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rAI/GUSTA, 'June 3.
pFefident’s Address.
'T >*'•# • _
* 'Cdngrefs of the United States .
TiUUaii op REPRE -ENTATIVES.
Tutfday , May 16.
; • This day, precisely at iz o’clock, the
Ttefideut of the United States met both
houses olCongrefs in the halt of the Re
pfeCeatatives, woe re he addrefled them
in the following speech.
GcntU'*t» of the benate t and
Centttmen oj tlic House of Reprefen
r? - i tanvesi
' THE perlonal inconpeniences to the
tnemberr ot the Senate and ot the Houle
of Reprefcntatives, in leaving their fa
'thrtiea ind private affairs, at this season
hi the year, are so obvious, tnat l the
more tegret the extraordinary occasion,
4vhioh has rendered the convention ot
Congrels indifperlible.
" It would have afforded me the highest
latisiadion, to have been able to congra
tulate you, on a relloration ot peace to
the nations of Europe, whole anunoiitics
tiave endangered our tranquility. But
<»ve have ttili abundant cauie ot gratitude
to the supreme difyenler ot national
bleflings, tot general health and promil
ing fealons; tor domefiic and social hap-
for the rapid progrefsand ampic
acquiluions ot indullry, through exten
sive territories; so: civil, political and
religious liberty. While other (tares are
desolated with foreign war, or convulsed
with intpfiine divisions, the United States
preientthe pleasing profped of a nation
governed by mild, and equal laws; gene
rally fatisfied with the poffeflion ot their
fights ; neither envying the advantages
hor fearing the power of other nations;
foiicitous only for the maintenance of
order and juitice, and the prefeination ot
liberty; ir.creafing daily in their attach
ment to a system ot government in pro
portion to their experience of its utility ;
yielding a ready and general obedience
to laws flowing from the reason, and reit
fng on the only solid foundation, the af
fections of the people.
It is with extreme regret that I (hall
be obliged to turn your thoughts to other
iircumltances, which admonilh us, that
fopneof thefc felicities may not be lading.
Kit if the tide of our prosperity is lull
and a reflux commencing, a vigilant cir
tumfpedion becomes us, that we may
p&eet our reverses with fortitude, and ex
plicate; ourselves from their confluences,
yrith all the (kill we possess and all the
efforts in our power.
In giving to congress, information of
(tare ot the Union, and recommend
ing to their consideration such measures
as appear to me to be or expe
dient, according to my confiitutional
duty, the causes and the objects of the
present extraordinary session will be ex
plained.
After the Prefideat of the United States,
received information, that the French
government had expressed serious difeon
tcnKat forae proceedings of the govern
ment of these dates, said to effeft the in
tereifs of France, he thought it expedi
ent to fend to that country, a new mini
ftcr, fully inftruCted to enter on such a
micahle difeuffions, and to give such can
did explanations as might happily remove
the difeontents and fufpiciors of the
French government, and vindicate the
condud of the United States. For this
pttrpofe he felefted from among his fellow
citizens* a character whose integrity, ta
lents, experience and services had placed
him in the* rank of the mod effeemed and
refpefted in the nation. The direff ob
jeCl of his million, was expressed in his
letter of credence to the French republic;
being 1 to maintain that good underhand -
4 ing which from the commencement
* of the alliance had subsisted between
* the two nations; and to efface unfavor
* able impreflions, banish suspicions,
4 and reffore that cordiality, which was
4 at onca the evidence and pledge of a
* friendly onion.* And his inftrofttons
were to the fame effeft, • faithfully to
* reprsfent the disposition of the goven
* ment and people of the United States,
* their difjpcfition being one, to Temove
» jealoaf.es »od obviate complaints, by
* (hewing that they were groundless, to
4 -eftcre that mutual confidence, which
* had been so unfortunately and injnti
* oiifly impaired, and to explain the re
« lative interests ofbcrh countries, and
* the real fentiiniots of his own/
A muiifter thus specially commifcoced,
it was expected would have proved the
instrument of restoring mutual confidence
between the two republics. —The fitil s
dep of the French government correspon
ded with that expectation.—A few days
before his arrival at Paris, the French
minifier of foreign relations, informed
the American minifier then resident at
Paris of the formalities to be observed
by himfelf in taking leave, aud by his
fuccefior preparatory to his reception.
