Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-11-20
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

sion OF entangling ourselves in either, or
exciting disapprobation or controversy, by
saying few words on the subject OF the
presidents message: nor have we the least
hesitation in saying that we think It state
paper such as it web becomes wise, vir-
tuous, aud transformations chief magistrate
to address to The peoples of a great and en-
!ightened republic. II is striking'y disiin-
guished by The solidity and Importance OF
lis matter, and the total absence OF that "trip
perry and affectation of fine writing, which
has heretofore too often disguised our state
papers, and impaired to them the air rather.
of prize pieces in an academy than the
grave productions of plain and profound
couusellors OF state-So much important
matter of fact, vigorous argument, and ir-
resistible inference, has seldom gone a.
broad with so little ornament 1t is indeed
a plain tale, which, by the internal evil
dence of its truth, mus. put down all ani-
madyersion. The proceedings in Florida
are calculated in the most satisfactory man
ner, and the conduct OF our government to
Spain is exhibited in view which must
call for the appreciation OF every citizen
who regards tine true glory of this country,
as il cannot fail to excite the admiration OF
all foreign powers, by its dignitied temper,
and at the same time its resofute assertion
of the rights and power Of the U. States,
should future circumstances demand an ex
crtion OF them. Nor will the praise due it
appear the less, when il is considered how
difficult and delicate the course must have
been, between the maintenance of our own
rights and national standing, and the for
bearance which magnanimity and conscious
superiority must dictate as due to the fee
bic, the embarrassed, and the deplorable
condition of that unfortunate, superannuat
ted country.
This is our candid opinion Of the mes
sage and we have the stronger hope that
Il is one in which the nation generally will
be found 10 concur with US, because it con-
tains no one topic that has tendency TO
kindle controversy, 10 excite the opposition
of any man, or TO give offence to any party.
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT AT WASHING
TON.
Thursday, .Nov. 10.
The proceedings in he house Of repre-
sentatives yesterday were, like those OF the
day before, almost all the customary bust
ness Of referring Tin committee of the
whole on the state Of the nation) to their
respective proper committees the several
distinct proportions contained in the pre-
sident's message, and appointing the stand
ing committees. In addition TO the sub.
jects selected for reference from the presi-
dents suggestions, Mr.. Taylor proposed
the reference TO separate committees OF The
following:
LIST. OF foreign affairs and the indepen-
dence of South America, to select COM
mittee.
ed. OF military affairs, the proceedings
OF the court martial on the trial of Arbuth-
not and Ambristie, and the conduct of the
war against the Seminole Indians.
Sd. OF the subject of public buildings
and
4th. Ofthe question whether any amend
ments are necessary 10 the act Of last ses-
sion granting pensions to the surviving Off
GERS and soldiers of the revolution.
In the committee of the whole, Mr.. Pit
kin dislked the adoption Of those referen-
ces, as il had always been customary for
the house, in committee Of the whole on
the state Of the nation, TO conine them
selves TO the presidents message; ard Mr..
Taylor forbearing to urge them, they were
laid upon the table till the speaker took the
chair, and then adopted.
The Rev. Burgess Allison was re-elect-
ed chaplain of the house.
The standing committees appointed by
the house consist of the following members.
OF Ways and Msans.4-Messrs. Smith of
Md. BurweI, Pitkin, Sergeant, Trimble,
Crawford and Tallmadge.
Of Elections.-Messrs. Taylor Of New
York. Alex. Snyth, Merrill, Shaw, Boss,
Whitman and Tarr.
OfCommsrce and Observation-Disclosures
Newton, Seybert. M'Lane of Del. Mason
of Mass. Irving, Baldwin and Kinsey.
Of Ciaims.-Messrs. Williams Of n. c.
Rich, M'Coy, S. Moore, Walker Of Ky.
Culhreth and Gilbert.