SPECIAL MESSAGE. JANUARY 17, 1798. Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:THE situation of affairs between the United States and the Cherokee Indians having evinced the expediency of a treaty with that nation, for the promotion of justice to them, as well as of the interests and convenience of our citizens, I have nominated, and, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, appointed commissioners to hold conferences, and conclude a treaty, as early as the season of the year, and the convenience of the parties, will admit. As we know very well, by experience, that such negotiations can not be carried on without considerable expenses, I recommend to your consideration the propriety of making an appropriation, at this time, for defraying such as may be necessary for holding and concluding a treaty. That you may form your judgments with greater facility, I shall direct the proper officer to lay before you an estimate of such articles and expenses as may be thought indispensable. SPECIAL MESSAGE. JANUARY 18, 1798. Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives A REPRESENTATION has been made to me, by the judge of the Pennsyl vania district of the United States, of certain inconveniences, and disa greeable circumstances which have occurred in the execution of the law, passed on the twenty-eighth day of May, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six, entitled, " An act for the relief of persons imprisoned for debt,” as well as of certain doubts which have been raised concerning its construction. This representation, together with a report of the attorney-general on the same subject, I now transmit to Congress, for their consideration, that, if any amendments or explanations of that law should be thought advisable, they should be adopted. SPECIAL MESSAGE. JANUARY 23, 1798. Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives :— AT the commencement of this session of Congress, I proposed, in the course of it, to communicate to both houses further information concerning the situation of our affairs in the territories of the United States situated on the Mississippi river, and its neighborhood; our intercourse with the Indian nations; our relations with the Spanish government, and the conduct of their officers and agents: this information will be found in a report of the secretary of state, and the documents attending it, which I now present to the senate and house of representatives. SPECIAL MESSAGE. FEBRUARY 5, 1798. Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives: I HAVE received a letter from his excellency, Charles Pinckney, Esq.. governor of the state of South Carolina, dated the 22d of October, 1797, enclosing a number of depositions and witnesses to several captures and outrages, committed within and near the limits of the United States by a French privateer belonging to Cape François or Monto Christo, called the Veritude, or Fortitude, and commanded by a person of the name of Jordan or Jourdain, and particularly upon an English merchant-ship named the Oracabissa, which he first plundered and then burned, with the rest of her cargo of great value, within the territory of the United States, in the harbor of Charleston, on the 17th of October last; copies of which letter and depositions, and also of several other depositions relative to the same subject, received from the collector of Charleston, are herewith communicated. Whenever the channel of diplomatic communication between the United States and France shall be opened, I shall demand satisfaction for the insult and reparation for the injury. I have transmitted those papers to Congress, not so much for the purpose of communicating an account of so daring a violation of the territory of the United States, as to show the propriety and necessity of enabling the executive authority of government to take measures for protecting the citizens of the United States, and such foreigners as may have a right to enjoy their peace and the protection of their laws within their limits, in that as well as some other harbors which are equally exposed. SPECIAL MESSAGE. MARCH 19, 1798. Gentlemen of the Senate and 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 can not 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 con tentions 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 can not 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 and establishing foundries and military manufactories; 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 under 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, vigor, and concert, in defence of the national rights, proportioned to the danger with which they are threatened. SECOND ANNUAL ADDRESS. DECEMBER 8, 1798. Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives: WHILE with reverence and resignation we contemplate the dispensa tions of Divine Providence in the alarming and destructive pestilence with which several of our cities and towns have been visited, there is cause for gratitude and mutual congratulations that the malady has disappeared, and that we are again permitted to assemble in safety at the seat of government for the discharge of our important duties. But when we reflect that this fatal disorder has within a few years made repeated ravages in some of our principal seaports, and with increased malignancy--and when we consider the magnitude of the evils arising from the interruption of public and private business, whereby the national interests are deeply affected, I think it my duty to invite the legislature of the Union to examine the expediency of establishing suitable regulations in aid of the health laws of the respective states; for these being formed on the idea that contagious sickness may be communicated through the channels of commerce, there seems to be a necessity that Congress, who alone can regulate trade, should frame a system which while it may tend to preserve the general health, may be compatible with the interests of commerce and the safety of the revenue. While we think on this calamity, and sympathize with the immediate sufferers, we have abundant reason to present to the Supreme Being our annual oblations of gratitude for a liberal participation in the ordinary blessings of his providence To the usual subjects of gratitude I can not omit to add one of the first importance to our well-being and safety-I mean that spirit which has arisen in our country against the menaces and aggression of a foreign nation. A manly sense of national honor, dignity, and independence, has appeared, which, if encouraged and