The Eagle, or, Dartmouth centinel — Hanover, N.H., 1797-05-29 00:00:00, page 3

. By the last Mails.
Congress of the United States.
TUESDAY, MAY 15.
IN conformity to a Proclamation of the
PRESIDENT of the United St^u.
' CONGRESS met on the 15th inn. at Phila
delphia. The Hon. Jona. Dayton, wag
'' chosen Speaker, and Jona. W. Condy,
Esq.-Clerk. of the House of Representatives
ofthe United States.
Tuefday, the 16th, the PRESIDENT met
both Houses of Congress io the Hall of ,he
Representatives, where he addressed them in
she folloVirg '
SPEECH:
Gentlemen of th Senate, and
Gentlemen ofthe House fßepreJentatives,
THE pcilonai inconvenience,to the Mem
bers ofthe Senate and of the House of Repre
sentatives, in leaving their families and pri
vate affairs at this season of the year, are so
obvious that! the more regret the extraordi
nary occafoo, which has, rendered the con
vention of Congress indifpeofable.
It would have afforded me the highest fa
tisfaeion, to have been able to congratulate
youon a refloration of peace to the nations
of Europe, whose aoiwofriet have endanger
ed our trarquility—But we have still abun
dant cause of gratitude to the Supreme DiC
ipenfer cf national blessings, for general health
and prorniGog leafons ; for domestic and so
cial happinef; ; for the rapid progress and am
ple arquifitions of ioduftry, through extensive
territories, for civil, political and religious li
berty , —while other ffates are desolated with
foreign war, or eonvulfed with intestine divi
-6 ms, the United States, prefect the pleasing
profpe&ofa nation governed by mild and
equal -laws; general fattsfa&ion of their
rights ; neither envying the advantages nor
fearing the power of other nations ; folieitious
only for the maintainance of order and justice,
and the preservation of liberty ;— increasing
daily in their attacbmentto a fyllem of gov
ernment in proportion to their experience of
its utility ; yielding a ready and general obe
dience to laws flowing from the reason, and
refling on the only solid foundation, the affec
tions of the people.
It is with extreme regret that I (ball be o
bliged, to turn yont thoughts to o'her circum
tiances, which admonish us, that some of these
< felicities may not be lading / —but if the tide
of our prefperiiy is full, and a reflux com
mencing, a vigilant circunlpe&ion becomes
us, that we may meet car reverses with for
titude, and extricate ourselves from their con
r^^nCT, thantne son we putrefy too
111 the efforts in our power.
In giving to CongreU information of the
Rate ofthe Union, and recommending to their
/ eonGderatiori such measures as appear to me,
to be expedient or neceffarr, according to my
Constitutional duty, the eaufes and the obje&s
the present extraordinary session will be ex
plained.
: After the Piefident of the United States,
received information, that the French Gov
ernment, had expressed serious dircodtents, at
some proceedings of the U. States, ^id to af
fe& the interests of France, he thought it ex
pedient to fend to that country a new Minister,
fullv ioflruaed to enter on such amicable dif
cutfods, end.to give such candid explana
tions, al might happily remove difeontents
and suspicions ofthe French Government and
vindicate the coodua of the United States.
For this purpose he fcle&ed from among his
fellow citizens, a chara&er whose integrity,
talents, experience, and fetyices had placed
him in the rank of the most cHeemed and re
fpe&ed in the nation : The dire& object of his
mission, was expressed in his letter of cre
dence tothe Ficoch Republic, " beingto main
tain that good understanding, which from the
commepcement of the alliance bad subsisted
between the two nations, and to efface unfa
vorable impressions ; banish fufpicioDs and re
store that cordiality, which was at once the
evidence and pledge of a friendly Union."—
And his inftruaions were to the fame <£&
" faithfully to represent the disposition of the
Government, and people of the United States,
their difpofaion being one, to remove jeelou
6es, and obviate complaints, by (hewing that
they were groundleft, to reflore that mutual
confidence, which had been so unfortunately,
and injurious, impaired, and to explain the
relative interim of both countries and the real
sentiments of his own."<
A minifies thus specially commissioned it
was expe&ed would have proved the inflru
ment of reßoring mutual confidence between
the two Republics. The fird flep of the
French government corresponded with that
expedition. A few days before his arrival
^at Paris, the French minister of foreign rela
tions, informed the American miniver then
resident at Paris, of the formalties to be ob
served by himfelf in taking leave, and by hit
fuccetfor preparatory to his reception .—The
formalities they obferv^, and on the ninth
of December preferred officially tip the min
ister of forego relations, the one a copy of Eis
e letters of recall, the other a copy of bis letters
of credence.'.
