WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1826
60
this memorable expression: "Our national rulers had, therefore, no reason to expect, with these sentiments, we should do anything more, in support of the war, than they had a right by the Consti- tution to demand; and they could not expect it unless they sup- posed we were destitute of moral principle." For myse!f, I would take the converse of this proposition. But matters did not stop here. An opposition to the General Government was to receive a more imposing and solemn character. The Senate of Massa- chusetts had responded to the Governor, in this language: "We have witnessed, with emotions of ardent gratitude to Heaven, his (the Governor's) re-election, and assure him that the papers and documents mentioned in his message, shall receive a favorable consideration." To this end it was moved in the Legislature, by Mr. Low, "that a committee be appointed to confer with all the New England States and see if they will agree to appoint a com- mittee to join them, and repair to the City of Washington, imme- diately, then and there personally to make known to the President the general opinion of the New England States, in regard to the present war, and the manner in which it has been conducted; and inform him that he must either resign his office as President, or remove those Ministers, and other officers of the General Gov- ernment, who have, by their nefarious plans, ruined the nation." Sir, this resolution was read and the next day was named·for the consideration of the subject. It was afterwards withdrawn. This was in October, 1814. The opposition to the General Government did not stop here. The documents referred to in the Governor's communication, were connected with the project of the Hartford Convention, or rather the grounds on which that convention was to be formed and had been referred to·a committee, when sundry resolutions had been reported, and passed, providing for the ap- pointment of delegates to the Convention. On the 9th of October, twelve delegates were appointed by the Legislature to attend the Convention which was to meet at Hart- ford. The Convention met, deliberated, and reported their pro- ceedings at Hartford, which were approved by the Legislature of Massachusetts, on the 25th of January, 1815, by resolution of that body. The governor was authorized to appoint commission- ers to repair to the City of Washington, for the purpose of carry- ing into effect the objects of this convention. What were the objects of this convention? Were they constitutional objects? Were they more constitutional than resistance to an invading army? Were they patriotic? Did they not savor of disloyalty?
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