Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-05-27

of the u. S. be discharged therefrom, and
that it be referred to a select committee OF
z ; carried.
Mr.. Randolph wished the house to make
m disposition of the resolution submit.
ted by him the day before yesterday, it 1t IS
their pleasure, which was read, and referred
to the committee on that part of the Presi-
dents message as relates to the military e.
establishment of the United States.
Mr.. Randolph. For the last 8 years an
alteration has taken place in the manner OF
doing business at the commencement OF our
sessions. On the first of Jeferson's admi-
nistration the house received his communl-
cation in person and since that day no an
swer has ever been given to presidential
communications. On the following occa-
sions Mr.. Jefferson declined a personal at
tendance, and communicated in the form or
a message, which mode like, because 1t
looked unlike the opening OF the British
Parliament with a speech from the throne.
No man can look in the journals OF the frst
Sessions ~ofCongress and not be sickened at
the adulation in replies to the speech OF the
president. And yet these replies afforded
an opportunity to the opposition to canvass
the measures. of the administration fully and
plainly. I do not wish it to be understood
hat | think the house should return an an
swer to the message OF the president,
but when the house SO into a committee
of the whole on the state of the union, l
think it is for more elevated purposes than
a mere dissection of the message, and
referring it to such and such COM
mittees. Whatever be my opinion OF
returning answers to speeches, yetthis is a
moment when the affairs of this country
ought to be discussed. When | see the
dispositions of this country so much chang
cd, are we, and am ], TO SIT still and re-
gard it all as newspaper representations. L
know in the district from whence come.
feast has been given after feast, the song
and the dance have went round in CONNIE
morating the change that has taken place in
this country and again | ask shall we sit
still, who are the guardians, the directors OF
the public safety, and who have every
means of knowledge, shall we sit silent on
this occasion I move you, Sir, the fol-
lowing:
Resolved, That the promptitude and
frankness with which the President of the
u. States has met the overtures OF the 60
vernment of G. Britain towards The resto-
ration of harmony & a free commercial In
~cou with the u. S. receives the appro-
baton Of this house.
Mr.. Rhea PENN was opposed to the
house taking any order approbatory of par
ticular measures of the President OF the u.
States, altho' he approved and the house
would approve of the late measures OF the
President of the u. States, and he suppo-
sed would approve of the late Presidents
proposition to the British government on
the same subject and if we formally APP
probated one we should appreciate the O.
Their which would lead to an endless a2-
probation of every measure which woald be
worthy of it besides he was totally oppos-
ed to any such partial votes, committing
the house, and setting an improper exam
pie.
Mr.. sTroub observed, if the resolution
barely meant to say that the President had
done well and we thanked him for it, he
should vote for it but if the resolution has
in view bringing before the house a discus
sion of the merits Of administration, IN the
form of an answer TO his excellency, OF roy
al excellency, or majesty, h. should never
approve Of it. But if we msant to take up
the time of the session which we believed
would be only three or four weeks with such
discussions, we should begin with the go
vernmen itself hrst,with Adams, then EFF
f~erson, and thenMadison. Washington,
good man, he hoped would rest in peace.
An amendment was then offered to in