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349
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 8.
Congress of the United States.
House of Representatives,
JVedncfdo)’, Dec. 7, 1796.
... The house being aflcmbled, a meflage
was fcnt to the Senate to inform them
that they were ready, agreeably to ap
pointment, to receive any communica
tion which the Prefkknt of the United
States might think proper te make to
th*m. The Senate accordingly attend
led, and prccifelyat twelve o’clock the
President entered, and after having ta
ken his feat,, delivered the following ad
dress :
FeUon.v-CiUZi'ni of the Senate.
and if the House of Reprcfcntat'vves ,
IN recurring to the internal situation
of our country, since I had lad theplea
fure to address you, I find ample reason
for a renewed expression of that grati
tude to the ruler of the Universe, which
a continued series of prosperity has so
often and fojuftly called forth.
The ads of the lad fdfion, which re
quired special arrangements, have been,
as far as circumfiances would admit,
carried into operation.
Measures calculated to ensure a coif- ■
tinuanceof the friendlhip of the Indians,
and to preserve peace along the extent of
our interior frontier, have been digest
ed and adopted.—ln the framing of these,
care has been taken to guard on the one
hand our advanced settlements from the
predatory incursions of those unruly in
dividuals* who cannot be retrained by
their tribes ; and on the other hand to ;
protfcft the rights secured to the Indians
by treaty —-to draw them nearer to the
civilized State, and inspire them with
correct conceptions of the power as well
as iuftice of the government.
The meeting of the Deputies from the
Creek Nation at Coleraine,- in the state
of Georgia, which had for a principal:
object the purchase of a parcel of their
land by that Hate, broke Up without
its being accomplifhcd ; the Nation ha
ving previous to their departure, in
truded them agatnft making any sale ;
the occasion, however, has been impro
ved, to confirm by anew treaty with
the Creeks, their pre-exifting engage
ments with the United States ; and to
obtain their consent to the eftablifiiment
of Trading Houfcs, and Military Potts
within their boundaries; by means of
which,, their friendftiip find the general
peace may be more effectually fccurdd.
The period during the late 1 session at
which the appropriation was palled,, for
carrying into effeftthe treaty of Amity,
Commerce and Navigation between the
United States and his Britannic Majcf
ty, ucceiTarily procraft mated the recep
tion of the Pods stipulated to be deliver
ed, beyond the date aifigned for that e
vent. As soon, however, as the Gov
ernor General of Canada could be addres
sed with propriety on the fubjeft, ar
rangements were cordially and prompt-,
ly concluded for their evacuation, and
the United States took pofleifion of the
principal of them, comprehending Of
wego, Niagara, Detroit, Mickilimak-,
inak and fort Miami, wher-e such re
pairs and additions have been ordered
to be made as appeared indispensable.
The Commilfioners appointed on the
part of the United States and of Great
. Britain, to determine which is the Riv
er St. Croix, mentioned in the Treaty
of Peace of 1783, agreed in the choice
of Egbert Benson, Esq. of New-York,’
for the third commissioner. The whole
njet- at Stv Andrews** in Paflamaquoddy
JBay, in the beginning of Oftober* and
directed surveys to be made of the riv
ers in dispute ; but deeming it imprac
ticable to have these surveys completed
before the next year, they adjourned, to:
meet at Boston, in August, 1797, for :
the final decision of the question.
Other Commiflioners appointed on
the part of the United. States, agreeably
to the seventh article of the treaty with
Great-Britain* relative to captures and
condemnation of-vefl’els and-other prop-’
erty, met the commiflioners ofhis Bri
tannic Majesty in London, in Anguft
last, when John Trumbull Esq. was
chol'en by lot, for the fifth commissioner.
In Oftober following the board were to
proceed to business. As yet, there has.
been no communication or commilfioners
on the part of Great-Britain, to unite
with those who have been appointed on
the part of the United States, forestry -
ing into effect the sixth article of the
treaty.
The treaty with Spain required that
the commilfioners lor running the boun
dary line between the territory of the U
nited States and his Catholic Majefty’-s
Provinces of Eatt and Welt Florida,
mould meet at the Natchez, before the
expiration of fix months after the ex
change of the ratifications, which was
•neCted at Aranjuez on the 2Cth day Os
April j and the troops of his Catholic
Columbian slufeum, fifo.
