AN
ORATION
PRONOUNCED BEFORE THE
SOCIETY OF BLACK FRIARS,
AT THEIR
ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL,
In the City of New York, on Monday, the 11th of November, 1793-
BY
SAMUEL LATHAM MITCHILL, M.D.F.R.S.E.
Profeſſor of Chemiſtry and of Botany in Columbia College,
Member of the Philoſophical Society of Philadelphia, one
of the Foreign Aſſociates of the Royal Society of Arts and
Sciences at Cape-François, Fellow of the Medical and
Natural Hiſtory Societies of Edinburgh, Secretary of the
Agricultural Society of New York, &c. &c.
[Publiſhed at the requeſt of the Society.]
Such form he (TULLY) deem'd
Too pure for mortal eyes; or only meet
For fome Ailantic iſle, where Plato's thought
Might fondly brood o'er viſionary bliſs;
Whoſe white cliffs glitter to ideal ſuns,
The haunt of GENII; yes, Atlantic waves
Kiſs that ELYSIAN SHORE!
POLWHELE.
NEW-YORK:
Printed by FRIAR MʻLEAN, No. 41, Hanover-Square.
-1793.


IN
FRIARY,
Wedneſday, November 13th, 1793,
On motion, Reſolved
THAT the Thanks of the Society be preſented
to Brother Samuel L. Mitcbill, for the excellent
Oration delivered by him to the Friary at the laſt
Anniverſary Feſtival; and that a Committee, con-
fiſting of three Members, be appointed to commu-
nicate the faid Reſolution to Brother Mitchill, and
to requeſt a Manuſcript of the ſame for Publication.
Chancellor Clark, Cardinal Hughes, and Friar
De Lancey were appointed a Committee to carry
the
above Reſolution into effect.
On motion, Reſolved,
That two Hundred Copies of Brother S. L.
Mitchill's Oration be printed, at the Expence of the
Society, for the Uſe of the Members of the Friary
who may apply for the ſame,
Extract from the Minutes.
ROBERT COCKS, jun. Sec'ry.

lo
Darbo
ad mo
3
as to

OR A TIO N.
Fellow Citizens ! Friends! Brothers!
AFTER
FTER
CR your Secretary had informed me of the
Society's wiſh that I ſhould deliver them an Anni-
verſary Addreſs, my mind was influenced on the
occafion with ſuch ſentiments as my obligation to the
inftitution, and my regard for its members, would
naturally inſpire. Willing to contribute as far as I
could any thing that might promote the reputation,
intereſt, or pleaſure of the Society, I reſolved to
accept the invitation; fearing too, leſt, perhaps, if I
declined, my conduct might be conſtrued into luke-
warmneſs or neglect, and hoping by an acceptance
to add ſomewhat to the feſtivity of the day. I de-
termined however not only to comply literally with
your polite and reſpectful requeſt, but anxiouſly
ſtrove to find ſome theme with which I hoped you
would be entertained.
A croud of ideas occupied my brain; all of which
ruſhed haſtily into my memory, and each with
winning importunity folicited a preference. They
ſeemed to be rouſed from the ſtate of torpor in
which for a conſiderable time they had laid, and
excited to life and activity, diſplayed to my mental
eye-fight their faireſt and moſt graceful forms.--
The

( 6 )
66
The meſſage fo conveyed to me from the Secre-
tary, had, it ſeems, knocked ſo loud at the outer-
door of the ſenfes, as to awaken almoſt every mem-
ber of the ſlumbering family within. The news
operated upon them in ſuch a powerful manner, that
ſometime elapſed before that, with all my authority,
I could compofe them to order: And even after
the ſmaller ones were brought to filence and had
withdrawn, there remained in my preſence feveral of
the greater ones, who ſeverally exerciſed all their
filial fondneſs to gain my decifion in their favour:
they faid they had underſtood I was going abroad
« that day to affiſt in the celebration of an anniver-
fary feſtival," and intreated me, with preſſing af-
fiduities, to take them all with me; for “they were
“ perfectly ſatisfied they ſhould not only be welcom-
“ed, but be highly careſſed by the COMPLAISANT
" FRIARS."
After I had pauſed and conſidered a few minutes
on the ſubject, I looked up and beheld them all
equipped for a viſit, and each gaily arrayed in her
proper attire.
Firſt Agriculture approached, having a ſtraw
bonnet on her head and a fickle in her hand: ſhe
offered to ſay much on foils and tillage; about grain
and graſs; concerning hedging and ditching : ſhe had
a good deal to diſcourſe on induſtry and economy,
could impart the true doctrines of watering and ma-
nuring, and had calculated the comparative expence
of labour by horſes and oxen: ſhe had beſides ſhorn
lambs
92

( 3 )
lambs on the firſt year, and made experiments with
Gypfum: and if theſe folid topics did not pleaſe,
could alter her tone and matter, and warm the im
agination of her hearers with paſtoral tales, ſweet as
the Idylls of GESNER, or melt the ſoul to foftneſs as
ſhe told the ſtory of MARIA, LAVINIA, or the SHEP-
HERDESS OF THE ALPS.-I obſerved to her that theſe
things were all proper and agreeable, but that they
would pleaſe the ſociety of FARMERS better, and if
ſhe would conſent to ſtay at home this time, when
I went to viſit them I would certainly take her along.
Next came Literature, bearing a curious ſcroll,
and having her temples decked with a garland of
laurel: ſhe had a ſtrong defire to tell you how words
and arbitrary founds come to expreſs IDEAS, and
how theſe ideas could be fixed and faſtened as it were
by CHARACTERISTICAL SYMBOLS. She wanted to
relate how the painted copy of the original gave place
to HIEROGLYPHIC, and how from this, by the in-
tervention of verbal and fyllabic writing, the inven-
tion of the ALPHABET was effected. She would
have dwelt on the powers of LANGUAGE and SPEECH,
and deſcanted on the wonders of LOGIC and RHE-
TORIC. You would have been told of the orations
made by DEMOSTHENES againſt the arbitrary en-
croachments of Philip of MACEDON upon ATHE-
NIAN LIBERTY, and been made almoſt to hear the
thundering voice of GRACCHUS in favour of the
AGRARIAN LAW, which made the ROMAN FORUM
to ſhake.
You

