ty to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States," on you, gentlemen, and the people by whom you are deputed, I rely for support. In the arrangements to which the possibility of a similar contingency will naturally draw your attention, it ought not to be forgotten, that the militia laws have exhibited such striking defects, as could not have been supplied but by the zeal of our citizens. Besides the extraordinary expense and waste, which are not the least of the defects, every appeal to those laws is attended with a doubt of its success. The devising and establishing of a well-regulated militia, would be a genuine source of legislative honour, and a perfect title to public gratitude. I therefore entertain a hope, that the present session will not pass, without carrying to its full energy, the power of organizing, arming and disciplining the militia; and thus providing, in the language of the constitution, for calling them forth to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrection, and repel invasion. As auxiliary to the state of our defence to which Congress cannot too frequently recur, they will not omit to inquire whether the fortifications which have been already licensed by law, be commensurate with our exigencies. The intelligence from the army under the command of General Wayne, is a happy presage to our military operations against the hostile Indians north of the Ohio. From the advices which have been forwarded, the advance he has made must have damped the ardour of the savages, and weakened their obstinacy in waging war against the United States; and yet, even at this late hour, when our power to punish them cannot be questioned, we shall not be unwilling to cement a lasting peace, upon terms of candour, equity, and good neighbourhood. Towards none of the Indian tribes have overtures of friendship been spared. The Creeks in particular are covered from encroachment by the interposition of the General Government, and that of Georgia. From a desire also to remove the discontents of the Six Nations, a settlement meditated at Presque Isle, on Lake Erie, has been suspended; and an agent is now endeavouring to rectify any misconceptions into which they may have fallen. But I cannot refrain from again pressing upon your deliberations, the plan which I recommended at the last session, for the improvement of harmony within our limits, by the fixing and conducting of trading houses, upon the principles then expressed. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE time which has elapsed since the com. mencement of our fiscal measures, has developed our pecuniary resources, so as to open a way for a definitive plan for the redemption of cur public debt. It is believed, that the result is such as to encourage Congress to consummate this work without delay. Nothing can mose promote the permanent welfare of the nation, and nothing would be more grateful to our constituents. Indeed, whatsoever is unfinished of our system of public credit, cannot be benefited by procrastination; and, as far as may be practicable, we ought to place that credit on grounds which cannot be disturbed, and to prevent that progressive accumulation of debt, which must ultimately endanger all governments. An estimate of the necessary appropriations, including the expenditures into which we have been driven by the insurrection, will be submitted to Congress. GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE, AND OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE Mint of the United States has entered upon the coinage of the precious metais, and considerable sums of defective coins and bullion have been lodged with the director by individuals. There is a pleasing prospect, that the institution will, at no remote day, realize the expectation which was originally formed of its utility. In subsequent communications, certain circumstances of our intercourse with foreign nations will be transmitted to Congress; however, it may not be unseasonable to announce, that my policy in our foreign transactions, has been, to cultivate peace with all the world--to observe treaties with pure and absolute faith-to check every deviation from the line of impartiality-to explain what may have been misapprehended, and correct what may have been injurious to any nation; and having thus acquired the right, to lose no time in acquiring the ability, to insist upon justice being done to ourselves. Let us unite, therefore, in imploring the Supreme Ruler of nations to spread his holy protection over these United States-to turn the machinations of the wicked to the confirming of our constitution-to enable us at all times to root out internal sedition, and put invasion to flight-to perpetuate to our country that prosperity which his goodness has already conferred, and to verify the anticipations of this government being a safeguard to human rights. G. WASHINGTON. United States, November 19, 1794. SIR, ANSWER OF THE SENATE. WE receive, with pleasure, your speech to the two Houses of Congress. In it we perceive renewed proofs of that vigilant and paternal concern for the prosperity, honor and happiness of our country, which has uniformly distinguished your past administra tion. Our anxiety, arising from the licentious and open resistance to the laws, in the western counties of Pennsylvania, has been increased by the proceedings of certain self-created societies, relative to the laws and administration of the government; proceedings, in our apprehension, founded in political error, calculated, if not intended, to disorganize our government, and which, by inspiring delusive hopes of support, have been influential in misleading our fellowcitizens in the scene of insurrection. In a situation so delicate and important, the lenient and persuasive measures, which you adopted, merit and receive our affectionate approbation. These failing to procure their proper effects, and coercion having become inevitable; we have derived the highest satisfaction from the enlightened patriotism, and animating zeal, with which the citizens of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, have rallied around the standard of government, in opposition to anarchy and insurrection. Our warm and cordial acknowledgments are due to you, Sir, for the wisdom and decision, with which you arrayed the militia, to execute the public will; and to them, for the disinterestedness and alacrity with which they obeyed your summons. The example is precious to the theory of our government, and confers the brightest honor upon the patriots who have given it. We shall readily concur in such farther provisions for the security of internal peace, and a due obedience to the laws, as the occasion manifestly requires. The effectual organization of the militia, and a prudent attention to the fortifications of our ports and harbors, are subjects of great national importance, and, together with the other measures you have been pleased to recommend, will receive our deliberate consideration. The success of the troops, under the command of general Wayne, cannot fail to produce essential ad vantages. The pleasure, with which we acknow. ledge the merits of that gallant general and army, is enhanced by the hope, that their victories will lay the foundation for a speedy and durable peace with the Indian tribes. At a period, so momentous in the affairs of nations, the temperate, just and firm policy, that you have pursued in respect to foreign powers, has been eminently calculated to promote the great and essential interests of our country, and has created the fairest title to the public gratitude and thanks, JOHN ADAMS, Vice-President of the United November 22, 1794. THE PRESIDENT'S REPLY. GENTLEMEN, AMONG the occasions, which have been afforded for expressing my sense of the zealous and stedfast co-operation of the Senate, in the maintenance of government, none has yet occurred, more forcibly demanding my unqualified acknowledgments, than the present. Next to the consciousness of upright intentions, it is the highest pleasure to be approved by the enlightened Representatives of a free nation. With the satisfaction, therefore, which arises from an unalterable attachment to public order, do I learn, that the Senate discountenances those proceedings, which would arrogate the direction of our affairs without any degree of authority derived from the people. It has been more than once the lot of our government, to be thrown into new and delicate situations; and of these, the insurrection has not been the least important. Having been compelled, at length, to L |