Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 2 (of 16)United States. Congress
History
Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 2 (of 16)
United States. Congress
Law -- United States; United States -- Politics and government
WILLIAM BLOUNT, from the State of Tennessee; THEODORE SEDGWICK, from the
State of Massachusetts; and JOHN VINING, from the State of Delaware,
severally attended.
A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the
House are now ready to meet the Senate in the Chamber of that House, to
receive such communications as the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES shall
be pleased to make to them. Whereupon,
The Senate repaired to the Chamber of the House of Representatives, for
the purpose above expressed.
The Senate returned to their own Chamber, and a copy of the Speech of
the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, this day addressed to both Houses of
Congress, was read.
_Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of
Representatives_:
The personal inconveniences to the members of the Senate,
and of the House of Representatives, in leaving their
families and private affairs, at this season of the year,
are so obvious, that I the more regret the extraordinary
occasion which has rendered the convention of Congress
indispensable.
It would have afforded me the highest satisfaction to have
been able to congratulate you on a restoration of peace to
the nations of Europe, whose animosities have endangered
our tranquillity; but we have still abundant cause of
gratitude to the Supreme Dispenser of national blessings,
for general health and promising seasons; for domestic and
social happiness; for the rapid progress and ample
acquisitions of industry, through extensive territories;
for civil, political, and religious liberty. While other
States are desolated with foreign war, or convulsed with
intestine divisions, the United States present the pleasing
prospect of a nation governed by mild and equal laws,
generally satisfied with the possession of their rights;
neither envying the advantages nor fearing the power of
other nations; solicitous only for the maintenance of order
and justice, and the preservation of liberty; increasing
daily in their attachment to a system of government in
proportion to their experience of its utility; yielding a
ready and general obedience to laws flowing from the
reason, and resting on the only solid foundation--the
affections of the people.
It is with extreme regret that I shall be obliged to turn
your thoughts to other circumstances, which admonish us
that some of these felicities may not be lasting; but, if
the tide of our prosperity is full, and a reflux
commencing, a vigilant circumspection becomes us, that we
may meet our reverses with fortitude, and extricate
ourselves from their consequences with all the skill we
possess, and all the efforts in our power.
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