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You would have been informed that thereby Hif-
tory prints in ever-during characters the events of
Time, giving to Virtue the tribute of
generous
Praiſe, and marking Vice with the brand of Infamy.
You would have heard alſo fomething concerning
the Sages, the Saints and the Heroes of other times,
whoſe characters having undergone the ordeal of In-
quiry, are eſtabliſhed as unfading as the crown of
Merit, and as durable as the page of Hiſtory.
Here would the viciffitudes of Life have been depict-
ed, when you might have ſeen MARIUS, the quondam
conful of Rome, after all his ſucceſſes, fitting at laſt
in baniſhment on the RUINS of that CARTHAGE he
had deſtroyed;-BELLISARIUS, the vanquiſher of the
Goths, his influence, his property gone, degraded
to a beggar, and fupplicating the paſſengers, “ Date
obolum Belliſario;"--POMPEY the Great, and confi-
dering the time in which he lived, the virtuous, after
the defeat of his band of patriots at PHARSALIA,
flying for protection unto the KING of Egypt, and
obſerving to his wife a little before his aſſaſſination,
“ He who goes to the court of a tyrant commences
“ his ſlave, how free foever he might be when he
“ entered.”-She was going on, when I told her,
theſe things, however juſt and inſtructive, were bet-
ter adapted to ACADEMIC EXERCISE, and promiſed
if ſhe would be quiet on this occaſion, I would make
her my conſtant CLASSIC COMPANION. stol
Then came up Republicaniſm: ſhe brought with
her an imitation of a regal crown, which ſhe diſdain-
fully

(( و
9
fully threw down, in an inverted poſture, and
placing her foot upon it, ſaid, “ The bauble ought
“ to be kept there until tottering Monarchy ſhould
“ be laid as low.” Her deſire to be with you this day
was urged not fo much by perfuafive addreſs as by
the IMPORTANCE OF THE TRUTHS ſhe had to com-
municate; for free wanted to proclaim aloud to you the
JUSTICE OF God in creating all men equal; the unali-
enable rights of liberty, life and happineſs which he has
implanted in men; and the means of ſecuring and pre-
ſerving theſe rights by laws and governments, inſtituted
by the GOVERNED, for their own benefit and protežīion:
that all power appertains to the people, and is inherent
there until delegated to their repreſentatives; that theſe
repreſentatives are anſwerable to their conſtituents for
their conduct, and when wicked or corrupt may be re-
moved from their offices with diſgrace; that forms of
government, when found not conducive to the ends of
their inſtitution, may be changed or aboliſhed as the peo-
ple pleaſe; who may new-model the old one, or make
a new one, according to their SOVEREIGN PLEASURE;
that laws wiſely pre-eſtabliſhed, and not the arbitrary
will of man, should govern; that theſe laws be inter-
preted by a ſet of men different from thoſe who enaĉt
them, and be carried into effect by a claſs diſtine from
both, so that the LEGISLATIVE, JUDICIARY, and ex-
ECUTIVE departments of government claſh and interferé
as little as poſſible ; that repreſentation be equal and
free--the trial by jury be inviolably preſerved-excef-
Sive bail be guarded againſt-cruel puniſhments unknown
20
---Salaries
d
B

( 10 )
CC
66
defalaries of public officers moderate, and taxes conſe-
quently light. " It was true the greateſt aggregate
“ amount of happineſs was experienced in REPUBLICAN
" GOVERNMENTS, and the FEDERAL CONSTITUTION
- of America was an aſtoniſhing ſpecimen of political
* Sagacity; it was not leſs true, HEREDITARY SUCCES-
SION, which delivered over king dones and their ſub-
jects from one maſter to another, from a knave of
< this generation to an idiot of the next, was a mon-
ſtrous abfurdity; and the only rational ſyſtem was
u to let the virtue and diſcernment of the citizens ma-
nifest itſelf in welL REGULATED ELECTIONS; that
NOBILITY and TITULAR CONSEQUENCE deſerved
" to be derided, the excellence of blood being a chimera,
" and the appellation of King but a NICK-NAME.
It was intended to have ſtated to you her origin
and forms in the COMMONWEALTHS of GREECE, and
how ſhe effected the AMPHYCTIONIC and A CHÆAN
ASSOCIATIONS; how next ſhe became a reſident of LA-
TIUM, and tarried for ſome time among the ROMANS,
until the avarice of ſome, the ambition of others, and
the corruption of all, determined her to depart; how
then, after abiding in theſe poliſhed ſocieties, ſhe
fled to woods and mountains, and dwelt among
the people who ſubfifted upon acorns and berries of
the field; how ſhe grew into repute in SWITZERLAND,
preſided in the councils of their Cantons, and la-
boured though without the deſired effect, to eſta-
bliſh an HELVETIC LEAGUE; how for a while ſhe
influenced the Cortes of Spain to reſiſt the iniquit-
>>
OUS

