AN 
 
 ORATION 
 
 PRONOUNCED AT ORLEANS, 
 
 JULY 4, 1809. 
 THIRTY FIRST ANNIVERSARY 01- 
 
 AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 By JOTHAM WATERMAN, 
 
 Minister of the Gospel in Barnstable. 
 
 — — My kingdom is not of this world St. John. 
 
 Am I, therefore, become your enemy, because 
 I tell you the truth ? St. Paul 
 
 BOSTON : 
 
 PRINTED BY JOSHUA BELCHER. 
 1809. 
 
£L 2 
 
ORATION. 
 
 HEARERS, FELLOW-CITIZENS, AND CHRISTIANS, 
 
 ' Th e Lord hath done great things for us, 
 whereof we are glad." With joy congenial, we cele- 
 brate the wonderful and kind interpositions of Divine 
 Providence, which are called to mind, by the return of 
 this important anniversary. He would say, in a politi- 
 cal sense, this is the day, the Lord hath made, we will 5 
 as faithful citizens, rejoice and be glad therein. 
 
 The speaker, on this joyful occasion, is more fre- 
 quently selected from the bar, than from the pulpit. 
 The latter selection however is, by no means, inadmis- 
 sible, for every christian ought to be an active patriot. 
 Any farther apology I need not make, for my personal 
 appearance, in this place and upon this occasion, and 
 shall, therefore, proceed to collect some of the many 
 objects of discussion, which are interspersed in the 
 field, I am now to travel. 
 
 To attempt tracing the extensive chain of causes 
 and effects, that led America to independence, and 
 with the beauties of rhetoric, united with the force of 
 metaphysical disquisition, to prove the justice of those 
 measures, by which she became severed from Great 
 Britain, would be too laborious for the speaker ; too 
 far intruding on precious time, beside that, which is not 
 
a fact," presupposing ignorance of historical facts, 1 in 
 this crowded and respectable auditory. 
 
 To tread the before mentioned long beaten path, 
 and to compress its multitudinous and circuitous 
 events, to the limits of a brief Oration or Address 
 would be like the philosopher's reducing all the real 
 matter in the universe, to the bulk of a walnut. 
 
 Gratitude to the origin and protractor of all good, 
 for the innumerable blessings, which have been liberal- 
 ly conferred, on the free and enlightened sons of 
 Columbia, should this day feelingly move the breast 
 of every American whose heart is not callous to the 
 unadulterated sensibilities of patriotism. 
 
 Fully persuaded I am, that I sincerely rejoice in this 
 day, and that you all, who know your best interests 
 and obligations to secure them, unite with me. Fully 
 persuaded I am, that every one, who justly claims the 
 honour of a good neighbour, a gentleman, a patriot, 
 and a christian, will cover, with the mantle of charity, 
 those imperfections in the speaker, that are natural to 
 man, and which fail not to be rendered into criminal 
 allegations by such, as see only through the jaundiced 
 perspective of party. This great pest to civil socie- 
 ty I would gladly and victoriously combat. While, I 
 attempt to do it, I have this satisfaction, that I am no 
 Tory nor the son of a Tory and also the candour to 
 own, with extreme regret, that many are branded with 
 this all odious name, who deserve it not. 
 
 Party has run too high for our national good. 
 Would to heaven, it were reduced to its just limits, to 
 differ in friendship, that the ups no more retaliate upon 
 the downs* Could I instil into your minds, and the 
 
minds of all my fellow citizens, the importance and 
 wisdom of overcoming evil with good ; the great utili- 
 ty of venerating national concord and forbearance, I 
 would dare to predict that the harmless dove of Inde- 
 pendence, would not cease to perch on the branching 
 willows of America, " while the earth shall bear a plant* 
 or the sea roll its waves." 
 
 The happy fruits of Independence, the wisdom of 
 union, in opposition to discord and rendering collisions, 
 receive the weighty, the mature and well digested 
 blessing of an Adams, second to America's first 
 glory. — But sorry I am to say it, that he has seen 
 the scripture literally fulfilled. " A man's foes shall 
 be those of his own household," he has had his Hosan- 
 nas, and now, he is daily crucified and slain because he 
 tells the truth ; because he has a little passed the age 
 of man. 3 Behold a party come to the last resort ! To 
 depreciate his writings, hear and be astonished at the 
 charge,, he has become superannuated ! ! — Fellow citi- 
 zens peruse, and reperuse his writings. They are full. 
 of mental sanity and true patriotism. They attest to 
 his ever having been a true Republican. His age is 
 but a little more than the learned doctor's, who, the last 
 general election displayed all his ingenuity and erudi- 
 tion upon Jothanx's parable I How different this aged 
 statesman and philosopher, from that grey headed di- 
 vine, who compares Mr. Jefferson to the bramble, in 
 the before named parable ! 
 
 Hear what Mr. Adams says to the contrary. " I 
 sought and obtained an interview with Mr. Jefferson. 
 1 had lived with him on terms of intimate friendship 
 for five and twenty years, had acted with him in dan- 
 
I 
 
 gerous times and arduous conflicts, and always found 
 him assiduous, laborious, and as far, as I could judge, 
 faithful and upright." And speaking of Mr. Madison, 
 he thus observes. " I had long wished to avail myself 
 and the public of the fine talents and amiable qualities 
 and manners of Mr. Madison." And again " of Jef- 
 ferson," whom some to their honour have called negro 
 and French president ! ! he says, " I will not take leave 
 without declaring my opinion, that the accusations 
 against him, of blind devotion to France ; of hostility 
 to England ; of hatred to commerce ; of partiality and 
 duplicity in his late negociations with the belligerent 
 powers are, ■without foundation" 
 
