Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., July 06, 1812, Image 1

About Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818

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PORTLAND GAZETTE,
PORT1.AMD, PUBLISHED B T ARTHUR SHIPLKY_Mo, 7, BXCHAMOE-S'lRKET.
No. 13, of t'ol. AT.]
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1812.
in ho: No 74i.
Br Hu Excilienct
CALEB STKONG, F.fq.
GOVERNOR OF THE COMMON
WE.4I.TH OF MASSACHUSETTS,
A DAT OF PUBLIC FASTING, HU
MILIATION AND PRATER.
WHEREAS it has pleafed the Al
mighty Ruler of the world in hi*,
righteous Providence to permit us to ^
be engaged in war againit the nation
from which we are descended, and j
which for many generations has ;
been the bulwark of the Religion we
profefs : —And whereas by this aw
ful and alarming change in our cir
cuit (lances the People of this Com- j
monwealth are in a peculiar manner
expofed to perfonal fullering, and the
lofs of-a great proportian of cheii fub
ftanctj -It becomes us, in imitation
of our fathers, in their times of per
plexity and danger, with deep repen
tance to humble ourfelves before
Him for our lins, and the ungrateful
returns we have made to Him for
His mercies :—To aferibe righteouf
nefs to our Maker, when He threat
ens us with the moft fevere of all ]
temporal calamities, and to sefeeca i
Him to avert the tokens of his anger, !
and remember for us His former lov
ing kindnefs and tender mercy.
I do therefore by aod with the ad
vice and confent of the Council, and
at the requell of the Houfc of Rep
refentatives, appoint THURSO\Y, j
the twenty third day oj July next, to be
obferved by the People of this State,
as a day of Failing, Humiliation and
Prayer, that with penitent hearts we
may alienable in our places of public
Vorlhip, and unite in humble fuppli
cations to the God of our Fathers,
who was their defence In danger, and
to whom they never fought in vain ;
add befeech Him, through the merits
of His Son, that he would forgive
our ingratitude, and the innumerable
. tranfgre/fions of which we have been
gdilty :—1'hat He would give vvif
dom, integrity and patriotism to our
national and S»ate governments, that
the leaders of the people may not
caufe them to err :— That He would
infpire the Prelident and Congrcfs,
and the Government of Great Bri
tain, with jufl and pacific fentiments j
that He would humble the pride and
lubUue the lull and pafiions of men,
from whence Wars proceed, and that
Peace may fpeediiy be reftored to us,
upon fafe and equitable terms.
That He would gaa;d the lives cf
our Soldiers and Mariners, and pro
tect our commerce and navigation
from the dangers with which they
are encompatfed ; that He would
preferve us from intelline violence
and foreign invaiion : That He would
diipofe the people of thefe States to
do juftice to the Indian Tribes, to en
lighten and not to exterminate them ;
and that he would protect our fron
tier fcttlements from their ravages :
—-1 hat ils w*. uid preferve us from
entangling and fatal alliance with
thofe governments which are hoftile
to the lafety and happinefs of man
kind :—1'hat He would regard with
tender companion the nation* whole
m *il clTcntial rights have been wref
ted from them by fraud and violence,
and who are groaning under the cru
el hand of Op predion, and that He
would break in pieces the power of
the opprtfTor, and fcatter the people
that delight in war :—
1 hat the Inhabitants o;‘ this State
may be*the obj '&j of ilis p culiarfa*
voi :—l'hat He would take them un- j
der His holy protection, and hide
them in His pavilion until th .ie ca
lamities be o.erpalt •—Thai rSe chaf
tilcmcnts w ith which He may think
proper to afflick us, m*y ferve to
humble us, and do us good ; and that
we may not be like thole who are har- j
dened by His corrections, and who
in the time ot their trouble multiply
their tranfgrefiiun* agaiuft him -
'i hat He wouid fu us from the bale
ful influence of part; fpuir, and that
whatever enemies may • ue up again ik
us from, abr a- we lay have peace
and mutual comidcnce among our
feives,and know* by experience, how
pleafant it is for brethren to dwell to
gether in unity:
That He would accompli Hi the
promifes of His mercy concerning i
the future repofe and profperity of
the human race, when men (hall beat ;
their fwerds into ploughlhares, and
learn w ar no more *, when framd and
violence (hall ceafe forever, and rign- !
