Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

His Excellency's Speech.

at the opening of the present Session of the
Honorable General-Court.

Gentlemen of the Honorable Senate, and Gentlemen of the Honorable House of Representatives.

PERHAPS nothing could be more fortunate,
than your meeting by your own adjournment, at a time when Congress call for your immediate attention, to matters which respect the safety of the union ; and which are of so interesting a nature, that in case your adjournment had been to a more distant period. I should have been compelled, by the request of that honourable body, to have called for your attention at an earlier day.--The conduct of the Indians on the western frontiers indicate an intention on their part, to break through the most solemn treaties ; and to prevent our taking possession of that territory, which was intended to be applied to the payment of our foreign debt ; an immediate augmentation of the troops of the united states has consequently become necessary ; and this state is called upon to furnish a major, four captains, five lieutenants, four ensigns, a surgeon, surgeon's mate, and 260 rank and file. The requisition, with the several letters from the Secretary of Congress, and the Secretary of war, will be laid before you for your consideration.---

Among the public papers which I have the honour to lay before you, some letters from the board of treasury, with their enclosures, cannot fail to engage your particular attention. Whatever may appear to be the opinion of the several towns respecting the plan sent out by you, at the last session, for the consideration of the people, I cannot persuade myself that such part of it, as respects turning the produce of the country, by the intervention of a state agent, to the payment of our foreign debt, ought to be neglected, as it will render the payment of taxes less burdensome, give a spring to industry, prevent our hard cash from being drawn away, and be a means of making those payments, which are demanded from us at least practicable, and perhaps seasonable and certain.-

I am happy to inform you, that the military force of this state is in a most promising situation : and through the exertions of the officers, and activity of the soldiers, cannot fail to become, in a short time, truly respectable.

And it can be no less pleasing to have an opportunity of assuring you, that notwithstanding the machinations of a few interested, designing and unprincipled men, the people are generally determined to support and maintain the constitutional authority of the state against every attempt of seditious insurgents.

I have also the satisfaction to acquaint you, that the individuals, in most parts of the state, are much engaged in fabricating those articles, which we have hitherto been furnished with from foreign countries, the purchase of which has constantly drained us of cash, and kept us in a state of poverty and dependence. And should it be thought worthy the attention of the legislature of this state to encourage the manufacturing of glass, steel, and a variety of other articles, which have seldom arrived to a pitch of perfection in any country, unless aided in the first instance by the supreme power : We might experience national advantages, which would soon enable us to become a flourishing and a happy people.

Among the various measures which may offer themselves to your consideration, for promoting the public interest, perhaps none can be more successful, than attempting to raise a revenue upon particular articles of foreign growth, and manufactures imported into the state ; and adopting indirect in lieu of direct taxation, in all cases where it may be found practicable ; the former will probably have a double effect in favour of the country, and the latter cannot fail to yield a revenue for payment of our public debt, which will be more certain, less burdensome, and more equitable and productive, than can be obtained in any other way.

The requisition of Congress of the second of August last will undoubtedly come again under your consideration at this session ; and I am convinced, that you will use every possible exertion to grant such aids to Congress as are necessary for supporting the union, and are within the abilities of your constituents to comply with. Should it be thought inconvenient to have another session prior to the next election ; the necessary grants for defraying the expense of our domestic government, will of course come under your consideration. And the interest of the public, as well as that of individuals will require, that as much of the business now before the court as can possibly be done, should be completed at this session ; in the dispatch of which you may rely on every aid and assistance in my power.

Given at the Council Chamber in Portsmouth, the 7th day of December, 1786.

JOHN SULLIVAN.

After his Excellency's speech, the hon. House made choice of a committee, to be joined by one from the hon. Senate, to take his Excellency's message into consideration, who made the following report.

The committee, on his Excellency's message, &c. beg leave to report in part.

That the requisition of Congress of the 2d of August last : The requisition for an augmentation of troops : The letters from the Board of Treasury, call for the immediate attention of the General Court.

Impost and Excise Acts, should come under consideration, and such adopted as may prove most salutary for the purpose of a revenue.

The returns from the several towns on the plan sent out for a paper medium, &c. be examined, that the sentiments of the State may be known as early in the session as convenient :

Which is submitted by

JOSHUA WENTWORTH,

for the committee.

The committee further beg leave to report :

That application be made to Congress for a discount on the old emission of continental money :

That the committee on the unappropriated lands, may be called upon to make report.

To empower the selectmen to assess any arrearages of taxes against towns which have not been assessed by former selectmen, or where there has been no selectmen heretofore : That the Treasurer of this state be ordered to call upon the several delinquent towns, to pay up their taxes, including 1785.

That encouragement be given for erecting fishing-mills in this state.

The requisition of Congress of the 2d of August last, has been under consideration of the House, but nothing has as yet been determined on.

On this important subject, several of the members did themselves honour by their spirited speeches.--The immediate necessity of entrusting Congress with additional powers, was adverted to in a most pathetic manner.--One member went so far as to say, that if those states who opposed this salutary measure, still persisted in their obstinacy,--let us cut the string--cast them off-and act for ourselves !