Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1809-03-13

5 = uIcO nc VIII AL sdW4ht s1it2N II NV
trust to be assumed Under the various
circumstances, which give peculiar s9lem-
nity 10 tie existing pei III, feel that BON
The honor and the responsibility allotted 10
me are inex9resslbly enhanced.
The present situation of the world is in
deed without a parallel and that OF our
own country full of difficulties. The press
ure of these too, is the more severely iei,
because they have fallen upon us at mo :
ment when the national prosperity being at
a height not before attained, the contrast
result.ng from the change, has been rem
ldered the more striking. Under the ben
liga influence of our republican institutions,
and the maintenance of peace with all ma
itions whilst so many of them were engaged
in bloody and wasieful wars, the fruits OF a
Just policy were enjoyed, in an unrivailed
growth of our faculties & resources. Proofs
of This were seen in the improvements OF
agriculture, in the successful enterprises OF
comWerce, in the progress OF manufactures
and Useful arts; IN the increase OF The pub
| lie revenue, and the use made OF IT IN redu-
cling the public debt, and IN the valuable
works and establishments, every where
multiplying over tie face of our land.
Ii is precious reflection that the
transition from this prosperous condi-
ton OF our country, TO secure which
has for some time been distressing us,
is not chargcable on any unwarran,able
views, nor, as trust, on any inyolun-
tary errors in the public councils. In
dulging no passion which trespass on
the rights, or the repose OF other ma
tons, it has been the true glory OF the
United States to cultivate peace, by OBJ
serving Justice and to entitle them
selves to the respect of the nations at
war, by fulfilling their neutral obliga-
tons with the most scrupulous Impair
TALLY. If there be candor in the world
the truth of these assertions will not be
questioned. posterity at least will do
justice to them.
This unexceptionable course could
not avail against the injustice and yio-
lence of the belligerent powers. In
their rage against each other, or impel-
led by more direct motives, principles
of retaliation have been introduced e.
qually contrary to universal reason and
acknowledged law.-How long their
arbitrary edicts will be continued, in
spite of the demonstrations that not e.
ven pretext for them has been given
by the United States, and of the fair
and liberal attempts to induce a revoca-
ton of them cannot be anticipated. As
suring myself that under every yicissi-
tude, the determined spirit and united
councils ofthe nation will be safeguards
to its honor and its essential interests,
repair to the post assigned me, with
no other encouragement than what
springs from my own inadcquacy to its
high duties. III do not sink under the
weight of this deep conviction, it is be-
cause find support in consciousness
of the purposes, and a confidence IN
the principles which | bring with me
into this arduous service.
To cherish peace and friendly inter-
course with all nations having cores
ponden, dispositions to maintain sim
cere neutrality towards belligerent ma
tons to pref + in all cases amicable
discussion and reasonable accommodation
of differences, to decision OF them by
an appeal to arms 10 exclude foreign
intrigues and foreign partiali,ies, SO
degrading to all countries, and SO bane-
full to free ones to foster spirit OF
independence, too just to invade the
rights of others, too proud to surrender
our own, too liberal to indulge unwor-
thy prejudices ourselves, and too elesa-
ted not to look down upon them in 9TH
ers to hold the union of the states IS
the basis of their peace and happiness
TO support the constitution, which is the
cement of the union as well in its limi-
tations as in its authorities I; to respect
the rights and authorities reserved to
the states and to the people, as equally
incorporated with, and essential TO the
success of the general system to avoid
the slightest interference with the
rights of conscience or the functions OF
religion, SO wisely exempted from civil
jurisdiction TO preserve in their full
energy the other salutary provisions in
behalf of private and personal rights,
and Of the freedom of the press TO OBJ.
serve economy in public expenditures I;
TO liberate the public resources by an
honorable discharge OF the public
debts to keep within the requisite linn
its standing military force, always re-
Numbering that an armed and trained
militia is the frmest bulwark OF repub-
lies; that without standing armies
\ their liberty can never be in danger,
nor, with large ones safe to promote