teoufnefs and peace prevail through
the earth l when the Kingdom of the
Redeemer (hall triumph over all op
po(ition,and the Heathen (hail be gi
ven Him for His inheritance ; and
when the earth (hall be full of the
knowledge of the Lord as the waters
cover the fea.
And the people are requefted to
abftain from unnecefiary labor and
recreation on faid day.
Given at the Council Chamber in
Bolton, this twenty fixth day cf
June, in the year of Our Lord ()ne
thoufand eight hundred and twelve,
and in the thirty fixth year of the
Independence of the United States
of America.
CALEB STRONG.
By his Excellency s Command, with ,
the advice and confent of the Council.
ALDEN BRADFORD, Secy.
Goo five thi Commonwealth of M^dachu
ft. u«.
iponitor.No. LXXVII.
-.” Let those deplore their doom
" Whose hopes siill ovel tn this dark sojourn ;
“ Hut iofiy souls who took beyond the tomb,
** Cun smite at Jute, and wonder why they
nwuin
Sorrow ami sighing, dangers and distress
es, perplexities and pains ate often in this
world the reward of persons of the most
immaculate virtue; And why is this ?
Doubtless for two special reasons—to lake
oil their affections from sensible objects,
making them live lives of faith and thus pre- ,
paring them tor the full enjoyment ofheaven *
a.iu to tcacti idem more I ucibly tins truth
that there is a s ate of existence beyond the
grave where proper distinctions 'will be
made between him who serves God, and
him who serves him not. This latter con
sideration is a source of great consolation to
real Christians in the comae of their tire
some pilgrimage. They are often in doubt
of their own interest in the promises, but
of.n r tn trouble because of the profanation
o: Gods name and word, and the contempt
showii him by those around them Their
feehugs on ttus account at e like those of the
Fsal.nut—4* Uivers of waters run down my
eyes because they keep not thy law.”
He ce they greatly rejoice in the prospect of
a state where sin Cutt find no entrance—
where pollution and defilement of every kind
will be wholly purged aw*>, nut only from
mein own souls, but from the s..uls of every
gtonti d inhabitant. “ O glorious hour! O
blent abode, I dull be near and like my God.”
Hence the afflictions which they may be
Called to endure seem but light and not wor
thy to be cs in pared with the glory to be
he.ealte. r* vealed ; l ie itself dwindles to a
point—the world shrinks mto nothing, and
they long tod**, art and be wiili Christ which
is tar better. Like the believing Israelites
o.v the farlt.cr side Jordan they ejorcu at
i die near approach of death. I.ik them, at
the commit.d of Q d they readily oceedto
t!ie bank feai ol the tempest >aring a
round them. *iie great heap ol raters on
| the right hand and on iue left s m btu as
• waits lor tlieir detente—The gr; • to them
1 .sea all its terrois, and appears more like
S “ the gate of paradise resto. td,” the “ gnm
m sseuger’’ like an attendant angel, and a
ttnd the .uuggles ot’dissolving nature Cat
ctiieg a glmipoa ot .lie ncuveidy cou.ia.ry they
1 can s»y with the poet
“ Vicrt istie | vge, short the space
•* Between my homo and me,
** i here, '.lieit bt’i <1 the radiant place,
“ H* w n ar tut* «t» n tuns be :
** Immortal wonders, boundless thing*,
“ In l iuisit; dear vv*»; >da a, pear,
** Ur iel bear me on uiy wings,
** A:ii mount my spirit the e.”
Are such the prospects, and is such the
d'-ath vt believers ? Tncn who would not
wiiii u die the tit t • of the righteous ! Be. ]
lev a he i emcInhered that we. must tive their J
Iocs i! we wuulu participate in thei. joys.
