I O '_ _ ‘‘~ ~
gl‘E’c1tCO11ftlSl0l’1ll'l'lY"' v.21‘, wsue_d. This ena-
bled our advenr -. ta 1: s1d‘et1iefrlga_l6a
*.vhen Dcczi‘ -' ‘.';(‘.’.. ang aboard, fol-
lowed‘ ‘ .4-4.s,'*‘ midshiphian.-
-,._ ,2;-. .5. minute on deck before
._ ,. w :- wold succeed in mounting the
;,;._.ng_iy, the Turksliad not sufficiently
tom their surprise to take advantage
.clay ; they were crowded together on the
_ r..ter deck, perfectly astonished and aghast,
without making any attempt to oppose ‘the as-‘
sailing party. As soon as a sufficient number of
men had gained the deck, to form a front equalto
that of the enemy, they rushed upon them, The
Turks stood the assault but a short timt=,aiid were
completely overpowered. About twenty were
killed on the spot, many jtimped overbot-it"-la Emil
the rest fled to the main deck, whither they were
pursued and driven to the hold.
After entire possession had been gained of the
ship, and evesytliiiig prepared to set li re to her,
a number of launches were seen rowing abotit the
harbor. This determined Lieut. Decatur to re-
main in the frigate, from whence a better ('.t:fcnce
could he made tlian from on board the l<e.tc'h.-..
Thfv " {fleniy had already commenced firing upon
tli’ ‘frotn their batteries and castle, andlfrom
two corsairs that were lying neat‘. Perceiving
that the launches did not attempt to approach. he
ordered that the ship should be set on fire, \\ bicli
was done at the saute time, in difl'erent parts. As
soon as this was completely effected, tlicy lt.fl
her, and such was the rapidity of the flames, that
it was with the utmost difficulty they preserved
the ketcb. At this critical moment a very pro-
pitious breeze sprang up, blowing directl_v out of
the harbor, wliicb, in a few minutes, Carrie-tl them
beyond the reach of the enemy’s guns, and_.tliey
made good their retreat without the loss of a siti-
gle man. and with but four wottnrled.
For this gallant and romantic acliicvemeiit, Lt.
Decatur was promoted to the rank ofpost-captain,
there being at that time no intermediate grade.
This promotion was partictilar-l_v gratifying to
him, in as much as it was done with the consent
of the oflicei-5 CV6!‘ wliose heads be was l‘ttlSctl.
Tl] the enstiinuj upt‘ing',_ it being ‘-‘loft-tniined to
‘make an attack upon Tripoli, Commodore Preble
obtained from the king of Naples, the loan of six
§un-boats and two l)Ulnl)tll'(.lS, which he formed in-
to two clivisions, and gave the coniniantl of one of
them to Captain Decatur, and the other to Lieut.
Scmers. This squarlron sailetl from Syracuse,
consisting of the l't‘igatc tfoiistittitiotla the b"l.§"
Syrcu, the scliooners Nttutilos and “v’ixc-ii, and
the gun-lioats. _
Havitig zirrivcrl on the coast of llzirbary, they
were for some days preventetl from niaking the
attack. by adverse wind and weather. A-tleiigtli,
on the niorning ofthe 3d of August, the weath-
er being favo_r:ti)le. the signal was made frotn the
Commudore’s ship to prepare for action, the light
vessels towing the gun boats to windwartl. At 9
o’cluck the sigrial was made for bombarding the
town and eneniy’s vessels. The guii-l)ou:s were
cast ofi‘, and adv-anced in a line ahead, letl on by
Capt. L)cc:ittu~, ,iud covered by the frigate Consti.
tutrou, and the brig-s and scbooners. The ene-
my’s gun-boats were moored along the mouth of
the harbor under the batteries, and within musket
shot. Their sails had been taken from them, and
they were ordered to sink rather than abandon
their position. They were aided and covered
likewise by a brig of l6aiid a schooner of 11 guns.
Before entering into close action, Capt. Deca-
tur went alongside each of his boats and ordered
them to onsliip their lJ')\\S|)l‘lt and follow him, as
it was his intention to board the enemy’s boats ;
Lt. James Decatur conimantled one of the boats
belonging to l.t. .‘5omers’ tlitision, but being for-
tlier to \\'l'.'t(l‘.V‘ttl'(.l than the rest of his division, he
joined and took orders from his brother.
