The sentiments of the people of Massachu- |ple, mindful of what they owe to themselves, setts as well as of their legislature upon the their country and their God, to oppose, by subject of the war with Great Britain, have every peaceful and constitutional effort a war been so often expressed, that it is unnecessary thus declared and thus prosecuted. But with for the Senate to repeat their solemn convic- your Excellency "we are happy to observe tion of its injustice. Our national rulers, and that none of the measures of the general gothe world well know that the Sons of Massa-vernment have been opposed by violence, and chusetts, the legitimate descendants of those that no dangerous commotions have disgraced who achieved our independence and founded the people of this Commonwealth," and we the American Republic, are not regardless of trust our fellow-citizens will continue to mathe rights, the honour, or the interest of the na-nifest the same regard to order, and that they tion. They know full well, that in a just and will seek relief and safety in such manner necessary war, a war for the maintenance or only, as wisdom and justice shall dictate, and defence of either of these great objects, no sa- the constitution of our country will justify. crifice would be deemed too great, and no pri- But although we believe that peace may now vations intolerable. But in the prosecution of be attained, if sought in the spirit of cana war founded in falsehood, declared without | dor and reconciliation by our rulers," the renecessity, and whose real object was extent cent astonishing events in Europe have lessenof territory by unjust conquests, and to aid the ed our apprehensions of the probable conselate tyrant of Europe in his views of aggran-quences of the war. It may be a war of sufdisement, our rulers could expect no aid from fering and disgrace, but thanks to a merciful the people of this commonwealth, excepting|providence, it cannot terminate in our slavery only that which they had a strict " right by and subjugation. The arm of the mighty opthe Constitution to demand." The Senate pressor in whose casse our government seemagree with your Excellency that "the man-ed disposed to engage, is broken. Europe is ner of carrying on the war has had no tenden-delivered from thraldoin, and our liberties cy to satisfy us of its policy or its justice."-- ransomed from his grasp. The gigantic desDefeat, disgrace and disaster have marked its potisin which had nearly exterminated freeprogress on the land, and although the gallant dom from the earth, subverted the independachievements of our neglected navy, the offence of nations and desolated the world, is at spring of a better policy, and more auspicious times, have "plucked from the deep the drowning honour of our country," yet we can not forget the cause in which they are engaged, nor the cruel policy which has called for

such a sacrifice of blood at their hands.

length overwhelmed, and the empire of peace and order established on its ruins. Though we cannot foresee nor predict with certainty, the result of these mighty changes, yet wa cannot refrain from congratulating your Excellency and our country that the tremendous In addition to the enormous expenses which conflict which has so long spread havoc and have necessarily attended a war of invasion, carnage through the earth, is closed, and of we have witnessed a profligate expenditure joining the general voice of emancipated naof public money, the imposition of taxes,tions, in gratitude to him “ who ruleth among loans and exactions, equally oppressive to the the mighty and turneth headlong the council present and future generations. We have seen of the froward." the territories of unoffending provinces invad- The Senate will endeavour to keep in mind ed, whose inhabitants were connected with your Excellency's precepts, "to pursue a many of our citizens "by the ties of blood and disinterested and impartial course of conduct, the habits of friendship." The spirit of cu- and to guard the rights and interests of their pidity has extended its grasp to the "right-constituents with steadiness and fidelity." fut possessions of the Indian tribes," and a cruel war of extermination, at which humanity revolts, has been prosecuted against them. The rules which have heretofore regulated civilized nations, have in many instances, been abandoned and peaceful villages, in a most inclement season, have been wrapt in flames In Senate, June 8, 1814. by order of an American commander. A sysRead and accepted, and ordered that the tem of retaliation was adopted which tended same committee who reported it (hon. Messrs. o increase the ferocity of a war already too Davis, Mills and Parris) present the same to anguinary, and to call into action the vindic-his Excellency the Governor. ve passions of the contending parties. The wes of honourable men were exposed on both sles, to retaliate for a few unnaturalized Brith subjects, who had voluntarily entered ith the service of our government, and who wee taken in arms within the territory of thir country. In the opinion of the Senate, it inot only the right bid the duty of a peo

They have witnessed too much of the baleful influence of party, to suffer it to mislead them from the path of truth and duty, and they will most sincerely co-operate with your Excellency in every effort to restore to their country prosperity and peace.