Tit.' unholy and pioUne, the it-uhles.-; *na un
bolt*. v;ng, with every thing which difiteih
and makeih a he v* al* be turned in sonow a
way, whtkt tlitt j.Uic in heart anti llmsc only j
will be admitted to the lull enjoyment of!
those glories which eye hath n»u seen,
wuich ear hath not heard, and of which it
hath noi ente.ed into tue hemt ol man to
conceive."
f »** <•.•!». - Hi — | ■-- --- -• 11ll ■ —■
iftnttttsttng political ipi&dtanv.
roa mt uruand cazitie. j
WAR. ;
We have long been an* illy awaiting the
event » on Congressional deiiberati *ns, w
h ve scmetime* cooly dej1 cored w *r, bu'
Jk. hun$ tew oi us have really anticipated
its approach. Tlie dismay depicted on eve
ry cvun.en.* nee, tlie dismal apprehensions
every where expressed, demonstrate, that •
even the most sanguine among us %lici not
expect so bav y * call to pLee thei hands
u on the sword B‘ the decree has gone
I- *" h. VV e have iloi. with conjectures and
hopes.
At such a crisis, when not only our pros
perity and security. I ut even our indcpcn- j
deuce as *n-ti»n and our existence as a tree i
people are *t st kt. every American, who is j
worthy of hi* ancestor*, will share the gen
eral anxiety, «!id take part in ths general 1
exer’ions. if he feels injury or insult to i
provoke hint to war, lie will be handling the j
sword and hurrying to the field ; if he feels !
but little of wrong, and see’s perdition he
tore him in the path towaid* vengeance, he
will I'Jtti'e ere he proceeds, and caution his
countrymen to beware of the precipice they
are approaching. If we are drawing upon
ourselves the vengeance of the only power
which can injure us ; if we are baring our
bosoms and spreading our arms to an inside
ous and bloody usurper ,• 19 he faithful to
himself or his country, who does not even
raise his voice to avert the blow ! It is in
vain to urge, that argumentative opposition
to administration is defeating its measures ;
and to Construe such opposition into rebell
ion is controverting the fundamental princi
ple of a free government. The majority is
our political sovereign, and to that our hands
and our arms shall be obedient j but our sen.
laments are free, and that magistrate, or
that subject, who would suile-tliem in oui
hieuSta, is invading our unalienable rights,
those fights winch every citizen's sworu
may legally defend. In die ueia ot arms,
we will implicitly ubey our ruler# ; we will
be tbe first on our posts, *nd the last to re
tire i but in he held of argument we will
martial all our forces against them, and c*n
we vauqus ii, they su .il retreat or perish
It is a bold defiance, but honor, which al
ways av< w its designs, and our national
omspeii y now at h /aid, demand die dec
laration it very vehicle of public or , rivate
sentiment should be rtu.de the mean# of
communicating to cur rulers die information,
that we are not disposed lo war- If they
; have expected our concurrence in such a
measure, they should be hastily undecei
ved j if they have h >pcd to lerrily us into
silent acquiescence, they should learn from
every sourse, which can inform them, that
we are rationally firm. Every newspaper
throughout the union should echo in a manly
tone the sentiments of its supporters*
The reasons we have on points of honor to
make war wuh Grcat-ii; ituin, the import
i mice of that nominal respect for our rights,
i in which it is said the has been out-done by
France, her obstinacy in adhering to her or
ders, to this injury of our ccmmeice, are
subjects which have been ably and atuu
dandy J.scussed, and here would be untune
ly uiu uniuteresitng. Reasoning of sucli &
nature has little eiiect on community in gen
eral, for it is seldom comprehended and nev
er duly appreciated. Our people, tree in
their opinions as in their pursuits, will form
judgments for themselves, and f.om con
sidcraiions, of which they can estimate the
importance. Every man perceives the dif
ieience between *n occasional loss of * debt
! by an unfortunate merchant, and a total pn
i vat ion of market for his produce; betwien
; being sometimes plundered ol a ventuie at
' sea, and being at once cut off irom half hi*
j wealth and all Ida employment: and seeing
j these, does any man deliberate on a choice
between them ? Out* merchants do not—
' on. farmers do not, and they regard the re
I ceut inc.^ure of government as a death blow
j to their prosperity, ami even a threat to their
i subs.stence.
