IV I L M I N G T 0 N G A Z E T T E.
No. 23.
II U R S D A Y, JUNE 8,; 1297.
Vol, I. J
PHILADELPHIA, May 16.
O N G R E S
S.I
Thisdav preeifelyat 12 .fVIock, the Pre fi
dent of the United-St -tee met bochHoiifes
of Congrefs in the lr.il! of the Rep.efen-
tatives, wheie he addt elied them in the
following Speech :
Ceuiiemen of the Striate, and
Gentlemen
ke lloufe of Keprcfenia. ves,
THE perfonal. ircoiiveinence to ne
members of the Senate and of the Houfe t'
tire Directory , two days afterwards, the
minilter of foreign relations, informed ihc
recalled American minilter, That the Exe
cmive Dhetftory had determined not to re
ceive another miniller pleiiipoteniiary from
the United States until after the redrefs of
grievances demanded of the American go
vernment, and which the French Republic
had a right to exoeet from it. The Ameii-
can minuter- immediately endeavored roaf
cei tain whether by refuting in receive him,
it was intended thar-he fhould retire from
the territories of the FrenCh Republic ; and
ndifpenfa.ble duty to recommend to your
tcbfideration effectual meafures of defence
1 iie commerce of the United States, has
become an intere'ting object of attention,
whether we conlider it in relation to the
wealth and finances, or the ftrength and re
fourcesof the nation. r-JWith a feacoalt of
near 2000 miles in exteur, opening a wide
object; any. fieiious and permanent injury
to cofrrBet ce would not fan to prduce the
molt nban affing diforders: To: prevent it
1 i.-, .! 1 'L : - ' I f 1 '
ory. ror nr. orarnai ; ng uunermiuen ana oenroyeu, iris
year, are fo obvious, chat 1 the nv.- u thic-ation he driirrd 1 'vuttci'. ar.'-.vei ,' ' that it leceive an adequate protec-
v-. , . - -------- . . - 1
JK.epre tentative, n ...leaving rHei, fain,! J verbal aid wers were given that fuel, was the
and private affairs, at thjs feakm t I'h-cmion of the Directory. .
rate,whether the means of general defence
ought not to be increafed by an addition to
the regularartillery and cavalry, and by ar
rangements for forming a provincial army.
With the fame view, and asamealure,
which even in a tia.e of univerfal peace,
aught not to be neglected, IrecQmmend
to yourcomiderauon a reviiionof the laws
:or nlhcries, navigation and commerce, r - . .-r y
r B- n 'Or orean zing, arming and dilcin hmnjr
plythnr indurtry and epterprize to ihefel nwm "nacr nat nature and late
ueicuccui me vuuiiii) , tuicatiuui.
Although it is very true that Ve ought
tiot to, involve ourfelves in the political
lyftem of Europe, but to keeji curfelves
Iways dittinct and feperate from it, if we
pen fable.
It would have afforded me tlw hipheft fa-
tistaclion, to have been able to conPiatiilate
M : r . -r .
j"") ;vo icuumiroirur peace to toe nations
ot but oe, whole anirnohties have enda;
proceeded to AniftcrdAjn wfiere he propof
en 10 wait lor uutruction H orn this govern
ment. During his refiden.ee at Paris, cards
j..cu uui Manijouuy, duc we nave iWll threatened with being fnbjected to the jurif
abundant caiife ofegratitude to the fuoreme Hidiou pf the minifter of police-but with
dilpenfer of national hlcffmgs, for genrralbecoin!Hg.firnfefshe infilled on the proTec
health and pronnhng feaions ; for domcll icltinn nfr this law nf n'intits rliif f t Inm oc
i and locial happinels for the tapid progreihe knhwn miuilter of a foreign power.
