Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the county of Gloucester, New-Jersey, held at the Court-House in pursuance of a general notice being given for that purpose.
General Davenport, in the chair,
Elisha Clark, esq. Secretary.

The following resolutions were unanimously agreed to.

1st. That the present critical and alarming situations of our country calls for every energetic aid in support of our national dignity and independence.

2d. That a respectful address to the President, Senate and House of Representatives of the United States be drawn up expressive of our unshaken reliance on their wisdom and patriotism, our approbation of their measures to render our country happy, dignified and free, our entire confidence in the authorities delegated to administer that government, our abhorrence of every means made use of to divide us as a nation, and our fixed determination to give support to a government formed by the consent and approbation of the people, and

That Dr. James Stratton, John Blackwood, Esq. Major John Lawrence, Col. Heston, James Wilkins, General Davenport and Major Thomas Wilkins be the committee for the above purpose.

The committee after having retired for a few minutes returned, and Dr Stratton reported the following address, which after having been distinctly read was unanimously adopted, three copies of which, with the foregoing resolutions, were directed to be made out, signed by the chairman and secretary, and forwarded to the honorable Thomas Sinnickson, one of our Representatives in Congress, to be by him presented to the President, Senate and house of Representatives.

THE ADDRESS

To the President, Senate and House of Representatives of the United States.

At a time when a foreign nation regardless of either honor or faith, and ambitious only how to add to her unprincipled possessions, is waging with the American character a base and perfidious attack, and on her commerce innumerable rapacities—remain silent spectators of such ignominious assaults, such ravaging barbarities on the persons and property of our citizens, and not speak with the loud voice of union and firmness, we trust is not predicated of the people of New-Jersey

Satisfied not only of the propriety but of the necessity of evincing to the world our indissoluble attachment to our present form of government, to our laws and to the administration thereof, we, the Inhabitants of Gloucester county, New-Jersey. having this day assembled at the Court House, agreeably to notice given, do tender unto you, our unshaken and undiminished confidence in the Executive and Congress of the United States.

We consider the many wise, prudent and manly efforts of our late and present chief magistrate to keep unsullied the American name, secure the commerce and happiness of these states and preserve us in tranquility with contending nations as traits of that watchfulness and parental solicitude so amiably and happily distinguishable in an American President.

The insolent attempts to alienate us from our government and our laws "to enfeeble the sacred ties which have hitherto linked us as a band of brothers" and to shake our national union—we frown upon with that indignity and contempt they merit.

Although we deprecate the scenes attendant on a state of warfare and highly estimate the countless advantages resulting from a pacific situation. Yet, if the sad appeal must be made—if we must resort to those powerful convictions of our strength and union—We do hereby engage, under the protecting arm of providential aid, cheerfully to exchange all the pleasurable enjoyments accompanying the latter, or the more honorable toil of the former, in defending supporting and maintaining the dignity Freedom and Independence of these United States.

Franklin Davenport, chairman.
Elisha Clark, secretary.
Woodbury, May 12th, 1798.

To the Inhabitants of the county of Gloucester, in New-Jersey.

GENTLEMEN,

Your address, to the President, Senate and House of Representatives has been presented to me by your representative in Congress, Mr. Sinnickson.

I receive with great pleasure assurances of your unshaken and undiminished confidence in the executive and legislative authorities of the United States.

When you consider the efforts of your late and present chief magistrate, to preserve unsullied the American name, secure the commerce and happiness of these states and preserve you in tranquility with contending nations as traits of a vigilant and parental solicitude amiably and happily distinguished in an American President, you touch my sensibility beyond my powers of utterance.

When you frown upon the insolent attempts to alienate you from your government and your laws, to enfeeble the sacred ties which have hitherto linked us as a band of brothers and to shake your national union, with that indignation and contempt they deserve while you do honor to your own characters you give sure pledges to your fellow citizens.

Your still more explicit engagement under the protecting arm of providential aid to exchange all the enjoyments of peace for the more honorable toils of war in defending, supporting and maintaining the dignity freedom and independence of these United States, if the great appeal and final resort must be had to the powerful convictions of our strength and union, goes as far as the best of citizens can go.

JOHN ADAMS.
Philadelphia, May 18th, 1798.