i The argument grounded on ihe value ot
national dignity is certainly important, and
wdl be duly appreciated wherever it is ap
plicaole. Bui who does not know, that to
fig in. for honor, and come oft’ with shame ii
tlie most effectual uisgiace ? Event has
demonstrated, that these considerations of
profit and pride can now produce but little
effect on our people. They do not expect
the gain and have hardly felt the insult.—
But will it produce no eflect to lead them to
xhe vcige of the precipice before them, and
point out the bloody and disastrous scene
<die.idv in view? to show them the vortex,
■ winch has engulf’d every republic on earth,
I mil is even now under their feet ? We
! wou'd not advert to the common calamities
of war, famine, bloodshed, plunder, and
bat rungs ; lo many among us4 memuiy will
rccal bach scenes with every emotion of an
guish anil dismay. O her dangets await us,
10 avoid which we would cheerfully endure
far greater than these
The violence of our political animosities
1 Uus long been increasing ; the hi each be
tween jarr mg interests in our country has
tong been widening ; pertinacity andp eju
dice have opposedawong barriers to lecou
ciliatioil \Y c. have already heard whispers
oi resistance, and m;nna >vu» >..1 a auongcr
arm than reason's to silence opposition. vfe
would touch lightly o» so daiigeruu* a sub
ject av the possibility ofa civil war. i>h*uirki
so hideous a Spirit Le lurking in our coun
try , we would nuteven stir a bi euta to arouse
the on.user, iiui when the possession of
actual lurce lias heightened the u s< ience cl ,
iw pa.iy, and the je-t< u-y of tuc o-lier ■, \
when presume of vexes, uhal sugr.itsun of j
business, incessant calls I r sOukcs l.»ve
exhausted the pa'ience oi the o^jyro.eia of
war ; wh< n the da gcr of d. g act t il .»»U
rninou alliance, and (Its, air ol ob aiuiug ie
lief by gentle means have driiVu if m o iu
ry, haVv wc not reason to fear, that their pre
en animosities w.ll kindle to a fl.ine, and
lost dime rage to a Conflagration l The
designs of our government we cannot fathom.
\Vc c*n only s»y, actual usurpation alone
ought mi to excite even a though, of resis
tance. From that, may Heaven dtt nd us : '
under that may Heaven strengthen us The
bare idea is loo bond to cherish.
But the calamity consequent to w*r, moat
of alt to be d.eadcd, and least iik iy to be a
voided, is alliance with France I i e mi. ,
men*. we are the foes of GreatBr; »m, *.ve
become the associates ot her enemy. Our
fleets will tight together on the ocean, they
w ill ha: bour together on our short s
Mere, A met mans be conjured by every
sen irot nt of patriotism, by every drop of
blood, which yuur fa the is have shed for
' our I rule p. mlcSK'e, to ponder well the cun- j
sequences of such « measure. Are you
willing vo trust yourselves in the aims of
that tyrant, whose Inend ship h** blasted *1
most every nation in Europe: Who has
waged incessant war with cve.y sj aik of
freedom among his own people, and every,
appearance of independence in other* } the j
avowed enemy of all but bis abettors i (J.r.
