State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-06-21

IIl VIII bc ComprenCnucu that no difficulty
need he experienced in giving to the navy,
which there is the filvorite and natural arm
of strength, all the immense developemem
of which it is susceptible. Whilst in the
case of war, a commercial marine employ
ing upwards of one million and half of
tonnage, would furnish an inexhaustabe
supply of well trained seamen for any
possible number of war vessels, which it
might be desirable to launch and man."
From the Boston Advocate.
Great Britain, in her reformed Govern
ment, is fast outstripping us in the fiInda-
mental principles of liberty, for which our
fathers left that country and came to this.
Her statesmen are more honest and less
selfish than ours Their minds are open to
conviction, and they are neither ashamed
TO be convinced, nor afraid to act rightly,
when then are convinced.
Take single eXample-the question Of
trcemasonry and Secret Societies. Here
we have been fighting OIL this question for
eight years, our public men holding back
and sneaking away from responsibility, and
even if we succeed in electng Governor
on the protested principles of antmasonry,
i he has not the moral courage or the con-
sistency to refuse to appoint adhering ma
sons to office.
What was done in England? A commit
tee on Secret Societies was appointed who
sat three months, and made a report. MIR
Hume got up in the House of Commons,
where the subject was scarcely known,
and where he was likely to be regarded as
Il visionary, in the midst of the high digni-
tarlcs of the Lodge, and in one speech no
settled the whole question. The whole
| Commons yielded to the force of truth, and
without division, the King was called upon
to exclude from office every member of
Secret Society. The ministers all came
into the measure. The King responded to
the call, abolishing all secret Societies, and
III three or four months after the first agita-
ton of the question, we find the Prime
Minister declaring, that no member of a
secret society shall hold any office under
government and the COMMUNICATIVE Chief
of the army, the Lords of the Treasury, the
Postmaster General, and other departments
calling upon their subordinates either to
renOunce masonry, or retire from their Off
ces. Even the masons have been compelled
to yield, and the Grand Master, though
Prince Royal and brother of the King is
obliged TO call upon the Lodges, to dishand
In five months secret societies have been
utterly abolished.
This is the way that the force of truth,
and the love of liberty and equal rights,
prevail in England. The contrast is dis
honorable 10 this boasted land of liberty.
EXTRACT FROM WASHINGI ON'S
WILL.
Upon the decease of my wife, it is my
will and desire that all my slaves, which l
hold III my own right, shall receive their
freedom. To emancipate them during her
lie would, though earnestly wished, be
attended with such insuperabe difficulties,
on account of their intermiXture by mar
riaSes with the dover negroes, as to create
the most fearful sensation, if not disagreea-
BILE consequences from the latter, while
both descriptions are in the occupancy of
the same proprietor; it not being in my
power under the tenure by which the dover
negroes are held to manumit them. And,
whereas, among those who will receive
their freedom according to this clause, there
may he some who from old age, or bodily
infirmtles, and others who, on account Of
their infancy will be unable to support
themselves, it is my will and desire that all
who come under the first and second de-
scrlptions shall be comfortably clothed and
fed by my heirs while they live; and that
such of the latter description as have no
parents living, or if living are unable or
unwilling to provide for them, shall be
bound by the Court until they shall arrive
at the age of % years; and in case where
no record can be produced whereby their
ages can be asertained, the judgement of
the Court upon its own view of the subject
shall be adequate and final. The negroes
thus bound are by their masters and mistress
SEES to he taught to read and write, and to
he brought up to some useful occupation,
agreeably to the laws of the commonwealth
of Virginia, providing for the support of
orphans and other poor children-And do
hereby expressly forbid the sale or trans
portatlon out of the said commonwealth, of
any slave may die possessed of, under any
Pretence whatever. And | do moreover,
most polntedly, and most solemnly enloin
It upon my executors hereafter named, or
the survivor of them, TO see that this clause
respecting slaves, and every part thereof
he reigiousIy fulfilled, at the epoch at
which il is directed to take place, without
evasion, neglect, or delay, after the crops
which may then he on the ground are har-
vested. Particularly as it respects the aged
and intfrm, seeing that regular and per-
manent fund be established for their sup
port, as long as there are subjects requiring
it, not trusting TO the uncertain provisions
to be made by individuals. And TO my mu.
larlo man William, calling himself William
Lee,) give immediate freedom, or if no
should prefer it on account of the accidents
f which have bealen him, and which have
f rendered him incapable of walking, or Of
+ any active employment, TO remain in the
situation he now is, il shall be optional in
him to do so-in either case, however, / ale
, low him an annuity of $50 during his nat
! ural life, which shall he independent of ths
vlcluas and clothes he has been accustom-
| ed TO receive, itthe chooses the last altern.
+ alive, but in full with his freedom if he