The New Hampshire Gazette

Massachusetts Legislature.

HOUSE—Wednesday, June 1.

Messrs. Leonard, Kinney and Brown, were appointed committee to take into consideration the situation of the Penobscot Indians, particularly as respect the preservation of their property, and an equal participation of the money granted by Government for paying a Roman Catholic Priest for instructing them in the duties of religion.

The House proceeded by ballot to the choice of a committee to be joined by the Hon. Senate, to take into consideration the Commonwealth's property in the District of Maine, to enquire whether the conditions and agreements entered into by the purchasers, have been fulfilled; to report their opinion, whether the sales of those lands ought to be opened, and to point out a mode for the preservation of masts- and other timber growing on the Commonwealth's land. Messrs. Lewis of G. Ely of S. and M'Lellan, were chosen.

The committee to whom was referred the Speech of His Excellency the Governor, reported an answer, which was read and accepted, and the same committee appointed to present it.

ANSWER OF THE HOUSE.

May it please your Excellency,

THE House of Representatives receive your Speech, with all the deference and attachment due to your character. Your re-election as our Chief Magistrate, evinces the discernment of our fellow-citizens, and is a just tribute to your talents and virtues.

We possess entire confidence, that you will cheerfully concur in every prudent and salutary measure for the advancement of their interest, and the improvement of their minds in wisdom and virtue.

We are deeply and solemnly impressed with the importance of rendering the judicial department, as independent, as the lot of humanity and the state of society, will admit. The evils which arise from temporary grants, and which are increasing, from their repetition, will, unless speedily remedied, break down that essential branch of our government, which is a barrier against unlimited disorder.

With these sentiments, the House of Representatives will occupy themselves on this subject, and they will endeavor to place the impartial administration of justice, on the independent basis, established in the language and by the spirit of our Constitution.

The views and habits of our citizens, for a long period, have induced those laws and regulations, which have conferred on our Militia its present elevated reputation. But if, upon a revision, it should be found that further measures are necessary to render the system more perfect, we will promptly adopt them. The preservation of all that is valuable to man in a State of society, indispensably requires that our government Should possess such arrangements and force, as should be adequate to meet and controul those convulsive events to which all communities are liable.

It is the ardent love of Country, inherent in native breasts, cherished by valour, and braced by military art and science, that buoys a nation above all apprehensions of the consequences of asserting its rights, or braving the attempts or assumption of internal or external enemies.

It affords us therefore great satisfaction to learn, that the Executive of the United States, is endeavoring to rouse a national spirit of defence, and we cannot doubt, but that the general government will provide and organize every mean for the security and protection of our property, and of our honor, at home and abroad.

Our citizens well know, by the experience of the operations of our excellent Constitution, how to appreciate true happiness. Ages have passed of which history has had cognizance, and time will continue to unroll its destinies, subject to the future observation of man; but it may be fairly questioned, whether any People have existed, or will probably exist, in a state or society more perfectly in possession of the protection of personal liberty, and the honest acquisition and enjoyment of property, than the Citizens of this Commonwealth. It will, therefore, be the duty of the members of the Government, to take every measure, in their power, and by their example to encourage a love of order and respect for the laws, and to remove all grounds of misunderstanding among their fellow-citizens, So that their present happy condition be continued unimpaired, and progressing in improvement.

Any further communications from your Excellency, will be received with the attention due to so respectable a source,

Thursday, June 2.

A report of a committee appointed to adjust the line between Berwick and Sanford, was accepted.

Saturday, June 4.

The Secretary came in and delivered the following Message, from His Excellency the Governor :—

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,

I Have directed the Secretary to lay before you a statement of the Treasury, on the first day of June, inst. which I have this day received from the Treasurer, and also the report of the proceedings of the Committee appointed by a resolve of the General Court, to make sale of the Commonwealth's part of the Old State-House.

CALEB STRONG.

Council Chamber, June 4.

IN SENATE—June 3, 1803.

THE following answer to the Governor's Speech was agreed to, and the Committee which reported it, was directed to present it to His Excellency :—

ANSWER OF THE SENATE.

May it please your Excellency,

THE Senate of Massachusetts take this opportunity to present their congratulation on your late honourable re-election to the first Executive Office of this Commonwealth, by the voluntary suffrages of your fellow-citizens.

Entering upon the Legislative duties of the year, we accept, with satisfaction, the assurance of your cheerful concurrence in every prudent and salutary measure of Legislation; and, in return, we beg your Excellency to be assured, on our part, of all that respect, support and confidence, which are due to the elected Chief Magistrate of a free people.

The protection of property, the security of personal liberty, the support of government, and the improvement of our public institutions, will, according to your Excellency's recommendation, employ our deliberate attention.

An equal administration of justice is an object of primary importance. With a view to so desirable an end, our Constitution has wisely provided, that the justices of the Supreme Judicial Court, shall hold their offices during good behaviour, and that permanent and honourable salaries shall be established for their support: We, therefore, unite, in the opinion, that their salaries, whatever may be deemed the seasonable amount thereof, ought to be permanent and honourable, and established by standing laws.

We receive with pleasure, your Excellency's Communication of the Letter of the President of the United States, written at the request of the House of Representatives, for the purpose of stimulating the exertions of the State Government, to carry into effect the National Militia System, in order to be seasonably prepared for a vigorous defence of our country, if unfortunately, occasion should require :—And although Peace with all nations, on honourable terms, is the wish and the interest of the United States; yet, as your Excellency justly observes, it will always be necessary for us to cultivate the Military Art; not to enable us to engage in wars of ambition or revenge; but for self-defence, and the necessary vindication of our rights. The present respectable condition of the Militia of Massachusetts, is justly a subject of congratulation. Any additional measures to render this important institution still more effectual, will be readily adopted by the Senate.

The course pursued by your Excellency, in execution of the Resolve of the 22d: of June last, on the object of the Powder Magazine, is perfectly agreeable to the Senate.

Impressed with a sense of the evils of a large public debt, and the sound policy of a gradual, yet speedy extinguishment thereof. the Senate concur with your Excellency, in the hope that, upon comparing the lands and resources of the State, with the necessary public expences, it will be found that provision may be made for a payment of a part of the remaining debt of this Commonwealth, in the course of the present year, without embarrassing the Treasury.

Any Communications, which your Excellency may think proper to make, will command our particular attention.

With your Excellency, the Senate re-cognize the duty of every citizen, in consideration of the equal rights secured by our Constitutions, to contribute, in his appropriate sphere of action, to the public good. The individual members of Government, and all who are placed in influential Situations; are under peculiar obligation to encourage by precept and example, the practice of social, political and religious duties; to remove the grounds of popular discord and discontent; to promote a love of order, obedience to the laws, and respect for the constituted authorities of the National and State Governments; to restrain the rage of parties, and tranquilize the public mind.