Constitutional Whig

WE OF THE PEOPLE.

Gen. Gaines.--Major Gen. Gaines arrived in Richmond on Friday evening, on his way to Washington. During his stay, he was presented with a Sword, voted him by the General Assembly of Virginia, for his gallant conduct at Fort Erie in 1814. The ceremony took place before a considerable number of spectators in the Council Chamber. The following is the address of the Governor, and the reply of Gen. Gaines.

GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS

General Gaines: The General Assembly of Virginia, well knowing that the approbation of his country is the most grateful reward which the gallant soldier can receive for his toils and perils in her service, did, at the same time that they possessed a proper sense of the good conduct of the citizens of the State at large, whilst engaged in the late war with Great Britain, select a few, whose lot placed them in conspicuous situations during that contest, on whom to confer marks of their peculiar approbation.

In the list of such your name is found, and the following resolution, in relation to you, was adopted on the 12th day of February, 1816:-"Resolved unanimously, That the "Governor be, and he is hereby requested, to present the "thanks of this Assembly to Major General Edmund Pen- "dleton Gaines, a native citizen of this State, for his bravery " and signal good conduct in repelling with great slaughter, "an attack made on Fort Erie by a greatly superior force "of our late enemy, on the 15th day of August, 1814: and "that the Governor be, and he is hereby requested to pre- "sent a suitable sword, with proper emblems and devices "thereon, to Major General Gaines for such his good con- "duct and gallantry." The vote of thanks directed by the resolution having been presented to you by Governor Ni- cholas, it has devolved on me to execute the remaining part of the resolution.--War is under all circumstances, one of the greatest calamities which a nation can encounter; but neither justice, nor moderation, nor impartiality, is at all times sufficient to avert the evil from governments of the most pacific character. This was peculiarly the case in our late contest with Great Britain. Impressed with the opinion, that the love of gain was the predominating char- acteristic of our country, and that it would be impractica- ble to drive us from the course best calculated to ensure it, evil upon evils were heaped on us, till our peace-loving government was compelled to make the appeal to arms.- The result of that appeal is matter of history and known to all. The usual vicissitudes of war accompanied it. Some disasters, particularly in the early part of the con- test, attended our arms on land: but a very short time was suf- ficient to satisfy the most incredulous, that though we loved peace, when war was inevitable, we were abundantly competent to meet its severest trials. Among the promi- nent events that occurred, your memorable defence of Fort Erie, against a greatly superior force, attracted the particu- lar attention of your native State; and in compliance with the request of its Legislature, and as a testimonial of its high approbation of your conduct, I present to you this sword, well assured it will never be used but in the promo- tion of your country's welfare.

GEN. GAINES' REPLY.

Governor: I accept, with filial devotion, this signal token of the approbation of my native State.

Virginia, like the celebrated Roman matron, distinguish- ed as she is for the care and kindness with which she has kept an eye to, and cherished, her offspring, whithersoever they go, cannot fail to secure the homage and admiration due to an affectionate, just and generous parent. That the General Assembly should have deemed me worthy of so prominent a station as that which they have unanimously assigned to me among the meritorious citizens of the state, fill me with unspeakable gratitude. I can promise noth- ing in return, commensurate with the value, I set upon the honor they have conferred But I am well aware that no pledge or promise is expected from me in return, other than that which is implied to be due in common from every other citizen of the state-that is, fidelity to the commonwealth, obedience to the laws, and honest, faithful service in their defence. A scrupulous regard to these duties is all that Virginia expects of her sons: and, as to their performance, their conduct rather than their professions or vague promi- ses, must speak for them.

War is, indeed, as you justly remark, a great national calamity, and nothing is more true than that neither justice, nor moderation, nor impartiality is at all times sufficient to avert the evil from governments of the most pacific charac- ter.

Governments created by force and fraud, and sustained alone by bayonets, and inflated with their military prowess, go upon the principle that it is not so necessary to be hon- est and just, as it is to be ready to crush those who prove them to be otherwise; they are consequently ever ready to vent their prowess on those who are most habitually devoted to honorable peace. Thus it was with England and the United States, at the time to which you refer. I feel grate- ful to the author of all good, and to my country, that it fell to my lot, associated and sustained as I was by my gallant countrymen who fought in the Canadian Peninsula under me, to be instrumental in proving that Republics know how to defend themselves.

In tendering through you, to the General Assembly of Virginia, my thanks and grateful acknowledgments for the honor they have conferred on me, permit me, dear sir, to assure you and the Council of Virginia, of the obligation I am under for the satisfactory and interesting part you and several members of that honorable body have taken in the execution of the duty assigned to you.