The Portland Gazette

MR. SHIRLEY.—I was not a little surprised to see by an extract in your last paper, that the New-Hampshire papers have nominated Alexander Rice, Esq. as a representative to Congress, for a congressional district in this State. I suppose then the county of York is again to be inundated with New-Hampshire papers, distributed gratis, as has been done on a recent occasion, not much to the credit of their candidate, or his party. It is to be wished that the people of Portsmouth and its vicinity, would confine their limited views to the concerns of their own State, without imposing candidates upon others, or interfering with the elections of a neighboring district.

Whatever may be their opinion of the private character of Major Rice, however strong his claims to support from federalists, very few here think him a suitable person for a representative to Congress: and it is certainly with an ill grace that his friends can call on the republicans of this county to support his nomination. Even admitting him qualified, he would more properly represent a district in the State of New Hampshire, than of the county of York. True it may be said, that he resides within the limits of the latter, but will he, on that account, better represent its feelings and its interests in the national council? The same might be said of a man whose dwelling happens to be within the limits of Buxton or Parsonsfield, but his property and his interest is here, his friends and his intercourse is with the people of this district. He then certainly would better represent this district, than the district of Oxford, within whose limits he happens to reside.

But is it to be supposed that the republicans have forgotten the secret (not open and manly) opposition of Major Rice to the independence of Maine; and in order to prevent votes in favor of separation, either got up, or joined in an idle pretence, of annexing the county of York to New-Hampshire, the very State where his business and interest are, and of which, if elected, he will be a Representative? Have they forgotten certain opposition to a late Senatorial nomination in the county? Were not federalists called upon to aid in bringing to disrepute a nomination, made, not in Portsmouth, but by the united voice of this county? Did not certain people join with federalists, and hold a secret caucus in an obscure corner of the town where Major Rice resides, to put in nomination the man, who in a very large committee from all the towns in a convention of the whole county, could obtain only one vote? Did they not join with federalists, and attempt to place him in the council of our State, when it was well known, that 12 out of 19, the republican delegation of the whole county, were in favor of a war worn veteran who, to say the least, is as well qualified, and not less deserving of confidence?

Without calling into question the impropriety of voting for a man merely because it will gratify the people of New Hampshire, or because he has been nominated by a caucus got up through the agency of a few of his connections & dependants in the towns of Kittery and Eliot—we would ask, if it is to be expected that the people will support, one whose local situation is such, that he seldom sees, or even if he knew the wants of his constituents, has not the ability to represent them with credit to them or honor to the State. We would inquire if a candidate cannot be selected from among us, who, without sectional views or party considerations, would represent the interests of the whole district, and who, if elected, would be something more than probably is required for a representative of Portsmouth—a mere cypher in the Legislature.

A REPUBLICAN