These formalities they observed, and on
the ninth of December presented official
ly to the minifier of foreign relation*,
the one a copy of his letters of recall, the
other a copy of his letters of credence.
These were laid before the executive
diredory. Two days afterwards, the
minifier of foreign relations, informed the
recalled American minifier, that the ex
ecutive diredory had determined not to
receive another minifier plenipotentiary
from the United States, until after the
redress of grievances demanded of the
American government, and which the
Fiench republic had a right to exped
t.om it.—The American minifier imme
diately endeavored to afeertain, whether
by reiufing to receive him, it was intend
ed, that he should retire from the terri
tories of the French republic : And ver
bal answers were given that such was the
intention of the diredoiy.- -For his own
jollification hedeftred a written answer:
But obtained none, until towards the lafi
of January; when receiving notice in
writing to quit the teiritories of the re
public, he proceeded to Amficrdam,
where he proposed ro waif for inftrudion
from this government. During his resi
dence at Paris, cards of hofpitaiiry were
refufed him, and he was thieatened with
being fubjrded to the jurifdidion ot the
minifier of Police; but, with becom
ing firmncfa he infilled on the protection
of the law of nations due to him as the
known minifier of a foreign power.—You
will derive further information fit. n
his dispatches which will be laid before
you.
As it is often necessary that nations
(houid treat, fur the mutual advantage
of their affairs, and efpeciaily to accom
modate and terminate differences; and
as they can treat only by ininificrs, the
right of embassy is weil known and efta
biilhed, by the law and usage of nations.
The refufxl on the part of France to re
ceive and hear our minifier, is then the
denial of a right: But the refufai to re
ceive him, until vie have acceded to their
demands, without difculfion and without
invefiigation, is to treat us neither as Al
lies, nor as friends, nor as a sovereign
(late.
With this condu& of the French go
vernment, it will be proper to take into
view, the public audience given to the
fete minifier of the United Slates, on his
taking leave of the executive directory.
The speech ot thePrelident dilclofes fentt
ments more alarming tuan the refufai of
a minifier, because more dangerous to
our independence and union ; and at the
fame time fiudioufiy marked with indig
nities towards the government of the U
nited States. It evinces a difp ifirion to
separate the people of the United States
horn the government: To petfuade them
that they have different affections, prin
ciples and intereffs from ihofe of their
feilc v citizens, whom they themselves
have chosen to manage their common
concern-; and thus to ornduce div.ifions
fatal to our peace : Surh attempts ought
to be repelled, with a decision which -hall
convince France and the world, that we
are not a degraded people; humiliated
under a colonial spirit of fear and sense
of inferiority, fitted to be the oiiferable
inftrnments of foreign influence, and re
gar Jlc fs cf national honour, char after
aud intereff.
I flioald have been happy to have
thrown a veil over these uanfa&ions, if
it had been possible to conceal them : But
they ha /c palled on the great theatie of
the world in the face of all Europe and
America; and with fi:ch circumiances
of publicity and solemnity that they can
not be difgaifed and will not focn be for
gotten ; they have inflifted a wounff in
the American bread. ...
It is mv sincere deure however that it .
may be healed. It is my fincete defife,
and in mis 1 pre(uine I concur with you
and with our condiments to preserve peace
and fiieudfLip wuh ail nations: And be
lieving that neither the honour nor the
interefi of the United States abiolutely
forbid the repetition of advances for se
c iring thefedcfirable objeSs with France,
| 1 (hall infiitute a f:eih attempt at ncg->
ration, and (hall not faii to promote and
accelerate an accommodation, on terms
compatible with the rights, duties, inter
ests and honor ot the nation. II we have
committed errors, and these can be de
monstrated, we (hall be willing to coned
them: If we have done injuries, we lhall
be willing on conviction to redrels tuem.
