should insist on free
trade in time of profound peace, could
without scruple claim and exercise the
right OF carrying on free trade with the
enemy in time of war)--and finally by
getting up the renowned Hartford Con-
ventlon," and preparing the way for an
open resistance to the Government, and
a separation Of the States. Sir, if | am
asked for the proof of these things, fear.
lessly appeal to contemporary history, to
the publck documents Of the country, to
the recorded opinions and acts of publick
assemblies, to the declaration and ac-
acknowledgements, since made by the Ex-
ecutive and Legislature Of Massachusetts
herself.
Sir, the time has not been allowed me
to trace this subject through, even If I
had been disposed to do So But cam
not refrain from referring to one or two
documents, which have fallen in my way
since this debate began. read, Sir,
from the Olive Branch Of Matthew Carey,
in which are collected i" the ac,ngs and
doings" ofthe peace party Of New-Eng.
land, during the continuance of the en-
barge, and of the war. know the Sem
ator from Massachusetts will respect the
high authority Of his political friend and
fellow labourer in the great cause of" doc
mestick industry"
In page 30l, ct seq. Of this work is
detailed account OF the measures adopted
in Massachusetts during the war, for the
express purpose OF embarrassing the fiuan-
cial operations of the Government by pre-.
Uenting loans, and thereby driving our
rulers from their seats, and forcing the
country into dishononrable peace. II
appears that the Boston Banks commence
ed an operation by which a run was to be
made upon all the Banks to the South, at
tina same time stopping their own discounts
the effect of which was to produce sud-
den and most alarming diminntion Of the
circulating medium, and universal distress
over the whole country, distress which,
they failed no, to attribute to the "unholy
war"
To such an extent was this system car
ried that it appearsfrom a statement of the
condition of the Boston Banks, made up
in January, 1914, that, with nearly S5,-
600, COO Of specie in their vaults, they had
but SO, 900, 600 Of bills in circnlalion. ! 1t
is added by Carey, that, at this very time,
an extensive trade was carried on in Brit
ish Government bills. for which specie was
sent to Canada, for the payment of the
British troops, then laying waste our
Northern frontier and this too, at the
very moment when New-England ships,
sailing under British licenses. IA trade de-
clared to be lawful, by the Courts, both
of Great Britain and Massachusetts,)
were supplying with provisions, those
very armies destined for the invasion Of
our own shores. Sir, the author of the
Olive Branch, with holy Indignation, de-
nounces these acts as reasonable !"
giving aid and comfort to the enemy"
| shall not follow his example. But. will
ask. with what justice or propriety can the
South be accused of disloyaliy, from that
quarter7 If we had any evidence that the
Senator from MASSACHUSETTS had admon-
ished his brethren then, be might, with
better grace, assume the Office Of admon-
'shing US ROD.
When look at the measures adopted
"a