Gazette Of The United States & Evening Advertiser

BOSTON, Feb. 26.

IMPORTANT MEETING!

The public have already been informed of the meeting of the inhabitants of this town, to take into consideration the embarrassments under which our commerce labours; and of the appointment of a committee of thirteen to report thereon.

On Monday last, at 10 o'clock, that committee made their report, in which they stated a number of embarrassments under which our commerce generally, and carrying trade in particular, now labours, and others which may be expected to arise upon the arrival of peace.

To effect a removal of those existing, and to guard those which may be apprehended in the event of peace among the European nations, the committee subjoined sundry resolutions for the town to adopt; the most of which were only declaratory of certain principles and opinions, upon which to bottom one, recommending a discrimination against Britain and Spain, by imposing new duties on their vessels and goods.

After the report was read, the debates were opened thereon, by Mr. Russell, Mr. Jones, Mr. Eustis, and Mr. Codman who were in the minority of the reporting committee; and who now opposed the report. On the other side it was supported by Dr. Jarvis, Mr. Morton, and Mr. Austin, who were in the majority of the same committee. This debate, in which, beside the above gentlemen, great numbers took a part, was continued until near 2 o'clock P. M. when the town adjourned to meet at the Old-South Meeting House, at 3 o'clock, (the inhabitants who attended being too numerous for Faneuil-Hall) when the debate was resumed, and continued until dark: the town then adjourned to ten o'clock, yesterday morning, when the debate was again resumed, and kept up with much spirit, until near one.

The question was then taken upon this motion:

"That the further consideration of the Report be referred without day"

And upon a division of the house, there appeared a very large majority in favour of No reference.

The meeting was then dissolved.

Never did we see a fuller meeting: and never were debates more fairly conducted. We cannot omit mentioning in a particular manner, Mr. Otis, who took a conspicuous part in the course of the debate, in opposition to the report; his fellow-citizens did justice to his abilities, and eloquence.

The arguments used by the gentlemen in opposition to the Report, displayed an extensive knowledge of our commerce, its natural and permanent advantages, as well as its present embarrassments; and they were so convincing, as to satisfy a large majority, that it was inexpedient for the town to declare any opinion as to the measures proper to remove these embarrassments; but rather to leave the whole business with Congress, where it ought constitutionally to reside.

"The People" of the United States, in the Constitution which they have adopted, have declared, that "Congress shall have the exclusive power of regulating Commerce with foreign nations"— and "the People" are determined to support the Constitution!

The late Meeting has done, and will do much good—It will strengthen the opinions of our Delegates in Congress, and convince them, that as long as they are just and patriotic, their constituents will support them. It also shews, that when the mercantile and mechanic professions have time to deliberate, they see their best interests, and pursue them.