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March 1. I*ll.
O/l entrrin% ups* th< < l >tm of the ojbrc of Fre+irfit J
tk* United Sidtr -
Called from a retin;ine.it w.iidi 1 ha l
r iritinuc far the rcsidu*? of my life. to till the Ulnet Execu
tive olfice ot this great nti-i I * nation, ! appear before yon,
fellow citizens, to take the ouhs which the constitution pre
* ribes as a ne* ♦ ??ary qualification for the perfornran rof
its duties. Anl in obedience to a custom coevii w ith our
Government, and vvhnt I believe t< be \>ur expectations, l
proceed to present to you a summar y of the prirv'iples which
will govern me in tin* discharge at :.ic duties which 1 shall
be called upon to perform.
It was the remark of a Hotimii Uonsul, in an early pe
*’wt or i\.r,% ••l<*Wnre 1 Republic. that a most striking con
trast was observable in the conduct of candidates for oifices
of power and trust, before and alter obtaining them—they
seldom carrying out in the latter case the pledges nu<i prom
ises made in the former. However much the world may
have improved, in many rc.spci ts, in- the lapse of upward*
of two thousand years since the remark was made by the
virtuous and indignant Homan, l {’nr that a strict examina
tion of the annals of some of the modern cl-ctive Govern
ments, would develope similar instances of violated cotdi
dence.
Although the fiat of ihc people has gone forth, proclaim
in/me the (’hief Magistrate of this glorious ( uion, nothing
upon their pari remaining to be done, it may be thought that
a motive may exist to keep up the delusion under which
they may be .supposed to have acted in relation to my prir.
ciples and opinions; ami perh ip tbe r e may be some in this
assernbly who have come here either prepared t condemn
those I shall now deliver, or approving them, to doubt the
sincerity with which they are uttered. Hut il;e lap?** of a
few months, will confirm ordispel their fears. The outline
of principles to govern and measures to be adopted, by an
Administration not yet begun, will soon be uxchauge lfor im
mutable history; amt T shall stand, either exonerated by my
countrymeu. orclasse l wi.li the rn.-c*? <i ihost* who promise 1
that they might deceive, and flattered with the intention t
betray.
However strong rmy be rny present purpose to realize th*-*
expectations of q and iu . .ruinous und confiding i’t-ople, 1 too !
well understand the infirm sos human nature, arid the
‘dangerous temptation-to which I shall be exposed from the I
magnitude of the power which it Im* been the pleasure of j
the People to commit ? • my bands, not to place my chief con j
fidence upon the aid of that Almighty power which has ‘
hitherto protected rue, and enabled me to bring to f<m>ra j
ble issues other imporr-.it. but etill greatly inferior trusts, ,
here:afore r mfide tome bv u v country. j
The broad foundation np m which our Constitution rast*, ’
being the People—a her.ith of the in* having made, as a !
breath can unmake, change or modify it- -ilean be assigned j
to n<ne of the r r <* it division of G eminent but to that of (
I)er: icrncv. It’s ; li i : ts I'm ry. those who ::rr called upon I
to admini.-ter it in -t r. *-. ui-e, as its leading principle, the •
duty of(li • r in* i . e r g.i .s to produce the greate-e 1
foid to the gre J*- ■:i n• a Jt. with Uu-e broad a hnis j
• tom, if we would e np-tre tie* overe.gnv ..•■knowledge*! I
t'exist in the mas.* ofo-ir IVople with the powrr claimed j
by other sovereignties, rvcu by tie wi h have been con-
•ide. c 1 mast purely and a < rr/ c. * •• -hall find a rrerst es-eri
ttal difference. At! mi--rs lay chum to power limited oulv
by the.r own will. To* nieji .*y o*’ >ar citl/e s, en the con
trary, pos*e-i* a sovereignty with an amount of puss pre
cisely equal to that wh-eh has been gnmed t > them by the
parties to the nnfionul compact, and nothing beyond. We
admit of no Government by JV.vine light—believing that,
tar as power iaconrerned, th-* berm‘i eat ('restor has *i ade
n:j distinction amou-st men. tint all are upon an equality,
and that the only lesptimste right to govern !s an express!
grant of p iwer tVo.n the governed. The (hmstitution
of the United States is tha in.-trumeut coni lining this grant *
ol power to the several departments composing the Govern- I
in**.it. <):i an exumin ition of that instrument, it will be i
found to contain declaration of power granted, ami of power ■
withheld. The latter is also si;o'y.tibl* of diviain, into)
power which the majority had the ri *ht to rrent, but which I
they did not think proper to entrust to ih- ir agent?, and that j
which they could not have granted. n t being possessed by ;
themselves. In oiier word*, there are certain rights pos-|
as-ed by each imlividu and America .**-?%, v*Wv-h. in hit [
compact with the others, he has n *’*er surrendered. Smoe |
ofthiun, indeed, he i? unable to surrender, being, in the lan- !
g.uage of our avsteni. unalic ‘.ab’e.
The boast*-A privilege of n llornnn cibren wo to him a *
shield only n/niret a pet?\ provincial ruVr. whilst the proud j
democrat of Athens could console himself under n sentence !
of death, f**r u supposed violuticn ofthe national faith, which j
no one understood, and which at times was the object of the i
mockery of all, or of bunihliuicnt from his home, his family, i
inti Ida country, with or without an aHcdced enuae: that it
was the act. not of a single t>ru:it. <r hated aristocracy, but j
ctfhia assembled countrymen. Kar dilVerent is the power |
r>f our sovereignty. It can interfere ith no one’? fai?h, p?e- |
ecribe form* of >v,,r?ip for no one’s observance, inflict no |
punishment Imt ai’ier w*ll ascertained guilt, the result of in*
ve.stigation under firm? prescribed b> the Constitutiou itself,
‘i’hcse precious privilegos, and tlcse eoarcely less important.
f giving expression t<> bis thoughts and opinion?, cither b)
writing or speaking, unro-tealred but ! y the liability for in
jury toothers, an 1 tha of a full participation in n>l the sd- |
vantages which flow from the Government, the scknowled 1
ged propelty of all. the American citizen derives from no J
ehartergrante-i by hi-fellow men. He claims them because ;
be is himself a i an, fashioned by the same Almighty hand j
PS the rest of hi? specie-*, and entitled to a. .ill ahare of the
blessings u ith which h* In? endowc 1 them.
Nutwith.-tanding tin* iimited *•*.• eigntv possessed by the
People ofthe Unite 1 States, md the restricted grant of pow- j
er to the l iovcrnincnt which they have adopted, enonjjh has ,
been given to accomplish nil the objects tor which it tvs* J
created. It ha* been fimnd powerful n wnr. and hitherto,
justice has adminirtere i. hu imi.im e union cHected. dome?
ti.* tranrjuiiity preserved, and per-onsl liberty secured to
the citizen. As *.v :o !*♦ .*..• ‘.hove er. from the de i
feet of ianyua j“, and the i:o'*r>s:iri!\ **• isrnat.nerin
which the Constitution .* \vritta*i, di jutc? have arisen as to
the amount of jwiwer w ach it h~? actually gr.mt**d, or was
intended to giant. This ism re particulurly tl.e esse in rc !
lation to trial pari of ihc insti umeut v‘h. ii treats f the J.r f
liijstive brant h. An iic* *:iiy *.? i c : *nrd? t'.t * rercise of .
jKiwers claimed under a g*-.ir*nl ■•’i.nsc gi\ir.g thatbo iy I
the authority to pas* ail law? nc * *arv to carry ir.to cllect
the specified po - er?, In! :r- aii .u ♦ • e 1 tie r also. Ii i*.
however, cons.-dntory t relh*. t. that ru*rf of the instance? <f 1
allaged departure <>•••• ••/* :#-ter r • ylc.t • f the Uanmi<
ion, have ultimate!;* re'clvcd the .**.an<*!:on .*f n meioritv ? f
the prop!**. And the fan, flit! m’.a; of onr tatrsmen. most ‘
distinguished f *. tab-nt and patriotism, i’.n'-e b**en, tit on !
time or cither of their p.fiib ,il cr.i -rr.on hc,tu side.* of each
ofthe m s: warmly d'r.puic.! q*,* -ti‘ i . force* upon us the
•nference that tr.* error-*, if errers they were, arc attributa
ble to t)ie iut’ in ic diffieult.. i.i many Gist: uce .of ascertain }
tug the intentions of the frmnt rs ofthe (’ nstitution. rather
thin the influence of any sinister or unpatriotic motive.
Hut the gre.it danger to o-.r institution* d.o?* not “ppea**
to me to be in a lourprithm, bv the Govcrnt.-ietit. of power ,
not granted by the IYopie. but bv the ur* uumiati*>n m one
ot the Department*, ol that wh” li was a?‘ignel to others. •
Limited as are the powers which have been granted, still ‘
enough have !>eeu graut’ dto consbiuit i <ip a if con
centratcd in one of tU* departtnct.t *. This danger i* great
ly heighten? i. a* it has been ntwa;. t uh?ervble thaL men
are less jealous *f encroar!m.e at? t * cisio department upon
another, tlutti upon the.r own ren-ived rights.
