USA > Massachusetts > History of Massachusetts from the year 1790, to 1820. v. 3 > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22
278
ernment was, that war being declared, every part of the country was liable to invasion, and that the right, therefore, existed to call forth and command the militia, without restriction as to time, place or circumstances.
Both in principles and manners, Governor Brooks bore a strong resemblance to the most em- inent characters in Massachusetts, of a former gen- eration. All the distinguished patriots of the rev- olution were personally known to him ; and he had a just apprehension of their opinions and views, on political subjects. He was, moreover, a celebrat- ed actor in many important scenes belonging to that eventful and memorable period. No one bet- ter understood or more fully approved of the prin- ciples which led to the revolution. His public speeches shew this. He was sincerely and thor- oughly republican in his political principles. But he was no demagogue. His manners were concil- iating ; and he was not indifferent to the good opin- ion of his fellow citizens. But he was one of those "rare patriots who prefer the public good to the public favour."
Governor Brooks entertained an exalted opinion of Washington, not only as a consummate general, but as a wise statesman. It was probably his in- tention, as far as circumstances rendered it suitable, to conform to the principles of that great man. He was like Washington in firmness, moderation and impartiality. In his appointments, he was desirous of rising above all personal friendship, and of select- ing for public office, the persons best qualified and most likely to be acceptable to the people. Ile was a federalist ; for he was attached to the Con- stitution which was framed in 1787, to give strength
279
and unity to the confederation of the United States; and he approved of the policy pursued by Wash- ington, in administering the general government, under that Constitution. And he was a republi- can, for he acknowledged and contended that the people were the source of civil power, and that their will was to be obeyed by their public agents. He was no otherwise anti-democratic, than that he considered it the duty of every intelligent and hon- est man, in times of party excitement, and when there was danger of opposition to lawful authority, to undeceive and give correct information to his fellow-citizens.
From 1800 to 1890, the literary and religious character of the people of Massachusetts suffered no material change. Private schools, however, were increased ; and the youth who attended them, were farther advanced in their studies, than was common at an antecedent period. Public Schools were maintained as formerly at the expense of the community, and were open for the benefit of the children of all classes, on a perfect equality. In these also, the youth had an opportunity for higher attainments in literature and science ; and the chil- dren of the less opulent shared in all these means of improvement.
No new religious sect sprung up during this peri- od ; but some of those which were formerly known were multiplied, in different parts of the Statc. The denomination of Universalists increased in va- rious places. The Baptists and Methodists were respectable, and might justly boast of some in- crease through the Commonwealth. The propor- tion, however remained nearly the same, as it was in the latter part of the preceding century. Among
+
.
280
those of the Congregational order, different specu- lative opinions prevailed. 'This diversity of senti- ment had previously existed. But more recently, it produced an alienation of affection, or a suspen- sion of christian intercourse and fellowship, which many regretted, and which had not been known before. But where the minds of men are perfectly free to inquire, there will be differences of opinion, on speculative points of theology. And where there is no power to restrain and punish for opinions different from those of the majority, or of former times, many will be independent and honest enough to declare their views. In this state of freedom, there will also be controversy. This is sometimes conducted rather with a view to victory, or party, than to truth ; and generates an uncandid and bit- ter spirit. When managed with a suitable temper, it produces beneficial results, and ought not to be condemned.
After the war with great Britain and the general peace in Europe, which took place at the same pe- riod, Massachusetts made greater advances in ag- riculture and manufactures than in commerce. 'There was, indeed, a good spirit of commercial enterprize among the people; but pursuits of this kind were not attended with such great profits, as at former periods. Several sea ports in the State became much impoverished ; and their trade al- most annihilated. Manufactures were multiplied ; and agriculture, the first and most natural occupa- tion of man, received substantial improvements. Societies were formed in all the counties of the State, for encouragement to farmers ; and monics were appropriated from the public treasury, for premiums to those who excelled in their farms, in
4
شق جي كامشر عدى غباء : طائر - متلاك على المشركين لاناء شف بعد - صد ارهالم تاحسط
281
their cattle, and in the various fruits and products of the earth.
