The face of our
country everywhere presents the evidence of laudable enterprise, of
extensive capital, and of durable improvement. In a cultivation of the
materials and the extension of useful manufactures, more especially
in the general application to household fabrics, we behold a rapid
diminution of our dependence on foreign supplies. Nor is it unworthy
of reflection that this revolution in our pursuits and habits is in no
slight degree a consequence of those impolitic and arbitrary edicts by
which the contending nations, in endeavoring each of them to obstruct
our trade with the other, have so far abridged our means of procuring
the productions and manufactures of which our own are now taking the
place.
Recollecting always that for every advantage which may contribute to
distinguish our lot from that to which others are doomed by the unhappy
spirit of the times we are indebted to that Divine Providence whose
goodness has been so remarkably extended to this rising nation, it
becomes us to cherish a devout gratitude, and to implore from the same
omnipotent source a blessing on the consultations and measures about to
be undertaken for the welfare of our beloved country.
JAMES MADISON.
SPECIAL MESSAGES.
DECEMBER 12, 1809.
_To the House of Representatives of the United States_:
According to the request of the House of Representatives expressed in
their resolution of the 11th instant, I now lay before them a printed
copy of a paper purporting to be a circular letter from Mr.
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