course with fellow-citizens. If the plea of conscience,-which, like the mantle of charity, covers a multitude of sins,-must justify acts and declarations of a citizen, tending to defeat his own country, and aid the recognized public enemy, it must also be valid to defeat the laws which enforce the precepts of morality. There is no difference, in binding force upon the state or the citizen, between the law which declares war and that which regulates commerce. To nullify the act which provides for the prosecution of that war, is a crime as heinous as to nullify a law establishing exorbitant and oppressive rates of duties.

The discussion of the duties of citizenship so plain might seem a work of supererogation, were it not that prominent men, and considerable bodies of people, seem to be utterly forgetful of their obligation. The legislature of Massachusetts should rebuke that spirit of disobedience to the laws of the Union, which, when carried out, would render its own enactments void and of no binding force.

The present war began "by the act of Mexico," and it is continued because Mexico rejects all propositions for peace. It is prosecuted in our behalf by our government in accordance with its plain duty, constitutionally imposed upon it. Our state is bound, with all others, to render its efficient aid to the federal government. We recur with pride to the patriotic proclamation of his excellency the governor, in answer to the call of the national executive, as an act reflecting honor upon the patriotism of the state. We rejoice that a like spirit has prompted citizens of Massachusetts to hazard their lives, and fortunes, and honor, in the cause of our common country, on the field of battle. It redounds to the lasting honor of our own New England-which the love of liberty planted, which the love of country made glorious in the revolutionary struggle-that, when the interests and honor of the Union are menaced on the farthest verge, her sons rush to the rescue, regardless alike of the enemy's weapon, of the destroying climate, and the wasting pestilence. These matters are subjects of peculiar gratulation, when sophistry and specious pretence have expended their utmost power, in every form, to estrange the minds of many citizens from the country's

cause.

The constitution of the United States, which, within its limited powers, is the paramount law of the land, makes treason to consist in levying war against the United States, "or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort." Without entering into a critical examination of the legal consequences of the spirit of resistance to the laws, which has been alluded to, it is sufficient for the present purpose, to notice some of its moral effects, in connection with the provision of the constitution just quoted.

It seems plainly undeniable, that those things which cripple the energy, or retard the progress, of our government in prosecuting a war, give a precisely corresponding "aid and comfort” to the enemy. That which justifies the enemy before the world, and holds out to him the promise of retraction, affords him the highest comfort. It is difficult to perceive the difference between withholding supplies for our own troops, and furnishing them to the enemy. To weaken the one is to strengthen the other. Legal treason may consist in pointing the enemy's guns in battle,-moral treason is equally involved in spiking those of our own troops. In this view, it is of the first importance that Massachusetts should not, either by sloth, or unwillingness to support the government, or by declarations which encourage the continued resistance of the enemy, place herself in the attitude of moral treason against the federal gov

ernment.

War existing by the act of Mexico,-propositions for peace having been rejected, it is the duty of the government to vigorously prosecute the war until peace is secured, honorable to us as a nation, and likely to guaranty the rights of every citizen. To accomplish this great end, the necessary supplies of men and money should be freely granted. Our gallant troops, in whose conduct we take a just pride, in whose victories we rejoice, have paved the way for such a result, but only untiring vigor, firmness, and prudence can ensure it.

"We call upon our senators and representatives in congress to manfully discharge their high and solemn duty to abide by the honor and true interests of their country, and to do all in their power to secure a speedy return of peace, consistent with the preservation of that honor and those interests.

HOUSE.....No. 13.

SUPPLEMENT TO HOUSE No. 13.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

In the Year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty-Eight.

RESOLVES

Concerning the Mexican War.

Resolved, That the present war was begun unnecessarily, and, therefore, criminally, by the president of the United States.

Resolved, That the motive which led our government into the present war, appears to be the same which led to the annexation of Texas, the desire of more slave territory.

Resolved, That the acquisition of territory by conquest, is at war with the spirit of our institutions; that the acquisition of territory for slavery, by conquest or otherwise, is national guilt.

Resolved, That, in the opinion of this legislature, had there been a sincere desire for peace on the part of the president, it might have been obtained, at the conference in September last, between the Mexican and American commissioners, on terms, covering the original ground of difference between the two nations; and that it was in consequence of the demand, on the

part of the president, of the dismemberment of Mexico, to an extent humiliating to her national pride, that the war was renewed.

Resolved, therefore, That, in the opinion of this legislature, whatever may have been the cause or object of the war, the president is responsible for its continuance beyond September last, for the purpose of compelling Mexico to cede us more of her territory than her duty to her citizens, or her national honor, would permit.

Resolved, That we are opposed to continuing the war to obtain indemnification for its expenses, and also to acquiring, by conquest, territory, as an indemnity for the claims of our citizens on the Mexican government.

Resolved, That it is the duty of Congress, at its present session, to prescribe the purposes for which the war shall be carried on; and that, in the opinion of this legislature, the utmost the president should insist on, as terms of peace, is the possession of the proper territory of Texas; that the desert between the Nueces and the Rio Grande be the boundary of Texas; and that Mexico pay, or give us security for, the just claims of our citizens on the Mexican government.

Resolved, That, if the object of the administration be the absorption of Mexico into the United States, the project has our unqualified reprobation.

Resolved, That we needed not the battles fought, during the war in Mexico, to establish the superiority of our arms, nor our victories there, to illustrate the skill, valor, and devotion, of our countrymen; for Massachusetts would be the last to doubt that, in a just war, our country could stand against the world in

arms.

Resolved, That we deem it fit again to declare, that Massachusetts is unwavering in her resistance to the aggressions of the slave power, though it has so long ruled in our national councils, dictated our national policy, and triumphed in the annexation of Texas, and the war with Mexico.

HOUSE....No. 14.

[Reported by the Committee on the Judiciary.]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

In the Year One Thousand Eight Hundred and FortyEight.

AN ACT

Relating to the Competency of Witnesses in certain cases.

BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

1 In all cases in which any incorporated mutual ma2 rine insurance company shall be, in their corporate 3 capacity, parties to, or interested in, any suit, whether 4 of a civil or criminal nature, any member of such cor5 poration may be admitted as a competent witness to 6 testify on the trial, or to give his deposition : provided, 7 there be no sufficient objection to his competency, ex8 cept that of his being such member of the corpora9 tion.