Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-06-15
....keHuszTrs IHeIsLAruaH:
.dnsver Of the Senate, TO ehf Goue'"-
or's Sheech.

met YOUR Excelency, ct the opening o'
the present political year, with the most
lively emotions, of respect and affeetieo'
and with deveut thank fulness to the Au-
thor of all good, for your re'electlonto
the Office of chief magistrate. In tins
event, so propitious to the best interests
of our country, we discern satlsfacto-
~ evidence of the virtue & intelligence
Of our fellow citizens-and we can as
sure YOUR excellency, that the enlight
ened people of this commonwealth have
witnessed your administration during
the past year, not only with entire ap-
probation, but With the warmes. senti-
ments efveneration and gratitude. The
cheerfulness With which your exoellen-
cy has again accepted this high and re.
spenaible office, doubly ardaous at this
perilous crisis of ouI affairs, is a re.
pewed proof of the pure and exalted pa
triotism for which your excellency has
ever been distinguished.
The senate consider the view which
your exceIlency, in your communication
10 the legislature, has taken OF the caus.
es which have produced the presen, ca
| lanitous situation Of the country TO be
so clear & comprehensive, that it would
/ be difficult to make any observations IN
their answer which your excel!ency has
not anticipated.
A frequent recurrence to the princl'
pies of our constitutions is necessary to
a proper understanding and support OF
onr rights and privileges.
That the freedom of speech and of
the press is essential to the preservation
of all free governments that all poll
tical power is derived from the people
that they may resume the trust which
was delegated for their welfare, Whence
YER it shall be exercised to their ruin {;
and that allie glance and protection are
reciprocal-are positions in which all
agree.
These rights are indeed liableto abuse.
The freedom of the speech may dege-
nerate into RIGHTEOUSNESS and the In
berent right of the people to alter and
amend their systems of government, nay
be perverted to the purposes of ambition,
But notwithstanding The difficulties and
dangers which must be encountered FOR
the attainment and support ct civil IL
berty, yet its blessings are full reward
for all the care and exertion necessary
to its preservation.
The constitution of the United States
was the result of mutual forbsaranee and
liberal compromise. There were, how.
ever, certain great interests understood
to claim its peculiar regard.
Among the most prominent OF these
were, the encouragement and protection
of commerce. This was Justly consi-
dersd by the New England and navigat.
ing states, as an indispensable condition
of the compact. 1t was commerce which
gave value their enterprise and agri.
culture and SO careful were they to
guard this sinew of their strength, that
a provision was introduced into the con-
stitution itself, exempting all exports
from duty. This regard to commerce
was not novel; for in the Declaration of
independence it forms conspicuous al
legation against Great Britain, that she
had cut Of our trade with all parts OF
the world.
1t is not 10 be supposed that the navi-
eating states would have adopted the
constitution if they had forcseen that the
effect of it would be the destruction Of
their commerce.
Soon after the constitution went into
operation the war in Europe broke out,
and the citizens of the United States were
necessarily affected by its consequences,
1t was then that the patriotism and
Grmness of Washington were again tri-
ed. Moved by considerations of justice
as we'll as of policy, Notwithstanding the
embarrassments OF powerful OPPOSE
ton, and with means and resources in.
considerable, compared with those which
were in the power Of the present admi-
nistraton, he took and maintained the
ground of an impartial neutrality.
The state Of prosperity which follow
ed this magnanimous course, vas unex-
ampled in the history of the world.
Itwas emphatically the eoldeUage.-
Our commerce was extended through
world richly rewa,ding the labor and,
enterprise of the farmer ard the rer-
chant, and furnishing abundant revenues
for the support of government. With
srch an example before them, was 1t to
have been expected that any admini:tra-
ton snder circumstances nearly similar
would pur.ue an opposite policy! Gould
it have been believed that the original
ground and bond of the upion would be
abandoned that measures would be a.
dopted and pursued With undertaking
perseverance, destructive of cur com.
mercial advantages that a naval de-
fence should not Only be neglected, but
represented as an extrssagant and use
less expenditure
1t wa, naturally to be supposed that
both Great Britain and France would