The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs, to whom was referred a Motion made the 27th. of last Month in the Words following, Vizt.

“That the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at the Court of France be directed to form a Confederacy with the Powers of Europe, who are now at War with the piratical States of Algiers, Tripoli and Tunis, or may be disposed to go to War with them, for the Purpose of protecting and securing the Citizens and Subjects of the contracting Parties in the free Navigation of the Mediterranean Sea. That it be an Article in the said Confederation, that none of the contracting Parties shall make Peace with any of the said piratical States, in which the whole Confederacy shall not be included; and in Case a general Peace shall be concluded between the belligerant Powers, that the whole Confederacy shall be Guaranties of the same, and in Case of an Aggression on the part of the said piratical States, they shall be obligated to have Justice done by recommencing Hostilities and continuing the same until this End is effected. That there be an Article stipulating the Quotas of the different Powers in Men and Shipping, ascertaining their Stations at different Periods, and fixing the general Command, in such Manner as may best secure the desired Object.—”

Reports.—

That in his Opinion it would always be more for the Honor and Interest of the United States to prefer War to Tribute.—

That his Sentiments on this Subject are stated in a Report he had the Honor to make to Congress on the 20th. October 1785, to which he refers.—1

That the Measures proposed in that Report were founded on an Opinion, that the Resources of the United States in Seamen and Money were sufficient to execute and support them; but from Causes originating in the Inefficiency of the national Government our Navigation has since rapidly declined, and the public Revenue, depending on the Effect of Requisitions, has become inadequate to the ordinary Exigencies of the Union.—

That in his Judgment a vigorous Effort to revive our Navigation and meliorate our Finances, should at least accompany any Exertions to establish naval Force; for otherwise that Force will be languid and incompetent to its Object.—

It is with great Regret therefore that he is obliged to consider the Motion in Question as rendered unseasonable by the present State of our Affairs.—

If the Nations at War with the three States of Barbary should agree to confederate in the Manner proposed, he thinks it highly probable that the Quota of Force expected from the United States will be much greater than it would be in their Power to supply—nor would it become their Dignity to take the Lead in forming such a Confederation, unless they were prepared to support such spirited Propositions by spirited and important Operations.—

As Things now are, your Secretary much doubts whether Congress could find the Means of building and keeping even three Frigates well manned and provided in that Service; and if such be the Case, he thinks it will be most prudent for Congress to delay entering into the proposed, or indeed any other Engagements, until the Means of executing them appear clearly to be within their Reach.—

All which is submitted to the Wisdom of Congress.