The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-12-24

IN SoU NcIt, wednesday, Dec. Esd, 1907. |
Present, The Governor,
Alexander McRae,
John Guerrant, jun.
Alexander Stuart,
John Heath
William w. Hennng, and
William Mumford.
The committee appointed yesterday to pre-
pare an Address to James Monroe, reported
the following:
To JAMES MONROE late Minister Plen-
ipotentary from the Government of the u.
States to that of Great Britain.
The councilof state of the Commonwealth
OF Virginia with peculiar pleasure present to
you their affectionate congratulations on YOUR
safe and happy return with your amiable ia
nhly to your native country-That country
you have long and faithfully served first,
as soldier and officer in the ever me-
morable Revolutionary contest in which,
defending the sacred cause of liberty, J
your blood was shed, and your valour and
military skill were increasingly exertcd 81
when peace returned, as an able, active, and
Republican Legislator, in which capacity,
| your exertiOns in the General Assembly of
Virginia,-in the old Congress,-(where,
more than twenty years ago, your enlighten-
ed efforts were made to preserve for our Wes-
tern brethren the free navigation of the River
Mlssissippi-) and in the Senate of the u.
States, ought ever to be remembered with
gratitude; next, as patriotic, upright, and
able Ambassador to France in the turbu-
lent and perilous times of her revolution
devoting your fortune and exposing YOUR
life to danger, for the sake of pronot-
ing the interests of America after which,
in the true spirit of genuine republican, ac-
cepting the comparatively humble, but high
ly useful, Office of Justice OF the Peace, and
attcntively disCharging its duties, until called
by the voice OF the Legislature to the Chief
Magistracy OF this Commonwealth in which
station, your activity and attention to bust
ness, your enlightened and patriotic zeal, and
eminent abilities were conspicuously display
cd, and signally acknowledged by the unani-
NOUS thanks of both Houses of the General
Assembly; and finally, for the last five years
of your life, exerting all your faculties, for
the preservation of the peace and happiness
fthc United States, i'll truly arduous and in
teresting negotiations abroad, the fruits of
which arc already enjoyed in the final sccuri-
ty of the free navigation of the Mississippi,
and the peaceful acquisition of the immense
and fertile territory of Louisiana.
In this concise review of the great events of
lyouruseful life, we behold you ever maintain
ing the exalted character of n pure, and in
flexible republican, plain and unaffected in
your manners like the Patriots of ancient
times, solicitous only for the general good,
and on al occasions sacrificing your own ease
and comfort to the public service.
In private lie, we regard YOU as the plea
sing and instructive companion, the man of
steady integrity, the worthy object of the es-
TEEN and attachment of your friends * coun-
trymen.
Penetrated with these sentiments the mem
bers or the Council request YOU to accept this
imperfect but cordial expression of the high
4 Dl o,.J, oh +l,o l.
merits as man, soldier, q statesman, and
a patriot, together with their grateful ac-
acknowledgements for the many important SER
vices you have rendered, and faithfully en-
deaVored to render to your country, through
the whole course of your political career, &
their ardent wishes for your health and hap
pincss.
The above address having been read, was
unanimously approved by the Council, but
the Governor refused to concur therein, and
directed his reasons to be inserted on the
Journals as follows:
The Governor entertaining the highest res
pect for the judgment of these associated
with him III the Executive Department Of the
Government, would greatly regret the &C.
currcnce OF any occasion on which he would
find himself compelled to differ from them III
opinion--But there are few occasions, in
which he could experience more pain, thar
in the necessity now imposed upon him tc
withhold his assent to the address offered by
1.-THE Council OF State, To James Monroe, late
| elinistcr Plenipotentiary from the govern
| Il. mt of the u. ). to that of G.. Britain. Thi!
diss ent does not arise from any difference O
opiniCu as to the extraordinary merit of thai
| vary distinguished citizen. The address doe,
not state fact, nor express a sentiment as e
his m crits, either as man, soldier, states
man, o. patriot, in which the Governor
does not most sincerely accord with the coun
Gil of Stat. No man more highly appreci
atcs his warn, us and important services none
has hailed, W. IN livelier joy, his return t.
his grateful COZ. ntry, and none would EN-
brace with more rdor proper opportunit,
of rnanifcsting the truth of these assertions
But altho his warmcsl feelings prompt hin
to unite in the proposed address, he is com
peicd to withhold his concGrrenCe-Bisj udg
ment may often mislcad him, yet it is the OH
ly guide he can low himself to follow, wher
acting in a public character. That judge
ment, calmly and deliberately consulted, will
not permit him to believe that the Exccutiv,
ought, on any occasion, to make, as pubic
body, similar address to any person, howe
yer trsnscendant may be his merits. Such
an address, by the Executive, cannot be con