 That Mr. Madison does back this eulogy upon his 
 predecessor, may be seen by a multitude of documents, 
 that may be easily obtained, and which also liberate 
 Mr. Adams from the ungenerous charge of being su- 
 perannuated. They, who make it, know in their own 
 hearts, they make a lie and work an abomination. In 
 the science of theology, natural and christian, and in 
 the science of jurisprudence, Mr. Adams rises infinite- 
 ly superior to an Osgood, 4 an Emmons, 5 a Spring, and 
 a Parish. This Quaternion is honoured with a diplo- 
 ma, which they have severally dishonoured by their ex- 
 treme political party zeal. The first has called Mr. 
 Jefferson a bramble ; the second has compared him to 
 Jereboam ; the third has put in his oar, and the fourth 
 has called him the Antichrist. Could they lead the 
 standing order of the clergy to the same measure of ex- 
 cess, to which they have themselves gone, sectarians in 
 church, would ere long, supplant them and their fol- 
 lowers. The clergy have not been altogether so pru- 
 
7 
 
 dent, as they ought to have been : 6 Had they acted in 
 their proper sphere, republicans would not have said 
 nor done, what they have, in some instances, against 
 them. Let the ministers of the gospel preach Jesus 
 Christ and him crucified, and set those, as one again, 
 who are at variance, and they will not then lug gun- 
 boats and the bramble into the sacred desk. 7 
 
 Concord is what every good man and citizen will 
 approve and pursue. Hence, he will be more pleased 
 with those ministers of the gospel, who are not high, 
 nor intolerant in their political sentiments, but are dis- 
 posed to render unto Cesar the things, that are Cesar'' s, 
 and unto God the things which are God's. — Because the 
 standing order of the clergy, have been such thorough 
 adepts in federalism, the methodists and baptists have 
 so far increased ; and unless the former desist saying so 
 much about the bramble, the latter will find, as they 
 have already done, a feast of fat things.* There will 
 be partizans in church as well as in state. Both I con- 
 temn, just so much as I love Independence in the latter, 
 or venerate religion in the former. I know of no pol- 
 itics apart from this, be they under the colour of feder- 
 alism or republicanism. I contemn all foolish divisions, 
 and continual versatility of sentiment, carried round 
 by the wheel of honour and profit. 
 
 I presume, fellow citizens and christians, that with 
 me, you respect those Americans, who provide things 
 honest in the sight of all men and all parties, who follow 
 whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, 
 and of good report. — If you do, then are we all firm 
 advocates for national concord. This is recommended 
 to us in the great volume of nature, and in the all-ex- 
 
8 
 
 panding volume of divine revelation. The deplor- 
 ble effects of its opposite, compose a principal part of 
 ancient and modern history, and are most pathetically 
 and patriotically remonstrated against, in the never to 
 forgotten legacy of the father of his country, the im- 
 mortal Washington. 
 
 It is unhappy for our common country, there are 
 those, not few in number, who profess to receive him, 
 as godfather in politics, who yet not only in sentiment, 
 but in practice absolutely deny him. Would to heav- 
 en, they might clearly see, and candidly own-their ex- 
 treme folly, in thus not only politically crucifying him 
 afresh and putting him to open shame, but in unfeel- 
 ingly deflouring and unturfing his grave. — His shades 
 will not be troubled for nought. Though dead, he yet 
 speaketh to us, to frown indignantly upon every meas- 
 ure, calculated in issue, to rend asunder the union of 
 these United States. Shall we then, as we would 
 respect his counsels, smile instead of frowning upon 
 such, as have highly approved of a division of the 
 Union, and warmly seconded, if not leaded in the 
 evasions of those laws of the general government, which 
 were the offspring of imperious necessity, laid upon 
 us by foreign nations, and more especially by our 
 mother country, who has it in her power to hurt us 
 most. 9 She has done us more injury, since our national 
 birth or independence, than all the other nations upon 
 earth. But I must stop, or I shall be charged with 
 French influence, which God knows would be an un- 
 just allegation. I have no partiality for any nation but 
 my own. I am no disorganize^ I am not a bramble, 
 and though not a Sir, Isaac Newton, I am not superan- 
 
9 
 
 tiuaied. If to be a patriot, and deliver the truth, re 
 specting the dangers which have threatened, and which 
 still menace the country, is to be superannuated, would 
 to kind heaven, every American were superannuated. 
 
 Every rational man and legitimate patriot acknowl- 
 edges it his indispensable duty, to seek the happiness 
 not only of his own children, but of his neighbours, 
 and therefore of the community to which he belongs, 
 as this is made up of a greater, or less number of neigh- 
 bourhoods. He will be obedient to law and order, and 
 voluntm^ grant, that it is better, patiently to endure, 
 manfully to support, and patriotically to laud a tempo- 
 rary evil, when thereby he is liberated, in probability, 
 from eternal depredation and plunder. 
 
 The Embargo was a temporary evil, and yet as 
 wise a measure (omnibus consideratis considerandis J as 
 ever was adopted, by the American government. 9 — We 
 readily concede, it was embarrassing to some of our 
 fellow citizens, who will, when commerce shall again 
 have obtained its former activity and profit, know how 
 not only to prize it, but how justly to contemn all at- 
 tacks upon it, by foreign nations, disposed to intrude 
 upon our national hospitality and justice. It has prov- 
 ed, contrary to federal prediction and declaration, in 
 happy degree, a coercive measure. 10 — It has saved our 
 shipping ; it has saved our men, who have given a no- 
 ble addition to agriculture, having their attention called 
 to it. It has lengthened out the lives of many and their 
 enjoyments among their friends upon the land. — It has 
 taught us economy and prudence. 
 
 While, great men here, as by some called, have 
 warmly disapprobated this measure, still greater men 
 
10 
 
 across the water, have frankly owned its energy and the 
 justice of its adoption, and so have exposed the folly of 
 those Americans, who have spoken against their own 
 interest, and that of their posterity, in thus ridiculing 
 a measure of Administration, which they ought to 
 have applauded. 
 
 Let the infuriated members of the Essex Junto fall 
 back and give place to superior understanding, and the 
 brighter examples of patriotism, in favor of our inde- 
 pendence as so nobly exhibited, in the ever to be re- 
 corded speeches of a lord Grenville and a HP? Whit- 
 bread. One syllable, from either of these true friends 
 to America's rights, is as much above whole volumes 
 from a Sloane, a Hillhouse, a Pickering, and a Quin- 
 cy, 11 as the Andes are above a molehill. — Wonderful 
 penetration, singular knowledge and patriotism, the 
 latter possess, if the country's good is more their ob- 
 ject, than their own self aggrandisements ! ! 
 
