Congress's Reply to Washington's Second Annual Message

The Representatives of the People of the United States have taken into consideration your Address to the two houses at the opening of the present Session of Congress.

We share in the satisfaction inspired by the prospects which continue to be so auspicious to our public affairs. The blessings resulting from the smiles of Heaven on our Agriculture, the rise of public Credit, with the farther advantages promised by it, and the fertility of resources which are found so little burdensome to the community; fully authorize our mutual congratulations on the present occasion. Nor can we learn without an additional gratification, that the energy of the laws for providing adequate revenues, have been so honorably seconded by those classes of Citizens whose patriotism and probity were more immediately concerned.

The success of the loan opened in Holland, under the disadvantages of the present moment, is the more important, as it not only denotes the confidence already placed in the United States, but as the effect of a judicious application of that Aid, will still further illustrate the solidity of the foundation on which the public credit rests.

The Preparatory Steps taken by Virginia, in concert with the District of Kentucky, towards the erection of the latter into a distinct Member of the Union, exhibit a liberality mutually honorable to the parties. We shall bestow on this important subject the favourable consideration which it merits. And with the national policy which ought to govern our decision, shall not fail to mingle the Affectionate sentiments which are awakened by those expressed on behalf of our Fellow-citizens of Kentucky.

Whilst we regret the necessity which has produced offensive hostilities against some of the Indian Tribes northwest of the Ohio, we sympathize too much with our Western Brethren, not to behold with approbation, the watchfulness and vigor which have been exerted by the Executive Authority for their protection; and which, we trust, will make the aggressors sensible, that it is their interest to merit by a peaceable behaviour, the friendship and humanity which the United States are always ready to extend to them.

The encouragement of our own navigation has at all times appeared to us highly important. The point of view under which you have recommended it to us, is strongly enforced by the actual state of things in Europe. It will be incumbent on us to consider in what mode our commerce and agriculture can be best relieved from the injurious dependence on the navigation of other nations, which the frequency of their wars renders a too precarious resource for conveying the productions of our Country to market.

The present state of trade to the Mediterranean seems not less to demand, and will accordingly receive the attention which you have recommended.

Having already concurred in establishing a Judiciary System, which opens the doors of Justice, without distinction of persons, it will be our disposition to incorporate every improvement which experience may suggest. And we shall consider in particular, how far the uniformity, which in other cases is found convenient in the Administration of the General Government throughout all the States, may be introduced into the forms and rules of executing sentences issuing from the Federal Courts.

The proper regulation of the jurisdiction and functions, which may be exercised by Consuls of the United States in foreign Countries, with the provisions stipulated to those of his Most Christian Majesty established here, are subjects of too much consequence to the public interest and honor, not to partake of our deliberations.

We shall renew our attention to the establishment of the Militia, and the other subjects unfinished at the last Session, and shall proceed in them with all the dispatch, which the magnitude of all, and the difficulty of some of them will allow. Nothing has given us more satisfaction than to find that the measures heretofore established have proved adequate to the purposes to which they were allotted. In extending the provision to the residuary objects, it will be equally our care to secure sufficiency and punctuality in the payments due from the Treasury of the United States. We shall also never lose sight of the policy of diminishing the public debt, as fast as the increase of the public resources will permit; and are particularly sensible of the many considerations, which press a resort to the auxiliary resource furnished by the public lands.

In pursuing every branch of the weighty business of the present Session, it will be our constant Study to direct our deliberations to the public welfare. Whatever our success may be, we can, at least, answer for the fervent love of our Country which ought to animate our endeavours. In your co-operation, we are sure of a resource, which fortifies our hopes that the fruits of the established Government will justify the confidence which has been placed in it, and recommend it more and more to the affection and attachment of our Fellow Citizens.

[Philadelphia 13 December 1790]

Gentlemen,

The sentiments expressed in your address are intitled to my particular acknowledgment. Having no object but the good of our Country, this testimony of approbation and confidence from it's immediate Representatives, must be among my best rewards, as the support of your enlightened patriotism has been among my greatest encouragements. Being persuaded that you will continue to be actuated by the same auspicious principle, I look forward to the happiest consequences from your deliberations during the present Session.

George Washington

We receive, Sir, with particular satisfaction the communications contained in your Speech, which confirm to us the progressive State of the public Credit, and afford at the same time, a new proof of the solidity of the foundation on which it rests; and we chearfully join in the acknowledgement, which is due to the probity and patriotism of the mercantile and Marine part of our fellow Citizens, whose enlightened attachment to the principles of good government is not less conspicuous in this, than it has been in other important respects.

In confidence that every constitutional preliminary has been observed, we assure you of our disposition to concur in giving every requisite Sanction to the admission of Kentucky as a distinct member of the Union, in doing which, we shall anticipate the happy effects to be expected from the sentiments of attachment towards the union and its present government, which have been expressed by the Patriotic inhabitants of that District.

While we regret that the continuance, and increase, of the hostilities and depredations which have distressed our north western Frontier should have rendered offensive measures necessary, we feel an entire confidence in the sufficiency of the motives which have produced them, and in the wisdom of the dispositions which have been concerted in pursuance of the powers vested in you; and whatever may have been the event, we shall chearfully concur in the provisions which the expedition that has been undertaken may require on the part of the Legislature, and in any other which the future peace and safety of our frontier Settlements may call for.

The critical posture of the European Powers will engage a due portion of our Attention, and we shall be ready to adopt any measures, which a prudent circumspection may suggest, for the preservation of the blessings of Peace: The navigation and the fisheries of the United States, are objects too interesting not to inspire a disposition to promote them, by all the means, which shall appear to us, consistent with their natural progress, and permanent prosperity.

Impressed with the importance of a free intercourse with the Mediterranean, we shall not think any Deliberations misemployed which may conduce to the adoption of proper measures for removing the impediments that obstructed it.

The improvement of the judiciary system, and the other important objects, to which you have pointed our attention, will not fail to engage the consideration they respectively merit.

In the course of our deliberations, upon every subject, we shall rely upon that co-operation which an undeminished Zeal, and incessant anxiety for the public welfare on your part, so thoroughly ensure; and as it is our anxious desire, so it shall be our constant endeavour, to render the established government more & more instrumental in promoting the good of our fellow Citizens, and more and more the object of their attachment and confidence.

[Philadelphia, 13 December 1790]

Gentlemen,

These assurances of favorable attention to the subjects I have recommended, and of entire confidence in my views, make the Impression on me which I ought to feel. I thank you for them both. And shall continue to rely much for the success of all our measures for the public good, on the Aid they will receive from the wisdom and integrity of your Councils.

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