Alexandria Advertiser And Commercial Intelligencer

SPEECH

OF HIS EXCELLENCY

GOVERNOR TRUMBULL

To both Houses of the Legislature

of Connecticut, at the opening of the Session.

Gentlemen of the Council. Mr. Speaker and gentlemen of the House of Representatives

IT is with much pleasure and satisfaction that I meet you at this time, after our winter's recess, again to enter upon and pursue the public business of the state, under circumstances of general prosperity and happiness, as by the Divine Blessing, our state is permitted to enjoy.

Although assembled for our own internal business it may not be amiss to take a partial view of external great events which pass in other countries; especially when they have an intimate relation, on a general scale, to the interests and concerns of this state and other states of our union. The late general pacification among the nations of Europe, in some degree affects the world. It is therefore matter of gratulation that this event has taken place; and particularly to the union of these states it is matter of felicitation, that it has at length occurred, and that the heavy tempest of war, which has raged so long and so severely on the other continent, has passed and ceased, without having involved our country in its terrible horrors.

On the accomplishment of this happy event, I beg leave to felicitate you gentlemen, and to contemplate for a moment, some of the consequences, which may be fondly hoped to flow therefrom.

To the people of Europe, it may be expected to give an opportunity to heal the wounds, which have been deeply inflicted on them, by an almost unexampled
Severity of conflict. To the various nations of Europe, it may also give an opportunity, delightful to the contemplative and humane mind, to vie, with each other a struggle of immense and salutary importance to the world: whereby might be promoted and ornamental to man. To this, arts and improvements, which are most advanced to their highest perfection, those and to the United States, while keeping within their own peculiar sphere of action, it will, as we may hope, secure a continuance in our peaceful improvements in agriculture, manufactures and commerce. To our country it also affords a useful lesson of instruction on the highly beneficial consequences of cultivating a state of general peace, internal order and tranquility; whereby we have hitherto profited to great advantage, and which should lead us still to study the arts of peace, union and social intercourse. And although some of our citizens may suffer in their enterprises, by a temporary revulsion, occasioned by a general pacification, it is yet to be hoped, that it will eventually prove beneficial to the country at large, by placing us in a more stable situation, and by again bringing back our business to its steady and settled course. It is also devoutly to be wished, that we may, as we surely ought to endeavour to do, experience its benefit, by removing in a great degree, the sources of those political animosities, which have so long and so unhappily divided the public opinion of our country; and by leading each one to content himself with the salutary contest, who shall best serve, and most highly honor his own country, by his excellence in the pursuits of peace, order, and social tranquility. It remains however, notwithstanding our fond hopes, to be decided by time, whether, among the conflicts of contending and unruly passions which seem peculiarly in action at the present day, the people of either continent are to realize the happy effects which some may contemplate. It is much to be feared they will not. But all events are under the government of an all-wise and omnipotent Power, to whose superintendence and direction it becomes us to submit all our concerns;--and, while exerting our feeble efforts for the general good, to trace events as they pass, with humble admiration, faith and hope.

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

May 14, 1802.