Herald Of The United States

PATRIOTIC ADDRESS.

[We hesitate not a moment in bestowing the highest praise and eulogium on the following address. It is one which is seldom equalled in our papers; and on a production, in point of elegant literature, enforced with an ardor of truth, that reflects the highest honor on the American character. The situation in which the addressers were placed, and the feelings excited on the spot where the late outrage was committed, are sufficient to excuse some unnecessary expletives of invective.]-Bost. Gaz.

ADDRESS
Of the Committee to their Fellow-Citizens, of Norfolk, Portsmouth, and their Vicinities, on the Dissolution of their functions.

FELLOW CITIZENS

THE Select Committee, previous to their dissolution, beg leave to recur to the cause, which gave existence to your resolutions: and to attract your notice to the principles, which presided over their conduct, in the execution of them. The late outrage committed in sight of your shores, On the National Flag, by a British ship of war, which was previously prepared for that act of atrocity, by instructions and signals given by order of the Commandant of the squadron, at that time anchored within the Capes of Virginia; and the deliberate Murder of your Countrymen, who fell unsuspeting victims, at the very moment, the embattled voice was prostituted and profaned, in articulating professions of peace and amity— roused and excited your indignation and resentment to a degree never before felt.

The last deed of savage ferocity, unparalled even in the naval annals of Britain, awakened the sentiment of abhorrence in every breast. Every voice was loud in its call for reparation commensurate to the insult: British insolence and barbarity had reached the ne plus ultra. They had the unparalleled effrontery to claim the rights of hospitality, while their hands, were crimsoned and smoking with the blood of your countrymen. Even at the instant, they had declared war; in sight of those shores from which not many years past, their discomfited and recreant myrmidons were driven with disgrace—In sight of those monuments,which fill your breast with a holy and inspiring admiration, for the valor and triumphs of your forefathers. Thus the nation was unexpectedly plunged into war, and yourselves the first exposed to its ruthless blast. The choice of tame submission or resistance was forced on your consideration; with one voice you declared that your ancestors had wrested their rights, their liberties and independence from the oppressing grasp of British tyranny, by the sword: and that you, their posterity, had resolved with it to defend and to perpetuate the hallowed patrimony.

Remote, in this crisis of imminent danger and alarm, from the government of the United States, whose decision could not be immediately had, and knowing this portion of the Union to be within striking distance of a savage and insidious enemy, the deliberate violaters of all those just principles and usages which religion, law and time have sanctified: you assembled for the purpose of ascertaining the best possible means for the immediate protection of all that was dear to you—your wives, your children, and the sacred honour of your country. The resolutions unanimously adopted by this august assembly, in which the sublime majority of the people presided, are spread before the world; in all places, they receive the pure and incorrupt homage of elevated patriotism. To enforce obedience to your resolutions, you appointed a committee of citizens from your body, whom you made depositaries of your power: but whose existence, as your organ, should cease and determine the instant the voice of government pronounced its decision: This, Fellow-Citizens, is a concise history of the outrage, and of your proceedings.

Your committee, though deriving no power from the Constitutions and laws of the land yet feel an honorable and just pride in the recollection, that the appointment conferred on them, flowed from the only pure and legitimate source of all power—the People—the fountain from which branches, so many streams, the constitution and the laws.

They were deeply impressed with a sense of the delicate situation in which they were placed, and filled with anxious solicitude for the right performance of the solemn duty confided to them. All eyes were directed to them—they were regarded as the rallying point.— The public sentiment placed in their hands the lever which was to raise—into poise—and to communicate momentum to the public force.

The course the committee was to hold, could not be accurately delineated; the eye had in prospect, wherever it directed its vision, danger threatening and awful. They were imperiously called on to take no step without deliberation; to sanction no measure that might compromise the honor and reputation of their countrymen. They endeavored, in all their proceedings, to respect the demarcations of civil and political powers; and by their advice, so to direct the current of opinion. as to communicate to the complex machinery of government—action of force. The committee kept in view. the alarming state of affairs; and their consultations were incessantly employed to promote the public good, by endeavoring to separate from it, the evils that are often blended with it.

They were taught by the pages of American history, how much the magic enthusiasm of public sentiment ought to be appreciated—an sentiment to which the magisterial arm is indebted for the far greater portion of its strength. They were sensible that in this divine and all-powerful impetus, could be continued to its appropriate orbit, that it would diffuse around, like the Sun, the centre of our system. health, vigor and splendor. A constant effort. was therefore exerted, to prevent chasms and collisions from destroying the harmony of the political sphere. Your committee have endeavored by vigilance and attention to every subject embraced by your resolutions, to realize your expectations. Their zeal and ardor were never remitted. No duty; however hazardous or difficult to perform, arrested the ready movement of the hand that was charged with the Executive power. That they did err, they are not so presumptuous as to deny. It is not the fortunate lot of humanity to boast of exemption from error.

To attain perfection is not permitted by the laws of our nature. , We are allowed to progress towards, but never to reach it. - If they are chargeable with deficiency in judgment, suffer them in extenuation to say. that their intentions were pure and honest. Permit them to declare, that next to the smiles and approbation of their consciences, they prize and value the esteem and confidence of their fellow-citizens. The exercise of their functions is no longer required. The government of the United States has decided on the course that is to be pursued.

The outrage committed has roused into action its energies. You, fellow-citizens have anticipated the wise and salutary measures which it has taken: you have the glory of performing spontaneous acts of patriotism; you need not the promptings of authority. the rescue of government, to remind you of the relation in which you stand to the Republic -your acts are approved by the Executive Magistrate—they have his sanction. Your committee express a lively satisfaction in the great respect rendered to your authority. Now are the instances in which it has been questioned, because its foundation was not systematically laid in the constitutions and laws of the land. You. have the merit, by wise precaution, and the temper and firmness discernible in all your proceedings, of securing in this portion of your country unanimity

We now, Fellow-Citizens, re-deliver to you the powers you entrusted to us, to promote the public good—we flatter ourselves that they flow back purified to the source, from which they emanated.

We exhort you to sedulity—to keep alive the vestal fire—we exhort you never to forget, that in unity there is strength, and that the best safeguard is preparation and unremitting vigilance.
We salute you with friendship, and pray
God to bestow on you continued blessings.

Norfolk, July 11, 1807.

Thomas Matthews, Thomas Myers, Thomas Blanchard, J. W. Murdangb, Daniel Bedinger, Luke Wheeler, Theo. Armifead, Wm. Paunck, William Newsum, F. S. Taylor, Seth Fofer, Thes. Newton, Jr. Richard Blow,