Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-12-13
THE PREsIDEN rs MESSAGE.

Which we have presented 10 our readers
in our opinien equals, if it does not surpass.
in excellence of matter and propriety of die
ton, any state paper we have yet seen from
the luminous pen of It's illustrious Author.
1t would be presumptuous in us to offer a
remark ON the contents of paper, which
speaks so forcibly for itself on every point
which it embraces. 1t is production By
which the friends of Mr.. Madison are highiv
gratihed-his enemies disarned. Its ener.
81 cannot but inspire confidence at home &
respect abroad ; whilst its dignity must CO..
cree applause even from the enemy.
There are, it must be allowed, two or
three points on which the Message has not
touched. and which the public attention has
beed awakened 4; bHtthey are matters. per.
haps, which the President deemed it more
decorOus and prudent 20 leave entirely to
the discretion of the Legislature, or which,
it may be, having before in vain pressed IN
on their view, he did not feel himself author
ised again to urge on their attention.
The most promipent among these is that
trea enable intercourse with the enemy. nm
der fraudulent papers and borrowed flags,
the profiigacy and frequency of which be-
come daily more apparent. and which loud
ly call for remedy OF what nature we do
not undertake to say /; but it is certainly
within the reach OF legislative provisions of
some kind or other.
Another subject which the President has
omitted to notice, which we had deemed of
some Importance to the Northern and Yves
tern frontier, is the present relations of the
u. ). to the Northern Indian Tribes, and the
manner in which they are in future to be
dealt with. Perhaps, however, iegis-
laton on this head will be Superseded
by treaty stipulations, OF be suspended until
the terms Of the covenant of peace to be
made with them are ascertained, which
may call for the intervention of Congress to
carry them into effect.
The delicacy of the considerations which
are involved in the relations of East Florida
to the States, being nominaily D ovince of
Spain. is probably the reason, why an inyi~
tation TO deliberation on this head did not
enter into the Message. The blood of the
slaughtered innocents on the Mobile calls
aloud on the Legislature 20 provide for the
future security of settlers on that frontier.
against the hostility OF the sayages, armed
and accOutred for var with us in a pro.
vince, in the tenure of nominal friend in.
deed, but as much at the disposal of our o.
pen enemy as " IT were in his possession.
With the exception Of these points, the
Message embraces every thing that could b..
desired at the same time that it assuredlv
presents most just and animating expo
sition Of the state of the nation.
Nat, Int.
With the appreciation The Governn ent Of the
United States IhOmss s. Hinde, Esq. has been an.
pointed by cot Thomas Barclay, Commissary &c
neral Of British prisoners in America, Agent to 80.
perintend the ftirnshingand supplying clothing for
the prisoners taken by Commodore Perry on lake
Erie IL appears from Col Barclays instructions 10
Mr. Hinde, that neither these prisoners nor those
taken by Geo. Harrison, will be exchanged tbis
winter. Ohio Fred.
The frigate President had not sailed on
Monday last, as has been stated in some of
the papers. She was on that day at an
Choir of Bristol, (R. ~ W .Post.