And equal measures of juttice we have a
right to expeft from France and every
other nation.
The diplomatic intercourse between
the United States and France being at
present fofpended, the government has
no means of obtaining official informa
tion from that country: Nevertheless
there is reason to hclieve that the execu
tive diredory passed a decree on the second
of March last, contravening in part the
treaty of amity and commerce of one
thoofand seven hundred and levemy eight,
injurious to our lawful commerce and en
dangering the lives of our citizens. A
copy of this decree will be laid before
you.
While we are endeavoring to adjust all
our differences with France, by amicable
negociation, the progress of the war in
Europe, the depredations on our com
merce, the personal injuries to our citi
zens and the general complexion of af
fairs, render it my indispensable duty to
recommend to your consideration effectu
al measures ot defence.
The commerce of the United States has
became an interesting objed of attention ;
whether we confider it in relation to the
wealth and finances, or the lfrength and
resources of tne nation.— With a sea coast
ot neat two thousand miles in extent,
opening a wide-field for fiiheries, navi
gation and commerce, a great portion of
our citizens naturally apply their industry
and enterprize to thole obje&s. Any
furious and pertinent injury to commerce
would not fail to produce the molt em
barraifing disorders: To prevent it from
being undermined ar.d destroyed, it is
ctleiitial that it receive an adequate pro
tection.
The naval eftabliftiment must occur to
every man whoconfiders the injuries cotu
mitted on our commerce, and the infalts
offered to our citizens, and she deferip
tion o* the vcflVls by which these abuses
have been praCtifed. As the fufferings
of our mercantile and fcafai ing citizens,
cannot be aferibed to the omifiion ot du
ties demandable, confrdering the neutral
fttuation of our country, they are to be
attributed to the hope of impunity, aiif
ing from a supposed inability on our part
to afford protection. To red the con
f*quenccs of such on the minds
of foreign nations, an 1 to guard against
the degradation and servility which they
must finally stamp on the American cha
racter, is an important duty of govern
ment.
A naval power, next to the militia, is
the natural defence of the United States.
The experience of the last war, would
be fufficien: to shew, that a moderate
naval force, such as would be eafi’y with
in the present abilities of the union, would
have been fnffiqicnt to have baffied many
formidable transportations of troops from
one flare to another, which were then
praCtifid. Our seacoasts from their great
, extent are more easily annoyed,, and mere
easily defended by a navai force than any
osher. With all the materials our coun
: try abounds: In Ikill our naval architects
: and navigators are equal to any: And
commanders and Teamen will not be want
ing*
But, although the establishment of a
permanent fyltem of naval defence, ap
pears to be requisite, 1 am fcnfible it can
not be formed so speedily and exten live
ly, as the present cr;(ls demands, Hi
the:to, I have thought proper to prevent
the failing of armed vessels, except on
voyages to the East Indies, where gene
ral usage and the danger from pirates ap
peared to render the pernuffioa propei:
Yot the reftxictioc has originated foleiy
from a with to prevent cokuGons with
the powers at war, corrravenitig the act
of congress of June 1794., and not from
lany doubt entertained by me of the po
. Jlicy and propriety of permitting our vef
i jfcls to. employ m;an» of defence, while
«ngage»L in a la-ml foreign commerce.
It remains for congress to preferibe such
regulations as wilt enable our feafaring
citizens, to defend themfetvesagainft vio
lations of ibe laws of nations, and at the
fame time reftraii. them from committing
acts of hostility ageinft the powers at war.
In addition to this voluntary proviuou
lor defence by individual citizens, it ap
pears to me necessary to equip the frigates
and provide other vessels of inferior force
to uke under convoy such merchant vtf.
fels, as (hall remain unarmed.
