Return J. Meigs 1813 State of the State Address

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ceive any communication he may be pleased to make^ reported, that they had performed that service, and his excellency informed the commictee that he would make a communication by message to botli houscs>.| this day at ten o'clock. On motion.
Ordered^ That a committee of two members be ap. pointed, daily to examine and correct the journals ; and that Messrs. Purviance and Hammond be the committee.
The spfraker informed the senate, that a commimi- cation had been received from his excellency the gov^ ernor.
On motion;
Ordcred/£\-\2ii said communication be read f and tiie same wasaccordingly read as lollows ; Qentlevien ofthe i^yenatCf
and House of Representatives,
CONVENED ala period interesting to your consti^ toents, and delegated to the discharge ofthe most import¬ ant duties ; you may find in the general heahh and fruit- fulness ofthe last season, ample causes for congratulation* and motives cf gratitude to the great Dispenser of every good gift
The United States have not been so fortunate as to be exempted from the calamities of war, which for a long: time has convulsed and continues to agitate the nations ofthe old r. orld.
War, tho^ ever to be deprecated, is not the greatest of. evils—and when compared to niltional abasement, and ihe degratlation of independence, ap})ears less obnoxi¬ ous—and when founded on justice, to conduct, to support, and invigorate it, becomes a duty.
Gompelledrto this justifiable resort for the maintenance ©frights essential to the sovereignty of the nation, and which cannot be abandoned without their sacrafice, peace must be redeemed by the sword Inthe progress oPt he A- merican arms, benevolence lasi added honor to victory ;/ wanton severilics. cruel depredations, and remorseless ferocities bay-c stained the banners gf tbe enemy witi^ft^
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