Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-12-04
MESSAGE.
Fsito,c Citizens Of the !Senates
and House of ReyDesenfrfires.


Many important subjects will claim your
attention during the present session, of which
l shall endeavour to give, in aid of your deli.
beraiions,a just idea in this communication.
undertake this duty with diffidencs, from the
| vast extent Of the interests on which I have
tn treat, and of their great Importance to eve
ry portion of our Union. I enter on it with
zeal, from thorough conviction that Their,
never was period, since the establishment o
our revolution, when, regarding the condition
of TIM civilized world, and lis bearing on us
there was greater necessity fordevotion 10 til.
public servants 10 their respective duties, oI
| for virtue, patriotism, and union, in our con
stituents.
Meeting IN you new Congress, | deem il
proper To present this view of public affairs
| IN greater detail than might otherwise be ne
cessafy. do 1t, bowever, with a peculiar s:i-
tisIactIon, from knowledge that, in this res
Prct, shall comply more fully with the sound
principles of our government. The people
beng With us exclusively the sovereign, il is
! indispensable that full information be laid be-
fore them on all important subirct1, To ena-
Die them to exercise that high power with
complete effect. If kept in the dark, they
must be Incompetent TO it. We are all liable
TO error, al6 those, who are engaged in the
management Of public affairs, are more sub
Ject ~ excitement, ADD to be led astray b.,
their particular interests and passions than
the great body OF our constituents, who being
at home, IN the pursuit OF their ordinary ave-
cations, are calm but deeply interested spec
'ators of events, and Of the conduct of those
who are parties TO them. To the people, eve
ry department of the governments and every
lDdi' idua in each, are resp0nsib!e: and the
more lulI their information, the better they
Gan Judge u The wisdom of the policy pur-
sued and Of the conduct Of each in regard TO
ii. From their dspassionaip Judgment much
ara may always be obtained, while their ap-
probation Will form the greatest incentive, and
mos; gratifying reward, for yiruous actions.
and thr dread of their censnre the best sncu-
rliy against The abuse of their confidence
their Interests, IN all vital questions, are TIE
sane; aud the bond by sentiment, as well as
5y interest, Will be prnpOrtonsbly strengthen
ed as they are better informed az the real
state of public aiTirs. pspeciAIIy in d,fEcnlt
conjunctures. IL is by such knowledge thst
local Prejudces and iealousi+s are suri1aunt
I'd, and That national policy, extending is
fostering care ard protection TO all the great
interests Of our union, II formed and steadil,
adhered tn.
A precise Knowledge of odr relations with
iJrtign powers, as respects Our negotiations
and transactions with each, is ihought IN ms
I''' many HtttSNd'l' gSIldliy necessary ~
II, that we should form Just estimate Of our
resources, revenue, and progress in every
KIND VI Improvement connected with the ma
ilonfl prosperity and public defence II is b,
rendering justice to- other nations, that we
may expect II from them. Il by our ability
10 resent injuries, and redress wrongs, that we
may avoid them.
Tie Commissioners under the 5fh article
Of III" treaty OF Client, having disagreed in
their opinions respecting That portion Of tho
boundary between The territories of the Uni
ted States and OF Great Britain, the establish
neni OF which had been submitted In them.
have mlde their respective reporis, in COM
pliance Win that article. that the same might
be referred 10 the decision VI friendly pow
er. II bplng manifest, however. that il would
bf difficult, e not impossible, fnr any power
30 perform Hat Office, without great delay and
much Inconvenience to itself prnpu-aI hss
bern made by this g0vcrrnrDt, and accorded
20 hy 'lai Of Great Britain, Ia endeavonr To
establish that boundary by amicable negoiia-
ton II Appealing, from lDng experience, that
no sslisfaciory arrangement could be- formed
ol ih, commercial intercourse hr3wecn the
UnIicd States and the British colonies in fhis |
hemisphere, by legislative acts. while each |