you i>e blind to the debasement, and deaf io *
the g.oamngs ef the couunes, which aie
suffering under his protection? luly, Swit
Zetland, Holland, call o )Ou fom their
graves, aid, invoices like the summons ol
death, c u i n y u, to ev»re of that c uel
man, whose perfidy fu» destroycu them 1
Pursue your present course, of mer.sures
and you wdl meet their destiny* You wifi,
soon see French influence dictating in ycui ;
councils, French ai ms silencing your nun *
mers of discontent, French conscriptions
taring y >ur children from ><>ur bosoms,;
French systems ol exclusion tuning all the !
sinews of your w alth, and you will short!)
find yourselves need), servile, and wrt tcheu
muted. Be prudent >n )r.ur measures, out
beware how y< ur siieuce entails on vour mt
mory the b. t cu sesof posterity.
1 • • w • •
PhlL: Feeling.
providence, junk 26—On Wed
nesday evening last the President’s
Proclamation was received in this town.
I he bells of the several houses of wor
ship tolled during the greater part ot
yestciduy, the shops and stores were
generally shut, and the digs of the ship -1
ping at the wharves, as well as that on
the Great Bridge, were displaced at
half-mast Every thing wore the as
pect of mourning, expressing the feel
ings ot our citizens upon the great na
tional calamity which has befallen us.
liar is declared by Congress /
An unholy and unjust War made on
the side of Bonaparte—against the only
earthly power which stands between
tliii tyrant and universal dominion.
Is it possible the sons of pious heemen
cun unite in an offensive war against
that country which is the only place of
retuge in Europe for the Christian reli
gion and lational liberty—Can the -nin
istcis ot Christ ask a blessing on our
arms when raised in the cause oi Infidel
France ! tor it is France alone that is 10
be the gumor by this war—America
can gain nothing, but m.»y and proba
biy will lose every thing. buppuse
Canada is conquered, it will be conquer
ed lor Bonaparte, and surrendered to
him by those wno call refuse him noth
ing which he demands—Suppose the
sea could be conquered, it would be for
a despot, whose little finger is heavier
than the loins of its piesent maste ; and
is it possible we are to be at war with
that nation, in which, with all its sins,
is found more of the real blessings, the
hopes and comforts of mankind, than
can be found in all the old world beside 1
It cannot be ! Such an unrighteous war
will not have the wishes or the prayers
of New-England ; no honest man can
raise his voice or his hand in its sup
port* The laws must be obeyed, it is
true, but no voluntary aid will any man
contribute to this unholy cause. This
is not the language of party or of pas
sion ; the wi iter does not speak his own
opinion, merely ; he has conversed
with the aged, the wise, the aoiier, the
iciiecting, ttie pious men among us,
and he finds this is their language ; it
i is tiie language of honest patriotism;
and it must be the language of the
whole community, or we b come the
willing slaves of an inexorable tyrant.
I honor Mr. Randolph for his manly
spirit, and ent.eat my fellow-citizens to
read his speech, and suy ii the people
! are bound to support a war originating,
I us this dots, in a subserviency to France
— N’o, wc cannot support it ; it is eve*
ry man’s duty to spe-k aloud against it
i in his house, in the street, and in the
public assembly ol the people, and by
this means pioduce such a unanimity
and fi'mness, suen a confidence in cur
righteous cause, ;*s shah enable us to e-,
lett new rulers who shall save the na
tion b) a change ol its measures.
jlfassac/ii sett legislature.
Hqutt of He/iresenta h es} June 26.
An order from the Senate calling on
the Hon. Messrs Otis and Bigelow to f
lay before the Legislature copies of all!
such letters slid papers by them trails-j
mitu d to any persons in pursuance ol
the resolutions passed by both houses
of the Legislature on the 14th Feb
1609, requesting these gentlemen (the
3nc thta Pfevident ot the Senate, and
die other H»>e k£r ot the House) to
transmit copies ot said rwduttons to
Lhe Ce^iata.ures of such oihtr of tf e
Slates «s should concur tvi,h them in
measures similar to those contcni,:' it A
by said resolutions ; and also topi r
of all papers, answers, and corre^pon*
tierce ever leceivcd by them, or either
of tut it) * in relation to the object for
which tney’vvere tppom:ed, was ectiv
ed, read, and committed to Messrs*
Mills, Putnam, Russell, Webb, aid
Merrill.