When the C.'on* titution of ths* United State first cut re
from the lurid* of the Knnventioti which fir me 1 it, tnany ot
the sternest republican* of the day were alarm© i m the ex
tent of the pn©.©r which hiw!l*f**n granted to the KedernlU)-
rnnme.r, and in r* particularly of that portion which had
hero assigned to the Exccuti'c brntx-h. There wore in it
feitnre* wr.irh ap;*&rod no? to hr n harm-mv wkb their idea* .
oi a j.mpl© representative Demo’tm '_v. or Hcpulmc. And
knowing the tendency ofp-v.er to *nrase itself. particular- ,
ly w hen ©*rented by a single individual. pr©dirti<ns were
mi lr th i\ at no very re.no?© perio 1. the (*ov©rnin#nt would
tennitia'e in virtual monarchy. I* would n*t become in to
•ay that th© feir- of i:e,r pgrim- hare been already rrv
li/ed. j) it h■* I iu *T# ly Ivle- r that the tendency ofmev
s ire. ari l o(in©V# opinions, for *©m yrf* pnat, haa been
in that direction. i; s, 1 ro .< xv . strictly proper that should
take this oc r.ninn to recent t •• jxM;rou- ea I nave heretofore
pivenof iov detrriiiinitionto i'.'**f* t © progress of thstici.
d©'ic v, il it really ©>i * , at-d r* f ‘ the Government to it
pristine health ait \\ • um m h‘* can be effected by
anv le • ti.riate r \erri e of t**e power pie re I iu riv hand/*.
‘i prou ©d to state, in *i* • jin’ la.ry n manna .• ns 1 rail, my
©pinion of the source *• rs the r 1* which have been so ex
tenaively complained of, and the <,. < :De which may be
applied. borne of th© for ut r*”- uaqi.ratiomibly u*l© found
in the defects of the On t fri’ n; ♦ toers. to ny judgement,
are attributable tot in l -can*’ > j-On of aimc of l M provision*,
f>f the former is t\c e!*;dbidty of th© “nmr individual to s
cotid form ol tnc l*rc>i.|*. T i© •s/a ‘i “* in.nd cf Mr.
Jefereon early saw nnd lu> © 1 this error, and attempt*
have been mid©, h’eSr-t.. uld it suc-eaa. t', apply the n
mendatorv power nt the Sn ©* to its ©-erection.
A*. hrwever, 1 * n > !<• nf o,*rs-ii in i*. in th© never of
© tt ry Presidei*'• • ©utly itmi m* iv wnuld be use
less, nnd perhaps in-. ! •., to l'lvutc the evils of which, j
in tbr opinion of me \ of • ir f! - * ri*i ’©ns, this error cf the
sngr*-. who fcniurd m*- t’ i-• * i <•*? may been th© „• urce, ‘
an I the biuer fruits which w . i e • dl ♦. gtHe© from it, it it
continues t> disfleiK'* ■ v e *i. ft imv h© observed, j
however.na a ‘Sn#r ;! r ’ d,ty -t ’l© -an commit ‘
mg eater crrr i* u; rvi >p f r rentin'/© any lesturn ir l
then ayrtt-m* 4 of r • revp'” * . art) b. en’-rulnted to i
ere it© * r irw re ve d.© t>*> f *f i in s of tV>ef ‘
f .ty© 1 ’ /©s t *r t commit the ri'iaac’©tt*©nt ’
a#*thrir adVra.
tlhc© suet* a *tu’ r\ Vis he
•fflr* of hi?h tru^ # . Nwh nr ha more eorruptinxr, noth
ing trv*r© rkstrurtirc of ad th.s# nob’.© tvlings which nelong
I' l th© character of n .b’ *ed r*>| ub lean patriot. When
th’a cnrrup*ln<? pue-i 1 rt on'© f k© [Osu.r-.cti of the h*imsr
mind, like ike hove of -dd. it JUSHtinblt, ft !R the
never-dyitu? worm in h..* bovun. frows w:rb h s growth, and
•tren/thtuis with the doedinin;: \ ©are of iv vie rim. Tft v, a ia
true, it i-tli© part of wif dor; r a republic to limuthcacr
vice of that officer, at 1* i* ‘, to ud.o*n fb hes intrusted the
vtmnaye ruit of her r*!afi'>ns, the execution of her
law*, an-! th© comr.no lof hvr anno - -i ns vie-, to a p©rir*J
*o ahurt as to previvy ha fi*rv©;d.:<; tliath'i is the* ceunta
, ble •. “nit. tnt the principal—~ih? cervant. r. .t the m: srer
f h atil an amendment of the Constitution can bo effected, pub
111’- opinion may ••cure the desired object, i my *.d to
ir. by renewing the pledge heretofore given, that under no
circumstances, will 1 consent to -erve a re md term.
I Hut If there i and *nv**r to public liberty from the a* knov.’l
odgod deiects of the Conatiiution, in ti*c want >t lim t to the
ctMitinuance *>f the Executive p*awer in the tame hands, there
is, I apprehend, not much lest from a misconstruction of that
instruiuent, as i: i *?*{ardj rue power* actually given. I can
ioionceive that, by a fair const-uction, any or either of it a
provisions would be found to constitute the President s part
ofthe legislative power. It cannot be claimed from the pow
rr to recommend, sine**, nlthemgh cjoi- e I a luiy upon
him, it is a privilege which lie holds in common with every j
oilier cititen. And although there muy be something more ;
of confidence in the propriety ofthe measure? recommended
n toe one ra-ie than in the other, iu the obligation*of ult ■
mats deci*i'*a tbere can be no difference. In the language
ol the Constitution, ‘ all the legislative powers’* winch it
trants * sre vested in the CVm/ress ofthe Lniied rftates. ‘ It 1
would he a solecism in language to aay that any portion of
tnc-e ’ not included in the whole.
, l raav be st.d. ituleed, that the Conttitution has given to
the kixecutive the flower to annul the sets of the Legislative
f body oy refusing to them Ins assent. a similar power has
r necessarily resulted from that instrument to the Judiciary ;
[ ! and ye; the Ju-iioijrv forms no part of the Legislature.—
i ; There is, it N true, tins difference between these grants of
1 ‘ power :hc Executive c.m put his negative upon die acts of j
tin Lcc.iditure f>r other cause than that of want ofconfor- |
niitv to tae Comtitution. whilst the Judiciary can only declare |
voiu those which violate the instrument, the decision
• of the Judicialy is final in such a cns \ whereai.in every
instance where the veto ofthe Executive is applied, it may
be overcome by n vote of two-thirds of both Houses of Con
grt**s. The negative upon the acts of the Legislature by
die Executive authority, and that in the hands ofone in li- ;
vidu.il, would serif, to be an incongruity in our system. —
Like me other? of \ similar character, however, it appears
to be highly r\pe lienl; and if used only with the forbear
ance. ami in the spirit which wus intended by its authors, it
may be productive of great good, and be found one ofthe
best safe guard? to the Union. At the period of the forma
tion of the C.institution, the principle does not appear to
h ive enjoyed much favor in the State Governments,
j It exist#*,i but in two, and in one of these there was a plural
Executive, if wc would search lor the motives which op
era ted upon tlur purely patriotic and enlightened assembly
which fumed the Constitution, for the adoption of n provin
nui so apparently repugnant to the leading democratic
punciple. that the majority should govern, w e must reject the
uioa that they anticipated from it any benefit to the ordinary
course of legislation. They know too well the high degree
of intelligence which existed among the People, and the en
Lightened characterof the Suite Legislatures, not to have the
fullest confidence that the two b'-niies elected by them would
be wothy rejiresentative* ,fl’ such constiti>ent*, and, ol
course, that tney would require no aid in conceiving and
maturing the measures which the circumstances ofthe coun
■ M m.ght require. And it is pre]>usterotrs to s*ppc*e that a
thought could for a moment have been entertained, that the
I President, pla* rd at the Capital, in the centre of the country.
! could better understand the wanu at*d wishes of the people
j th n their owu immediate representatives, who spend a part
[ of every year among them, living with them, often laboring
i with them, and bound to t*iem, by the triple tie of interest,
d’U .\ a-id aflest *m. To assist or control Congress, then, in
J .ts ordinary legislation, could not, 1 conceive, have been the
j motive for conferring the veto power on the President.—
| Tnis argument acquire* additional f >r.■ from the fact of its
! r***er having been thus uz#d by the first six President?—
f pr d two of the.n were members of tke convention, ue pro
1 *-Tng over it? *ieliberation. and the other bavin? a larger
■ •*..x c in corisuKiinatiiig till* labors of that august body thfin
j any other person. Hut it bills were never returned to Con
I gress by e thcroi the Presidents above referred to, upon the
1 ‘/round t their being uiexpodient, or not as well adapted as
| they m.gbt be t-> the wants *! the people, tVi# veto w , ns ep
r ['bed upon that of wt of cenformitv to the Constitution, or
l*ccfcuse tr*,i § had bean committed a too hasty enact 1
me i:. <
‘ULcrv :* another ground for the adoption of the Veto prin
ciple, v.iiicb hud probably more iailaencein recommending
ii t • ibc convention than .my other. I refer to the security
w:, }. ii give? to uLejust nnd equitable action of the Legit*
Into re upon sll parts of the Union. It could not but have
<**• erred to tin* convention that, in a country so extensive,
en* ra**irij to great a variety of soil and climate, and, conse
queniy of products, und which from the same causes, must
I ever exhibit a great difference in the amount of the populn-
I torn of its vsr.ou* sections, calling for a greut diversity in the
; cuiployinents ofthe ]*oj.le, that the legislation of the majori- !
