Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-06-26
ID o NJ E S i l c..
MASSACHUSETTS.
Answer Of the Senate to,the Cover
nor's Speech.

Answer OF the Senate to, the Cover.
nor's Speech.
May it please your sExcellency-
On the first meeting of the seve-
raj branches of the government, the
Senate respectfully recognize, in the
person of the G. hief Magistrate of Mas.
sachusetts, the man vino 50 eminentiy
contributed, by his revolutionary ser.
vices, to establish the independence,
and secure the peace and prosperity of
our country. The zeal and 6delisy
with which these services were rem.
dered, afford to US a pledge, that in
discharging the duties OF the high and
honorable trust, committed to you by
the suffrages OF a majority OF the peo-
pie, your Excellency will 5e'uninAuen-
ced by the sinister suggestions of par
ty spirit, but will be guided by sim
cere and single regard to the great iu-
terests OF the whole alth.
This confidence is strengthened by
the reflection, that during the conflict
which for many years has agitated al
most every portion OF our community,
your Excehency. has been aloof from
the scene Of contention, and we rust.
therefore, has advanced to the chair of
Government, uubisssd by those psssi-
ons and prejadices, which are in some
degree -commo to all who have been
actively engaged in the warfare of po-
litical opinion.
Experience, In every age and coun>
try, has too fatally evinced he truth of
the position, shat the measures. and not
the professions of rulers, furnish the
standard, by which to determine their
claim to the gratitude of he people.
While. therefore, the Senate proffers
to your ExceAency liberal degree of
confidence and receive, with uhfeign-
ed pleasure, your assurances ottmpar-
{ ality'inthe administration OF our pub.
lie aaairs, they look forward with still
greater pleasure, to the period when
a strict and undertaking adherence to
these professions, shall have ensured
to you the richest reward OF an sun.
right and honorable" mind, /. the hap.
piness of conscious rectituds," and
the universal APPRECIATION and es.
teem" of your fellow.citizens.
In the measures pursued by your
immediate predecessor, we have wit
messed scrupulous regard to the prin-
ciples avowed at the commences ent
of his administrator, and in this re-
spect, we confidently hope your Ex-
ccleney viii not be surpassed by any
who have gone before you its ,tre Exc
.-.;,~ deparunru..
With the most sincere and perfect
cordially, we reciprocate your Exc Il
lency's expressions of solicitude for
the preservation ofthat spirit OF union,
which is the " vital principle of liber-
ty"--and which is as essential to the
security of our political ms buttons. as
Is the power OF attraction TO the har.
mony of the planctory system. An H.
dissoluble union among the ases, who
are parties to the great national com
pact, we consider az not less indispen-
sable 20 our peace and prosperity, than
an unity ofsentimeDt and action among
the people, to the defence of the libeT.
ties secured to them by the constitute
on. The man who shall insidiouslv.
plot subversion of this compact, or
shall secretly infuse into the public
mind, a spirit of discord and disunion.
whatever may be his pretentious to pa
triotism, is attempting to demolish the
fabric off our public prosperity, and me-
rits the detestation and abhorrence of
his country.
However alarming may have been |
the indications of irreconcilable divisi-
on among the people of the United
States, yet we are not without hope,
that the nearer approach OF impending
danger would find them united with
single heart, TO repel every foreign en- |
croachment on their liberty and indie /
pendsnce. However portentous may
have been the progress of this disor.
der, Our reliance upon the intelligence
and patriotism of our fellew- citizens
affords to US a rational belief that it is |
not incurable, aud that course of wise |
and salutary measures may vet place |
Us beyond the reacl, of danger.
In contributing to this most desira.
BILE object, we trust we shall see YOUR
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