From John Adams to United States Congress, 2 March 1799
March 2. 1799
Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives
Judging it of importance to the Public that the Legislative should be informed of the gradual Progress of their maritime Resources I transmit to Congress a statement of the Vessells with their Tonnage, Warlike force and Compliment of Men to which Commissions as private armed Vessells have been <given> issued, Since the Ninth day of July last
John Adams
DNA: RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.