The addresses are separated by three asterisks: ***
Dates of addresses by James Madison in this eBook:
November 29, 1809
December 5, 1810
November 5, 1811
November 4, 1812
December 7, 1813
September 20, 1814
December 5, 1815
December 3, 1816
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State of the Union Address
James Madison
November 29, 1809
Fellow-Citizens of the Senate and House of Representatives:
At the period of our last meeting I had the satisfaction of communicatingan adjustment with one of the principal belligerent nations, highlyimportant in itself, and still more so as presaging a more extendedaccommodation. It is with deep concern I am now to inform you that thefavorable prospect has been over-clouded by a refusal of the BritishGovernment to abide by the act of its minister plenipotentiary, and by itsensuing policy toward the United States as seen through the communicationsof the minister sent to replace him.
Whatever pleas may be urged for a disavowal of engagements formed bydiplomatic functionaries in cases where by the terms of the engagements amutual ratification is reserved, or where notice at the time may have beengiven of a departure from instructions, or in extraordinary casesessentially violating the principles of equity, a disavowal could not havebeen apprehended in a case where no such notice or violation existed, whereno such ratification was reserved, and more especially where, as is now inproof, an engagement to be executed without any such ratification wascontemplated by the instructions given, and where it had with good faithbeen carried into immediate execution on the part of the United States.
These considerations not having restrained the British Government fromdisavowing the arrangement by virtue of which its orders in council were tobe revoked, and the event authorizing the renewal of commercial intercoursehaving thus not taken place, it necessarily became a question of equalurgency and importance whether the act prohibiting that intercourse was notto be considered as remaining in legal force. This question being, afterdue deliberation, determined in the affirmative, a proclamation to thateffect was issued. It could not but happen, however, that a return to thisstate of things from that which had followed an execution of thearrangement by the United States would involve difficulties. With a view todiminish these as much as possible, the instructions from the Secretary ofthe Treasury now laid before you were transmitted to the collectors of theseveral ports. If in permitting British vessels to depart without givingbonds not to proceed to their own ports it should appear that the tenor oflegal authority has not been strictly pursued, it is to be ascribed to theanxious desire which was felt that no individuals should be injured by sounforeseen an occurrence; and I rely on the regard of Congress for theequitable interests of our own citizens to adopt whatever furtherprovisions may be found requisite for a general remission of penaltiesinvoluntarily incurred.
The recall of the disavowed minister having been followed by theappointment of a successor, hopes were indulged that the new mission wouldcontribute to alleviate the disappointment wh