"The preamble of the Act is in these words," For preventing and avoiding many great mischiefs, which arise from public Stage-Plays, Interludes, and other Theatrical Entertainments; which not only occasion great and unnecessary expenses, and discourage industry aud frugality; but likewise tend generally to increase immorality, impiety, and a contempt of religion."

"The act is now a law of the commonwealth; the principles upon which it is predicated, have been recognized by, and derive support from the consideration of several legislatures; and surely it ought to claim the respect and obedience of all persons who live or happen to be within the Commonwealth. Yet a number of aliens and foreigners, have lately entered the State, and in the metropolis of the Government, under advertisements insulting to the habits and education of the citizens, have been pleased to invite them to, and to exhibit before such as attended, StagePlays, Interludes, and Theatrical Entertainments, under the stile and appellation of " Moral Lectures." This fact is so notorious, that it is in vain to attempt a concealment of its coming to our knowledge.

"Whether the Judicial Departments, whose business it is, have attended to this subject or not, I am unable to determine; but this I am convinced of, that no measures have been taken to punish a most open breach of the Laws, and a most contemptuous in

sult upon the powers of the Government.

"You, Gentlemen, are the guardians of the Commonwealth's dignity and honour; and our fellow-citizens rely upon your vigilance and wisdom, for the support of the sovereignty and importance of the Government. I therefore refer this matter to your determinations; and cannot but hope that your resolutions and measures will give efficacy to the laws, and be the means of bringing to condign punishment those who dare to treat them with contempt or open opposition.

"Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the

"House of Representatives,

"BY the Constitution of the United States of America, each State is to appoint, in such manner as the legislature shall direct,

H.

Sma

Electors of President and Vice-President. By a late act of Con gress, it is enacted, "That the Supreme Executive of each State "SHALL cause three lists of the names of the Electors of such "State to be made and certified, and to be delivered to the Elect60 ors on or before the first Wednesday in December."

"I feel the importance of giving every constitutional support 'to the General Government: and I also am convinced that the existence and well-being of that Government depends upon preventing a confusion of the authority of it with that of the States separately. But that Government applies itself to the People of the United States in their natural, individual capacity, and cannot exert any force upon, or by any means controul the officers of the State Governments as such: Therefore, when an act of Congress uses compulsory words with regard to any Act to be done by the Supreme Executive of this Commonwealth, I shall not feel myself obliged to obey them, because I am not, in my official capacity, amenable to that Government.

that proper

"My duty as Governor, will most certainly oblige me to see and efficient Certificates are made of the appointment of Electors of President and Vice-President; and perhaps the mode suggested in the Act above-mentioned, may be found to be the most proper. If you, Gentlemen, have any mode to propose with respect to the conduct of this business, I shall pay every attention to it.

"Gentlemen,

"I do not address you at this time from a disposition to regard the proceedings of the General Government with a jealous eye, nor do I suppose that Congress could intend that clause in their Act as a compulsory provision: but I wish to prevent any measure to proceed through inattention, which may be drawn into precedents hereafter, to the injury of the people, or to give a constructive power where the Federal Constitution has not expressly given it."

HARTFORD, JANUARY 14th, 1793.

"Again shall Ecнo strike the lyre,
"While deeds sublime the song inspire:
"To HANCOCK pass from JOHN MONIER,
"And give the ROYAL JOHN a cheer.”

Western Star

GENTLES, of either kind, both small and great,
Props of our laws, and pillars of our state;

Tho' words would fail, and language' self prove weak,
My joy, in seeing you once more, to speak;
While in this fleshly bottle closely pent,
So strong expression struggles for a vent,
Ere I can draw the cork, I fear, alas!
"Twill burst the frail contexture of my glass.
Yet, had this joy been even more complete
Could I have met you at our ancient Seat,
Near Faneuil Hall, to me forever dear,
Where first I enter'd on my great career;
Whose walls, so oft, my presence bade rejoice,
Which oft in transport echoed to my voice,
When rose, 'gainst Britain, its tremendous roar,
And shook her distant isle, from shore to shore;
So when stern Jove, to vengeful anger driven,
Rolls the black tempest o'er the expanse of heaven,
Loud peals of thunder on the storm arise,
And the red lightning quivers o'er the skies;

From central depths disturb'd the Ocean raves,
And high to heaven upheaves his briny waves;
From its deep base the cloud-veil'd mountain shakes;
The firm rock trembles, and the valley quakes;
All nature, shuddering, owns the dreadful nod,
And shrinks before the terrors of the God.
There FREEDOM, then a chick, unfledg'd and bare,
I kindly brooded with a mother's care;
Taught her to creep, to hop, to run, to fly,

And gave her wings to lift herself on high,
'Till perfect grown, she came, at length, to soar
To heights unthought of, but by me, before.
In that loved spot, O could you but have met !
"But fate denies, and man must yield to fate ;"
Since the SMALL-POX, Death's Vicar here on earth,
Who, stern, respects nor dignities, nor worth,
O'er that sad place, now sunk in dire dismay,
Waves his pale banners, and extends his sway,
Wide pours contagious poison from his breath,
Deforms the face, and shuts the eyes in death,
And still uncheck'd, his grisly triumph leads,
Nor votes regards, nor resolutions heeds;

Those votes, by which, that man of patriot soul
Who o'er Town-Meetings held unmatch'd controul,
Far-fam'd SAM ADAMS thought to fright away

This curst disease, for ever, and for
aye:
Therefore it is, by heaven's peculiar grace,
That I've thought fit to call you to this place.
But Gentlemen! a thing unmention'd yet,
Enough to throw you in a dog-day sweat ;

X

A thing, perchance, which you, as well as I,
Have seen, some time, with many an aching eye;
Since, above measure bold, it scorns disguise;
And proudly stares us in the face and eyes;
A thing, most vile, most dreadful in its kind,
Hangs, like a mill-stone, heavy on my mind:
By conscience urged, in duty's cause made bold,
Το you this wicked thing I shall unfold,

Since plain enough to me is its intent,

An

open insult on my government.

Long since, while Britain, with maternal hand,
Cheer'd the lov'd offspring of Columbia's land;
Ere proud oppression bade that offspring brave
Assert their rights, and scorn the name of slave ;
Ere o'er the world had flown my mob-rais'd fame,
And George and Britain trembled at my name;
This State, then Province, pass'd, with wise intent,
An ACT, Stage-Plays, and such things to prevent:
You'll find it Sirs, among the Laws sky blue,

Made near that time on brooms when Witches flew,
That blessed time when Law kept wide awake,
Proscribed the faithless, and made Quakers quake;
And thus, in terms sublime I state the fact,
Runs the Preamble of this precious Act.

Both for preventing, and avoiding, all
Those various evils which would sure befall
Our sober people, and their sober ways,
From Interludes, and vile Theatric Plays;
To wit, all fiddling, fighting, gaming, raking,
Swearing profane, high broils, and sabbath breaking;