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^ / // / \ r /./- 1 TO*a W<t r) yoL. II. WESTFIELD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1828. NO- 90. PUBLISH D ON FlillMVS, To village subscribers, $2.50. To office and mail subscriber*, when paid, ,-askin advance, §1,50, per annum. W hen paid at any time within the year, 19 00. When not paid till after the end of the year. £-2 50. Most kinds of country produce received jayment if delivered in their season. Any person advancing ten dollars, sball receive seven yearly subscriptions. Any responsible person procuring ten subscribers, and being accountable for them, shail receive an eleventh gratis. ADVERTISEMENTS Not exceeding a square, Will be inserted three weeks, for $1. For every sub equent insertion, ','5 cents. A liberal deduction will be made to those who advertise by the year. t'ck industry—the state of New York, tM awful duly the fiiends of the same svstem—the! were drawn owr • Their white caps the f-crs njUhe un- IO pn POLITICAL. [PUBLISHED BY REQUEST.] From the Signs of the Times. \THE AMERICAN SYSTEM.\ The paitizansof Mr. Adams, with .-•.I! the desperation of a defeated & pan- ick struck body, are assiduously enga- ged in taking advantage of every sub- ject of public excitement to promote the advancement of their great political chief. With this view, while earnestly warning their friends of the dangers of sectional differences.and pouitraying in the most glowing colours the impolicy of yielding to local preferences, they are constantly and eagerly setting forth the peculiar claims of Mr. Adams to the support of the North. For the same purpose what is now termed \ the American System,\ is also anxiously seized upon, and exclusively appro priated to the promotion of the interet of the Northern Candidate. In the onset we unhesitantly avow ouiseives the advocates of a judicious encourage- ment of domestick manufactures, and the decided friends of home industry; but we have yet to learn that the suc- cess and prosperity of these measures is at all dependent upon the selection of any individual to the presidency.— As it regards Mr. Adams, it is well known that until his elevation, he pre- served an entire silence upon these im- poitanl subjects. Indeed the opposers of the tariff for a long time claimed him as a friend to their policy. His silence taken in connexion with his foreign education and connexions, might well warrant the supposition, and certainly nothing was either said or done to jus- tify a denial of the inference. His personal and political associates also openly avowed their preference.— Messrs. Webster and Everett were loud and strenuous in their opposition to what is now styled the American System. But an union is made with Mr. Clay, which finally resulted in the election of Mr Adams, and suddenly a mighty change is effected—the Presi- greater o.art of the state eif Okie, and happy men. Harris evidently trem most of the Western states, whose pros-'bled, and I could almost persuade my- perily Mr. Clay has heretofore identi- self that the heart of Lewis was en- lied with the success of the same policy l Urged, and that his bosom rose with —the assertion is therefore without; manly, courage to meet death. The foundation. Were it true, however,!fatal word was given and they all fell, we have too much confidence in the in-j As we approached, the soene of dependence and integrity of this tried! blood and carnage, Lewis gave signs of patriot to suppose that the interests of life—the rest were all dead—he erawl- the country will ever be surrendered to led upon his coffin. After the lapse of a few minutes he said—I give his very words—\ Colonel\—the Colonel was close to him—\ Colonel, I am not kil- led, but I am sadly cut and mangled.