: ty rn.cht not a! way ■'justly regard the rights and interests of!
• the minority. And the acts of this character, might be pas-G
! **d. under a a express grant by Uie words of tlie Constiturion.
■ Jl *d. tbrvi ir, not within the conipeti-ncy <*f the jnt/icinrv in (
i declare void. That however enlightened and patriotic thev ‘
I might suppose, from past experience, the members ofCoii- |
grej? might be. and however largely partaking in the gener j
at. ol the liberal feelings of the people, it whs impossible t*>
e *1 uonstitmc 1 siioiiM not sometimes be i
I controlled bv I*> al interests and slYnmeW <**u** H , It was •
proper, therefore, to provide some umpire, from whose situ
j iiiioii ami mode of appointment more independence and free
j dom from such influences might be expected. Such a one
! wa? alforded by the Executive Department, constituted by
j th* i'onstitutioii A person elected to that high office, hav
i in/hi* comtituoiits in cv r;* section, State and sub-division
of die Union, must consider himself hound by the most .* ol
i enn sanction*, to /uard, protect ami defend the rights of nil,
\ and of cverv p**rii*m, great or small, from tlie injustice and
i oppression *t the rest. 1 consider the veto power, therefore,
! given by the Constitution to the Executive **f the U. States,
| solely a? a conservative power. To be used only, Ist, to
protect the Constitution from vioal *tion; 2ndly, the people
iron* the flee la of hasty legislation, where their will has been
probably disregarded or not well understood : and, 3dly, to
prevent the effecLs of combinations violative of the rights of
minorities. In reference to the second ol these objects, I j
’ may observe that. 1 uonnider it the right and privilege of tlie |
i people to decide *iisputed points ofthe Constitution, arising )
| from tlie general grant of pow er to Congress to carry into j
;• fleet the powers expressly given. And 1 believe, with .Mr. j
( Madison. 4, that repeated recognitions under vuried cireum !
stances, in nts of the legislative, executive and judicial j
i braTMjh'*? of the Government, accompanied bv indiwntions in
‘ modes of th<* concnrrcncc ofthe general will ofthe J
nation, as affording Do the President sufticir-nt authoiity for
i his considering sm h diepiuetl points as settled.’
j Upwards of half a century lias flap, ed since the adoption
i*f our present form ..(’government. It would be an object
more highly desirable than the gratification of the curiosity 1
of speculative :atesrneii, if its precise situation could be
; asrerimr.ed. a fair cxliibit made of the operations of each of
it* Dcpartmenf'*, of th* powers they each respectively **laim
and exercise, o: the coUi.dums whicii have occurred between
them, or between th* who!** Government and those of the
! State?, nr either of them Wc could then compare our ac
* tonl condition, after titty ‘• c ir.V trial of our system, with what
it wr..i-: the conmien.-emenf .'fit? operationa, and ascertain
’ whether the predict * of; be pntri*’ s who ojiposed its adop
tion. or tha'confi lent hope? of’ advocates, have best been
realised. The gr** it d* ♦••*d of the former soein to have been
1 that the reserved pc-weva t f the Ht res would be absorbed
to those of the Ke-i ral Gover!:meti*. and a eonsolidatetl p*"v
er established, leaving to ?• ** S dm nhs'lnw unlv ot dmt
independ.ent action for which they had so zealously conten
! ded; un*l in the prexerv*,tl :i t which they relied us the last
hope of liberty. Without denying that the result to which
’ they looked with so much npprehen lion is in thn way r.t be
; ing realized, it i? lvious tl.at tlo'y did n*>t clearly ee die
I mode of it* accoinpU-biocnt. The General Government li
prized upon none of the r*s rved rights of the State?. As
I fur as anv open wnrfnre may have eon-?, dm Stue p.uiliori
lie? have amply maintain? I their right?. To a casual obser
, ter, our *y ate in presents no appearan* c of discord between
the di (Temur members which compose it. Even the addition
of many new ones ban prodim'd no jarring. They move in
their respective orbits in perfect harmony with tnc central
heal, and with efteh tlie. . lint tiiere is vtill an under cur
r©nt nt work, bj which, if n*t seasonably checked, the worst
apprehensions of our nnti federal patriots will be realized.—
And not only will the S ate authorities b© overshadowed bv
the threat increase ot power in the Kxccutive Department of
the General Government, but the charter of that Govern
ment. if h t Its designation. } • essentially anl radically rha -
ed. This f*nte ol rlmn-s has he©n in part el!*?cted hv causes
inherent in the Constitution, and in part by the never-failing
tettdemty, of political power to i;v reu>e itself. Hv making
the P.-evident the sole diatt ibutor of all the pntroNuge of the
. Government, the framers of the Constitution do not appear
t,> have anticipated ut how short n period t would become a
, formidable instrument to control the free operation.* of the
State government*. Ot trilling importance ut first, it had,
©ui ly in Mr. Jeu’erson's administration, become so powerful
a to create grea* alarm in the mind of that patriot, from the
p -t mu intluence it might ©vert in controlling the freedom of
tii© elective-franchise, if such could tlien have been the I
• fleets of it milaenre. how much creator must he the dan
ger at tin time, ijuadrupled in amount, a* it certainly is, nnd |
more completely under the control of th© Kxccutive will, |
th in their i onstructir.il of their powers allow el. or th© for- j
bearing t'harf‘t©r* of ill the early President* permitted them |
to make. Hat it is not by th© extent of its patronage alone
that the Executive Department has become dan: ©roti.s, but i
by th© uar which it appears may be made of the appointing !
power, to bring under its control th© whole revenue* of the i
country. The Constitution hns declared it to be the duty of
the Ihea’uieut to ©c that the law* are executed, nnd it ma kes
him the Commander in Ch.ef cf the Army and Navy of the
Unite I jhatea. If the opinion of the mostt approved writer*
upon that apcc : e# of mi>:ed government, which, in modern
, Europe is termed Monarchy, in cantradi-mnetiou to desy)-
ti*m, is cori e t. ther© was wanting no other addition to the
powers of our Chief Magistrate to stamp a monarchical char
n©*©r on ©ur Government, but the control of tint public finan-
c©s. A-I to m© it appears atrange. indeed that any one
should and unlit that the entire control which the Preftidetit pos
re*<tcs oxer the o r .. era who hv e the custody of the public
m -oev. hv the power of removal with or without cause, does,
for ail ml* h©• <>'-,x p r pmrs i* lerot, virtually subject the
treasure also \< bis diapf.tal. Ti e firrt Homaii Emi © r ,, r . in
his attempt n s©i;e iie sacred treasure, ailenced the oppadi*
tmn of me to who*© char c it bed been toimnifted, by
a aijii hcv.it allusimi t-> hiaswt rd. Dy a s©lectiou of poll
tical instruments for tie care of the public uiorey, a refer
e>.-etrrf.i© reomm ; .rsions hv a President, would be quite as
© r ©rtna? an argument as that of Csaaerto the Homan Knight.
I ara not twnsihle of the ereit difUeottv tha? exist* in de
vising# proper phri frr tfc© safekeeping and di#btir#ement
of the public revenue, or.d I know the importance which has
I attached by meu of great abilities and patriotism to the
divorce, is it is called, ot the Treasury Iran the banking
. institution*. It is di tho divorce whteli is complained of,
but the mib allowed union of the Treasury wi h the Kxccu
, tivj p-o .rtment which has ere ited such exm.si* o aUnn.—
To thie •Muger to our republican institutions, and that crea
te i by 0 © induenc© given to th© Execu.ive through th© in
strumentality of the federal oflicers. I propose tc apply nil the
remedies which may hr at my command. It was <-m*inlv s
great error in the framcra of the Constitution not rn ha\ e
made ;he officer at the head of the Treasury Department
ent rely -udependent ofthe T. *o* udse. He -.1 wuld atlf*s:,
bare t>een p-movabie ouly upon the demand of the popular j
branch <A ii* L“gi?!'*iure. 1 have determined never tore
Ticive a S : retarv of the Treasury without cotmmunr&tiug
all the circumstances atien*ling Much removal to both Homes
ot Congress, The influence **f tlie Executive in controlling
the freedom of the elective franchise through the medium of
the pubhc o% er* an be •fleetuallv che*:kad by renewing
tlie pr*diib tiou [mldished by Mr. Jefferson, forbhhling their
iuterterenia* in election? further than by an assurance of
perfect immunity, in exercising this sacred privilege of free- •
men under the di'-fatcs ol* their own unbiassed judgments.