.The greater part of the cruiters, whcfe
depredations have been most injurious
have been built, and foroe of them pan 14,
ly equipped in the United States. AlthouA
an aftual remedy may be attended wuj*
difficulty! yet, 1 have though: it my duty
to prefect the subject gene 1 ally to your
conlideiation. I* a mode can be
by the wisdom of congress to prevtnt iha
resources of the United States iroia bein»
converted into the means of annoying out
trade, a great evil will be prevented,
With the larne view I think it proper to
mention that some of our citizens readcut
abroad have fitted out privateers, ando.
thers have voluutariiy taken the com,
mand, or entered on board of them, and
committed filiations on the commerct
of the United States. Such unnatnal
and iniquitous practices can be restrained
only by severe punilhments.
But besides a protection of cur cotn<
merce on the seas, I think it highly aecet.
fary to protect it at home, whereit*ii col,
lected in our mod important ports; The j
distance of the United States from Europe;
and the well known promptitude, ardor
and courage ot the people, in defences;
theitcounuy, happily diminish thsprobo,
bitity of invasion :~Nevertheiefs to guard
agjinft sudden and predatoiy incaruons,
the situation of some of our principal fa.
ports, demands yourconfideratiou. And
as our country is vulnerable in other ir*.
tereits, besides those of its commerce, you
will ferioufiy deliberate, whether tic
means of general defence ought not to U
increased by an addition to the tegular
artillery and cavalry, and by arrangements
for forming a provisional army.
With the fame view, and as a meafurc,
which even in a time of universal putt,
ought not to be negie&cd, 1 recommend
to your consideration a reviuon ot the lav
for organizing, arming and thfdpiiaiag
the militia, 10 render that natural and
, fafe defence of the country efficacious.
* Although it is very true that we ought
not to involve.ourtelves in the politic
fyltem of Europe, but to keep ouifelvei
always dillindi and separate from it, it
we can; yet to effect this
early, punctual and continual iafoi ina.
tion of the current chain of events, and'
of the political projects in contcmpVauon,
is no less necessary than if we were &
rediiy concerned in them. t It is oecefity
in order to the diicovery of the cfora
made to draw us into the vortex, in ftfc
foil to make preparations agaiuft them.
However we may confider ourlelves, the
maritime and commercial powers oi tuS
world will confider the United States ot
America as forming a weight in that ba
lance of power in Europe, which never
can be forgotten or neglected. It wcuii
not only be against our interest, but it
would be doing wrong to one half <»,
Europe at least, if we (houtd voluntarily
throw ourselves into either feale. hi*
a natural policy for a. nation that ftnuiet
to be neutral, to consult witn other na*
tions engaged in the fame fiuutcs auu
pursuits. At the fame time that roes*
fares might be pursued with this view,
our treaties with Prplfia and Swedes,
one of which is expired, and the olhl
near expiring, might be renewed.
Gentlemen of the houje oj rtprtjvrt*
It is particularly yonr province to col
der the ltate of the public finances; and
to adopt such measures relpeding them,
as exigencies (hail be found t® require.
The preservation of public credit, tfc*
regnlar extinguifhment of the pubh«
debt, and a provision of lands, to detftf
any extraordinary expences, will
course call for your serious attention.
Although the imposition of new bur
thens cannot be, in itfelf, agreeable, yd
there is no ground to doubt that the
merican people will expert from y ow
furh meafurts, as their actual engage
inents, their prelent security, andiutui®
interetfs demand.
Gentlemen cf the fenate> and finth*
men of the house of reprcfentaW'..
The present situation of our country,
Im| ofes an obligation, on all the
pattments of government, to adopt &
explicit and decided condutf. I*|
situation an exposition of the principle
by which ray administration will b:
veined, ought not to be omitted.
It is impossible to conceal from c cfb
selves or the world, what has been befr®
obfirved, that endeavors have bee at®'
ployed to fofter and eftabliih a divh>“.
bi tween the government and pcop ,e -
the United States. To inve«tiga [e
causes jvoich have cacauxaged this