These were laid before the Executive Di
redory. Two days afterwards, the rainifter
of foreign relations informed the recalled
American minister that the Executive Direc
tory had determined not to receive another
% minister plenipotentiary from the United
States, until after the redrew of grievances
FOR Sale, A GOOD SIT of SAW-MILL IRONS, with past of the Running Geers, very cheap for cafhorctrantry produce—Enquire at thia Office.
demanded of the American gnverrTri^nt, and
which the French Republic had a right to ex-,
ped from it. The American minister immr
diately 'endeavored to ascertain, whether bv
refuting to receive him, it was intended, that
he fbould retire from the -territories of the
French Republic: aid verbal answers w^re
given that such was th- intention of the Dry
re&ory. For his ownfoflification he desired
a written answer ; but obtained none, until
towards rhe lad of January ; when, receiving
notice in writing to quit the territories of the
Republic, he proceeded to Aroflerdam,
where he proposed to wait for ioftrufyoo from
this government. During his lelidence tot
Paris, cards of hospitality were refuted him;
and he was threatened with being fubjeAed to
the juri fdiaion ofthe .ninifterof Police : but,
with becoming firmnefs he insisted on the pro-,
teaion of the law of nations due to him as the
known minister of a foreign power. You
will derive further information from his dil
patches which will be laid before you.
As it is often neceflary that nations fhnuld
treat, for the mutual advantage of their affairs
and especially to accommodate and terminate
differences ; and as they can treat only by
miaifters, the right of embassy is well known
and eflablifbed, by the law and usage of na
tions. The refufal on the part of France to
receive and hear our minister, is then the de
nial of a right: but the refufal to receive him,
until we have acceded to their demands,
without difeuffion and without investigation,
is to treat us neither as Allies, nor as Friends,
nor as a Sovereign State.
With this conduct of the French govern
ment, it will be proper to take into view, the
public audience given to the late minister of
the U. States, on hi, taking leave of the Ex
ecutive Dire&ory. The speech of the Prefi
deot discloses sentiments more alarming than
the refufal of a minister, because more dan
gerous to our independence and Union; and
at the fame time studiously marked with in
dignities towards the government of the Uni
ted States. ~ e4 ^cs a difpefition to Sepa
rate the peopi: nr the United State: from the
government : to persuade them that they
have different affections, principles and inter
eftrfrom those of their fellow citizens whom
they themfclves have chosen to manage thetr
Common concerns ; and thus to produce d'vi
fions fatal to our peace. Such attempts
ought to be repealed, with a decision which
shall convince France and the xorld, that we |
arc not a degraded people, humiliated under
a colonial spirit of fear ^nd fcafe of inferiori
ty, fitted to be mifeCrble irCtrunents of fo
reign influence and - regardicfi of nations hon
or, chara &er and iptereft.
I fhoald have ^$ b,.p£&b rnfe thsowo^
«~vCTr+rcri?ref- trahTjCtiots, if u had been
pofkble to compl them ; but they have p.ff
ed da the great theatre J the world in the
face of all Europe and America ; aod with
such circumllanccs of publicity and folemuity
that they cannot be difguihd nd will not soon
be forgotten ; :hey have inflicted a v.o nd in
the Amcricao bread.
