' W Vywfiyy‘/‘fl W INN‘ “W my @@%&@ENa ZPRUNOUNCED JULY 5, 1819, .331! '1'}-Hz‘. TQWJQJJEST OE‘ '1‘I-1117. REPUI3LI(,‘ANS OF ’TI‘m'~.‘. TOWN OF )B0.‘%TflN‘;g ‘EN C.()MI‘vIJJDKOI1A'X‘ION (W ”1‘HE ANNIVIEIRSARY 0'2‘ AMERICAN IN]")fl?.PI<3NI)ENOR... M! H 9 I I I Uluwwdloatu-ouchwmumuu; u n o n a o » u u n . a a . «an 3331' SAIVIUITJIQ A‘I}AM.‘3 ”$"$'Ié1I.1;Ei¥, ESQ. fllbfilflwwnuqpggpguggowonnnauvnnuuuounoanphacuu ;U08TTHWI 'i*l".Il:‘€Zt‘I§.J£J Mm I>Ux~;Lx:=3x~mx:> ma '1'. I3A’i”.?£:F.!‘i, m. m E819. Elostott, July 5372, l8l“.il. Fmnmnn Auntie WELLS, Esemnn. SIR, At a meeting of your Republican Fellow Citizens, at Fanniel-Hall this day, it was unanimously Voted, that the thanks of the meeting be presented to you for the Oration which you this morning delivered at their request, and that a copy be requested for the press. We,lhaving been appointed a committee to communicate to you the above proceedings, beg leave to add our wishes, that you will be pleased to comply. with that of your Republican Fellow Citi- zens as above expressed. ' We are, most respectfully, Your obedient servants, FITCH 'l‘UF're, J A0013 HA LL, C‘o92tz7rt-ittcie. WILLIAM ING-ALLS, t Boston July 6674. I819. GENTLEIlIEN,' In compliance with the vote of our Republican Fellow Citizens, communicated in your Letter of yesterday’e date, I submit to you, for publication, a copy pf the Oration delivered by me at their request. I am, Respectfully, Gentlemen, Your most obedient Servant, S. A. WELLS.‘ Messrs. FITCH TITFTS, JACOB HALL, WILLIAM Inenme. 0itA'i.‘iION» THE return of this anniversary brings with it egccumuleted evidence of the blessings which flow from our co11ntr:y’s imlepenclence. Assexnbled, fellow citizens, in commemoration of that glorious achieve“ Inent, we are naturally led to It consideration of ite causes, by which 21. wide end luzmrient field opens up.- on the view; but it has been eo often explorecl, that its beauties have became familial-,, end the charm of novelty is lJrolce1g;1. If, in moving over this Wide ex- pzmee, We A meett with little to ~ gretif'yite the transient pleasures of the imagination, we only find niucltt to elevate the deeper qn.eliti.es of the mind 2 the rise, pro»- grees and termination of the Alnericen lstevolntion, will ever be an interesting,: theme, tvhile pet1*iot.iem has a. votery; or liberty, efrienti. Are our early lzxieto». ry is remotely connected witli our present subject, let us glance at some of‘ its principal events, that We may see the nature oiionr political connexion with the par.. ent country, the tenure by which our eivi_‘l and reli-.1 gious privileges were held, and the relative "political: situation of the people of the two countries. " M ii 'W'e, fellow citizens, have the singular advantage oi‘ being; able to trace our net‘iona1o1*igin to its eource. We can ‘follow the §;l”'Et(iZliJiC)I1S by which o11t't.oou_i1tr;yiv. Q t ascended from feebleuess, to strength ; from power, to glory; from her condition as a mere satellite in the political system, to her departure from that limited or- hit, to move in the more extended sphere of nations, We are not, therefore, necessitated to adopt the course pursued by other nationsin regard to their primitive history: with them fiction has taken the place ofifacpt, and where the sober pen of the historian has failed, it has been supplied by the imaginatiohn of the poet. If. We do not boast oi being descended frorngods and he- roes, we may exult with rational pride, that our Re-.- public was founded by men, whose memories are Wor.-i thy the reneration of posterity. ’ i V flour ancestors, the first settlers of New-Englenrl, abandoned their native country to seek an asylum fr'om religiouspersélcntion. Their departnre was an act or i their own free will ;, and not to escape from the pun- islnnent due to violated laws, nor to establish, tea~~soicie~t tythat should be "free, from nmoral andpolitical re- straints. They were not an ignorant, “nor a_ licentiouem body of men; but were distinguished, for the lfegnlarityi of their lives, and the purity def. their niorala At the place of their nativity, they were men of apckniowletlgfid. piety and virtue. Their public offences We1*e.refusin§;; to conform to the ceremonies ofthe ie_sta"blished c,hnrch,,i and to comply with a. royal ordinance, which they conn ceived to be repugnant to the principles of religion :_i for, these, they were persecuted, and to escape from the“ tyranny of their persecutors, they left their native coun» try, and enoo'untered perils and hardsliips i'ort,he’pos..i sikesspien and, enjoyment of that high prerogative of man; § zfeligious liberty. They first proceeded to the European oontinent 3 and after having resided some years Within. the territories of the republic of Holland, they res-mlvg ed on 1'en1oving* to America. At that period_, nearly the whole extent of Nortltn America was claimed by the Britielx crown lay right of firet discovery. Agreeablyt to tlxie1t~igl1t, ‘patents llad been granted by James the fit‘!