The soil of Massachusetts is not throughout so favorable to profitable agriculture, as that of some other States. But the greater portion of the people are farmers ; and by industry and frugality, they secure a comfortable living. They are very generally well-informed, and correct in morals. They claim liberty as their birth-right ; and have a generous desire to hand down to future genera- tions the political privileges and blessings, so long enjoyed by themselves and their virtuous ances- tors. Manufactures will probably increase among such an industrious people ; but to be really pro- fitable, their increase must be natural and gradual. Commerce and Navigation have been pursued from the first settlement of the Commonwealth; and the pursuit has enriched the State, and refined the character and manners of the people. No wise Legislature will ever discourage and repress such enterprises : For the effects would be calamitous to the whole people.
Governor Brooks continued to receive the suf- frages of the people, until he publicly and express- ly declined the office of Chief Magistrate, which was in 1823, when he had reached the age of sev- enty years. He had the satisfaction to reflect, that his conduct in the chair of State was accept- able to the multitude of his fellow citizens through the Commonwealth of both political parties, and especially to those who had given him their sup- port ; and to anticipate the continued prosperity and welfare both of the State and nation.
The last public State paper from Governor Brooks happily developes the sentiments and views VOL. III. 36
:
982
which were most prominent with him, in relation to the general welfare of the State, and the duties of the citizens. He had, indeed, expressed similar views on former occasions ; and the fact serves to shew his great anxiety for the permanent prosperi- ty and happiness of the people. So long only as such sentiments are appreciated, and so long only as the virtues ho recommends are cultivated and exercised, will the civil blessings, for which Mas- sachusetts has been eminently distinguished, be se- cure. A part of his last speech follows.
" A short time only had elapsed after the first founders of Massachusetts had began their settle- ments, before political and commercial jealousies on the part of the British government became very apparent ; and at every period of her colonial ex- istence, hier interests were sacrificed to the avari- cious and domineering spirit of the parent country. But a course of conduct, thus selfish and oppres- sive, though designed to impede the growth of the colony, and to insure its dependence on and subser- viency to Great Britain, ultimately defeatedits own purposes. Subjected, as the colonists were, to the unbending rigour of the colonial system, a limited commerce only was allowed them ; and even the stinted share of traffic which they were permitted to prosecute, was encumbered with regulations far less calculated to remind them of their filial relation, than of their inferiority and subjection. Incentives to extensive enterprise were thus denied to her merchants; and the accumulation of capital, which a liberal commerce only can effect, was rendered impracticable. But while made to feel the weight of power, and to submit to the hu- miliation of colonial restrictions, they were led, by
283
a very natural train of thought, to investigate, not merely the nature of magna charta and the constitution of England, but the broad principles of all legitimate civil authority, founded on the natural rights of man; and ultimately, to form an estimate of the value of self government. In the mean time, habits of industry and economy were formed, and the skilful management of their circumscribed interests was acquired, and the col- onists became fitted for acting their part well as subjects, and to sustain with honor the separation which awaited them.
" But the acquisition of Independence failed to fulfil the public anticipations. The States, by mighty and united efforts, had become independ- ent and free. Peace soon disclosed truths, which had hitherto been but partially believed, that the boasted union of the States, under the confedera- tion, had resulted from the pressure of a common danger, and that something was yet wanting to complete the revolution, and insure the general welfare. The vital defect, however, was long felt and deplored, before the national will ordained a remedy. 'The beneficial effects, produced almost instantaneously, by the operations of the national government, were wonderful and incalculable. The sudden restoration of public and private cred- it, the animation given to enterprize and industry, in the various branches of political economy, and the general amelioration in the condition of the people, which are still in our recollection, were occurrences which transcended the hopes of the most sanguinc. Massachusetts shared largely, for a time, in these results. But the regular order of peaceful commerce was destined to derangement.
