1790.

the second

CHAPTER IV.

Meeting of the second session of the first congress....Presi dent's speech....Report of the secretary of the treasury of a plan for the support of public credit... Debate thereon.... Bill for fixing the permanent seat of government....Adjournment of congress.... Treaty with the Creek Indians.... The United States in relations with Great Britain and Spain.... The president visits Mount Vernon.... Third session of congress.... The president's speech....Debates on the excise law....On a national bank....The opinions of the cabinet on the constitutionality of this last law....Progress of parties..... War with the Indians....Defeat of Harmar....Adjournment of congress.

ON

On the eighth of January, the president, Meeting of attended by the heads of departments, and by the gentlemen of his family, met both houses of congress in the senate chamber.

session of the first con

gress.

President's speech.

In his speech, which was delivered from the chair of the vice president, after congratulating congress on the accession of the important state of North Carolina to the union, and on the prosperous aspect of American affairs; after some general observations on the encouragement which in resuming their labours for the public good, they would derive from the satisfaction given by the measures of the preceding session, he proceeded to recommend certain great objects of legislation to their more especial consideration.

Among the many interesting objects," continued the speech, "which will engage your attention, that of providing for the common defence will merit your particular regard. To be

prepared for war is one of the most effectual means CHAP. IV.

of preserving peace.

"A free people ought not only to be armed but disciplined; to which end, a uniform and well digested plan is requisite; and their safety and interest require that they should promote such manufactories as tend to render them independent on others for essential, particularly for military, supplies."

As connected with this subject, a proper establishment for the troops which they might deem indispensable, was suggested for their mature deliberation; and the indications of a hostile temper given by several tribes of Indians, were considered as admonishing them of the necessity of being prepared to afford protection to the frontiers, and to punish aggression.

The interests of the United States were declared to require that the means of keeping up their intercourse with foreign nations should be provided; and the expediency of establishing a uniform rule of naturalization was suggested.

After stating uniformity in the currency, weights, and measures of the United States, as an object of great importance, and expressing his confidence in their attention to many improvements essential to the prosperity of the interior, the president added, "nor am I less persuaded that you will agree with me in opinion that there is nothing which can better deserve your patronage than the promotion of science and literature. Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness. In one, in which the measures of

1790.

CHAP. IV. government receive their impression so imme1790. diately from the sense of the community as in

ours, it is proportionably essential. To the security of a free constitution it contributes in various ways: by convincing those who are intrusted with the public administration, that every valuable end of government is best answered by the enlightened confidence of the people; and by teaching the people themselves to know and to value their own rights; to discern and provide against invasions of them; to distinguish between oppression and the necessary exercise of lawful authority; between burdens proceeding from a disregard to their convenience, and those resulting from the inevitable exigencies of society; to discriminate the spirit of liberty from that of licentiousness, cherishing the first, avoiding the last, and uniting a speedy but temperate vigilance against encroachments, with an inviolable respect to the laws.

"Whether this desirable object will be best promoted by affording aids to seminaries of learning already established, by the institution of a national university, or by any other expedients, will be well worthy of a place in the deliberations of the legislature."

Addressing himself then particularly to the representatives he said, "I saw with peculiar pleasure at the close of the last session, the resolution entered into by you, expressive of your opinion, that an adequate provision for the support of the public credit is a matter of high importance to the national honour and prosperity.

In this sentiment I entirely concur; and to a CHAP. IV. perfect confidence in your best endeavours to 1790. devise such a provision as will be truly consistent with the end, I add an equal reliance on the cheerful co-operation of the other branch of the legislature. It would be superfluous to specify inducements to a measure in which the character and permanent interests of the United States are so obviously and so deeply concerned; and which has received so explicit a sanction from your declaration."

Addressing himself again to both houses, he observed, that the estimates and papers respecting the objects particular!y recommended to their attention would be laid before them; and concluded with saying, "the welfare of our country is the great object to which our cares and efforts ought to be directed: and I shall derive great satisfaction from a co-operation with you in the pleasing though arduous task of ensuring to our fellow citizens the blessings which they have a right to expect from a free, efficient, and equal government."

The answers of both houses were indicative of the harmony which subsisted between the executive and legislative departments; and were adopted with a degree of unanimity seldom experienced in large assemblies.

Occupied during their first session with those bills which were necessary to bring the new system into full operation, and to create an immediate revenue, the legislature of the union had unavoidably deferred some measures which pos и h

VOL. V.

CHAP. IV. sessed great and pressing claims upon their atten1790. tion. That neglect under which the creditors of the public had been permitted to languish could not fail to cast an imputation on the American republics, which had been sincerely lamented by the wisest among those who administered the former government. The earnest and eloquent appeals of that government to the states attest the sincerity and zeal with which a majority of congress sought the means of rescuing the nation from the disgrace which follows injustice; and the total disregard with which those appeals were heard, afforded a cogent argument in favour of that revolution which the wisdom of America had with difficulty effected. The power to comply substantially with the engagements of the United States being at length conferred on those who were bound by them, it was confidently expected by the advocates of the constitution that their country would retrieve its reputation, and that its fame would no longer be tarnished with the blots which stain a faithless people.

Report of the secretary of

On the 9th of January, a letter from the secrethe treasury tary of the treasury to the speaker of the house of

of a plan for

the support representatives was read, stating that in obedience

of public credit.

to the resolution of the 21st of September, he had prepared a plan for the support of public credit, which he was ready to report when the house should be pleased to receive it; and after a short debate in which the personal attendance of the secretary for the purpose of making explanations was insisted on by some, and objected to by others,