The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

Orleans Territory —This important portion of the union, considering its prosperity and greatness as indissolubly connected with the United States, has, very much to its honor, come out in the present exigency of affairs with an unequivocal expression of its sentiments. Here the voice of faction is silenced by the general affection and gratitude entertained for the general government; or, if heard, only serves to excite the honest feelings of an happy people. It was to have been expected that the transition from a government so different in its genius and structure from that of our own would give rise to much honest misapprehension, as well as dishonest cabal and intrigue. We ought not, therefore, to be surprised that treason here attempted to raise its head, and that an inordinate thirst for gain for a while furnished the materials of disaffection.

These have, fortunately, been completely put down by the wisdom and vigor of the government, and the good sense of the most respectable citizens of the territory.

Thus have the anticipations of the true friends of Orleans been fully realised. Well acquainted with the honorable character of the planters, they knew that an experience of the benefits that would not fail to ensue from a connection with the U. States would be the surest pledge of their friendship and devotion. Of this the following answers to the Governor are unequivocal proofs. It is no compliment to say that for elegance of diction and patriotism they are not surpassed by like papers of any of the state legislatures.

After this expression of the sentiments of the people of Louisiana, let us not be told that they are devoted to a foreign government, or are ready to enlist under the banners of Napoleon.

ANSWER
Of the Legislative Council to the Governor's Speech.

His Excellency Wm. C. C. Claiborne,
Governor of the Territory of Orleans.

SIR,

The Legislative Council of the territory of Orleans participate in the sentiments of your excellency concerning the critical situation of our national affairs; they see with regret that the wise measures taken by our general government, have not succeeded to bring to a sense of moderation and justice the belligerent powers, who have trampled upon the once respected rights of neutrality: but however great be the sacrifices which the safety of the country may render necessary under the present important circumstances, the citizens of this territory will submit to them with patriotic resignation ; any thing, but the humiliation of yielding obedience to foreign powers, will appear to them supportable. Full of confidence in the wisdom of their government, they will await with impatience, but without inquietude, the result of its deliberations on the best means of avoiding or of encountering the political tempest which threatens this country; and they will obey its decrees with cheerfulness.

Hitherto, quiet under the shelter of a free government, whose beneficient influence had given new life to its agriculture and commerce, this territory loses at least as much as any other part of the Union, in the unfortunate change which unforeseen and inevitable events have made in the political situation of the U. States, but there remains for its inhabitants a fertile soil, industry and courage. They are yet rich, if compared to the nations in whose bosoms war has been raging so many years, for nothing until now has threatened to disturb our interior tranquility, and we ought to esteem ourselves happy with the fate we enjoy amidst the calamities which desolate a great portion of the globe.

The legislative council are impressed with the importance of the several subjects of legislation, which your excellency recommends to the attention of the general assembly, and they will take them under due consideration. As to the raising of a portion of the militia of this territory, for which your excellency received orders from the President of the U. States, the legislative council believe that you will find it of easy execution, and that the citizens of this territory are ready to give proofs of their attachment to their government, and of their devotion to their country.

J. POYDRAS, President of the Legislative Council.
New-Orleans, Jan. 17, 1809.

ANSWER
Of the House of Representatives to the Governor's Speech.

To His Excellency the Governor of the territory of Orleans.

Sir,

When from every part of the U. States the voice of indignation is heard against certain governments of Europe for their insults and aggressions towards our country, the house of representatives of the territory of Orleans cannot view with indifference the picture of our national affairs, which your excellency has exhibited to their view. Zealous to participate in the prosperity as well as to share in the dangers of the great American family, they feel anxious to mingle their voice with that of their fellow citizens of the U. States, and to express to you the feelings and sentiments of their constituents.

It was not sufficient for those governments during the long space of twenty years, without ceasing, to deluge the vast countries of Europe with the precious blood of more than a million of men, the wretched victims of an unprecedented ambition and insatiable cupidity ; they now threaten our peaceful shores. Not satisfied with having banished peace from one hemisphere, they are eager to destroy its asylum in this part of the new world.

The wisdom of the measures taken by our government, has preserved us until this day from the losses and injuries which always are the precursors of a formal aggression against those who are so confident as not to be cautious or justly fearful of those outrages. Sacrifices and privations were imposed upon us by those measures; but in supporting them with courage and resignation we are well convinced, that if the embargo had not been put in force, our commercial wealth would have been invaded, our ships sequestered or destroyed, and our brave seamen lost to the service of their country.

We have listened with a peculiar attention to the communications which your excellency has given to us concerning the various parts of the administration, and they shall be the object of our early attention.

We are deeply impressed with the importance of the attention you recommend concerning the organization of the militia, and with the necessity of rendering it a more effective force by improving its discipline, so essentially necessary to the internal tranquility of the country, as well as to command respect abroad for a nation protected and defended by citizen soldiers.

We only hope that the execution of the orders which your excellency has received from the President for the raising of the quota of militia of this territory will meet with no difficulty. Uniting the civil to the domestic virtues, the Louisianians, whose individual cause is connected with the cause of liberty, will pay cheerfully to their country the tribute of their services, and will always shew themselves zealous to deserve the gratitude of their country, by co-operating in its defence. In every case your excellency may depend upon the assistance of the legislature in all the measures which may interest the general prosperity of the country.

Receive our sincere congratulations, sir, on the new testimony of confidence with which you have just been honored by the President. This highly flattering testimony, which the wishes of our constituents had already anticipated, is the noblest eulogium which can be made on your administration. Do not suffer your beneficent views to be perverted by the clamors of envy, or the vociferations of slander. He is always sure to triumph when he rests upon the purity of his intentions, and upon the approbation of the honest citizens.

Permit us, sir, to request your excellency to transmit to the general government the assurances of our love, our devotion, and our fidelity to the constitution of the U. States. Tell them that the Louisianians, proud to belong to the great family, are ready to vie in zeal, in efforts and sacrifices for the defence of their country.

THOS. URQUHART,
Speaker of the House of R.h.