Edward Tiffin 1806 State of the State Address

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¦i&termtAi 4ssBMB^Lit of tfe rrA¥ii m Ohio; tientiemem (if'tk&mnate ^and (f tim hou^e qfrefirekmtatf^^j
IM BbefiBg^mcoiistitVitiDiTial i«ty,¦t'equiiing the executive ^* to l^ife 10 thts.ge'titml asBetiibl? informatWn of the state of t{ie govern^ ^ent) an-d^reco»m:efe^dlng stioh measures as maybe deemed eKpedi-* ent/*' a-¦jpkasa:|ig--4Bty presents itself ^ and ft'om your individual Isnowle'dfe aBd'.'eEperiAce in the Several departixlents thereof, wher^fi you :'|i«?e.pta^fif'all:had more or less a share, the fiappy
tc^wi^M^i III ctofotMty td whidli pmfision% ^hey hai^e teen com* missioned as juitices of the peace, foi^thetownsJiipoft-^—*'iothe couri-* ty of^**--—'for three years, kc. Ftom the rapid population which has, and is till takiitg pltce, it is found necessa^^^^^ h$ contimially laying off ne\f townships In the sevaml counties, and assigning new jUstic^E of the l^eace to them? whereby one half an original town¬ ship a^sume^ a hew name, and some may, perhaps alj^ the old jus« tice§commissioned,no tengerresidein the oldernamjed township for
gltuiiti^ of'Oli^^^itli-llt^ftlfure'proS^        must be already;intici-,.   which they, were elected, and as expressed in their commissions ;
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If eqtal tawif guafa^tedng to every individual a certain security from rf ill, a.B#lt participation of all the blessings any political so¬ ciety fepn afford t If the public {unctionariea, all of whom are either immediately or mediately chosen by and from the people^ are ca-^ |>ab!e, ^d dev^ed to the duties enjoined upon tijcm ; each pos- sessinil and enjDying the (confidence and approbation ofthe other : If the finances are prudently manaf^ed, and siiScient to meet the ex¬ penditures of tile f^overnment, while one half the revenue is spared to the aecotnmodation of county improvements and requisitions: If our courts odminiryter fustice between imiividuuis, v/ith an able and impaltilil hand ; while tliey balance the scales of jir-itice, tem¬ pered witli mercy, between the state and bffcnders : If the funds ^:»rovided f«5t'the extension of public knowledge, are in a good train, and althougR slow in corniri^^ ird:o operatid^i, yet are sure and ade¬ quate to their noble ends, pronnsing, ere long, to be a nursin'g mo¬ ther to the arts m\d sciences: If the mediums of intercourse through every part ofthe state, are iast progressing : If the people are, con¬ tent with their folitlca! condition, and justly eslitfiate those rights which the govertament, in ail its branches, g-uards from every sacvi- .legiotls touch : If their habits and dispositions are manifested by their 6'bedience to the laws, and correct deportment in life : If the constitution anci laws ofthe state, the character of its citizens, and the inviting country we possess, have favorably impressed our fel¬ low-citizens in €it 'other states^ M the Union, wht5, from Maine td Georgia, are datif' encounteriilg the difiiculties and toils of travel^ to take their stand amonc^ and share their fortUi^es with us :—If these representations are correct, and such they are believed to be-— then^ in the discharge of this pleasing dutv, we find cause for rnu- tualtongtatulation at this our annual meeting, on the prosperous si^ tuaticm of our highly favored country.
Kifeire has done much-^the general government ofthe union lias dfee much'^our worthy Ohio patriots have done a little ; and if the people cctxtinue true to themselves, and the public functiona¬ ries to their tru^t, we cannot doubt bit that Ohio is destined, ere ion9r,fe be the seat ofthe arts and sciences, of virtlie and rational li- t>erty, and exhibit a people in the enpyment of all the biessm^s Heaven has designed for man on earth.
