The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

EDITORIAL ADDRESS

In the early part of June the Editor intimated his purpose to retire from the establishment of the National Intelligencer, and invited the offers of individuals disposed to enter on its superintendence. His principal inducement, for taking this step, was a regard to the general state of his health, which had been, in no small degree, affected by the incessant occupation required by his situation. At the time this purpose was avowed, it was accompanied by a determination not to suffer the establishment, on any account whatever, to pass into hands, either unfriendly to the great political principles uniformly advocated by the National Intelligencer, or incompetent to its management. For although the period was, almost without a precedent, peaceful and prosperous, it was obvious that, as all nations are exposed to vicissitudes, a profound calm might be succeeded in the political, as it frequently is in the physical world, by a storm that would call for the exercise of all the talents and virtues of the friends of principles, which seem to be exclusively confided to the safe keeping of the United States. In advocating these principles, and defending those who have been the most distinguished in supporting them, the Editor lays no claim to merit on the score of talent. He does, however, lay claim to the virtue of fidelity; to a sincere belief both in the superiority and feasibility of republican government, and in a firm determination to contribute whatever is in his power towards its maintenance. However weakly, therefore, he may defend, it is impossible for him to betray this great cause.

But a short time elapsed, from the time of his making known his purpose, before a totally unprovoked act of aggression on the national rights occurred, which threatened to disturb the peace of the country, and seemed not unlikely to be the prelude of times in which the sincerity of principle would be exposed to an unusually severe ordeal, and which would call from every citizen the best exertion of his faculties. This invigorated the resolution, originally formed, not to surrender the establishment into hands on whom the fullest reliance could not be placed.

A considerable time has since passed without any offer being made, which has been considered satisfactory on this ground. The Editor has, therefore, determined to continue to superintend the National Intelligencer. In communicating this intention to the public, he has only to observe that the same principles, which have hitherto guided the discharge of his Editorial duties, remain unshaken, and from which it is his pride never to have swerved. Every conviction of his understanding has increased his attachment to them; and his purpose to defend those measures which are the best calculated to preserve them inviolate. He conscientiously believes the existing administration have uprightly and wisely discharged their duties. He is, therefore, the friend of that administration, and whatever new dangers may environ them, from the injustice of foreign powers, or from internal machinations, he shall view in the light of new motives to exertion.

Looking forward to the ensuing session of Congress as probably one of the most interesting since the era of the present government, he has exerted himself in making arrangements, which he trusts will render the National Intelligencer the full and faithful organ, as well of the proceedings of the government as of the public sentiment. With this view, and to relieve himself from a burthen peculiarly oppressive when united with other duties, he has engaged the services of Mr. JOSEPH GALES, Jun. an able Stenographer, who, with the additional aid contemplated to be furnished by one of the first Stenographers in America, will, it is expected, be fully competent to presenting a comprehensive and faithful statement of the Debates. This arrangement will leave the Editor more time, than would otherwise be at his disposition, for conducting the other departments of the paper, and particularly for the notice of such points as may during the session require elucidation or comment.

More regard will likewise be paid to the mechanical management of the paper. For some time past, the Editor has had to regret the necessary use of an inferior paper, and of a press somewhat out of repair, from his inability immediately to retrieve at the City of Washington the disappointment experienced in these respects. He has, however, entered into a new contract for the supply of a better paper, and there are already on the water on their way from Philadelphia, a New Press and fount of letter. He thus flatters himself with being able to make the National Intelligencer before the sitting of Congress, not only worthy of the patronage which it now enjoys, but likewise of an extended subscription.

The great additional expences which will be incurred render it indispensable that Subscribers should be punctual in their payments. It is, therefore, expected that every new Subscriber advance five dollars, the price for a year, at the period of subscription, and that the existing subscribers pay off their arrears and make the necessary advance before the opening of the session. Should this circumstance not be attended to, the transmission of the papers must be discontinued. Subscribers will recollect that subscriptions cannot be received for less than a year, and that the postage of letters must be paid.