n"T ar.';uuoi:oi lnuuitry, throiiPti You will derive further information from
jantKuy; when receiving notice in writing t-h naval eliablifhmcnt mmt occur to
tv iuu i ne -icri nones or oic rvepuuuc, nev'j hiviii, v nu ciuiii.icis.iiic iOfi ics. jjojp-
rtntted on our commerce the miuas ofteied
to oiir oiiizeus, and the description yf the
veflels by which thele abufes have been
extenfive territories ; for civil, polit icl ai'd
religions liberty. W hile ot'ner ftatesare de
folated with foreign war, or coiiyuliejl with
inieltinedivifions, the United States prefent
the pleafing profpec't of a nation governed
d mua ana equal laws oenerallv fatistted
with the pofTeffion of their rights iieitheT
envying the advaninges nor fearing the
power of other nations folicitous only foi
the maintenance of order and judice, and
the prdervation of liberty ; increaiing daily
in their attachment to a fyftem of govern
nient in proportion to their experience of
its utility , yielding a ready' and general
obedience to laws flowing from the reafon,
and refilling on the only fijlid foundation,
the affeclions of the people.
It is with extreme regret that I (hall be
obliged to turn your thoughts to otiier cir
enmftances, which admoiiifh us thai Ionic
of thefe, felicities may not be lafling. But
if the tide of our profoeritv is f ull and a re.
his difpatches : "which will belaid before you.
. As it is of ten neceflary that nations fllouhl
treat, for the mutual advanvage of thcii al
tans and elpeeiallv to accommnda;e and
pradtifed : as t.he fuffi ings of our mercan
tile and fcrfarina; citizens, cannot bi: af
ci ibed to the pmiHionof duties demandaLle,
cOnfidering the lieutFal fitnation of our
country, they are to be attributed to the
hope of impun'uy arifing from a fuppofed
inability on our part to afford protection
to refill the coniecjuenccs of fucli inipreiii-
eafrt-yetto eS'ee th-4
pun6tii-i and continual information ot tbe
current chain of;events and of he-otittar "
projecfk contemplation is no lefs leceiTa.
ry than if we were directly concerned irt
them. It is nectfiary in order to the di?
covery of the eflorts made to draw us into
the vortex, in leaion tp nmke preperationa
againft them. However we may confider
eunelvesi, the maritime and commercial
powers of the world will conlider the
United States of America as forming a
weight in that balance of power in Europe
mi fin tli ififtila rf Mrirtii nAiiftna oiwl
to mm ai-aivdl the degradation of the fie- wh,ch never cnn be forgotten or neglected.
, it .. .
- vv . , i. . I r uifMil.l . , ,,.., , , . J i . . . . . t I
very, v inch they mult hnallv itnmn on the ' " vu u "Ul uc ii'ouu our inteieii
'erminaie differences, and-as they cnn rreatjAtririeaii character, is an .important duiyjbut it would be doing wrong to one half
only by niinillei s, the rioht of emfallv is of govern.ment. of Europe at lcaft it we mould voluntarily
A naval power next to the nnhtia is thethrow ourlclvea into either fcale. It it
uaturaTdcfenre of the United btates. Thea natural oolicv for a nation rhntftnditrt
experience of the lait war would be fufficiik, Ijeuu a, to 0f wfth mhfcr
em to fcew, that a moderate navy force,Ln ,j in i ih;, i
Fifth as would be eafily within the prefent b T , . , r"" , U1
ibiluies of the unjon, would have beeulAl F t,me ihat meafures might b
ftifficienr to have hafiled, manv fo. tnkh.ble Purluea Wirn t,lls v?ew our twaties with
tranfpbrtatiou? of ttoops, from one Hate to,1 rul!ia and awrclen, one of which is expi
anwther, woudi were then practifc-l ; our'red and the other near expiring, might be
feacoatts from their great extent ate uuirc. renewed.
Weil known; and tfjablifhed by theJiw an
ofage iff nations ; the rei'tdal on the part of
rtance to receive and hear our nifnHfer i:
then the denial of aright; but the 1 efnlbl
to receive him, until we have acceded to
their demands without difcuflion, and with
out invettigation, is to treat ns neither a?
allies, nor as friends, nor as a 16ercii.
(fate.
