_June 2, 1812_.
_Resolved_, As the opinion of this House, that an offensive
war against Great Britain, under the present circumstances
of this country, would be in the highest degree impolitic,
unnecessary, and ruinous; that the great body of the people of
this Commonwealth are decidedly opposed to this measure, which
they do not believe to be demanded by the honor or interests
of the nation; and that a committee be appointed to prepare
a respectful petition to be presented to Congress, praying
them to arrest a calamity so greatly to be deprecated, and, by
the removal of commercial restrictions, to restore, so far as
depends on them, the benefits of trade and navigation, which
are indispensable to the prosperity and comfort of the people
of this Commonwealth.
TIMOTHY BIGELOW, _Speaker_.