1

adjusted; that the war in Europe is not yet terminated; and that our western posts, when recovered, will demand provision for garrisoning and securing them. A statement of our present military force will be laid before you by the department of war.

With the review of our army establishment, is naturally connected that of the militia. It will merit inquiry, what imperfections in the existing plan, further experience may have unfolded. The subject is of so much moment in my estimation, as to excite a constant solicitude, that the consideration of it may be renewed, till the greatest attainable perfection shall be accomplished. Time is wearing away some advantages for forwarding the object, while none better deserves the persevering attention of the publick councils.

While we indulge the satisfaction, which the actual condition of our western borders so well authorizes, it is necessary that we should not lose sight of an important truth, which continually receives new confirmations, namely, that the provisions heretofore made with a view to the protection of the Indians from the violences of the lawless part of our frontier inhabitants, are insufficient. It is demonstrated that these violences can now be perpetrated with impunity; and it can need no argument to prove, that unless the murdering of Indians can be restrained by bringing the murderers to condign punishment, all the exertions of the government to prevent destructive retaliations by the Indians, will prove fruitless, and all our present agreeable prospects illusory. The frequent destruction of innocent women and children, who are chiefly the victims of retaliation, must continue to shock humanity; and an enormous expense, to drain the treasury of the Union.

To enforce upon the Indians the observance of justice, it is indispensable that there shall be competent means of rendering justice to them. If these means can be devised by the wisdom of Congress; and especially if there can be added an adequate provision for supplying the necessities of the Indians, on reasonable terms, (a measure, the mention of which I the more readily repeat, as in all the conferences with them, they urge it with solicitude) I should not hesitate to entertain a strong hope of rendering our tranquillity permanent. I add, with pleasure, that the probability even of their civilization, is not diminished by the experiments which have been thus far made, under the auspices of government. The accomplishment of this work, if practicable, will reflect undecaying lustre on our national character, and administer the most grateful consolations that virtuous minds can know.

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,-The state of our revenue, with the sums which have been borrowed and re

imbursed, pursuant to different acts of Congress, will be submitted from the proper department, together with an estimate of the appropriations necessary to be made for the service of the ensuing year.

Whether measures may not be advisable to reinforce the provision for the redemption of the publick debt, will naturally engage your examination. Congress have demonstrated their sense to be, and it were superfluous to repeat mine, that whatsoever will tend to accelerate the honourable extinction of our publick debt, accords as much with the true interest of our country, as with the general sense of our constituents.

Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives,―The statements which will be laid before you relative to the mint, will show the situation of that institution; and the necessity of some further legislative provisions, for carrying the business of it more completely into effect; and for checking abuses which appear to be arising in particular quarters.

The progress in providing materials for the frigates, and in building them; the state of the fortifications of our harbours; the measures which have been pursued for obtaining proper sites for arsenals, and for replenishing our magazines with military stores; and the steps which have been taken towards the execution of the law for opening a trade with the Indians; will likewise be presented for the information of Congress.

Temperate discussion of the important subjects which may arise in the course of the session; and mutual forbearance where there is a difference of opinion, are too obvious and necessary for the peace, happiness and welfare of our country, to need any recommendation of mine.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

MESSAGE

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO CONGRESS. JAN. 4, 1796.

A LETTER from the minister plenipotentiary of the French Republick, received on the 22d of the last month, covered an address, dated the 21st of October, 1794, from the Committee of Publick Safety to the Representatives of the United States in Congress; and also informed me, that he was instructed by the

committee, to present to the United States, the colours of France. I thereupon proposed to receive them last Friday, the first day of the new year, a day of general joy and congratulation. On that day, the minister of the French Republick delivered the colours, with an address, to which I returned an answer. By the latter, the house will see, that I have informed the minister, that the colours will be deposited with the archives of the United States. But it seemed to me proper, previously to exhibit to the two Houses of Congress, these evidences of the continued friendship of the French Republick, together with the sentiments expressed by me on the occasion, in behalf of the United States. They are herwith communicated. GEORGE WASHINGTON.

TRANSLATION.

The Representatives of the French people, composing the Committee of Publick Safety of the National Convention, charged by the law of the 7th Fructidor, with the direction of Foreign Relations, to the Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled.

CITIZENS REPRESENTATIVES,-The connections which nature, reciprocal wants; and a happy concurrence of circum_ stances, have formed between two free nations, cannot but be indissoluble. You have strengthened those sacred ties, by the declarations, which the minister plenipotentiary of the United States, has made in your name, to the National Convention, and to the French people. They have been received with rapture by a nation, who know how to appreciate every testimony which the United States have given to them of their affection. The colours of both nations, united in the centre of the National Convention, will be an everlasting evidence of the part which the United States have taken in the success of the French Republick.