(II)
ous exactions and arbitrary encroachments of its mo-
narchs; how ſhe ſtruggled and ſucceeded in eſtabliſh-
ing ſomewhat of her favourite ſyſtem in the UNITED
NETHERLANDS; how in GREAT BRITAIN ſhe toiled
and toiled to gain converts, while a corrupt and
overbearing government diſputed each point, and
ſtrove to baffle every effort; how ſhe looſened the
bonds of vaſfalage in IRELAND, and gave play a little
to democratic energy, only (if report ſay true) to
endure the ſight of oppreſſion ſcrewing them home
the tighter! how powerfully ſhe inſtigated the Sons
of COLUMBIA to aſſert their rights, and ſince the
glorious object is attained, their mutual affection is
as near and cloſe as the ſtrongeſt attraction can make
it, and ſo delightful, that the imagination of a lover
cannot paint it as it is; how, with worſe than brutal
violence, ſhe was expelled by ruffian-handed power
from POLAND, and forced to leave, reluctantly leave,
the generous, the good STANISLAUS expoſed to tyran-
nical injuſtice; how, laſtly, ſhe reared her ſtandard in
France, confounding in one general wreck POLI-
TICAL, ECCLESIASTCAL, and FEUDAL OPPRESSION;
where, though affailed with all the fury of deſpotic
proweſs, ſhe fights with unequalled bravery the
BATTLES of LIBERTY, and ſupports, with uncon-
querable enthuſiaſm, the RIGHTS of Man. Be-
hold where actions more heroic than thoſe celebrated
at MARATHON and PLATÆA, are renewed at this
eventful period! There, as bleeding Deſpotiſm lies
gaſping for breath, and ready to expire her laſt, the
gazing

( 12 )
gazing ſpectator is ready to cry out in a pious ejacu-
lation, SWORD OF GOD, what a blow thou haft ftruck!
---As ſhe was proceeding in ſuch a ſtrain, I was ob-
liged to interpoſe, and obſerve however intereſting
theſe things might be, I preſumed they were fo well
underſtood already by the Society I had to addreſs,
that it was needlefs to mention them.
Patriotiſm preſented herſelf laft: fublimely beau-
tiful ſhe furpaſſed whatever poetic fiction imagined
of the GRACES, and caſt a look of inexpreſſible ten-
derneſs and benignity upon United America; a tear
of joy ſtarted from her eye as fhe beheld and con-
templated their proſperity, and ſentiments too re-
fined for language to convey, emotions too mighty
for vocal utterance, fuppreſſed her ſpeech. As foon
as ſhe had recovered a little from this ſcene of tran-
ſport, ſhe ſeemed to fignify I ſhould take up a SMALL
MEMORANDUM which had fallen from her hand
written by ſhe told not whom, and intimated her
wiſh that its contents ſhould be made known to
you by my lips to-day.
Receive then, my Brethren, what in her behalf I
communicate, and indulge me with you friendly at-
tention, as thus commiffioned I offer the few fenti-
ments it contains, which, as I learn from the title of
the writing, are on the Love Of OUR COUNTRY.
If any of you ſhould be aſked as a citizen of the
world, which was your country? you ſhould not,
like ANAXAGORAS, point your finger toward the
heavens, and ſay it was there, but anſwer that the
Territory

( 13 )
Territory of the Confederate Republic of America
was the place, which you loved not, through blind
attachment to a natale folum, not from the whimſi-
cal operation of amor patriæ, but from the more
fubftantial confideration, that under its mild and
equal government, there is more of what the rational
mind craves, more that enlightened nature longs for
and reliſhes, than in any other region of the globe.
They tell you much in the Engliſh books about
fealty, homage and allegiance, and diſtinguiſh the
latter into expreſs and implied, natural and local.
It is held, that though no expreſs engagements
have been entered into, yet there is a virtual allegi-
ance owing from every ſubject to his ſovereign, an-
tecedently to any expreſs promiſe; and although the
ſubject never ſwore faith or allegiance in form:
“For as the King, by the very deſcent of the
6 Crown, is fully inveſted with all the rights, and
« bound to all the duties of ſovereignty before his
4 coronation, ſo the ſubject is bound to his Prince
si by an intrinſic allegiance, before the ſuperinduc-
« tion of thoſe outward bonds of oath, homage and
fealty, which were only inſtituted to remind the
ſubject of this his previous duty, and for the bet-
“ ter ſecurity of its performance:” [4 Blackſtone,
p. 368 and 9.] the formal profeſſion or oath of fub-
jection being nothing more then a declaration in
words of what was before implied in law.
66 Natu-
“ral allegiance, it is alledged, is a debt of gratitude,
66 which cannot be forfeited, cancelled or altered by
any
66

( 14 )
CC
૮૮
66
56
وو
CC
any change of time, place or circumſtance, nor
" by any thing but the united concurrence of the
legiſlature. An Engliſhman, therefore, who re-
moves to France or to China, owes the fame al-
legiance to the King of England there as at home,
" and twenty years hence as well as now; for it is a
principle (with them) of univerſal law,” [Hal.
p. c. 68.] “ that the natural born ſubject of one
“ Prince cannot, by any act of his own, no, not by
ſwearing allegiance to another, put off or diſcharge
“ his natural allegiance to the former." [ibid.]
From this account of the matter, it eaſily appears
the Engliſh doctrine of allegiance is the reſult of a
ſubtle logic reaſoning upon feudal principles. It
contemplates a tie between Prince and ſubject, and
that too neceſſarily exiſting, though not expreſsly
agreed upon. However refined the ſpeculations
concerning it may be, yet as they are grounded upon
principles not recognized in our laws, but exploded
by our conſtitution, they may be conſidered as of
no efficacy among us, and conſequently not conſti-
tuting the baſis of PATRIOTIC ATTACHMENT.
The requiſites to citizenſhip in the United States
ſeem to be pretty clearly defined and underſtood, but
it does not appear with equal clearneſs in all caſes,
what particular thing or act disfranchiſes a free man,
or deprives a native of his civic rights, An expla-
nation of theſe points may be expected from our
National Legiſlature; but until this is accompliſhed
ſhall the Love of our country be ſuſpended? No;
without