 If to patriotism we lend our aid, and to concord its 
 patron, our humble veneration, we shall bestow our sa- 
 cred pzeans on those only, who have had' the good of 
 the land in view. Among whom we may reckon a 
 John Q. Adams, an Anderson, a Smith, and a Giles. 
 These with many others, have some information, if no 
 money nor religion ! ! They speak well. " Out of the 
 bundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." 
 
 Amidst the joys of this day, we sorely lament the 
 delusion, which has too far prevailed, that federalism 
 and religion are synonymous terms ! Happy America, 
 this delusion appears to be on its wane y the bramble 12 
 notwithstanding. 
 
11 
 
 Religion is not confined to any one party. — Repub- 
 licans have religion as well as their opponents. When 
 about to settle a minister of the gospel, they have not 
 been so eagle eyed to discover the political sentiments 
 of the candidate, as the federalists have been. 13 Whefe 
 they have had but a few of these to oppose, they have 
 scarcely made any inquiry into his sentiments, aside 
 from religions ; religion is not to be determined by fed- 
 eralism, nor by republicanism. This tune has been 
 played long enough, thank heaven, it begins no more to 
 threaten our independence. 
 
 Mr. Madison 14 is not charged with being an infidel, 
 when there is as much room for doing it, as there ever 
 was for alleging it against Mr. Jefferson. 
 
 The numerous enormities, and jealousies, and false- 
 hoods, that have disturbed this country, took their ori- 
 gin from a greediness, for loaves and fishes of office. — 
 This greediness displays itself in the hypocricy of not 
 a few, and reminds us of the speech of Caius Marius 
 to the Rom ins. " It is but too common, my country- 
 " men, to observe a material difference between the be- 
 " haviour of those, who stand candidates for places of 
 "power and trust, before and after their obtaining them. 
 " They solicit them in one way, and execute them in 
 "another." Behold then, with just estimation and 
 charity, the man sowing the seed of discord, and excit- 
 ing disaffection towards the measures of the general 
 government, to obtain an office, and on obtaining it, af- 
 ter a very prolix recommendation of religion, enjoining 
 on all his fellow citizens to bury all party dissensions, 
 for fear, the same he has measured to others, should be 
 measured to him again. 
 
12 
 
 Arc we to expect a government perfectly free from 
 error ? Are we to expect one, which shall bear nothing 
 but olive berries and Jigs ? Are we to expect one en- 
 tirely free from the bramble ? Why then all the noise, 
 as if the heavens and the earth were coming together, 
 because a measure was adopted by the last adminis- 
 tration, wholly approved o." by tl e present, and which, 
 contrary to what has been said and written, thank hea- 
 ven, has brought our mother country, at last, to treat 
 us, in some small degree, as children. — What this mea- 
 sure wanted in effect, owing to the repeated violations 
 of it by those, who consider themselves the exclusive 
 patriots of the land, has under a propitious and over- 
 ruling Providence been made up, in some degree by 
 her ill success in Spain. Charity begins at home, and 
 hence, it would be more advisable to give a feast to 
 our own, than to the Spanish patriots. We deny not 
 our duty to wish God- speed to all true patriots and 
 christians. We deny not our duty to fast when it be 
 not through debate and strife. W T e deny not our duty 
 to respect all honest men and institutions of utility, and 
 especially those of religion. 
 
 But where is infallibility ? Is it in Virginia ? Or is 
 in Massachusetts ? If in the latter, shall we not have 
 the satisfaction to see it fully exhibited the present year ? 
 The enemies of our general government, have now 
 their whole hearts' desire ; they can raise or lower sala- 
 ries, 15 just as they please ; make or unmake officers. 
 Notwithstanding they thus have their whole hearts de- 
 sire, the conjecture is hazarded, that like the preacher, 
 they may exclaim, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 
 Madison is still a Mordecai to them. They praise him, 
 
13 
 
 to dispraise his predecessor. 16 We hope, and trust, 
 they will go their lengths and pass by. Then it will be 
 a happy day to us, as a nation. 
 
 Small indeed the pleasure, or real satisfaction, a 
 man, yet alive to the weight of truth, the whispers of 
 conscience and the exhortations of justice, can receive 
 from rising to a seat of political eminence, through dis- 
 cord, false representation of matters of fact, and speak- 
 ing ill of the rulers of the people, and their measures, 
 when through their benign and desired effect, as to the 
 special object designed, he has nothing left for him to 
 do, that shall immortalize his name, or cover his fame 
 with the laurels of his country's approbation, for signal 
 services done her. Thousands and thousands, neverthe- 
 less, wish for offices. If mere sinecures, it matters not 
 with them, while they alone aie the exclusive patriots of 
 the country. Their patriotism is of the most doubtful 
 gender, who have secretly, or openly countenanced an 
 infraction upon the laws, founded upon the wise princi- 
 ple of chusijig the least of two evils. 
 
 Those laws, which laid the embargo, were the re- 
 sult of absolute necessity. Our neutrality had been 
 wantonly violated, by two rival and conflicting nations 
 of Europe. Reparation for repeated spoliations would 
 much sooner been offered us, had not a want of patri- 
 otism been among us, upon which the dominant par- 
 ty* in this state, have risen to power. 17 
 
 The wheels of our political felicity have been un- 
 happily retarded, by a faction, which in conformity to 
 the advice of our mother country, have industriously 
 sown the seed of discord among us. This may be in 
 
 * Lean majority. 
 
ferred from the truth, there are among us those, who 
 though they profess to be the humble disciples of Wash- 
 ington, do yet disrelish every speech from the house of 
 lords, in favour of America. Such must be, in a poli- 
 tical sense, in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniqui- 
 ty. It is fondly hoped, such may never compose the 
 majority in our national councils, for should they, the 
 ark of our political safety would be upset and all its 
 sacred deposits spilt on the tempestuous sea of anarchy 
 and confusion. 
 
