The Enquirer

VERMONT LEGISLATURE.

The general assembly convened at Rutland, October 11th, 1804, and in the afternoon the governor waited on the House, and delivered the following SPEECH:

Gentlemen of the Council, and of the House of Representatives

When the legislative representatives of a free people assemble to deliberate upon the means of advancing and securing the welfare of the state, many and important are the subjects before them ; very extensive will be the influence of their decisions. To present to your view such objects as demand your attention, is a part of the constitutional duty of the executive.

In addition to the ordinary business that may come before you, and that which has been referred to the session, it may be expedient to enquire into the situation of the northern line of this state : some of the inhabitants residing on this line, are apprehensive that the boundaries of their lands are not clearly defined, & that it is not distinctly known where the line runs, which separates the northern part of this state, from the province of Canada.

I find that much pains were taken in the year 1761 by the then provinces of New-York and Canada, to ascertain, by astronomical observations, the latitude of 45 degrees, and to fix a monument with accuracy, at a place where the line crosses Lake Champlain; from thence a line was afterwards run by a Mr. Collins, to Connecticut river, but with what accuracy, has never been ascertained. If it was not properly run, and designated by the erection of durable monuments, contests may arise, that will affect not only the property of individuals, but the boundaries of this, and of the United States. The serious difficulties which other states have experienced in settling their boundary lines, admonish us by an early attention to this subject, to guard against complaints of a similar nature.

A vigilant attention to the fiscal concerns of this state, is an essential part of your duty, and is consistent with that economy which the principles of our republican government strictly enjoin and require. It is believed that the state of our treasury is not sufficient to satisfy the demands of government : It cannot be consistent with sound policy, that a public debt should be accumulating in a time of peace and prosperity.

The amount of our annual expences, and the expences of the several departments in which they are incurred, should be clearly ascertained and defined. that those on whom the burden of payment falls, may judge of the propriety and expediency of public expenditures. Should the public debt be found increasing, it will be necessary to provide for its reduction by the most economical mode of transacting the public business, and of raising and of expending the public money.

The time is not far distant, in which a choice must be made of the electors in this State, of President and Vice-President of the United States. By the law now in force, a choice must be made by the members of the legislature, you will judge whether it is best to continue this mode of choosing the electors, or refer it to the great body of the Freemen, in districts, or through the state at large. Both modes are in practice among the several states of the union, and both consistent with the federal constitution.

The governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has transmitted to me certain resolutions of their legislature proposing an amendment of an article in the federal constitution, respecting the principles of representation, aiming to confine it to the votes of the freemen and not to depend on the number of slaves, in any part of the federal territory. These resolutions will be laid before you. That the federal compact should be approached with caution, and that there should exist an equality of political rights among the several states, in the national representation, are truths of which you can never lose sight Therefore these resolutions will receive a candid and deliberate consideration before you are prepared to say, that the number of slaves in the United States, and those that are daily imported, ought to increase the influence or power of their masters in making laws to bind the freemen of a state, in which the principles of liberty are so complete and entire, as not to admit slavery to exist within its limits.

The flourishing and happy state of our country, which has been witnessed in years past, cannot but endear to us the republican principles and maxims on which its government is founded. From recent events in Europe, it would seem that our country is the only place on this globe in which there is a prospect that the republican system can succeed. Should it here fail, in a time, and under circumstances so favorable to its continuance, future generations must pronounce it impracticable. To preserve it among ourselves, we must guard against all intolerance, intrigue, party spirit, and party measures; our elections and laws must be made with the purest views and motives. When the representatives of the people are superior to the views and aims of party ; when they steadily and unanimously pursue the public good, a ready obedience will be given to the Laws, and a cheerful support to the government. A spirit of disunion and the influence of faction in the legislature, will produce disquietude among the citizens, and those measures which are not the dictates of wisdom and prudence, can never find support.

Assembled from the different parts of the state, you know the circumstances and interests of your constituents, while the greatest general good is your chief object, your united endeavours will guard the rights of every individual, and promote the present and future prosperity of all.

ISAAC TICHENOR,

ANSWER

TO THE

Speech of the GOVERNOR of Vermont.

SIR,

The subject recommended in your speech to both houses at the commencement of the present session of the legislature merits and will receive our early attention.

The establishment of our northern boundary line, by fixed monuments is essential to the peace of this and the United States. It is perhaps more essential in a view of public tranquility than of private property.

The present state of our treasury and the various occurrences which have increased the public expenditures for the year past will induce us to make those provisions for supplying the treasury, which the public good may require.

We shall bestow upon the resolutions transmitted by the governor of Massachusetts, and alluded to in your Excellency's Speech, a candid and deliberate consideration.--We reciprocate your wish that slavery were abolished, and had no influence in the making of laws to bind the freemen of our free State--Yet we realize the importance of preserving entire those principles which were the foundation of our federal compact, unless those principles are relinquished by those states in the union whose interests claim their existence.

We are ready, therefore, to co-operate with your excellency in every measure to create an equality of political rights among the several States, in the national representation, which would not subvert the first and most operative principles in our federal compact.

We highly appreciate those republican principles and maxims which have hitherto secured and still secure to us. our national happiness; and we hope and trust, that by the purity of our elections and laws. and by our union of counsels and endeavors to promote the republican system, we shall transmit the same unimpaired to our posterity ; and that nations yet unborn will, from our example, learn the basis and raise the structure of their national felicity.

[Pity it is, that an author who writes in the following nervous and animated style should not better adapt his critics to the temper and tone of reason.]