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In 1829 a futile attempt was made to put a stop to the delivery of Sunday mails, one result of which was the holding of a number of public meetings in Salem, the reports of which we take from the papers.

Meetings were also held in Boston and New York.

PUBLIC MEETING.

At a very numerous and respectable meeting of the citizens of Salem, “opposed to Legislative interference in respect to the religious observances of Sunday,” held at the Town Hall, Dec. 27, 1828, PERLEY PUTNAM, Esq., was called to the chair, and Dr. BENJAMIN KITTREDGE, appointed Secretary.—­The object of the meeting having been stated by the Chairman, it was

Voted, That Messrs. George Cleveland, Leverett Saltonstall, Stephen C. Phillips, John W. Treadwell, Perley Putnam, Nath’l West, jun., Franklin H. Story, John Crowninshield, Jos.  G. Waters, Charles A. Andrew, David Pingree, and David A. Neal, be a committee[2] to consider and report at an adjournment of the meeting, what measures it is expedient to take for the purpose of carrying into effect the objects of the meeting.

     The meeting was then adjourned for one week.

[2] The committee appointed consisted of Episcopalians, Unitarians, and Universalists.

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     At the adjourned meeting on Saturday evening Jan. 3, 1829, the
     Committee reported the following Resolutions, which were
     unanimously adopted:—­

Resolved, That the observance of Sunday as a day of religious worship and instruction is eminently adapted to extend the knowledge and influence of truth and virtue, and thus to improve the character and increase the happiness of individuals and of the community.

Resolved, That under no circumstances has religion excited such general interest, as when, not rendered odious by legal restraints, it has addressed its claims for support to the understandings and consciences of men.

Resolved, That a “system of regulations” for the purpose of enforcing religious observances is opposed to the principles of religious liberty and to our form of civil government; and it is to be feared that any attempts to introduce such regulations will re-act in consequences detrimental to the interests which it may have been intended to promote.

Resolved, That neither the precepts of Christianity nor the design of religious observances are incompatible with the prompt and faithful discharge of the various duties which belong to our social and civil relations; and the urgency of such duties may frequently render it of importance to every individual to receive or transmit intelligence with the least possible delay.

Resolved, That for the necessary accommodation of the Government and citizens