\e\c-. with my consent, shall an oif* cr of the people, c om
, pen-.lied for hi? ?ervices out of their pockets, become the
j pliant inHtruineutof Executive will.
Tnere is no part of the mean? placed in the band? ofthe
Executive w hich might lie used with greater effect, foruu
• li. flowed purposep, than the control ofthe public press.
The maxim which our nnccMors derived from the mm. e
country, ibat “the freedom ofthe fire-s is the'great Will •
1 wark of civil und religions liberty,” is one of the most
precious legacies which they have left us. V\ e have
i* trued, too, irom our own as well u- the experience of oth
er countries, that golden shackle*, b\ whomsoever or bv
whatever pictence impost and, ar.’ us fatal to it a* the iron j
bonds of Despotism. The pres>es in the necessary em !
ployment ofthe Government should never be used “ to
dear tlie guilty, or to varnish crimes.” A decent and man- ,
ly ex.iurination of the art sos the Government should bo I
j not inly tolerated I ut enconruged.
i Upon another occasion I Imvc given mv opinion at mime ’
| length, upon the impropriety of executive inference in flic ,
legislation of Congress. That the aitalo in the Consiitu- |
tion making it the duty ofthe I’resiifrnt to e.ommuninite |
information, and Authorizing him to recommend measures, 1
was not intended to make him the source of^’ legislation,
and, in particular, that he hould never lie lo kcd to for
schemes of fitnnee. It would be very strange, ind**ed,
that til** Constitution should have s’rirtlv foi liiddu on’ ;
branch of tin* Legislature from interfering in tlie origina
tion of such bills, and that it should be considered prop* r
that an altogether different department of tl- < overnm*‘iil j
should l*e permitted to do so. Son eof our beef politic.i! j
maxim* nnd opinions linve been drawn from our p
i-'le. There are others, however* whi**h r;(imt !r i irr*.-
duced into our system, without sin rulnr jnco'igruity. and
the production of nmcli mischief. And t!.is I t ticcive t*
he one. No matter in which ol tin’ H*u<* sot P .rli u. ;i*
a bill may originate, nor by whom introduced, a iiiini-mr,
or a member ofthe opposition, bv the fiction of law , or rath
er of constitutional principle, tlie Soverei.’n is supposed
lo have prepared it ngreeablv to his w ill, and then sulunit
ted it lo Unrliameni for their advice and consent Now
the very reverse is the case hero, imtonlv with icgard to
the principle, but the forms prescribed l*\ the Constitn- 1
tion. The punciple certainly assigns t lire only |iod\
constituted bv the Consiituiioiq (the Icgisl . t i.-o hudv) the ’
p.iwer to make laws, and ri forms e\ eii dn t that 1 1 1 r* ii
actmeul should he ascribed to them. The Senate, in jeln- ,
tion to revenue bills. bve the right to propose tnu* nd- ‘
merits; and so lias the Executive, !\ the mw er given him. J
to return them to the Hons- of K.-.-r ’sen’ ’ii- --s t w ■ -
objections. It is in his pmve.. ~ -i, ■ .. -e an;, n’- !
meins in the existing rev , >vt,;. ; i
servationsi upon their t’<-: -- t ‘• t..ui. Dm .
the delicate duty ci and . i : ; .>n ‘, !i ii 1 ■
be left where tlie Una jif i it—with the rej..
resentatives *f the pcoj-l- . ;■ iar rensoiw. tij • morb*
ol keeping tfie public- tir e. .. -hculd be pr. sciibcd f.v !
them; and thu further removed it mav be IV mi the coot
of tlie Executive, the mt.-re w th • or i ,, r:eni- i.
and t ie mor* iri a-tcorduner* with republican prittcip!
Conn/ctoil with tlii? su!.j.*ct is the char ; tr r <•! r’>
reii y : ‘l’lie idea of ni.akjiig it nxr!u?i.< Iv met ■ ‘* w.
ever well intended, appears to me to I*.* Jr•/•t ! • .
hpal conaequenccß than nny other (scheme. • . ag no
l.ition to lle personal rights oft .■* < itiz • . t I <
been devised. If any siugb* sch *i ■ ju-nd the
effect of arresting, at once, that muiati'iw ofei . ‘■ on bv
which thousands ofonr most in.li .'etit f•- 1 U .v, *\
tlieir industry and enterprise, are i isod to th* j -• ~* .ij
ofwenltfi, that is the one If th -re is one tn ~ ■ r
calculated than another to pro bice that state s
so much depreciated by nil true republican®, hi. wi;, b i
rich are darty athliug to ih ir ho irds, and the a sinkie / 1
deeper in?.) penary, it i> no *\* i. • u*.; • \.
Or if there is a tirocess I* v which the cliarai ti i ofib
trv for generosity mid nobleness ot f ebi’g mm !jc 1 troy,
ed by the great measure and necessary toleration of iisurv.
it i*n exclusive metallic currency
Amongst the other duties of a .i*Gic t char 1 tv .v liich
the President is railed upon to prrfir m, is th - ’ s-jpervision
ofthe government of the ‘IVi rito* iv- of tlie f nfted >'l it* s.
• Those of them which are dost ned to become mr’inhers of:
: our great political family, ir- compensated b\ their rapid
; progress from infancy to manhood, for the paifial nnd tem
porary deprivation of their political tights. 1: is in thi*
: Uisfrir t, only, where American citizens are to hr found,
who, undftr a settled of policy, are depriv’ and of
many important political privileges, without anv inspiring
hope as to the future. Their oulv consolation, under
circumstances ofsnch deprivation. i< that of the devoted
exterior guard? of a camp—that their sufferings secure!
und Bnfi’iv \ie -•*’ “t their
countrymen who wouul siinjcct them to greater sacrifiees, ’
to an v other humiliations than those essentially necessary ‘
to the security ofthe object for which they were thus
separated from tlmii* feljow-cilizens ? Are their rights
alone not to lie guarantied bv the application of those ;
grent principles upon which ail our constitutions are foun
ded ; Wc are told by the greatest of British Orators nnd <
Statesmen, at the commencement of the war of the
devolution, the most stupid men in England spoke of j
“ their American subjects. Are there, indeed.citizens of j
any of otir States who linve dreamed of their xubjert* in
tin* District ofColumbin 1 Such dreams can never he re
alized In any agency of mine.
The people of the Distri't of Columbia are not tlie sub
jets f tlm people of the States, but free Atom* an citi
! zen*. Being in the latter condition when the. Constint
| tion was formed, no words used in that instrument c *uld
, have been intended to dep-ive them of that character. If
’ there is ain thing in the grent principles of unalienable
j rights, so emphatically insisted upon in our Declaration
i of Independence, they could neither make, nor the United
States accept, n surrender of their liberties, nnd become
the subjectst in other words the slaves, of their former f’cl
| low-eitizens. If this be true, nnd ir will scnrcelv b de
j nied by any one who lias n c*rrcct idea of his own lights
i a*an Aincrienu citizen, the giant to Congress of exeln
1 sive jurisdiction in the District of Columbia, can ho inter
preted, so far ns respect? the aggregate people of the Uni
ted States, as meaning nothing more than to allow to Con
gress the controlling pow* r necessary to afford a free arid
safe exercise of tin? function* a -signed to the Geneinl Cm
ernmer.t by the Constitution. In all oilier respects the
legislation of Congress should he adapted to tiirit pecu
liar position and wants, and he eotilormrible w ith llieir d*-
liberate opinions of their own interests.
I have spokmi of the necessity of keeping the respective
Department -of the Government, ns well as all the other
authorities of the rountr\. within their appropriate orl>it.
This is u matter ofdiffieultv in some cases, os the powers
whi* h they respeetiv* l\ claim are often not defined b\ very
distinct fines. Mi-cJiicvons, however, in their tendencies,
a? collision? of this kind tuny he, those v Inch arise be
- the respective eommunitics, which for certain pur
poses compo-c one nation, are mncil more so ; for no sm h
nuti-ui can long exist without tin* earefnl culture of those
fading? of confidence nnd u flection which air the effretixe
bonds of union between lire and confederated States.
Strong as is the tie of interest, it has been often found in
effectual. Men, blinded by their passion-, linve hern
known to adopt measures for llieir country in direct op
position to all the suggestions of policy. Tim alterna
tive then,i?, to destroy or keep nown bad passion h\
creating and fostering a good one; and thi® seems to he
tlu* c.inter atone upon which our Aiiiericnii political nrchi
tects have reared the fabric of our Government. Tlu cc
tneut which waa to hind, nnd perpetuate its existence,
whs the aflccionate nttnchmrnt heivvpen nil its member.-.
To insure therontiuiiHnce of this feeliuc, produced ut fir-t
hv a community of dangers, olsuflcrings and of intercsiß,
the ndvnntr.gcs (*feach were made, accessible to all. .No
participation in nuv good, p i.*s©ssrd by nnv memhrr of
mi extensive confetfcracv. except inilomcsiic gov-rnn.ent,
was withheld from the cifizen of nay other member. |y
a proceess attended with i > difEiculty, no dchiv, no ex
pense hut tlmt of removal, the cili/.cn of on© mit hi become
tho citizen of any other, nnd Kuccc.ssivelv ol the whole.