\ His body was now examined and it was found that but four balls had woun- such unworthy and degrading consider ations. The success of domestick mauufac- tuies rests, we conceive, upon higher grounds than the support of any can- didate for the presidency— It rests up- on the wishes and interests of the peo- ple at large. The rapid growth of the manufacturing states, and still more rapid diffusion of sound views upon this cardinal topick, must soon establish the policy, in spite of all opposition. it is idle and ridiculous to suppose that the interested and hypocritical fiiend- ship of Mi. Adams and his political advisers can ensure its success, or the hostility of any president defeat its adoption. [PUBLISHED BY REQUEST.] From (he Democratick Press. A brief Account of the Execution of the Six Militia Men. As we may soon expect t>) have the official documents in relation to the Six MILITIA MEN,arrested, tried,and and put to death, under the orders of General Andrew Jackson, this may not be an improper time to give to the public-k some of the particulars of their execution, as we have them from \ AN EYE WITNESS,\ who appeals to Col. Russell, ibr the truth of every word he relates. ded him. u Colonel, said he, did I behave well !\ u Y^es, Lewis\—said Bill, which he considered merely as declaratory of the intention rid mean- ing of the act concerning religious freedom, but from motives of delicacy (having acted as counsel in the case in the Circuit Court in which the testi- mony of certain witnesses was rejected on account or disbelief) was excused from voting, as were also Messrs. Jef- frey, Hazard, Huwe, Stone, Trevett, and T. Tillinghast—6. The oth'.r members in their seats, ' favour of the act. voting in ANTI-MASONICK RENUNCIATIONS. Fainted Post, Jan. 21,1828. SOLOMON SOUTHWICK, Esq. Insert the following statement in the in the he kindest tone of|- Nation:i1 Observer, and you will con- Well wr. the Colonel voice—'• like a man ^^^^^^^^^ said he, have I not atoned for this of- fence ? Shall I not live}\ The Co- lonel was much agitated, and gave -nr- ders that the Surgeon should, if possi- ble, preserve his life. They did all that skill and humanity could do—it was all of no avail. Poor Lewis ex- pressed a great desire to live— <: not,\ said he at one time, \that I fear death, but I would repent me of some sins, and I desire to live a little longer in the world.\ He suffered inconceivable ag- ony, from his wounds, and died the fourth day. Many a soldier has wept over his grave. He was a brave man and much beloved. He suffered twenty deaths. I chase each fer I favour on your friend and very humble servant in the cau?e of freedom truth and righteousness. REUBEN SANBORN. I, Reuben Sanborn, of Painted Post, county of Steuben, and slate of New- York, do hereby sincerely and honest- ly, as in the presence of the heart- searching God, solemnly and forever renounce ail fealty and homage to the Masoiiick institution. In the year of our Lord 1820, I did most foolishly and wickedly join a Lodge of Free- masons in Nassau, Renssalaer co. N. Y. where I received ihe first three de- grees. Sometime afterwards 1 receiv- ed the degrees of mark master, pass'd master, most excellent master, and roy- have seen the big 'diop's; »l arch mason, in Friendship Chapter, other down his foiehead Durham, Green co N. Y. In renoun- denominntion of christians have already cleansed their temples from 'the pollutions of masonry— and ^he Rev. Mr. Sanborn has set a good example to the clergy and laymen of the christian family to which ho belongs. Thus, we see ' t he imaginary gordian knot, that binds bad men and good together to promote dark and hidden de- signs, yielding and breaking before the resistless power of publick o- pinion. The time has arrived when honest men who went blind folded into the mosonick den may come out, and speak the truth, without periling their character and lives. We had the pleasure of an in- terview with the Rev. Mr. Sanborn, who unequivocally pronounces the Fraternity a bad and dangerous one. Among the reasons which masons assigned to induce him to join them, was one of a most ex- traordinary character. They told him, that to a clergyman masonry was of the first importance—that it was older than the Christian re- ligion—and indispensable to a. right understanding of the scrip- tures! After receiving the three first degrees, he remarked to a Grand Visitor that he could not discover the evidences of its anti- quity, or its relavancy to the scrip- tures. The Visitor replied that he had not yet received the sublime mysteries of the order—that the dent is m Harris was a Baptist preacher, with a large family. He had hired as a subsitute for three months. This was ihe case with most of them. They were ignorant men, but obstinate in what tiiey believed to be right, and what they had been told by their offi- cers wus right. They were all sure they could not he kept beyond three months, and they gave up their musk- ets, and had provisions dealt