Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-06-20

ther; by exciting them to ungovernable f.
ry by urging them to profane cur temples,
to sack and burn our towns, to ravage cur
country, to lay waste our cultivated and beau
titul fields, to strew them with the bodies of
our most valuable citizens, to embruc their
hands IN the blood of our innocent women and
children, and to pursue ferocious warfare.
which would extend through the land plague,
pestilcnce and famines This is but faint
picture OF a civil war. Ten foreign wars are
luxury when compared with one civil con-
fiict. At all events, let us preserve peace
at nome, and wage war, if indispensable,
with any nation, however powerful.
MY OBJECTS on this occasion are to brine
conviction to the minds of my fellow citizens
who may be IN an error, not to wound orr,if
lie their feelings; torecommcnd, gentlemen.
ny every means in your power, the security
OF the blessings we enjoy; to suggest the ne
cessity OF revision of orr laws regulating
elections; as well to prevent turbulent pro-
ceeamgs IN our primary assemblies, to en-
sure the rights or ballet, which is a mode Sc
cret IN Its nature, for restraining an undue
l'huence-to invite you to represent truly to
our fellow citizens the nature and tendency
OF our national and state proceedings, and to
eXhort them TO support, as the temple of
our Liberty and indepcndence, the government
OF the u. States.
Lex rs attend for a moment to the two
great pillars OF our rospcrity-agricultu
and commerce. These are such near rcIa
tions as that the less of one will be death to
tue other. Nothing can be more unwise than
the establishment at home OF market for
the surplus OF our produce and manufac-
lures. Ire choice Of foreign marts for the
safe or these generally enhances and often
doubles their value. If any foreign power
shouio lnniDit our commerce with them, let
us spurn at theirs, and exert ourselves to be
independent Of It !; by skilful management
OF the means we possess. And whilst our
towering forests, fertile soils, and rich mines
turnishus with ample materials for navy
and cur population with intrepid officers and
Scamen to manit, let us proclaim from pole
20 pole, by our naval thunders, that we viii
uefeno, to the last moment of our existence.
our neutral maritime rights and CONNER
cal intercourse with every friendly natl
on,
Pursuant TO an order of the legislature of
tue 9th of February last, / appointed the
non. Perez Morton, Jonas Smith, Jun. and
hoInas Is. Adams, esqrs. commissioners, to
repair to the county of Lincoln for certain
purposes; and their reports will shew that
they have discharged the important trust
with great ability, impartiality and prompt
tude and will also present the pleasing
prospect of a speedy and equitable termina-
ton OF the unhappy disputes which have arr
sen IRON interfering territorial claims in that
county
II Is happy circumstance, and does great
hononi' 70 our clergy, that there exists among
them a general spirit of religious liberality
and tolerance. They advance in the strait
road of christianity; which is always strewed
with lowers, Should any, perchance, wan
der into the devious paths of party politics.
the injury wil not extend beyond themselves
and they VIII soon retreat, from the la
cerations OF briars and thorns, which will
meet them at every step. A late solemn
decision OF our supreme judicial court has
limited the right of protestant teachers of
plety, religion and morality, tc demand the
taxes paid by their respective hearers for
the support of public worship, to those of in
corPorated societies and has produced
great excitement This may render indis-
pensable an attention to the subject and
further provisions to encourage, by every
possible mean, the liberty of conscience in
relation to religious opinion and worship.
The affairs of the state prison, bv the iu-
dlclous management of the board of visitors.
have presented OF late pleasing aspect
Ia unhappy SUBJECTS Vi lilaL QSe1ul InStItu
ton have been advantageously employed
the expences of it have been greatly redu-
ccd; and the humane attention of the visi-
tors, with the faithful services of the phvsi-
clan, have been instrumental in maintaining
IN the prison a remarkable state of health.
But the Legislature having taken measures
to enquire into and remedy the defects of its
original establishment, suggested on a former
occasion, have rendered unnecessary further
remarks on this subject.
The existing state Of our public concerns.
fiatter myself, will present an apology for
the time occupied on this occasion; and
shall communicate by message the docu-
ments referred to in this address, with other
matters, which may require your considera-
ton And now, gentlemen, shall take nv
leave ofyou for the present with an ardent |
prayer to Almighty God, that an inviolable
attachment to the peace, happiness and we4-
tare OF our Country, may Danish forever from
our breasts party spirit, and induce us ali
In the tuil exercise Of every christian. moral
and social virtue to embrace each other &C
fellow citizens, as friends, and as brethren,
f. GERRY.