The lines, too, separating nowera to he exorcised !*v the
citirene of one >tate from those of another, sccni ?o he so
distinctly drawn a* to leave no room for inisun lei standing.
The citizens of each State unite in their persons all the
prii ilcgcs which that character confers, nod all that lh.v
may claim as citizens ol the l ir it •< I States; hill mno t? use
can the same person, at th© sum© time, ru t ns the citizen
of two separate State*, and A© is therefor** positively pre
cluded from not/ interference tri/.ii the reserved pon e? sos
any Si>ttc but tlmtoj which he is , fur the time bcnt?,.i citi
zen. He may indeed offer to th© citizen* <q utlicr States
I his advice us to their management, nnd the form in which
it s tendered is left to his own discretion und sens© of pio
i priety.
| Itinay be observed, how<*\er tint? organized associa
tion* ol eiiizmis, reairitnr compliance with their wishes
1 too much resemble 1 1 it* rcconimepdnfious of At her* i> her,
nlies—supported by an armed and powerful fleet. It \\a-,
1 indeed, to the ambition of flu* lending Suites of Greet e p
, control the domestic concerns of the other*, that the de
struction of that celebrated cmifedcnic y, and subsequent*
jyof all in m-nnhers. i- .Mainly to I © attrihuied. \nd il
is owing to the absence o! that spirit tlmt th© Helvetic
confederacy bit a for ro many years been preserved. .Nev
er has there been seen in the infititutious of tin* separate
membeis of any ei.nf deraev more elements of dt*rord.
hi the principles and term* of government and r Imioo,
as well ns in ill© cir • ie.st-.ncr uih/.V ‘ i .mtotis. so
marked a discrepancy v ns obseivahl , . j to | rood* • nt.’
tliirg but hartr.o’iv in thei-im* u ■. .- mm pr. lounencv in
their alianee. And vs, fir ur©*, neither has b©en inter*
ruptetl. Content w ith the positive benefita whic h their
union produced, with th© Independence and safety
from foregn which it secured, these sagacious
People respc ted the institutions of each other, he • ©ver
repugnant to their own principles und prejudices.
i >ur Confcderm - v, hdl*w-ci<iz m , can only he press rved
by the same fnrle-arnnee. Our ritizens mfmt he content
with ttie exercise of the powers with which the Constitu
tion clothes them. The attempt of those of one >'tntr to
control the domestic institutions of another, can nulv re
sult in feelings of distrust und jealousy, the certain harbin
gers of disunion, violence, civil w.*tr, and the ultimate de
struction of our free institution*. Our‘Confederacy is per
fectly illustrated by the terms ami principb * roverning a
coin .'non ro-pirtnersbip. Their a fund of power i- to 1m
ex©rci*ed tmder the direction cf th© joint councils efth©
allied members, but rtmrwhicli hus bean reserved bv the
individual menthms is intnugibie hv tho corntnotr pm cm*
mentor the individul m.upbcrs eompo.dng it. To ct*
1 tempt it finds no fiujipon in tin? principles*?)!*our f‘cn*ti*
1 tnfion. ft should he our c?tistnnt nnd eurn-xt endcavo.
*’ mutually to cuhivit© napii it ofconeort] end hanc.cny n*
• >**g the various parts of our Coufstlcno y. Kxpermuce
i ha* abundantly ta: tf;ht n t that ilie agitation by citizen*of.
j one part of the Lnioii of a subject not confided totht(en- j
j crnl Government, btii exclusively under the guardianship |
•'ii*o !ucui Kiiiliuuiini, in productive ui no other cons*'*
qitrnce* than bittcrne***, alienation, discord, nmJ injury to
the very cruise winch is intended to he advanced. Ot all
the great interests which appertain to otir country, that
ol union, rordinl, confiding, (internal union, is by fur tin*
most irnportunt, since it is the only true nnd sure guaranty
of nil others. ’ * ,
In consequenceof the embarrassed *uite of business and
the currency, hoido ol’ the rStates may meet w ith difficulty
in their financial concern*. However deeply we tuny re
grot any thing imprudent or excessive in the engagement*
ndowhtch .‘St itea have entered for purposes of their own
it does not heroine its to disparage the State Governments,
nrr to discourage them from making proper efforts for
heir own relief} on the contrary, it is our duty to encour
age them to the.extent of our constitutiomil uuthoiity, to
apply iln ir best means, and cheerfully to make nil neces
sity sacrifices, and submit It) nil necessary burdens, to ful
fil their engagements and maintain their credit; for the
character and credit of the several States, form part of tin*
character and credit of the whole country. The rcsour
: res of the country are ahurdant, the enterprise nndactiv
! itv of our people proverbial ; and we may well hope that
| wise legislation and pttident administration, hv the rcs
; P r ’ five Government*. encli acting within its own sphere,
’ will restore former prosperity.
I npleasnnt and even diiugerntts as collisions tn y some
times be. between tin* constituted until vrities or the cii
j i/.ens o! onr country, in relation to the lines which seper-
I ate their tespectiv e jurisdictions, the r- soils ran he of no
I vital injury to our insiitniiotM, it’ tint aid* m patriotism,
that devoted attuehuituil to h ertv that spit it of modera
tion a udfoihrii ranee for whicti ur <oufnrvn.cn were once
di tmgiiifhed continue to he cheri.-hed. fl this continues
r la tin* ruling pn*.-inn of our souls, ti e weaker feelings
•f tlnv ini. taken enthusiast will he corrected, the I'toplati
i do'iims t. the si heui ng potitirinti dissipated, and the com
; p:i* Hted itttit Tii* .• ol the de*uHgogu>* rendered harmless
i 1 hr spirit ol liberty i- th * sovereign halm for every injury
which our institutions imiv receive. On the conti i
v. no cue that cam hauled in tue construction of the
Government} no division of powers, no dMrihtifinn if’
* heck* in i.s *4^*e , depart nents, wII prove eflcctitnllv to
keep u< nfv B* opi ,it thi - spirit L suffered to decir. ; I
and do “” t v*. |a j, ioat (•• * ’stunt nurture. Totin’ n c-1
lce| ol ti { oily 1..• he l isfonun* agree in ••tlnhuting
t!ic r*nn o uii the if. j chhc* with whose exon mce and
fall their writings have made us opc.iuted. The same
••iiuses wi'l ever produce lit -at; elf. el ; and :v- long os
the love ol power is a dominant pn- ion of the human j
bosom, and as long as tin* undci stamlii gs of m**n can be
warped and their affection* changed hy operations upon
their passions and prejudices, so long vvill t*ie liberty of a
people depend oil their own constant attention to its pres
ervation The danger to all well-established free govern- ,
merits nri*ev fiom ill.* unwillingness ol the people to he- J
lone in it- existence, or from the influence of designing j
. | tm it, dr citing their.. Mention fiomthe quarter *’ hence it
; Mipioae.lies, to a source from w hit h it can never come.
■ ‘ Tins is the ni l tuck of those who would sourp the govern
■ | .u lit of th ircotuifrv. In the name of Democracy they
. s*> wan mg to i epl. acainwi the influence ol wpm!i!i
‘ i• . f >i tci'c .. History, ancient and mod
■ | * II of i- fi 9 \ -trnp!-•*. Ctt*ar became the master
•jo ti • Horn in people in t!m Semite under the pietence
. i>: s rung lli democratic claims of the former against
th a:o.oim raev of the latter; i To row *ll. in the dinracier of
pn ter! r of the lihertic- of the People. ]> ‘catce the dicti#
i ! es Kngland; and Boiiver pnsser-M'd hmoclfof uniim- ,
it-'d : ei.v i with the,title cf his country’s Liberator There
■ i*, cat e * miti uv, no single in<tMm*e on record of an ex
ten**iv • imd wcl’ r-'tahlishe/f rep*:.'fir being changed into
jan an tricraey. The tendencies of all such fo*einmems
in their and *clin • is to mon trchy ; and the antagonist princi
ph’ t< liberty there is the appenram e of faction—a spirit
which ussiuii-.’.’ the cliamcter, nud in times of great ex
i citem *nt, imposes itself upon rhf People ns the .centime
spirit of freedom, and like* the false Christs who-e oniiio;
was f>iet*d<l bv the .Saviour, seeks to. and were it p* ssihle
’ impose upon th'Mni.* and .u-o*t faithful disciples of liber
j T - H i- }u ri ‘is ~ki this that it behooves the People to 1
b* m'>t -x *{■’ p .1 (.ft.h mc to whom they have intrusted
power, and altlio'jwh there i* u **mes much diflacultv in .