Majesty occupying any ports wifhm the’
limits of the United States, were with
in the fame period to be withdrawn.
The Commissioner of the United States*
therefore, commenced bin journey sos
the Natchez in September, and troops
were ordered to occupy the ports from
which the Spanilh garrison lliould be
withdrawn.—lnformation has been re
cently received of the appointment of a
commissioner on the part of his Catho
lic Majesty for running the boundary
line; but none of any appointment for
the adjustment of the claims of our citi
zens whole velfels wete captured by the
armed velfels of Spain.
In pursuance of the aft of Congrels
palledm the last session. for the protec
tion and relief of Amelkin Seamen, A
gents were appointed, one to reside in
Great-Britain, and the other in the
Weft -Indies. The effefts of the agen- <
~cy in the Weft-Indies are not yet furlly
afeertained ; but those which have been
communicated afford grounds- to believe
the measure will be beneficial. The A
gent destined to reside in Great-Britain
declining to accept the appointment, the
business has eonfequently devolved on*
the Mrnifter of the United States In .
London, and will command his atten
tion,until anew agent fnafl be appointed.
After many delays and disappoint
ments, arising out of the .European war,
the final arrangements for fulfilling, the <
engagements made to the Dey and re
gency of Algiers, will, in all present
appearance* be crowned with fucccfs ;
but under great, though inevitable dif
ad vantages in the pecuniary tranlaftions :
occasioned by that war ; which will
render a further provision necessary.
The aftual liberation of all our citizens
who were prisoners in Algiers, while
it gratifies every feeling heart, is itfeif
an earned, of a fadsfaftory termination
of the whole aegociation. Meafurcs
are in operation for effecting treaties
with the regencies of Tunis and Tripoli.
To an aftive external commerce, the
proteftion of a naval force is indispensa
ble. This is manifeft with regard to
wars in which a state is-itfeif a party.
But besides this, it is in our own experi
ence, that the moft sincere neutrality is
not a fufficient guard against the. depre-.
datior.s of nations at war. To-lecture ‘
refpeft to a neutral flag, Acquires a nsff
val force, organized and ready to vin- ■
dicate it from insult or aggression. j
This may even prevent the necessity of ‘
going to war, by difbouraging belliger
ent powers from committing such vio
lations of the rights of the neutral partyl
as may, firft or last, leave- no other op
tion. From the best information I
have been able to obtain, it would lcem
as if oyr trade to the Mediterranean
. without a protecting force will always
be infccure, ar*l our citizens expoled to
the calamities from which numbers of
than have but just been relieved.
These confederations invite the Uni
ted States to look to the means, and to
set about the gradual creation ofa navy.
‘The inCrealing progress of their naviga
tion promises them, at no distant peri-‘
od, the requisite supply of seamen ; and
their means in other refpefts favour the
undertaking. It is an encouragement
likewise, that their particular situation
will give weight and influence to a mo
. derate naval force in their hands. Will
it not then be advisable to begin'with
out delay, to provide and lay up the ma
terials for the building and equipping of
ships of war ; and to proceed in the
; work by degrees, in proportion as our
; refoureds ihall render it prafticable with
out inconveniences ; so that a future war
: of Europe may not find our commerce
in the fame unprotefted state,. in which
it was found by the present ?
Congress have repeatedly, and not
without fucccfs* direfted. their atten
tion to the encouragement ol manutac- ■
tures. Theobjeft is of tob much con
sequence not to infiire a continuance of
their efforts in every way which ffiall
appear eligible. Asa general rule*man
ufaftures on public account are irtexpe- ■
dient. But where the state of tilings in
a country leaves little hope that certain
branches of manufafture will,, for agreat
length of time, obtain ; —when thefeare
ofa nature efientiai- to the furnifiying*
’ and equipping of the public force in time .
of war ; are not eftablilhments for pro
curing them on public account, to the
extent of the ordinary demandfbr the pub
lic /twice recommended by strong Con*- ;
fidcratiom of national policy, as an Ex
ception to the general rule ? Ought our ;
country to remain in such cases depen- ;
dant on foreign supply, precarious, be
cause liable to be interrupted ? If the ne
ceflary articles should in this mode cost
more in time of peace, will not the
security and independence thence a- 1
rising, form an ample compcnfation ?