With this conduct of the French govern
tnent, it will be proper to take into view,
the public audience given to the tniniller of
the United States on his taking leave of the
Kxecutive Directory. The lpt ch of th
Prefnlent difclofes fentimcnta more ahst til
ing than the rcfufal of a minister, becaufc
famt time fhidioidU
gnities towards the yo-
vernment of the United States. It evince
a difpofition to fcparate the people of ihe
U mted States from the government : to ner-
jluadc them that they have different atiecti
i alily annoyed, and more eafily defended
by naal force than any other-, with all
Gentlemen of the Hcufe of Reprejentatives,
It isp-irriiuiarlv vour province to conn.
t... "' 1 . . I l 111 i
i ue mau'i mm our country atx-unos j in ikiii r fu ftafM - lht, ltnKi:,. fitnre olwi
ur naval architects and navivaiors are emi d . , .
,r , i i ( 1 n adopt Inch mrafurcs re pecting them as
to ary- and commanders bihI fcamen wiU , . , . v 6 " ,
not 1 evantinr. exijjcr.ces fhall be found to require. The
1 - thm -itaWiJhiMfTit of a pc prctemiion a put-n- credit, the regular
wSenV lyftem of naval defence, appeal s.extinguillunent ot the public debt, and
to rqpifite ; I aui fenfible it cannot bea provifion of funds, to defray any extra
for;:ed lb fpeedily cV extenfively as the pi e: ordinary expentfs, will of courfe call for
lent crifis demands. Hitherto, 1 have!your fcrious attention.' Although the im
thvnu.it proper to prevent the failing of porltion cif new burihens cannot br, in it
arnvd vrllels. except on vovapes to the ! w .... -i j .
.. r c lfir. arret ,in . it incir: s no irrnnnn ,
, c , - - 0 -
felves have ehofen to manage their common
concerns, ami thus to produce divifjons ta
lal ti our peace. Such attemois onnht to Lr
repelled, with a dccifioh w hith fhall con -
vjjice France and the world that we are no!
a degraded people humiliated under a colo
nial Ipii it of fear ami fenfe of inferiority,
fined to be the miferable inflrnments uf(&
reign infiueix e, and regardlcfs of national
lonor, character and mtereft.
I fhould have been happy to have thrown
a ved oer thefe tratifadiuili, if it had been
ohibie to conceal them ; but they hat
paflt-H on the g-eat theatre of the world in
the face of all Kiuope and America, and
with fuch circumstances of duplicity and fo
lemnity, that they cannot be difguifed, and
will not foon be forgotten i they ha n
flitfeda wound in the Amcricau.brfcalt
It is my fu ice re define, however, that i
a a "a '
may nc ln alel: It n my ftncfrc dehre. and
in this I pi chime I col nr wnh you, and
wim our connitucnts, t. mt-lervr pence and
permiffion proper; yet the reUricticn has Pttr " om OU ,UC 1 mlurcj " W
originated finely frnnrjl wiHi io prevent Pre,c'" 'ur:ty, anu iuture mterttu OV
colnifimiis w'uli the powers at war, contra- m.ind.
vciuiMMhc ad of Coiii'tefs of Tune, one .Jfj. J
thouiand feven hundred and ninety-four,! r M i Uri r r D . r . ..
. i . r ii -il l GentL-vstn of the Hou e of heprefentativts.
and not from anv doubt entertained bv me J l " ' y
f the policy ftiid propriety of iiermininc! The prelem lituation of our country, io-
oiir vtllcls to employ means of defi-nre,'pofes an obligation, on all the deparmenfs
w.n.e engaged m a lawlnl foieign 'com-'of government, to adopt an exphcit and
- rye. it remains for Congrefs to pre-jdecided t'ondutf In my lituation an ax
icribe Rich re(Hfltious.as will enable our! r..-. r.L i' l ,
, , " . . ., puuiion oi uie pnncpies, ny wincn n v
iealain.g cit:y.-tis to dtlend them elves 1 n in j J
. I ,i inn i 11 f i , n IS. 1 I I 1 Mniifirirl ...
mrt violations of the law of nations,) , u.w.mu, ufi,l4 IKll
and at the lame time tcfli ain ihein, from
committing acts of hbAlUty Bguiuli the
flux commencing, a vigilant circumfpet't
': " - "-y ' ion; and at the I
who fortitude and extricate ourfelves ii.'Sifjinarked with indigni
their conleqnrnces with all the flill we pif
fefs and all ihe efforts in our power.