-at to c:e1't.air1‘limlivitloais in Exnglantl, who were ineor-at pmsated antl known as the “Virginia company, and the onunoil of Plynmtxtln antl to whom all that part of tho. cmnzinent claimed by (_f3‘r1*ee,t B1-itain was cetletl by the crown npxone tzettain oontlitione. Cltnr a.n.cest‘o1*s llavizme; ohtaioed fr=r..nn% the Virginia conlpany a l‘lg;l;1t to settle Within the limits ]M”)l‘fl‘.F-3C,l‘ll)(B(l by theiM1'lp?atent, en1l)a1'l§e£l, for theta landwhich was time the llahitation of the lmeaste of the t‘¢n4o,st, amt‘ a filer-"net and wa1t~lei’lce~eelraoe of savages. After a long. boisgtorone and lLl‘tlp1‘(')[)‘lt‘ll)l1E-3 Voyaage, tl'te_y{* arrivetla at an ‘inclement ee.aso1“iof the ytaz‘\,1*,’t’f aml land» ed upon the most l)tl1‘l"‘(5I1 and inl;noepita.hle part of one ooaet.~1* But not heinngzg, within the Vitggiimizzn limits, they had no right to settle at the place of their arrival ;; but fatigued and exhanetetl with the length of their voyage, unaeqnainted with the coaet,togetl1er with the late and tempestuone eeaeon of the year, they reewolttetl to remain in their pteeent situation. The patent of the council of Plymouth oxtentled from the coast of New Jersey to the gxxlf of“ the St. Lawrence gzt witlnin which was €{‘:Iv)l’1'l1)I.f8l1t.“‘al.1(lB(1 that part of the con» °“ November, 165.20. T Cape Cod. From the lzttitnde of 40“ to 48” N.“ and fmm eeato see, an the charter eepreeeed it. 6 tinent, Wliich, from that time to the present, is known as N ew-England. Upon an application to that body, our-ancestors obtained a grant to a part of their tor.- ritory, within the present limits of Massachusetts. itwas within these "limits, that the fathers of Newv- England had landedf Their first act after their arri.» Val, was an act of‘ devotion to God, in gratitude for his many blessings gl their next was the organization of their little society into a body politic. Being British subjects, they acknowledged their allegiance to the Britishcrown. They then began their settlement uu-9 der many discouraging circumstances. The first year after their arrival, one half of their number fell vic- tims to the hardships and fatigues through which they had passed. The survivors "being men of firmness," persevqeranceeiand .f’ortitu~de,o were not discouraged ; but 1 they continued he the work which they had begun, and God piimpered their e2wrti0ns~ The continuance of that tyiiannical spirit which had driven; the first settlers from England, caused further emigrations,”and additional s_ettlem‘ents to be founded in Massachusetts. ’ In 1627, a patent was purchased by a number of in» dividuals of the counycilv of Plymouth, who ceded to them that part of their territory “ which may be called Massachusetts pI'0per,”* together with all the rights and privileges that had been granted to them by their 9 Minot. *7’ in the year £628, a charter was obtained. from ‘Charles the flrst, incorporating them by the name of the “ Governor and Contpany of Massachusetts-Bay in N ew-England.” This charter formed, in part, the constitution of government for this colony. It was therein expressly declared, that the “subjects who should go and inhabit within the said lands, and tl1eir children which shall happen to be born there, or on the seas going thither, shall have and enjoy all liber- ties and immmunities of free and natural subjects, Within any of the Llorninions of us, our heirs or suc-~ cessors, to all intents, constructions and purposes what»- soever, as if they, and every of them were born Within the realm of England.” A Similar privileges were secured tothe Virginia com» pany, and they were subsequently confirtned by an act of rparliament.'