Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-03-02
MIR. vvEBsTER,s ADDRESS.
BEFORE THE N. Y. HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
CoNcLUDED.1

| CONCLUDED.
Boston, the earl, victim of the inflictious ri
wrong by the mother country, the early champion
of American liberty Boston, though in This
vast country she may be now surpassed by other
cities in numbers, in commerce, and wealth, vet
she cannot be surpassed in the renown of her
early revolutionary history. She will stand ac-
knowledged, while the world doth stand, as the
origin and ornament, promoter and defender OF
| the rights OF the colonies. The English crown
trowned upon her with severity and indignation;
1t only made her stand more erect, and put on
a face of greater holiness and defiance The
| Parliament poured upon her all its indignation.
1t only held her up with greater illumination,
and drew toward her the greater attachment
and veneration of the country. Boston, as she
was in heart in principle, and feeling in 1774,
SO may she remain till her three hills shall sink
into the sea and be no more remembered among
| men.
Gentlemen, these early proceedings of the cit
liens of Boston and other inhabitants of the coun-
ty of Suffolk deserve to be written where all
posterlty may read them. They were carried
to representative of royalty by the first dis
tinguished martyr in the cause of liberty, Joseph
| Warren. How fit that he who was not long af-
terward to fall in the defence of the liberty of
his country, and to seal his love of that country
with his blood, full of its spirit and its princi-
ples should be the bearer of It's remonstrances
to the representative of the throne of England !
No encomium, no eulogy upon the State of
| which have the honor to be a citizen, can ex-
| coed that which is expressed in the unanimous
resolution of the first American Congress of the
9Th of October, WA in these words
"Resolped, That this Congress approve the opposi-
ton of the people of Massachusetts, Bay the execu
ton ofthe late of Parliament and if the same shall
be attempted t6 be carried into execution by force in
oil Al. IL
| opposition"
Gentlemen, will not believe that the ancient
! commonwealth of Massachusetts can ever depart
from her true character. think it impossible.
But should she be left to forgetfuness of her
self, and all that belongs to her should she
temporarily or permanently stray away from
the paths of her ancient patriotism; should she,
which Heaven avert, be willing to throw other
original and all-American mantle-to disrobe
herself, in the presence of the world, of all her
nationally Of character, there are others who
would eagerly seize that mantle, and who would
show themselves capable of wearing it with
grace, dignity and power. | need not say here
where those others are to be found. | am in
the city in which WASHINGTON first took upon
himself the administration of the Governments
am near the spot on which all hearts and all
hopes were concentrated in 1889. | bring the
whole scene, with all its deep interests before
me. see the crowds that fill and throng the
streets; | see the ten thousand faces, anxious to
look on him to whose wisdom, prudence, and
patriotism the destinies of the country are COM
mitted. see the august form, behold the Sc
rene face of WASHINGTON; [ observe his reve-
rent manner, when he rises, in the presence of
a countless multitude, and, looking up with reli-
gious awe to heaven, solenmly swears, before
that multitudinous assembly, and before Him
+I1,A. Il. Al. = I'll l.
will support the constitution of his country-so
help him God
And / hear the shouts and acclamations that
fill the air; see outpouring tears of joy and
hope; see men clasping each others hands,
and hear them exclaim, 1--WE have at last
country; we have a Union; and in that Uni
/ on is strength We have Government able
to keep us together; and we have a Chief
Magistrate, an object of confidence, attachment,
and love to us ALL
Citizens of New Y ork, mon of this genera
ton, is there any thing which warns your heart
more than these recollections Or can you
contemplate the unparalleled growth of our
city in population, and all human blessings,
without feeling that the spot is haowed, and the
hour consecrated, where and when your career
Of prosperity and happiness began?
But, gentlemen, my heart would sink within
me, if l were compelled to believe that your
fidelity to the constitution of the country, signal
and unquestioned as it is, could ever exceed
that OF the State whose soil was moistened by
the blood OF the first martyrs in the cause of
liberty, and whose history has been characteri-
zed from the beginning by their jealous and
uniform support Of the principles of Washing
ton.
The first Congress sat from the fifth day of
| September until the twenty-sixth Of October,
and it then dissolved. Its whole proceedings
are embraced in forty mine pages but these few
pages contain the substance and the original
form and pressure Of puf American liberty. Its
principal papers are, an address to the people
of Great Britain, written by John Jay; me-
mortal to the inhabitants of the British colonies,
written by William Livingston an address to
| the King, written by John Adams, corrected by
| John Dickinson; and an address to the inhabi-
tants of Quebec, written by John Dickinson.*
There is one resolution of the old Congress,
adopted on the 18th of March, l776, which has
never received so much attention as il deserves.
| II is in these words:
| aIN CONGRESS, March IA, 1916.
"Resoloed That it be recommended to the several as
sembies, conventions, councils committees of safe
| ty, Immediately to all persons to be disarmed
within their respective colonies who notorousy dis
affected to the of America who have not
sOcted ana refuse TO associate to defend by the
United Colonies against the hostile attempts of the Bri
| fish fleets and armies.
Extract from the minutes:
| "CHARLES THOMPSON, Secretary
Several of the Governors Of the States, con-
ventions, councils, or committees Of safety took
immediate measures for carrying this resolution
into effect. The proceedings in consequence of
it, have been preserved however, only in few
States. The fullest returns which can be found
| LII. L., Mt L
New York. The form was recital of the res
olution Of Congress, and then the promise,
or pledge, in the following words:
In consequence of the above resolution of the Cont
mental Congress, and to show DIR determination in
joining American brethren in defending the lives
liberties and properties of the inhabitants of the
United Colonies: We. the sebscrbers. do hereby sol
EMMY engage and promise that will tne utmost
of power at the risk CT lives and fortunes with
arms, oppose the hostile proceedings of the British
| fleets end armies against the United American Colo
| nies.'
| In the mountainous State of New Hamp-
shira and amono the bi0bast IF itS rnountairc