STATE PAPERS. 



301 



Gentlemen of the house of re- 

 presentatives, 

 I shall direct the estimates of the 

 appropriations necessary for the en- 

 suing year, together with an ac- 

 count of the public revenue and ex- 

 penditure, to a late period, to be 

 laid hefore you. I observe with 

 much satisfaction, that the product 

 of the revenue, during the present 

 year, has been more considerable 

 than during any former equal pe- 

 riod. This result affords conclu- 

 sive evidence of the great resources 

 of this country, and of the wisdom 

 and efficiency of the measures which 

 have been adopted by congress, for 

 the protection of commerce and 

 preservation of public credit. 



Gentlemen of the senate, and 

 gentlemen of the house of 

 representatives. 

 As one of the grand community 

 of nations, our attention is irresisti- 

 bly drawn to the important scenes 

 which surround us. If they have 

 exhibited an uncommon portion of 

 calamity, it is the province of hu- 



manity to deplore, and of wisdom to 

 avoid the causes which may have 

 produced it. If, turning our eyes 

 homeward, we find reason to re- 

 joice at the prospect which presents 

 itself; if we perceive the interior of 

 our country prosperous, free, and 

 happy; if all enjoy in safety, under 

 the protection of laws emanating 

 only from the general will, the fruits 

 of their own labour, we ought to 

 fortify and cling to those institu- 

 tions, which have been the source 

 of such real felicity, and resist, with 

 unabated perseverance, the pro- 

 gress of those dangerous innova- 

 tions, which may diminish their 

 influence. 



To your patriotism, gentlemen, 

 has been confided the honour- 

 able duty of guarding the public in- 

 terests ; and while the past is to 

 your country a sure pledge that it 

 will be faithfully discharged, per- 

 mit me to assure you that your la- 

 bours to promote the general hap- 

 piness will receive from me the 

 most zealous co-operation. 



(Signed) John Adams. 