>t<* Thus the subjects in every part oi‘ the W-it;isI1 empire were equally entitled by law, as well as by nature, to the same degree of political lib- erty. The spirit of eniiggration co11*tit1uing, their 1111111»- bers fast augmenterl, and new colonies were founded and charters obtainetl. Thus organized, they soon flourishecl and rapidly increased in wealth and strength. Time successive generations in N eW~Engla.nrl were distixlguislzed by ae s‘trong; an attachment to their political liberty, as their fathers had evinced for their religious privileges. Many controversies arose between the «liiferent branches of the governnlent, respecting the nature and * Of 13th of George 2d. extent of their civil ri.gl1'ts, (lu1*i11g; their pt"o’g:1*ess*i’ro111; infancy to manhood. l The people ol"Massacl1usetts were governed agree-i ably to their first charter, till the year 1688, when, in consequence of’ their having evinced an attachment to their political freedom, too stron5._?; for the times, their charte1* was vacated by Charles the second. ‘Tine tyu 1-annfy which was sufi'ered in England under the reign of this prince, and his successor, James the second, extentled its baneful influence to this land of freedom ; and N eW—Eng;la11{l, for a seasorn was polluted With as absolute a despotism under Sir Edmund Andross, as ever was sufi"ered by degraded Rome under a Nero, or a. Caligula. But his sway was of short duration. it Tile people of Boston rose in arms, §t‘;l£:.’§t;‘~ti. and con- fined the tyrant, and afterwards sent liiln to Ellglalld to answer for his crimes, under a new order of tl1ings. After the revolution in England, and tile le*stabWllis3i1~; ment of W illiam and Mary upon the tltrolnc, a new cllarter was obtained, which was not general1yap.. proved by the people of “time province. Some changes of importance were made from the old charter. Ainong others_., the governor was to be appointed by the king, instead of being; elected by the people, as fornlerly. Their limits were elnlarged, andthe colony of Plymouth, and the province of Maine and Nova-~ Scotia were united with Massachusetts; Ba.y. It seemed to be intended, that tiie government, by tlxiscllarter, A should be as analogous tothe Britisll constitution, as tl hircnmstences would admit. The atlveratege that was gained, and which reconciled the people to it was, that it §§l’3t'I1tE‘.d “religious toleration to all, except papists.” This pt-ivilege was not secured to them in their former charter, and ite enjoyment rested upon the faith of a roy- el promise, that they should not be disturbed for their mode of retigious worship. Their rights as British sub.- jects were also fully confirmed. Under the present Cl'lt1.I‘l2(%l" the people were contented e.ndl1eppy: and it was continued to them till the yeer 17'7d+. To the support of the wars which had been declar- ed by the lting, who, in this, was the supreme autllority, the people of this port of the empire had largely eon.- W-ihuttertl 2: tll1eirt1*eee't1re they had liberally expended; and their blood had freely flowed. . The 1nilitery.ope..,. rations in Cztnedtt eml the West lmlies ; the reduction of Louisburg, in 1*7+5, zmtl lll1(3.I‘l'aVa.m.1, in 176573, for» nish tnemornhle evitlence of the exetrtionspof New-. Etigletacl for the general benefit, and of the distin- gtlislied velour of her troops. A At the gene ~e.l peace of 1763, lJlT»tll'l(]l‘llll.l'y prevailed over the wlmle l3I‘lll$ll empire. The ties of eifectioil between the colonies and the mother country, were st1't:11gtl1e11etl with their growth; and more perfect harmony had. never existecl between them, than at this period of their history. l t i In consequence of the signal services which had been rend.ered by the colonies in the last war, their strength and resources became objects of attention; ‘D flu! to anti the go‘Ve1*nn:1e11t of _E11g;laml tleterniinetl to nmke the connexion more exclusively beneficial to the pa.» rent country. To teffeot this purpose, the ininis-:t1'y re» eolved to attemptnn entire change of the system which llzaul existed from the first settlement of the country; the most valuable rights secured by their olmrters were to be destroyed ; distinctions were to ho inane i.:et.ween the subjects who were born within the 1*eo.hn, 21 nd those who were born in the colonies. The Englisshman hoztstecl that the ooneti;tution secu1'-- ed him in the possession of his liberty; that no meme her of his government could move out of the limits which that presoriheclg and tlmt no part of his pro.» perty could be taken froni him without his own con»- eent in person, or hy his 1*epn'eeentntivo. A V But the colonists, who were eqoallylentitletl to all the heneiits of that constitution, were to be subjected to the authority of a [)£’tI"liaIDE5i1i2, which claimed the 1;-iglxt of nmliilng laws binding upon ‘them: in all cases what- soever; and thigh too, without their lmviiiag; it single rep1*eeez1ta.tivei11 that legi.ei1n.tu1*e ; one branch of which was chosen by the people of England themselves. The constitution waste he applied one way for the people of Englontl, and smother for the people of the colonies. They were to he f1'fl0fll£'.