Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1830-02-09

JSSs "uShs W oC uCdtcu DIS III IL were du
important one. Have we not been for
years asking for what is justly due to us
We have been asking, but we have not
been heard. The Governour had pre-
sented the subject to the Legislature in firm
and temperate language; the question
was, whether the House would agree to it.
If SO, does the language of the resolves
come up to that point? In his opinion
1t did not. The suggestions of the gen.
tleman from Lanesboro' had great weight
on his mind. He could not conceive that
that the resolutions as they stand, could
have any other effect than that of damp
er on the claim. Members Of Congress,
hostile to the claim, would take advantage
OF il. and still keep us at bay. They had
TO this moment refused to pay the claims,
though not voice had ever been raised
on the floor of Congress to deny that they
are Just. We have held this timid tone
long enough, and SO hing as. Massachu-
sets consented to hold il, so long she
would be refused hearing.' He wished
FOR nothing infammatory-he wished for
no abuse but he would follow up the
suggestions of the executive. He hoped
the resolutions would be recommitted-
that stronger. but respectful, tone would
he adopted-that Congress might see we
are decided and determined, and will have
justice.
Mr.. Holden, Of Charlestown, said the
arguments he had heard had convinced
him fully that the resolutions were not
what they ought TO be. He was not a
man of warlike disposition. He was
rather Of disposition of a certain writer
who said he was for peace, but when he
cried for peace his enemies made it an
occasion for war. He did not like the
spirit OF the resolves, and thought they
did not express the feelings of the people
of Massachusetts. As to breaking with
the General Government, as his friend
from Stockbridge called it, that was not
to be spoken or thought Of But he would
have the resolutions show a little more
Spunk-a little more of what is called
Yankee spirit. He would have the legis-
lature treat the subject as though they
meant to be heard-he would have some
thing better than these milk-and-water re-
solves. He would not treat those States
with indignity which were continually re-
preaching us-but if we would have
peace, we must show them that we would.
He would that, instead of being recon-
Mitted, the resolves should be referred to
select committee.
The motion for recommitmcnt was then
withdrawn, in order to let in the motion of
Mr.. Holden.
Mr.. Newton, of Worcester, spoke against
the commitment. He thought the resoIu-
tionions and preamble, taken together, ex-
hibited sufficient firmness and energy, and
he could see no possible benefit that would
arise from the adoption of any stronger
language.
Mr.. Lowell, Of Boston, thought it impos-
sible for any gentleman of common tenn
permanent to reflect on the treatment which
Massachusetts had received at the hands of
the General Government, without feelings
of Indignation. Is it probable, he asked,
that the transmition of these resolutions to
Congress will have any effect? If they are
not useless, they are worse than useless
they are childish. We might. he thought,
express Indignation without realizing the
fears of some gentlemen, that we were go
ing to "calculate the value of the Union"
Why should we send these resolutions to
Congress You may as we'll send them a
treaties on morals--send them copy of the
New Testament, if you please, and refer
them to the passages which teach them the
duty of paying their debts but it would be
useless-they will do nothing unless you
speak in a more decided and manly tone.
and in language more bee coming the subject.
Mr.. Baylies, of Taunton, rose to vindIcate
the delegation from the State in Congress,
of which, for several years, he had the hon
our to be one. He thought no blame could
be imputed to the delegation. At first the
whole affair Of the claim was entrusted to
an agent, and it was considered by the dele
cation as concern solely of the Executive.
The agent never condescended to consult
any OF the delegation, and the delegation
had too much respect for themselves and
the people they represented to consult the
agent. Afterward the State Executive
chose not to hold the responsibility, the
agent was withdrawn, and the claim was
referred to the delegation. President Mon
roe recommended a part of the claim to
Congress, and while the subject was under
discussion, several members spoke in favour
of the claim. He recolected speaking in
| favour of it. but he did not recolect that he
shivered any more then than he shivered
now. At the next Congress, it was again
brought up, and he was in favour of refer
ring it to the President; but then, he tho't
he saw little finching. One distinguished
member of the delegation declared he
would sooner lose the whole claim than have
it referred to a native citizen of Massachu-
sets for settlement. He was then called
Jackson man, and accused of wishing to
embarrass President Adams by referring it
to him, and of desire to rob him of popu-
larty at the West. He was in favour of
the motion to commit to select committee.
1t was difficult to say exactly what forms It
might be best to adopt. He was no more
for gasconading than the gentleman ftom
Dedham; but he would use terms little
\ - 4