out to them, from the pubiick stores, before they left the camp. This confirmed their convictions that they were right and doing what was lawful. Col. Russell commanded at the ex- ecution. The Militia men were brought to the place in a large wagon. The military dispositions being made, Col. Russell rode up to the wagon and or- dered the men to descend Harris was the only one who betrayed femin- ine weakness. The awfulness of the occasion, his wife and nine children ; the parting with his son ; and the fear of a quickly approaching ignominious death ! quite overcame him, and he sunk in unmanly grief. No feeling of military pride could brace him up. Col. Russell, doubtless, felt as a man, but but he felt also for the pride of the army, and desired to animate the men with fortitude. \ Y'ou about to die, said he, by the sentence of a Court Martial—die like like men ; like soldiers. You have been brave in the field—you have fought well—do no discredit to your country, or dishonour to the army, or yourselves, by any un- manly fears. Meet your fate with courage.\ Harris attempted to make some a- pology for his conduct, but while he spoke, he wept bitterly. The fear of death, the idea that he should never again behold his wife and little ones, and his son weeping near him, had ta- ken such entire possession of his mind that it was impossible he should rally. Lewis, the gallant Lewis, said in a clear and manly tone, \ Colonel, I have served my country well. I love it dearly, and would, if I eould, serve it longer and better. I have fought bravely— you knoio I have, and here I have a right to say so myself I | would not wish to die in this way\— «ilh painand MpM. There was c; \S speculative masonry, I do no. j*.^^^ towhich he aimed were to mll cn P s„ S H,ili,v and .,.„.*, f „ro> - •-*-£ »JFJ f £- £- £ p&tft^tSfiEl warrant for all the wealth of all the In- dies. The soldiers detailed to shoot Lewis had, from strong feelings of sympathy, or mistaken humanity, fail- ed to shoot him—but four balls had en- tered his body. \An Eye Witness\ appeals to Col. Russell, who he thinks now lives in Alabama, for the peifect truth of this sketch. He does not fear hut the Co- lonel will keenly recollect and faith- fully depict the horrorus of the day on which six Ameiicans were shut to death under his command,—kut not by his orders. The order beats date the very day after General Jackson returned in tri umph to New-Orleans, and the day | in masonry are not binding. It is my I conferred upon the young aspirant for knowledge and piety. But, still the \ word of promise was only kept to the ear.\ He found nothing but profane mummeries and rank impiety. Disgusted with the whole machinery of the craft, but afraid to utter his opinions, he con- tented himself with silently eschew ing their orgies, waiting for the | J day which should proclaim free- dom to masonick captives. Two principles which masons preserved, sincere desire and fervent prayer to Him who said \ Let there be light, and there was light\—that He will please to remove the veil from the hearts of free masons, and tear the fatal bandage from their eyes, and bring them into the celestial light and liberty of the sons of God. It is a duty which I owe to God and the church, to my country and to all mankind, to denounce ma sonry, as corrupt, sacrilegious, and im pious. I am convinced that it is ex ceedingly sinful in the sight of God, to. - . practise such mummery as masons do P reteI \ d are always in the lodges. I desire to humble mv- w ere departed from in Mr. San- ' self in the sight of my Maker, and be-1 born's case. It is pretended that \ fore all my Christian friends, nay, be-(masons never urge persons to fore the whole world, for the sin ofjjoin them, and under uo circum- joining the masonick fraternity; but stances confer the degrees with- more especially for continuing s* long out the regular initiation fees.— in fellowship with that iniquitous and | Mr. S. however, was iilured into infamous order. In doing this I have crucified my Saviour afresh, and put before he joyfully went, under trium- phal arches, to the Temple of the liv- ing God ; where, says the historian, \ they crowned their adored General wiili laurels.