( 15 )
without diving to the depths of juridical diſcuſſion,
or perplexing ourſelves with profound political en-
quiry, we, on a more ſuperficial view of the queſ-
tion, can ſee cauſes enough for Patriotic Ardour. A
few of theſe ſhall be mentioned, in which, I think,
our country and its people are peculiarly favoured:
and other perſons think ſo too; for fome, enamour-
ed of our joyous region, are in hafte to remove to
it; while, at a diſtance, others view us with the
fame malignant leer as SATAN formerly caſt at the
bliſsful pair in PARADISE. [Milton.]
I. Happy indeed is our geographical ſituation,
including great part of the ſpace between the waters
of St. Lawrence, Mifliſlippi and the Atlantic ! hap-
pier ſtill in being feparated by an ocean from the
neighbourhood and debauchery of the eaſtern world!
No foreigner, except in one recent and extraordinary
inſtance, here intermeddles with our internal police
and concerns, and we adopt or reject public meaſures,
without drawing the hornets of ariſtocracy about
our heads. Secluded from the baſe intrigues of
their cabinets and poiſonous manners of their courts,
we retain our republican urbanity, and tranſact our
affairs in the plain and ſimple way. We have no
ſubſidies to pay to alien powers, no family compacts
to fulfil, no inequality in the balance of power to
dread; no ambitious individuals can, on account of
a private miſunderſtanding, order out thouſands of
innocent perſons to decide the diſpute in arms; nor
can they extort from thoſe who remain at home a
confiderable

( 16 )
conſiderable ſhare of their well-earned ſubſtance to be
defray the charges. Wars, if undertaken, are of
the defenſive kind, and never originate from the
madneſs of ambition or the luft of conqueſt. The
bickerings which ariſe from the contiguity of the
provinces of Britain on the north-weſtern, and of
Spain at the ſouth-weſtern parts of our territory,
indicate plainly their quarrelſome diſpoſitions, and
excite emotions of gladneſs that our connection with
them is fo ſmall and fo remote: It is earneſtly hoped
all their endeavours to embroil us will prove ineffec-
tual, and that the whole force of our minds be di-
rected to the preſervation of internal ſecurity and
peace. So ſituated then as to be able, with little in-
terruption, to purſue plans of private and public
happineſs, ought we not to feel an attachment to
this fortunate ſpot of earth? While reſting upon
it in fafety, we view the diſtant warfare of Europe
as from ſome unſhaken promontory a traveller be-
holds a ſtorm at ſea, what breaſt is there ſo perverſe,
what heart fo unfeeling as not to bleſs itſelf in being
a citizen? Doubtleſs it muſt be owned that the
ſingular ſituation of our country, far away from the
turbulent focieties of Europe, is of itſelf a power-
ful argument in favour of our love to it.
II. In this country you ſee a ſtrange phænomenon
in politics, a PEOPLE RULING THEMSELVES! What
had been viewed by many as a ſpeculative viſion, or
an Utopian dream, is here reduced to actual prac-
tice. The rude and tumultuous ſpirit of DEMO-
CRACY

( 17 )
CRACY is foftened down into the mild and well-
ordered temper of a REPUBLIC. And the diſcovery
of the ſafety and eaſe of tranſacting public buſineſs
by repreſentation, has wrought a change in govern-
mental ſyſtems, wholly ſubverſive of the principles
on which monarchies, oligarchies, and ariſtocracies
are eſtabliſhed. Strange indeed is the reflection, by
what tardy advances in ſome inſtances the human
underſtanding arrives at truth! how elſe could it
have happened that during ſo many ages mankind
have acquieſced in the notion that “ the greater part
“ of their ſpecies were born with ſaddles on their
backs, and bridles in their mouths, and the fere
“ come into the world equipped with whips, and
“ boots, and ſpurs, to ride them!". But how gra-
dual ſoever the progreſs of truth may be, its force,
when brought into operation, is as irreſiſtible as its
nature is immutable, and though ſtifled in its com-
mencement, and buffetted in its progreſs, will pre-
vail over its adverſaries, and be triumphant at laſt.
We hear here of no compact between Prince and
ſubject, or between the ſuperior and his vaſſal; but
all that we know of the matter is, an affociation vo-
luntarily entered into among the people themſelves,
and between one community and another. The
power inherent in the people is delegated by them
occaſionally to ſuch perſons as they can truſt, who,
after their miſſion is ended, return again to the or-
dinary level, it being a maxim, that whatever power
is not ſpecially granted away is wholly reſerved to the
Ovo
с
people.

( 18
people. Princely prerogative and hereditary fuccef
fion, here give place to legal regulations, and to po-
pular choice. Monarchy, diveſted of its robes,
diadems, and thrones, has been publicly exhibited
in its naked deformity, ſo that moſt beholders con-
ceived diſguſt at the fight; while Republicaniſm
has improved upon acquaintance, and become the
favourite of nearly all who know her. For theſe
bleſſings ought you to prize a country in which even
babes and ſucklings are taught to lifp with reverence
66 THE OMNIPOTENCE OF THE PEOPLE!" SVE
III. But theſe citizens have tiot only the power to
govern themſelves, they poſſeſs alſo the WISDOM
that true legiſlation requires. It has been a maxim
of tyrants, that the ſwiniſh multitude are immerged
in profound ignorance, and ought to be kept ſa.
They therefore put the candle of knowledge under
the buſhel, and prevent the extenſive diffuſion of its
rays.
Some of them go ſo far as to declare not only
the inability of the people to rule, but inſiſt upon
their incapacity to learn.com
True, verily, it is, that King-craft and Prieſt-
craft have fo interpoſed their dark forms between
the light of information and the ſenſes of mankind,
that a total eclipſe has been the conſequence in ſome
parts of the earth, where ſcarcely a gleam of its in-
fluence dawned upon their benighted underſtandings.
And it is likewiſe true, that curioſity in all caſes
prompts inquiry; man is a curious creature, and in
favourable circumſtances, he will ſeek and find. To
eyince