It is my sincere desire, however, that it may
be healed. Iris my sincere d fire, and in
this I presume I concur with you and with
our constituents to preserve peace and friend
ship with all nations ; and believing that nei
ther the honor nor the inn rest of the U died
States absolutely forbid the repetition cf ad
vances fur securing ,these dehrahe object
with France, I fhaii mOitute a frelh attempt
at negociauon, and sh ill not fail to promote
and accelerate an accommodation on terms
compatible with th.# rights, duties, intrrefts,
and honor of the nation. If we have com
mitted errois, and these can be de nonftrated,
we (hall be willing to coneel them. If we
have done injuries, we (hall be willing" on
convidiott to redress them. And equal
measures of justice we have a right to cxpc&
from France ahd every other naticn.
The diplomatic intercourse between the
United States and France, being at present
suspended, the government has no means of
obtaining official information from that coun
try ; nevertheless, there is reason to believe
that the Executive Dyeapry passed a decree
on the Second of March last, contravening in
part the treaty of amity & commerce of 1778,
injurious to our lawful commerce and endan
gering the lives of our citizens—a copy of
this decree will be laid before you.
Wh?le we are endeavoring to adjust all our
differences with France, by amicable negoci-)
ation, the progress ofthe war in Europe, the {
depredations 00 bur commerce, ' the perfenal
injuries to our citizens, and the general com-;
plexion of affairs render it my indifpeafible !
duty, to recommend to your confederation ;
cfte&ual .meafurea of defence.l
The commerce of th. United Stares has be-:
come an interesting obje& of attention wheth-j
er we confides it in relation to the wealth and|
finances, or the strength and resources of thel
nation. With a sea coast of near two thou-;
sand miles in extent opening a wide field for
fisheries, navigation and commerce, a great
portion of our citizens naturally apply their
iudußry and enterprize to thofc objc&. A
nyferious and permanent injury to our com
merce would not fail to produce the moflem
barraffing diford^rs ; to prevent it from being
undermined and destroyed, it is effcutial that
it receive an adequate protection.
The naval fflb)|i(hment mull occur to ev
ery man who con6d„ the injuries committed
on our commerce, and the infulta offered to
our citizens and the delcription of the vcffels
by which tbeteabufes have been pra&ifed.
As the Sufferings of our mercantile and Seafar
ing cit : zens, cannot be aScribed to the omit
fion of duties demandible, conferring the
batral lituaiion of our country, they are to
be attributed to the hop- of impunity, arifiag
from a fappofed inability on our part to jff rd
prote&ion. To refill the consequences of
filch impreffiom on the minds cf foreign na
tions, and to guard against the degradation
and Servility which they mull finally damp
bn the American charaAer, is an important,
duty of goverhme nt.
A naval powtf, nextto the militia, is the
natural defence of the United States The
experience of the last war would be fuffi ien,
to show, that a moderate naval force, fu.h as
would be easily within the present abilities of
the Union, would have been Sufficient to have
b a^doMinyformidablerranfport .tn nmfuo- $
from one date foanctb-r, which were then
praAiled. Our sea coalk, from th,r great
extent, afe more eafi y annoyed, and more
easily defended by a naval since th-n any
other. With all the materials out country
abounds : lu (kill our naval aichiteth and
navigators are equal to any ; and command
ers and seamen will not be warning.
But, although the eflahbOil ent of a per
manent lAiem of naval defence, appears to
be requisite, I am sensible it cannot hr for
med so Speedily and exttnfiyely, as rhe pre
sent crisis demands. Hitherto, I have rho't
proper to prevent the failing of armed vc£ Is,
exeeptto the Eitt-lndies, where general u
sage and the danger from pirates appeared to
render the permission proper, Yet the re-
Rriaion has originated boldly from a wish to
prevent collufibns with the powers at war,
contravening the all of Congress of June,
one thousand Seven hundred and nin ty four,
and not from any doubt entertained by me of
the policy and propriety of permitting our vef
feis to employ means of defence, while en
gaged in a lawful foreign commerce; It re
mains for Congress to prescribe such regula
tions as will enable our feafiring citizens to
defend themselves against violations of the
law of nations and at the fame time restrain.
them from committing a&s of hostility a
gainst the pow is at war. In addition to this
voluntary provision for defence by individual
citizens, it appears to me necefcry to equip
the frigates, and provide other vessels of infe
r or force, to take under convoy such merch
ant vessels as (ball remain unarmed.