2S4
A long series of astonishing phenomena ensued, involving the destruction of' governments, the ex- tinction of nations, and a change in the habits and occupations of a large portion of the human fam- ily in the civilized world. The citizens of this State, observant of the character of the times, and yielding to the allurements of emolument at- tached to the neutral flag, availed themselves very freely of their neutral rights. "The unnatural cx- citement, however, produced in one branch of en- terprise, left others to languish : and commerce, after suffering unexampled vexations from the bel- ligerents of Europe, was driven from its ordinary channels in times of peace; and, eluding the so- ber calculations of the experienced merchant, be- came the subject and the victim of chicane and speculation.
" From every just consideration, Massachusetts ought to cherish a love of peace, it being a con- dition most congenial to the habits and feelings of the people, and most favourable for the cultivation of the means of improvement and happiness. The fisheries, one great source of subsistence and emol- ument, must, in a time of war, be annihilated ; al- though in'a time of peace they give lucrative en- ployment to thousands of the hardiest of our fellow citizens, and constitute the greatest and most perma- nent nursery of scamen for our gallant navy, which is the pride of the United States, and the support of their commerce and honor abroad.
" The martial energies of our country have nov- er been questioned ; and her ability to sustain the arts of peace is now fully demonstrated. The en- emies of the revolution represented us indeed, as possessing neither the intellectual, nor the moral,
985
nor the physical elements for constituting an inde- pendent government. But what are the facts ? Our naval and military triumphs, our commerce, which, under the fostering care of a paternal gov- ernment, has spread over the world, and is now gladdening the human heart in every clime; and above all, the contentment, the good order and social happiness, enjoyed by more than ten millions of free people, give the answer."
A writer in one of the public papers in Boston, expressed the sentiments of a large majority of the people throughout the Commonwealth, in the fol- lowing brief notice of the character and services of Governor Brooks, which appeared a few days after his last message was sent to the General Court. It is the more proper to quote it, because no reply was made by the Legislature to the message; it being the practice only to answer a Speech, deliv- ered by the Governor in person. To some, per- baps the praise bestowed by the writer, will appear to have been dictated by partiality and friendship. It is, indeed, the language of culogy ; but it was most justly merited.
" This able State paper is replete with senti- ments, worthy of the Chief Magistrate of Massa- chusetts. It contains a brief review of the early situation of the Commonwealth ; and of the means by which she has ascended to her present happy el- evation. It leads us back to that gloomy period in our history, when in the weakness and obscurity of colonial dependence, the arm of power fell heavily on all her valuable interests, and our fathers were compelled to bow to the dominion of a foreign sceptre. It gives a lucid exposition of some of the causes, which provoked resistance to oppressions
-----
.
7
286
grown into a system of unmitigated tyranny, and of the principles, upon which the colonists determined to break the bondage that enslaved them, and as- sert their just rights to civil freedom and national independence.
"But our chief motive in adverting, at this time, to the document before us, is to express the deep regret, with which we learn, from its concluding paragraph, the resolution of his Excellency to re- tire from the chair, he has so long and so honorably occupied. "This valedictory clause will be read with sorrow, by a people who know and appreciate the blessings of his administration. For seven successive years, he has ably and faithfully sus- tained the arduous and exalted office, from which he is about to descend, in the full enjoyment of public confidence. During this long period, he has uniformly acted under the consciousness, intimated in the message, " that the public interests should be watched with the vigilance of a faithful centinel." Succeeding in office that venerable statesman, whose political course was a career of wisdom and useful- ness, the task was indeed an arduous one, to satisfy the public expectations in him who was to stand in the place of Governor Strong. But those expec- tations, exalted as they were, have been fully real- ized, in the administration of Governor Brooks. His robe of office was the mantle of his predecessor ; and he has proved himself worthy of that pure and splendid panoply. The honorable attitude in which he now stands before his country, after a long life devoted to its service, while it fills us with regret that he is about to withdraw, may well create the anxious inquiry, upon whom is that mantle again to fall ? Governor Brooks will descend to the
287
shade of retirement full of years and full of honors. In the dignity of virtuousage, we trust he will en- joy that repose and felicity, which are the just re- wards of a life filled with public usefulness, and. that best of earthly satisfactions, the consciousness of having so executed his high trust, as to secure the gratitude of his country and the approbation of his God."
