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Provinces, allies of the French republic.

15. The French republic, wish. ing to give a testimony of amity to his Catholic majesty, accepts his mediation in favour of the kingdom of Portugal, the king of Naples, the king of Sardinia, the in. fant duke of Parma, and the other states of Italy, for the re-establishment of peace between the French republic and each of these princes and states.

16. The French republic, sensible of the interest which his Ca. tholic majesty takes in the general pacification of Europe, consents likewise to accept of his good of fices in favour of other belligerent powers, who shall apply to him, in order to enter into negotiation with the French government.

17. The present treaty shall not have effect till after having been ratified by the contracting parties; and the ratifications shall be exchanged within the space of a month, or sooner, from the date of this day.

In witness whereof we the un. dersigned plenipotentiaries of the French republic, and of his majesty the king of Spain, in virtue of our full powers, have signed this present treaty of peace and amity, and have put to it our re spective seals.

Done at Basle the 4th of the month of Thermidor, the third year of the French republic (22d July, 1795-) (Signed) FRANCOIS BARTHELEMI,

DOMINGO D'YRIARTE.

The Speech of the President of the United States of America to both

Houses of Congress, December 8, 1795

Fellow citizens of the senate, and

house of representatives,

I trust I do not deceive myself, while I indulge the persuasion, that I have never met you at any period, when, more than at the present, the situation of our public affairs has afforded just cause of mutual congratulation, and for inviting you to join with me in profound gratitude to the Author of all good, for the numerous and extraordinary blessings we enjoy.

The termination of the long, expensive, and distressing war in which we have been engaged with certain Indians north-west of the Ohio, is placed in the option of the United States, by a treaty which the commander of our army has concluded provisionally, with the hostile tribes in that region.

In the adjustment of the terms, the satisfaction of the Indians was deemed an object worthy no less of the policy than of the liberality of the United States, as the necessary basis of durable tranquillity. This object has been fully attained. The articles agreed upon will immediately be laid before the senate, for their consideration.

The Creek and Cherokee Indians, who alone of the southern tribes had annoyed our frontiers, have lately confirmed their preexisting treaties with us, and were giving evidence of a sincere disposition to carry them into effect, by the surrender of the prisoners and property they had taken; but we have to lament that the fair prospect in this quarter has been once more clouded by wanton murders, which some citizens of Georgia are repre

sented

sented to have recently perpetrated on hunting parties of the Creeks; which have again subjected that frontier to disquietude and danger, which will be productive of fur. ther expence, and may occasion further effusion of blood. Measures are pursuing to prevent or mitigate the usual consequences of such outrages; and with the hope of their succeeding, at least to avert a general hostility.

A letter from the emperor of Morocco announces to me his recognition of our treaty made with his father the late emperor; and consequently the continuance of peace with that power. With peculiar satisfaction I add, that information has been received from an agent deputed on our part to Algiers, importing, that the terms of the treaty with the dey and regency of that country had been adjusted in such a manner, as to authorize the expectation of a speedy peace, and the restoration of our unfortunate fellow citizens from a grievous captivity.

The latest advices from our envoy at the court of Madrid give, morcover, the pleasing informa. tion, that he had received assurances of a speedy and satisfactory conclusion of his negotiation. While the event, depending upon unadjusted particulars, cannot be regarded as ascertained, it is agree. able to cherish the expectation of an issue, which securing amicably the very essential interests of the United States, will, at the same time, lay the foundation of lasting harmony with a power, whose friendship we have uniformly and sincerely desired to cultivate.

Though not before officially disclosed to the house of representa

tives, you, gentlemen, are apprized, that a treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation, has been negotiated with Great Britain; and that the senate have advised and consented to its ratification, upon a condition which excepts part of one article. Agreeably thereto, and to the best judgment I was able to form of the public interest, after full and mature deliberation, I have added my sanction. The result on the part of his Britannic majesty is unknown. When received, the subject will, without delay, be placed before congress.

This interesting summary of our affairs with regard to the foreign powers, between whom and the United States controversies have subsisted, and with regard also to those of our Indian neighbours with whom we have been in a state of enmity and misunderstanding, opens a wide field for consoling and gratifying reflections. If, by prudence and moderation on every side, the extinguishment of all the causes of external discord, which have heretofore menaced our tranquillity, on terms compatible with our national rights and honour, shall be the happy result, how firm and how precious a foundation will have been laid for accelerating, maturing, and establishing the pros perity of our country!

Contemplating the internal situa tion, as well as the external re. lations, of the United States, we discover equal cause for content. ment and satisfaction. While many of the nations of Europe, with their American dependencies, have been involved in a contest unusu. ally bloody, exhausting, and calamitous; in which the evils of fo.

reign war have been aggravated by domestic convulsions and insur. rection; in which many of the arts most useful to society have been exposed to discouragement and decay; in which scarcity of subsist ence has embittered other sufferings; while even the anticipations of a return of the blessings of peace and repose are alloyed by the sense of heavy and accumulating burdens, which press upon all the de. partments of industry, and threaten to clog the future springs of go. vernment-our favoured country, happy in a striking contrast, has enjoyed general tranquillity-the more satisfactory, because maintained at the expence of no duty. Faithful to ourselves, we have violated no obligation to others. Our agriculture, commerce, and manufactures prosper beyond former example; the molestations of our trade (to prevent a continuance of which, however, very pointed remonstrances have been made) being over-balanced by the aggregate benefits which it derives from a neutral position. Our population advances with a celerity which, exceeding the most sanguine expectations, proportionally augments our strength and resources, and guarantees our future security. Every part of the union displays indications of rapid and various improve. ment, and with burdens so light as scarcely to be perceived; with resources fully adequate to our present exigencies; with governments founded on the genuine principles of rational liberty, and with mild and wholesome laws; is it too much to say, that our country exhibits a spectacle of national happiness never surpassed, if ever before equalled ?

