TUESDAY, MAY 15, 1798.
An address of sundry citizens and inhabitants of the town of Gloucester, in the State of Massachusetts, whose names are thereunto subscribed, was presented to the House and read, stating their approbation of the wise and magnanimous conduct of the Executive of the United States, in endeavoring to adjust the existing differences between this country and the French Republic; and that, while they deprecate the evils of war, they most sacredly avow their determination to support the Constitution, and, at the risk of their lives and fortunes, to preserve inviolate the rights and liberties of their country.
Also, an address of a number of inhabitants of the town of Dover, in the State of New Hampshire, to the same effect.
Ordered, That the said addresses be referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
The proceedings of a meeting of a company of militia grenadiers, held at the town of Portsmouth, in the State of Virginia, were presented to the House and read, in the words following, to wit:
"At a meeting of Captain Magnien's company of grenadiers, at the muster ground, on the commons of the town of Portsmouth, the following proceedings took place:
"Whereas we venerate the 'declaration of rights, made by the Representatives of the good People of Virginia, assembled in full and free convention, on the sixth day of May, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six; which rights do appertain to them and their posterity, as the basis and foundation of Government:" And whereas it was declared by the said convention, among other things, 'that all power is vested in, and consequently derived from, the People; that magistrates are their trustees and servants, and at all times amenable to them:' Wherefore, in conformity with those rights, as expressed by the said declaration, we, as freemen and real citizens, think it a duty we owe to ourselves, our country, and posterity, to speak our sentiments on the present alarming crisis of our affairs; and, accordingly, we give it as our opinion, "That we view with extreme concern the attempts that are evidently making by men high in authority, to widen the breach between the United States and the French Republic, by holding up to the good People of those States, the late unworthy propositions of certain unauthorized persons at Paris, as the act of the French Government; when, in reality, the face of the despatches cannot warrant any such conclusion.
"That we cannot but view the man, or set of men, as inimical to the rights of the People, and the sound principle of their self-government, who shall endeavor, by any false coloring, to give the stamp of authenticity to that which is in itself extremely doubtful and problematical; and who shall, by such means, strive to involve us in all the calamities of a war with the most powerful Republic on earth.
"That, without reference to our well founded complaints, or to occurrences fresh in the memory of us all, nothing can be more abhorrent to our feelings, than the idea of being, by such a war, driven into an alliance with a nation, which is, at present, unhappily, under the guidance of the most foul and corrupt Government on earth.
"That economy in the administration of the finances of a free Government, is absolutely necessary to the safety and well being of the state; and, therefore, such establishments as will surpass, in point of expense, the pecuniary resources of the country, must inevitably lead to the failure of public credit, to national bankruptcy, and consequently, to the destruction of the Federal Government--than which, nothing in our opinion could be more calamitous.
"That as 'a well regulated militia, composed of the body of the People, trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defence of a free State;' we view every measure which leads to the establishment of standing armies and expensive navies, as contrary to the spirit of a free Government; and by no means so well calculated to ward off foreign insult and invasion, as to invite domestic subjugation, slavery, and ruin.
"That the measures taken at the last session of Congress, for the defence of our common country, were wise and patriotic. Eighty thousand of our fellow citizens, and brethren of the militia, being, in our judgment, fully competent to the defence of our country, against any foreign nation whatever.
"That, in case of actual invasion from abroad, or of domestic insurrection at home, we hold it to be the duty of all good citizens and militia men, to rally round the standard of Government, and to defend our rights against all encroachments whatever: And therefore, we pledge ourselves, to appear armed and accoutered, at any moment when our services shall (for the purposes above mentioned) be required.
"Ordered, That the foregoing proceeding be signed by Captain Magnien, and Lieutenant Brooks, officers of said company, and forwarded to our Representative in Congress, to be laid by him before that body, as the sense of the meeting.
BD. MAGNIEN, Captain,
JOHN BROOKS, Lieutenant."
On a motion made and seconded that the said proceedings be referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union:
It was resolved in the affirmative,
Yeas ... 46,
Nays ... 43.....
Massachusetts? Are you sure about that? Massachusetts? Imagine that.My how times have changed....
Return to:
Also see:
Right to Keep and Bear Arms -
2006 GunShowOnTheNet.com