Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

Somerset county, Maryland 8th May, '98.

In pursuance of public notice a large number of citizens assembled in the Court house in Princess Anne, the honorable John Done was called to the chair, and Ezekiel Haynie appointed Secretary.

After an address from the chair, it was on motion unanimously resolved,

That the honorable John Done, Littleton Dennis and major general Winder, col. John Gale, major Samuel Wilson, George Robertson esqrs. and Ezekiel Haynie, be a committee to prepare resolutions expressive of our approbation of the conduct of the government of the United States and our determination to support such measures as may be necessary for the interest and safety of the country and that the committee make report to a meeting to be held in this place on Wednesday the 16th instant; till which time this meeting adjourns.

A large number of the most respectable citizens of the county convened and the committee having reported the following resolutions, they were after being twice read unanimously adopted.

This meeting taking into consideration that it is equally the duty and interest of those who have the happiness to live under a government so free and equal as that of the United States, to be ready on all occasions to aid and support it and deeply sensible of the critical and embarrassing situation to which our country is reduced by the lawless aggressions in the first instance and in the second. by the insulting and obstinate refusal of the French government to listen to overtures for an amicable accommodation of the dispute subsisting between the two nations under the false and degrading opinion that the people of this country are divided from and will not support the government of their own choice; anxious to refute this charge, and as far as we are able vindicate the rights and honor of our country, we have thought it our duty to come forward and express our sentiments in the most solemn and public manner and do therefore,

unanimously resolve,

1st. That in assuming a neutral position at the commencement of the war in Europe our government evinced the soundest political discretion and consulted the best interests of the country: And as the measure in itself was wise and prudent, so the means which have been employed for continuing to us its benefits have been judicious, just, and impartial, so much so that in all the new & trying conjunctures which have been produced by the clashing interests, intrigues and lawless dispositions of the belligerent nations (and which were of a nature to create infinite difficulty and perplexity) it is a subject of just and grateful exultation that we are not able to discern any trait, in the system that has regulated our foreign relations, that can justly be made the subject of censure at home or complaint abroad.

2d. That the President of the United States in his instructions to our Envoys to France manifested in the strongest and most unequivocal manner, his own and his country's attachment to peace, and the sincerity of their wish to restore harmony and a liberal intercourse with that nation and that while we regret the failure of his efforts and those of the amiable and estimable characters who have sustained their mission with so much propriety and dignity, and deprecate the consequences that may result, we are consoled for the humiliation which our country has suffered by the reflection, that it will add to the unanimity which already prevails among our citizens, and bring into active exertion that spirit and energy which are necessary to the defence of our rights and sovereignty, and which have too long been repressed.

3d. That entertaining the fullest confidence in the talents, firmness, fidelity and patriotism, which have so long and so highly distinguished the chief magistrate of the union, the most perfect reliance on the wisdom and patriotism of the Senate and of the House of Representatives of the United States, and grateful for the distinguished advantages and happiness we enjoy in a country, and under civil institutions the best in the world we cheerfully pledge ourselves to second and support, with our utmost efforts, and at the hazard (if necessary) of our lives and dearest interests, all such measures as our government shall adopt for the interest and safety of our country the assertion of our rights, and the maintenance of our national dignity and self government.

4th. That our silence heretofore on the great and interesting questions which have at different periods occupied the public mind, has not proceeded from an indifference to the fate and fortunes of our country but has either been the effect of doubts as to the propriety of any interference on the part of the constituent body (except in a constitutional way) as being liable to
grow into a familiar practice and be abused, or the public avowal of our sentiments was deemed superfluous; those of the people of this district being at all times so truly represented in Congress.

And lastly, it is unanimously resolved, that copies of the proceedings and resolves of this meeting be forwarded to the honorable John Dennis with a request that they be laid before the President, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, and that the committee heretofore appointed carry this resolve into effect.

Signed on behalf of the meeting,

John Done, chairman

E. Haynie, secretary.

To the citizens of Somerset county in the State of Maryland.

GENTLEMEN,

Your resolutions of the 8th and 16th of May have been presented to me by your representative in Congress Mr. Dennis.

Sentiments more patriotic, and resolutions more ample, judicious and decisive have not appeared from any part of the union, and as they appear to have been adopted, and declared with unanimity, at a very large and respectable meeting they ought to have great weight with the public. In a very particular manner they deserve from me my best thanks.

JOHN ADAMS

Philadelphia, May 30th, 1798.

ANSWER

Of the President of the United States to the Address signed James Kent, Chairman, published in yesterday's Gazette.