Star.
London, England, 1801-01-01 00:00:00

4MZRICif.

WASHINGTON, NOV. as.

This day, at twelve o'clock, the Prefident of
the United States met both Houfes of Congrefs
in the Senate Chamber, and deliiered the follow-
i g Speech I
Vetakiten of the &Feati,assel Gesdkoses of eis
Hoge Rorefestatives,
" Immediately after the adjournment of Con-
grefs, at their laft Seffion in Philadelphia, I gave
direCtioni, in compliance with the laws, for the
removal bf the public bffices, records, and proper-
ty. Thefe diretions have been executed, and the
public officers have lime refided and concluded
the ordinary bufmefs of the Government in this
place.
" I congratulate the people of the United States
on the affembling of Congrefs at the permanent
fiat of their Government, and I congratulate you,
Gentlemen, on the profped of a refidence not to
be changed. Although there is caufe to appre-
hend that accommodations are not now fo com-
plete as might be wifhed, yet there is great reafon
to believe that this inconvenience will ceafe with
the prefent Seffion.
" It would be unbecoming the Iteprefentatives
of this Nation to affemble, for the firft time, in
this folemn Temple, without looking up to the
Surma I ketta of tbc Univerfe, and imploring
his blefting. May this territory be the refidence
of virtue and happincfs ! In this city may that
piety and virtue, that wifdom and magnanimity,
that conflancy and Pelf-government, which adorn-
ed the great ckarafter whole name it bears, be
for ever held in veneration ! Here, and through-
out our country, may fimple manners, pure mo-
rals, and true religion, flourifb for ever !
" It is with you, Gentlemen, to confider whe-
ther the local powers over the diftriEl of Columbia,
veiled by the Conftitution in the Congrefs of the
United States, flail be immediately exercifed.—
If in your opinion this important unit ought now
to be executed, you cannot fail, while performing
it, to take into view dte future probable fituation
of the territory, for the happincfs of 'which you
are about to provide. You will confider it as the
capital of a great nation, advancing with unex-
ampled rapidity in arts, in commerce, in wealth,
and in population; and poffefling within itfelf thole
energies and refourccs, which, if not thrown away,
or lanicntablv mifdireeted, fecure to it a long
courfe of itc c.eriLy and felf-government.
" In crir.pliance with a law of the laft Seffion
of Congrefs, the officers and foldiers of the tem-
pnra ry army have been dikharged. It affords
real ri,afure to recolleft the honourable teflimony
they gave of the patriotic motives which brought
the. :nto the fervice of their country, by the rea-
dinefs and regularity with which they returned to
the !lotion of private citizens.
" It is, in every point of view, of fuch primary
• importance to carry the laws into prompt and
faithful execution, and to render that part of the
adminitiration of jultice, which the conftitution
and laws devolve on the federal courts, as cone-
' tient to the people, as may confift with their pre.
fent circumflances, that I cannot omit once more
to recommend to your ferious coafideration, the
judiciary lyftem of the United States. No fub-
jeft is more interelling than this to the public hap-
. pinefs, and to none can thole improvements, which
may have been fiaggefted by experience, be more
beneficially applied.
" A treaty of amity and commerce with the
King of Pruffia has been concluded and ratified.
The ratifications have been exchanged, and I
have dirceled the treaty to be promulgated by
proclamation. '

The difficulties which fufpended the .execu-
tion 9f the 6th article of our treaty of amity,
commerce, and navigation with Great Britain,
have net yet been =loved. The negociation on
this fubjed is depending. As it mull be for
the intercft and honour of both nations to adjuft
dal difference with good faith, I indulge confi-
dently the expedition, that the fincere endeavours
of the Government of the United States to bring
it to an amicable termination, will not be difap-
pointed.
a The Envoys Extraordinary', and Minilters
Plenipotentiary from the United States to France
were received by the Finer Cousin. with the re-
fped due to their charterer, and three perfons with
equal powers were appointed to treat with them.
Although at the date of the lift official intelligence
the negociation bad not terminated, yet it is to be
hoped, that our efforts to effee an accommodation
will at length meet with a fuccefs proportioned, to
the fincerity wish which they hare been fo often
repeated.
a While our bell endeavours for tke prefervation
of harmony with all nations will continue to be
ufed, the experience of the world, our own expe-
rience admonith us of the infecurity of trufting too
confidently to their fuccefs. We cannot without
committing a dangerou, imprudence, abandon
thofe mcalures of far protection, which are adapt-
ed to our fituation, and to which, notwithftanding
our pacific policy, the violence and iuftice of
others may again compel us to refort. While our
raft extent of fea coaft, the commercial and agri-
erdtaral habits of our people, the great capital they
will continue to truft on the occan, fuggeft the
Often of defence which will be molt beneficial to
nerfelves—our diftance from Europe, and our re-
f-mem for maritime ftrcngth will enable us to em-
t lov it with ;led. Seifonable and fyftematie ar-
•
fangerounts, fo far as our iefources will jullify. for
a navy adapted to defenfive war, and Which may,
in car of nec-ility, he quick, brought into life,
feeri to be as much recommended by a wife and
-.e ...canonry, as by a juft regard for our future
trot:v.ll4y, for the fafety of our fhores, and for
01 • protetion of oar property, committed to the
ter. The prefent navy of the United States
• ter! fuddenly into exiftence by a great national
• •,gency, kss raifed us in ..ur own diem, and by
the atedion afforded to out commerce. has ate-