receive from the Senate of the United States, at this time, and in this place, with peculiar satisfaction, I pray you to accept of my unfeigned acknowledgments. With you I ardently hope, that permanence and stability will be communicated as well to the government itself, as to its beautiful and commodious seat. With you, I deplore the death of that hero and sage, who bore so honorable and efficient a part in the establishment of both. Great indeed would have been my gratification, if his sum of earthly happiness had been completed by seeing the government thus peaceably convened at this place, himself at its head. But while we submit to the decisions of heaven, whose councils are inscrutable to us, we cannot but hope, that the members of Congress, the officers of government, and all who inhabit the city or the country, will retain his virtues in lively recollection, and make his patriotism, morals and piety, models for imitation.

I thank you, gentlemen, for your assurance that the several subject for legislative consideration, recommended in my communication to both Houses, shall receive from the Senate, a deliberate and candid

attention.

With you, gentlemen, I sincerely deprecate all spirit of innovation, which may weaken the sacred bond that connects the different parts of this nation and government; and with you I trust, that under the protection of divine providence, the wisdom and virtue of our citizens, will deliver our national compact unimpaired, to a free, prosperous, happy and grateful posterity. To this end it is my fervent prayer, that in this city, the foundations of wisdom may be always open, and the streams of eloquence forever flow. Here may the youth of this extensive country, forever look up without disappointment, not only to the monuments and memorials of the dead, but to the examples of the living, in the mem

bers of Congress and officers of government, for finished models of all those virtues, graces, talents and accomplishments, which constitute the dignity of human nature, and lay the only foundation for the prosperity or duration of empires. JOHN ADAMS.

City of Washington, November 26th, 1800.

ANSWER OF THE HOUSE of represEN TATIVES.

SIR,

THE House of Representatives have received with great respect, the communication which you have been pleased to make to the two Houses of Congress, at the commencement of the present session.

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The final establishment of the seat of national government, which has now taken place, within the District of Columbia, is an event of no small impor tance in the political transactions of our country; and we cordially unite our wishes with yours, that this territory may be the residence of happiness and virtue.

Nor can we, on this occasion omit to express a hope, that the spirit which animated the great founder of this city, may descend to future generations, and that the wisdom, magnanimity and steadiness which marked the events of his public life, may be imitated in all succeeding ages.

A consideration of those powers which have been vested in Congress over the District of Columbią, will not escape our attention; nor shall we forget, that in exercising these powers, a regard must be had to those events, which will necessarily attend the capital of America.

The cheerfulness and regularity with which the officers and soldiers of the temporary army have re

turned to the condition of private citizens, is a testimony, clear and conclusive, of the purity of those motives, which induced them to engage in the public service; and will remain a proof on all future occasions, that an army of soldiers, drawn from the citizens of our country, deserve our confidence and respect.

No subject can be more important than that of the judiciary, which you have again recommended to our 'consideration, and it shall receive our early and deliberate attention,

The constitution of the United States having confided the management of our foreign negociations to the eontroul of the executive power, we cheerfully submit to its decisions on this important subject. And in respect to the negociations, now pending with France, we sincerely hope that the final result may prove as fortunate to our country, as the most ardent mind can wish.

So long as a predatory war is carried on against our commerce, we should sacrifice the interests, and disappoint the expectations of our constituents, should we for a moment, relax that system of maritime defence, which has resulted in such beneficial effects. At this period it is confidently believed, that few persons can be found within the United States, who do not admit, that a navy, well organized, must constitute the natural and efficient defence of this country against all foreign hostility.

The progress which has been made in the manufacture of arms, leaves no doubt that the public patronage has already placed this country beyond all necessary dependence on foreign markets, for an article so indispensible for defence; and gives us assurances, that under the encouragement which government will continue to extend to this important object, we shall soon rival foreign countries, not only in the number, but in the quality of arms, completed from our own manufactories.

Few events could have been more pleasing to our constituents, than that great and rapid increase of revenue, which has arisen from permanent taxes. Whilst this event explains the great and increasing resources of our country, it carries along with it a proof which cannot be resisted, that those measures of maritime defence, which were calculated to meet our enemy upon the ocean, and which have produced such extensive protection to our commerce, were founded in wisdom and policy. The mind must in our opinion, be insensible to the plainest truths, which cannot discern the elevated ground on which. this policy has placed our country. That national spirit, which alone could vindicate our common rights, has been roused, and those latent energies, which had not been fully known, were unfolded and brought into view, and our fellow citizens were f pared to meet every event, which national honor or national security could render necessary. Nor have its effects been much less important in other respects. Whilst many of the nations of the earth have been im poverished and depopulated, by internal commotions, and national contests, our internal peace has not been materially impaired-our commerce has extended, under the protection of our infant navy, to every part of the globe-wealth has flowed without intermission into our seaports, and the labours of the husbandaran have been rewarded by a ready market for the productions of the soil.

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Be assured, sir, that the various and important subjects, recommended to our consideration, shall receive our carly and deliberate attention, and confident of your co-operation in every measure which may be calculated to promote the general interest, we shall endeavor on our part, to testify by our industry and dispatch, the zeal and sincerity with which we regard the public good.

THE PRESIDENT'S REPLY.

Mr. Speaker, and

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,

COMPELLED by the habits of a long life, as well as by all the principles of society and government, which I could ever understand and believe, to consider the great body of the people as the source of all legitimate authority, no less than of all efficient power, it is impossible for me to receive this address from the immediate representatives of the American people, at this time and in this place, without emotions which it would be improper to express, if any language could convey them.

May the spirit, which animated the great founder of this city, descend to future generations, and may the wisdom, magnanimity and steadiness, which marked the events of his public life, be imitated in all succeeding ages.

I thank you, gentlemen, for your assurance, that the judiciary system shall receive your deliberate

attention.

With you, gentlemen, I sincerely hope, that the final result of the negociations, now pending with France, may prove as fortunate to our country, as they ave been commenced with sincerity, and prosecuted with deliberation and caution. With you

I cordially agree, that so long as a predatory war is carried on against our commerce, we should sacrifice the interests and disappoint the expectations of our constituents, should we for a moment relax that system of maritime defence, which has resulted in such beneficial effects. With you I confidently believe, that few persons are to be found within the United States, who do not admit, that a navy, well organized, must constitute the natural and efficient defence of this country against all foreign hostility.