The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-03-08
For The Democratic Adrocate.
THE TRUTH OF HISTORY

guilty The accusations charged against the
Hartford Convention by democracy, / have
shown to be false, by such facts and circum-
stances as challenge the sAdYocaten TO sue
ccessfnlly controyert. .light stop here, and
in all fairness demand verdict Of "not
guilty. But ! will do more than justice de-
mands. / will give positive testimony from
two Of the most honored men Of whom our
country can boast-Noah Webster and Roger /
Minot Sherman. They both testify to facts
within their own knowledge, and surely they |
ought to be competent Witnesses
Webster s;-"Few transactions of the |
federalists, during the early periods Of our
government, excited so much the angly pas.
sions Of their opposers as the Hartford Con-
yentlon-so called during the presidency Of |
Mr. Madison. As was present at the first
meeting Of the gentlemen who suggested such
convention; as was a member Of the House
OF Representatives in Massachusetts when the
resolve was passed for appointing the dele
gates, advocated that resolve; and further,
as have copies OF the documents, which no
other person may have preserved, it seems 10
be incumbent on me TO present to the public
the real facts in regard TO the origin of the
measure, which have been vileiy faisihed and
misrepresented.
After the war of 1912 had continued two
years, our public affairs were reduced TO a
deplorable condition. The troops Of the
United States, intended for defending the
seaeoast, had been withdrawn to carry on the
war in Canada; a British squadron was sta.
TONED IN the Sound, to prevent the escape Of
frigate from the harbor Of New London and
TO intercept our coasting trade; one town in
Maine was IN possession Of the British forces;
the banks south OF New England had all sus-
pended the payment of specie; our shipping
lay IN our harbors, embargoed, dismantled,
and perishing; the treasury Of the United
states was exhausted TO the last cent; and a
general gloom was spread over the country.
In this condition Of affairs number Of gen.
temen in Northampton, in Massachusetts,,
after consultation, determined TO invite some
OF the principal inhabitants Of the three coun-
ties on the river formerly composing the old
county OF Hampshire, to meet and consider
whether any measures could be taken to ar.
rest the continuance Of the war and provide
for the public safety. In pursuance Of this
determination, a circular letter was addressed
to the citizens Of the three counties, request,
ing them to meet and suggest remedies for
the relief Of their grievances
webster continues TN compliance with
the request and suggestions in this circular,
many town meetingswere held, and with great
unanlmity, addresses and memorials were
voted to be presented TO the General Court.
stating the sufferings Of the country in conse.
quence OF the embargo, the war, and arbitrary
restrictions on our coasting trade, with the
violations Of our constitutional rights, and
requesting the legislature to take measures
, Tor obtaining redress, either by convention
Of delegates from the Northern and CONNER.
cial States, or by such other measures as the,
should judge to be expedient.
Governor Strong summoned special meet
! ing Of the Legislure in October, in which III,
petitions of the towns were taken into con
sideration, and resolve was passed appoint
ing delegates to convention 10 be held il
Hartford.
The measure OF resorting TO convention
for the purpose Of arresting the evils Of ba'
administration, reused the jealousy of III,
advocates Of the war, and called forth tn,
bitterest inyective The convention was re
: presented as reasonable combination, orig
mating in Boston, for the purpose Of dssoly
ing the Union. But citizens Of Boston hat
! no concern in originating the proposal for
convention; il was wholly the project Of lh
people in old Hampshire county-as respect
able and patriotic republicans as ever trod tn
: soil Of free country.
n The citizens who first assembled in NORTH
!, ampton convened under the authority OF ID
/ 6iH Of rights which declares that the peopl
+ have right TO meet in a peaceable manne
!, and consult for the public safety. The cit
zens had the same right then to meet in con
/ vention as they have now; the distresses 0
the country demanded extraordinary sieas
nres for redress the thought Of dissolyine thl
Union never entered into the head Of any o
Z the projectors, or of the members Of the Con
! vention. The gentlemen who composed il
for talents and patriotism have never beer
surpassed by any Assembly in the Unite,
, States, and beyond a question the appoint
ment Of the Hartford Convention had YER,
, favorable effect in Fastening the conclusion
/ OF treaty Of peace.
, All the reports which have been circulated
respecting the evil designs of that Convention
! know to be the foulest misrepresentation
Indeed, respecting the views of the disciples
OF Washington and the supporters Of his po
Icy, many, and probably most of the people
, Of the United States in this generation, are
/ made to believe far more fasehood than truth
! speak Of facts within my own persona
knowledge. We may well say with the proph
et--"Truth is fallen in the street and equity
] cannot enter
, This is direct, positive testimony from one
whose yeracity the Advocate will hardl
presume TO question.
Wonder il Webster's Dictionary wont soor
be deemed an incendiary document unfit 70,
our schools. The occasion that drew GU
Roger Sherman's testimony, was trial a
Fairfield, Connecticut, of the State against .
certain Whitman Mead.
One Of the articles charged against Mead
} as libellous, compared recent political meet
ing at Hartford, to the Hartford Convention
The prisoner supposing that fall develop
ment Of the proceedings Of that conveutic,
would furnish legal vindicaiion Of the articl,
al
to Mr.. Sherman to testify in his behalf Th,
trial took place at Fairfield. Conn. the place
Of Mr.. Sherman residence in Jan. 1881, an,
reported in the Fairfield Gazette.
The following is Mr.. Sherman's testimony
, under oath:
The first question asked What was tn
nature and object ofth Hartford Convention
= Answer-I was n member Of that conven
ton. The United States were then at wal
with Great Britain. They had in their fort
and armies 81 200 effective men; of thesi
! about 1900 only were employed in New Eng
land. We had a seacoast Of almost 700 mile
to protect and with the exception Of thes'
1900 men, had the aid Of no military fore
, from the United States, &c., &c.
The whole answer is too lengthy to inser
: here-it gives general outline Of the origir
and proceedings Of the convention. The an
'~Nt W W At1A 0ttntton t0bitubtn IN AnCbi
words There was not, according TO m,
best recollection n single motion, resolution
OF subject Of debate, but what appears in tn
printed journal or report.
: Second question asked Was il not al
/ object Of the Convention 10 embarrass AM
paralyze the government Of the United State
N the prosecution Of the war with Grea
Britain7
: Answer-It was not. Nothing Of the kin.
was done or entertained BY the Convention
or, so far as know or believe, by those b.
whom il was originated. On the contrary ii
principal object was more eifectual cooper
, alton IN that war, rs 10 the defense ofthe New
England States
Third question asked s--Has not that Con
vention been generally reputed in the United
: States 10 be treasonable2
Answer-Aluch has been said and published
to that effect, but without the least founda
ton. ! believe know their proceedings per
fectly; and that every measure, done OF pro.
posed, has been published TO the world No
one act has ever been pointed out, 10 my
knowledge, as inconsistent with their obliea.
tons to the United States, nor was any such
act ever contemplated BY them.
Win she Advocate attempt to eaiuaay
this testimony oftwo Of our greatest and best
men2 Have you any testimony, Mr.. AdvO
cate, TO break down the evidence Of Moab