In giving to Congrefs, information of he
Rate of the Union, ami recommending .o
ineir conftderation Inch meafures as appear Ions, principles andintcrctl, f.om thole of F.a,r.Inlies where general nfio-e and the ' SSrV . " , i "Hi
iu me to ne necetiy or expedient, acco-hheir fi-llow-citizens, whom they them-danger from pi. a.es appeared to render. the Pr
J.. ,. . .. .. I 1 J i 7.. J i .... ' - J-l (. n ,! liV-l. ni.ilnr., , I, .
nig tu uij jmiuuii'Jii-ii otity, the caLlc
ami the ohjectVof the prefent extraodinry
fellionwill be explained,
After the Prc-fident of the United States
received information, that the french eq
vernment had exprefled feripus difcon tents
jar (brhe proceedings of tlie government oi
meie itatrs. laid to afft-ft the intercllsof
trance, he thought it expedient o fend to
that countrv a new minifter. f ullv inftrnA.
jl to enter on fuch amicable difcnflioi.s, and
ra give inch candid explanations, as might
happily remove the dilcontents and fulpici
n of the French government, -and vindi
cate the conduct of the United States, for
ihis pnrpofc he felecled from among his fel
low-cuixens, a character wboft integrity,
talents, experience and fervices, had placed
him in the rank of the mod efteemed and
K oeifted in the'nation ! The direcl objret
ot his miffiort, was exprefled in his letter of
cicdeni- to tfie frrnrh H.'pid,li(v belli', "to
Maintain that good undeilfinding, which
from the Cnmmriw rmnit nf iln .ilium r li i I
fnhfiMr l be: with the two nations' and to
efts e unfavorable Impremoni i banifh ful
" urns and reUore that c ordialiiv, whirl,
w is at once the evident mwl id.,l,i. i
fiien diy union "Ami his iuftructions were
to the f imr eftet'f, faithfullv to renrefen!
the difpofitum nfttre government and people-of
the United Slates, their difpofition
i iur one, to emove iealoufics and obviate
complaints, by flawing that they were
proundlcl, to reftdrc that mutual confi
dence, which had been fo unfortunately,
and injnrionfly impaired , and to explain
the relitive iiiterrlt ,vi both countries and
the ir.d fentniients of his own."
A miniller thin fpecially conimiflioncd, it
l. expected, w.mhl havi inovrd Am In.
flnimeht ef refloring mutuarconfidence be-
v crii the two reiitihliri i h. K, M it-,, ..r f,
"c rrenm government cor.clponded with
WW expectation. A few dy before bis
mnivai at mtj ihc nrmli miniller of fo.
pe't'u relations informed thr A urr'n m ml
I-'ilter then refident at Paris, ,,i be fotm.di
ties to be obferved by hJmfjrlf in laUinc
lueinlfhiii With all nations, and h e inn
that neither the honor, nor the. IntereA ol
powm at war. In audi ton o this volun-
aiy provifion for defence by individual
ii'izcns, it appears to me, neccllarv to
L'l"1!' he fiikiai and. paovide oUici flwh
f interiOi ffcr, to tahe under convov i id
weichni i cflcif as fliallicmain unaimed.
For greattr part of the ensife is, win
depirdation have been moft fanjtiriotli
have been built, and fume of ihcm part all
equipped in the united bates. Aiuiou-h
m cffedual remedy mav be attended with
difficulty, yel I have thought it my duty io
to be omitted.
It m impofl.hle to conceal from ourfelres
or ihe w orld, whai has been before obfer
ved, that endeavors have been employed
to fi ller and elUbhih a divifion bei(a
inc go ui iiuicnr anu pccpie ot tne Ul:K
ed States. Trt Inveftipjte the (inn.