When Governor Brooks retired from office, Mr. Phillips, who had been Lieutenant Governor for eleven years in succession declined a re-election. He was a man of good judgment, and of great firmness of purpose. His patriotism, his piety and his charities have rendered his name eminent among the good men of Massachusetts who have passed away. The most perfect cordiality subsisted be- tiveen him and Governor Brooks; as well as Gov- ernor Strong, with whom he was associated in the government for four years.
During the impartial and magnanimous admin- istration of Gvoernor Brooks, party feelings were, in a great measure, suppressed or moderated ; and political distinctions became less apparent, than they had been in former periods. He believed, that his political opponents, generally, were friends of good government and of the Constitution. And though he would not compromise his principles, or act contrary to his own convictions, he was ready to allow the virtue of patriotism in others ; and to select for office, if capable and honest, those who had belonged to a different party from that of his most ardent friends. In some cases, he differ- ed from his Council in this respect. Not that they were ever intolerant or exclusive; but they were not, perhaps, altogether so superior to the influence
4
2SS
of political feelings as he was. For the patriots and heroes of the revolution, he had a very strong attachment. He considered them worthy of dis- tinction and honor, except where the infirmities of age rendered them incapable of performing the duties of a public station. In selecting persons for office, he had reference rather to their real fitness, and to assurances of fidelity, which their past characters gave, than to their political professions. It was his belief, that there were able and upright men belonging to each of the parties, which had long divided the State; and that it was proper for the Chief Magistrate to call to the public service, in- dividuals of both political divisions, so far as their qualifications would justify him.
From 1790 to 1820, the population of Massa- chusetts steadily increased, notwithstanding the very great emigrations to other parts of the Union. Many of the inhabitants, during that period, re- moved from the State, and settled in Vermont, New York, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, &c. Lands could be purchased at a low price in those States ; and the soil is more favorable to agriculture. The population in 1820, however, was more than double that of 1790; and had there been no emigrations, the census would, probably, have been nearly one third more than it was; making an increase of double the number of inhabitants in twenty one or twenty two years.
In the leading or peculiar traits of character, the people of Massachusets are much the same, as for several generations past. They are not fond of great changes ; and to mere innovations they are decidedly aversc. 'Their first desire is to give their children a good education, and to maintain the lit-
1
ப்
289
erary and religious institutions of the Common- wealth. 'They acknowledge the importance of . useful employment for all classes and ages, and are desirous that their children should acquire carly habits of study and industry. 'They are ever ready to encourage useful inventions, and to adopt im- provements in agriculture and the mechanic arts, although they are deviations from the pursuits of their - ancestors. With such an intelligent and moral population, it will not be difficult to support a republican government. It is only when the people are ignorant and corrupt, that civil freedom is in danger, or that a few ambitious men can establish a despotic government where liberty has long been enjoyed.
VOL. III.
1 37
APPENDIX.
