_Resolved_, That they do concur therein, and that the Right Rev. Bishop
WHITE be the Chaplain on the part of the Senate.
A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the
House of Representatives have proceeded to the election of a Chaplain to
Congress for the present session, and have appointed the Rev. Doctor
GREEN on their part.
Mr. IZARD, from the joint committee appointed to wait on the PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED STATES, agreeably to the resolution of the two Houses of
this day, reported,
That they had executed the business, and that the PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES proposed to meet the two Houses of Congress in the Senate
Chamber to-morrow at 11 o'clock.
TUESDAY, November 6.
ROBERT MORRIS, from the State of Pennsylvania, attended, and took his
seat.
_Ordered_, That the Secretary acquaint the House of Representatives that
the Senate are ready to meet them in the Senate Chamber, to receive any
communications the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES may be pleased to make
to the two Houses of Congress, and that the usual seats will be assigned
to them.
The House of Representatives having accordingly taken their seats, the
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES came into the Senate Chamber, and
addressed both Houses of Congress, as follows:
_Fellow-Citizens of the Senate, and of the House of
Representatives:_
It is some abatement of the satisfaction with which I meet
you on the present occasion, that, in felicitating you on a
continuance of the national prosperity, generally, I am not
able to add to it information that the Indian hostilities,
which have, for some time past, distressed our
north-western frontier, have terminated.
You will, I am persuaded, learn with no less concern than I
communicate it, that reiterated endeavors, towards
effecting a pacification, have hitherto issued only in new
and outrageous proofs of persevering hostility on the part
of the tribes with whom we are in contest. An earnest
desire to procure tranquillity to the frontier; to stop the
further effusion of blood; to arrest the progress of
expense; to forward the prevalent wish of the nation for
peace, has led to strenuous efforts, through various
channels, to accomplish these desirable purposes; in making
which efforts, I consulted less my own anticipations of the
event, or the scruples which some considerations were
calculated to inspire, than the wish to find the object
attainable; or, if not attainable, to ascertain
unequivocally that such is the case.
A detail of the measures which have been pursued, and of
their consequences, which will be laid before you, while it
will confirm to you the want of success, thus far, will, I
trust, evince that means as proper and as efficacious as
could have been devised have been employed. The issue of
some of them, indeed, is still depending; but a favorable
one, though not to be despaired of, is not promised by any
thing that has yet happened.
In the course of the attempts which have been made, some
valuable citizens have fallen victims to their zeal for the
public service. A sanction commonly respected even among
savages has been found, in this instance, insufficient to
protect from massacre the emissaries of peace: it will, I
presume, be duly considered whether the occasion does not
call for an exercise of liberality towards the families of
the deceased.
It must add to your concern to be informed, that, besides
the continuation of hostile appearances among the tribes
north of the Ohio, some threatening symptoms have of late
been revived among some of those south of it.
A part of the Cherokees, known by the name of Chickamagas,
inhabiting five villages on the Tennessee River, have long
been in the practice of committing depredations on the
neighboring settlements.
It was hoped that the treaty of Holston, made with the
Cherokee nation in July, 1791, would have prevented a
repetition of such depredations. But the event has not
answered this hope. The Chickamagas, aided by some banditti
of another tribe, in their vicinity, have recently
perpetrated wanton and unprovoked hostilities upon the
citizens of the United States in that quarter. The
information which has been received on this subject will be
laid before you. Hitherto, defensive precautions only have
been strictly enjoined and observed.
It is not understood that any breach of treaty, or
aggression whatsoever, on the part of the United States, or
their citizens, is even alleged as a pretext for the spirit
of hostility in this quarter.
I have reason to believe that every practicable exertion
has been made (pursuant to the provision by law for that
purpose) to be prepared for the alternative of a
prosecution of the war, in the event of a failure of
pacific overtures. A large proportion of the troops
authorized to be raised have been recruited, though the
number is still incomplete. And pains have been taken to
discipline and put them in condition for the particular
kind of service to be performed. A delay of operations
(besides being dictated by the measures which were pursuing
towards a pacific termination of the war) has been in
itself deemed preferable to immature efforts. A statement,
from the proper Department, with regard to the number of
troops raised, and some other points which have been
suggested, will afford more precise information, as a guide
to the Legislative consultations; and among other things,
will enable Congress to judge whether some additional
stimulus to the recruiting service may not be advisable.
In looking forward to the future expense of the operations
which may be found inevitable, I derive consolation from
the information I receive, that the product of the revenues
for the present year is likely to supersede the necessity
of additional burdens on the community for the service of
the ensuing year. This, however, will be better ascertained
in the course of the session; and it is proper to add, that
the information alluded to proceeds upon the supposition of
no material extension of the spirit of hostility.
I cannot dismiss the subject of Indian affairs without
again recommending to your consideration the expediency of
more adequate provision for giving energy to the laws
throughout our interior frontier, and for restraining the
commission of outrages upon the Indians; without which all
pacific plans must prove nugatory. To enable, by competent
rewards, the employment of qualified and trusty persons to
reside among them as agents, would also contribute to the
preservation of peace and good neighborhood. If, in
addition to these expedients, an eligible plan could be
devised for promoting civilization among the friendly
tribes, and for carrying on trade with them, upon a scale
equal to their wants, and under regulations calculated to
protect them from imposition and extortion, its influence
in cementing their interest with ours, could not but be
considerable.