SPEECH.

OF THE GOVEREOR OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

Gentlemen of the Senate, and

Gentlemen of the house of representatives,
Called, by the suffrages of my Fellow

and finding that the forts occupied by

Citizens to the office of Chief Executive
Magistrate for the ensuing year, I return the United States were very deficient

my sincere thanks for this repeated mark of their confidence with an assurance that such powers as I possess shall be exerted in promoting the public welfare.

in the rquisite number of men; on the 15th of April, I gave directions for raising one hundred men as watch and guard— since that time, in consequence of repeatAlmost two years have elapsed since ed causes and very urgent applications, war was declared by our National Govern-I consulted with the Council and ordered ment, and the citizens of our country have out five hundred of the militia, for defence been and are much divided in their opi- of the town and harbour. These orders nions upon the subject. How can those who conscientiously believe that neither preservation of honour or of our rights required it-who beleive that the war is highly injurious to the true interests of our country, give voluntary aid to attempts at foreign conquest?

While it is our duty to support the con<stitution of the United States and the laws emanating therefrom, we surely retain the right of giving, in a candid and decent manner, and with the view of promoting the public welfare, our opinions respecting rulers and their measures. If the time should come when we no longer enjoy this right, we shall cease to be a free people. Here then let us distinguish, we are probably as well united in support of our national constitution and in obedience to the laws, as could reasonably be expected, but let us never blend these with our right of opinion respecting men and measures.

were attended to with promptness honourable to those who were immediately concerned; and evinces, what I have always relied upon, a marked readiness in our militia for defending our own country.

1 rejoice that the Legislature are in session so soon after the transaction, and shall lay before you the papers relative thereto. that such provision may be made as you shall find necessary. To resort to detach ments was to me very unpleasant, but considering it as a duty it was unavoidable; and it is my ardent desire that arrangements may be made more congenial with the sentiments of our fellow citizens.

Whether the great blessing of peace to our country is near at hand or far off, I have no particular means by which to form an opinion. Should the war continue we may expect the enemy will endeavour to keep our seaboard in a state of alarm. It is highly reasonable to expect The same rule may apply to our state that our national government would progovernment. In giving opinions whether vide sufficient force to protect our frontiers with respect to the one or the other, a in all directions, rather than aim at foreign sacred regard to truth should be preserved; conquest; but if this is not done, the Lebut is it not to be deeply lamented that in gislature, as particular guardians of the many parts of our country scarcely an indi-State, will judge what is necessary for vidual can be found, in an important pub- them to do. lic office, or who is a candidate for such office, whatever may have been his character and conduct in life, who escapes the tongue and pen of slander.

By a dispensation of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe, particularly afflic tive to me in the death of a brother, there is a vacancy in the representation from If virtue is an indispensable requisite for this state, in the Senate of the United the support of a free republican govern-States which it will be necessary to supment, how long may it be expected that ply at this time. our institutions will last, if countenance is given to the vilest abuse of characters, merely for party purposes? Well might it be if our divisions should so far cease. The state of the treasury will be lail that all would unite in discountenancing before you, and you will determine wht such conduct and every man speak the further supplies may be necessary. truth to his neighbour.

I have received a letter from the Hon Samuel Smith, resigning his seat as member of congress

The state of our militia, at all times in

In consequence of repeated represen-portant to a free people, but particulaly tations from the inhaitants of the town so in time of war, will claim your attnof Portsmouth of the exposed situation tion. of the town and harbour, and their ap

Many are the duties of Legislators und prehensions of an attack from the enemy; magistrates, pointed out in the consitu