Btit in order ^to hold fast whereunto we have attained, and as far as human foresight can su^^t^x-st* to ensure the fulfilment of our anidous hopes, il is neceslary to devote a part of every session m guarding every department of the government from improper as- ^umpiions of power, or neglect of defined duties, by inquiring in¬ to y\e situation and management of ail the public funds, by strictly scrutinising into the conduct of all the public servants, that all may be under the ii^fluence of fsar and hope, and each receive their me¬ rited reward ; dismissal from service, if any should ever be found unfaithful-—an^ that best irf boons-—the plaudit of faithful servants^ m mich as mferlt it. And let us all never fbrgfel those inimitalMe cautions of oUr departed, beloved Washington, who, when retiring from the councils of his country, among other things, urged it upon the people of the United States, to cling to the union as the rock of their political safety. As a nation we are all embarked in a common cause, and a common fait awaits us all—**united we stand—divided we may, for by divisions former republics have, fell. Let us then duly consider the several relations which bind us, as citizens—as public agents—and as a federative state in the union. Let the happiness ofthe people of Ohio—-the honor of this state, and the stability, prosperity and welfare of the federative head, be our grand desideratum. Disccantenance every attempt to weaken by fomenting internal divisions, and never suffer the enemies of our re-^ pubiican institutions to triumph by a discovery, that its professed friends does not Idve their countrv better than themselves ; but that they always will make a noble sacrifice of personal views, feelings, partialities and pre]udices on the altar of the public weal ; and in so doing, Ohio, though the youngest republic planted in the west, will evidence herself not unv/orthy a name and a rank among that constellation of repliblics, boimd by interest and affecticin to a com» mon head, apparently destined to be the only tree of liberty planted on eartli, for the virttious and oppressed of all nations to take shel¬ ter under.
From the greig: increased population and eictension of settlements all along the frontier, no doubt but considerable localbusioess will claim your atteitiion ; but as the wants and wishes ofthe people are best known to their immediate representatives, they will be more correctly commtitiicated by each other*
^ Among the subjects of general legislation, the military depart¬ ment stands fbreinost;  and as many of you hold commands in the militia, experience will have pointed out the material defects of the act   for organixing   and disciplining   it.     I neither possess the correct information,nor is it sliy province to say any thing on the si** tuation in wdnch  the Union stands with other nations, some of whom have provinces adjoining its territory^    But it is sufficient for us, that we know our duty as a state ; and I camiot doubt the ability and patriotism of Ohio, but that her  representatives wiil imme¬ diately havt5 her hardy sons disciplined, and as fast as her finances will  permit, arrned under a well  regulated militia law, that they may be ready whenever their country calls, to protect and defend the insulted honor of the most pacific, just and wise government on earth.    V/hen this  subject is under deliberation, would it not be well to guard against the continual resignations which take place ? For where officers do not hold their commands long enough to ac¬ quire a knowledge of duty, it will be vain to expect it in the ranks.-— At the last aesj^ion, a mspectful representation was made against some ofthe provisions of the existing laws, as bearing too hard upon that society of people, denominated Friends or Quakers ; and which ¦ was^ kid over,. an^dremaifi#:on'ih# flirt<tf the-'Senate.   As these peo¬ ple are becoming>humerous in the state, and from their industrimis^ peaceful and steady habits, are a valuable class of citizens, would it not be proper, whatever may be the prevailing opinion thereon, to give their remonstrance a respectful and deliberiite consideration ?
Some difficulties have %risen on the construction of the act de¬ fining the duties of justices of the peace and constables, in criminal and civil cases. By the first section of that act, the jtmBdiction of justices of the pesice in criminal cases, is made co-extensive with the counties wherein they may be respectively choseii and x^esidei and by the fifth set^ioni) their powers in civil cases> is limited to the
'Other justices remove from one township to another, f et are still in the same county, and are at a loss to know, whether they are autho¬ rised to act, during the period for which they were ekctied and com* missioned, in criminal cases, which the law and their eommissions would seem to premise. Perhaps it might be proper to provide by a legislative interference, that all justices ofthe peace, legally elect¬ ed and commissoned^ should exercise the powers vested in them by law, during the terms for which they were elected in s^ny township of that county wherein they were chosen, and do actually reside.
In exhibit, No. 1. You will receive svmdry resolutions of the states of Maryland and Tenessee, which I have been requested by their respective legislatures to lay before you, whose object is^ to endeavor to obtain an amendment to the federal eonstitutionj so as to authorise and empower the congress of the United States, to prevent the further importation of slaves, from any of the West- India Islands, or the coast of Africa.
