The Rhode Island American, And General Advertiser

Massachusetts Legislature.

This honourable body met at Boston on Wednesday last, and on Thursday his Excellency Governor Strong addressed them in a Speech, of which it is enough to say, that it is characteristic of the Statesman and Patriot who delivered it. We regret that we have room only for the following paragraphs:

"The right of fully investigating political subjects and freely expressing our sentiments in relation to them, is secured to us by our constitutions, and is essential to the publick safety and the preservation of a free government: Without the exercise of this right, the most oppressive laws would not be repealed, nor the most grievous abuses reformed: and whoever attempts to invalidate this privilege, whatever name he assumes, is not a friend to republican liberty."

"When the government of a nation engages in a war that is unjust or unnecessary, the people are bound, notwithstanding, to submit to the laws which are enacted agreeably to the constitution; and are justified in defending themselves against hostile invasion. If they do nothing more, the government alone is answerable for all the sufferings endured or inflicted. But though at the first view, almost every man is shocked with the idea of War; as violation of the obvious principles of humanity; yet there is danger that from the continuance of it- or from selfish considerations a sense of justice and the influence of moral principles will be lost among the people. In the tumult of arms, the passions of men are easily inflamed by artful misrepresentations - they are apt to lose sight of the origin of a contest and to forget, either in the triumph of victory or the mortification of defeat, that the whole weight of guilt and wretchedness occasioned by war, is chargeable upon that government which unreasonably begins the conflict, and upon those of its subjects who voluntarily and without legal obligation encourage and support it."

"The late act of the national government interdicting the trade coastwise between different parts of the same State, as well as between the States respectively, and with all foreign nations, contains provisions of such a character as makes it worthy of an inquiry, whether any measures can be properly adopted by this government, which would be likely to induce Congress to repeal them, or to amend them in such manner as to render their constitutionality less questionable."

"The friends of peace are accused of being under British influence; but their accusers ought to reflect whether partialities of an opposite kind have not produced the evils we suffer, and whether if our conduct towards both belligerents had been impartial, a war with either would have been thought necessary. We had assumed the character of a neutral nation; but had we not violated the duties imposed by that character? Had not every subject of complaint against one belligerent been amply displayed, and those against the other concealed or palliated? and had we not in the former case been remarkably sagacious in discovering insults, and equally solicitous in the latter to keep them out of sight? It has indeed been suggested that we had no connexion with France in regard to the present war: But when England and France were engaged in a most arduous struggle, and we interfered and assaulted one of them, will any man doubt our intention to assist the other? Some connexion seems also to be implied in the proposal which was made by the French Emperor, that the Court of Prague should be composed of Plenipotentiaries from France, the United States, Denmark and the other allied Princes on the one hand; and the Plenipotentiaries of England, Russia, Prussia and their allies on the other."

The Honourable Mr. Otis, the beloved and revered patriot, who reminds us that the same blood which warmed the breast of his illustrious uncle, still flows in his bosom, has, it is said, moved in the House of Representatives, the following Resolve, after a suitable preamble;

"Resolved, That it will be the duty of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to aid the Governor and people of the State of Vermont, or of any other State with their whole power, in enabling them to support their constitutional rights, whenever the same shall be in danger of infringement from any quarter, and that it will be the duty of the Legislature, whenever requested by the Legislature of Vermont, or of any other State, upon evidence of such infringement of constitutional rights, to make provision for their effectual support."

With such a man, such a morning star to lead and direct us as Governor Strong, and such a pillar of fire to encourage and enlighten us as Otis- with such a constellation of virtuous, firm and enlightened patriots as New-England can boast, exceeding both in number and talents the sages of 1775, what have we to fear, except from our own supineness?