To the publick
Broadside announcing resolutions from a town meeting held in Norwich, Vermont, on 28 August 1827. ; TO THE PUBLICK. At a meeting of Freemen of the town of Norwich, holden pursuant to publick notice at the centre meeting-house in said Norwich, on the 28th day of August, 1827; the following preamble and resolutions were reported by a committee, appointed for that purpose, and adopted by the meeting. Feeling deeply sensible of the truth and importance of these principles of our constitution, "That all elections ought to be free and without corruption; and that a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, industry and frugality, are absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty, and keep government free and considering it to be the right and duty of freemen to meet and deliberate on publick concerns-to carefully examine the character and conduct of candidates for publick offices-freely and publicly to express their opinions, and guard against every thing that tends to impair the first principles of free government. Therefore, Resolved, That we have seen with concern and regret, the uncommon exertions that have been made in this town, for several years past, by publick and private treating with spirituous liquors, by loans of money and other like means, by appointing Justices of the peace to an extent which the publick good does not require, apparently designed to influence and control the votes of the Freemen in the choice of a representative to the General Assembly, Resolved, That we consider such practices to be contrary to the spirit and intent of the law and constitution of this state, and especially at the present time when so great exertions have been made, and are making in our country, to suppress and prevent intemperance, idleness, and vice of every kind } we consider the practice of treating at elections of civil officers, to be peculiarly improper, and dishonorable to those who encourage it. Resolved, That we feel it our duty to discountenance all proceedings of this nature, and by all lawful means to oppose the election of any person as our representative, who has or may attempt by such means to influence or control the votes of the electors. Resolved, That we consider two or three years in succession, a sufficient time for any person to represent us in the General Assembly, and according to the present incumbent's views on the subject, he has no claims on the freemen any longer. Resolved also, That we have entire confidence in the talents and integrity of the men who now administer our General Government, and we firmly believe that the measures proposed by them and their friends, for encouraging and protecting the manufactures and industry of our country, are essential to its prosperity, and we consider it important that our representative to the General Assembly should be a sincere friend and supporter of the men and measures of the present administration. And resolved that we earnestly request our fellow citizens, to attend punctually at our next Freemen's meeting and give their votes as their consciences may direct them, without fear or favour of any man. By order of the meeting, PIERCE BURTON, Chairman. JOHN SLAFTER, Clerk.