The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

For the NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE.
Messrs PRINTERS,

It is a maxim founded in nature, that has been adopted by every government, and prevailed in every age, that "assistance and protection are reciprocal;" that the man whose property is secured by the laws of a State, and defended by its arms, should lend his aid in supporting them. On this principle all wise governments have ever incapacitated foreigners for possessing property in their dominions; as they cannot contribute when necessary, that assistance which all States have a right to require of their subjects. The property therefore of that man, who flies in the hour of danger, and abandons it to the invasions of the foe, becomes a derelict, and his right thereto is forfeited forever. Should the enemy succeed it becomes the possession of the conqueror: should the State in which it lies repulse the hostile attack, this property so abandoned by its former owner, naturally falls into the hands of the public, and is the right of those, who with their blood and treasure have defended it. This doctrine is too well known in America, as well as in other parts of the world to be now disputed.

The estates of those, who in the late war deserted the standard of their country have universally been declared a forfeit, and in most instances their value has been deposited in the public treasure. New Hampshire (to her glory) has been among the foremost, that have seen the necessity, policy and justice of such measures. The property of her refugees has been long ago sequestered and confiscated to the use of the brave defenders of the Commonwealth.

The public thus being by particular statutes of the State: as well as by the laws of reason: nature and nations, the absolute proprietors of all the property so relinquished by its former owners, it would naturally be expected, that they enjoyed the benefits of their new acquisition: Had the executive and judicial authority been as active in their sphere: as the legislature have been in their department, this would doubtless have been the case: but to our shame it must be confessed: we have hitherto derived but small advantages from possessions so dearly bought, and so justly claimed. Every individual feels this injury, and every individual has a right to enquire its cause and seek redress.

If any servant of the public has in this instance been remiss, let his station be ever so exalted, or his past services ever so great, he ought and in time he will feel the resentment of his injured masters, unless by his future Zeal, he atones for his past neglect.

The confiscated property in this government is great, and when appropriated will defray a considerable part of the public debt. The state groaning under the enormous weight of taxes, sickens for this necessary relief. This will greatly lighten the general burthen, and ease the purse of every member of the Commonwealth. It will contribute to restore the public faith, and enable us to do justice to our creditors, to quiet the complaints of distressed orphans, and helpless widows, who early lodged their monies in the public funds; above all by such supplies as will accrue from an immediate sale and
shall be enabled to reward the generous soldier who has nobly spilled his blood, and spent his treasure in our defence. It is he that has defended these estates, and he has a claim to them; he has preserved our liberties, and is entitled to our gratitude; he has fought without pay, and we are in his debt; he has spent his own money, and ought to be reimbursed; he is disbanded, and needs our assistance. In the midst of such distress, of such loud calls to restore our credit, to do justice to the world, and shew our gratitude to the authors of a glorious revolution, shall the property of these parricides remain untouched; untouched too, when the legislature have declared it confiscate, and ordered it for sale?

Whence springs the cause of such cruel remissness? springs it from neglect, or from design? If from the former, why is not the idle drone driven disgracefully from his office, and another better qualified appointed to his place; if from the latter, let the guilty culprit be brought to the bar of public justice, and a sacrificed to the indignation of the injured people; people, whom he has made the dupes of his villainy.

Justice, honor, gratitude demand that instant enquiry be made into this mysterious, unaccountable, astonishing remissness. Our rulers 'tis hoped will soon do it, to prevent the direful consequences to be apprehended from a multitude, roused by continued injuries to do themselves justice. When this much feared event takes place, neither dignity, titles or bribes, will screen the wretched criminal from the punishment due to public fraud, and atrocious guilt.

CINCINNATUS.