Q
vh ch have encouraged this attempt is not
ncc.fl..ry. liut to repel by decided and"
untied councils, inlinuationi fo derogatory
to the honor, and aggrclfions fo dangerous
to the eotffltfuuoh, union, and even inde-
pen leme ot the -nation, is an indrfpenfij.
ihe United States abfojutelf forbid the rc-
i y a .
priiuonol uv:ukc lr hcui io' lliel de-
ln able objcits with France, I fliall iuilitme
a fiefli attempt at negociattoti, and fliall not
fail to promote and accelerate an accommo
dation, on terms, compatible with the rights,
duties, intercity and honor of ihe nation :
if we have committed errors, and thefe can
be demonftrated, we fliall be wiilinc to cor
tei'tiifin. it we n.nrdone iniuues. wr
fliall be willing on convidi,n to rcdrcfi abroad have fitted out priv.ueeis, awl,re,B- ant' tlomeHic faclions, in oppofifon
i ' lent the fubiecl pctitiallv to oi.r coii-lble dutv
t o m 0 - 0
ftdeiation. If mode can he devififd, tKJ' "ufl not be permitted to be doubted
the Hifdom of Congrefs, to prevent thcUhethcr the people of the U. States will
refourcesof the United Siate from being lpport ,,1C p0vcrnment, elLbffi.fd bv
converted into the means of .innovmg our f , . . . , ,y
Made, a great evil w,d b. SSSSL VS pli
With ,,c fame view I ihink it proper t o i ' ."" ffCf Cl,'1Ce ' 0r "het!"r T
mention ihai fi.me of our citizens relidennucr" 5 c"""v turecn-m ot to-
ihem , am! equal mrafurcs of julticc we have
a right io expert from France and every
-- - - 1 TL. Jfl . A
other nation - I he diplomatic iuterronrfe ted fpoliations on the commerce of the maintained
nciween tne united Mates and r ranee being united States. Mich unnatural and illiquid fur ,,iyfelf. bavipo never been it difleren-'
at prefent lufpended, the government his tous prac'tices can ie itfliaiued only by-,n u', f(lllf(.r, J?i ,it- ,J.n t
no meana of obtaining oflicial information feverenunimmeata. - 7 l "hdt ,Ka "Vn,frcn. of mf
mr th.r rM.n.rv. 7, n.ur. .i. u... ir.i ,.r - couniry i ucvoiedtnc r-eit part of my hie
' "W I lIVIO I i it i isi
1 ' .r. and bv hit fllrerihir IM n IMM i
I' re rem inn Th.i. r..,i.. ... .i t
'f . IUI MIHIIIKI IIICJ vir
ICi
Itafon to believe, that the li4tecuiive Direr -
loiy pafled a decree on the ad of March lall,
contravening in part the treaty of amity It
' oMimerce of I77B, injurious to our lawful
commerce and endangering the lives of our
rii izena A copy of this deciee will be laid
belore you.
While we are endeavoring to admit all
others have voluntarily laken the command 10 --1C'1 oW 11 government, they will foreki:
orenteied on hoard of them, an. I cominit-'the honorable Nation they have hiiheuo
on the leai.lthu.k ,t highly Rtcafitw w'10 fJ W fapport ill independence,
prated it at home, wheic it . tvlleCttd m Jml CH,,,tanl,y wnncflcd the patiotifm,
our melt import ..nt ports. The di(lance "i,rl,,y prefeverance pf my fellow
ol ihe United :tatc fmin t urope, and tiie titiiens, on the motl trvit g OCCafiaMi t
well known promptitude, ardour and cour
avc ot the people, in defence of their conn
ny, happijf uinbiuh the probability nf
MvaMHi , neverthelels to fuard againft fod-
Teo i and on tUe Ota of Drrember ore. lour iliftrrrtirrt Willi mwi hm nmi, J,l. ht.. i ..r.,i,i.,r, i.irnti; ,i. ;
mea olticially to the miniller of foreignlgociation, the progrefsol the war in LuropeJof fome of our principal feapnits, demand
. -worn? a copy oi Im letters ofithe deedatiom on om commerce, the your conuderRtion. And as our countiv
- 1 v"- r ' 1 "- om viicmiiri(i 1119111 uinciabte in oioer imeretTt, nrmrestnoTe
rr-Wc vrere laid tcfo, c ihe Exccu-i;ci,eta. cot j U on vd atfairs, render it my of its ewnerec, ycu v-Ul feriouiy dthtc
is nut for me to hefnate, or aberdoti a
caufe, in which aiy heart ba lieen fo lon
engaged.
vonvinced that the conduct of the go
vernment hat been juft and impartial to fo
reign tutiom ; that thofe internal regulsti
uus, which have been cflablimed by law
tor the prcfervation of peace, are, ia (hi if
i
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