‘Il;‘W'E5 were to be slaves. Bmtlges of sla.very were to be vvovm by the one, while the cap of liberty was to grace the other. H VVe approach, fellow citizens, to a, period which is interesting in the history of tone country and to man» 1 -t kind. We border upon the commencement of that system founded upon those p1*i11cip1es; a. system, the eifectirng of which may lzeve enoheined the whole. Christian world to the footetool of tymntiy and «lee- potism. V The first measure. adopted for this pu1'pose,t was at eié close of the wet“ in t‘7t53,, in the aspect of at texetiom Openly to ed Vance their p1°ete-ntione to the c1ain1s which they eonteluplztted to establish, they rigghtty eeheeivett would create am ixtxznediate mm :1 g;_e11e1'a.1 e,le1'm 3: they tthlnerefore deemed it texpediernt to ex;eeete it in e ‘maxnlee that would z1<)texeite the eu.epieie1'1e of the peoples. ‘The right el’ lzeyiee; duties upon zwtielee of me1*e§nm1<’tEe:e fer the 1"@.gl.Tl1£tt‘i(7)I1 ot‘eomme1~ee hml long; been pme*tiee(1 by 'p2L1*1tizm1ent, and lm.(;1 never been denied by the celoniete themselves, altheegh the eete ef tmde tmet oe zeeiontedo eome <1eg'1'ee ot"[mhioie il'l‘it¢2.‘l;fih:i()l.’l amt eozvse-p:t;ttEtae:*t. Tlhnie was the mode by which the rnieiett;et*hxlt plzeum Wm-;»; te he itlttmlueed. 111 1’;/“Wh eh eet wee pe.e:«m‘r the '1‘eg;nllzlx,tiol1 of trzule, was retlueetl to tlmee pence for "eqieirlg as revenue. But, fellow citi- zeoe, it wee the printziple, ag;a,li11et V‘l’l'llttll our patriots emimletnrlecl ; lll()l.' the zunennt of the tax : the nature of ele- very is not £tll;01‘(3(l lljy the we.i§;;ht of the clmill. But the l5:"lt§el1 [)Zltl.'lltllll'lt;‘/l’ll$ llzmfl retree.tet;l to tl‘1el1‘leet position, and tllie they intended to maintain et all lmmrcle. Slnipe with tlmt ttrtiele on l;n:>e.r<'l were expetlitetl from Eng}. leml to several ports on tllruie continent. Tlle feet wee lmown in the celonle:-f-; heil’ore their orrlvel, anal mew» nres were te.l«r.en te clefeet the (leeign. It was eettleil mnong; the principal persons in several colonies that the tea Sl’lt;‘.H.ll(l not he letatled, but se11theeltin the ee.me tie? ‘vessels in which it should arrive. This measure was r successful in some of American ports : ibutthe glory of an open and manly resistance was to be reserved for the town of‘ Boston. VVhen thetships with the tea were arrived, a town meeting was called and every measure was pursued to avert the’ necessity of their final determination. The persons interested expressed a Willingness to comply with the general wish, by sending it back. Repeated applications were made to the governor for permission for the ships to pass the castle with the tea on board: but without success. Wliat then, fellow citizens reniained to be done? If the teaiihad been landed the duty must have been paid, a the ministry would have been victorious, and a fatal precedent established. The alternative that they cmbrac ed, and the act which followed were justi- fiablein the eyeof heaven, and in the disinterested esti: mation of men. They defeatediithe insidious designs of a corrupt ministry to make them slaves. The tea was destroyed, and by a band of patriots, Wll0Se'"‘ga;1'lJ was indicative of the native freedomtl of the land. It was e:x:ecuted with a spirit that was Worthy of the cause in which they were engaged. iThe ministry haw ing failed to accomplish this, their favourite plan, re.- sentment took the place of wisdom. lThc efficacy of punislnnent was to be tried to reduce the people to a submission. The Boston Port Bill was accordingly passed with that intent. Thiswas soon followed by the act for the Impartial Administration of Justice, so called. By theiirst“the port was shut against all trade. No vessels \ve1*r alloiwetl to enter, or to depart. The W Ctuetmxin.-house was removed to Salem ; all business was ea.1spemlee:I; the eeneequent distress ttrae heavy and gen. eral. ‘Tile weight of this epp1*esssive eet wee to be re» moved upon comlittion, that the inhetmitants would make A :22. pecuniary compenmeettieza for the tea that had been de- stmyed; thereby to» aeknovvledge themselves to have been in the w1'e11gg, end to yield up those. peeitism1e,whie}29 with at Roman fmrtitmle they had ee long; and Se mjrbly de'i’em;1ed. This 11:2eeen.11*e of the nainaistry wee support- ed by their friende in the town, who; et1'enuoue1y exert» ed tlxemselvee to obtain the eminpliellee 01'“ the inhabit- ante with this conditimlg but the peeple were deaf te thei1'at1*g1.1metn1te eyed, to the voice of theirmV1'1 eufi’e1*'ings. They rejeeted the tezmae with imliggnetiexx and glelious-« ty adhered to their p1*im:.ip1ee. t The second act was of 21. nztture fan’ more serious in its consequences. By this :1. radical change was to be efleetetl in tlmir gevemment. The eelattes of the go. ‘vemelr, lieutenant g;0ver'nm' and 1L1dg;ee were to be paid by e ggmnt 01' the l{i1'1g;, end from ttexess levied upon them by pa.1*1imine"t1t: the eeuneil was to be chosen by mam... ctamur of the e:mw'n,, it2.et.e.e.