Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-02-03
TO THOMAS JEFFERSON,
PRESIDENT OFTHE u. STATES.

TO THOMAS JEFFERSON,
PRESIDENT OFTHE u. STATES.
SIR-The citizens of the city and coun.
ty OF Phladeiphia, in general town meet
ing assembled, " to express their opinions
or the late measures of the General Co
vernment," embrace the occasion to tender
to you the assurances of their respectful &
afiectIonate attachment.
The resolutions which we have this day
adopted, approaching the Embargo, the
system OF Non intercourse, the preparation
for def nee and offence, and expressive OF
oer dXed determinations TO support the
laws of our country, and being to Justice
the violaters thereof, will We trust, bear
ample testimony that cur opinion of the
late measures Of the general government,
is, that they are the offspring OF IN enlight-
ened and pacific policy, well Calculated to
advance the happiness and preserve the
dignity and independence OF these United
States.
We enclose you copy of our resoluti-
ons, which we respectfully request you will
Cause to be laid before congress.
We feel melancholy sensation in the
belief that this is the last public testimo-
NAL or respect and esteem we shall trans
nit 80 you, as the Chief Magistrate of our
country. The motive which prompts your
retirement, has nur unqualified approba,i.
on. We review your admin stration with
selt-sat sfaction, douoting net out our chill
dren and our chidren'S children will feel
grateful to their ancestors for having se-
lected jefferson to preside over them, and
will hail for ages as a hoyday, the day on
which he was inaugurateG. We are too
proud and too sensible OF the efficacy of
principle and public opinion, to express a
oeiiettaat the tide of happiness which has
flowed Inupon US, asa peopie, since March
1901, and the peace which has been pre-
served to Us, amidst warning world has
been the WORK of one man: but w are too
Just and too gcateful not to acknowledge
that on many, very many important occa-
sions the measures you have adopted and
recommended, have been replete with ma
tionai good.
The repeal of many obnoxious and op
pressive laws-a reduction of the national
expense of upwards of a million of dollars
annually--and the payment OF many milli-
ons OF the principal of the national debt :;
are evidences OF your attachment tc repub-
lican principles and economy. The pur-
chase of the immense and fertile territory
OF Louisiana, and the thus peaceably &C.
curing, and tor ever securing, the RIGHT
of navigating the Mississippi and its tribu-
tary rivers and streams forms a new and
INDUSTRIOUS era in the intercourse between
independent nations, and opens to the u.
States exbaustless sources Of wealth.
The kind and friendly disposition mani
/ tested by your ADMINISTRATION to our Indian
nelghbors, aud the judicious means taken
to induce them to renounce habits of tlissi-
patton and incidence, open to them the
book of knowledge and win them 60 the
comforts and felicities of domestic and CT
VlhZed Lie, are conclusive proofs of your
humanity, and Of a system of sound policy,
which Will daily more and more, brine
forth the fruits of peace and plenty, and
add to the sum of human happiness.
These are among the measures OF your
domestic adj ninlstration which claim the
homage OF our respect, and against which
the stormy pillows OF faction shall beat ir
vain.
Our foreign relations, embracing an in
crest vide as the habItable globe, have
exposedus not only TO the conflicting claim,
and opposing views of whole classes of men
but to the still more tremendous passion,
of despots, and nave thus been TO the ma
ton and to the administration, a source OF
deep disqaletude. Yet in all urprospccts
| our confidence IN You has been as unshaker
as your oiAcial conduct has proved you e
be the worthy representative Of free and
Independents people.
With deep regret and indignant spirit.
we have marked the insults, the Injuries
the outrages to which our fellow citizens
and our government have been subjected,
by the insolence, the cupidiJy and tyranny
OF foreign governments ---we have read the
letters Of their ministers and their DEGREES
aud orders and the spirit of our ancestors
has stirred ithInus, aud we nave resolved