 Let us then solemnly renew our covenant, this 
 day, to support our independence, against the vile ma- 
 chinations of such. As it came not without, so let us 
 resolve, it shall never go without blood. Let concord 
 be our pole-star, and the sage advice written not only 
 upon the table of our hearts, but even upon the posts of 
 our doors, " United we stand, divided we fall." Kind 
 heaven, may the former even be our wisdom and hap- 
 piness as a people, and the latter never our folly and 
 infelicity. 
 
 Were there a division of these States to take place, 
 which is a fond projection of some, a second, if not the 
 first Bonaparte, would take the lead of one, triumphant- 
 ly over the other division, and then the pleasing festivi- 
 ties of this day would be erased from the page of our 
 national honour and happiness. 
 
 We have been called unto liberty. Let us not be 
 malicious ; let us not descend to licentiousness, the 
 paltry fruits of which have too far diseased our land. 
 When it will be healed, is concealed from us, by the 
 impenetrable vail of futurity. Thus much lies within 
 our cognizance, that when " Common Sense in Disha- 
 
15 
 
 bille," shall have a candid hearing, and candour no 
 more be frowned from the stage, there will be a happy 
 reaction, which, however, is not wanted only in two 
 or three members of our great political body. These 
 members have been not a little maimed, by a multi- 
 plicity of misrepresentations, to answer, as they have 
 already done, an electioneering purpose.* 
 
 Every thing but the naked sword has been drawn 
 against the last administration, and from what has trans- 
 pired, we may conjecture how the present will be 
 treated. Mr. Madison does not boast kvva line of 
 things made ready to his hands. He knows, he has 
 entered into another man's labours, and is disposed to 
 give them that finishing stroke, which shall correspond 
 with their commencement or projection. If we would 
 respect him, let it be, by submission to his rule, and 
 not by an evasion of his laws. If patriotic, we shall 
 not oppose the rulers of our own constitutional choice. 
 If, therefore, in directing the wheels of administration, 
 they cross our path, we shall stay the hand of rebellion, 
 and wait till a new election come round. — If such pru- 
 dence, if such generosity be not general, among our 
 fellow citizens, America, the great, the rich, and the 
 enlightened America, will fall, like Lucifer from heaven, 
 to rise no more. 
 
 To the continuation of our national pence and in- 
 dependence, it is requisite, our fellow citizens form 
 good resolves. A host of resolves, however, have been 
 drawn up against the general government, and voted 
 into publication, within a year past, respecting which, 
 
 * " Rather be at war with every nation on the earth, than be subject' 
 ID an embargo."— Gov. Gore. 
 
16 
 
 suffer us to conjecture, that those \\ho;penned, and 
 those who voted their being made public, seeing how 
 things of national concern have transpired in Europe, 
 would be glad, should it be the fate of the prints con- 
 taining them, to become wrapping, instead of filed pa- 
 pers. Aware of the folly attached to them and the il- 
 legality of the spirit, upon which they were projected, 
 and wishing to extenuate the weight of future censure, 
 they who introduced, and those who abetted them, 
 have had recourse to the pitiable, the laughable leger- 
 demain of dubbing Mr. Madison with the name fed- 
 eralist ! ! This is a title , explained agreeable to the nexv 
 style, he utterly disclaims. 
 
 Club law will never support our independence, nor 
 consider our blood sacred, while we walk the streets, 
 when we meet those averse from the doctrine of equal 
 rights. Who shall be judges, whether the laws re- 
 garding the lives of citizens shall be obeyed or not, 
 when those laws are trampled upon ? shall those, who 
 have most solemnly sworn to support the constitution, 
 the laws of the land, and of the state, in which they 
 respectively reside ; to keep the peace, with impunity, 
 not only break this, but evade the laws ? are we to live 
 forever in confusion, party, and hatred, because civil 
 officers are not multitudinous enough to gratify the un- 
 bounded ambition of those exclusive patriots, who have 
 laid themselves under an anathsma, they will not rest, 
 tho' they eat and drink like epicures, until they have es- 
 tablished, upon the ruins of heavenly republicanism, 
 the trap door edifice of aristocracy, the capstone of 
 which has this inscription, " Praise that you would dis- 
 " praise, and refuse to receive that, which you have 
 
17 
 
 "asked." 18 Should those, who pay their humble de- 
 voirs to this creed of anglo federalism, take the reins 
 of government into their hands, the phrase will imme- 
 diately occur to our minds, ride and tie. 
 
 When common sense and honesty shall rise to tneir 
 wonted height, from the oppressions under which they 
 have unhappily fallen, in any section of our national 
 rotine, then America will have occasio 1 to rejoice. 
 
 With proper reflections upon corrupt nature, be- 
 hold the man, through the measures he has warmly dis- 
 approbated, by an undue comment upon them, or 
 charging them with being the fruit of French influence, 
 taking the chair of state, and most cordially embracing 
 an escort, and then contrast his merits and his political 
 meekness, with another's refusing the same, though 
 chosen by more thousands 19 than the former had hund- 
 reds. The patriots of this state have professed to en- 
 tertain the most pure compassion on such as have been 
 embarassed by the embargo, and especially for poor fish- 
 ermen ! ! but stop, and think. The money expended 
 in the escort to his Excellency, would have, had it been 
 appropriated to that purpose, relieved the necessities of 
 all, who, in these parts, were rendered peculiarly pinch- 
 ed by the embargo. The poor were not so much the 
 object, as office. But we would not say, depart in 
 peace, be ye warmed, filled, and clothed. But then ev- 
 ery thing must be devised to bolster up a weak and tot- 
 tering cause ! ! 
 
 Cheat and play, if I may be indulged a vulgarism, 
 will never prosper long. The truth is great, and will 
 prevail. The eyes of the deluded will before long be 
 opened, and the sun of republicanism will return from 
 
18 
 
 his declination, from this part of our political world, and 
 sweetly dry the canvass, which haS so iong been furled, 
 not through the folly of our government, but the injus- 
 tice of foreign nations, and particularly that nation, 
 which so many adore, and which, at last, contrary to 
 their wire woven speeches and sophisticated arguments, 
 lias come forward, and owned, that she has not only 
 done " us essential injury" but herself also not a little 
 harm. 
 
