316} 
watecrs from the interruption of 
their trade. If adopted, the plan 
ought to exclude all those branches, 
which are already, or likely soon 
to be established in the country, in 
order that there may be no danger 
of interference with pursuits wr 
dividual industry. 
It will not be doubted that, with 
reference either to individual or 
uational welfare, ‘agriculture is of 
primary importance. In propor- 
tion as nations advance in popula- 
tion, and other circumstances of 
maturity, this truth becomes more 
apparent, and renders the cultiva- 
tion of the soil more and more an 
objet of public patronage. In- 
stitutions for promoting it grow up, 
suprorted by the public purse ; and 
to what objet can it be dedicated 
with greater propriety ? Ihe means 
which have been employed to this | 
end, none have been attended with 
greater success than the establish- 
ment of boards, composed of pro. 
per characters, charged with col- 
le€ting and diffusing information, 
und enabled by premiums, and smail 
pecuniary aids, to encourage and 
asstst a spirit of discovery and im- 
provement. 
I have heretofore proposed to the 
consideration of Congress the ex- 
pediency of establishing a national 
aniversity, and alsoa military aca- 
demy. Vhe desireableness of both 
these institutions has so constantly 
increased with every new view [| 
have taken of thersubject, that I 
canmnct omit the opportunity of 
once for all recalling your attention 
to then. 
The assembly to which TP address 
myself is too enlightened not to be 
fully sensible how much a flourishs 
ing state of the arts and sciences 
contributes to national prosperity: 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1796. 
and reputation. True it is that 
our country, much to its honour, 
contains seminaries of learning, 
highly respe@able and useful; but 
the funds upon which they rest, 
are too narrow to command the 
ablest professors in the different 
departments of liberal knowledge, 
for the institution contemplated, 
though they would be excellent 
auxiliaries. 
Amongst the motives to such an 
institution, the assimilation of the 
principles, opinions, and manners 
of our countrymen, by the common 
education of a portion of our youth 
from every quarter, well deserves 
attention. ihe more homogene- 
ous Our citizens can be made, in 
these particulars, the greater will 
be our prospect of permanent 
union; and a primary object of 
such a national institution should 
be the education of our youth in 
the science of government. In a 
republic, what species of know- 
ledge can be equally important ; 
and what duty more pressing on its 
legislature, than to patronize a plan 
for communicating it to those who 
are to be the future guardians of the 
liberties of the country ? 
While in our external relations, 
seme serious inconveniences and 
embarrassments have been over- 
come, and others lessened, it is 
wich much pain and deep regret I 
mention, that’ circumstances of @ 
very unwelcome nature have lately 
eccurred, Our trade has suffered, 
and is suffering, extensive injuries 
in the West Indies, frovy the cruiz- 
ers and agents of the French re- 
public ; and communications have 
been received from its minister-here, * 
which indicate the danger ‘of a 
further disturbance in our commerce 
by its’ authority, and which are 
in 