W'lit=n Capt. Decatur, who was in the leading
boat," caiiic within range of the fire from the bat-
tcries, a heavy fire was opened upon him from
(ham and from the gun-l)outs. l-Ie I'('l:tit'llc(l their
fire, aiitl contitiuetl advancing tintil he cainc in
contact with the boats. At this time Com. Preh-
le, seeing Decattir approaching nearer than he
‘thong-lit prtident. ordered a signal to be made for
a retreat ; but it was foot:-:l in giving the signals
for the boats, the one fora retreat had been omit-
ted. The cncmy’s boats bad about 40 men each;
ours an cqrittl number, 2?’ of whom were Ameri-
cans, and 13 Neapolitans. Decatur, on boarding
ilic enemy, was instantly followed by his country-
men, the Neapolitans remained behind. The
Turks did not sustain the combat, hand to hand,
with that firtnric.ss they had obtained a reputation
for: in ten minutes the deck was cleared ; eight
of them sought refuge in the hold; and the rest,
some fell on the deck, and others jumped into the
sea. Only three ofthe Amer-icaris were wounded.
As Decatur was about to proceed out with his
prize, the boat which had been commanded by his
brother came under his st:-rn, and informed him
that they had engaged and captured one of the
enemy; but that her commander, after surren-
dt-.r-ing, had treacherously shot Lieut. James De-
catur, and pushed off with the boat, and was then
iii-akiutv, for the barf. The feelings oftlie gal-
lant Decatur, on receiving this intelligence, may
more easily be imagined than described. Every
consideration of prudence and safety was lost in
his eagerness to punish so clastarrlly an act, and to
revenge the (lcatli ofa brother so bat-sely murder-
ed. He pushed within the er.emy’s line with his
single boat,and havingsucceedcd in getting along-
side of the retreating foe, lioui-ded ll'C|‘ at the bead
T l‘. :
sangulnary conflict tbolt place, invs3“titiuéh‘,‘itliat,’
when Decatur had dl:spatched his adversary, it
was with the greatest difficulty he coiuljd ‘eiztricate
himself from the killed and wounded that had fal-
len around him. _ _
It is with no common feeling of admiration that
we record an instance ‘of heroic courage, and loy-
. al self-devotion, on the part of at common sailor.
During - the early part of‘ Decatur-’s struggle
with the Turk, be was assailed in rear -by one of
the enemy, who had just aimed a blow at his
head uirh his sabre, that must have been fatal;
at this fearful juncture, a noble hearteil tar, who
had been so badly wounded as to lose the use of
his hands, seeing no other means of saving his
commander, rushed between him and the uplift-
ed sabre, and received the blow on his own skull;
VVL: love to pause, and honor great actions in
bumble life, because they speak well for liumzfi
nature. Men of rank and station in society often
do gallant deeds, in a manner from necesslty.'——
Tlieir conspictiotissituation obliges them to do so,
or tlieir energies for glory urges them on; but
an act like this we have mentioned so desperate,
yet so disinterested 5 done by an obscure, imam-1
bitious individual, a poor sailor, can spring from
nothing but innate nobleuess of soul. We are
happy to add that this generous fellow survived,
and now receives a pension from governrnerr.
Decatur succeeded in getting with both of his
prizes to the _squadron, and the next day received
the l"ilt;l)C.‘;t commendation, in a general order,
fr-oin Com.‘ Prcble. V-Vbcn that able officer _WtlS
supercctled in the command of the squadron, he
gave the Constitution to Capt. Decatur, who had.
some time before, received his commission.—._
From that ship be was removed to tlie'Congrcss,
and returned home in her when peace was conclu-
(led with Tripoli. On his return to the United
States, he was employed in supcrintending gun-
boats, until the affair of the Chesapeake, when he
was ordered to stipercede Com. Barron in the
command of that ship, since which period he has
bad the command of the Southern squadron.-—
\Vhen the United States was again put in com-
mission, he was removed from the Cliesapeakc to
that frigate. .