 This fact laughs the speech of a Sloane out of coun- 
 tenance : 20 " To what a degree of stupidity" and ab- 
 surdity he must have been reduced, t ) make the asser- 
 tion, in his ever memorable speech, as set forth, by the 
 federalists! that, "the embargo was a measure, so far 
 " lucrative to Great Britain, that could she ensure its 
 " continuance for scvi n years to come, by defraying 
 *' the whole expense of the American government, she 
 ''would gladly do it." I would not too far meddle 
 with or disturb the patriotic friendship of this modern 
 Demosthenes, by saying, how incompatible is his asser- 
 tion with the mission* of an Oakley ! ! 
 
 Our form of government is the best on earth, and 
 needs therefore the best support. The best of men 
 will support it. It looks to equal rights, " The rights 
 of man." While it has its evils, so has every other 
 kind of government. But the evils would be hap- 
 pily diminished, did our fellow citizens respect virtue, 
 as they ought. Then let no one speak against it. It 
 opens its honours, its profits, and it„ oTices equally to all, 
 equally qualified. So wide is the door ol American great- 
 ness, that not unfrequently, the disqualified enter with 
 
 * We predict, it will prove an earthen vessel. 
 
19 
 
 those who ore worthy, by talent and practice, a part in 
 administration. Let patience have its perfect work. 
 Each spoke in our political wheel cannot be a top at the 
 same time, but resolves in turn to rise. Let Americans 
 show themselves men ; show themselves patriots, and 
 show themselves patrons of virtue, and we shall have 
 continued to our enjoyment all the felicities of national 
 concord, ail the blessings of a truly republican gov- 
 ernment. 
 
 What, fellow citizens, renders heaven so desirable 
 an abode, but the sacred harmony, which there resides ? 
 On the contrary, what renders hell the topan of misery, 
 but discord and strife ? How all important unanimity 
 and concord, in neighbourhoods, towns, counties, states 
 and confederated republics ? How necessary concord in- 
 die universe ? How baleful is party ? Is concord so ne- 
 cessary in the planetary system, that without it the 
 stars would fall from heaven, the sun and moon not 
 give their light ? If so necessary, let us, this day, pay 
 our sacred vows to its shrine, and we shall have peace 
 in all our borders and prosperity in all our palaces. 
 
 There is a nobility in our country, which wants not 
 a little softening down. Unhappily for their repeated 
 assertions, that they possess all the money, all the learn- 
 ing, and all the religion, for antichrist is found in this 
 selfsame pod, which discloses to our view, our political 
 adversary, who, in diverse colours, sits, in satanic ma- 
 jesty, judge supreme of a.l good sentiments and elegant 
 composition, and has notified his lodgings are taken up 
 in Boston. He and his satellites rail against French in- 
 jiuence ! ! But are we not in as much danger, if not 
 vastly more, of northern influence ? Why go the fed- 
 
20 
 
 eralists, if so afraid of southern influence, to the south- 
 ward for a candidate for the Presidency ? Consistency 
 is peculiarly desirable, being the handmaid of national 
 concord ? 
 
 Federalism, if we must use names, is, notwithstanding 
 assertions to the contrary, on its wane. It would not 
 have thus risen to fall, had it not been for the embargo, 
 which would have six months sooner been raised, had 
 it not been for Essex Juntoism. — Its members have in- 
 dustriously circulated reports to Great Britain, that we 
 were so much divided, as to be open to her depreda- 
 tions and insults on all sides. But the snare is broken 
 and we are escaped. We are now permitted to trade, 
 " without interruption from British cruisers, with all 
 " the ports of Russia, Norway, and Sweden in the North- 
 " ern Ocean with the whole circuits of the Baltic Sea ; 
 "with the British Isles ; with Spain from the eastern ex- 
 tremity of Austrias to the Southern bank of Lobreg;.t ; 
 " and Italian and French ports excepted, with every 
 "harbour of the Mediterranean from the straits of Gib- 
 < c raltar to the sea of Marmora." 
 
 While we rejoice, it is with trembling. From past, 
 we infer future events. Great Britain, will* ere long 
 again crowd against us. But we have this for our con- 
 solation, that her peculiar friends here, will intercede 
 with her to respect us, as they have already done, in 
 their ever memorable resolves ! Though in the height 
 of their chagrin, they have endeavoured to crop Mr. Jef- 
 ferson of his laurels, yet like some vegetables, he will 
 grow the faster for being cropped. The embargo of 
 federal delusion will be raised, and then he will advance 
 
 * She has done it since the delivery of this. 
 
21 
 
 with full spread sails to the approbation of future pa- 
 triots. Is it inquired, of what use was the embargo ? 
 We answer, it saved our shipping and men with their 
 property. Is it not advisable for a man, to save his 
 furniture, when his house is threatened with devouring 
 fl.mes ? If by the embargo, our national wealth has 
 been retarded, we have no reason to complain, when wc 
 consider, that it is not good for individuals and nations, 
 without intermission to walk in the golden slippers of 
 wealth and luxury. — Our prosperity has been nearly, if 
 not entirely equal to that of the Israelites. L. j t us then, 
 as wise men and true patriots, resolve we will know 
 how to abound and how to suffer need. Whatsoever 
 may be the bread of our opponents, never let it be ours, 
 that, "justice is a phantom; reason a chimera; mar- 
 " riage a trifle ; the faith of treaties an illusion ; peace 
 " but a bait ; that cabals ought to be ensnaring ; oaths 
 " but a sport for children, a trap to catch cullies and a 
 " charm for fools," and that smuggling ought to be re- 
 spectable, and resolves against the general government 
 honourable. 
 
