Gazette Of The United States And Daily Evening Advertiser

MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

In SENATE, June 17th, 1794.

ORDERED, That Benjamin Austin jun. Samuel Fowler, and Theophilus Bradbury, Esq'rs. be a Committee to wait on his Excellency the Governor with the following answer to his Excellency's Speech at the opening of the Session.

SAMUEL PHILLIPS, President

May it please your Excellency,

THE Senate participate with you the satisfaction you express in the continuance to the citizens of this Commonwealth, of that important portion of their sovereignty, the right of choosing such persons as they judge best qualified to administer their public affairs. In the free exercise of this right, they have elected you to be Governor of this Commonwealth, and thereby given to you, and the world, new proof of their approbation of your past conduct, and of their confidence in your continued exertions for their happiness. On this event we beg your Excellency to accept our congratulations.

We join with you in sentiment, that the present period is critical. It is a period in the affairs of our country in which we cannot but consider the most disinterested union and exertions of all her friends peculiarly important.

While the government of the union have justly considered the United States as a neutral power, and while from the strict observance of such neutrality towards the belligerent powers, we were entitled to all the rights of a neutral nation, it is painful to observe, that our commerce has been repeatedly interrupted, our property to a large amount seized and condemned, our Flag insulted, and our seamen abused by some of the combined powers, especially the British nation, in open violation of the laws of nations, and without any just provocation whatever.

Had the United States retaliated such conduct by immediate reprisals, such retaliation would have been justifiable by the laws and usages of nations ; and the measures they have steadily pursued to preserve peace, and to prevent the further extension of the calamities of war, will convince the impartial part of mankind, that peace and good neighborhood on honorable terms, are the sincere and constant wish of America.

But if the measures adopted to continue the blessings of peace shall not prove successful, and the United States must have recourse to arms to obtain a satisfaction for the injuries done them, we have the fullest confidence, that the people of this state will heartily unite with their brethren of the other states, in a cause so just and important. In the mean time we conceive it will be prudent and highly expedient to make all necessary preparation for such an event.

The communications your excellency has made to us shall be attended to ; and we shall endeavor seasonably to lay before you all such matters, as by the constitution must receive your approbation, and to render your administration easy to yourself, and beneficial to the Commonwealth.