Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-03-18

refusing the discharge of Its most sa-
cred obligations.
The spirit of the government seems
to be awakened To the policy OF inter.
nal improvements. The subjects of
canals aud roads have beeu attended
to, and useful enquiries instituted reia-
tive to them. We have every reason 70
hope that on the return OF settled state
OF things, as itregards our foreign con-
Germs, those great and useful works
viii receive the mos, marked attention
OF the national Legislature, and It's
most power ul patronage. For my own
part, | regard it as a primary part OF
federal policy, and one which will serve
under proper encouragement, more
than any thing else vet left TO be done,
TO secure the permanency, strength,
and independent resources of the uni
on.
he hazardous situation in which
our peace with the European nations
has been constantly placed, has teuded
to promote in a great degree, the dis.
position TO perfect the means of our
safety. Much CT the public funds has
been appropriated to the erection Of
lorti6cations of durable nature, and
the procurement, of sufficient Supplies
Of arms and munitions of war. they
have been amply provided, and remain
ready for ntionai purposes, in case
they shoud DC unfoi tunateiy requir.
ed.
The policy of cutivat;ng friendship
and promoting civilization among the
Indian tribes, has been most earnestly
and successfully pursued and those
numerous aud savage hor,;es, which
but few years ago waged doubtful
war against US, have been overawed
by our power, and subdus! by the arts
of civilization, ard the evidence ofour
friendship.
In reviewing the general course
which political sentiment seems to
have pursued during this period, we
have caese 10 congratulate ourselves on
the growth AID stability of republican
opinions on a rigid adherence to con-
stitutional principles AS MAI ked cut
and prescribed by the governmental
compact; and an untemilted attention
to the economical administration of
the funds of'the country.
1t remains that should take fur.
Their notice Of The prir opal subjects
which have occupied the attention OF
the last session. Among the first in
importance, was the proposition to re.
new the charter ofthe United States
bank company. My opposition TO the
renewal OF that charter, was exhibite d
at the second session cf the eleventh
congress, and my forts tie more earn
esily excited at that me, from an ap.
prehension, thenapparently well found
ed, that majority of the house of
which l was member, were not awak-
ened to all the consequences of de-
cision in its favor. The attempt at
that session, was, af:er some diseussi.
on, withdrawn. ! acknowledge was
then impressed WIKI the L, &C ssity of a
national bank ofsome description. and
therefore advocated such an one as
conceived consistent with tie |, tier and
SPIN VI tbC SOH5l.tutlOn7 plSClrG It's
institution oD the basis Of tue prev Gus
consent of the states in ws ich it should
be introduced, and establishing The mo.
ther Bak at the seat of government.
under the immediate eye If the tpre-
sentatiws OF the people. Reflection
has served, however, TO produce doubts
in my mind, OF the safety of a bankine
institution, even checked ss such an
one would be hy those provisions,
while it would be supported by The pa
tronage Of the general government.
L ne late institution b as clearly demon.
strated the immens. energies of such
an engine liz the community, support.
ed, as all national banks must be, by
the deposits of our re, enues. These
reasons, which l am sorry the or, Sc at
opportunity does not permit me TO Ell.
large on, induced me 70 decline renew
ing the proposition 1 pres erte d at the
second session Of the eleventh con-
gress, for the establishment OF a natl
onal bank, 10 take Place On the dissolu-
ton of that which has Expired. Al
the lastsession, the question Of renew.
aprr IL