 We have heard much incompatible with matters of 
 real fact, this side the water, let us hear what has been 
 said across it, in favor of our country. " We know, 
 " that Mr. Pinckney did, in a communication, dated 
 "February, (1808) on the part of the American govern- 
 " ment, strongly remonstrate against those very orders 
 " in council. There has been a considerable diminu- 
 " tion in your exports and imports, I will say to the 
 " amount of eleven millions. But suppose such a 
 " diminution did not amount to more than 7, 8 or 9 
 " millions, still it is sufficient to prove, that the effect 
 
<.)<*} 
 
 "has completely contradicted every boasted promise." 
 That is, we interpret, upon the promised dissensions 
 in America, which were fostered by a T. Pickering, 
 whose disorganizing pamphlet, received two or three 
 editions in England. " Equally futile and inefficient 
 " was the hope of an unlimited supply of raw materials 
 " for our manufactories. From America, previous to 
 " these orders, Great Britain imported cotton wool 
 " 32,000,0001b. Since that part of the world has been 
 " :losed gainst our commerce, what has been our sup- 
 " ply ? From Asia, Portuguese settlements in S. Amer- 
 <4 ica, we have imported 5,000,0001b." These arc the 
 words of a W itbread in the house of lords, I would 
 gl dly quote v, hole pages but my limits will not per- 
 mit. However, I must add, " If you wish to ascertain 
 " lie ex cut of the injury inflicted on this country, by 
 " the orders, I call upon you to reflect, upon the con- 
 "dition ol the extensive town of Manchester, where 
 " out of 49,000 persons employed, before the orders in 
 " council," or the American embargo, the result of 
 the same, " a far greater part are thrown out of bread ; 
 " where of the numerous cotton mills, which were em- 
 " ployed, thirty-two are now idle, and only six are at 
 " work. Cast your eyes to Ireland, and behold the state 
 " of its linen manufacture for want of flax seed. What in 
 " God's name, do you want of America ?" May we not 
 answer for the noble lord, more of their smuggling re- 
 solutions ? " By listening to the offer in August last," 
 (1808) made by Mr. Jefferson six months before he 
 ceased to be president, " England might have secured 
 " two advantages ; the repeal of the embargo and the 
 " next of having America for an ally." 
 
23 
 
 These assertions are in a most masterly manner 
 basked, in the speech of lord Grenville. Would to 
 heaven, in order to the independence of America be- 
 ing continued, both these speeches might be read and 
 improved by every American. They abundantly clear 
 Mr. Adams from the charge of being in his dotage. 
 How wonderfully strange, how inexpressibly great the 
 generosity, wisdom, and patriotism of these federalists 
 then, who, if any, deserve the name jacobins and disor- 
 ganisers ! I make this explanation, because there are 
 many valuable men, who belong to the federal party, 
 whom I highly respect, and who have acknowledged 
 the fact, that the past administration has been belied 
 and that, through a British faction. 
 
 I humbly respect, and in so doing, speak the sen- 
 timents of my auditors, every man, who means well to 
 this glorious land, let him be called either a federalist 
 or a republican. But then every good man is a re- 
 publican. Aristocracy has no recommendation, in the 
 gospel, for its sentiments are of a republican essence. 
 Call no man master on earth, &c. 
 
 To the gospel then, fellow citizens, let us pay our 
 reverence, and our land will be healed and preserved. 
 We are a great nation, and if we live in concord and 
 peace at home, we shall be respected abroad, and this 
 would liberate us from any more embargoes. But 
 there will be worse ones than the last, unless that spirit 
 shall subside, which gave rise to the many resolutions, 
 composed and published, within a year past, against the 
 general government. 
 
 What is no more strange than true, these resolutions 
 have, in spirit, been sanctioned in his excellency's in- 
 
24 
 
 augural speech, after recommending therein, to a great 
 length, our pacific religion, which requires obedience 
 to law and order. If more consistency be not exercised 
 among us, we shall be disturbed at home, and scorned 
 abroad, and hence, should we send ambassadors and 
 ministers to seek for national redress, we should have 
 no reason to expect, but what like David's messengers, 
 they would be sent home half shaved. 21 
 
 If ever ruined, we shall do it ourselves. Propitious 
 heaven has put every requisite price into our hands to 
 obtain wisdom to direct in religious and civil matters. 
 The permanent supports of our independence are with- 
 in our reach. Then let us no more give food to that 
 cage of unclean birds, which Hamilton hatched and 
 brooded until he was taken from them, by the rapa- 
 cious talons of a Burr, that hawk of democracy. 
 
 The party, which has thus taken its origin, have used 
 every mean to attach to their cause, the clergy, and to 
 lead them to the same measure of excess. Too many 
 of them have diverted from their office. Have not 
 the\' refused to pray for the rulers of the people ? If ru- 
 lers are good men, they need not prayers so much, as if 
 they were of the contrary character. Have not some 
 proved false prophets, for religion has not been destroy- 
 ed, nor have our bibles and meeting houses been burnt ? 
 If all accounts are true, we have from one quarter and 
 another, religion never flourished more in this country, 
 than it has during the administration of Thomas Jef- 
 ferson. 
 
 We have to rejoice, that the lines have fallen to us 
 in pleasant places, where a preached gospel is enjoyed. 
 We have to rejoice, that under the banners of our inde- 
 
25 
 
 pendence, and the good sense of our fellow citizens at 
 large, we have one of our own choice, at the head of our 
 national council. And we heartily rejoice, that Mrs. 
 Liberty did not actually die, on his being inaugurat- 
 ed, though she was formally honoured with a funeral 
 procession, in one of the opposition papers, in Boston. 
 This did not display patriotism ; this did not exhibit 
 good sense ; this did not display learning, and this did 
 not exhibit a humble sense of religion. 
 
 The majority must rule, whether federal or repub- 
 lican, rebellion is not patriotism, nor is smuggling. 
 The poor were inspired greatly by this, and still feel 
 the folly of it, though not chargeable with it. But we 
 have to rejoice, that with prudence and economy, we 
 may soon gain more than we lost by the recent restric- 
 tions upon our commerce. America is rich enough, 
 however embarrassed certain individuals may be. The 
 poor we shall always have with us, and they, who are 
 strong, should bear the infirmities of the weak and not 
 still farther depress them, by augmenting their own sala - 
 ries. 
 
