The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-02-03
ALBANY CAZETTE-EXTRA.
SPEECH

- - SPEECH
OF his Excellency Governor Tompkins. 70
the two Houses of the Legislature of the
state OF New York, Tuesday, January IS,
1914
Gentlemen at the Senate,
and ofthe .9ssentbLy.
II would have given me great satisfaction
to have had IN my power7to congratulate
you on this occasion upon the return of The
advantages, and blessings of peace. The
government OF the United States, both be-
tore and since the commencement of the
present war with Great Britain. has uni.
formly evinced disposition to adiu t. unon
liberal and reciprocal terms, the, existing
differences between the two nations. The
appointment OF ENJOYS plenpotentiary, who
repaired to Europe so e. rly as May last.
upon the prstfered meois'I n of the Empe
roT OF Russia, furnishes an incontestibIe
proof cs that disposition. L. does not appear
that spirit equally conciiatorv hos {rau-
enCfd the councils of the enemy. The good
othoes oil the Emperor have been declined.
and a-proPosition hiss been submitted 10 opr
government by the Prince Regent fsr. trans
ferrins the theatre Of negotiation 70 Lon
don or GcttenbuTgh. The Presi6 ene has
gwen further evidence Of his desire t. ter.
inmate the calamiries Of war by scced.re to
that overture also. Ii is ~ be hnued that
the contemplated negociation may result in
the conclusion of an honorable md lasting
peace. but when We consider that pacific
conferences are greatly procrastinated bv
the proposed change Of the place of trea.
ting when we reflect upon the non &C.
ceptance by the Prince Regent of the medi-
alton OF his illustrious friend and alIv-,uD-
on the former inadmissible pretengions Of
the British government and upon the terms
of Lord Castlereagh's recent comrnurica-
tion TO the Secretary of State. our hone of q
favorable issue ought not 70 be 81 aylijne.-
II the late proposition has proceeded from
"l.lnShess 70 restore amity upon principles
Which may be mutual and consistent with
the established maNims Of public law, the
Impending conferences will very probably
eventuate propitiouslY. But we OUGHT not
to permit the hope Of that result to IuIl ms
into fatal security for it may be that we
must ultimately depend upon an unanimous.
vigorous and successful prosecution of the
unavoidable contest, in which we are invoiv-
ed, for the es blishment and security of
our just rights.
IT was not to be expected after so long q
period of peace, that upon the FIRST declara
ton of war By the United States. well
organized and efficient army could irnmedI.
ateiy be brought into the field. There was
! little OF the experience of the revolution re
NAMING IN the country, and to develope mi D..
| itarY talents and national resources and IN
give them the most wise and beneficial di
| rection is the work of time. In tracing the
progress OF onr arms in the late carnpaign,
| however, there Is as much cause Of pride
| and congratulation :" it was reasonable to
hope fo7.
The navy las maintained, is not briph
| tened, the lustre Of its antecedent charac-
ieT. Arduous battles and brilliant victories
surpassed by none recorded in the annals
OF history, and which have given splendor Ia
the American name, have been fought and
won BY it.
! The capturs Of York, the taking of For,
! George, the conquest of Proctor's army, he
subjugation of the Yves rn Indians. the sue.
cessive victories over the Greeks, the de
fence OF oandnsky, Of Sscket's Harbor, and
OF other places, are honorable to our arms
and have exhibited traits Of conduct 2 d in.
| trepidty ~ the army that justify high ex
pectstions. These gratifying events, it is
rue, have been followed by some disap-
Jairtmeuts and disasters.
| Public expectation was highly excited bv
he last movement of The main army. and
vas greatly disappointed at the failure Of
| The supposed object ofthst movement.
he recent invasion by the enemy Of the
western frontier Of this state. and the extra
! ordinary surrender TO him Of the garrison 9,
TO- Of Niagara, the burning Of hoori.hinp
villages and scttlements--jhe pillage Of mi.
1 Yate property, and the massacre u peaeea.
bic inhabitants Of that frontier bv a savage
| Toe, ave melancholy occurrences calculated
0 excite the liveliest sympathy for the suf
'eregs, and u rocse tie Indignation Of every