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which God & nature have given her, & which her industrious citizens are justly entitled to enjoy. But so long as the maritime nations of Europe shall continue to prosecute their wars, their avarice & pride will stimulate them to measures which will often clash with the rights of the American people, & the peace of our country will be put to hazard. We have already have sufficient experience of these injurious effects, to admonish us of our duty, as a free & independent State, that we be prepared to resist every aggression; to point out to us the necessity of a vigorous exertion, in placing our military affairs in the most formidable attitude; & to omit nothing which will conduce to give energy to our united strength. Indeed the United States have not been negligent of the important interests of the Union. The principal seaports are fortified, and the smaller are fast progressing in the means of security. The Legislature of this Commonwealth has enabled the Commander in chief very considerably to augment the sea-coast defence. Already are the shores of Massachusetts lined with about seventy pieces of field artillery of different cal- ibers, besides those in the several forts & garrisoned places; & the corps of militia artillery, in whose hands they are placed, are suf- ficiently skilled to use them to advantage, should occasion require.

     The Militia of the State, in general, is well armed and organized, 

& aggregately constitutes a body of more than 50,000 men. But from the mode of arming, & from the changeable nature of a militia,

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