( 19 )
evinee this look through our ſettled country and learn
the advancement of knowledge; ſchools inſtituted,
academies erected, newſpapers read, poft-roads efta-
blifhed, epiſtolary correſpondence kept up, libraries
formed; theſe I ſay, all theſe evince the liberal and
enlightened views of the people: from theſe ſources
our free-born yeomanry learn the buſineſs of town-
meetings, courts of juſtice and elections, and be-
come capable of ferving their country in the capa-
eity of affeffors, jurors and legiſlators: brought up
from their childhood in habits of converfing upon
fuch things, and bearing a portion of them, the bufi-
neſs of government is cleared of the myſtery in
which policy had clouded it, and they deliberate and
decide in ſuch manner as to convince the verieſt fceptic
of their capacity for ſelf-government. Hence it
happens that the citizens of AMERICA are poſſeſſed
of a great ſhare of good ſenſe and general information,
which is rarely miſled or miſtaken; that the public
opinion is commonly right; and that thoſe in office
among us, if they know their duty as well as you,
my hearers, will always reſpect the " SACRED VOICE
“ OF THE PEOPLE."
IV. Hence proceeds the equality which prevails
under our government. All citizens are acknow-
ledged equal as to their rights, and the only inequality
fubfiſting is that which ariſes neceſſarily from office,
talents or wealth; as the road however is open
for
every one to aſpire to theſe, it is but by the exerciſe
of one or more of his rights that a man acquires
theſe
dhazo

( 20 )
theſe means of influence. The ſyſtem of equality,
therefore, is not broken by the diſparity of condi-
tion and circumſtance which exiſts; as on the other
hand, a citizen precluded from uſing his exertions to
advance himſelf and promote his happineſs, would
be robbed of his choiceſt privileges.
The exiſtence of claſſes of men, with peculiar im-
munities, is unknown. Spiritual courts, to take cog-
nizance of actions in which ecclefiaftics are concerned,
have not, as in ſome parts of Europe, any place among
us. And what is this preſumptuous prieſthood that
arrogates to itſelf an exemption from municipal laws ?
whence gets it ſuch a ſtock of impudence as to thruſt
itſelf at the rate it does between man and his Maker?
Is not the Throne of Grace acceſſible by all who
wiſh to preſent themſelves before it? Are not the
ears of a moſt merciful Father, who is no reſpecter
of perſons, and to whom all are equal, open to the
fupplications of every one of his children? Behold
the conduct of the Inquiſitors of the Chriſtian
Church; are they not prone to revenge and perſecu-
tion? Are they not fond of money and worldly fame?
Do they not commit fornication, and violate their
vows? Is there a vice or a crime forbidden in the
Divine Gospel they pretend to preach to which
they are not addicted? Ah! I fear, for I judge not,
their pretenſions to ſuperior fanctity are only the puf-
fings up of the Leaven of the Phariſees; and that,
with all their celeſtial authority and hierarchical
power, theſe ghoſtly paſtors are but mere mortal
creatures,

( 21 )
creatures, and as ſuch, ſubject, even as he who ad-
dreſſes you, to the frailties of fleſh and blood.
Nor have a body of haughty nobles any eſtabliſh-
ment or conſideration here. Our conſtitution allows
no ſuch diſtinctions-our ſtatute book contains no
legal declaration in their favour. And after all,
what is this noble blood? Is it not like the blood of
the reſt of mankind? If you wound a veſſel will it
not run out? Does it not proceed from the ſame
food? Is it not recruited by the fame drink? Will
it keep the body from infectious diſtempers and
death? Is it not connected frequently with ignoble
actions and enormities of the worſt deſcription ?
Look at it, is it not red ? Expoſe it to the fun-
ſhine, will it not corrupt? Analyze it, is there any
difference? Surely theſe ſtrange notions about blood
are contrivances of the cunning brain of politicians,
and are not founded upon any thing real in the con-
ftitution of human nature. The equal rights of ci-
tizens then preſent themſelves as another cauſe for
attachment and love to your country.
V. But the eaſe and certainty with which ſubſiſtence
can be obtained, recommends this quarter of the
globe eminently beyond any other as an aſylum from
numberleſs vexations. A poor fugitive from Eu-
rope, has, on his arrival, the protection of the laws,
and is frequently adviſed by ſome one of the national
ſocieties exiſting in different cities, what courſe it
will be beſt for him to purſue; if he is induſtrious
in any uſeful calling, he will find abundance of em-
ployment

( 22 )
ployment and high wages; if he is prudent and
ſaving, he may in a few years lay up enough to
purchaſe a farm in one of the newly-fettled towns,
or to eſtabliſh himfelf more comfortably in a city.
And whenever a bufineſs does not anſwer in a thick
fociety, there is always a reſource in ſtore, which
never fails, and that is FARMING; the income of
this, though moderate, is ſure; back lands can be
purchaſed for a ſmall price, and are riſing rapidly in
value; a man cannot only ſupport himſelf, but can
maintain a family with eaſe. He becomes a free-
holder, and what he poffeffes is his own; he votes
at elections, and is eligible into office; he is not
tormented with rents and tythes, nor overloaded
by taxes, for in the ſtate of New York there is none
to pay but for town and county charges. Naturali-
zation is eaſy, whereby a man becomes entitled to
all the rights of citizenſhip.
- The ample ſpace in which the people can ſpread,
and the cultivation of the fertile lands of the weſt
and north, open ſuch a field for induſtry and thrift
as no other country exhibits. Population has kept
pace, as it always will do, with the eaſe of main-
taining families ; and lo! by the generative exerciſes
of our people, the fpecies is propagated at a won-
derful rate, and ſwarms by millions over the face of
the country. The certainty and readineſs of pro-
curing not merely the neceſſaries but the comforts of
life, offer themſelves to your confideration as another
weighty reaſon why you ſhould love your country.
orvold
VI. Our

