CHAP. V. While, therefore, the preparations for offensive 1792. operations were hastened by a vigorous exertion

Meeting of congress.

President's speech.

of the means at the disposal of the executive, it was thought advisable to make another effort to terminate the war by a direct communication of the pacific views of the United States....The failure of these attempts was still less to be lamented than the fate of those who were employed

them. Colonel Harden and major Trueman, two brave officers and valuable men, were severally dispatched with propositions of peace, and each was murdered by the savages.

Neither the number nor discipline of the troops being such as to render an expedition into the Indian country advisable during the present year, the army was cantoned for the winter on the Ohio. In the mean time, the recruiting business was unremittingly urged, and all the arrangements were made for executing, early in the ensuing summer, the plan which had been formed for the campaign.

On the fifth of November, congress again convened. In the speech delivered at the commencement of the session, Indian affairs were treated at considerable length, and the continuance of the war was mentioned as a subject of much regret. "The reiterated endeavours," it was said, "which had been made to effect a pacification, had hitherto issued in new and outrageous proofs of persevering hostility on the part of the tribes with whom the United States were in contest. An earnest desire to procure tranquillity to the frontiers, to stop the further effusion of blood, to

1792.

arrest the progress of expense, to forward the CHAP. V. prevalent wish of the nation for peace, had led, through various channels, to strenuous efforts to accomplish these desirable purposes. In making these efforts, he had consulted less his own anticipations of the event, or the scruples which some considerations were calculated to inspire, than the wish to find the object attainable; or, if not attainable, to ascertain unequivocally that such was the case.

"A detail of the measures that had been pursued, and of their consequences, which would be laid before congress, while it would confirm the want of success thus far, would evince that means as proper and as efficacious as could have been devised, had been employed. The issue of some of them was still depending; but a favourable one, though not to be despaired of, was not promised by any thing that had yet happened."

That a sanction, commonly respected even among savages, had been found insufficient to protect from massacre the emissaries of peace, was particularly noticed; and the families of those valuable citizens who had thus fallen victims to their zeal for the public service, were recommended to the attention of the legislature.

That unprovoked aggression had been made by the southern Indians, and that there was just cause for apprehension that the war would extend to them also, was mentioned as a subject of additional

concern.

"Every practicable exertion had been made to be prepared for the alternative of prosecuting the

CHAP. V. war, in the event of a failure of pacific overtures. 1792. A large proportion of the troops authorized to be

raised, had been recruited, though the numbers were yet incomplete; and pains had been taken to discipline them, and put them in a condition for the particular kind of service to be performed. But a delay of operations, besides being dictated by the measures that were pursuing towards a pacific termination of the war, had been in itself deemed preferable to immature efforts."

The humane system which has since been successfully pursued, of gradually civilizing the savages by meliorating their condition, of diverting them in some degree from hunting to domestic and agricultural occupations by imparting to them some of the most simple and useful acquisitions of society; and of conciliating them to the United States by a beneficial and well regulated commerce, had ever been a favourite object with the president, and the detailed view which was now taken of Indian affairs, was concluded with a repetition of his recommendations of these measures.

The subject next adverted to in the speech, was the impediments which in some places continued to embarrass the collection of the duties on spirits distilled within the United States. After observing that these impediments were lessening in local extent, but that symptoms of such increased opposition had lately manifested themselves in certain places as, in his judgment, to render his special interposition advisable, the president added...." Congress may be assured that nothing within constitutional and legal limits

which may depend on me shall be wanting to as- CHAP. V. sert and maintain the just authority of the laws. 179%% In fulfilling this trust, I shall count entirely on the full co-operation of the other departments of government, and upon the zealous support of all good citizens.”

After noticing various objects which would require the attention of the legislature, the president addressed himself particularly to the house of representatives and said "I entertain a strong hope that the state of the national finances is now sufficiently matured to enable you to enter upon a systematic and effectual arrangement for the regular redemption and discharge of the public debt, according to the right which has been reserved to the government. No measure can be more desirable, whether viewed with an eye to its intrinsic importance, or to the general sentiments and wish of the nation."

The addresses of the two houses in answer to the speech were, as usual, respectful and affectionate. The several subjects recommended to the attention of congress were noticed either iņ general terms, or in a manner to indicate a coincidence of sentiment between the legislative and executive departments. By both houses, the turbulent spirit which had manifested itself in certain parts of the union was mentioned with a just degree of censure, and the measures adopted by the president, as well as the resolution he expressed to compel obedience to the laws, were approved; and the house of representatives, in the most unqualified terms, declared opinions in fa

CHAP V.

vour of systematic and effectual arrangements for 1792. discharging the public debt. But the subsequent proceedings of the legislature did not completely fulfil the expectations excited by this auspicious commencement of the session.

At an early day, in a committee of the whole house on the president's speech, Mr. Fitzsimmons moved "that measures for the reduction of so much of the public debt as the United States have a right to redeem, ought to be adopted: and that the secretary of the treasury be directed to report a plan for that purpose."

This motion was objected to by Mr. Madison as being premature. The state of the finances, he thought, was not sufficiently understood to authorize the adoption of the measure it contemplated. The debate however soon took a different direction. That part of the resolution which proposed a reference to the secretary of the treasury was particularly opposed; and an ardent discussion ensued, in which, without much essential varia. tion, the arguments which had before been urged on the same subject were again employed. After a vehement contest, the motion to amend the resolution by striking out the proposed reference was overruled, and it was carried in its original form.

In obedience to this order of the house of representatives, the secretary in a few days made a report, in which he proposed a plan for the annual redemption of that portion of the debt, the pay. ment of which was warranted by the contract between the United States and their creditors. But the expenses of the Indian war rendering it, in