Placed in a situation every way so auspicious, motives of commanding force impel us, with sincere acknowledgment to heaven, and pure love to our country, to unite our efforts to preserve, prolong, and improve our immense advantages. To co-operate with you in this de. sirable work, is a fervent and favourite wish of my heart.

It is a valuable ingredient in the general estimate of our welfare, that the part of our country, which was lately the scene of disorder and insurrection, now enjoys the blessings of quiet and order. The mis. led have abandoned their errors, and pay the respect to our constitu tion and laws, which is due from good citizens to the public authorities of the society. These circumstances have induced me to pardon, generally, the offenders here referred to; and to extend forgiveness to those who have been adjudged to capital panishment. For, although I shall always think it a sacred duty, to exercise with firmness and energy the constitu tional powers with which I am vested; yet it appeared to me no less consistent with the public good, than it is with my personal feelings, to mingle in the operations of government every degree of modera tion and tenderness, which the na tional justice, dignity, and safety may permit.

Gentlemen,

Among the objects which will claim your attention in the course of the session, a review of our mi litary establishment is not the least important. It is called for by the events which have changed, and may be expected still further to change, the relative situation of

our

Bur frontiers. In this review, you will doubtless allow due weight to the considerations, that the questions between us and certain foreign powers, are not yet finally adjusted; that the war in Europe is not terminated; and that our western posts, when recovered, will demand provision for garrisoning and securing them. A statement of our present military force will be laid before you by the depart ment of war.

With the review of our army establishment is naturally connected that of the militia. It will merit inquiry, what imperfections in the existing plan, further experience may have unfolded. The subject is of so much moment, in my estimation, as to excite a constant solicitude, that the consideration of it may be renewed until the greatest attainable perfection shall be accomplished. Time is wearing away some advantages for forwarding the object, while none better deserves the persevering attention of the public councils.

While we indulge the satisfaction which the actual condition of our western borders so well authorizes, it is necessary that we should not lose sight of an important truth, which continually receives new confirmations; namely, that the provisions heretofore made, with a view to the protection of the Indians from the violence of the law. less part of the frontier inhabitants, are insufficient. It is demonstrated, that these violences can now be perpetrated with impunity. And it can need no argument to prove, that unless the murdering of Indi. ans can be restrained by bringing the murderers to condign punish. ment, all the exertions of the go

vernment to prevent destructive re. taliations by the Indians, will prove fruitless, and all our present agreeable prospects illusory. The fre quent destruction of innocent women and children, who are chiefly the victims of retaliation, must continue to shock humanity; and an enormous expence to drain the treasury of the union.

To enforce upon the Indians the observance of justice, it is indispensable that there shall be competent means of rendering justice to them. If these, means can be devised by the wisdom of congress, and especially if there can be added an adequate provision for supplying the necessities of the Indians, on reasonable terms, (a measure, the mention of which I the more readily repeat, as in all the con. ferences they urge it with solici tude), I should not hesitate to entertain a strong hope of render ing our tranquillity permanent. add, with pleasure, that the probability even of their civilization is not diminished by the experiments which have been thus far made under the auspices of government. The accomplishment of this work, if practicable, will reflect undecay. ing lustre on our national character, and administer the most grateful consolations that virtuous minds can know.

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be made for the service of the ensuing year.

Whether measures may not be advisable to reinforce the provision for the redemption of the public debt, will naturally engage your examination.-Congress have demonstrated their sense to be, and it were superfluous to repeat mine, that whatsoever will tend to accelerate the honourable extinction of our public debt, accords as much with the true interests of our country, as with the general sense of our constituents.

Gentlemen of the senate, and

house of representatives,

The statement which shall be laid before you, relative to the mint, will shew the situation of that institution, and the necessity of some farther legislative provisions for carrying the business of it more completely into effect, and for checking abuses which appear to be arising in particular quarters.

The progress in providing mate. tials for the frigates, and in build. ing them; the state of the fortifica. tions of our harbours; the measures which have been pursued for obtaining proper sites for arsenals, and for replenishing our magazines with military stores; and the steps which have been taken toward the execution of the law for opening a trade with the Indians, will like. wise be presented for the information of congress.

Temperate discussion of the im portant subjects which may arise in the course of the session; and mutual forbearance, where there is a difference of opinion, are too ob. vious and necessary for the peace, happiness, and welfare of our country, to need any recommendation of mine.

GEORGE WASHINGTONS

United States, Dec. 8, 179

CHARACTERS.

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