(i of beinmgg elected by the peopi +2. "H7't1ej1.141i(:izt1 nffitzere were to be eppointed by the §_._,”ti)‘\'(5T'11()1‘ eml to he 1*et11;mve.tt by him at plea.su1*e :_tri- 3.13 by jury were ill‘t"’l‘ilI§,';3.‘.L1: zmd the eeltiliere of his nlejeety were shielded in it m::t‘1me1*by which they might escape from [)l.1Yli.‘5hI11t’.I1t) due to the c*e:1*1misseio11 of the meet et1*oci0ue (?,1'.it'fl(38.. To eilelmee (:(b1‘il'p1itiIlt and to etmferee s11bI11ieei0n a. pcnverful fleet and army were zxgeir1‘ser1t to tlxie n1et1'0po1ie. "What 'liberty, whet eeg eu1*3.t_y wee them the a, people umler eueh za. g;eve;j;i1111entP 1' 18 The cloud of despotism! OV(~31'Sllé1{l0'Wt5(l the land; hut the liglit of liberty was not extinct. 4 As the gloom in» creased in which the cause of your Country Was in» volved, the glory of your patriots was more resplen- dent, and new stars appearetl in the political l:1emis:- phere. These last proceietlinggs oi‘ the Britisl1 govern- ment, were productive of important consequences. Sympathy for the dis?-stress of the people in this town was evinced by all the {fie-lunies. iios.;on was consid- ered as sn'fi'ering in a cause in which they all were equallywinterested. By these measures, that union was tahlished which new constitutes our stt1*en;;tl1 ahd secu- rity. The public calamities were so serious and alarm-» ing, that a general congress was agreed upon in the several colonies ; and delegates were chosen, who as- semhled in Philadelphia in 1’7’7~“l.+. Their proceedings were marked with wisdom, temperance and magnanim- ity. They professed their loyalty and allegiance to the British crown 3 they stated their rights as British subjects ; they enumerated their violations ; they sup- plicated the throne for a restoration to peace, liberty and security. But While they pprayed for ustice, they showed that they were not insensible to their injuries; Their measures though pacific, were firm; their pro- fessions though loyal, were dignified. ’1"l1o11gl) they plead for the restoration of their rights, they evinced a determination to oppose their invasion by such modes of resistance, as might be pcaceable; but not suhmis... sive.——..J"l‘.'heyi entered into a general non—i1nportation agreement in ‘behalf of their several colonies, and an association not to consume any articles of the produce or J.i.l1€l.l}.t1f2'.1(3tltI’B of Great Britain or 11'eland : after liar‘. 19 ing adopted some other important measures, they dis. solved 3 but to meet again in May 1775. The patriots of Massachusetts had so often witness- ed the failure of similar p1°ocee(lings, that they had but little hope in the success of these measures: they, therefore, like skilful pilots. wisely prepared for a storm of which they foresaw, they should feel the first effects. The provincial congress of M;.assac.l11.nsetts assembled at Concord : they raised an army of *13.0rJO men to act upon any emergency. General Gage was then the Governor and Commander in Chief. At this period he had under his command fourteen regiments of British troops, which were encamped on Boston Common: tl1etl1er-bor- was crowcled with ships of war. All intercourse betwee11 the town and co:.111t:ry was prollibited. Appearances were threatening and t'or- midahle. A crisis 1*apidly approached; but the peo. ple Were unappalled and prepared for the shock. At length the plains of Lf;?Xl1'lgtU'l1 it were visited hy the fury of the tempest; its naule is itnxnortalizmtl by its fields being; moistened try the blood of the first ine1'ty1*s in the cause of liberty. Tile enerny was there met hy the brave and hardy yeounanny of the country, and the result was honourable to themselves and the cause. The controversy was now to he decided by arms. Tltlilfb colonists to be reinstated in the possession of their natural and constitutional trigtlts, had "u:1st‘1cces:st‘i..zlly l‘ pursued every method whicix justice and honor requir.- ed. The efi"o1'ts of UUll§_§l‘t;"SS“t() this elfeet like all others that had preceded them, failed. 