ister States, which, and which alone, carried us successfully
through the revolutionary war, and finally placed us under that national
government, which constitutes the safety of every part, by uniting for
its protection the powers of the whole. The moment for exerting these
united powers, to repel the injuries of the belligerents of Europe,
seems likely to be pressed upon us. They have interdicted our commerce
with nearly the whole world. They have declared it shall be carried on
with such places, in such articles, and in such measure only, as they
shall dictate; thus prostrating all the principles of right, which
have hitherto protected it. After exhausting the cup of forbearance
and conciliation to its dregs, we found it necessary, on behalf of that
commerce, to take time to call it home into a state of safety, to put
the towns and harbors which carry it on into a condition of defence, and
to make further preparation for enforcing the redress of its wrongs, and
restoring it to its rightful freedom. This required a certain measure of
time, which, although not admitting specific limitation, must, from its
avowed objects, have been obvious to all: and the progress actually made
towards the accomplishment of these objects, proves it now to be near
its term.

While thus endeavoring to secure, and preparing to vindicate that
commerce, the absurd opinion has been propagated, that this temporary
and necessary arrangement was to be a permanent system, and was intended
for its destruction. The sentiments expressed in the paper you were so
kind as to enclose me, show that those who have concurred in them, have
judged with more candor the intentions of their government, and
are sufficiently aware of the tendency of the excitements and
misrepresentations which have been practised on this occasion. And such,
I am persuaded, will be the disposition of the citizens of Massachusetts
at large, whenever truth can reach them. Associated with her sister
States in a common government, the fundamental principle of which is,
that the will of the majority is to prevail, sensible, that in the
present difficulty, that will has been governed by no local interests
or jealousies, that to save permanent rights, temporary sacrifices
were necessary, that these have fallen as impartially on all, as in a
situation so peculiar they could be made to do, she will see, in the
existing measures, a legitimate and honest exercise of the will and
wisdom of th