(23)
VI. Our forefathers who fled from Europe and
hazarded a voyage acroſs the wide ocean to ſettle
themſelves in a wilderneſs, underwent all the diffi-
culties and dangers of ſuch an enterprize, for the
ſake of obtaining Religious Freedom. Their wiſhes
were attended with fuccefs, and in this fequeſtered
land they offered
up
their prayers and thankſgivings
in the manner which their perſecution and conſcience
judged to be right. Whatever perſecutions might
for a time have exiſted againſt other ſectaries, or
what illiberalities foever may yet remain in fome
places, this ſentiment is firmly eſtabliſhed in our
Federal Conſtitution, that “no religious teſt ſhall ever
“be required as a qualification to any office or public
so truſt under the United States.". Though Conſtan-
tine might have thought it politic in the poſture of
affairs in his time to take the Church into partner-
ſhip with the Government; though the Princes who
lived after him in Europe have never undertaken to
diſſolve it; and though in ſeveral of the old political
ſyſtems, the two are fo interwoven, that a fepara-
tion of the one from the other would lead immedi-
ately to a revolution in both; it does not, therefore,
follow that the connection is either neceſſary or pro-
per in a ſtate of ſociety like ours. On the other
hand, with the ſpirit of true Catholiciſm, modes
and forms of faith and worſhip are not preſcribed by
legiſlative authority, but the true feeker of his own
ſoul's happineſs is left, under the guidance of the
light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into
the

( 24 )
the world, to intercede and have charity for all men,
for this is good and acceptable in the fight of God,
who will have all men come to the knowledge of the
truth and be ſaved. Inſtead, therefore, of being
eſtabliſhed on the narrow baſis of a ſect, Religion
here ſtands upon the broadeſt of poſſible founda-
tions, the EQUAL PROTECTION OF ALL.
This liberality is ſo far extended, that the He-
brews, ten of whoſe tribes had been carried into
captivity by Sennacherib, King of Aſyria, whereby
the kingdom of Iſrael was extinguiſhed; whoſe two
remaining tribes of Judah and Benjamin were after-
wards conquered by Nebuchadnezzar, and ſubjected
to the Babylonians; whoſe returning captives, tribu-
tary to the Perſians, Greeks and Romans, by turns,
except a ſmall interval of independence under the
Maccabees, were finally ſcattered over the face of the
earth, after the deſtruction of Jeruſalem by Titus ;
the Jews, I ſay, are treated with ſo much liberality,
that they poſſeſs the ſame municipal rights and pri-
vileges of citizenſhip with other perſons, and though
not collected into a political ſociety, are, after long
ſubjugation, once more a FREE PEOPLE. set vois
ORELIGION! thou who dwelleſt not on the tongues
and lips, but in the hearts and minds of men, pure,
plain and evangelic as thou wert when JESUS OF
NAZARETH revealed thee, viſit, o viſit us with
thy comforting preſence! defcend from Heaven in
thy white and ſpotleſs form, ſo that feen without
diſguiſe we may know, and knowing, love thee!
for

( 25 )
for from thee, when worldly enjoyments loſe their
reliſh or fade away, proceeds the lively aſſurance of
a happy immortality beyond the grave!
The full and perfect enjoyment of religious free-
dom offers itſelf as another inducement for you to
love your country.
VII. The privileges of a free preſs are ſo great
that I conſider them eſſentially neceffary both to the
exiſtence and continuance of a free government.
The domeſtic conſumption of paper in this country
is very great, and of the quantity conſumed, a large
proportion of the coarſer fort is worked into Gazettes
and Pamphlets. Theſe, which are the vehičles of
every ſort of intelligence, are carried by the mail
and by private poſts to all parts of the country.
The actual ſtate of things is in theſe ways laid be-
fore every man in his own houſe; and he may inform
himſelf how matters are circumſtanced in the moſt
diſtant places, without quitting his buſineſs or leaving
his home. The means of obtaining knowledge are
then ſo much facilitated, that he who remains igno-
ränt of public meaſures has nobody but himſelf to
blame. While he enjoys an opportunity which he
will not improve, he cannot complain of govern-
mental interference to ſtop the channel of intelligence;
but theſe channels are not only free, they are alſo
rich and tinctured with every thing that is poured
into them. Hence it comes to paſs that proceedings
concerning elections, tranſactions of the legiſlature,
deciſions of courts of law and equity, proclamations
D
by

( 26 )
by the executive, appointments to offices and remo-
vals from the ſame, are quickly laid before the peo-
ple, that they may know what their intereſt requires
them to do with regard to the choice of repreſen-
tatives, and then what thoſe who are elected have
done or are going to do. Strictures on the con-
duct of public men, and ſpeculations on the ten-
dency of public meaſures, form a large proportion
of newſpaper diſcuſſion, as a review of the publica-
tions made while the Federal Conſtitution was under
conſideration, while the late conteſted election for
the office of Governor of New York was the ob-
ject of inquiry, and while the conduct of the Mi-
niſter from the French Republic was the topic of
animadverſion, amply evince.
The liberty of the preſs is not only free but un-
controuled, for it does not appear that any thing
like a miniſterial authority is exerciſed in the ſup-
preffion of any thing which an author wiſhes to
publiſh, nor in the tortuous proſecution of a Prin-
ter for what comes from his ſhop. If in any caſe,
therefore, a Printer enliſts on the ſide of a prevail-
ing party, it ariſes from his particular political ſen-
OD 10
Vogal do
In this reſpect our condition is greatly preferable
to that of the Engliſh, where the name and fem-
blance of a FREE Press indeed remains, but where
informations for libels have of late ſo often been filed
by the Attorney-General, and brought to iſſue with
a vengeance before ſpecial juries ; that under the
forbidding
timent.