The greater part of the craifers, whose de
predations have been most injurious,, have
been built and some of them partly equipped,
in the United States. Although an tffe&u
al remedy may be attended with difficulty
yet, I have thought it my duty to prelent the
tuby& generally to your confideratioo. If a
Mc^e Can be devised, by the.wifdora of coo.
grefs, to prevent the resources of the United
States from being converted into the means of
a moving our forade, a great evil will be pre
vented. With the fame view I think it prop
er to mention, that some of our citizens resi
dent abroad, have fitted out privateers, and
others have voluntarily taken the command,
or entered on board of them, and committed
Spoliations on the commerce of the United
Stores. Such unnatural and iniquitous prac
ticcscdn be retrained only by severe pumfh
ments.
But betides, a proteaion of our commerce
on rhe seas, I think it highly necefiiry to pro
ted it at home, where it is collected in our
moll imp irtant ports. The distance of the
United Steres from Europe, and the well
known promptitude, ardour and courage of
the people in defence of their country, happi
ly diminish the probability of invasion: ncv
ertbclefs to guard against sudden and predato
ry ipcurlians, the filiation of some of our
principal Seaports, demands your considera
tion. And as our country is vulnerable in
other imerefts, besides those of its commerce,
you will seriously deliberate, whether the
means ;of general, defence ought not to be in
creased by an addition to the regular artillery
and cavalry, and by arrangements for forming
a provisional army.,
With the fame view, and as a measure
which even in the time of" universal peace,
ought not to be neglected, I recommend to
your consideration a revision of the laws for
organizing, arming and disciplining the mi
litia, to render that natural and fafe defence
of the country efficacious.
Although it is very true that we ought not
to involve ourselves in the political system of
Europe, but to keep durfelv.es always diHinft
and Separate from it if we can ; yet to effe&
this reparation, early, pundual, and continual
information of the current chain of events and
of the political proje&s in contemplation
Is no less necessary than if we were direQly
concerned in them, It is necessary, in order
to the difeovery of the efforts made to draw
us into the vortex, in season to make prepara
tions against them. However we may con
fidcr ouricives, the maritime and commercial
powers ofthe world will confider the United
States of America as forming a weight in
that balance of-power in Europe which never
can be forgotten or negle&ed.
It would not only be against our interest,
bur it would be a doing wrong to one half of
Europe attaft, if we ihould voluntarily throw
ourfeives into either Scale. It isa natural policy
for a nation that studies to be neutra toconfult
with other nations engaged'in the fame studies
add parfaits. At the fame time th,t meaf
sres might be pursued with this view, our
treaties with Russia and* Sweden, one of
which is expired,-and the other near expiring,
might be renewed.
1 Gentfemten cf the House of ^eprfota&s
flt is parti,laily your province ty Cu„Ud^
the Hereof public financier : and to adrpffirh
meifures te(pe.9iiH tber has exigencies fb+il
be found to re,!ir m . The ptefervarion of
public credit, the r^ftnlar extingu thyent of
the public debt, and a provision of funds, ;.
def ay any extraordinary etpenftt, win of
courf- call for your fetious attention.
Although the impofrions of hew berth ns
cannot be, in iifr^fy&kreeable, yet tbae is no
ground to doubt ttyet the American people '
will expect from you, luth 'ineafiires, ?, their
actual engagements, their . present Security
and future int^rrßs, demand.
1 'Gen,/{men ofthe Senate and
.Gentlmrt ofahr H&f of Re,fcmativ-s.
