Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-03-05

dress was delivered in the Hall of the House
of Representatives, by JOHN QUINCY A
DAMS, on his taking the oath as President OF
| the United States of America
In compliance with an usage, coevai
with the existence of our Federal con-
stitution, and sanctioned by the exam
pie of my predecessors in the career
upon which l am about to enter, APP
pear, my fellow-citizens, in your pre-
sence, and in that of Heaven, to bind
myself by the solemnities Of religious
obligation, to the faithful performance
of the duties allotted to me, in the sta
ton to which have been called. F,
In unfolding to my countrymen the
principles by which l shall be govern
ed. in the fulfllment Of those duties, my
first resort will be to that constitution,
which / shall swear, to the best OF my
ability, to preserve, protect and defend
That reyered instrument enumerates
the powers, and prescribes the duties,
Of the Executive Magistrate; and, IN
its first words, declares the purposes
to which these, and the whole action OF
the Government, instituted by it, should
be invariably and sacredly devoted
to form more perfect union, establish
Justice, ensure domestic tranquility,
nrovide for the common defence, pro-
mote the general welfare, and secure
the blessings of liberty to the people oil
this Union, in their successive gene
rations. Since the adoption Of this So
cial compact, one of these generations
has passed away. 1t is the work OF
our forefathers. Administered by
some of the most eminent men, who
contributed to its formation, through a
most eventful period in the annals OF
the world, and through all the vicissl-
tudes of peace and war, incidental to
the condition of associated man, it has
not disappointed the hopes and asplra-
tons of those illustrious benefactors OF
their age and nation. 1t has promoted
the lasting welfare of that country, SO
dear to us all: it has, to an extent, far
beyond the ordinary lot of humanity,
secured the freedom and happiness OF
this People. We now receive 1t as
precious inheritance from those to
whom we are indebted for its estab-
lishment, doubly bound by the exam
Piles which they have left US, and by
the blessings which we have enjoyed,
| as the fruits Of their labours, to trans
nit the same, unimpaired, to the sue
| ceeding generation.
In the compass Of thiity-six years,
since this great national covenant was
instituted, body of laws enacted un-
der its authority, and in conformity
with its provisions, has unfolded its
powers, and carried into practical ope-
ration its effective energies. Subordi-
nate departments have distributed the
Executive functions in their various
relations, to Foreign Affairs, to the Re-
| venue and Expenditures, and to the mi
litary force of the Union, by land and
sea. A coordinate department OF the
Judiciary has expounded the Constitu-
ton and the Laws; settling, in harmo-
| NOUS coincidence with the Legislative
will, numerous weighty questions CT
construction, which the imperfection
of human language had rendered una
| voidable. The year Of Jubilee since
the first formation of our Union has
Just elapsed that of the Declaration of
our independence is at hand. The
| consummation of both was effected by
this Constitution. Since that period,
a population of four millions has null
tiplied to twelve. A territory bounded
by the Mississippi, has been extended
from sea to sea. New states have been
admitted to the Union, in numbers
nearly equal to those of the first con-
federation. Treaties Of Peace, Amity
and Commerce, have been concluded
with the principal dominions Of the
earth. The people OF other nations,
inhabitants of regions acquired, not by
conquest, but by compact, have been
united with us in the participation of
our rights and duties, of our burdens
and blessings. The forest has fallen by