The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-22

iIOul TIC Interesting "Reminiscences Coutalubp
and the valuable counsels it furnishes, it de-
rives especial value from the character Of the
writer who, in his eighticth year. feels as lively
an interest in all that the welfare Of his
country as he did in the maturity of his manhood.
| Mr.. Breck has always been eminent and useful
| citizen, and now, with the weight of four score
years resting upon him. in the polished amenity Of
his manners. in the faithful discharge Of his civil
and religious duties and in hisdevotion to the pub
lie good, he furnishes model which we cordially
commend to the study and imitation Of his younger
compeers:
| MULBERRY STREET, Jan. %, 1851.
My DEAR DR. MITCHELL: Nothing that have
read upon the danger to which our glorious UNION
has been exposed, equals in eoquence, argument
and truth, the beautiful discourse of the Rev. Dr.
Boardman.
Being now within few months of eighty years
old, may speak. with the authority Of an eyo-
witness. Of the condition Of our country when in
state Of Disunion. ! report upon it's evils a.
having been an anxious spectator.
After the peace of 1888, when independence
was acknowledged by Great Britain, the States
wore iSft TO Msmsslrss to endeavor to from
the exhaustion of a seven years. war; for the GEN.
eral Government, constituted follows, all
but nullity:
LIST. II was authorized to recommend to the seve-
raj States, and nothing more; the consent Of EvrRY
ONE Of rhieh was necessary to give legal sanction
to any act SO recommended.
2d II could not assess levy taxes.
3D. 1t bad no power to execute punishments, ex-
cept in the military department.
4th II could not regulate trade.
9th. 1t could institute no general judicial pow
ers.
9th. Neither could it regulate public roads or in
land navigation With such an inefficient form of
government it failed in almost every appeal for
pecuniary aid. II asked for authority to lay an
impost on imported goods Of only five per cent,
and it was refused for want of unnnimity in the
States. A letter from Dr. franklin upon the ne
cessty and reasonableness OF that tax. 30 moder-
and equal. did mend he ma tpr A
government SO feeble must necessarily be with
out influence. 1t had little or no legal or moral
power, and was held in no respect: Each State.
acting for itself began to lose its feelings of
tionality and Americanism, and to consider its
late associates as aliens. The people became un-
ruly, disobedient, and even insurrectionary. For
want OF commerce, manufactures and money, they
were unable to pay their debts, and generally
discontinued. Bodies of armed men in Massachu-
setts and New Hampshire interrupted the proceed
ngs fthe courts ofjustice. Daniel Shays assembled
in the first named State an armed party of insur-
gents sufficiently formidable to require for its sup
preston strong force under General Lincoln.
foring, but left the States to fight their own bat
ties In Massachusetts, the equipment of Lincoln's
army was the work of few men in Boston, who
had still something left, part Of which they lent
for the occasion to the State government, whose
treasury, after Shay's defeat, SO exhausted
that not enough was left for the most common cur
rent expenses. So low. indeed, was it, that my
father, who was member for Boston of the gene
raj court, at that period, told that he had been
applied to by Jacob Kuhn, its we'll known messen-
ger, for loan of 7s cd. "a dollar and qunrter)
to buy candles for evening session of the House
Of Representatives!
In the month of June, 1857 on my return from
residence Of q few years in France, arrived at
New York. The present generation will scarcely
be able to realize the state of prostraOn and decay
in which found that city. Built chiefly Of wood.
with very few vessels at its ruined wharves, it
did not chow the smallest sign of revival The
fore; and while they held possession, about 1882,
an extensive fire destroyed Trinity church, in
broadway, and both sidcs of that street down to
the smallest effort had been made to clear away
the rubbish from single building-so spiritless,
80 dead was its population of about twenty thou
sand to every desire to restore their town. The
year, in view Of the adoption Of the present const
tuition, Mr.. Macomb and others began to rebuild.
This was the state of the city of New York when
the country was without a national government,
and when each separate commonwealth was left to
shift for itself.
On arriving at Boston I found the same languor,
the same dcarth of improvement. No commerce,
mechanics unemployed-so much 80 with the ship
wrights that an association of the few who could
command little capital was formed, for the pur-
pose OF setting up three small ships, to keep the
we're sold at loss, as think, in i7ss-8o, for ac-
count of the association Seamen's wages were
seven dollars a month; house. servants for men,
four; and for females fifty cents week So demo-
rallied the merchants, and inefficient the State
government, that smuggling was in universal prac-
tice. myself have seen one half of a cargo clan
destinely slowed away in the store, and only the
other half entered at the custom house, and this by
one of the first mercantile firms. The clerks and
apprentices aiders, if not abettors, in this dis
honorable work.
Boston had decreased in population, falling off
several thousand from it's colonial number to 10 ,030
which it contained at the census of 1870 The GER
tifcates of debt of the United States were sold at
twelve dollars for hundred (2s. Sd. on the
pound) Each State, as well az Massachusetts,
governed its own mercantile marine according to
its own laws. Of course there no uniform
tariff, and the customs of each varied, levying
one on another as their respective Legislatures
directed.
From this chaotic position, this state of disorder
and disu'lion, the Federal Constitution, under
which we now live, came with talismanic power to
operate perfect cure and set every thing right.
1t was that Instrument, under the guidance Of a
mcrciiul Providence, which raiEed this disunited
and hope into their hearts. II was this governing
principle of union that made them feel again like
Americans, and restored those sentiments of honor
extinct.
With what eagerness did every State hail its
adoption, and aid in its organization. Such pro-
cession in its honor was displayed at Philadelphia
as had never, in magnifcence, been surpassed in
that city. 1t was the occasion of jubilee in every
adopting State. Two only, North Carolina and
Rhode Island, kept aloof for year two, and then
to this moment, they, in common with their elder
and younger brothers, have partaken of . degree
Of prosperity far exceeding the most romantic pre-
dictions of the warmest expectant.
When our present Constitution went into opera
ton, in 1885, Of the chief elements of its bril-
liant beginning was produced BY Alexander Ham
ilton's sy stem Of finance. which brought the Cont
mental and State debts up to their par value, and
thus created capital, perfectly available of about
one hundred millions Of dollars. Credit followed,
smuggling stopped, revenue was raised and
reer of prosperity entered upon, that stands un-
matched in the history of the world!
To rclinquish all this! But stop; will not be-
love in the possibility of such distraction.
With many thanks to Rev. Dr. Boardman, for
his useful exertions and display of pure patriotism
at this important juncture, send you this, my
if it be acceptable to you, or in any way useful
among your friends.
Ever, with great respect, your friend and hum
BILE servant, SAML BRECK
To A. w. MITCHELL, M. d.