'l‘heir petition wastre- jected; and instead of;_.g1'antix1g them peace, they sent 930 the sword. The alternative nowwas submission and slavery; or freedom and independence. A brave, Vii’? tuous and injured people could not hesitate in their choice : and they gloriously bid their enemies defiance, Conscious inthe justice of their cause,they placed a ‘firm; reiiance on the God of armies. Massachusetts having; been the chief object of ministerial Wratln, its inhabit.- ants were sooner prepared forresistance than those of the other» colonies, because they had lo11ge1* felt the effect 0* those oppressive measures which urgeda its necessity“. Congress at its next Ineeting raisedrap arrny, built and equipped a navy. Notwithstanding they had, proceeded to this extremity, the attachment to the parent country by many of the colonies was so strong, that the public mitld was not S1i.'lll.£le11tly ripen- ed for the adoption of the gwtaat question, of a political separation. But the flame ofwar blazed in everycolo... ny; they all began ~ to feel its effects, and to Witness its desolating horrors. The supplications of your Cone» gross for peace, liberty and security, were answered by the bayonets of mercenaries, and the tomaliavvk of sav- ages, From the couseqneiit si1fi”en=in_a;s of your country, and the smol«:ing ruins of your (letenceless towns, inde.» pendence arose and that solemn decla '~a.tion was made to God and the nations, that the colonies are, and of right otzglit to be, linen, Soveizexein, and INDEPENDENT STATES. and that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown. l The permanent glory of this act, fellow citizens, consists not merely in the ziiag-nit.u(le and importance, of its consequences 3 but in the tcnipcrate firmness by whicli it was eii'ecte;w.l, and the just and correct princiy ex pales upon. which it ie founded. It was not peoducetl by indivitluel emlritioo for persolml agguetldizemexlitg but by the disintero.Wledg;e(l our independence, and became the generous ally of a people who were struggling for their political existcnc e. She magnani- Inously assisted us with troops and with money. Her arms were incorporated with ours, and the allied army marched to victory and to glory. The siege and cap- ture of Yorktown and of the British army were the results of their united efforts. By this important blow the enemies of our republic were scattered, and their pride was humbled. A ray of‘ peace beamed upon the horizon; it soon rose and spread over the land, and the elements of war were hushed. Our independence was acknowledged, and peace I)1‘0Clit%lliM‘:(l. Thus, fellowmitiaens, an event was accomplished which is without a parallel in the political history of nations- iWe can no where find the record of a retro.- lution in which the causes were more just, the objects more pure, and the eifects more iniportant. In its course were exhibited examples of individual patri-. otism in all its sublimity, and national virtue in all its grandeur. The importance of this niighty achievement is not merely the adding of an empire to the catalogue of nations; it has consequences far more important to the world at large. The science of government, in which the happiness of the great family of man is involved, has received new light. This interesting subject had long engaged the attention of statesmen and V philosophers. Systems had been invented and exploded. Theories had been multiplied; but their practicalapplication had been wantinen The minds of men tvere yet enslaved by the shackles of prejudice and xii ernment were more generally “understood in this age 4 23 ignorance. But with American independence a polit- ical era commenced, and the human mind was free. Our parent country had been several ages in arriv- ing at the point which she had reached on that import.- ant A subject.‘ The degree of freedom that she pus.- sessed had been ohtained at difi'ere11t periods of her his- tor , and by manyiviolentinternal conflicts. . Her con» stitution had been gradually raised from the abyss of despotism to that point of political liberty which she then enjoyed. Her institutions excited the envy and admiration of the neiglihonring liirigcloms. To be se— cure of all the benefits which that constitution guaram teed to the subject, was the point for which our _patri- ots contended in the early stages of the controversy. It was not from la desire of innovation, or change that they combatted ; but for the preservation of that liberty to which they were entitled, both by the laws of nature and the constitution under which they lived. The questions of controversy between Great-Britain and her Colonies, involved the most important principles of a free government. Their public discussion elilightened the public mind. The people were instructed in their political 1*'igl'1ts 5 and the natnre_and principlesof gov-4 than at any former period. To the degree of liberty, A that the people of this country enjoyed hethre the revo- lution, may, in a great measure, be attributed the estab-» lishment of that perfect system of republican freedom which we now possess. A people who suddenly emerge from a state of slavery and oppression, are apt to fly to the opposite extreme of anarchy and lic:en.