
SEDITION! TREASON!
Believing that to excite the indignation of the Electors of the state of New-York, against the audacious attempts of the eastern disorganizers, it is only necessary to lay before them the proceedings of that degraded and depraved portion of our countrymen, the following extracts have been made from their disorderly proceedings. "We deplore their ignorance, we lament their want of patriotism, and we abhor their disorganizing projects." Read, fellow-citizens, and reflect on this picture of federalism!
LEGISLATURE OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Senate, Thursday Feb. 2.
RESOLVES.
Resolved, That the act of the Congress of the United States, passed on the 9th day of January in the present year, for enforcing the act laying an embargo and the several acts supplementary thereto, is, in the opinion of the Legislature, in many respects unjust, oppressive and unconstitutional, and NOT LEGALLY BINDING on the citizens of this state. But notwithstanding this opinion, in order finally to secure a certain and permanent relief, it is earnestly recommended to all parties aggrieved by the operation of this act, to abstain from forcible resistance, and to apply for their remedy, in a peaceable manner, to the LAWS of the Commonwealth.
Resolved, That the honorable the president of the se??e, and the honorable the speaker of the house of representa??s, be requested to transmit a copy of this report, and the re?ations thereon, to the legislatures of such of our sister stat? as manifest a disposition to concur with us in measures to re??e our common country from impending ruin, and to pres?ve inviolate the union of the states.
At a legal town-meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Beverly, holden on Tuesday the 24th of January, 1809.
Resolved, That in this portentous state of public affairs they look up to their political fathers in the legislature of this state, in full confidence, that they will adopt such prudent but firm measures, as shall reinstate them in their just rights, and prevent their being plunged into an unjust and ruinous war--and they pledge themselves with their lives and fortunes to support and maintain their immediate legislature in the support of such constitutional remedies as they may adopt.
At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Bath, on the 21st December, 1808.
Resolved, That a committee of safety and correspondence be appointed to correspond with committees of other towns, {Omitted text, 1w} necessity should in future require it, on the best means of relieving our common country from its present embarrassed and distressed situation, and also that it be the duty of said committee to watch over the safety of the people of this town, and to give immediate alarm, so that a regular meeting may be called, whenever any infringement of their rights shall be committed by any person or persons under color and pretence {Omitted text, 1w} authority derived from any officer of the United States.
Also, that they be requested to attend particularly to any injuries and insults which may be committed or offered by any armed men* patrolling our streets by night, and that they make complaint against such in future for going armed, to the terror and disturbance of the people, and cause them to be arrested and punished according to law.
Extracts from Mr. Hillhouse's speech, against the new embargo bill.
"A storm seems to be gathering, which portends not a storm on the ocean, but domestic convulsions. However painful the task, a sense of duty calls upon me to raise my voice, and use my utmost exertions against the passing of this bill. I feel myself bound in conscience to declare, lest the blood of those who may fall in the execution of this measure, should be on my head, that I do consider this to be an act which directs a mortal blow at the liberties of my county--an act containing unconstitutional provisions--to which the people ARE NOT BOUND TO SUBMIT, and to which, in my opinion, they WILL NOT SUBMIT."
Boston.
Resolved, That we will not voluntarily aid or assist in the execution of the act passed on the 9th day of January, for enforcing the several embargo laws; and that all those who shall so assist in enforcing upon others the arbitrary and unconstitutional provisions of this act, ought to be considered as enemies to the constitution of the United States and of this state, and hostile to the liberties of the people.
Hadley, Massachusetts.
Resolved, That in our opinion a perseverance in that deadly hostility to commerce, which we believe derives its origin and its vigor from a deep-rooted jealousy of the eastern states, will inevitably lead to a dissolution of the Union. And though we most sincerely deprecate such an event, yet we cannot suppress our fears, that the time is at hand, when a separation of these states will be enforced by the most irresistible of all motives--SELF PRESERVATION.
At a meeting of the citizens of Newburyport and the towns adjacent, held at the court-house in Newburyport, on Friday, the 20th day of January, 1809. Resolved, That we consider the acts laying an embargo, and the several acts supplementary thereto, and more especially the last act, as unconstitutional, unjust and oppressive, and that we recommend that all legal steps be taken to prevent the execution of the same.
Resolved, That we will not aid or assist in the execution of the several embargo laws, especially the last, and that we consider all those who do, as violators of the constitution of the United States, and of this commonwealth; and that they be considered as unworthy of the confidence and esteem of their fellow-citizens.
Voted, That the subject of making compensation by subscription, to those who should, by a non-compliance with the last embargo law, suffer a loss, be re-committed, and that the committee report at the adjournment of this meeting.
From the Connecticut Herald.
Shall it be contended that STATES have not now the same right to resist, that Colonies had then?
They have the right and they will exercise it.
Portland Resolutions.
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Portland, duly notified, and holden on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 1809.
And because the respectful remonstrances of the people to the President and to Congress, have been treated with contempt, we will apply to the Legislature of our own state, and claim from them that security and protection, which we have sought in vain from the general government.
Therefore resolved, That the representatives of the town be instructed to present to the legislature of our parent state at their next session, and support the following petition.
At a meeting of citizens from different parts of the county of Lincoln, at the court-house in Warren, on the 10th day of January, 1809.
Resolved, That as we cannot reasonably expect relief from further application to our national rulers, our only hope, under Providence, is in the virtue and patriotism of the great body of our fellow-citizens, and in the wisdom and firmness of our state legislatures.
At a meeting of the citizens of the county of Columbia, on the 28th of January, 1809.
Resolved, That inspired with the same spirit of freedom and independence which distinguished our fathers, the citizens here present, do think that the provisions of this bill, are too oppressive, unconstitutional and despotick to be tolerated in a free country, and they therefore resolve--that it merits the firm and continued OPPOSITION of the people. And that its authors ought no longer to be entrusted with power.
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Gloucester, [Mass.] January 12th, 1809.
Resolved, That to our state government we look for council, protection and relief at this awful period of general calamity:--that as we have been educated in the principles of civil liberty, and from our cradles upwards have been taught to believe we were in a land of freedom, so we will never suffer our commerce and fisheries to be destroyed, nor surrender our precious liberties to a Despot, either foreign or domestic.
Resolved, That a committee of public safety, be appointed to watch over the interests of the town;--that they be empowered to suppress all disturbers of the peace, and notice every abuse offered by any individuals, or combination of men, patrolling our streets and wharves, having offensive weapons, either by night or day, to the annoyance and terror of the inhabitants; and have them apprehended and punished at the expense of the town; and that this committee be empowered to correspond with similar committees in other towns.
Resolved, That we will mutually watch and protect what little property we have still left--that we will use all lawful means "to arrest disturbers and breakers of the peace; or such others as may (under pretence of authority from government) go armed by night," or utter any menaces or threatening speeches, to the fear and terror of the good people of this town;--and that we will ever hold in abhorrence pimping spies and night-walkers, who strive to fatten on the spoils of their suffering fellow-citizens.
* Officers executing the embargo laws.
Return to:
Also see:
Right to Keep and Bear Arms -
2006 GunShowOnTheNet.com