Th* prelent fruition of ourcouhtty, upp. -
fes an obligation, on all the departmems r.f
governn^r, ro afopt an explicit and decide J
conduct. In n;y liuftitigu an expebnor, 'of
the principles, by which rev admit ittwi-n
will be governed, 'ought so b be onrikri
It is impossible to cr-nceal from ourf/vc or
the wo'ld, what has been 'before oSfcnvd.
that endeavours have bccnemp r oved to so ler
and ei lbtifh a diviGon b-twerb the govern
mani and people of the Uroted Spates. To
inveftiguethe causes which have ?ncour.,(4
this attempt is tot neceflir), but to repel by
decided and united councils, infinuatwns. A,
derogatory to the honor, and aggo bions so
dangerous to the coodoution, union, zr,3 e
ven independence of the nation, is an indite
penfable duty :—
It muA not be permitted to h- dculred,
whether the people ofthe United Si tes, will
Support the govern neut, ettabblhed Dr h-ir
voluntary corornt, and appointed by then See
choice ; or whether, by Surrendering tnera
felves to the direction of foreign and dotnef
tic fa&ions, in opposition to their own gov
ernment, they will forfeit the honourable Sta
tion they have hitherto maintained.
For mytelf, having never been indifferent
to wha; concerned the intcrefts of my coun
try ; devoted the bed part of my life' to ob
tain and Support its independence ; and con
stantly witnefcd, the pawiotifm, fidelity and
perfeverence of my fellow-citterns, on the
moll trying occasions, it is net for me to hef
itafe, or abandon a cause in which my heart
has been so long engaged.
Convinced that the condafl of the govern
ment has been just and impartial to foreign
nations : that those internal regulations,
whichhiye been eftabiifted hy law far the
preservation of peace, are, in their naterc
proper, and that they have been fairly execu
ted ; nothing will ever be done by me to im
pair the national engagements; to inno ate
up<ML principles which hwe tea fofotehtr.
ly a.id uprightly eftabliL-d ; or to Surrender
in any manner the rights of the government.
To enable me to maintain this declaration,
I rely, under God, with entire confidence, on
the firm and enLgbtend supp ft of the Na
tional Legislature, and upon the virtue and
patriotic of my fellow citizens.
JOHN ADAMS.
BOSTON, MAY IQ.
FREEBOOTERS AT HAND."
Gentlemen from Salem and Marblehead,
inform us, that a Coasting Schooner put into
the former place veflerday, which had ^cn
plundered by a sixteen-gun French privateer
brig from Porto-Rico, about eight leagues
from Cape-Ann, of a hogshead of rum, and
other property ; and that the Captain of the.
privateer threatened very hard 'o burn the
schooner. fraternity this with a witnfs
MAY 17.
By Capt Hinkly, from Hamburg, arrived
yefterday,)ur accounts and letters are to April
6 —We have no confirmation of the reinvi
tation of Mr. Pinkney to France ; nor was the
afpe& of affairs more sombre than ufuai.
Mercantile confidence was not impaired; nor
a quarrel between the United States aud
France contemplated.
HANOVER, MAY 29.
We are happy to present to the public;
President Adams' .SPEECH 0 Congress at
the opening of the present Session, it is- the
efifion ofafnz and determined mind, and at
the fame time of a lover of Peace. ,We
Hull in future publish all importamproceed
ings of Congress as faft as they come so hand.
John Allen Esq. is chosen to represent the
slate ofConne&icatinCongrefs in the room of
Z. Swift, Esq. resigned.
ERRATA. In the last Eagle, page Ift, ad
column, soth line from the top, for heuhh,
read wealtk. Line aßth from the bottom, far
principles, read privileges. Line 9th, for caii
ceal, read cancel. ,
STEPHEN P. WEBSi£&
HAS constantly for faleat his Store
in landaff, a general assortment of
EngliJb Weji-lndia & bard ihre
GOODS,
On .the; n^ft re^fonable terms;
He ty-nec^iated to remind those of
his Caftomers, who are,indebted ou
NOTE or BOOK, that a part of their
debts must he paid by the ' fidt of June
next.
LandaffiMa, tyb, 1797; - §4