( 27 )
forbidding threats of royal proclamations, a writer
who has no deſire to undergo a trial, muſt applaud
the exiſting government or lay down his pen.
And
this oppoſition to free diſcuſſion has been carried fo
far, that in June, 1793, the firſt number of a pe-
riodical work, called the “ BRITISH Critic,” ap-
peared, whoſe object is to gain celebrity and profit
to writers in favour of the Crown and Church of
England. *
Zoom
When you then conſider, my fellow citizens, the
real freedom of the American Preſs, and compare it
with that which exiſts in what has been called the
moſt free country in Europe, you will ſee cauſe
enough for admiring and preferring in this reſpect
the unequalled advantages of the land in which
you
dwell.
VIII. The ESTABLISHMENT OF A MILITIA, in
which moſt able bodied and middle aged men are
enrolled and furniſhed with arms, proceeds upon
the principle, that they who are able to govern, ere
alſo capable of defending themſelves. The keeping
of arms, is, therefore, not only not prohibited, but
is poſitively provided for by law; and theſe, when
procured, ſhall not ruſt for want of employ, but
ſhall be brought into uſe from time to time, that
the owner may grow expert in the handling of them.
The meeting together of the youth now and then
to exerciſe in arms, and to diſcipline themſelves for
reviews
Proſpectus of the New Review, p. 2.

( 28 )
reviews at regimental and brigade parades, is intend
ed to infuſe a martial ſpirit and qualify them for de-
fenfive operations. I enter not into the diſcuſſion
of the queſtion, whether ſuch a militia be wiſely ef-
tabliſhed or not? I only remark the PRUDENCE OF
THE PEOPLE is ſuch that government is not afraid
of putting arms into their hands, and of encourag-
ing expertneſs in the uſe of them. Theſe weapons
ſerve for the defence of the life and property of the
individual againſt the violent or burglarious attacks
of thieves, a deſcription of perſons happily very
ſmall among us. They are ready at hand if need .
require, to ſuppreſs any mob or inſurrection, which
by the bye is a rare occurrence, that may threaten
miſchief within the government: and alſo, by their
means ſecurity is afforded againſt foreign incroach-
ment and invaſion: while, at the ſame time, the
bearer, unfettered by oppreſſive game and foreſt laws,
and without the reſtraint of a licence may amuſe
himſelf with hunting and fowling when he pleaſes.
Theſe are great privileges, and as ſuch ought to be
highly valued; and miſery may be expected to fol-
low with haſty ſtrides any attempt to deprive you of
them. A compariſon of our ſituation in this reſpect
with the great body of the people in other parts of
the world, cannot fail to turn the balance ſo com-
pletely in our favour, that this conſideration offers
itſelf as another very cogent reaſon, very cogent I
ſay, for prizing this—this—this, Gentlemen, ſingu-
larly favoured country.
IX. The

( 29 )
IX. The converſion of all our old tenures of lands,
in New-York particularly, INTO FREE AND COM-
MON SOCAGE, and the granting of all new titles
from the Land-office, in PURE ALLODIUM, are no-
ble advantages indeed! The purchaſer enjoys his
property free and clear from all ſuperiors, and if he
be a poor man, and can buy but little, that little is
his own; he is its maſter and proprietor; he enjoys
it independent of exacting landlords ; if he improves
it, the improvements are his own; if he grows weary
of it, he ſells it to whom he will; if he makes a
teſtament, he can deviſe it according to his pleaſure,
provided he entail it not; if he dies inteſtate, the
laws make equal diſtributions among his children,
or, in default of theſe, his other repreſentatives.-
Hear how the Poet deſcribes the condition of an
AMERICAN FARMER:
In fair COLUMBIA's realms how chang'd the plan!
Where all things bloom, but firſt of all things, MAN!
Lord of himſelf, the independent ſwain
Sees no ſuperior ſtalk the happy plain;
His houſe, his herd, his harveſt, all his own,
His farm a kingdom, and his chair a throne. *
But why
Compare this with any other region, and judge
if there is any in the world that equals it.
ſhould I inſiſt on compariſons where there is no ana-
logy? Contraſt the above deſcription then, and ſee
the difference between ſuch a ſituation and the tythe-
paying
* Dwight's Epiſtle to Humphreys.

( 30 )
paying, rack-rented, tax-oppreſſed, poverty-ſtricken
peaſantry throughout the greater part of Europe,
and rejoice that your better fortune has given you a
fubftantial intereſt in ſuch a foil as this.
2. Theſe bleſſings we enjoy will, I truſt, under the
ſmiles of Divine Providence, be continued to our
people, and go on to increaſe, unleſs by their per-
verſeneſs the bright day of their happineſs be over-
caſt. Our preſent poſſeſſions are a ſacred depoſit in
our hands, and it is our duty to deliver them not
only unimpaired, but improved to our children,
who are bound by a ſimilar obligation to tranſmit
them in a ftill more improved condition, to THEIR
children, through whom they, as a rightful inhe-
ritance, ought to deſcend to THEIR CHILDREN'S
CHILDREN, and proceed improving as they paſs to
the lateſt poſterity.
It would ſeem that a country upon which the
Bleſſings of Heaven were ſo bountifully poured out,
muſt contain a collection of people attached to a man
of its free and liberal government; yet ſtrange as it
may appear, ſorrowful to relate! almoſt incredible
to tell! there is reaſon to believe the exiſtence of
perſons within it ſtrongly diſaffected to this benefi-
cent ſyſtem. Prejudiced in favour of Monarchy,
they pant for Crowns and Royal Diſtinctions; or
jealous of Republican equality, they wiſh to eſta-
bliſh an Ariſtocracy.
Weep over thy degenerate fons, O
my
amicted
country! mourn, for thou haſt cauſe to mourn
their

