Virginia Argus

Extract from the address of governor Langdon, to the legislature of New-Hampshire, delivered June 7, 1811.

I have had great expectation, for some time past, that I should have had it in my power at this time to congratulate you on the adjustment of all differences, and that a good understanding had taken place between our general government and the nations of Europe: but in this I am disappointed. The unwarrantable insults and depredations, daily committed by the belligerents, upon persons and property of the citizens of the United States, are almost beyond the patience and forbearance of the general government, have been sufficiently tried; but I shall not say much on this melancholy subject, as it would be needless, and perhaps improper for me, if my abilities were equal to it, to hazard an opinion upon our intercourse with the nations of Europe. The foreign relations of our country are confined to the government of the United States, whose wise proceedings, amidst the revolutions that are taking place in the world, have hitherto, under Providence, preserved the peace of our nation. The measures taken by the executive of the Union, must have conduced to this happy circumstance; which calls upon us, as a people, to give thanks to the Being who rules in the armies of Heaven above, and among the inhabitants of this lower world.

Gentlemen, permit me to repeat what I have said heretofore, that the difference of political sentiments among our citizens, is much to be lamented. It would be a happy circumstance if we all could be prevailed upon to yield to each other, in every reasonable way, and unite our hearts and endeavors to promote the general welfare of our common country.

The difficulties and perplexities that our general government has to contend with at this eventful moment, would seem to demand the assistance and support of every virtuous and patriotic citizen; but it is very humiliating to observe that there are so many among us who appear inimical to, and oppose, the government of the United States, which I consider to be the freest and best that the world now produces, and under which we now enjoy great prosperity and happiness, notwithstanding the cruel and unreasonable embarrassments that our commerce has experienced. And it is truly astonishing to me, opposition to our own government, at this time, when we behold, before our eyes, almost every nation of Europe, with whom we are most closely connected in commercial intercourse, heretofore thought the most favorably of, falling into ruin, and in the greatest distress.