• j;mg tag fals • from fie :rue •oiii*, a calm amt
•b pa- i mat** i.ivcstignlion wi ! detect the counterfeit a
well Ir. the character of its opei on: s. as T!>r* i..sali - that
j are produced- The true spirit of ii!eity,aliiumgh devoted
persevering, hold and uncompromising in principle, that
secured, is mild and tolerant and scrupulous as to the I
means it employs ; whilst the spirit of party.assuming to
! he that of liberty, is harsh vindictive and intolerant. *•! i
totally reckless as to the chnrnr.ler of the allies which it
brings to the aid of its cause* W hen the genuine spirit of
liberty animate tin* hodv of of a people to h thorough ex !
animation of their affairs, it |re<|s to the excision nt every
i‘xcesccrice which may have fastened *** r *b upon any of (
the Departments of tin* Government, and restores thesys- J
t.*m to its pristine wild beauty. But the reign of .
en intoler o r jdrit of party amongst u free people seldom
fiils to result in n dangerous heeession to the Executive
power introduced and established amidst unusual profes
sions of devotion to democrat’ v.
The foregoing remarks relate almost exclusively to mat-
I ters connected with our domestic concerns. It may he I
proper, however, that i should give some indications t. my j
1 fellow citizens ofinv proposed course of conduct in the ,
management of our foreign relations. I assure them there
, fore, tliat it is my intention to use every menus in my now -
’ er to preserve the friendly intercourse which now so hap- j
I pilv subsists with every foreign nation; and that.although i
| of course, not well informed as to the state of any pend- 1
ing negotiations w ith anv of them. I see ir. the personal
characters of the Sovreigns, as well ns in the mutual in- ;
i terestof our own and of the Governments w ith which our !
relations are most intimate, a pleasing guaranty tlir.t the
harmony so important to the interests of th ir subjects, as
well as our citizens, will not he interrupted hy the ad
vancement of any claim or pretension upon their part to i
which our honor would not permit nto yield. Long the
defender of my country's rights in the field, I trust ty fel
low citizens vvill not see in my earnest desire to preserve
peace with foreign Powers any indication that their right*
will ever he s.urrificrd, or the honor of the nation tarniah
ed,hy an admission on the part of their Chief Magistrate
uiiwoiOiy of their former glory.
In onr intercourse with our Aboriginal neighbor*, the
same liberality nod justice which marked the coarse pre
scrilxd to me hy two oi mv illu.-tiious prede. cssois. when
acting nndi’r their direction in discharge of the duties f
Superinteml-nt and Commissioner, shall be strictly oh*
sM wd. I cannot conceive of no more sublime spectacle—
none more likely to propitiate an impnrti.il and common
(’rcnlor, than a i igil adln renev to the principles of justice
o the pait of a powerful n.itir.ii in its transactions withu
weaker and uncivilized people, whomcircuinstnr.ccshave
plaerd nt its disposal.
Before concluding, fi-llow-citizens, I must say some- !
thing to you on the sul ict of the parties nt this time ex
iting in our country. I o me it ap|iears perfectly dear,
that 111** interest of tlmt country requires that the violence ,
of the spiiit hv which tho*.- parties are nt this time gov- !
erned, must lie greatly mitigated, if not entirely extin
guished, or consequence* will en*ue which are appalling
to he thought of. If parties in u Hfptildtc are necessary 1
to secure n degree of vigilance sufficient to keep the pub
lic functionaries within the hounds of law and duty, nt
that point their usefulness ends. Beyond that they be
cnn<* destructive of public virtue, the parents of a spirit ;
antagonist to that of libeity, and eventually, i? ineviia- ,
Ido conqueror. We have example* of Republics, where
tin* love of country and of liberty, nt one tune, were the
dominant passions of the whole nins* of citizen*. And
yet with the continuance of the name and form* of free
Government, not n vestige of these qualities remaining
in tin* bosom of any one of it-* citizens* It was tin* beau
tiful remark ofn distinguished English writer that “in the
Kornm Semite, Octavius had n party, and Anthony a par
ty , hut tin*Commonwealth lind nanc.” Yet the Senate
continued to meet in the Temple of Libert v, to talk of the
Kicreilness and henutv of the Commonwealth, ami jaz* at
the Sim ur* of tie elder Brutm* find of the Cttrtii and De
ni, and the p* ople nssc inhlcd in the forum, not ns in the
(!:r. s *f Ciiiuillus nnd Scij io*, to cast their free vote* for
nniinal M ei-tiates or pns upon the nets of the Senate,
hut to rrc< ive from the hand* of ti e lender* of ttie respec
tive parties their share* ot the spoils, and to shout for one
or the oilier, a* t!ioe collected in Gaul or Egypt, and the
Leant r \siii, would turn: h tin* Inrger dividanrl. The spir
it ol liberty hud fled, and avoiding the abode*of civilized
mini, h nl-ou/l.t prntc’ tioo hi the wild* of Scythia or
* i nndiuo it ; mn! so un!ei tin* operation of the Fame nii -
Ft** nnd influemv-'V, it wiil fly from our Cnpilol nud our to
rum**. A cnlnitiify so awful, not only to our country bu
rn the world, nn<l he and prirnted hv e* cry patriot; nnd evi
eiy teiidencv to n f** •-f thin * iik**ly to produce it im*
meilintelx ehecked. Sueh at nln v li.m existed—dor*
• xi-t A w.i i tin* frn ml of my country men, never their
flntterer; it fi-m. ,rs my dotv to sav io them from this
Lit:li place to which ih’ ir puMtnlity exalted me, tlmt there
exif*t in the Und a spirit hostile to their best interests—
lio-iih* to lil'cit v if sc- f f*. It j*< n *piiit contracted in it* ;
\ iew, Fel!i*h in its ol.j er. It look* to the npcrnndire
tm nt of a I w, even to t)je fh** fruition of the w hole. ‘I he
, entiu* remedy r with th* People. Something, however,
limy beefieeh and hy the menus which they have placed in
mv hand* It i* union tlmt we want, not of a party for the
<* i 1 c nftlr’t party . littt i\ union oflhe wdude eouutrv for the
; mi he of the whole rountrs—tor the defence ol ttsinfer
, "‘t* ami it* honor .niusl forcicu aggression, lor the de
f*nce <|’those mi inciples for wdiieli on* ancestors so fflo- |
riotuly contended. As far ns if dep -nd* upon me, it shall
he :it*( oinplished. All the iiiflueiice that 1 pH**e*s shall
he exerted to prevent the fnrmnlion at lrn*t of an Kxeni
live pm |y in the hall* ol the Lev i-dniivc body 1 vkisli for
t’ * supjMM t of no member of that body tunnv me*nr * f
mice in l ih ** l not satisfy hi* judgment and hi* een*iof
iloty t thu‘ from whom he indiis Ida nppoiutnient: nor
uu\ conlidl’m'** io ailvance ftooi lit * INoph , hut llint asked
i fur by Mr. JcflkifOtt, to ** cive firmness ond fll'ccl to the Io
gril administration of then Nfl'-tirs.”
j il ‘i'iii the preseot occasion suf;’ i* nlly impc-rlnnt and
solemn tojuxtffv me inrxpre-sine to mv f*l ow ciiizens n
prmnnl ievercin*c lor the ( Ini-tinn Religion, nud a tho
rough conviction that sm.tid moral* rclicotis Ii *rf v, m.d
a justaen** of religmi* responsihitlty, are e send ;ilv eon
nccted with nil tine and lasting happiness; and so t! ; (
cronrl Beinjr who lias |>|esrd us by the gifts of civil and
religious ficednm, who wniP.hnl over ond prospercil the
labors of nur Fathers, nnd has hitherto preserved to na in
*tilulions far exceeding in excellence those of any other
people, let u* unite iu fervently commending every Interest
of our beloved country in all ’future time.
I < How- citizen* ; b.dnjr fully intested with that higlt of
fice to which the partiality of niy countrymen ha* railed
me, l now take uu Hflectionate h*nve of yon. You will
bear with von to your horn* a the pledge ‘I have this day
1 given to di*chorgc till the high duties of try exulted rta*
. lion cCiCirditjg to the heat of try ability ; *1 I shall cutes’
upon t mi. pcrlormancc with emiro con 6dr ih- -e i/t the tup
po. j of aj:iM an ! genefotii People.
| SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
Tuckudai, March 4, 1811.
I he senate convened in pursuance of notice from
the President of the United •Stales.
Mr. Kino, of Alabama, hiving been Sworn in upon
his appearing upon re-election to anew term, was
then lee it J President pro tern of the Senate.