invigorated by every branch of the government, will enable us to view undismayed the enterprises of any foreign power, and become the sure foundation of national prosperity and glory. The course of the transactions in relation to the United States and France which have come to my knowledge during your recess, will be made the subject of a future communication. That communication will confirm the ultimate failure of the measures which have been taken by the government of the United States toward an amicable adjustment of differences with that power. You will at the same time perceive that the French government appears solicitous to impress the opinion that it is averse to a rupture with this country, and that it has in a qualified manner declared itself willing to receive a minister from the United States for the purpose of restoring a good understanding. It is unfortunate for profes sions of this kind that they should be expressed in terms which may countenance the inadmissible pretension of a right to prescribe the qualifications which a minister from the United States should possess, and that, while France is asserting the existence of a disposition on her part to conciliate with sincerity the differences which have arisen, the sincerity of a like disposition on the part of the United States, of which so many demonstrative proofs have been given, should even be indirectly questioned. It is also worthy of observation, that the decree of the directory alleged to be intended to restrain the depredations of French cruisers on our commerce, has not given, and can not give, any relief. It enjoins them to conform to all the laws of France relative to cruising and prizes, while these laws are themselves the sources of the depredation of which we have so long, so justly, and so fruitlessly complained. The law of France, enacted in January last, which subjects to capture and condemnation neutral vessels and their cargoes, if any portion of the latter are of British fabric or produce, although the entire property belong to neutrals, instead of being rescinded, has lately received a confirmation by the failure of a proposition for its repeal. While this law, which is an unequivocal act of war on the commerce of the nations it attacks, continues in force, those nations can see in the French government only a power regardless of their essential rights, of their independence and sovereignty; and if they possess the means, they can reconcile nothing with their interest and honor but a firm resistance. Hitherto, therefore, nothing is discoverable in the conduct of France. which ought to change or relax our measures of defence. On the con trary, to extend and invigorate them is our true policy. We have no rea son to regret that these measures have been thus far adopted and pursued, and in proportion as we enlarge our view of the portentous and incalcula ble situation of Europe, we shall discover new and cogent motives for the full development of our energies and resources. But in demonstrating by our conduct that we do not fear war in the necessary protection of our rights and honor, we shall give no room to infer that we abandon the desire of peace. An efficient preparation for war can alone ensure peace. It is peace that we have uniformly and perseveringly cultivated, and harmony between us and France may be restored at her option. But to send another minister without more determinate assurances that he would be received, would be an act of humiliation to which the United States ought not to submit. It must therefore be left with France (if she is indeed desirous of accommodation) to take the requisite steps. The United States will steadily observe the maxims by which they have hitherto been governed. They will respect the sacred rights of embassy. And with a sincere disposition on the part of France to desist from hostility, to make reparation for the injuries heretofore inflicted on our commerce, and to do justice in future, there will be no obstacle to the restoration of a friendly intercourse. In making to you this declaration, I give a pledge to France and the world that the executive authority of this country still adheres to the humane and pacific policy which has invariably governed its proceedings, in conformity with the wishes of the other branches of the government and of the people of the United States. But considering the late manifestations of her policy toward foreign nations, I deem it a duty deliberately and solemnly to declare my opinion, that whether we negotiate with her or not, vigorous preparations for war will be alike indispensable. These alone will give to us an equal treaty, and insure its observance. Among the measures of preparation which appear expedient, I take the liberty to recall your attention to the naval establishment. The beneficial effects of the small naval armament provided under the acts of the last session are known and acknowledged. Perhaps no country ever experienced more sudden and remarkable advantages from any measure of policy than we have derived from the arming for our maritime protection and defence. We ought without loss of time to lay the foundation for an increase of our navy to a size sufficient to guard our coast and protect our trade. Such a naval force as it is doubtless in the power of the United States to create and maintain, would also afford to them the best means of general defence by facilitating the safe transportation of troops and stores to every part of our extensive coast. To accomplish this important object, a prudent foresight requires that systematical measures be adopted for procuring at all times the requisite timber and other supplies. In what manner this shall be done, I leave to your consideration. I will now advert, gentlemen, to some matters of less moment, but proper to be eommunicated to the national legislature. After the Spanish garrisons had evacuated the posts they occupied at the Natchez and Walnut hills, the commissioner of the United States commenced his observations to ascertain the point near the Mississippi which terminated the northernmost part of the thirty-first degree of north latitude. From thence he proceeded to run the boundary line between the United States and Spain. He was afterward joined by the Spanish commissioner, when the work of the former was confirmed, and they proceeded together to the demarcation of the line. Recent information renders it probable that southern Indians, either instigated to oppose the demarcation or jealous of the consequences of suffering white people to run a line over lands to |