( 31 )
their diſobedience and ingratitude! they who have
been nurſed in thy lap and cheriſhed in thy boſom,
unmindful of former favours, now injuriouſly ſpurn
at thee! They who participate the good things
thou affordeſt, revile, even in the act of enjoyment,
the hand that feeds them! with unaccountable folly
they perplex and diſturb thy peace, and in deſperate
madneſs prefer, genuine parent, an ungenerous ſtep-
mother to thee! reclaim them with gentle manage-
ment if thou canſt; if not, cauſe the weight of thy
indignation to fall heavy upon them: but thou art
good, and wilt ſpare the ſcourge as long as forbear-
ance from chaſtiſement is ſafe; yet, when provoca-
tion is added to neglect, and repeated inſults to pro-
vocation, thy patience will at laſt get exhauſted, and
riſing terrible in thy anger, thou ſhalt reduce them
to an obſervance of order, or ſend them howling
from the land!
I wiſh, my dear friends, what has been offered
may be kindly received, as I addreſs you not in the
ſtile of a holiday orator, but under the full convic-
tion, that the genuine and candid ſentiments now
communicated are right. When I ſpeak to you in
fincerity, I hope no exceptions will be taken at the
freedom of diſcuſſion. " Who is here fo baſe that
« would a bond-man be? if any, ſpeak, for him
" have I offended. Who is here fo rude that would
not be a freeman? if any, ſpeak, for him have I
" offended. Who is here fo vile that would not
“ love his country? if any, ſpeak, for him have I
66 offended.”
Although

( 32 )
Although ſo much has been ſaid in favour of this
country, I would not be thought blind to its faults.
Blemiſhes are diſcernible, not to be concealed by
hyperbolical eulogium nor varniſhed over by the
glofs of words. Where find we perfection? The
faireſt day has its clouds, and the ſun himſelf is not
without his ſpots. I ſhall not dwell long on this
part of my ſubject, but merely enumerate the glar-
ing deformities which disfigure it, to ſhew you that
I ſee them, and earneſtly hope they will be foon
removed.
FO
IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT, CAPITAL PUNISH-
MENTS, DOMESTIC SLAVERY, THE INDIAN WAR,
NEGLECT OF THE OLD SòldierS, DUELLING, RE-
TENTION OF INSIGNIFICANT TITLES, CARELESSNESS
ABOUT EDUCATION, ſeem to be the chief objects of
reproach to us, which doubtleſs will be done away
when right reaſon ſhall gain the aſcendency over the
human mind, and the actions of men be regulated
by its dictates. * o bon la bovisor bil od
tobus sodata yabilon s Such
want to Diban bus animog pilt to
* If we attack oppreſſion (ſays Mr. CONDORCET) before
we have taught the oppreſſed, we ſhall riſk the loſs of liberty,
and rouſe them to oppoſe the progreſs of reaſon. Hiſtory
affords proofs of this truth. How often, in ſpite of the efforts
of the friends of freedom, has the event of a ſingle battle
reduced nations to the ſlavery of ages! bomo lose
And what is the kind of liberty enjoyed by thoſe nations
who have recovered it by force of arms, and not by the in-
fluence of philoſophy? Have not moſt of them confounded
the forms of republicaniſm with the enjoyment of right, and the
deſpotiſm of numbers with liberty? How many laws, contrary

( 33 )
Such are the ſentiments I had to communicate
to you; but I cannot take my leave without con-
gratulating you, as brethren, on the happy return
of this feſtive day. As often as the year revolves
the ſocial principle of our Inſtitution draws together
its Members, to participate in one general meeting
the glow of BROTHERLY AFFECTION.
Under the
preſiding influence of our WORTHY FATHER, this
happy family enjoys, on occaſions like this, one
mind and one foul; for unanimity and concord
fhine forth from each countenance and ſeem to have
taken poſſeſſion of every breaſt. Rightly you re-
member that while the great principles of conduct
already touched upon, regulate your deportment to
the BROTHERHOOD OF MANKIND, that ſmaller,
though not leſs ſtrict, are the bonds that connect
you together as MEMBERS OF THIS Association.
And it is here that, to the duties you owe to the
great body of your fellow creatures, are fuperadded
thoſe which in a more particular manner are due to
this Inſtitution and its Members. Actuated by
ſuch noble and laudable motives, I hope the Fellows
E
of
to the rights of nature, have difhonoured the code of every
people which has recovered its freedom during thoſe ages in
which reaſon was ſtill in its infancy!
The perfection of political wiſdom (adds Mr. STUART)
conſiſts not in incumbering the machine of government with
new contrivances to obviate every partial inconvenience, but
in removing gradually and imperceptibly the obſtacles which
diſturb the order of nature, and (as Mr. ADDISON ſomewhere
expreſſes it) “ grafting upon her inſtitutions.”

( 34 )
of our Order may ſtand conſpicuous both as GOOD
CITIZENS AND HONEST Friars. In this DOUBLE
CAPACITY they will have ample ſcope for the diſplay
of public fpirit on the LARGE THEATRE OF THE
WORLD, and of private benevolence on the SMALLER
STAGE OF THE FRIARY; where, if each acts well
his
part, he will make his exit at laſt not only amidſt
the plaudits of men, but under the favour of ap-
proving Heaven
o evoir
That this may be the lot of all who are within
the reach of my voice, and of all beyond it, is my
fervent prayer, fo that after practiſing the offices of
PATRIOTS and BROTHERS in the land of their refi-
dence and nativity, men may be ſo habituated to
good deeds, and ſo perfected by the practice of
them, that their paſſage ſhall be eaſy from this their
earthly dwelling-place to that HAPPIER Mansion
ABOVE, WHERE THE SPIRITS OF THE VIRTUOUS
FREE REVEL IN MILLENNIAL JOYS, AND PARTICI-
PATE THE GOOD THINGS IN STORE FOR SUCH AS
LIVE A LIFE OF RECTITUDE!
Desde
vos
Vildabuela
von to be bottom 15
FINI S.
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