Establishments of this fort, commcnfu
ratr only with the <wlJs of the public
service in time of peace, will, in time of
war, easily be exfended in proportion
to the exigences of the government ; and
may even perhaps be made to yield a
surplus for the supply of ofcr citizens at
large ; so as to mitigate flic privations
from the interruption of their trade. If
adopted,- the plan ought to exclude all
thole branches which are already, or
likely soon to be established in the coun
try ; in order that there may be no dan*
ger of interference with pursuits of in
dividual industry.
It will not be doubted, that with re
ference either to invidual or national
welfare, Agriculture is of primary im
portance. In proportion as Nations 1
advance in population; and other eifeum^
1 fta.nces of maturity, this truth becomes ’
naoreapparent ;• and renders the cultiva
tion of the foil, more and more an objeft >
of public patronage. Xnftitutions fori
• promoting it, grow up supported by the
public purse ; and to 1 what objeft can it •
be dedicated with- greater propriety ? j
Among the means which have been em- \
ployed to- this end* none have been at- ;
tended with greater success, than the
, establishment ot Boards* composed oi
proper charafters, charged with col left
; ing and dLffufing information* and ena
’ bled bf premiums and’ fnrall pecuniary
aids* to encourage and aflift a ipirit ol;
difeovery andimprovement. This fpe- i
. cies of cftablilhment contributes doubly j
to -the encreafe of improvement; by |
stimulating to entemrizC and experi- !
ment; and by drawing to a common ■
centre, the* refult3 everywhere, of indivi
dual skill and obfervation* and spread
ing them, thence over the whole nation.
Experience accordingly has Ihewn, that
they are very cheap mftruments of im
mense national benefits.
.1 have heretofore propofod to the con
fide rat ion of Congress, the expediency
of eftablilhing a National Uftiverfity ;
and also a Military Academy- , The de
sirableness of both these institutions, has’
so conftandy increased with every new
view I have taken of the fubjeft, that j
I Cannot omit the opportunity of once
for all, recalling your attention to them. 1
The aflcmbly, to which-I address my
felf, is too enlightened not so be fully
feiifible how much a fi'ouriffiing state of
. the arts and sciences contributes to-na
tional prosperity and reputation.. True
it is, that our country* much ( so its, ho
nor* contains-many leimnaries of learn
ing highly rdpeftable and uleful ; but
the funds upon which they rest, are too
narrow to command the ablest profeffors
in the diftcrent departments of liberal”
knowledge, for the institution contem
plated ; though they would be excellent
auxiliaries.
Amongst the motives to such an in
stitution, the assimilation of the princi
ples,, opinions and manners of our coun
trymen, by the common education ofa
portion of our youth, from every quar
• ter, well*deferves attention. The more
homogenous our citizens can be made in
these particulars, the’ greater will be
our profpecl of permanent union : and
a primary objeft of such a-national in
stitution, ffiould be, the education ofour
youth in the science of
a republic, what fpecic-s of knowledge
can be equally important ? And what
duty more pressing on its legiflatilre,
than to patronize a plan for communi
cating it to those, who are to be the fu
ture guardians of the liberties of the
country ?•
The institution of ar military acade
my, is also recommended by cogent rca
fons. However pacific the general po
licy of a nation may be, it ought never
to be without an adequate stock of mi
latary knowledge for emergencies. The
firft would impair the energy of its cha
racter, and both would hazard its fafety
orexpofeit to greater evils when war
could not be avoided. Besides, that
war might often not depend upon its
own choice. In proportion as the ob
servance of pacific maxims might exempt
a nation from the necessity ot praftifing
. the rules of the military art,, ought to
be its care in preferving.and tranlmit
ting by propereftablifhnients, the know
ledge Os that art. Whatever argpment
may be drawn from particular examples,
fupcrficially viewed ; a thorough exam
ination of the fubjeft will evince, that
the Art of War is at once comprehen
sive and complicated ; that it demands
much previous study : and that the pos
session of it* in its moft improved and
perfeft state, is always of great moment
to the security of a nation. This, there
fore,ought to be a serious care of every
government ; and for this purpose,
acadjemy, where a regular epurfo of in
ftruftion is given, is an obvious expedi
ent, which different nations have fuc
cefsfully employed.
The compcnfations to the officers of
the United States, in various instances,
and itt hone more than in refpeCV t® the.
