The gazette., 1799-01-07
GENTTEAIEN.

GENTLEAENs
I RECEIVE The honor Of this adirefs from
the Houle Of Representatives IF the State Of
Pennlyivania, exprc[ive Of their appreciation
Of nv conduit, rs Chief M I, Rrlte Of the u
nited States, in fuPPort Of the Honor and In
dependence of this country, with more than
common gratitude and peculiar lentibiity.
The palion of ambition is in its nature IN
limited. The late wild projects luggefed by it
on the theatre Of Europe, are not new. The
French nation, from their numbers, their fitua-
ton, their refources, their bravery, activity in
genuity and enterprIze, have beer peculiarly
lubiea to paro1ifms Of this di0emPer Of the
human mind. The fPiri, Of conquef, which
has often feized on this people, has however,
never taken pofetlion Of them without making
work for fevere epentance-without involving
France 10 eztravagant exertions, and ezPences,
both Of blood and treafure, which have exhaut-
ed it 10 fuch degree, as to require tometimes
whole centuries Of langour and la1l ude before
they could recover their true ttatioa IN th'
world.
There has not been found mind il France
which has not always regretted and lamented
this foible in his countromen. Nor do | believe
there IS a Frenchman in the world at this day,
who is really and truly enlightened with Inc
knowledge of the true intereit and honor OF his
country, who does not bewail the infatuation
which is producing temporary calanli'ies 70 9th
er nations, and mutt produce more lattlng mis-
fortunes to France.
The inGdious and malevolent policy Of divi-
ding people and nations from their government
IS not original The French have not the Gre
dit even Of the invention Of il. Il is borrowed
from the great nation of Perlia, who were taught
it BY the little republic Of Sparta, after ihe was
debauched and corrupted. France ought 70 &c
alhamed of it, and the world ought 70 make
her repent Of her fervlle imitation.
Candor mutt own that our country lies IN
der a reproach which it concerns the nation to
correct it is that Of producing individuals who
are capable not only Of dark interferences by
ulJlrpation in our external concerns, but alo
capable Of forgetting or renouncing their Prin
ciples, feelings aud habits, in forega country,
and becoming enemies to their own. The dh
graceful obfervatien has been made, and with
TOO much appearance Of truth, that there arc
more Americans than there are OF any other
nation who change their minds when they
chance their fkics. Scandalous ard cr minal
proofs Of this are heard and read aImot every
day. Whether this Is owing to want OF na
tional character, or a want Of criminal law,
remedy ought to be fought.
The folemu pledge you give to co operate
with the general government, in a1vertlng all
foreign nAucnc and detecting domeGic intrigue,
is very important to the common welfare OF our
country, AMI will give great fatisfa6ion 10 the
Union.
return, gentlemen, with great pleafure,
my fncere and earneR wifhes for your health,
that your care for the public good may cont
nue., as | doubt not it will, and with It the
confidence of the citizens Of Pennfylvania in
particular, and the union in general.
John ADAMS.
PHILADELPHIA, Dee. II, 1898.