In exhibit, No. 2. YoU will receive a list of the resignations which have taken place during the recess^ and of the manner in whidh they have been provisionally filled up'.
At the commencement ofthe last session of the general assemblyj>
I signified my WisheC; that the public attention might be turned to¬ wards some other person to suceed meat the next general electioa —consequently, before another annual meeting of the general as¬ sembly, some one else will be chosen to take this post. This there¬ fore, in all probability, will be the last time I ever shall have the ho¬ nor to address you in the character I now sustain. To me it never appeared an honor, to be called to any of the important situations, in which I have heretofore b^en placed. The only honor I ever aspired after, was, to leave them with a consciousness of never hav¬ ing been seduced by personal or unworthy motives, or of being al- luredby the smiles, or awedby the frowns of any, frarn the true path of duty ; and to have an evidence in the affections of the people, that their confidence had not been misplaced. The only objects I ever could have had, for obeying the calls ofthe people, to assist in set¬ ting this govet^nment in motion, are all accomplished—the track is opened—^my feeble services have been acknowledged^—^my errors have been mercifully borne with—language gives way to feelings. I only add, it is not in the nature of things, that I ever can feel other than the most devout wishes for the honor of the state and welfare of the people of Ohio. EDWARD TIFFIN.
Chiliicothej December 2di 1806.
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(C I R C U LA R,J Council Chambb:,b, Akmafolis, March 3Ith, 1806.
IN pursuance of the direction of the genefal assembly of Mary- land, I have the honor of transmitting to your excellency, an authen¬ ticated copy of a resolution passed at their last session, recommend¬ ing an amendment of the Federal constitution, respecting the im¬ portation of slaves, which you will be pleased to submit to the legis¬ lature of the state over which you preside, for its concurrence and adoptioti.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration and respect,
Your excellency's most obedient servant,
ROBERT BOWIE-
Mmolved^ That our senators in the congress ofthe United States be instructed, and our representatives requested, to take all legal and hecessary steps, to use their utmost exertions, as soon as the same is practicable, to obtain an amendment of the Federal consti* tution, so as to authorise and empower the congress of the United States to pass a law, whenever they deem it expedient, to prevent the further importation of slaves from any of the West-India islands, from the coast of Africa, or elsewhere, into the United States, or any part thereof*
Eemlvedj ThBi the governor be, and he is hereby requested to transmit copies of the foregoing resolution to our senators and re¬ presentatives in congress, also to the executives of all the different states in the Union, with a request that the same may be fi|id befoie tEeir respective legislatures for their concurrence and adoption.
A copy.    The original is with the house of representatives.
SrSj
State o^ Tennessee, Knoxville, January 28th, 1806.
I do myself the honor to enclose to your excellency, a copy of the resolution entered into by the legislature of this state, which you will please lay before the legislature ofthe state over which you pre¬ side, at their next session.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
Your excellency's most obedient servant,
JOHN SEVIER.
Urn excellency the gove7mor ofthe Hate of Ohio*
St4tE Of^l^ENNESSEEj IN GENERAL ASSEMBIT^ JS/oV, 4, 1805.
Resolved^ That our senators in the congress ofthe United States be instructed, and our representatives be requested, to take all legal and necessary steps, to use their utmost exertions, as soon as the same is practicable, to obtain an amendment to the Federal consti¬ tution, so as to authorise and empower the congress of the United States to pass a law, whenever they deem it expedient, to prevent the further importation of slaves from any ofthe West-India islands, from the coast of Airica, or elsewhere, into the United States, or any part thereof,
Remived^ fmrther^ That the gotemor be, and Jhe is Mreby re¬ quested to transmit copies ofthe foregoing resolution to our sena¬ tors and representatives in congress, also to the executives of the difterent states, with a request that the same may be laid before their respective legislatures, for their consideration and adoption.
ROBERT C. FOSTER, speaker ofthe hmise of representaliveSm JOSEPH MCMINN,
speaker ofthe senate. Attest, Ebwarb Scott, elk, h. n.\ L N. Gamble, elk. s^iate. 3 A copy.   The original is with the house of representativet,
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