The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-02-07

0 NHG 'thoSt IA @~s'h ~
That affecting froritencc, which has de-
privsd you and your felio0 cluzens of che
assistance and experience of him who was
selected, by their sulIrages. 10 discharge the
important duties OF Cilicr ssiasistrate, can be
felt 6 lamented by none more sincerely than
myself. This event AavinS constitutionally
devolvcd OH mt those duties /; as ? substitu-
tion to his talents and his experience, YOU
may rest assured, for the residue OF The vesr.
of my solicitule, assid ,ity aud best chdca-
vo:s 20 promote what. from ny own convicti-
ons, shall appear most conductive TO the goad
OF the whole. On tsi,s o;cisia,, 10 repeat
the prescribed oaths. which [ have ~alreatly
takcn, would he but the avowSls Of NV ,loii,
ticai sentiments. The n ttionai and tlic
Sstte Coastitu ion conan thcai. Tue il,r
and obYiors ccnstluctionS,f t.icsc Instruments
in the sense in which ( shall be convinced
tacY were iatenicd e. be understood. viii
foFuisn my riic ofaction, wiIei ever they Ctr
appty. The outlines OF our respective re-
t.atioas and duties are Illcre to(be Sjund.-
My i~neIpcricnce in legislative business, viii.
| fear. be thought too of,ch to call for your
Indulgence and cardor II constructed by he
\cGstitution and the Law, aad sincerely al
ming to adhere To their provisions. and to
ADVANCE the general interest and harmony
Among the citizciis, here should unh ppily be
a difference of uninion between the d;ierent
apartments OF Government, as to means or
thclr application. it can be no just c lusc OF
urieasiness ordistrust among US.
The New England States have been re-
presented, to their injury and TO the injury
ct the United States, as distracted VITA di-
visions, prepared FOR opposition TO tue au-
thority ofthe law and ripeuins for i secc.-
sion from ot.e Un;on.N Anxie,ies nj snggc,-
tioas or apprehensions of this kind have becs
expressed on the finor of Congress. Such
suggestions we trust are uneosnded. Our
enemies alone Could have made them. tt IS
Co be lamented rhat ANY colour has ever beer,
furnished for such alarEs. II cannot be cca
ccslcd that III this State. existing difficulties
aid thu apparent indications Of greater Lnes
have proGHced instances ofcAc. cement, eio-
leHcc and indiscretion, which form serious
claims On cur attention. Could Legislators
be agreed, all would be tranquilizvd with
ont. Would not such an achicvement be
worthy an united ctiort and reward the Ia
bors of Il whole session ? The times call for
snion, confidence and m.4.ai fssi.earaacc
and accommodation. VIII not a rccollecti
an OF some prominent principles and facts in
o,irhistovy. With a Legislative example, have
thiS tendency. among cur citizens? NAV We
not avail ourselves ofthis oppogtuni:y are
view. in - summary mmner,t the stu alton IN
which we are placed g the dangers 90 wiiici.
we are exposed
II ever a forgctfulness of past dissentions
and joint eanrts, for the commo, interest,
were necessary, they are so at tnjs momei,t.
VIII nft each citizen determine for himself,
that no personal qualification shall stand ia
the way ct any arrangement, which will con-
centrate the general Will and direct its
sircng' h for cur country's safety. For ons !
am prepared for this measure Of accord and
devotion to the exigency of the crisis or my
heart dcccives me. Union is every thing
II is our sNcngth, our numbers our resources.
IF we must have conflicts, let them be with
foreign enemies. IF war, let it DC by the
Whole people, asone man, in defence of heir
violated rights. Let not u particle OF our
means be wasted in party or individual con-
| ;entions.
1t Cannot tc necessary. nor wosld it be be-
nvf,cialto review in detail the continued ag-
g%ravated Injuries and insults, which have
bcen hcaped uporus BY the warning powers
Of Europe. The aggregate Of our wrongs
have been great indeed. Tie countcrvaiiing
measures OF our National Government pro-
duced by the aggressions are generally
known. The recent communication cf pub
lick documents and the able and repeated
disquisitions on these topics, as published to
the wo'd, explain principles and facts be
You'd the utility of further clucidttinn.
Although our commercial Intercourse and
national defence is. from necessity and the
soundest policy, confined to the United States.
1T Is not unhecoming aRy member of the U
Mon, TO add its c0ncorrjng energies to natl
ohal measures, or with fairness and Inodera-
ton, to question their ~jnstness and policy,
while they arc pending and repering for a.
t'tption. But with governments as with in
diYiduals, there are stages when questions
which can no lo3Gerbe usefuliy open to- con-
troversy opposition /; Stages when an end
must be put to debate & a decision thence re-
seltiEg be respected by its prompt &c faithful
execution, or government looses its exist
enee audthe people are ruined. Are we not in
THIS stage of the great questions of foreign ag-
& esSions, embargo, non-iulercnurse, national
defence 6 other means Of safety deemed ne
cessary, by those entrusted with The fl
nal disposal Of these objecisP a ba
lanced government aud its authorities, ca
pab!e only Of exciting The deliberate voliti-
) ons OF a real majority Of the citizens. con-
si,tuted and directed By known and fixed
principles, established by and proceeding
from themselves, is So safe, 80 reasonable
and so beyond every thing else, essential to
their own liberty aud happiness, that it's ha-
zard or Interruption cannot be contemplated
but with distress. To such = govern Dem TO
reign nations with the unptincipled and Gs3-
rerate, may be hostile, but our virtuous citi-
zcnS, sensible OF its blessings, will vicld 20