Wilmington expositor. (Wilmington, Del.) 1831-18??, 1831-12-16
.felarp citizens af the Ssnaie
and House of Representatives.:

r.rsysd for tbesfwenty second time since the
Constitution they formed has been IN FORCE z
For near half a century, the Chief Magistrates. I
who have been SUCCESSFULLY chosen. have made !
tbe;r annual communication of the state OF thel
nation TO its Representatives Generally, tnese
communications have been of the most gratify-I
lug nature. testifying an advance IN all the I'M
movements Of social, and all the securities OF
politicaIlife But frequently, and justly, as YOU
have been called on to be grateful for the boun'
ties of Providence, at few periods have theyl
been more abundantly or extensively bestowedt
than at the present: rarely, if ever, have wei
had greater reason to congratulate each otherl
on the continued and increasing prosperity of
our beloved country.
Agriculture, the FIRST and most important oc-
cupation of man, has compensated the laborsl
of the husbandman with plentiful crops of all
the varied products of our extensive country
Manufactures have been established, in which
the funds of the capitalist find profitable in
ycstment, and which give employment and sub
sistence to numerous and increasing body OF
industrious and dextrous mechanics. The la
borer is rewarded by high wages, i'll the con-
struction Of works of internal Improvement.
which are extending with unprecedented rapid
ity. Science is steadily penetrating the recess
of nature, and disclosing her secrets, while the
ingenuity of free minds is subjecting the ele-
ments to the power of man. and making each
new conquest auxiliary to his comfort. by ouI
mail whose speed is regularly increased, ant
whose routes are every year extended, the com
munication Of public intelligence and private
business is rendered frequent and safe---the in
rercourse between distant cities, which It for
nerly required weeks TO accomplish. is nov ct
fected in few days; and in the construction o
rail roads, and the application of steam power
we have reasonable prospect that the extrem
parts of our country will be SO much approx
mated, and those most isolated by the obsts
Giles of nature. rendered SO accessible as to re
move an apprehension sometimes entertained
that the great extent of the Union would er
danger its permanent existence.
If, from the satisfactory view of our agr
culture, manufactures, and internal improv
1nents, we turn to the state of our navigate
and trade with foreign Nations, and betwet
the States, we shall scarcely find less cause +
graduation, A benehcent Providence has pr
violence has provided. for their exercise at
encouragement, an extensive coast, indente
by capaclous bays, noble rivers, inland sea
with country productive OF every material f
ship.building, and every commodity for gal
full commerce, and filled with a population a
tive, intelligent, well informed, and fearless
danger. These advantages are not neglecte
and an impulse has lately been given to cor
with new constructions. encourages all the an
and branches of industry connected with thel
crowds the wharves of our cities with vessel
and covers the most distant seas with our ca
Yass
Let us be grateful for these blessings to I
bene6ceut Being who has conferred them. al
who suffers us to indulge reasonable hope
their continuance and extension, while we i
glect not the means by which they may be pr
served If we may dare to judge of His
ture designs by the manner in which his p;
favors have been bestowed. he has made Q
national prosperity to depend on the PR ser,
ton of our libertes--our national force on c
federal union--and our individual happint
on the maintenance of our State rights a
wise institutions. IF we are prospeIou
home, and respected abroad, it is because
are free, united. industrious, and obedieut
the laws. While we continue SO, we shall
the blessings of Heaven, go in the haT
career we have begun, and which has brou,
us, in the short period of our political existen
from population of three to thirty million.
from thirteen separate colonies to twenty-f
United States--from weakness to strength
from rank scarcely marked in the scale
Nations to high place in their respect.
This last advantage is one that has result
in great degree, from the principles VIII
have guided our intercourse with foreign Pc
ers. since we have assumed an equal station
mong them: and hence, the annual accou
which the Executive renders to the country
the manner in which that branch of his du
has been fulfilled, proves instructive and So
fary.
The pacific and wise policy of our COVE
rnent kept us in state Of neutrality during
wars that have at different periods since
, political existence, been carried on by OF
Powers; but this policy, while it gave acti,
and extent to our cosaineree, exposed it in
came proportion to injuries from the beliger
nations. Hence have arisen claims of indie