Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-02-04
HARrvoRn. January o.


this State commenced their extra session in
this city. The session was opened in the
sual form, when his Excel eney Governor
Smith delivered the following
SPEECH.
Gen-iemen IF the Cornell. mr.. .Sa.ol.r. and
'e"'.emen Of the House of Re1reseniGtives
lhe Convention of Delegates, from this md
sone VI our SISTER s ties, having fulfilled thu
objects of their appoin' ment. have considered
u my duty to Afford voa an early opportunity
OF acting on their Report.
." laying these Important proceedings be fore
you' feel assured you will give them that
consideration which is dn, to the oDini~ns Of
re'ered Patriots formed from deliberate SUR
vey of the n'tional atfsirs, and dictated by
jealous regard to tie interests Of individual
states, and The lasting w-lGars OF our country
shall not detain you, Gentle men, by mi
mute reference to he various subjects compris
ed IN TIE Report Your attention will undoub,-
ed'y be first directed to- thos- measures which
are recommended as necessary for our defence
against the common enemy. S'oud the war
coht'nus, we have as yet no ASSURANCE, either
that the mode Of con 'uctlng it is 20 he essen
Tally changed, or that Any part sf the heavy
contributions levied upon our citizens will be
apple" Ia their protection. Hence, unless sea-
sonable precautions are taken, we are to expect
| repetition of that annoyance by the enemy,
and ofthose eui6arrassments from our own gov
eminent which were SO largely experienced
during the last campaign. The painest prin
ciples of Justice and of self preservation der
mand, thai whilst the burden OF defence is laid
upon the state, so much of its resources as
may he adequate to that end should in any
event be retained. II is desirable that on this
| subject explicit arrangement should be
made with the General Government, nor ought
we to doubt that an mmediste application for
that purpose would be successful l1u will
consider how far the reasonable overtures sug-
gested by the Convention are calculated to meet
this object.
But in the midst Of our efforts to resist hos.
tile attempts from abroad, let us beware of Cd
preston at home. 1t was not the least of the
evils which we're unprecedented from an off II.
sve war, that both the temptation and the
means would thereby be afforded, to invade the
sovereignty ot the Irrespective States, and to
break down those barriers between the nation.
AZ ana state governments which were wisely in
tended as the most efIectuai safeguard of tn.
rights OF the People. 1t is painful to observe
to what an extent these fears are already resli.
I'd. We shall fail in our duty; Gentlemen. if
we neglect to guard with equal vigilance AZ
gainst foreign dominion and domestic usurpa.
ton: With evident propricty, therefore, your
particuS: attention is inv;ted, in the report 10
such acts Of the general government in thr pro.
s'cution OF the war, as are unsupported by the
principles OF the Constitution.
This Assembly have expressed their opinion
on The attempts to subject the militia or other
citizens to tOrcible drafts and impressments
for the purpose of filling the ranks efthe rei.u.
lar army. We have the satisfaction 10 perceive
that he &c bold attacks upon the liberties of "A
free people hSve hitherto failed OF success
Schemes, nevertheless, form d with such deli
beFa ion, and urged with such zeal ar nroha.
bly, no. abandoned It is consequently proper
to enquire by what Legislative provis on, our
fellow citzetis can he eftectually secured agsus,
heir operation
The Convention have not limited their views
to the pr sent distress OF the country They
propose to lay foundation for the permanent
traaqulllity o. these States by several import.
at amendments OF the national Constitution
The Legislature OF Connecticut have rarely
manifested a disposition to afact even the
siightea alteration in that instrument Whilst
faithfully performing the duties enioined unon
them by the federal compact they have viewed
with nearly equal concern the repeated and
successful attempts o. others to modi,y and IN
violate it, But without reciting the causes
which have reduced our once prosperous M
ion IN its present condition, the question NAV
he confidently asked, whether the time has not
arrived in which radical reforms are indisDen.
,ihle
W On OllcT parts OF this
Interesting report. We arc 10 presume. that a
sense Of justice will induce the administration
to assent to the proposed arrangement, and ibat
the Interior resort recommended by the Con
vertion will b. therefore unnecessary. Slouid
different sentiments unfortunately prevail, the
General s n7ly win hold its usual session in
time to provide for such state of things as
would then exist.
Those who have believed that our suffcrines
called Tor more prompt and efficient modes OF
redr' IS will be satisfied that moderation no
less than iirmness is the dictate Of AN enlight-
ened and just policy, and that it would i'll be-
come the uniform friends of liberty and order
to dishonor their principles by rash councils or
precpita'e measures. The temperate and mag
unanimous course proposed for our adoption can
not fail to ai'ay the apprehensions which many
have protested to entertain, and to enliven the
hopes Of all who cherish our national union.
and are disposed 10 place it on solid and du
rable basis
Gentlemen,
II is not expected that the ordinary bust.
ness OF the Legislature viii occupy mncb Of
your time at the Pre- sent session You wi.l Zee
the Importance, however, of paying part leu.
lar regard TO our financial concerns To nder
the operations Of the treasur, succe. sfui, and
Ivy means the least Furthermore TO our cnnsti-
tuents, is a subject which claims, and doub,
not viii receive, your earnest and faithful at.
tentiCn.
o the proceedings Of the Executive under
N4r f0NFe - re.I. ..I..Is r A.. l..