Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

Portland:
Monday, December 7, 1812.

FROM CONGRESS.

We have nothing later than was contained in last paper. They appear to be racking their brains to discover the best method for killing time until the pending Presidential election is ascertained. To this end they meet and adjourn from day to day, under pretence that the Committees have not digested their plans. As the fate of this all-important election will be decided in the course of a few days, we shall soon have a legislative view of the policy which our Solomons mean to pursue. It will be seen by something very unlike a speech, on our first page, that the Honorable Mr. Widgery has, as usual, come forward to advocate the Virginia unslave holding policy—not only this, but he has had the folly and impudence to advocate and recommend the passage of a law to absolve all obligations natural and moral, due from minors to their parents, guardians and masters. We never could have thought a principle so monstrous, so destructive to the best interests of the farmer and mechanic, and society in general, would have found a single advocate among the representatives of the freemen of the east. But so it is—and William Widgery is the man, who offers to sell three years of the most useful services of apprentice minors and children to the highest bidder, and put the money into their pockets as a reward for their corruption and disobedience. Can a man be found (of any political party, even among those who were the instruments of his exaltation, who does not most cordially detest the principle upheld and advocated by this same Mr. W.? We say with confidence, not one. And he may now go out of office with the sweet consolation, that he has the universal detestation of all virtuous and upright men. His moral and political honesty have undergone the last test. An age of penitence, in merited obscurity, will not be a sufficient atonement for the wounds he has inflicted on the best feelings of parents, guardians and freemen. The speech of the upright and patriotic Quincy, is admired and applauded by all. It is his last political legacy to his constituents and his country—may it be universally read and never forgotten.