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lay aside my repugnance to resort to arms, I derive much happiness, from being confirmed by your judg ment, in the necessity of decisive measures, and from the support of my fellow.citizens of the militia, who were the patriotic instruments of that necessity.

With such demonstrations of affection for our constitution-with an adequate organization of the militia-with the establishment of nesessary fortifications-with a continuance of those judicious and spi rited exertions, which brought victory to our western army-with a due attention to public credit, and an unsullied honor towards all nations, we may meet, under every assurance of success, our enemies from within and from without.

G. WASHINGTON.

ANSWER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

SIR,

THE House of Representatives, calling to mind the blessings of the people of the United States, and especially the happiness of living under constitutions and laws, which rest on their authority alone, could not learn, with other emotions than those you have expressed, that any part of our fellow-citizens should have shewn themselves capable of an insurrection; and we learn, with the greatest concern, that any misrepresentations whatever, of the government and its proceedings, either by individuals, or combinations of men, should have been made, and so far credited, as to foment the flagrant outrage which has been committed on the laws.

As

We feel with you the deepest regret at so painful an occurrence in the annals of our country. men, regardful of the tender interests of humanity, we look with grief at scenes which have stained our

land with civil blood. As lovers of public order, we lament that it has suffered so flagrant a violation. As zealous friends of a republican government, we deplore every occasion which, in the hands of its enemies, may be turned into calumny against it.

This aspect of the crisis, however, is happily not the only one which it presents. There is another which yields all the consolations which you have drawn from it. It has demonstrated to the candid world, as well as to the American people themselves, that the great body of them, every where, are equally attached to the luminous and vital principle of our constitution, which enjoins, that the will of the majority shall prevail; that they understand the indissoluble union between true liberty and regular government; that they feel their duties no less than they are watchful over their rights; that they will be as ready at all times to crush licentiousness, as they have been to defeat usurpation. In a word, that they are capable of carrying into execution that noble plan of self-government which they have chosen as the guarantee of their own happiness, and the asylum for that of all from every clime, who may wish to unite their destiny with ours.

These are the just inferences flowing from the promptitude with which the summons to the standard of the laws has been obeyed; and from the sentiments which have been witnessed in every description of citizens, in every quarter of the Union. The spectable, therefore, when viewed in its true light, may well be affirmed to display in equal lustre the virtues of the American character, and the value of republican government. All must particularly acknowledge and applaud the patriotism of that portion of citizens who have freely sacrificed every thing less dear than the love of their country, to the meritorious task of defending its happiness.

In the part which you yourself have borne through this delicate and distressing period, we trace the ad

ditional proofs it has afforded of your solicitude for the public good. Your laudable and successful en. deavours to render lenity in executing the laws conducive to their real energy, and to convert tumult into order, without the effusion of blood, form a particular title to the confidence and praise of your constituents. In all that may be found necessary on our part to complete this benevolent purpose, and to secure the ministers and friends of the laws against the remains of danger, our due co-operation will be afforded.

The other subjects which you have recommended, or communicated, and of which several are particularly interesting, will all receive the attention which they demand. We are deeply impressed with the importance of an effectual organization of the militia.

We rejoice at the intelligence of the advance and success of the army under the command of General Wayne. Whether we regard it as a proof of the perseverance, prowess and superiority of our troops, or as a happy presage to our military operations against the hostile Indians, as a probable prelude to the establishment of a lasting peace, upon terms of candour, equity and good neighbourhood-we receive it with the greater pleasure, as it increases the probability of sooner restoring a part of the public resources to the desirable object of reducing the pub. lic debt.

We shall on this, as on all occasions, be disposed to adopt any measure which may advance the safety and prosperity of our country.

In nothing can we more cordially unite with you than imploring the Supreme Ruler of Nations to multiply his blessings on the United States-to guard our free and happy constitution against every machination and danger-and to make it the best source of public happiness, by verifying its character of being the best safeguard of human rights,

THE PRESIDENT'S REPLY.

GENTLEMEN,

I ANTICIPATED with confidence, the concurrence of the House of Representatives, in the regret produced by the insurrection. Every effort ought to be used to discountenance what has contributed to foment it, and thus discourage a repetition of like attempts. For, notwithstanding the consolations which may be drawn, from the issue of this event, it is far better that the artful approaches on such a situation of things should be checked by the vigilant and duly admonished patriotism of our fellowcitizens, than that the evil should increase until it become necessary to crush it by the strength of their arm.

I am happy that the part which I have myself borne on this occasion, receives the approbation of your house. For the discharge of a constitutional duty, it is a sufficient reward to me to be assured that you will unite in consummating what remains to be done.

I feel also great satisfaction in learning that the other subjects which I have communicated or recommended, will meet with due attention; that you are deeply impressed with the importance of an effectual organization of the militia; and that the army under the command of General Wayne, is regarded by you, no less than myself, as a proof of the perseverance, prowess and superiority of our troops.

G. WASHINGTON.

FOURTH CONGRESS-FIRST SESSION.

THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH.

FELLOW-CITIZENS OF THE SENATE, AND

OF THE 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 for 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 tranquility. This object, it is believed, 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 pre-existing 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 represented to have re

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