The Message and accompanying documents having been read, a proposition
was made to refer them to a select committee; but, before it was
decided, the House adjourned.
MONDAY, March 9.
_British Intrigues._
The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES:
_To the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States_:
I lay before Congress copies of certain documents which remain
in the Department of State. They prove that at a recent period,
whilst the United States, notwithstanding the wrongs sustained
by them, ceased not to observe the laws of peace and neutrality
towards Great Britain, and in the midst of amicable professions
and negotiations on the part of the British Government, through
its public Ministers here, a secret agent of that Government
was employed in certain States, more especially at the seat of
Government in Massachusetts, in fomenting disaffection to the
constituted authorities of the nation; and in intrigues with
the disaffected for the purpose of bringing about resistance to
the laws; and eventually, in concert with a British force, of
destroying the Union and forming the Eastern part thereof into
a political connection with Great Britain.
In addition to the effect which the discovery of such a
procedure ought to have on the Public Councils, it will not
fail to render more dear to the hearts of all good citizens
that happy Union of these States, which, under Divine
Providence, is the guarantee of their liberties, their safety,
their tranquillity, and their prosperity.