Conciudadanos del Senado y la Cámara de
Representantes: abrazo con gran satisfacción la oportunidad que ahora se me
presenta de felicitarles por las actuales perspectivas favorables de nuestros
asuntos públicos. La reciente adhesión del importante Estado de Carolina del
Norte a la Constitución de los Estados Unidos (del cual se ha recibido
información oficial); el aumento del crédito y la respetabilidad de nuestro
país; la buena y creciente voluntad general hacia el Gobierno de la Unión así
como la concordia, la paz y la abundancia con la que hemos sido bendecidos son
circunstancias favorables en grado eminente, para nuestra prosperidad nacional.
Al reanudar sus consultas para el bien general no podéis
salvo derivar el estímulo de la reflexión de que las medidas de la última Sesión
han sido tan satisfactorias para vuestros constituyentes, como la novedad y la
dificultad del trabajo que alentó la esperanza. Aún más para hacer realidad vuestras
expectativas y asegurar los beneficios que una graciosa Providencia ha puesto a
nuestro alcance, que estará en el curso de la presente e importante sesión,
exigiendo un esfuerzo frío y deliberad de vuestro patriotismo, firmeza y
sabiduría.
Entre los muchos objetos interesantes que atraerán
tu atención, el de proveer a la defensa común merecerá especial atención. Estar
preparados para la guerra es uno de los medios más eficaces de preservar la
paz.
Un pueblo libre no solo debe estar armado sino
disciplinado; para lo cual un plan uniforme y bien digerido es requisito: Y puesto
que nuestra seguridad e interés lo requieren, deben promover tales manufacturas,
ya que tienden a hacerlos independientes de otros esenciales, sobre todo para
los suministros militares.
El establecimiento adecuado de las Tropas, que se
considere indispensable, tendrá derecho a madurarse en la deliberación. En los
arreglos, que se pueden hacer respetándolos, será de importancia conciliar el
cómodo apoyo a los Oficiales y Soldados con la debida atención a la economía.
No había razón para esperar que las medidas
pacíficas adoptadas en relación con determinadas tribus hostiles de indios
habrían aliviado a los habitantes de nuestras fronteras meridionales y
occidentales de sus depredaciones. Pero ustedes percibirán de la información
contenida en los papeles que mostraré ante ustedes (incluyendo una comunicación
de la Commonwealth de Virginia) que debemos estar preparados para dar
protección a las partes de la Unión; y si es necesario castigar a los
agresores.
Los intereses de los Estados Unidos requieren que
nuestras relaciones con otras naciones deben ser facilitadas por las
disposiciones que me permitan cumplir con mi deber en este sentido, en la forma
que las circunstancias puedan hacerlas más conducentes al bien público: Y para
este fin las compensaciones que deben hacerse a las personas que pueden ser
empleados deben, según la naturaleza de su nombramiento, ser definidas por ley;
y un fondo competente designado para sufragar los gastos incidentales a la
conducta de nuestras relaciones exteriores.
Diversas consideraciones también hacen que sea
conveniente que los términos en que los extranjeros pueden ser admitidos a los
derechos de los ciudadanos deben ser rápidamente determinados mediante una
regla uniforme de naturalización.
La uniformidad en la moneda, pesos y medidas de los
Estados Unidos es un objeto de gran importancia, y estoy convencido que
asistirán debidamente a ello.
El avance de la agricultura, el comercio y
manufacturas, por todos los medios apropiados, no confío en que necesite
recomendación. Pero no puedo dejar hacer íntimo con ustedes la conveniencia de
dar estímulo eficaz también a la introducción de nuevos y útiles inventos
procedentes del extranjero, así como los esfuerzos de habilidad y genio en la
producción de ellos en su casa; y de facilitar el intercambio entre las
distintas partes de nuestro país por una debida atención a la oficina de Correos
y Postas.
Tampoco estoy menos convencido de que ustedes estaréis
de acuerdo conmigo en la opinión de que no hay nada mejor que puede merecer su
patrocinio que la promoción de la ciencia y la literatura. El conocimiento es
en todos los países la base más segura de la felicidad pública. En uno en el
que las medidas del Gobierno reciben su impresión de forma inmediata de las
sensaciones de una Comunidad como la nuestra, es proporcionalmente esencial.