- tionsness; from the tyranny of the one, to the tyranny @444 eat’ the mzmy, titl tlM3_j«" ztggeinl relepee into e worse state of Llespotiem tba.11 that frenn wbiclz they hacl previously enzamzipetetl themeelvee. But we, fortunately, bad been ripened by the enjeymeet of 3. ettttfieient cleggree of lib- erty to avoid lieeaztietleneee ; amt lmcl resisted oppree» sion betbre we felt ite Weight. The pr.1blic mind en- ~m3‘1*iel1etl by experience eml eeligbtefled by instruction, eeltnly and tempet-etely exleptetl our present systems of g0VB1‘flfl1Bl’l’llWlllCl1 ere the tlmlite of tlmse lessons of wis- (lum eml virtue which were teught by thepetriots of the revolution. The present pelitieel iestitutim*1e of our Jountry are free from the &,i’[_)":6‘[fiv!11"{’E\itit‘/S’ which are eegrafted in the govemmeet cat" em‘ M-etlner Country, entd that per- fect system of t'ep1*eee11tztti\re tlemoemey is (-3Stt*tl)lTlSl1€(.l whieb beet eompot-te with the le.ws of Grecl, of nature eaml of reason. By tbte;-rye the eitizizen retains every right /7Z’t€.4""°Wvhiel1 is not of ueeeeeity 1*el’mquiettne(l one his ellterilnmggw ikeociety, aml for the eeppmt~t et’ geve1*attneI1t. The rights “of naatlkintl and of eeeietzy am;-, equally secured and protected. No emu by late‘ is ¢.El£‘.Vtl.€t'8:tl above 2m0tl1e1*; but we all stamtl upon the httttttf gmli1t:ic.a.l level 3 zmtl it is to be hopecl that no Otlmt‘ 4.lwZ:-;%E;m:ti«:>ni2e will ever exiet anumg the people, tlmt tlleee wbieta are founded upml ‘wisdom and public Virtue. A eee§tet.y that is 1*eg11.lete(l by small prineiplee meet be lmppy ttlfltl pmepereue. 'Revelt:.:1tiems lmve tee eften t;emni1nete(l in a mere eltazmge of l'¥1flStt§I’S ; tlhey" eftexm in p1*e‘t‘eeei11g to correct ebueee, eugment them. Popular exeitenlletmt moves in t‘:l’xLl1l’Bi71HfiS ; but it is the ggreeteet g.;1m'y to the actors in tlse Aunerieen revelution, that ju2~3tiee%, tempe1'at1ce.end tertlitmle, me.'rlte1l Tate flee, 1>1*u;;t't:ee uncle conclusion. 35 Time abuses which occasioned it are corrected, and the origitiallly professed principles of ethoseswho were its chief pronioters are established. Public liberty is fixed upon the firmest basis, and it will he the fault of our-- selves if it he removed from its position. 3 Our patriiots lived for their country; not for them» selves. They toiled for the public good 3 not for their own. VVe have not found that they secured to them-- selves either titles, honors, or Wealth; but faithful to their own principle.s they finished their Work in confor- mity to their prot'ess‘ed design. They rested from the toils of public life, rich only in the afiections of the people, and the gratitude of their country. Of a those illustrious men, how few are now to be numbered rairnoyngg; the living '! iA few returns of this anniver- sary and every star of the revolution will have sunk. below the horizon. For those whose course is al- ready run, we perceive no stately columns erected to commemmorate their virtues : no Inausolea to direct , us Where their ashes is inshrined. But their menu» ments are our political institutions, the general happi- ness of the people, and the prosperous condition of the Country. They require no statues of brass or of marble : no proud monumental columns to perpetuate their memories: the fan1e of A their glorious deeds will be as durable, as the simperishable record of their Works. - Under our republican institutions we l1t’tV6 increased in wealth and in strenth ; We have been prosperous and happy. But our p1'ospe1*ity hasbeen occasionally in- terrupted. Internal dissensious have distracted our national councils, and influenced their decissions. ‘Eh 5-We The contemling powers of Europe lnatle us a prey to their injustice and repaeity. With them 11.etionet. i.{l.W' Was proetrated for natiolml expediency. lUntler these circumstances our co1nmereia.l“ rights were inwuled, Our property was the prey to the commissioner free- hooters upon the ocean, Our flag, was no llmgger a, security to the persons, nor a proteetion_ to the pro;pe1*» ty which it covered. We wereg as a people, the re- proaeh of Europe, and the vietimet of their i11iqs.:it,y.