 We rejoice, and again, I say, we rejoice, this day, 
 in our separation from Great Britain, and in that re- 
 spect she has at last paid to the measures of Jefferson's 
 administration. He made the voyage, which has pro- 
 cured us our present reconciliation with Great Britain 
 but Madison brought the ship in, and to his honour, 
 he refuses any thing farther than maters wages. We 
 hope those, who were opposed to his election, who now 
 sing Hosanna to him, will not soon be heard to cry, 
 crucify him, crucify him, he is under French influence ! ! 
 O tempora et mores ! Who are so much afraid of this 
 4 
 
26 
 
 influence ? They, only, who are under British influence. 
 Of this the beloved Washington thus speaks to colonel 
 Humphries. "For God's sake, tell me, what is the 
 "cause of all these commotions? Do they proceed 
 " from licentiousness, British influence, disseminated by 
 " tories, or from real grievances, which admit of re- 
 " dress ?" The colonel answers, from all three. Now 
 was not Washington superannuated as much as Mr. 
 Adams is ? The following extracts, will liberate the 
 latter from the charge of being in his dotage. " There 
 " is a distinction founded in truth and nature, between 
 u party and faction. The former is founded in princi- 
 ''ple and system, concerning the public good : the lat- 
 " ter in private interest and passions. An honest par- 
 " ty man will never exclude talents and virtues, and 
 " qualities eminently useful to the public, merely on 
 " account of a difference in opinion. A factitious man 
 " will exclude every man alike, saint or sinner, who 
 "will not be a blind, passive tool." We say peace, 
 honour, and prosperity to this venerable sage and patriot. 
 He stands. to the last for his land, and to the last, we 
 give him our praise. 
 
 Let us all consider the need of concord among our 
 fellow citizens, and do all in our power to contribute to 
 its happy increase. Our independence is an unspeak- 
 able gift. Let us not pint with this national birth right , 
 for a mess of pottage ; and as it came not zvithout, so 
 never let us part with it, without blood. Let not fac- 
 tion lull us to sleep with her Siren song, for then she 
 would wake us with her lash. She professes to spread 
 a bed of roses for us, but let us beware of the bramble, 
 as well as of the thorns. Let us beware, while we read 
 
m 
 
 •<yf " some, who trusted in themselves, that they were 
 righteous and despised others." 
 
 I express the wish of this audience, and of all the 
 most respectable part of America, when I say, would 
 to heaven, that all real matters of fact, might be made 
 known to all residing in this country, whether male or 
 female. Let the latter rejoice with us, in the services 
 of this day, for our wives and daughters must be inter- 
 ested with us, in the support of our independence. It 
 is in their power to aid, not a little, its continuance, and 
 may they do it. 
 
 This celebration should be peculiarly interesting to 
 our best feelings. We ought to keep this d:iy, in the 
 bonds of chastity and concord, decently, patriotically, 
 and in order. May our independence, through patri- 
 otic sentiments and manful practice, be transmitted 
 down to our children and theirs forever. Let us " be of 
 good courage, and let us play the men, for our people, 
 and for the cities of our God, and the Lord do that, 
 which seemeth him right." Let it be our wisdom 
 to contemn the folly of such as abuse those who dif- 
 fer from them in sentiment. Let us treat, with just 
 contempt, their conduct, who have called Mr. Jefferson 
 a negro president, for he was no more so, than was 
 Washington and Adams, or than Madison now is. Such 
 illiberality, such low abuse, however low, poor and irre- 
 ligious republicans may be, they utterly despise. Let 
 us be steadfast J 22 
 
 We glory in republicanism and when reviled with 
 the opprobrious name, a bramble, we feel disposed to 
 say with Paul of Tarsus, "it is a small matter, whether 
 "we are judged with men's judgment," more especial 
 
28 
 
 ly those men, who do not show themselves men, nor 
 friends to the country, in candour, generosity, and true 
 patriotism. 
 
 Such a glorious land as ours, so inexpressibly fa- 
 voured by heaven, is entitled to our most sincere and 
 solemn vows, in its support. See how fertile are hills 
 and vales ? How delightful its landscapes, even on these 
 barren shores ! How numerous are its thriving cities ? 
 How rapidly, and how numerously, towering steeples 
 arise, which bespeak attention to the public worship of 
 God? 
 
 With the fruit of the field, we may gather of the 
 riches of the sea, if we remain united and resolve to 
 respect the powers that be. 23 But to discord, disunion 
 and aristocratical juntoism or faction, let us say, get ye 
 far from us, ye are an offence unto the independence of 
 the nation, we have now been celebrating. 
 
NOTES. 
 
 (1) THE time is better spent, in describing- the means, requisite to con- 
 tinue our independence, than in giving a history, how we came by it. He 
 is a skilful physician, who knows how to make an application, suitable for 
 the disease, whether the disease be for a commission or not ! ! 
 
 (2) Washington speaks of tories and British influence. It has had a 
 rapid growth since his decease. 
 
 (3) The charge of dotage in Mr. Adams, by the federalists, is as ridi- 
 culous as ungenerous, as is also the charge of blind partiality, in Mr. Jef- 
 ferson towards France. The suggestion, that Mr. Adams would not have 
 come forward, in public, as he has done, unless excited to it, by his son 
 John Q. Adams, is highly puerile, if we admit him to be superannuated, 
 for no person, exercised with filial love and respect, could wish to expose 
 to public scorn an aged parent ! ! 
 
 (4) Dr. Osgood cannot be supposed to have the knowledge, which Mr. 
 Adams has of Mr. Jefferson. — Mr. Adams' knowledge, is personal, but Dr. 
 Osgood's is only newspaper knowledge, or that, which is not far better, 
 pamphlet knowledge. 
 