Para la seguridad de una Constitución libre contribuye de varias maneras: Al
convencer a los que tienen en sus manos la administración pública que cada
extremo valioso de Gobierno se responde mejor por la confianza ilustrada de los
pueblos, mediante la enseñanza de la propia gente para conocer y valorar sus
propios derechos; discernir y ofrecer contra las invasiones de los mismos;
distinguir entre la opresión y el necesario ejercicio de la autoridad legítima;
entre el lastre procedente de un desprecio a su conveniencia y las resultantes
de las exigencias inevitables de la Sociedad; discriminar el espíritu de la
libertad del de libertinaje acariciando la primera, evitando el último y
uniéndose en una rápida pero templada vigilancia contra usurpaciones, con un
inviolable respeto a las leyes.
Cualesquier forma de que este objetivo deseable sea el
mejor en promover, ofreciendo ayudas a los seminarios de formación ya
establecidos, por la institución de una Universidad Nacional, o por cualquier
otro expedientes, será bien digno de un lugar en las deliberaciones de la
Asamblea Legislativa.
Fellow Citizens of the Senate and House of Representatives: I embrace with great satisfaction the opportunity which now presents itself, of congratulating you on the present favourable prospects of our public affairs. The recent accession of the important State of North Carolina to the Constitution of the United States (of which official information has been received); the rising credit and respectability of our Country; the general and increasing good will towards the Government of the Union, and the concord, peace, and plenty, with which we are blessed are circumstances auspicious in an eminent degree, to our national prosperity.
In resuming your consultations for the general good, you cannot but derive encouragement from the reflection that the measures of the last Session have been as satisfactory to your Constituents, as the novelty and difficulty of the work allowed you to hope. Still further to realize their expectations and to secure the blessings which a Gracious Providence has placed within our reach, will in the course of the present important Session, call for the cool and deliberate exertion of your patriotism, firmness and wisdom.
Among the many interesting objects, which will engage your attention, that of providing for the common defence will merit particular regard. To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of perserving peace.
A free people ought not only to be armed but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well digested plan is requisite: And their safety and interest require, that they should promote such manufactories, as tend to render them independent on others for essential, particularly for military supplies.
The proper establishment of the Troops, which may be deemed indispensable, will be entitled to mature deliberation. In the arrangements, which may be made respecting it, it will be of importance to conciliate the comfortable support of the Officers and Soldiers with a due regard to oeconomy.
There was reason to hope that the pacific measures adopted with regard to certain hostile tribes of Indians would have relieved the Inhabitants of our Southern and Western frontiers from their depredations. But you will perceive from the information contained in the papers which I shall direct to be laid before you (comprehending a communication from the Commonwealth of Virginia) that we ought to be prepared to afford protection to those parts of the Union; and if necessary to punish aggressors.
The interests of the United States requires that our intercourse with other nations should be facilitated, by such provisions as will enable me to fulfill my duty in that respect, in the manner which circumstances may render most conducive to the public good: And to this end that the compensations to be made to the persons who may be employed, should according to the nature of their appointments, be defined by law; and a competent fund designated for defraying the expenses incident to the conduct of our foreign affairs.
Various considerations also render it expedient, that the terms on which foreigners may be admitted to the rights of Citizens should be speedily ascertained by a uniform rule of naturalization.
Uniformity in the Currency, Weights and Measures of the United States is an object of great importance, and will I am persuaded be duly attended to.
The advancement of Agriculture, Commerce and Manufactures by all proper means, will not I trust need recommendation. But I cannot forbear intimating to you the expediency of giving effectual encouragement as well to the introduction of new and useful inventions from abroad, as to the exertions of skill and genius in producing them at home; and of facilitating the intercourse between the distant parts of our Country by a due attention to the Post-Office and Post-Roads.