The Proclamation of Governor Strong, issued the 26th of June, 1812, for observing the twenty third of July, as a day of public Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer, was as follows :-
Whereas it has pleased the Almighty Ruler of the world, in his righteous providence, to permit us to be engaged in war against the nation from which we are descended, and which, for many generations, has been the bulwark of the religions we profess ; and whereas, by this awful and alarming change in our circumstances, the people of this Commonwealth are, in a peculiar manner, exposed to personal suffering, and a loss of a great proportion of their substance ; it becomes us, in imitation of our fathers, in their times of perplexity and danger, with deep repentance, to humble ourselves before him for our sins, and for the ungrateful returns we have made to him for his mer- cies ; to ascribe righteousness to our maker, when he threat- ens us with the most severe of all temporal calamities ; and to beseech him to avert the tokens of his anger, and remember for us his former loving kindness and favour :
I do, therefore, by and with the advice and consent of the Council, and at the request of the House of Representatives, ap- point Thursday, the twenty third day of July next, to be ob- served, by the people of this State, as a day of Fasting, Humil- iation and Prayer-that, with penitent hearts, we may assem- + ble in our places of public worship, and unite in humble sup- plications to the God of our Fathers, who was their defence in danger, and to whom they never sought in vain ; and bescech him, through the merits of his Son, that he would forgive our ingratitude, and our innumerable transgressions ; that he would
--------
292
APPENDIX.
give wisdom, integrity and patriotism to our national and State governments, that "the leaders of the people may not cause them to err ;" that he would inspire the President and Con- gress of the United States, and the government of Great Brit- ain with just and pacific sentiments ; that he would humble the pride and subdue " the lusts and passions of men from which wars proceed," and that peace may be speedily restored to us, upon safe and equitable terms-
That he would guard the lives of our soldiers and mariners, and protect our commerce and navigation from the dangers with which they are encompassed ; that he would preserve us from intestine violence and from foreign invasion ; that he would dispose the people of these States to do justice to the Indian tribes, to enlighten and not to exterminate them, and that he would protect our frontier settlements from their ravages ; that he would preserve us from entangling and fatal alliances with those governments which are hostile to the safety and happi- ness of mankind ; that he would regard with compassion the nations whose essential rights have been wrested from them by fraud and violence, and who are groaning under the cruel hand of oppression ; that he would " break in pieces the power of the oppressor, and scatter the people who delight in war" --
That the inhabitants of this State may be the objects of his peculiar favour ; that he would take them under his holy pro- tection, " and hide them in his pavilion until these calamities be overpast ;" that the chastisements with which he may think proper to afflict us, may serve to humble us and do us good ; that we may not be like those who are hardened by his judg- ments, and who " in the time of their trouble multiply their transgressions against him ;" that he would save us from the baleful influence of party spirit ; and that whatever enemies may rise up against us from abroad, we may have peace and mutual confidence among ourselves, and know, by experience, " how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity" --
That he would accomplish the promises of his mercy con- cerning the future repose and prosperity of the human race,
2
-
:
293
APPENDIX.
" when men shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and learn war no more ;" when fraud and violence shall cease for- ever, and righteousness and peace prevail through the world ; when the kingdom of the Redeemer shall triumph over all op- position, and " the heathen be given him for his inheritance ;" and when "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea."
GENERAL ORDERS.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Head Quarters, Boston July 3, 1812. S
War having been declared by the government of the United States against Great Britain and Ireland, and the dependencies thereof, the commander in chief calls upon the militia of Mas- sachusetts duly to notice the solemn and interesting crisis, and exhorts them to meet the occasion with constancy and firmness.
When war is commenced no human foresight can discern the time of its termination, or the course of events that must follow in its train. But the path of duty is the path of safety. Prov- idence seldom abandons to ruin those, who, to a just reliance on the superintending influence of Heaven, add their own vig- ilant and strenuous exertions to preserve themselves. At the present moment, therefore, the commander in chief earnestly recommends to the officers, of every grade, a close and perse- vering attention to the duties resulting from their several sta- . tions; particularly that they acquire and maintain a perfect knowledge of the condition of their respective commands, and see, as far as is in their power, that their men are duly armed and equipped; that the time allotted to trainings be devoted to the instruction of non-commissioned officers and soldiers in the exercise of arms, and in the practice of evolutions, as pre-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.