The Sun.
London, England, 1809-04-15 00:00:00

difERICA2V PAPERS.

MR. MADISON'S INAUGURAL SPEECH,
Delivered March 4th, at Twelve o'clock.
WAsuit:G.ToN, at-rtcH 4, 1809.---" "Unwilling
to depart trom examples, of.the most revered autho.:
rity, I avail myself of. the occasion now presented,
to express the profound impression made on me, by
the call of my country to the station, to the duties
,of yk hitit I ain abont to pledge myself, by the most
s.Jlernn of
.satielions. So distinguished a mark of
confidence proceeding, from the deliberate and tran-
quil suffrage of a free and 'virtuous nation, would,
tinder any circumstances, have commanded my 'gra-
titude,and devotion, as well es filled me with an aw-
ful 'Sense of the trust to be assumed. Under the
v.irious circumstances which give peculiar solemnity
to the -existing period, f feel that, both. the honour
and the responsibility allotted to Me are inexpressir
Ply. enhanced.
a The present situation of the world is indeed
without a parallel ; and that of our country full of
'difficulties, The pressure,of.these too, .is the more
severely felt because therhave fallen upon us at a mo-.
meat when national prosperity being at 'a' height' tiot
before attained, the contrast resulting from this
change has been rendered the more' sulking. Mt-
der the benign influence of our. Republican insti?
ttitions, and the maintenance or pace with all
nations, whilst so many of them were engaged
ffill bloody and wasteful wars, the frnits of a Just
pcificy were enjoyed in an Unrivalled growth of
our faculties and resources.—Proofs of this were seen
in the improvements of agrieultwe; in the suecess-
ful enterprizes" of commerce; in the progress or
tnanotadinres and nieful arts; to the increase of the
publierevenues, and the law made of it in reducing
the ~public debt, 'and in the valuable works.and es-
triblishments every where multiplying' over the face

or Our land.
' a precious refleBion that the transition from
ibis, prosperous condition of our
.Country, to the
scene which ,has for some time been, distreing'us,
is not chargable on any unwarrantable views, nor, as
I trust, onany involuntary errors in the Public Conn,.
cils. Indulging no passions which trespass, on the
rights or. the repoSe of other Nations, it has been the
title. glory of the United States to 'cultivate peace by
observing justice, and to entitle themselves to the
,respect of the Nations at, war, by. fulfilling their
neutral obligations witli thei most 'scrupulous itn

. , . • ,
'partialitY. .
. ."- It'. there be candour in the world, the truth of
these assertions will not be questioned'. •Posterity
' • at least will do justice to thetn. • ,
. " This unexceptionaOecoursecould not avail against
the injustice and violpace:of the Belligerent eowero.
In their' rage against each other, or impelled by,more
• dire 4 motives, principleS of retaliation have_ been
tutroduceil, ecitially'contrary to universal reason and
Acknowledged law. How long their arbitrary edias
will be continued in spite.nf the demonstrations, that
not even a pretext 'fcir them has been given by the
, .
United Suites, and of the fair and liberal uttempts
-to induce a revocation of them, cannot be antici-
pated. .
" Assuring myself that, under every vicissitude,
the determined spirit and united councils of the na-
tion Will be safe-guards to its honour and iis essen-
tial interests, I repair to the post assigned me, with
no other cliseouragement than what springs from
my OWO inadequacy' to its high duties. If Ido not
.. , . .
oink under the 'weight of this deep Conyialon,' it is
because I tans some support
,in a• consciousness of
the purposes, and' a confidence in` the principles,
which I bring,with me into this arduous service.
0. Tel dierish peace and friendly intercourse with
a'll .1-4:.Jiions", having correspondent disOoktitions; to
miiiiiitain *owe neutrality towards Belligerent, Na-
' ils'; to-p' referH» all Cases amicable di '''': ion. and
cs
4'ea,3or,4ble aceommociation of dial.ren - to a cleel-
sk4i of them by an appeal to arms.; to ettelude fo-
•? . •
reigi,,iptritile4 and foreign partialities, *0 degrading
it, all countries„ and so •baneful to free tines ; to.
fostei 3 spirit of Indept23ldenCei too just to invade
the i iglitS • of. others, too , proud, to surrender our
own, ' ton liberal to• indulge unworthy prejudices
i,orselves, and too.elevated not iC, IGok down upon
ditto in others; to hold ;ha union of itu States as.
the basis of their peace and happiness;- to support
the Constitittion which is the cement of .tho , union'

as well in its limitations, TIS in its authorities i to
;aspect the rights. and authorities reserved to the
States, ancj to the, people, as equally incorporated
with, and essential the success of the ge4ferta
. • .
system to avoid the Slightest interference with the JJi
rights of conscience, or theifunetions of religion,
;,‘,) y,.kely . exempted from civic jurisdiolion
reserve in their full energy the other salute:
ry proviiions acs behalf of private and. persou
•4i
the freedom of tile, press ob.
in pnblie 'expenditures; to hbe-
..
resources by no 'honourable dis.
Ci:,—public debts to keep within the
n standing milirarY,'lor.., alway 3, re.
y,l ;to arin,td 3t.1(.1 trained militia is the