300 



ANNUAL REGISTER, 1800. 



navigation with Great Britain, have 

 not yet been removed. The ne- 

 gociation on this subject is still de- 

 pending. As it must be for the 

 interest and honour of both nations 

 to adjust this difference with good 

 faith, I indulge confidently the ex- 

 pectation, that the sincere endea- 

 vours of the government of the 

 United States to bring it to an ami- 

 cable termination, will not be dis- 

 appointed. 



The envoys extraordinary and 

 ministers plenipotentiary from the 

 United States to France were re- 

 ceived by the first consul with the 

 respect due to their character, and 

 three persons with equal powers 

 were appointed to treat with them. 

 Although at the date of the last of- 

 ficial intelligence the negociation 

 had not terminated, yet it is to be 

 hoped, that our efforts to effect an 

 accommodation A^ill at lensrth meet 

 with a success proportioned to the 

 sincerity with which they have 

 been so often repeated. 



While our best endeavours for 

 the preservation of harmony with 

 all nations will continue to be used, 

 the experience of the world — our 

 own experience — admonish us of 

 the insecurity of trusting too con- 

 fidently to their success. We can- 

 not, without committing a dan- 

 gerous imprudence, abandon those 

 measures of self-protection, which 

 are adapted to our situation, and to 

 which, notwithstanding our pacific 

 policy, the violence and injustice of 

 others may again compel us to re- 

 sort. While our vast extent of sea- 

 coast, the commercial and agricul- 

 tural habits of our people, the great 

 capital they will continue to trust on 

 the ocean, suggest the system of de- 

 fence which will be most beneficial 

 to ourselves— our distance from Eu- 



rope, and our resources for maritime 

 strength, will enable us to employ 

 it with effect. Seasonable and 

 systematic arrangements, so far as 

 our resources will justify, for a navy 

 adapted to defensive war, and which 

 may, in case of necessity, be quickly 

 brought into use, seem to be as 

 much recommended by a wise and 

 true economy, as by a just regard 

 for our future tranquillity, for the 

 safety of our shores and for the pro- 

 tection of our property committed 

 to the ocean. The present navy of 

 the United States, called suddenly 

 into existence by a great national 

 exigency, has raised us in our es- 

 teem, and by the protection afforded 

 to our commerce, has effected, to the 

 extent of our expectations, the ob- 

 ject for which it was created. 



In connection with a navy ought 

 to be contemplated the fortifica- 

 tion of some of our principal sea- 

 ports and harbours. A variety of 

 considerations, which will readily 

 suggest themselves, urge an atten- 

 tion to this measure of precaution. 

 To give security to our principal 

 ports, considerable sums have al- 

 ready been expended, but the 

 works remain incomplete. It is 

 for congress to determine whether 

 additional appropriations shall be 

 made, in order to render com- 

 petent to the intended purposes 

 the fortifications which have been 

 commenced. 



The manufacture of arms within 

 the United States still invites the 

 attention of the national legisla- 

 ture. At a considerable expense 

 to the public, this manufactory has 

 been brought to such a state of 

 maturity, as, with continued en- 

 couragement, will supersede the 

 necessity of future importations 

 from foreign countries. 



