The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

Inaugural Speech of Thomas McKean, Governor of Pennsylvania.

Friends and Fellow Citizens,

The honor which our constituents have conferred, by my election, for a third period to the office of Governor, I accept with a grateful sense of their confidence and with an undiminished zeal for their service.

It is true, that some circumstances have occurred, in the course of the election, which I did not anticipate, as respected myself; but which more than on my own, I lament on account of the public. I did not anticipate that the close of a life sincerely devoted, as far as my means and judgement extend, to advance the liberty, independence and prosperity of my native country, would have been embittered by any imputation of a dereliction of principle, or any usurpation of power :-by artful combinations to impair the confidence of the people; or by groundless slanders to destroy an honest reputation. These, however, are evils, in relation to the individual, of too little moment to attract your attention ; but as they affect the great interests, political and social, of the community, you will regard them with an anxious eye. If therefore in the course of a short retrospect, you should discover that the press has been contaminated by the foulest pollutions; that political incendiaries, just landed on our shores, attempt to acquire, for sinister purposes, the mastery of the passions and prejudices of the people; nay, that the influence of legislative names have been insidiously employed in the paltry practices of party; I pray you, by all the force of precept, as I know you will, by all the weight of example, to resist and repel the danger, with which such proceedings threaten the fame, the honor and the tranquility of the state.

The oaths, that have been just now administered, bind me to a co-operation in this as well as in every other public duty resulting from the constitution and the laws. Accept then a renewal of my assurances of cheerful co-operation; for our interests, and that of our fellow citizens, cannot be separated: And, although we may sometimes differ in our opinion of the best means to attain the object, let us reciprocally believe, that still our object is the same; to obey and support the constitution and laws; and to promote the welfare and happiness of the people.

THOMAS M'KEAN.

Lancaster, Dec. 17, 1805.