The Patowmac Guardian, And Berkeley Advertiser

PHILADELPHIA. December 10.

Thursday at 12 o’clock, the members of the House of Representatives, the Speaker at their head, and preceded by the Sergeant of Arms, went on to the President of the United States’ house, where the Speaker delivered the following address, in answer to the President’s Speech to both Houses at the opening of the Session:

SIR,

As the Representatives of the people of the United States, we cannot but participate in the just and lively satisfaction which all feel in every object which advances and secures the happiness of our common country. A just and moral approbation of the divine Author of all good, for the numerous and extraordinary blessings he has conferred on our nation, is accompanied by a grateful remembrance of the obligations we are under to unite our sincere and zealous endeavors with the influences of divine providence, to preserve and perpetuate them.

A just administration of the affairs of our union, with all the attendant blessings and advantages, and the establishment of the principles of our constitution, and the forms, we participate truly in the hope of a desirable tranquility. The dispositions of the northern tribes have also here presented another prospect, in our frontier, in another proof of current to the interest and happiness of the United States, that it is much to be lamented it should be thrown over it.

More so as it exists on the part of our own population is advancing with a rapidity much exceeding human calculations—

[Note: Some lines appear garbled in OCR, but context suggests continuation on national happiness, Indian relations, and government stability.]

Amidst reiterated assurances too fine principles of our
union liberty, freedom will be laid for regulation, it an establishment the property
of our country. Its treaty and amiable nego-
tiation, all the external discord which
heretofore menaced our tranquility. It will be extin-
guished on terms maintaining our rights
and honor, and with our constitutional, and great
commercial interests.

Among the various circumstances in our internal situation, none can be viewed with more satisfaction and exultation, than that the late scene of disorder and insurrection, has here completely restored to the enjoyment of order, in triumph over treason and of law, is worthy of the present government under which it happened, and we wish to be informed from the enlightened and right thinking upright persuades and actuates the people of the United States.

In contemplating that spectacle of national happiness which our country exhibits, and of which, you, Sir, have been pleased to make an interesting summary, permit us to acknowledge and declare the very great share which your zealous and faithful services have contributed towards it, and to express the affectionate attachment which we feel for your character.

The several interesting subjects which you recommend to our consideration will receive every degree of attention which is due to them: And while we feel the obligation of temperance and mutual indulgence in all our discussions, we trust and pray that the result to the happiness and welfare of our country may correspond with the pure affection we bear to it.

To which the President made the following reply.

GENTLEMEN,

Coming as you do from all parts of the United States, I receive great satisfaction from the concurrence of your testimony in the justness of the interesting summary of our national happiness, which, as the result of my enquiries, I presented to your view.

The sentiments we have mutually expressed of profound gratitude to the source of those numerous blessings, the Author of all Good are pledges of our obligations to unite our sincere and zealous endeavors as the instruments of divine providence, to preserve and perpetuate them.

Accept, gentlemen, my thanks for your declaration, that to my agency you ascribe the enjoyment of a great share of those blessings. So far as my services contribute to the happiness of my country, the approbation of my fellow-citizens, and their affectionate attachment will ever prove an abundant reward.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.