Mil. J’tlui the Vice-President having taken the
Oath ol Office v and assumed his phue as President 1
of the Senate, delivered the following Address ;
Sr. n a tors } Called by the People of the United
Slates u preside oier your deliberation*, I e *nnot with*
hohl the expiettsion of the high eatitnale I place oil the
honor which they have conferred upon nte. To occu
py the seat which has been filled ami adorned—to sav
nothing of my more ifnmediate ‘
mi An* ms. a Jkpzrhson, a Ulhrt, a f'li nton, and 1
aTo mi* kins, names that although belonging to the I
and ad, still li\e in the reeolh*ction ol a grateful coun- 1
try, is an honor of which any man would have just
t a use to he proud. But this honor i* girvlly augmen- |
ld by llio consideration of the true diameter of this 1
body—by the high order of moral and intellectual pow
er which has distinguished it in all past time, and
which still distinguishes it—l>v the dignity which has,
lor tlu* most part, ina ked its proceedings, and, above
all, hy the important duties which have devolved upon
it under the Constitution. He.e ate to he h*und the
immediate rcpre.-i n atr s • f the States, l*y whose sov
icign will the CoverntiK nt h s been spoken into ex is
U nco. Heie exists that pcifect equality among tile
nr in er-ol (Ins Cm f *d*i<4. y whith gives to thesmal
lest State in the Lnioti a voice as p<qenti;i| as that of
tlie largest. 1 4) this bidy iftyminuiitcit, in ,ni eminent
tlegrec, ttm ot gu.n ng and protecting the insti
tutions handed down to us ft om our fathers, as well
iigain*t thewavesot pop. !u- and rush impulse* or 1 e
one hand a* against at.emp s ut Executive encroach
on nt on the other. It may probably If regarded hs
induing t. w balance in which arc weighed the pow r*
(omidtd to this Government ami tlu rights revived
!o tes and to the Pe.q 1•. U isne province to
com ede what ha- been granted —to withhold what .as
t'Cen tie. ied, thus in all it- leatu*'*ii exiiibiting a tiue
tvpe oi the Morion* confederacy under whit ft it is our
hajjpiness to live. Should the spirit of Faction —that
j destructive spirt which recklesaly walk- over prostrate
: nglits, arid train ies laws nnd constitution* in the dust
1 —ever find an abiding place within this Hall, then
indeed will a sentence ot eondeu.nation he issued
| against the peace and huppines-of this people, nnd
their pnli leal nstitutions it* made to topple to their
hum.; .turns. But.while this body shall continue to he
wii.it by its framers it wuis (lest, ned to be, deliberative
in its character, unbiusrtd in its count*, and ltidepend*
int tit its act on, .Inti may Liberty he regarded as en
trenched in behind the .-acred rampart* of the 1
('otislitution.
i
While I oerupv this el,air, Senators, I elm 11 have ,
tn quenl oc. asinn to invoke tour indulgence ter nty !
del* rls, him] \, ur charily lor my errors. lam hut lit- I
lie (.killed in l’ailimciiUrv l.ov.ai.d have t.r. u tioimcd ‘
to [ii - rlc o'er dr Id crate a < curia lost All that I cull j
ui"e in excuse ot my detects ts, that I bring jti, me !
to this t! air on earnest iso to discharge proue.lv its
dunes, hi>u ati* 1 , .!. ; to.l ion to preside over j out
(lelihera'ioiis with entue tn partiality,
‘.Vc innniione.i, in o.i- Int, that the noniiimlinn of!
Mr. Di j l lor Hi a: of Associate Justice of the j
!Sii|.rente tiou t. made with such indecent haste) a|. ]
j most before tile breath was out “f toe body ol his prrd- I
1 1 l essor) tvas confirmed, in the droid of the ntaht of I
I'us-day, hv a small mat” v% r now learn that J
the vote ’<-“’ n*js 5 : so lint his nomination !
, was confirmed bv less than a majority ot the Senators’ i
Had (he Senate been full, and nil have voted, his mn.
joritv would have been small indeed. — fialionul Intel- ‘
• hgrnrcr.
The bill for the setll. menl of tl.e claim,, of the Stales
i ol Maine and Georgia, for the services of their militia, \
• amounting together to about tho sum of $458,000, pas
sed both Homes of Congress, nud was ourolle.l and
; hrougat into the House for the signa'nre of the Speak
er ju>t as the motion was made to closa the season ;
which motion prevailing, it was not signed, and thoie
fore did not become a law, although pa-sed hv both i
Houses of Congress.— Xulional Intelligencer.
The splendid coach built in Baltimore for the I’bi.s
----[ initNT KLKc r arrived ve-tciday. and was presented to
j him hy the builder, fMr. ],kk.) in the name of the
; M ums of tl e M..iiu ueiit..l City, it was taken to the
I’iesident’s House, win re it can he seen hy those de
sirous of viewing a splendid specimen ol America/ 1
workmanship Nutianal Intelligencer.
A walking cane, mad: of pad of the coach of Gen
eral It Asm voTotr, rn :dy mounted, and hearing an
appropnatc iiiorriti'. on, v. a* prcMMitiii on Wcdnewiiiv
last to General Hamhison. by Bishop Meade, of Vir
ginia, through Mr, (Ju-iis. oi Arlington.
Sutimiiil In/e l/.'geneir.
The tvArarnAL.—This is in able, dignified, >e :
Written Hiid eloquent production—worthy, in s>
seniimenl anil doctrine, of ihe hero and patriot, whose
laurels now gracefully commingles with the civic
wreath, which the sullrage* ol a free people hive placed
.on his honored brow. Neither lime nor space admit,
of detailed rema.k—h brief and hurried notice of its
leading features is all that we ran give. It nobly re
peats the pledge of service for a single term ; wisely
defines the province of the veto power ns intended only
to protect the constitution from invasion, this country
from the errors of barty legislation, and minorities from
sectional or other oppression : declarer against the chi- 1
! niera of a metallic currency, and points, l.v a quotation
from Mr. M 41.1 sox, to a .National Bank, as the remedy
for the embarrassments of the ru-.ciiry, into which we i
have been teckles ly plunged by the fatal experiments
of his immediate predecessor.; denounces the unhal
lowed alliance so prolific ~f evil, which Iras of late ea
isted between tho Executive and the Treasury, and
recommend, new harriers against Executive ncoach
mention th. rights and powers of thr other depart
ments of government; condemns and forbids the un
due inteiferenec of federal officers with ih f redom of
elections, but yield, to them full independence in ex
ercising the right of voting, that “ sacred privilege of
freemen;’’ condemns . partisan press, and nol.lv in
vokes the press *.o •• a decent and manly examination
of the acts of governmentpledges the msnag me nt
of our foreign relations in a spirit of harm, nv towards
other nations,and yet in a full determination to main
tain untarnished the honor of the republic .ml the in
herited glory of our peoplt— and, last, not least, it no
bly, patriotically and derisively rondem, th measures
and movements of iho abolition snd funalie foes ..( ihe
Soulh, as :.g.iiist •• the principles of the I .institution
;n productive only ol disirusi sun jealousy, the cer
tain htiri ingen of disunion, violence, civ I war, and
the ultimate destruction of our free institutions,” B ml
a- invading res. rved rights, equally *• ii tangible by the
corn.non government and the individuals composing
it ” We confidently say then, that Ota Tir ha. re
al ltd our highest expecialions, out fondest hopes—
and let •• three times three” he lus cheering welcome
throughout the Kouih and throughout the land
Charkstun Courier.
THE NEW SENATE.
In conformity to usage, the Senate of Ihe U. Stairs
has been summoned by the present Executive, to meet
at the Capitol oil the 4ill ol March next, lor tl.e trans
action of such business comic, ted w nh the . on m. iirc
in. nt of anew Aduiiuistiutioii, as m ,y be brought be
! fore them.
The new b'enate will have a decider! majority in fa
vor of t lie new Administration. But it will he impor
tant that all should he present. We annex a hat of
i the member, rlert whose teima commence mi the 4th
i ol March, or who It Id over from previous years, with
a ‘l it. incut of the lime when their various tc ms n<
i pirr. Those names in italics arc friends of Gen. liar
t rison:
Mum. South Caholis*.
Ki.cl Williams 1841! TV. C Vreitun, 181*1
Clearg Enins 1817 J. C. Calhoun. 1847
NI.W IhINMHIIIK. GriIK.HA.
F.ankiiii Pierre 1847 A. Cu'hhi rt 1847
lievi Woodbury 1847 : ,/, ,\l Herr tn 1817
V an MON TANARUS, j Acahama.
: Sunil Prentiss I8|:l i Clement C. Clay 1847
i Sami. P/iclps IBlfi j Wm. li. King 1847
Massachusetts. I Miasiaaien.
1845 I J'Jiri I fen o'er toil 1815
Isaac C. Bates 1847 | B- J- “ alkcr 1847
Khodk Iscaxd. I i.OUtaIAKA.
1 .V. F. Dixon 184'a | Alex. Mouioti JB4-7
J. F, Simmons 1847 | Alex. Banovs 1847
CovvttiictT. Tittxx
Perry Smith 1843 A. O. P. NichoU.in 1.0
V. and. llmtingdun 1345 Vacancy ,
New 1 unc, Kevtccht
Hile. Wright 1843 Henry Clay ‘ , s ,
i N.P.TaUmadge 1845 J. J. Crittenden | f !
j New Jehskt. Ohio. ‘
Sami. L. Saul hunt 1845 Wm. Alien lsu
Vacancy Bcnj. Tappan l 8
I I EssrsrEx A.tiA. Imitana,
J. Buchanan 1813 O. Jl. Smith i.,,
B. \\ . ■'sturgeon 1315 A. S. While
Dki.axvahk. liitxon,
H. Bayard 1845 11. M, Voting 18 .,
| Thomas Clayton 1817 Sami. M’Roberts i s !
! M A hvi.asd. Missumt.
i i-Kerr 1345 L. F. l.im, u..
j B. 1) itmiek 1815 Thus. H. Benton j.
I V iitotati. | Ahkaxsa*.
