Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

Legislature of Massachusetts.

SATURDAY, FEB. 27.

The Legislature this day completed the business of the session, and at the joint request of the two branches were prorogued to the Tuesday next preceding the last Wednesday in May. The sitting was prolonged to the hour of 7 in the evening; a short time previous to which, the vote of granting 100,000 dolls. for the defence of our seaboard, having passed.

Col. Sumner introduced the following Resolution, which we regret to say was rejected in the Senate.

House of Representatives, Feb 27, 1813.

Whereas, considering the defenceless state of our ports and harbours of this Commonwealth, the General Court have appropriated the sum of One Hundred Thousand Dollars to place them in a better state of security, which, however must be considered as a very insufficient sum for the purpose.

And whereas, by the 4th Article of the 4th Section of the Constitution of the United States, it is provided; that, "The United States shall guarantee to every State, in this Union, a Republican form of Government, and SHALL PROTECT THEM AGAINST INVASION:"

And whereas, since the declaration of war the Congress of the United States, have not made any appropriation, for the defence of this Commonwealth; but, have withdrawn the troops of the United States, from the forts on the sea coast; and have stationed them in places, in the interior of the country, where they can afford no protection against sudden invasion;

Therefore, Resolved—That the Adjutant General be directed to represent to the Government of the United States, the unprotected state of the ports and harbours of this Commonwealth, and request that such appropriations may be made, as may be necessary for placing them in a sufficient state of defence, and that the several forts on the sea coast may be sufficiently garrisoned to answer the provisions of the Constitution.