UNITED STATES, _March_ 5, 1798.
The Message and paper therein referred to were read, and ordered to lie
for consideration.
MONDAY, March 19.
The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES:
_Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of
Representatives_:
The despatches from the Envoys Extraordinary of the United
States to the French Republic, which were mentioned in my
Message to both Houses of Congress, of the fifth instant,
have been examined and maturely considered.
While I feel a satisfaction in informing you that their
exertions, for the adjustment of the differences between
the two nations, have been sincere and unremitted, it is
incumbent on me to declare, that I perceive no ground of
expectation that the objects of their mission can be
accomplished, on terms compatible with the safety, the
honor, or the essential interests of the nation.
This result cannot, with justice, be attributed to any want
of moderation on the part of this Government, or to any
indisposition to forego secondary interests, for the
preservation of peace. Knowing it to be my duty, and
believing it to be your wish, as well as that of the great
body of the people, to avoid, by all reasonable
concessions, any participation in the contentions of
Europe, the powers vested in our Envoys were commensurate
with a liberal and pacific policy, and that high confidence
which might justly be reposed in the abilities, patriotism,
and integrity, of the characters to whom the negotiation
was committed. After a careful review of the whole subject,
with the aid of all the information I have received, I can
discern nothing which could have insured or contributed to
success, that has been omitted on my part, and nothing
further which can be attempted, consistently with maxims
for which our country has contended at every hazard, and
which constitute the basis of our national sovereignty.
Under these circumstances, I cannot forbear to reiterate
the recommendations which have been formerly made, and to
exhort you to adopt, with promptitude, decision, and
unanimity, such measures as the ample resources of the
country afford, for the protection of our seafaring and
commercial citizens; for the defence of any exposed
portions of our territory; for replenishing our arsenals,
establishing foundries and military manufactures; and to
provide such efficient revenue, as will be necessary to
defray extraordinary expenses, and supply the deficiencies
which may be occasioned by depredations on our commerce.
The present state of things is so essentially different
from that in which instructions were given to the
collectors to restrain vessels of the United States from
sailing in an armed condition, that the principle on which
those orders were issued has ceased to exist. I therefore
deem it proper to inform Congress, that I no longer
conceive myself justifiable in continuing them, unless in
particular cases, where there may be reasonable ground of
suspicion that such vessels are intended to be employed
contrary to law.
In all your proceedings, it will be important to manifest a
zeal, a vigor, and concert, in defence of the national
rights, proportioned to the danger with which they are
threatened.