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

I case, the time when, and the circumstan-
ces under which that Convention assem-
bled, as well as the measures recommends
ed render their conduct, lin my opinion,
wholly indefensible. Let US contemplate,
for moment, the spectacle then exhibit
ed to the view of the world. will not
go over the disasters of the war, nor de-
scribe the difficulties in which the Gov
eminent was involved. 1t will be recol-
lected. that its credit was nearly gone ;
Washington had fallen; the whole coast
was blockaded and an immense force,
collected in the West Indies, was about
to make decent, which it was supposed
we had no means of resisting. In this
awful state Of our publick affairs when the
Government seemed almost to be tottering
ON its base, when Great Britain, released
from all her other enemies, had proclaim
ed her purpose " reducing to uncondition-
al submission, I've beheld the peace
party of New-England Tin the language
of the work before us) pursuing course
calculated to do more injury to their
country, and to render England more
affective service than all her armies. !"
Those who could not find it in their hearts
TO rejoice at our victories, sang te deum al
the Kings Chapel in Boston for the res
toration of the Bourbons. Those who
could not consent to illuminate their dwel-
lIngs for the capture of the Guerrero,
could give visible tokens of their Joy at
the fall of Detroit. The beacon fires"
of their hills were lighted up, not for the
encouragement of their friends, but as
signals to the enemy,-and in the gloomy
hours Of midnight, the very lights burnt
4 blue. Such were the dark and portentous
signs Of the times which ushered into be-
ing the renowned HARTFORD CONVENTION.
That Convention met; and from their
proceedings it appears that their chief
object was, to keep back the men and
money OF New-England from the service
of the Union, and to effect radical chang
es in the Government changes that can
never be effected without dissolution of
the Union.
! Let US now, sir, look at their proceed
lings. l read from A short account Of
the Hartford Convention" written by
one of its members, very rare book, of
which was fortunate enough a few years
ago to obtain copy. Here Mr.. H. read
from the proceedings.
4 1t IS unnecessary to trace the matter
farther or to ask what would have been
the next chapter in this history, if the
measures recommended had been carried
into effect; and if, with the men and
money of New-England withheld from
the government of the United States, she
had been withdrawn from the war if
New Orleans had fallen into the hands of
the enemy, and if, without troops, and al
most destitute of money the Southern and
the Western States had been thrown upon
their own resources for the prosecution Of
war, and the recovery Of New Orleans |!
Sir, whatever may have been the issue of
the contest; the Union must have been
dissolved. But a wise and Just Provi-
dence, which " shapes our ends, rough
hew them as we will. gave US the victory,
and crowned our efforts with a glorious
peace. The Ambassadors of Hartford
were seen retracing their steps from WASH
ington, I" the bearers of the glad tidings
Of great JOY" Courage and patriotism
triumphed-the country was saved-the
union was preserved. And are we, Mr..
President, who stood by our country then !;
who threw open our Golfers; who barred
our bosoms; who freely periled all in that
conflict, to be reproached with want of at
tachment to the Union ? If, sir, we are
, to have lessons Of patriotism read to US,
they must come from different quarter.
The Senator from Massachusetts, who is
now SO sensitive on all subjects connect
ed with the Union, seems to have men,
ory forgetful of the political events tina,
have passed away. / must, therefore, re-
fresh his recollection a little farther on
these subjects. The History of Disunion
has been written by one, whose authori-
~ stands to high with the American peo-
pie to be questioned-I mean Thomas
Jefferson-I know not how the gentleman
may receive this authority. When that
great and good man occupied the Presi-
dental ch air | believe he commanded no
portion of that gentleman's respect.
4 | hold in my hand a celebrated PAM
phlet on the Embargo, in which language
is held in relation to Mr.. Jefferson which
my respect for his memory will prevent
me from reading-unless any gentleman
should call for it. But the Senator from
Massachusetts has since joined in singing
hosannas to his name-he has assisted at
his apotheosis, and has fixed him as "a
brilliant star in the clear upper sky" /
hope, therefore, he is now prepared to re-
ceive with Difference and respect the high
authority Of Mr.. Jefferson. In the 4th
volume Of his Memoirs, which has just is
sued from the press, we have the follow
ing history Of disunion from the pen Of
that illustrious statesman: +" Mr.. Adams
called on me pending the Embargo. and