You were the first defenders of the rights of man, in another hemisphere. Strengthened by your example, and endowed with an invincible energy, the French people have vanquished that tyranny, which, during so many centuries of ignorance, superstition, and baseness, had enchained a generous nation.

Soon did the people of the United States perceive, that every victory of ours, strengthed their independence and happiness. They were deeply affected at our momentary misfortunes, occasioned by treasons, purchased by English gold. They have celebrated with rapture the successes of our brave armies.

None of these sympathetick emotions have escaped the sen.

sibility of the French nation. They have all served to cement the most intimate and solid union that has ever existed between two nations.

The citizen Adet, who will reside near your government, in quality of minister plenipotentiary of the French Republick, is specially instructed to tighten these bands of fraternity and mutual benevolence. We hope that he may fulfil this principal object of his mission, by a conduct worthy of the confidence of both nations, and of the reputation which his patriotism and virtues have acquired him.

An analogy of political principles,-the natural relations of commerce and industry;-the efforts and immense sacrifices of both nations in the defence of liberty and equality; the blood which they have spilled together; their avowed hatred for despots; the moderation of their political views; the disinterestedness of their councils;-and especially the success of the Vows which they have made in presence of the Supreme Being, to be free or die; all combine to render indestructible the connections which they have formed.

Doubt it not, citizens;—we shall finally destroy the combination of tyrants;-you, by the picture of prosperity, which in your vast countries, has succeeded to a bloody struggle of eight years: we, by that enthusiasm which glows in the breast of every Frenchman. Astonished nations, too long the dupes of perfidious kings, nobles, and priests, will eventually recover their rights, and the human race, will owe to the American and French nations, their regeneration and a lasting peace.

Paris, 30th Vendemaire, 3d year of the French Republick, one and indivisible.

The members of the committee of publick safety,

J. S. B. DELMAS, MERLIN (of Douai.) &c. &c. October 21, 1794.

Faithfully translated from the original, by

GEO. TAYLOR, Jr.

The speech of the Minister Plenipotentiary of the French Republick, to the President of the United States, on his presenting the Colours of France to the United States. Jan. 1, 1796.

MR. PRESIDENT,-I come to acquit myself of a duty very dear to my heart; I come to deposit in your hands and in the midst of a people justly renowned for their courage and their love of liberty, the symbol of the triumphs and of the enfranchisement of my nation.

When she broke her chains; when she proclaimed the imprescriptible rights of man; when in a terrible war she sealed

with her blood the covenant she had made with liberty, her own happiness was not alone the object of her glorious efforts; her views extended also to all free people. She saw their interests blended with her own, and doubly rejoiced in her victories, which, in assuring to her the enjoyment of her rights, became to them new guarantees of their independence.

These sentiments, which animated the French nation from the dawn of their revolution, have acquired new strength since the foundation of the Republick. France, at that time, by the form of its government, assimilated to, or rather identified with, free people, saw in them only friends and brothers. Long accustomed to regard the American people as her most faithful allies, she has sought to draw closer the ties already formed in the fields of America, under the auspices of victory, over the ruins of tyranny.

The National Convention, the organ of the will of the French nation, have more than once expressed their sentiments to the American people; but above all, these burst forth on that august day, when the minister of the United States presented to the National Representation the colours of his country. Desiring never to lose recollections as dear to Frenchmen, as they must be to Americans, the Convention ordered that these colours should be placed in the hall of their sittings. They had experienced sensations too agreeable not to cause them to be partaken of by their allies, and decreed that to them the national colours should be presented.

Mr. President, I do not doubt their expectation will be ful. filled, and I am convinced that every citizen will receive, with a pleasing emotion, this flag, elsewhere the terror of the enemies of liberty, here the certain pledge of faithful friendship; espe. cially when they recollect that it guides to combat, men, who have shared their toils, and who were prepared for liberty, by aiding them to acquire their own.

Faithfully translated from the original, by

P. A. ADET.

GEO. TAYLOR, JR.

The Answer of the President of the United States to the Address of the Minister Plenipotentiary of the French Republick, on his presenting the colours of France to the United States.

BORN, sir, in a land of liberty; having early learned its value; having engaged in a perilous conflict to defend it; having, in a word, devoted the best years of my life to secure its permanent