Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-12-25

Chief Magistracy ofthis Commonwealth iu
which station, your activity and tcntiurto
business, your enlightened and pStriJ,ic lesl
md eminent abilities were c0nspicu .usly G.s-
played, and signaily acknowledged by the IL
nsuiimous thanks Of both houses of the 4 ne
gal assembly; and finally, for the last iiyc years
Of your life, eXcrting all your Faculties, Tor the
preservation of the peace and happiness ofthe
United STATES, in truly arduous and Interesting
negotiations abroad, the fruits of which arc
already enjoyed in the final security Oi The Tree
navigation ofthe Mississippi, aud the peaceful
acquisition of the immense and fertile territory
of Louisiana.
In this concise review the great events
OF your useful life, we behold you ever MAIN
tanning the exalted character of rure,
and nhexible republican, plain ard unaf-
tected IN your manners like the patriots uf
ancient times, solicitous only for the gene
raj good, and on all occasions sacrificing
your own ease and comfort 10 the public.
service.
In private life, we regard you as the
pleasing and instructive con- panion, the
man of steady integrity, the worthy object
OF the esteem aud attachment of your
friends and couulrymen.
Penetrated with these sentiments the
members of the Council request you 10 ac-
cept this impcrtect hut cordial expression
OF the high respect and regard which they
feel Tor your merits as a man, a soldier, a
| statesman, and patriot, together with
their grateful acknowledgements for the
many important services you have render
ed, and faithfully enteavored to render to
your country, through the whole course Of
your political career, and their ardent
wishes for your health and happiness.
The above address having been read,
was unanimously approved by the Council,
but, the Governor refused to concur there
III, and directed his reasons TO be inserted
on the Journals as follows:
Ibe Governor entertaining the highest
respect for the judgment OF those assGclat-
ed with HIM in the Executive Departments
OF the Government, would greatly regret
the occurrence Of any occasion on which
ne would tiud himself compelled to differ
from them IN opinion--But there are lew
occasions, in which he could experience
more pain, than IN the pecessily now inn
lpcsed upon him 20 Withhold his assent to
the address offered by the Council of Safe,
to James Monroe, late Minister Plsnipo-
Tertiary from the government Of the Unit
tSd States 10 that of Great Britain. This
dissent does not arise from any difference
Tor opinion AS TO the extraordinary merit
OF that very distinguished CITIZEN. The
address does not staJe fact, nor express u
sentiment as tohis merits, either 49, a man,
a soidler5 statesman, or patriot, IN which
1.-THE Governor does not mcst sincerely &C
cord with the Council of State.-No man
more highly appreciates his varicHs and
Ilmportsnt services none has hailed with
iiveiieT joy, his return to his grateful
country, and none would embrace with
more ardor proper opportunity of mani
| 4 rln ,,f IL
although his warmest feelings prompt hini
to unite IN the proposed address, he is
compelled to withhold his concurrepce-
HIS Judgment may often nis,ead him, vet
u is the only guide he can allow himse Ii to
I ioilo", when acting IN a public character.
nat Judgment, calmly and deliberately
consulted, will not permit aim 70 believe
t4h1'e the Executive cughI, on any occasion,
10 make rs a public botls, a similar adj
Gress to any person, However transcendgite
! may he hiss merits. SUCH AN address, by
the Executive, cannot be considered as an
expression OF the opinions 81 the people, for
not benny their immediate Representatives S,
| they have no right to undertake the ex-
preston OF Their Sentiments Nor is il
comprehended within the wide circle of
Executive duties it therefore seems to the
Governor, that tlieN have no rihCt TO CiY.
for case to occur, in which lie could think
himself justifiab!c 10 Joining in such all ad-
dress, to any person whatsoever, that case
Is the present, and that person is James
Monroe. The Governor has thought it ne
csssary, on this occasion TO insert his rea-
sons IN the Journals, lest they might be
rnisconStrued or understood. He is We
ry far from attaching censure to those WHO
nave differed from him in opinion they
have done what they conceived to be their
right and their duty he has done what he
conceived to be MIS-
Whereupon, the President of the Coun-
CT was requested to transmit, on the part
OF the Council, as soon as convenient, CO.
py Of the above address to James Monroe,
esq. who is understood to be row at lie
City of Washington.
Atfest, ..i.
DANIEL l.. HYLTON,
Clerk 'oC lie ConnciL
WAsHINCTcN, Dee. 10, 1907.