The present war with Great Britain has giv-
en Com. Decatur another opportunity of atldilttg
to the laurels he had already won -—(_)n the 25th
October. 1812, in lat. 29, N. lon._'_’9, 30, ‘W. llC
fell in with his Britannic l\’lujesty’s ship Macetlo-
llltlll, mounting 49 carrittge guns. This was one
of the finest frig-ates in the British navy, and coni-
iuanded by Capt. John S. Carden, one of the a
blast oflitzers. She was in prime order, the years
old. and but four months out of duck. The ene-
my being to windward, had the advantage of
choosing his own distance; and supposing the
United State-sto be the Essex(whicli only mounts
carronades) kept at first at long shot, and did not
at any moment come within the complete. effect
of the musquetry and grape. After the frigates
had come to close action, the battle was termina-
ted in a very short period, by the enetny’s surren-
der. The whole engagement lasted for an hour
and a half, being prolonged by the distance at
which the early part of it was fought, and by a
heavy swell of the sea. The superior gunnery I
oftlie Americans, was appareutin this, as in all l
other actions. The Macedonian lost her mizen"
mast, fore and main top-masts, and main yard.
and was much cut in the hull. Her loss was 36
killed and 63 wounded. The claiiiage of the U-
nitcd States was comparafively trivial ; 4- killed
and 7 wounded ; and she sufl'ered so little in her
hull and rigging, that she might have continued
her cruise, had not Com. Decatur tliougbtit im-
portant to convoy his prize into port. His recep-
tion of Capt. Carclcn on board of the U. States
was truly Cll'.ll"dt1ltfl‘lSllC. On preseutiiig his
sword. Decatur observed that he could not think
of taking the sword of an officer who had defend-
ed his ship so gallautly, but he should be happy
to take him by the hand.
It is not one of the least circumstances ofCom.
Decatur’s good fortune, or ratlicr gootl manage-
ment, that he couvoycd his priz-':, in her shatter-
ed condition across a vast extent of ocean, swar-
ming with foes. and conducted her triunipliaritly
into port ; tlitis placing immediately before the
eyes of his countrymen a noble trophy of his own
skill, and of national prowess.
The gallant conduct of Com. Decatur, in cap-
turing the Mzicertaxuian has been l‘CWui'(lt:(l by nu»
met-ous tokens of public gratitude. He has re-
ceived a vote of thanks and a medal from Cori-
gress; a vote of thanks and a sword from the
state of Virginia ; a vote of tlizuiks from Mary-
land; a vote of thanks anti a sword from Penn-
sylvania ; a sword front the city of Piiiladelphia ;
a vote of thanks from Massaclitisetts; a vote of
thanks from the State ofNew-York ; the freedom
ofthe city of New-York; and has been elected
an honorary member oftlie Cincinnati Society of
that state.
Such has been the brilliant career of this naval
hero. In private life his fortune has been equally
prosperous. Honored by his comrades, beloved
' by his friends, and blessed by the affcctioiis of an
amiable and elegant woman.’p He is now in the
very prime of life; pleasing in his person, of an
intelligent and interesting countenance : and an
eye in whose mild and brilliant lustre, spirit, eu-
terprizc, and urbanity, are happily blended.’ His
deportment is manly and unassuming, and his
manners peculiarly gentle and engaging; uni-
ting the polish of the gentleman with the frank
simplicity oftlie sailor. It is with the most per-
of eleven men, who were all the Americans he
had left. The fate of this contest was extreiiiel}
doubtful for twenty minutes. All the Americans
except four, were severely wounded. Decatur
singled out the commander as the peculiar object
of his vengeance. The Turk was armed with an
espontoon',- Decatur with a Cutlass; in attempt-
ing to cut off the head of the weapon, his mvord
struck on the iron and broke close to the lillt.—-
The Turk at this moment made a push, which
slightly wounded him in the right arm and breast.
He immediately seized the spear and closed with
him. A fierce struggle ensued, and both fell.
Decatur uppermost. By this time the Turkliad
drawn a dagger front his belt. and was about to
plunge it intlie body of his foe, when Decatur
caught his arm, and shot him with a pistol, which
he had taken from his pocket; During the time
they were struggling on the deck, the crews rush-
ed to the aid .._of their commanders, and a most
A.
* J‘/"0-w Cufztain Mo7‘ris,- qf the-Arlagne.
feet delight, that we have noticed our’ naval
oil-iccrs, on returning from the gallant achieve-
ments which are the universal topics of national
pride and exultaiion, sinking at once into unus-
tentatious and quiet citizens. No vain-glorious
boastings.no puerile gasconades, are ever heard
from their lips. Of their enemy they always
speak with courtesy and respect; of their own
exploits, with unaffecterl modesty and frankness.
V'v'itli the aspiring ardour of truly brave spirits,
they pay but little regard to the past ;‘ their whole
souls seem to be stretched towards the future.-—
Into such hands we confide, without apprehen-
sion or reserve, our national iiitet'ests and lionu'tir.
To this handful of gallant wortliies, is allo..ted the
proud destiny of founding the naval fame of the
nation, and of thus having their names insepara-
l bly connected with the glory of their country.
