Gazette Of The United States

The important subjects of deliberation submitted to the National Legislature—and on which they will be called to decide, must render the debates of the present session highly interesting. From past experience we justly anticipate a full and candid discussion of every proposition; and the success of public measures already adopted, will doubtless inspire a confidence in all parts of the Legislature, in discharging the powers with which they are invested by the Constitution. Our commerce, our navigation, our agriculture and manufactures, those great objects of national concern, on the prosperity of which depends that of every individual citizen of the United States, derive an invigorating principle from the Speech of the President of the United States.—They appear to have engrossed a great share of his contemplations during the recess—and with that zeal with which he embraces every idea connected with the public happiness, he recommends them to the serious consideration of the National Legislature.

The establishment of a judiciary system for the United States, is a subject on which the greatest diversity of opinions has been entertained—when this business came before the legislature of the Union, the division of sentiment without doors did not appear to be excluded from Congress.—After long and interesting debates, in which the most patriotic concern for the rights of the people and the particular states, was abundantly exemplified: the public judgment preponderated in favor of such a system; and accordingly the law establishing the necessary courts was passed. But the legislature feelingly interested in the happiness of the people, and the security of their persons and properties, keeping in view the imperfection, and consequent possibility of improvement of every human institution, at the close of the last session, directed the Attorney-General to make report at the present, of such alterations and improvements in the system, as experience may dictate to be necessary, or the public good may require. From the acknowledged abilities of that respectable character, we may expect much justice will be done the subject.

The organization of the militia of the United States. is a most important subject of legislative consideration; the observation of the President of the United States, that the present time affords the most favorable opportunity to lay the foundation of an efficient and competent militia, by availing ourselves of the experience and abilities of our soldier-citizens, the officers of the late continental army—is a trait of that ever wakeful vigilance, which suffers nothing to escape its attention, that may contribute to the credit and security of the United States: this idea is weighty, and will doubtless have a due influence on the minds of our civil fathers, in expediting the militia establishment of the Union.