\ The order for the exe- cution of these six unhappy men bears \'. A . r oo vov- ii- «• ' :irn t0 an open date January 28, ISIJ. His crown of, , . ' ...... .. , j ' -.II u speculative masonry to be injurious to had not yet withered, when - * J the life's blood of his country- shame. I believe laure blood, ade to speak, and his confi- dential friends to surrender their former opinions, and vield to the dictates of an imperious poficy. It is necessary to secure one of the leading interests of the country, and the great subjects of national concern are made the instru- ments of a degrading party excitement. Under such circumstances we have a light to question the sincerity of the conversion, or to suspect that personal ambition or private aggrandizement is the actuating motive. Extreme jeal- ousy of this state and its great prosperi- ty at the expense, it is supposed, of the good city of Boston, has no small share in producing this singular revolution of opinion and conduct. This jealousy is seen to vent itself in newspaper es- says and speeches at publick meetings, bv men who must be presuu.ed to un- derstand the views and policy of their great citizen and chief. The Ameri- can System, therefore with such men, is rather to be viewed, at least suspec- ted as the Boston System, varnished up for the purpose of sustaining and advancing the local and peculiar inter- ests of that section of the country. We I do not hesitate to avow that we have he passed no confidence •*\£\*£ '' ! tlie back of his right' hand over his T ,ven to th,s policy by the men now at | ^^ | ^ ^ *^ ^ ; ^ f ^ now as firm as I have been in battle, and you shall see that I will die as be- comes a soldier. You know I am a brave man.\ \ Yes, Lewis, said the Colonel, you have always behaved like a brave ir.nn.\ Other sentences were uttered, other declarations were made and other words of comfort spoken, but they were lost on me ; my attention, says an Eye Witnes, being chiefly di- rected to Lewis. Six coffins were ranged as directed, and on each of them knelt one of our condemned American Militia Men. Such a sight was never seen before ! I trust in God it never will be seen the souls of men ; and from my own ,, . ,,. ... . , , j observation and experience. I must say, men, of his fellow soldiers, flowed plen- ... . e f. j*. - /' ..- ./ ... . ..' ., \. ; that 1 am of an opinion, that jew who tiiully by his order. May that order:. c • . A ,1 J . r J • . .become fiee masons in an unconverted and its consequences, sink deep into .. m , . c • . .. , a-.L * • I J ' state, ever embrace the Saviour. Let the hearts of the American people and steel them against him flesh in his obdurate who had no heart ; who did i every unconverted man therefore ex- claim, \ O my soul come not thnu in- . . , c . .. . - . Jo their secret, unto their assembly not leel for man ; in the midst of jot, ^ hmour bg ^ ^ „ and revelry, a.inost.n moreimmed.-, , have never become subject to the ate presence of his Creator, who isued . i .- i j u - . A , \. . . ,. * bye laws ot any lodge or chapter, and the latal ord*-r to put his creatures to!x . „ , „ f. . ? ,,', f ' . . . i 1 i . '1 do not expect to be expelled for un- death, and to make their wives and mai0nick £ nducL j fiave had no children, w.dows and orphans. | quarre , wi(h free maS(jns fc ^ iand of freedom I have a right to express my sentiments, for there is no one who dares molest or make me afraid; I am protected by the laws of my country. I pay no homage to masonry, attend no communications of the aproned fra- ternity, hold no fellowship with the masonick order. The mystick tie is au unlawful tie ; and the practical in- their toils by false representations and received seven degrees gra- tuitously .— Anii-Musonick Inquirer. the head of the government exclusive and self interested support, which cannot be relied on in advancing the great and extended interests of the community at large. As it respects the opinions of Gen. Jackson, they have always been uni- form, open and consistent. A judi- cious revision of the Tariff, and a pru- dent encouragement of home manufac- tures, has been the unreserved opinion of this individual, followed up by his vote whenever the subject was presen- ted to him in his legislative capacity. It is said, however, his supporters are opposed to this policy, and that he will be obliged to yield to their views. But xvho are his supporters—the state of Pennsylvania, the champion of domes- again ! Six soldiers were detailed and drawn up to firejit each man. What From the (Providence, R. 1.) Christian Tel- escope. GENERAL ASSEMBLY. Religious Freedom. The following act, introduced in the Senate, by the Lieut. Governour, and unanimously passed there, came down to the House for eoncurence. \ An act declaratory of the laws of this State, relating to freedom of opin- in matters of religion. Be it enacted by the General Assem- bly and by the authority thereof it is en- acted—That by the laws of this State, all men are free to profess, and by ar- gument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion, and that the same do not in any wise diminish, enlarge or affect their civil rights or capacities and that no man's opinions, in matters of religion his belief or disbelief, can be legally inquired into or be made a subject of investigation with a view to his qualification to hold office or give testimony, by any man or men acting judicially or legislatively.\ Considerable discussion ensued, in which every member, who spoke, ex- pressed a hearty concurrence in the Bill. Some doubled the propriety of hurrying through the House a bill of this importance ('the rule requiring two readings for a public^ act having been dispensed with) and wished it might lie on the table. On this ground, and not from any objections to the Bill, five members voted against it, viz. Messrs. Bowen, Cranston, J. Chase, C. Cook and Laphara. Mr. Tilling- hast, of Providence, expressed bis hear dangerous and flueuce of -masonry is 'ruinous to civil, political, and religious prosperity. 1 say the obligations in masonry are not binding, because they are such, that it is unlawful for free ma- sons to execute the penalties of their laws, and because the penalties in themselves are extremely barbarous, inconsistent with, and contrary to the laws of God, and an outrage upon the laws of all civilized people. It is mor- ally wrong for lodges ever to meet as such. It is highly criminal to admin- ister their barbarous oaths, and to take money of those whom they draw into their dangerous net; it is no better than swindling. Wishing and praying that all the hidden abominations of ma- sonry may speedily come to light, 1 subscribe myself the people's very de- voted servant in the labours and trials, hopes and immunities of the Gospel. REUBEN SANBORN. Minister of the Gospel, and member of the Presbytery of Bath. The solemn renunciation of free masonry by the Rev. Mr. Sanborn a Presbyterian Clergyman, in tliis day's paper, may be hailed as an- 7 -^^^^^^^—E other bright omen to the cause of ty concurrence in the principles of the I the people, and the country. One TO THE PUBLICK. Having for upwards of 20 years been a member of the masonick institution I have had an opportunity of becom- ing acquainted with the nature and ten- dency thereof; and af'er due and de- liberate reflection, I am candidly of opinion that its tenets are derogatory and dangerous to the liberties of a free people. I also declare that what has been writtea on the subject by the mar- tyr Morgan is \ the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.\ It has been represented by many of its members to be a practical system of religion; but this is ridiculous, for heaven and hell were never at greater variance than masonry and religion— the latter is from above, the former from the regions of darkness; the one speaks peace to the troubled mind, the other death and destruction to all who have the magnanimity to lift up their voices against its abominations. Un- der these impressions I avail myself of the pleasure of renouncing from hence- forth forever all farther connexion with an institution as corrupt and rotten as masonry. I would advise all other virtuous brethren \ to go and do like- wise.\ I would also recommend to the rising generation to suppress their cu- riosity, and never become fettered in the entanglement of a masonick ca- ble tow. HENRY FISK. Stafford, Jan. 28 1828. From the National Observer. The Lake Light. —This is the title of a paper, published at Trumans- burgh, Tompkins co. by Messrs. Phelps and Bloomer. In his last number, Mr. Phelps comes out in honourable and manly style, as fol- lows :— RENUNCIATION. Considering secret societies in- compatible with the principles and derogatory to the constitution of a free government; living in a land of liberty; being engaged in con- ducting a paper devoted to \ equal- ity to all;\ and having been regu-
