392 
fruits of a just policy were enjoyed in an un- 
rivalled growth cf our faculties and resources. 
Proofs of this were seen in the improvements. 
of agriculture; in the successful enterprise of 
commerce 5; in the progress of manufactures 
and useful arts: in the increase of the public 
révenues, and the use made of it in reducing 
the public debt; and in the valuable works 
_ and establishments everywhere multiplying 
ever the face-of our land. 
6+ It is a precious reflection that the transi- 
tion from this prosperous condition of our 
country, to the scene which has for some time 
been distressing us, is not chargeable on any 
warrantable views, nor as I trust, on any 
involuntary errors inthe public councils. In- 
dulging no passions which trespass on the 
rights or the repose of other nations, it has 
been the true glory of the United States to 
cultivate peace by observing justice, and to 
entitle themselves tothe respect of the nations 
at war, by fulfilling their neutral obligations 
with the most scrupulous impartiality. 
‘6 If there be candour in the world, the 
truth of these assertions will ‘not be ques. 
tioned. Posterity at least will do justice to 
them. I 
«< This unexceptionable course could not 
avail against the injustice and violence of the 
Belligerent powers. In their rage against 
each other, or impelled by more direct mo- 
tives, principles of retaliation have been intro- 
duced equally contrary to universa] reason and 
acknowledgedMaw. How long their arbitrary 
* edicts wili be continued in spite of the de- 
monstrations, that not even a pretext for 
them has been given by the United States, 
and of the fair and liberal atterapts to induce 
a revocation of them, cannot be anticipated. 
s¢ Assuring myself that, under every: vicis- 
Situde, the determined spirit and united coun- 
cils of the nation will be safeguards to its ho- 
nour and its essential interests, I repair to the 
post assigned me, with no other discourage- 
ment than what springs from my own inade- 
gquacy toits high duties. IfIdo not sink un- 
ger the weight of this deep conviction, it is 
because I find some support in a consciousness 
of the purposes, and a confidence in the prin- 
ciples which I bring with me into this arduous 
service. 
‘© Tocherish peace and friendly intercourse 
with all nations, having correspondent dispo- 
sions; to maintain sincere neutrality towards 
belligerent nations; to prefer in all cases ami- 
gable discussions and reasonable accommeda- 
tion of differences, to a decision of them by 
an appeal to arms; to exclude foreign in- 
trigues and foreiga partialities so degrading to 
all countries, and so banefulto free ones; to 
foster a spirit of independence, too just to in- 
vade the rights of others; too proud to surren- 
der their own; too liberal to indulge unwor. 
thy prejudices ourselves, and too elevated not 
to look upon them in others; to hold the na- 
tion of the States as the basis of their pease 
and happiness 5 to support the constitution, 
Mir. Madison's inaugural Speech. 
[May 3; 
which is the cement of the Union, as well in 
its limitations, as in its authorities; to re- 
spect the rights and authorities reserved to the 
States and to the people, as equally incorpo- 
rated with, and essential to, the success of the 
general system ; to avoid the slightest inter- 
ference with the rizht of conscience, or the 
functions of religion so wisely exempted from. 
civil jurisdiction; to preserve to their full 
energy the other salutary provisions in behalf 
of private and personal rights, and of the free- 
dom of the press; to observe economy in pzb- 
lic expenditures ; to liberate the public re- 
sources by an honourable discharge of the pub- 
lic debts; to keep within the requisite limits 
a standing military force, al ways remembering 
that an armed and treated militia is the finest 
bulwark of republigs, that without standing 
armies their liberty can never be in danger ; 
nor with large ones safe; to promote, by au- 
thorised means, improvements friendly to 
agriculture, andto external as well as inter- 
nal commerce ; to favour, in like manner, the 
advancement of science and the diffusion of 
‘inf rmation, as the best aliment to true li- 
berty; to carry on the benevolent plans which 
have been so meritoriously applied to the con- 
version of our aboriginal neighbours, from the 
degradation and wretchedness of savage life, 
toa participation of the improvements of which _ 
the human mind and manners are susceptible 
in a civilized state. As far as sentiments and 
intentions such as these can aid the fulfilmeat 
of nry duty, they will be a resource which can- 
not fail me. , 
<< Jt is my good fortune, moreover, to have 
the path in which I am to tread, lighted by 
examples of illustrious services, successfully 
rendeted in the most trying difficulties by. 
those who have marched before me. Of 
those of my immediate predecessor, it might 
least become me here to speak. I may, how- 
ever, be pardoned for not suppressing thesyme 
pathy, with which my heart is full, in the 
reward he enjoys in the benedictions of a be- 
loved country, gratefully bestowed for exalted 
talents, zealously devoted, through a long ca- 
reer, to the advancement of its highest inter- 
est and happiness. 
‘*But the source to which I look for the 
aid, which alone can supply my deficiencies, 
is in the well-tried intelligence and vircue of 
my fellow-citizens and in the counsels of those 
representing them in the other departments 
associated in the care of the national interest. 
Tn these my confidence will, under every, dif= 
ficulty, be best placed ; next to that which we 
have all been encouraged to feel inthe guar- 
dianship and guidance of that Almighty Be- 
ing, whose power regulates the destiny of na- 
tions—-whose blessings have been so conspi- 
cuously displayed to this rising republic; and 
to whom we are bound to address our devout 
gratitude for the past, as wellas our fervent 
supplications and best hopes for the future.” 
Washington, March 4, 1809. 
5 GREAT 