-my But our mttionel policy was that of peace. ’1‘ru:e to this policy insults and indignities were emluretli. till our magoenixmmity was eoneicleretl wealmese, amt our forliemenee 1Jusil1eeimity*. The calamities of war eould not he ave1'ter1‘fiby equity eml ustiee. Tole: re. public was roused to sense of her own tti§‘3:;r*’,;s7”el’;._.‘,,-' ,3 amt Warwos deelered, when pleeee wfould .l1e‘ve heeli tram. Iloniifli-0uS~y t -‘The sleeping energies of our country were exvel-ma, eel mid b1*ou§gl1t into ection : tll0l1gi'l enfeehled hy ‘in.- terhel divisions ; yet, retributive justice vvee exereieerl with a ter1'ihlevengea11ee upon our enemy. If in this eonteet you would eeareh for the g;;lo1'y of you ' e,reay 1*‘ V tum to, the weet emzl to the south :: if for the g_,g;lory of your gallant little navy 1° look to your inloml seam zmcl to the two o.ee:m”e which hound the continent : if for the ‘W'iS(l0I11 ofyour etetoenlen P turn to the ‘record of the 11egotietim:3s rtt Ghent 2 and We slmll find in them all eufieiexlt to gratify the honest pride of every eitieeix of tl1e_repuhli_e. In this (‘.()Hill(‘;l2 victory, glory and peeee were its froilep. Our netiotzal el1a.1'eeter wee lretleemevzli. r.:‘t.,mli et-tr. republic, now steode *7‘ proudly Bmllltrfillm la t:>t;t§; the kittgtlolrls of the earth, $7 Hut, fellow citizens,rwl1et shall we say of Masseelzaus swetts in this iconfliiet for the defence of those Tlglltfiifi’ which she had so largely aided to establish P Did she not worthy of herself? Did she display that pet1'iotisne for which she was ones so highly exalted in the esti« metion of the World? Did she show her etto,ehAme11t to. those principles by which she was actuated in the Wee of the revolution ? But, let us proceed no further in the enquiry. We are all interestecl in her honor, let us‘ Veil her infirmities. If she l1es_l'e,llen from that 1ot'ty' positiotl to which she was so justly entitled, let us en— de:a.vot1r to restore her to her preper plates in the polite eel system. lt‘ her ehe.re.eter he-s heeu s:::.eritleed hy the measures of the G,?ill)'ll1Bi, ;her glory was susteirled her sons in A the field. Search the historic palge. end we shell find them llonorehtly enrolled among the cl.t:at’ea1zle1's of our c.os.mtry’s 1'ig;l1ts. Vite shell timl ev... idenee that the former valor a11tlpet1‘iotiset1 of Masses ehusetts is not degenerated : that this cradle of lndeu tpexitlence hes furnislied its proportim1 of those heroes,, who fought in the defence of its principles. Let l;taere1ne1r1he1* too, that Messecluzusetts was ex1eeemix1ent- ly distinguished for her etteehmen=t to the principles of freeclom ; that she lies been f1‘l.lltfl1l of patriots 3 that in the war For the establishment of our ixlrlepentlenoe, she was always in the front renhts of liherty, in oppew sitiou *totyr'et1nym”1(l oppression ; that she was the c.hi.et’r direetress of the revolution, and t'orme(l the key stone to the arch of the grand oonfedereey. VVhile we re- flect on What she was, and see wllet she now is, we may rreerp for her late follies 3 but we een ezsmlt at her t'or.. %8 iuer glor-y. Let us hope that she will soon return‘ to that course which her honor and her dignity require, and that the spots whieh have appeared upon her i bright surface, Will soon it become invisible and lost in. the blaze of her native splendour. "" VVe have great reason to rejoice, l"elloW citizens, for the manifohl blessings we enjoy. The War through which we so triuinphantly passed, not only has made us respected abroad 3 but has restored to us (lomestic peace and tranquility. The voice of faction is hush- ed, the passions of party sleep, and harmony prevails over the land. The national administration possess the atl’ec\:io11 and confidence of the people 3', the laws of the nation are respected antl obeyed ; commerce is protected 5 literature autl the arts are encouraged ; the earth yields her increase ; the public burdens are light}, and our resources a.1le abundant. Our political institu- tions st1'engtl1e11 with their age. The tree of liberty flourishes ‘: planted in a genial soil, its roots nourished by the fertilizing streams 0'l'1‘(lI)l'll)llC€tIl‘l$511l, its trunk is streiigthenetl, anti its arms extend ;the Eagle of our republie reposes upon its branches 3 and the iweariecl pilgrini from the deserts of ty1*z1::1ir‘1y, finds shelter and repose under its foliage; ‘When we reflect, fellow citizens, on the iuuumera-. ‘ ble blessings‘ we enjoy 5 the few, very few evils we suf- fer, We shall find great reason to rejoice in being citi- zens of a country so abumzlautly favored by Heaven.