Berkeley And Jefferson Intelligencer

LOUISIANA REMONSTRANCE.

(concluded from our last)

We have thus stated the great source of discontent, which has arisen from the measures your honourable body has pleased to pursue; did we suppose them the effect of settled design to oppress, of a determination to disregard our natural and stipulated rights, we are persuaded we should do as much injustice to your views, as the strongest expressions would do to our feelings of indignation and grief. But we will not insult you by a suspicion so injurious to your motives; the want of true information with respect to us, opinions founded on a superficial acquaintance with our country, and on prejudiced relations of our habits and manners, on reports the most unfounded, even as to our language, these alone have given rise to the measures of which we complain, and when these impressions shall have been effaced, we have the fullest confidence that their effects will cease, and the language of remonstrance will be changed to that of congratulation and thanks.

Deeply impressed, therefore, with a persuasion that our rights need only be stated, to be recognized and allowed; that the highest glory of a free nation is a communication of the blessings of freedom: and that its best reputation is derived from a sacred regard to treaties; We pray you representatives of the people, to consult your own fame and our happiness, by a prompt attention to our prayer, We invoke the PRINCIPLES OF YOUR REVOLUTION THE SACRED SELF-EVIDENT AND ETERNAL TRUTHS on which your government are founded: We invoke your own professions, and the glorious example of your FATHERS; and we adjure you not to disavow the one, nor dishonour the other, by persevering in a plan so contradictory to every thing you have said, and they have taught: so fatal to our happiness, and the reputation of your country, To a generous and free people, we ought not to urge any motives of interest, when those of honour and duty are so apparent; but be assured that the true interest of the United States consists in cultivating a spirit of reconciliation with the inhabitants of the territory they have acquired.-- Annexed to your country by the course of political events, it depends upon you to determine, whether we shall pay the cold homage of reluctant subjects, or render the free, allegiance of citizens attached to your fortunes by choice, bound to you by gratitude for the best of blessings, contributing cheerfully to your advancement to those high destinies, to which HONOUR, LIBERTY, and JUSTICE, will conduct you, and defending, as we solemnly pledge ourselves to do, at the risk of fortune and life, our COMMON CONSTITUTION, COUNTRY, AND Laws.

We, therefore, respectfully pray that so much of the law above-mentioned as provides for the temporary government of this country, as divides it into two territories, and prohibits the importation of slaves be repealed.

And that prompt and efficacious measures may be taken to incorporate the inhabitants of Louisiana into the United States, and to admit them to all the rights, privileges and immunities of citizens thereof.

And your Petitioners, &c.