The prosperous state of our revenue has been intimated.
This would be still more the case were it not for the
impediments which, in some places, continue to embarrass
the collection of the duties on spirits distilled within
the United States. These impediments have lessened, and are
lessening, in local extent; and, as applied to the
community at large, the contentment with the law appears to
be progressive.
But symptoms of increased opposition having lately
manifested themselves in certain quarters, I judged a
special interposition on my part proper and advisable; and,
under this impression, have issued a Proclamation, warning
against all unlawful combinations and proceedings, having
for their object or tending to obstruct the law in
question, and announcing that all lawful ways and means
would be strictly put in execution for bringing to justice
the infractors thereof, and securing obedience thereto.
Measures have also been taken for the prosecution of
offenders; and Congress may be assured that nothing within
constitutional and legal limits, which may depend upon me,
shall be wanting to assert and maintain the just authority
of the laws. In fulfilling this trust, I shall count
entirely upon the full co-operation of the other
Departments of the Government, and upon the zealous support
of all good citizens.
I cannot forbear to bring again into the view of the
Legislature the subject of a revision of the Judiciary
system. A representation from the Judges of the Supreme
Court, which will be laid before you, points out some of
the inconveniences that are experienced. In the course of
the execution of the laws, considerations arise out of the
structure of that system, which, in some cases, tend to
relax their efficacy. As connected with this subject,
provisions to facilitate the taking of bail upon processes
out of the Courts of the United States, and a supplementary
definition of offences against the constitution and laws of
the Union, and of the punishment for such offences, will,
it is presumed, be found worthy of particular attention.
Observations on the value of peace with other nations are
unnecessary. It would be wise, however, by timely
provisions to guard against those acts of our own citizens,
which might tend to disturb it, and to put ourselves in a
condition to give that satisfaction to foreign nations
which we may sometimes have occasion to require from them.
I particularly recommend to your consideration the means of
preventing those aggressions by our citizens on the
territory of other nations, and other infractions of the
law of nations which, furnishing just subject of complaint,
might endanger our peace with them, and, in general, the
maintenance of a friendly intercourse with foreign Powers,
will be presented to your attention by the expiration of
the law for that purpose, which takes place, if not
renewed, at the close of the present session.
In execution of the authority given by the Legislature,
measures have been taken for engaging some artists from
abroad to aid in the establishment of our Mint: others have
been employed at home. Provision has been made for the
requisite buildings, and these are now putting into proper
condition for the purposes of the establishment. There has
also been a small beginning in the coinage of half-dimes;
the want of small coins in circulation calling the first
attention to them.
The regulation of foreign coins, in correspondency with the
principles of our national coinage, as being essential to
their due operation, and in order to our money concerns,
will, I doubt not, be resumed and completed.
It is represented that some provisions in the law which
establishes the Post Office, operate, in experiment,
against the transmission of newspapers to distant parts of
the country. Should this, upon due inquiry, be found to be
the fact, a full conviction of the importance of
facilitating the circulation of political intelligence and
information will, I doubt not, lead to the application of a
remedy.
The adoption of a constitution for the State of Kentucky
has been notified to me. The Legislature will share with me
in the satisfaction which arises from an event interesting
to the happiness of the part of the nation to which it
relates, and conducive to the general order.
It is proper likewise to inform you, that, since my last
communication on the subject, and in further execution of
the acts severally making provision for the Public Debt,
and for the reduction thereof, three new loans have been
effected, each for three millions of florins; one at
Antwerp, at the annual interest of four and one-half per
cent., with an allowance of four per cent., in lieu of all
charges; and the other two at Amsterdam, at the annual
interest of four per cent., with an allowance of five and
one-half per cent. in one case, and of five per cent. in
the other, in lieu of all charges. The rates of these
loans, and the circumstances under which they have been
made, are confirmations of the high state of our credit
abroad.
Among the objects to which these funds have been directed
to be applied, the payment of the debts due to certain
foreign officers, according to the provision made during
the last session, has been embraced.
_Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:_
I entertain a strong hope that the state of our national
finances is now sufficiently matured to enable you to enter
upon a systematic and effectual arrangement for the regular
redemption and discharge of the Public Debt, according to
the right which has been reserved to the Government; no
measure can be more desirable, whether viewed with an eye
to its intrinsic importance, or to the general sentiment
and wish of the nation.
Provision is likewise requisite for the reimbursement of
the loan which has been made of the Bank of the United
States, pursuant to the eleventh section of the act by
which it is incorporated; in fulfilling the public
stipulations in this particular, it is expected a valuable
saving will be made.
Appropriations for the current service of the ensuing year,
and for such extraordinaries as may require provision, will
demand, and I doubt not will engage, your early attention.
_Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of
Representatives:_
I content myself with recalling your attention, generally,
to such objects, not particularized in my present, as have
been suggested in my former communications to you.
Various temporary laws will expire during the present
session. Among these, that which regulates trade and
intercourse with the Indian tribes will merit particular
attention.
The results of your common deliberations hitherto, will, I
trust, be productive of solid and durable advantages to our
constituents; such as, by conciliating more and more their
ultimate suffrage, will tend to strengthen and confirm
their attachment to that constitution of Government upon
which, under Divine Providence, materially depend their
Union, their safety, and their happiness.
Still further to promote and secure these inestimable ends,
there is nothing which can have a more powerful tendency,
than the careful cultivation of harmony, combined with a
due regard to stability in the public councils.