1* Some years since, Com. Decatur was marri-
ed to Miss Wlieeler. of Norfolk, a lady celebra-
ted for her accomplishments, and at that time a
reigning hello in Virginia.
ll‘ "“[lfi32.;lanual‘.y,<’I815, a cruise to the East Indies
{was determined_ upon by government, ‘with a
"sqtiadr‘on'=under-the orders of Com. Decatur, who
then commanded the frigate President, lying at
New-York. In attempting to put to sea in the
face of a British naval force, consisting of the
Majestic razee, and the frigates Endymion, Teu-
edos, and Pomona ; the President, through the
negligenize of the pilot, struck upon the bar of
that port, in consequence of. which her ballast
shifted, and -the swifrness of her sailing was im-
paired. Com. Decatur, nevet'tliel'ess, from the
course of the wind, was, in some measure, coin-
pelled to proceed. ' He fell in with the British
squadron, which gave ‘chase; and the Endymion
sailing faster than the President, came up with
and etigaged her. This Englisli fiigate, howev-
er, was beaten off, and would have been inevita-
bly capturedg had not the remainderof the squad-
ron got up and overpowered the Amcricans.—..
Com. Decatur, who was wounded in the engage-
ment, would not deliver his sword to the captain
of tlie Endymion, and surrendered it only to the
commander of the British squadron, every vessel
of which was near, and two within striking dis-
tance of the President, when she yielded. For
some time it was insisted that the Endymion a-
lone lied made the capture ; but an olliclal adver-
tisement in the English newspapers, iiotlfyiiig ll
distribution of prize money, on account of the
frigate President, among the officers and crews of
all the ships of the capturing squ'.idron, proved
that this was a vain-glorious boast. . 7
After the peace of C bent, the Algerines having
takeii advantage of the late war to commence hos-
tilities against the United States; Com. Decatur
was (lispatcht-cl with a squadron to the Mediterra-
nean, to bring the Barbarians to terms. ‘.Vitli
his usual promptness and decision, he forced the
Dey to submit, dictated conditions to him in his
palace, and in conjunction with VVm. Shaler, esq.
consul general to Algiers, obliged Omar Bashaw
to sign a treaty now subsisting, which freed all
the citizens of the United States then in captivi-
ty, abolished all tribute, and stipulates that Amer-
can prisoners, shall, in future, be exempt from
the labors and privations hitherto incident to Al-
gerine slavery. The Dey was fur ther compelled
to make restitution for property unjustly seques-
tered; and the U. States. in every respect, are
placed upon the footiugoftbe most favored nation.
_Congress having. on the 7th Feb. 1815, enac-
ted a law, authorizing the President, by and with
the advice and consent of the senate, to appoint
three officers of the Navy, whose rank should not
be below a post captain, to constitute a board of
Commissioners for the Navy of the U. States,
Com. Decatur, on his return from the Mediterra-
-nean, was selected by _P.residcnt Madison as one
of these. He tvasin the vigilant and satisfactory
exercise of the duties of his office, when he was
challenged to single coriibut, vith pistols,by Coin.
James Barron, formerly of the frigate Cl‘tt‘Sd-
pcake, and was mortally wounded the first fire.
He was immediately conveyed to the city of
\Vasliington,,frorn Blaclensburg, the scene ofthis
bloody catastrophe, and died at his own residence
on the night of the 22d of March, 1820.]
GOVERNOR’S SPEIEC-H.
Gcm.‘z'cI1zen oft/ze Senate, flair. S/zcakz.-7', and
Gerzzleinm Q/‘the House of It’r_I2re.s-cnIazz'7:g.9_
I ain happy in being able toinform you, on the
present occasion, when we are again convened to
deliberate on the concerns of our constittients,tbat
tranquility is prevailing throughout this state, and
in every part ofour extensive cotmtry ; that con-
fidcnce in the justice and generosity of our pub-
lic councils, appears to be increasing ainnng the
nations of the earth ; and that the rlangerous col-
lisions which menuced an interruption of our
peace, will probably be avertctl by amicable dis-
cussions, conducted with moderation and a spirit
of equity. These are sure indications of the
happy influence of free and mild institutions of
governiiicnt, over a rirtuo-.is and intelligent pop-
ulation ; and tliclylessiiigs they procure demand
our gl‘Ll'tlltILlt! to the mcrciftil .l_)lap0St:l' of all e-
vents.