T o{ \ ,m P°ant lfattons,
fqj legirtative revision. The co n f eub .
ces ot a defective provision are off e 4 ri ou ,
import’to the government. If
wealth is to supply thedefeft of public
retribution* it will greatly contract the
hcrC n Wl * hin which she feleftiofior
character for office is to be made - anf t
will proportionally diminish the p’rcbf
biluy of a choice of men able a s well
upright. Besides that it would her*
pugnant to the vital principles ofo ‘
government, virtually to exclude from
public trusts Wlents and virtue, unS
accompanied by wealth.
While in our external relations, fom.
fenous inconveniences and embarrass!
ments have been Overcome* and others
leflened, it is with much pain* and deen
regret 1 mention, that circumstances of
a very unwelcome nature, have lataW
occurred. Our trade has fuffered, aniV
1, fuffermg- ex ten five injuries i a ’
Weft- Ihdies, from the cruizers, and a
gents of the French Republic; and com’
nuniMtions have heen received from
; tts imnifter here, which indicate the
danger of a further diftm-bance of our
commerce* by its authority • and which
| arc > in °ther refpefts,*for from agreeable
It \m l>een ; conftant* fijfcere and
earnelt wirti*in conformity with thatc f
our nation* to maintain cordial harmony*
t aria’ a. pcrieClly friendly underftandi;
. with that Republic. Tiffs,with remains
unabateo ; —and I Ihall persevere in the
, endeavour to fulfil it* to the utmost ex
tent of what Ihall be cdnftftefit with
■juft, and indifpeniVble regard to'the
rights and honour ofour country ; nor
will I easily cease to clieriffi the expec
tation, that a spirit of justice, candour
and friendrtffp, on the part of the Repub
lie, will eventually infiire success,
; In pursuing this course* however, I
cannot forget what is due to the charac
ter of our government and nation : or
to a full and entire coirftdeiice'iu the good
sense, patriotifm* felf-refpeft and forti
; tude of my countrymen.*
I reserve for a ipocial message, a more
particular communication on t : his inter
citing fuhjeft.-
Gentlemen of the House of Repref motives,
I have direfted an eftirnate of the ap
propriation necellary for the service of
the ensuing year, to be submitted from
the proper department, with a view of
• the public receipts and expenditures to
the latest period so whickaa-account ea
be prepared.
It is w'ith fatisfaction* I am able to
inform you, t’hat the revenues of the U
nited States continue in a state ofpro
greffivc improvement.-
A reinforcement of the existing pro r
visions for- di&har.ging our public debt*
was mentioned in,my address at the op
ening of the last session. Soqie prelim
inary steps were taken towards it, the
maturing of which will, no doubt, en
gage your zealous attention during th*
present.—l will only add,.- that it will
; afford me a heart-felt fatisfaftion to con
cur in such further measures, as will un
certain to our country the pfoipeft ofa
. speedy extinguilhment of the debt. Pos
terity may have cause to regret, if from
any motive, intervals of tranquility arc
left unimproved for accelerating this
valuable end. , .
Gentlemen of the Senate, and
of the House of Representatives,
My solicitude to fee the militia of the
United States placed on an efficient ef
tabliftiment,. has been so often, and so
ardently expressed, that I ftiall butbare
’ ly recal the fubjeft to your view on the
present occasion ; at*the fame time that I
Ihall fubmir to your enqbiry, whether
our harbours are yet fufficiently secured,
r l he situation in which I nowftand*
for the last time, in the midli of the Re
prefentativesof the People of the Unirei
States, naturally recalls tile period whfca
the administration of the present form
of government commenced; and I can
not omit the occasion to congratulate
you, and my country* on the fucccfs of
the experiment; ripr to repeat my set- 5
vent supplications to the Supreme Ruler
of the Universe and sovereign Arbiter
of Nations, that his providential care
’ may still be extended to the United
States; that the virtue and happiness
of the people may be prefci ved ; and than
the government, which they haveinfti
tuted for the proteftion of their liberties*
may be perpetual.
GEO. WASHINGTON
United. States, Dec. 7, 1796.-
As soon as the President had finifiici
his addrels, he presented a copy of:: tc
the President of the Senate, and anothtF
to the Speaker of the House of Repre
sentatives. The President and Mcrr
bers of the Senate retired and the Speak
er resumed his chair. The add re n war
then read, and, onmotiph, comnfft:ci
a committee of the whole house t
row. Ad j owned. - .
No. 86..