’ fv. C. lines 1515 11. Scvi.r ; Bt ,
l' ar " n 7 „ Wm. S. Fulton is,?
I NoHTII till., USA. Michioax.
VV. A. Graham 1843 A S Purler k.
Os the Senators eleclod, SO are the friends of a,
new administration, and 22 are sti, pn e.l to be
m,' 1 ; . 1 e C l ‘ V , , ‘ vac,,ncl( ‘“ 'li 111. 1-1 |v, perhaps all U
filled by friends of the comuig AdnuniMrstmi,.
Madisonian.
ARRIVAL OF THE BRITANNIA
l Ui Mly-l i-hr |>;.ys I.:. U',-
I tie K )>. al steamship Urilt'iuri.a. Cagt. Cieland.r
rived at Boslon yesterda nioniiu. i7j o'., 0 \
Liverpool, whence she tailed on th, evenm.- of i:„
al 7 clock. She experienced boisterous weatl.rrarl
la.d winds during moat of the passage. ,Shr arrivrfj
Hwlifax on Saturday 20th inst, at 6 o’ciockA. M. aid
I- it at quntei past one P. M„ and arrived below ft,,
to. harbor at llio’clork .Sunday evening, hut did not
come up in consequence of thick weather. Sliehrnudii
H 5 passengers to Hsl.f*. landed 4 and io. k in 1C
Poston. On the day after leaving England she h our!,,
ed-to, Klove her bulwarks, and hrok her m u ui|.,
short oft. She lilts had a very rough | .asag,.. , ,
vxeutlo r haoing l.een hoisterntis m the .xi.eine. ‘ *t i(
lias made her passage in 17; .lavs,
‘lb.e Tuico-Egyptian que. tir.ti is at length fu ~,
settled. On ihe 12il. ofj itiitarx oca .i>. cdi,, . t
the Sultan led Conataii.iimpie for -McK-odria. t|
bearer of a firman, bv which his Hithtn ■ ofit
MiTic!,. to M.-i.emet /. [. ed; s- v j, ■s-j
E.ypt. On lb ill! ib . c ..fi Mel (aw
All r( stored file Turkifl fit
I tie Cjuc. n aim the iloyul hou.-e’ old made a s|,, ■*
visit to ( lutemoni after t 1 e ..pt ning ol Paibarman
The Royal party return and to London on the 3d inct.
Death of Mr. Brent.— Died on Sunday evenin;,
January 31, in Paris, in the 63tli year of his il|!r . ’t
| typhiod exhaustion after gout. Daniel Brent Esq.Cun;
sul of the United Stales ot America for Pans, jid
agent of American claims.
England, .-cotland and liclan.l have experienced jj
I unusually revere v, inter, nnd the sufierii gs ot the pg
liav. been gieat. Many person- have died from er.id
i and famine in London, and vertlicts have been render,
i ed, - Died horn the want of the common neeesuriir
I of life!”
! Bv ihe dreadful shipwreck of the Thames steams,
’ on her voyage trnm Dublin to London, on the 3d üb.
jit is ascbrtaiiiid that out of 65 passengers ouly 4 ,
saved.
Upwards 100 lives were I.wt by Ihe breaki... agi^
I w-niniesev Mere, (Gan,bridge) on tk r Ist,
The East India Telegraph r. polls Ihe death of 3
; persons by raimg turtles, ami -10 more who eat p#.
; lions of the same food were seriously ill,
Nolt the American diver, has like his iltuatriinj
predeeeseor (Satn Pati h.) fallen a victim to hie foib.
O.i the 12th ult. lie want through a mock exeeuti.*
on M alerloo Bridge, with a rep,- from the top ofa |>.
He performed the liick three times ; but the Uni
lime the noose flipped, and he was hang,.,; in ea.nit,
f |'"aids of 10,060 pera.iis srr pres, nt at this it
hibitiou.
There was a destructive fire in Find.ury Squn
on the 2d—eriginating in Lacktngton’s hook estak
liabinent.
Opening of Parliament. —Pailiam. nt was oprnd
by tier Majesty in person on the 26th January. Tk
i .Muining Chionielc of the C7th Jan. says;
The first appearance of tier Majesty after the l.irt
of an heiress apparent to the crown was the signil
so, a general display of loyalty. Aa ratly as Iwrlit
o'clock the paiks and Parliament streets were wri;
filled by persons on foot, arid bv ladies in ear.iaje.
who held the land Great Chamber lain’ tickets of 4
mission to the galleries amt body of the House J
Lords. Her Majesty and her royal consort were W
ly and generally cheered on their progress to an !<■
turn from Westminster,
He-Majesty look, tl extremely well, t'ough pi
liapsn little pale. She wore a tiara nirklace awl •
s omacher of diamonds, j muslin slip ov, r white of
ill, and a crimson bodice. Her crown was carrirl
b: fore her.
Her Maj sty took her si: t on the Eirone, liavin{l
on the right the Earl of .Shj'tslni'y, hevring the cap
of maintenance, and the Loril Chancellor on thglek
discount Melbourne bearing the v-ci.’i . f state. anJ
in a s noil cha*r of state one step below tho throne
Prim e Albert. The Uucht ss of Bedford, as inifl*!
of the robe*, and Lady Portman, as ludy in vva tinp
were behind the throne.
The Queen immediately desired Ihe prers to I*
seat’ and, and ordered the I sher of the Black Rad
summon the Commons, who quickly aj.pea’ed at ih*
bar headed hv the Hp. uker.
The I anffl CHuic*l!or 1 1*n Itnmtal to lior I
fv th* fallow ing zprrdi, wh ; rh Was ty<l fri-ni
f lTronc ;
TIIE QUEEN*? SPEEt'lf.
*• aV?/ Lrfd.-t and (hntirmrn. — I have the *ati*f
ion .to lernnc from Foreign IVwcr* awnirtncfi of
tiuiir fii rully (li*jio*i’ion. -nt! of t!i* ii ari*st dcii>
to inninuin |K*ac<*.
‘i he poKture of Affiiintin the Levant lied longNf®
a enuse of unenmne.-H am! a . oilret* of danger to
c* ueral irnnqtiil tv. NN ii!t \ietv to avoit the * vl *
nliiv h a contiiiuui tc of ;!.at fc!nte of things was ci 1 *
culaltd to ucc.a#ion, i roncluded with the
Austria, the King of Pru*in f the Emperor of Kuz
sin, and tlie iSultan, a (Convention intended to*fl<fi
h pncificalion )f the Levant; t*> muinluiu the intfp’'*
ty and indepemlanre of the Dili man Empire: uni
thereby to alh>rd addition *ccuiity to the peaec of E“
rope.
I r< jo;cc to !>e iiblc to inform you that the mr*’
ures which have been adoptetl in execution of the*
engagement*, liave been attended with signal #u f ’
C4*-n, and I triivt that the nbjtfeta which the rout :*f
tiitß p nt eK hud in view, arc* on tlu* eve of being f'* 3l
plptely accomplished*
In the coarse of thc*e transactions, iny naval fr fff
have co-operated with those of the Emperor of bw
trij. and w i;h the land and sea fore os id the SolWj
and have displayed on ail occasions their accu*l‘ ,inf “
gallantry and skill.
II iving deemed it nece*a.try to send to the co>l 0
(’l)irm a navy and military so es, ti> denifind ft’purstioti
ami ri iirt a* for injuries rnfliceJ upon *on.e of my
jec k by the officci* of t!i Emperor of China, n n, ** l ' f
indignities olfi ted t 4 aft agertt oi # my (Town, 1 Bl 1,1
sanio lio* appointed ph nq vti ntai ie* tn treat u f' l ’®
these matter* with the Chinese (iovernmeitl.
r i r he*e plenipotentiar es were hy the lus ) nccoun**
in negotiation w ith the Government of Ch>na,
will tie a M>rrr r rf much g rati first ion to me, if 1 ’
(j>.eminent *1)11 he induced hy it* own sense of ju*
tic.* to bring then* mutters to a specify settlcnv nt h
an smic.ihle arrangement. t .
I have concluded with tho Araentine Repa'olic,
with the Republic of IltyH, fteatie* for the
si >u of tlu* Slavs trade, which 1 have directed toW
laid before you. ,
GcnfUmcn of the of Commons . I have 4 *
rectcd the Estimites 4>f the year to l>o laid hefoie ) 0^
’ IL wcver hcti ih c* of the importance of sdha r,
the prinriples of economy, I* hcl it to he my dtify
recommend that adequate provision be made f° r l “
exigencies of the public service.
Ky Lords and Genlftmen, Measures will
mituul to )ou without delay, which have for their
pv t the more speedy ond effectual administram n
ju-tice. The vital importance of this subject is
fit unt to eiMtire for it your early and most
con ti deration. u
The powers of the C’omiuietitnnera appidtiled u°
the Act for tlie amendment of tlie Laws, rela lu^ (
ths . oer expire at t lie U imi nation of the|*rcrfnty
I fte) assured that you w ill eornotly direct y < J ,ra |f ,
lion to eunrtuientH which so deeply rfunocxn (bo
s*cof the coiiunuoity.