Nor am I less persuaded, that you will agree with me in opinion, that there is nothing which can better deserve your patronage than the promotion of Science and Literature. Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness. In one in which the measures of Government receive their impression so immediately from the sense of the Community as in ours it is proportionably essential. To the security of a free Constitution it contributes in various ways: By convincing those who are intrusted with the public administration, that every valuable end of Government is best answered by the enlightened confidence of the people: and by teaching the people themselves to know and to value their own rights; to discern and provide against invasions of them; to distinguish between oppression and the necessary exercise of lawful authority; between burthens proceeding from a disregard to their convenience and those resulting from the inevitable exigencies of Society; to discriminate the spirit of Liberty from that of licentiousness, cherishing the first, avoiding the last, and uniting a speedy, but temperate vigilance against encroachments, with an inviolable respect to the Laws.
Whether this desirable object will be the best promoted by affording aids to seminaries of learning already established, by the institution of a national University, or by any other expedients, will be well worthy of a place in the deliberations of the Legislature.
Original
In resuming your consultations for the general good, you cannot but derive encouragement from the reflection that the measures of the last Session have been as satisfactory to your Constituents, as the novelty and difficulty of the work allowed you to hope. Still further to realize their expectations and to secure the blessings which a Gracious Providence has placed within our reach, will in the course of the present important Session, call for the cool and deliberate exertion of your patriotism, firmness and wisdom.
Among the many interesting objects, which will engage your attention, that of providing for the common defence will merit particular regard. To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of perserving peace.
A free people ought not only to be armed but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well digested plan is requisite: And their safety and interest require, that they should promote such manufactories, as tend to render them independent on others for essential, particularly for military supplies.
The proper establishment of the Troops, which may be deemed indispensable, will be entitled to mature deliberation. In the arrangements, which may be made respecting it, it will be of importance to conciliate the comfortable support of the Officers and Soldiers with a due regard to oeconomy.
There was reason to hope that the pacific measures adopted with regard to certain hostile tribes of Indians would have relieved the Inhabitants of our Southern and Western frontiers from their depredations. But you will perceive from the information contained in the papers which I shall direct to be laid before you (comprehending a communication from the Commonwealth of Virginia) that we ought to be prepared to afford protection to those parts of the Union; and if necessary to punish aggressors.
The interests of the United States requires that our intercourse with other nations should be facilitated, by such provisions as will enable me to fulfill my duty in that respect, in the manner which circumstances may render most conducive to the public good: And to this end that the compensations to be made to the persons who may be employed, should according to the nature of their appointments, be defined by law; and a competent fund designated for defraying the expenses incident to the conduct of our foreign affairs.
Various considerations also render it expedient, that the terms on which foreigners may be admitted to the rights of Citizens should be speedily ascertained by a uniform rule of naturalization.
Uniformity in the Currency, Weights and Measures of the United States is an object of great importance, and will I am persuaded be duly attended to.
The advancement of Agriculture, Commerce and Manufactures by all proper means, will not I trust need recommendation. But I cannot forbear intimating to you the expediency of giving effectual encouragement as well to the introduction of new and useful inventions from abroad, as to the exertions of skill and genius in producing them at home; and of facilitating the intercourse between the distant parts of our Country by a due attention to the Post-Office and Post-Roads.
Nor am I less persuaded, that you will agree with me in opinion, that there is nothing which can better deserve your patronage than the promotion of Science and Literature. Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness. In one in which the measures of Government receive their impression so immediately from the sense of the Community as in ours it is proportionably essential. To the security of a free Constitution it contributes in various ways: By convincing those who are intrusted with the public administration, that every valuable end of Government is best answered by the enlightened confidence of the people: and by teaching the people themselves to know and to value their own rights; to discern and provide against invasions of them; to distinguish between oppression and the necessary exercise of lawful authority; between burthens proceeding from a disregard to their convenience and those resulting from the inevitable exigencies of Society; to discriminate the spirit of Liberty from that of licentiousness, cherishing the first, avoiding the last, and uniting a speedy, but temperate vigilance against encroachments, with an inviolable respect to the Laws.
Whether this desirable object will be the best promoted by affording aids to seminaries of learning already established, by the institution of a national University, or by any other expedients, will be well worthy of a place in the deliberations of the Legislature.
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