 (5) Dr. Emmons has laboured himself much, in a sermon upon this 
 day, to prove that none have a right to celebrate it, but the federalists ! '■ 
 It is a difficult matter indeed, to see how they can sincerely celebrate it, 
 when so many of them want to bring us under the yoke of Britain again." 
 
 (7) Dr. Osgood's election sermon, May 1809. 
 
 (8) Instances have not been wanting, in which itinerants have introduc- 
 ed themselves, upon the political imprudence of the standing order of the 
 clergy. Sectarians will be opposed to them, and therefore, it is best for 
 them not to be too high in politics, they ought to show their moderation un- 
 to all men. 
 
 (9) It is said, there is a very great change from republican to federal 
 sentiments. To this assertion, it is replied, that is only of those, whose 
 ruling passion being interest, became chagrined at the embargo. It was 
 upon the back of this, the governor of Massachusetts took the chair of 
 state. " I wish him" as in a fast discourse of mine, which was falsely so 
 called, highly federal, I did Mr. Jefferson, " the greatest good." 
 
(10) Mr. Gardenier, -who not long- since escaped a duel, with only his 
 skin in his teeth, is, it appears, in a vei'y long 1 speech of his, of the contra- 
 ry opinion, as he endeavours to prove that lord Grenville is, in Great 
 Britain, what he himself is in America, a jacobin. "We see how the lead- 
 ers of the federalists conduct, we would rather say of the British faction, 
 for there are many, who are called federalists, that are honest meaning men. 
 If "Jefferson" is " blacker,'" if a doctor, who says, lie " deserves the hal- 
 ter as much as Benedict Arnold" is esquired, let it be enquired, who led 
 such ? What became of Hamilton ? What did Selfridge do ? What did 
 Gardenier do ? Did he fight a duel ? In those thing's, &.c. there appears to 
 be some jacobinism. 
 
 (11) Mr. Quincy made last winter a motion in Congress, to second 
 which nobody appeared. We would not infer from this, he is not a good 
 man, or that he is not a man of learning. This would be federal logic, 
 with which we have long" been fatigued. 
 
 (12) Dr. Osgood's sermon at general election, May 1809. Its like has 
 never before been, nor never will be again. 
 
 (13) Self and vicinity experience is the best proof we can wish, in cer- 
 tain cases. 
 
 (14) It is said, by good authority, that Mr. Madison is not so constant 
 in his attendance upon public worship, as Mr. Jefferson. Why have not 
 the federalists then come forward and charged him with infidelity ? We 
 answer, because they are not ignorant of the truth of the adage — It is hard 
 to catch old birds with chaff! ! The clergy may pray for him ! Why did they 
 not for Mr. Jefferson ? — Because they thought hiin beyond the grasp of di- 
 vine mercy and pardon ! " Be astonished, O heavens, and give ear, O earth !" 
 
 (15) It is perfectly right, men in station, whether civil or ecclesiastical, 
 should have an handsome support. But the cause of the poor, in times of 
 difficulty and distress, is to be consulted. They have many addresses 
 made to their passions, by the exclusive patriots of the land, taking " the em- 
 bargo for text," but has their suffrages for the governor, brought them one 
 single cent's profit ? Heaven knows it has not. Salaries have been raised, a 
 part of which they must pay. Some high federalists have been put into of- 
 fice, who will say, you must bow to me, now that I am made justice of the 
 peace, although 1 have broken it, and resolved against it ! ! ! 
 
 (16) Judas betrayed his master with a kiss and consented to it, for sil- 
 ver. Auri sacra fames. 
 
 (17) Every misfortune that has happened has, by some, been ascribed 
 to the embargo ! But every advantage the federalists now enjoy, they o-we 
 lo it. 
 
 (18) A man, in this vicinity, who penned the resolves of the town he re. 
 sides in, and who says, they bid defiance to the hand of criticism, and that 
 
33 
 
 " Thomas Jefferson is as deserving' the halter, as Benedict Arnold," is among 1 
 the very first honoured with the commission of justice of the peace, if there 
 be any honour in it ! This commission has sunk more than 90 per cent, 
 within 25 years, for that distance of time transpired, a person had only to 
 say, he was going- to the 'squire's as every body knew who the 'squire was. 
 But now every thing- is an esquire. The doctor is an esquire and Ae esquire 
 is a doctor, the captain is a mate and the mate is a captain. Distinction is 
 nearly lost. Fashions are worthless, when they become common. — But 
 certain persons must be rewarded for their labours in this depreciated coin .'.' 
 
 (19) Governor Snyder. 
 
 (20) He is too insignificant a character to be mentioned, but for the 
 honour of those, who extolled his speech and honoured it with a separate 
 sheet .' ! 
 
 (21) II. Samuel. 
 
 (22) True patriotism stands aloof from those who repeatedly turn their 
 political coat. Some are charged with this versatility, to whom the charge 
 does not apply, but mucli better to those, who make it, for it is they only, 
 God knows, who have left Washington and Adams, though they pretend to 
 hold to the former. — Change is more in the times, than in the views and 
 sentiments of certain individuals. Bujflet every man own the truth, as it 
 comes to light, be it popular or the reverse, for to say, we were in an error 
 yesterday, is only to say, we are wiser to day, than we were then Happy is 
 the man that getteth wisdom. 
 
 (23) The good man never thinks his glory comes too late. Mr. Jefferson 
 will have his reward. The recent conduct of Great Britain, in kicking 
 over the full pail of milk, which she gave, will terminate to his honouring the 
 justification of the embargo. It is hoped, that every man, who would be 
 considered a true American, will, in future, be very spare in his commen- 
 dation of Great Britain, as she has now done what she has repeatedly 
 done before, proved that she is not to be trusted out of sight. — She says 
 yes to-day and no to-morrow. It is no wonder that those, who advocate 
 her injustice, should send letters sine nomine, and postage unpaid. The man 
 must know his cause to be dirty, who refuses to give his name. — I looked 
 to the junto caucus and behold iniquity -was there. 
 
 Errata.-. The reference to the second note should have been placed at tire 
 md of the fifth line from the bottom of the fourth page. 
 
> 
 
I BINDERY r 
 3 V 1903 j,