hope to see many grow up from this cradle of our navy,—every shipof-war of any kind that shall float from our harbor, under a system like this, will be a monument to the world of that great principle, as striking as if all her flags and canvas were emblazoned over with it in letters of gold. In conclusion, Mr. President, permit me to add, that but one pulse beats in every heart in this vast multitude around me,-from smiling youth to decrepit age, and that is, with the earnest wish that you may possess leisure to see everything here of public interest, may meet with no accident to mar the enjoyments of your northern tour, and, above all, may carry back with you the discovery of new cements of the common brotherhood between us and the giant west and highprincipled south,-new attractions to bind us all closer and firmer forever in one sacred and harmonious union. 46* APPENDIX. WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN, 1812.* ADDRESS TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. SIR: ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-NINE delegates, from all the towns in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire, have convened at Weare. They are attended by more than FIFTEEN HUNDRED of their constituents. Among them are many, as their signatures will show, who are proud to have participated in our Revolution, and also to behold, as their associates in this convention, the flower of our yeomanry, our mechanics and manufacturers. Such numbers and character will perhaps justify us in addressing the chief magistrate of our Union, and, without presumption, expecting from him a regard to the sentiments we may express, as emanating, at least, from an honest and respectable source. The citizens of this county, sir, have, in common with their countrymen, suffered long from aggressions of the European belligerents. And though their pressure has fallen more directly and more heavily on some others, yet the circuitous evils of them have visited us with no small privations. But com *This was a convention of much importance. Hon. Robert Alcock was chosen president; Gen. Benjamin Pierce, David L. Morrill, Esq., and Gen. David Steele, vice-presidents; Henry E. Chase and John Burnam, Esqs., secretaries. This Address and Resolves to the President of the United States, and Address to the people of Hillsborough County, were read and adopted by the delegates, and afterwards read to the whole convention, and unanimously approved. It was voted, that they be signed by the president, and countersigned by the secretaries, transmitted to the President of the United States; and that they be published in the New Hampshire Patriot and Democratic Republican. This Address was the first political performance of Mr. Woodbury, and gave him carly reputation. When he wrote it he was twenty-three years of age. |