Owing to the stagnation of commerce, and to
former abuses of credit, from the effects of which
our country has not yet recovered. the pecunia-
ry pressure upon the community continues to be
severe, and is still greatly injurious to the pub-
lic interests ;-—but I believe that the people of no
part ofthe United States, or of the world, enjoy
greater comfort and prosperity than those of Coti-
necticut. Tbis comparative exemption from the
common evil of the present period, ought doubt-
less to be attributed to their frugal habits, perse-
vering industry, and to the general clifftisitin of
those arts most necessary to the enjoyment of
civilized life, which have rendered them in a ve-
ry considerable degree, independent of supplies
derived from external commerce. As far as my
information extends, the people of this country
have become generally convinced that the remc
dies for our present embarrassments, can alone
be expected from improvements in agriculture, a
wise direction of the public indu.-3'
~.;_v, and from
the extension of arts and manufactures, aidetl by
restraints on the constimptiun, or use of those su-
perfluous or noxious articles of forel';._rn growth or
manufacture, which exhaust the resources of the
country, and depress the exertions of domestic
enterprize. VVe mtist still await the measures
which may be devised by the National Govern-
ment for our relief, to which the general regula-
tion of the currency, of foreign commerce, and
provisions for a just distribution of the eflk-c'ts of
bankrupttradcrs, have been assigned by the Con-
stitution ; but much can be done by the several
states, by wise fiscal regulations, and by precepts
and examples co-operating with the ptitriotic ex-
ertions ofall good citizens.
lncessaut vi',5ilancc, and great caution, are du-
ties at all times incumbent on the legislators of
free states, and are especially i'eqr.ti:-site at present,
in consequence of the disturbed condition of sev-
eral countries, with which we are principally cori-
nected, where the recent course ofevents app'eat's
to be unfaiorable to the principles of lil)ei't'yf-—
The expediency of preserving: our inunirzipaliegi
ulations and militia establishments in full igoi‘,
is therefore apparent. ,_. ‘
lfr addition to the‘ ordinary business of the ses-
sion, I think it proper to mention that the ap-
pointmrut of Electors of l’residt-nt and Vice Pres-
ident of the United States, must, in pursuance of
an act of Congress. be mad_e within thirty four
days preceding the first Vtfediicsday of Decem-
l
i so néitt. this provision different than flié he
iSting__ law oftbis state shall be made during tliii
present session, an extra meeting of the General
Assembly will be neiihssary. In connexion withl
this subject, the appointment ofa Senator of the‘
United States, to supply the place of the Hoiié
Samuel W’. Dana. whose term ofservice will ex-5
pirejon the third of March next, will deservé
consideration.
I have received from the Governorofthc com;
monwealtli of Massachusetts, :1 Resolution ofthe
General Court of that State, representing that
contentions and disputes have arisen between {he
citizens of that common»-irealtb and those‘-ofthig
state, respecting the.boundary line between me
two states, east of Connecticut river, and ap.
pointing commissioners to ascertain the 5amc__
in ivnicli measure the concurrence oftliis state is
re‘qtiested.
The states of Pennsylvania and of Ohio, have.
proposed an ‘amendment to the Constitution of
the United States, for the purpose of restraining-
Cougress from establishing any Bank, or otheli-_
monied institution, except within the District. of
(‘olumbia. ‘ These papers will be communicated
by a special message.
‘I have received, for the purpose of being sub-
mitted to your consitleration, certain declarations
of the coninionwealtli of Virginia, wliich deny the
legitimate rightof Congress to inhibit Slat't;ry,
as a condition of admitting a new state into the
U010“: 0|‘ LG impose any other restriction not no-
cessary to guarantee a republican form of gov.
ernmcnt.
Preliminary measures have been adopted, for
admitting the territor_v of l‘t'1lssouri a member of
the United States, on terms which will douhrlgg-5
be acceptable to Virginia, but accompanied with
a declaration by Congress, that (with the excep-
tion of the. proposed new state) tilavery shall for-
ever remain interdicted in all the territory of the
United States, north of 36 degrees and 30 min-
utes of N. latitude. thereby asserting a principle,‘
the validity of vvliicli is denied by the State of
Virginia.
Although the opinion of this ancient arid re-’
spectable state. is not offered in the form of an a-
meudment to the Constitution; nor as [lie basis‘
ofa proposed contract, which, iftatified by partic-
ulal‘ States, would require the assent of Congress,
yet an equivalent effect has been probably ex-
pected. from the assent of a majority ofthe states,
to the principles and reasoning to which i1,,,t3tv-am
appears to have become reconciled, and upon
which their resolutions have been founded.
