[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 148 (Wednesday, November 30, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: November 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       MISSION OF PUBLIC SERVICE

 Mr. HATFIELD. Mr. President, I was recently made aware of the 
remarks made by Governor Nathaniel Butler when convening the first 
Parliament of Bermuda in 1615. The message of the mission of public 
service is still clear today and is one I would like to share with my 
colleagues. I ask unanimous consent that it be made a part of the 
Record.
  The message follows:

       Thanks be to God, that we are thus met, to so good an end 
     as the making of good and wholesome laws; and I hope the 
     blessed effect will manifest that this course was inspired 
     from heaven into the hearts of the undertakers in England 
     [shareholders of the Bermuda Company], to pronounce and offer 
     it unto us, for the singular good and welfare of this 
     plantation . . .
       Take due notice that we come not hither for ourselves only, 
     and to serve our turns, or any man else's in particular, but 
     to serve and regard the public. We are, therefore, to rid 
     ourselves of all base desires of gain; we are to despise all 
     private interests, thus far at least, as to cause them to 
     give way to the general.
       It may well be that some men chosen to be burgesses 
     [members of the House of Assembly] here may find some bills 
     preferred into this Assembly that may strike at some getting 
     and income of theirs in particular. If they do so, let them 
     remember their oaths, let them not shame themselves, and the 
     place they hold here . . . If, in their own conscience, they 
     find that hitherto they have done injury to a common good, 
     let them not augment it by obstinacy . . . I grant there is a 
     freedom of speech and opinion with modesty to be held by 
     every man here . . .
       Let us beseech God to inspire us with peaceable spirits, 
     and such thoughts and desires as become honest, loyal and 
     wise men, such as may be for his glory and the forming of 
     this hopeful and forward plantation. . . .

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