STATE PAPER'S. 
in my correfpondence with my fu- 
periors; and I lately received an 
anfwer, .acquainting me- that his 
Majefty’s minifters did not think 
proper to give any countenance to 
the project, The two objections 
above alluded to (which I had of 
courfe infifted on in my report) are 
ftated as fufficient reafons for its re- 
jection, 
You muft allow me, Sir, to de- 
cline.entering into any further par- 
ticulars: on the one hand, becaufe, 
although I have all along fufpeéted 
that the perfons who propofed the 
pep to me, might not improbably 
e employed by the enemies of 
Great Britain, to endeavour with 
finifter views to infinuate themfelves 
into my confidence; yet as thefe my 
furmifes may be falfe, 1 fhould not 
be juftified in betraying the fecrets 
of men who may have meant me 
well; and, on the other hand, be- 
caufe, however loofe the principles 
of thefe fpeculators may have been 
on the fubject of the law of nations 
(as it regards the duties of neutra- 
lity) none of them, in their inter- 
courfe with me, ever expreffed fen- 
. timents that were in any degree 
hoftile to the interefts of the United 
States. 
Philadelphia, July 2, 
Addrefs of the Prefident of the United 
States of America to Consrefs, én 
opening the Seffion, November 23. 
Gentlemen of the Senate, and 
Gentlemen of the Houfe of 
Reprefentatives, 
_ I WAS for fome time appre- 
henfive that it would be neceflary, 
on account of the contagious fick- 
nefs which affected the city of Phi- 
~ ladelphia, to convene the nationa 
“Vor. XXXIX. : 
289 
legiflature at fome other place. 
This meafure it was defirable to a- 
void, becaufe it would occafion 
much public inconvenience, and a 
confiderable public expence, and 
add to the calamities of the inhabit- 
ants of this city, whofe fufferings 
mutt have excited the fympathy of 
all their fellow-citizens. There- 
fore, after taking meafures to af- 
certain the ftate and decline of the 
ficknefs, I poftponed my determi- 
nation, having hopes, now happily 
realifed, that, without hazard to the 
lives or health of the Members, 
Congrefs might affemble at this 
place, where it was next. by law to 
meet. I fubmit, however, to your 
confideration, whether a power to 
poftpone the meeting of Congrefs, 
without paffing the time fixed by 
the conititution upon fuch occa- 
fions, would be a ufeful amendment 
to the law of One thoufand feven 
hundred and ninety-four. Altho’ 
I cannot yet congratulate you on 
the re-eftablifhment of peace in 
Europe, and the reftoration of fecu- 
rity to the perfons and properties 
of our citizens from injuftice and 
violence at fea, we have, neverthe- 
lefs, abundant caufe of gratitude to 
the Source of benevolence and in- 
fluence, for interior tranquillity and 
erfonal fecurity, for propitious 
eafons, profperous agriculture, pro- 
ductive fifheries, and general im- 
provements: and, above all, fora 
national fpirit of civil and religious 
liberty, and a calm but fteady de- 
termination to fupport our fove- 
reignty, as well as our moral and 
religious principles, againft all open 
and fecret attacks. 
Our Envoys Extraordinary to » 
the French Republic embarked, 
one in July, the other in Auguft, 
to join their colleagues in Holland. 
4 ; I have 