Although the present occasion does not afford
ti convenient opportunity for a full inquiry how
lzrr the doctrine now promulgated is consistent
with fundamental principles, which have been a-
doptetljby a great majority oftbis nation, as polit-
ical axioms never to be disputed ; nor to any re-
view oftlie consequences,w|iicli,either confidence
or diflidence in former counsels of the saute au-
thority, have produced in the actual administr'.t-
tion of the government; and though it is still
less suitable to an examination of the philological
interpretation of the Co.-istituiion to which vour
attention has been invited ; yet as the decisioii of
this question must powerfully influence the con-’"’
dition of society in all future ages, and as every
freeman ought to form a decided opinion upon
this subject, I cannot forbctii‘ to pl’eSr.'iit to your
view, acme of the consequences, \V hicb, in my o-
pinion. must follow from the extension or'difl'u-
sion of slavery in these states.
It cannot have escaped your observation, that a
diversity of habits and principles_of gt')VE:l'l‘)1TlCl'o3.
exists in this country ; and 1 think it is evident
that slavery isgi‘-.tduzill_y forming those distinctions‘
it liicli, ttccoitliiig to iirva;"iablc laws of human ac-
tion, coiistittitc the cliai'ac!cristic difference be-
tween ur'istot:i‘zttical at:-r'.l de'§iioc.ratical Z'€j‘.'Ul)llL‘S.
VVherever agi'icultiirai labor is wholly or (;lilcf~
ly performed by .-.-loves, it must ccnstrttite the
principle revenue of the commuirity. 'lflit,- own-
ers of slaves must necessarily be tl.-e chief nun-
ers of the soil; and those l~.:bouru:rs who are too
poor to own both, tlicttgli nominally fr ee, must be
(l€|)t'lltlt:lll'. on an ttflslt,-Cl'tll.lCt\l order, and i'emztin*
Willlt)tll power or political influence in the state.
All our experience illustrates the truth of these
reiiiarks. Connecticut has lr'Jl?g' been among the
first of the colonizing states. The soil. climate,
and price of lands in M-urj‘land and Virginia, are
highly inviting to our agricultural cniigraiits, yet
they are 'lniost invariably seen to prefer settle-
ments in more reinore and compar-.ttivel_v incon-
venient si'tuation's. They are only deterred from
settling in these states, by the vicinity of a slave
population, and by incidental institution's, whicli
would require a renunciation of their habits, and
the political privileges which they have been ac-
customcd‘ to enjoy, and to which they are imio-
lably attached.
The territorial limits of the states ivliere slave-
ry is permitted, are already far more extensive,
and their lands probably more fertile, than in
those where it is interdicted. Slavery is unfavor-
able to a compact pripulation. and to improve-
ments in the arts ; and the mode of ctiltnatiori ti-
sually practised. tends to [)l‘OIIl'.)l(: a rapid expan-
sion ofnew settlements, greatly exceeding: a just
pzoporlion of the coinpara'tive masses of popiila-
tion. An immense territory west oftlic 3-lis.-.is-‘
sinpi either belongs to the aboriginal tribes ofln-
dians, or is sparcly settled by th subjects of
Spain, where slavery is already cstatilifilictl ; and
much ofthls tr.-i‘)itt)i'y will d«:>ubilc.ss be annexed
to our nation by amicable arranget_nent's, and the
natural progress of civilization.
lt has been urged as a compensation for the ad-
mitted evils of sl'.t\‘€t‘y,' that the spirit of liberty
is more elevated and persevering among the
masters of slaves, than in states where liberty is
a common blessing. We may admit that our
southern brethren are as firmly attached to fiber-_.
ty as ourselves, but we cannot concede that the‘;
are in any respect otir superiors, without stibniif-‘
ting to litimiliation and l'(:pl'OdCl1. Probably the
claim has no’ other just foundation, if:-an indie
well known‘ ardor, tenacity of opinion, and strict
concert of action, with which the members of -.3
privileged order, invariably put sue a separate and
exclusive intere'st. Even a tacit adiiii-ssionnfin-
feriority, front habitual concessions, wouldimply
on‘ our part, a secret preference of ai'ist('Ct".ttlcuf
over detnocratical institutions ; since tilt)’ experi-
ence of every age has evinced,» that vln.-n the
privileges ofa ruling order are found-_d on the
transitory possession of wea-lth,howcvc." acquired,
they are never exercised. with more mode:-ation
Norwalk Chronicler