The preamble to this order iutimia*
ted that Messrs. Otis and Bigtiow \ve»^
concerned with John Henry in Iris
pretended plot to dismember the U«
nion
A Resolve was passed requesting
the Governor, with advice of Council,
to appoint a day ol Public Fasting and
Prayer, on account of the aspect of the
times, and in conformity to the usige
of our pion - > .fathers.—Another re
solve autho; if ..; the Governor to em*
ploy vessels to notify shipping on the
coast of the War; and another to allow
such of the militia as the Gov rnor
may have occasion to embody for the
defence of the State, ten dollars per
month wages
ODDNESS TO THE PEOPLE.
1 he CnmmiUet on the Message of
the Governor covering the Dcclaru.ion
of liar, repotted an AUDREYS O
i HE PEOPLE of the Common
wealth, disapproving of the War. It
is a dignified, eloquent and constitution
al State Paper. This report was de
bated until 3 o’clock when it pass
Yeas, 165}
Nay,, 56 i 105'
Ten thousand copies were then order*
ed to be printed and distributed.
SATURDAY, JUNE 2?.
The Committee to whom wu» refer,
red the order yesterday received from
the Senate, calling on Messrs. Otis and
Bigelow for copies ol corrtsponduic *,
txc reported a concurrence with tl «
Senate so far as to call for the cor re *
pondence. They also, in their report
express their surprise .t the very ex*
tuoi dinary coin sc pursued by the Sen*
ate on this subject ; refute the slander ^
and express disapprobation of the cen
sure and reproach which the Senate in
tended upon the lute Hon President of
that branch, and the Speaker of the
House. The committee aLo reported
resolutions approbatory of ti e conduct
of the Legisiatui*t»&f 1608, and of the
conduct and character of Messrs. Otis
and Bigelow — l hese gentle men lutd
before the Legislature all the correspon
dence wd.ich they held iw pursuance of
the above resolve, which were a letter
from the Governor of Connecticut, and
another from the Governor of Rhode
Islandj severally acknowledging the re
ceipt of the account of the proceedings
of our Legislature, and transmitting ac
counts of the proceedings of those
States respectively 1 ! 1 This report
and all the documents referred to in it,
i were ordered to be printed
After this report was accepted, Mr.
Cannon laid a motion on the table, to
print ten thousand copies of Washing
ton’s farewell address, and distribute
them among the people, prefacing Ids
motion by insinuations that the time
was at hand when ambitions and disaf
fected men would attempt to dissolve
the Union ; and pretending to wish that
the opinions of Washington on that
subject might be extensively diffused.
\ It was objected to the adoption of Mr.
C’s motion, that an edition of the fare
, well address had lately been printed,
and tnat a great number of copies were
now in the Secretary’s office for dis
tribution ; that it was printed in school
books, and in every edition of the laws
of the Commonwealth, and w as univer
sally in the hands of the people, old
and young, (with the exception, per
haps, of the people ot Nantucket, where
Mr. C. said they lad no schools, and
very Lw of this address) — i hat the cb.
ject of his motion must be to txti e
sus icions among the people, that there
was a design to dissolve the Union, and,
by exciting suspicions, to lender indi
viduals obnoxious : that it was ah at
tempt to effect, in another way, the pur
pose which the Senate had so meanly
ahd disgracefully endeavoured to effect
by their order cf last evening, respect
ing Messrs. C)tis ami Bigelow.
At five o\lock P. M.the Legislature
was prorogued *o CD*** r • xt