zo: ANNUAL REGISTER, @1797. 
I have received intelligence of the 
arrival of both of them in Holland, 
from whence they all proceeded on 
their journey to Paris, within a few 
days of the 19th of September. 
Whatever may be the refult of this 
miffion, I truft that nothing will 
have been omitted on my part to 
condutt the negotiation to afuccefs- 
ful conclufion, on fuch equitable 
terms as may be compatible with 
the fafety, honour, and interefts of 
the United States. Nothing in the 
mean time will contribute fo much 
to the prefervation of peace, and 
the attainment of juftice, asa mani- 
feftation of the energy and unani- 
mity, of which, on many former 
occafions, the people of the United 
States have given fuch memorable 
proofs, and the exertions of thofe 
refources, for national defence, 
which a benévolent Providence has- 
kindly placed within their power. 
It may be confidently afferted, 
that nothing has occurred fince the 
adjournment of Congrefs, which 
renders inexpedient thofe precau- 
tionary meafures recommended by 
‘me to the confideration of the two 
Houfes, at the opening of your late 
‘extraordinary feffion. If that fyf- 
tem was then prudent, it is more fo 
how, as increafing depredations 
ftrengthen the reafons for its adop- 
tion. 
Indeed, whatever may be the if- 
fue of the negotiation with France, 
‘and whether the war in Europe is 
or is not to continue, I hold it moft 
certain, that permanent tranquillity 
and order will not foon be obtain- 
“ed. The ftate of fociety has fo 
long been difturbed, the fenfe of 
“moral and religious obligations fo 
‘much weakened, public faith and 
national honour have been fo im- 
paired; refpeet to-treaties has been 
fo diminifhed, and the law of na- 
tions has loft fo much of its force, 
while pride, ambition, avarice, and 
violence, have been fo much unre- 
ftrained, there remains no réafon- 
able ground on which ‘to raife an 
expectation that a commerce, with- 
out protection or defence, will not 
be plundered, i 
The commerce of the United 
States is effential, if not to their ex- 
iftence, at leaft to their comfort, 
their growth, profperity, and happi- 
nefs; the genius, character, and ha- 
bits of the people are highly com- 
mercial; their cities have been 
formed and exift upon commerce : 
our agriculture, fifheries, arts, and 
manufactures, are connected with 
and dependent upon it. In fhort, 
commerce has made this country 
what it is, and it cannot be deftroy- 
ed or neglected, without involving 
the people in poverty and diftrefs. 
Great numbers are directly and 
folely fupported by navigation. 
The faith of fociety is pledged for — 
the prefervation of the rights of — 
commercial and feafaring, no lefs 
than for thofe of the other citizens. 
Under this view of our affairs, I 
fhould hold myfelf guilty of a ne- 
‘glecét of duty if I forbore to recom- 
mend that we fhould make every 
exertion to protect our commerce, 
and to place our country-in-a fuit- 
able potture of defence, as the only 
fure means of preferving both. 
I have entertained an expetta- 
tion that it would have been in my 
power, at the opening of this fef- 
fion, to have communicated to vou 
the agreeable information of. the 
due execution of our treaty with 
‘his Catholic Majefty, refpecting the 
withdrawing of his troops from. our 
territory, and the demarcation of 
the line of limits: but, by the lateft 
: ’ “authen- 
