STATE PAPERS. 
in other respects, far from agree- 
able. 
It has been my constant, sincere, 
and earnest wish, in conformity 
with that of our nation, to maintain 
cordial harmony and a_ perfectly 
friendly understanding with that 
republic. This wish remains un- 
abated; and I shall persevere in 
the endeavour to fulfill it, to the 
utmost extent of what shall be 
consistent with a just and indispen- 
sable regard to the rights and ho- 
nour ef our country ; nor will I 
easily cease to cherish the expetta- 
tion, that a spirit of justice, can- 
dour, and friendship, on the part 
of the republic, willeventually en- 
sure success. 
_ In’pursuing this course, however, 
I cannot forget what is due to the 
charaéter of our government and 
nation ; orto a full and entire con- 
fidence in the good sense, patriotism, 
self-respe@t, and fortitude of my 
countrymen. 
Grorce WasHINGeTON. 
“Answer to the above address presented 
by the Vice-president. 
WE thank you, Sir, for your 
faithful and detailed exposure of 
the existing situation of our coun- 
tty; and wesincerely join in sen- 
timents of gratitude to an over-rul- 
ing providence, for the distinguish- 
ed share of public prosperity and 
private happiness which the people 
of the United States so peculiarly 
enjoy. 
We observe with pleasure, that 
the delivery of the military posts 
lately occupied by the British for- 
ces within the territory of the 
United States, was made with cor- 
diality and promptitade, as soon as 
circumstances would admit; and 
[317 
that the other provisions of our ob- 
jects of eventual arrangement are 
now about being carried into effeét 
with entire harmony and good 
faith. 
We perfectly coincide with you 
in Opinion, that the importance of 
our commerce demands a= naval 
force for its protection against fo- 
reign insult and depredation, and 
our solicitude to attain that object 
will be always proportionate to its 
magnitude. 
The necessity of accelerating the 
establishment of cértain useful ma- 
nufactures by the intervention of 
legislative aid and proteétion, and 
the encouragement due to agricul. 
ture by the creation of boards (com. 
posed of intelligent individuals) to 
patronize this primary pursuit of 
society, are subjects which will 
readily engage our most serious at. 
tention. 
A national university may be 
converted to the most useful pur- 
poses. ‘he science of legislation 
being so essentially dependent on 
the endowments of the mind, the 
public interest must receive effec. 
tual aid from the general diffusion 
of knowledge, and the United 
States will assume a more dignified 
station among the nations of the 
earth, by the successful cultivation 
of the highest branches of litera- 
ture. 
We sincerely lament, that while 
the conduét of the United States 
has been uniformly impressed with 
the character of equity, moderation, 
and love of peace, in the mainte. 
nance of all their foreign relatioe. 
ships, our trade should be so ha. 
rassed by the eruizers and agents of 
the republic of France, throughout 
the extensive departments of the 
West Indies. 
We 
