s1crificc:s lw included lhal of my natural cxislc11c(~. I ,kdicalc my:;df lh1~n assiduously aml constantly lo afford you such Llc::-::;ing;s as can b1~ given hy a Govcmm1'.nl surroundt~d hy difficult circ11111:;la11c1~s, and which are loo well known lo you-Your legal si~hls firmly sustained and scrupulously rcspecl<·!d will he ~ufficienl for you lo understand that s1·!curity and all other individual guarantees, are nol idle words, when their preservation and support arc confided lo my zeal. No orw llwrdore should fear any thing else, and I never will permit any other persecution, than that which the law commands-a faithful and vigilant guardian of your liberties, they shall not be in any manner infringed so long as the government can prevent it, and confiding in the good i11tenlio11s which animate me, and the firm purpos<~ of never varying, l hope lo be able when my administration closes and I return lo the ranks of a simple citizen, lo d<diver over to you unsallicd the sacred trust which you have confided lo me. But if you, my beloved fellow cilizens, have acquired lo many claims over me, permit me lo r('mind you that I also have them unanswerable on your cooperation and assistance, upon these I rely, for [ am certain Lhal if l fail lo receive them I shall not b(~ able lo obtain anything. I require from you nothing but that slavery which ennobles Lhe republican, and which in another compact you have offered, and lallerly sustained to the admiration and surprise of those who have observed you. You will understand Lhal I mean lhe slavery of the law: In this true liberty is founded and without il men can never have a government corresponding lo the dignity of their natures. Submissive to the laws and respectful to the authorities which you have freely constituted the institutions of our country will be indistructable. The general government will sustain them, and that of lhc slate will nol vacilale in seconding it, counting on your assistance and decision. Order and peace are preserved by a rigid observance of tht' laws, as well in those who comnrnncl as in thost! who ohev: but . . such precious gifts arc not obtained if tlwrc is a want of cordial and i11Limalc u11ion among the llH!tnhers of soddy .-0,w otht•r dforl of your characteristic generosity will 1·a111-1• an abarulumnent of unjust prclci11sio11s by those who hav1· lu~1·n ahle lo t•slabfo,h Llw111, will cause all to sinccrdy forgl!l the i11juri1·s and n-•st·ntmcnts which havt~ crcalNI divisions, and l n~ally lwli1·v1· my countrymen
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