To George Washington from the U.S. Senate, 12 December 1796
From the United States Senate
December the 12th 1796
To the President of the United States.
We thank you, Sir, for your faithful and detailed exposure of the existing situation of our Country; and we sincerely join in sentiments of gratitude to an overruling providence, for the distinguished share of public prosperity, and private happiness, which the People of the United States so peculiarly enjoy.
We are fully sensible of the advantages that have resulted from the adoption of measures (which you have successfully carried into effect) to preserve peace, cultivate friendship, and promote civilization, amongst the Indian Tribes, on the Western frontiers; Feelings of humanity, and the most solid political interests, equally encourage the continuance of this System.1
We observe with pleasure, that the delivery of the Military Posts, lately occupied by the British forces, within the territory of the United States, was made with cordiality, and promptitude, as soon as circumstances would admit; and that the other provisions of our Treaties with Great Britain and Spain, that were objects of eventual arrangement, are about being carried into effect, with entire harmony and good faith.
The unfortunate, but unavoidable difficulties, that opposed a timely compliance with the terms of the Algerine Treaty, are much to be lamented; as they may occasion a temporary suspension of the advantages to be derived, from a solid peace with that Power, and a perfect security from its predatory warfare; at the same time, the lively impresssions that affected the Public mind, on the redemption of our Captive fellow Citizens, afford the most laudable incentive to our exertions, to remove the remaining obstacles.
We perfectly coincide with you in opinion, that the importance of our Commerce demands a Naval force for its protection against foreign insult and depredation, and our solicitude to attain that object will be always proportionate to its magnitude.
The necessity of accelerating the establishment of certain useful Manufactures, by the intervention of Legislative aid and protection, and the encouragement due to Agriculture, by the creation of Boards, (composed of intelligent individuals,) to patronize this primary pursuit of society, are subjects, which will readily engage our most serious attention.2
A National University may be converted to the most useful purposes; the science of Legislation, being so essentially dependent on the endowments of the mind, the public interests must receive effectual aid from the general diffusion of knowledge; and the United States will assume a more dignified Station, among the Nations of the Earth, by the successful cultivation of the higher branches of Literature.3
A Military Academy may be likewise rendered equally important; to aid and direct the physical force of the Nation, by cherishing a Military spirit, enforcing a proper sense of discipline, and inculcating a scientific system of tactics, is consonant to the soundest maxims of public policy; Connected with, and supported by such an establishment, a well regulated Militia, constituting the natural defence of the Country, would prove the most effectual, as well economical, preservative of peace.
We cannot but consider with serious apprehensions, the inadequate compensations of the public Officers, especially of those in the more important Stations; it is not only a violation of the spirit of a public contract; but is an evil so extensive in its operation, and so destructive in its consequences, that we trust it will receive the most pointed Legislative attention.4
We sincerely lament, that whilst the conduct of the United States has been uniformly impressed with the character of equity, moderation, and love of peace, in the maintenance of all their foreign relationships; our trade should be so harrassed by the Cruizers and Agents of the Republic of France, throughout the extensive departments of the West Indies.
Whilst we are confident, that no cause of complaint exists, that could authorize an interruption of our tranquillity, or disengage that Republic from the bonds of Amity, cemented by the faith of Treaties, we cannot but express our deepest regrets, that official communications have been made to you, indicating a more serious disturbance of our commerce; although we cherish the expectation that a sense of justice and a consideration of our mutual interests, will moderate their councils; We are not unmindful of the situation, in which events may place us, nor unprepared to adopt that system of conduct, which, compatible with the dignity of a respectable Nation, necessity may compel us to pursue.
We cordially acquiesce in the reflection, that the United States, under the operation of the Federal Government, have experienced a most rapid aggrandizement and prosperity, as well political, as commercial.
Whilst contemplating the causes that produce this auspicious result, we must acknowlege the excellence of the constitutional system, and the wisdom of the legislative provisions; but we should be deficient in gratitude and justice, did we not attribute a great portion of these advantages, to the virtue, firmness, and talents of Your Administration; which have been conspicuously displayed, in the most trying times, and on the most critical occasions. It is therefore, with the sincerest regrets, that we now receive an Official notification of Your intentions to retire from the public employments of Your Country.
When we review the various scenes of your public life, so long and so successfully devoted to the most arduous services, civil and Military; as well, during the struggles of the American Revolution, as the convulsive periods of a recent date, we cannot look forward to Your retirement, without our warmest affections and most anxious regards accompanying You; and without mingling with our fellow Citizens at large, in the sincerest wishes for Your personal happiness, that sensibility and attachment can express.
The most effectual consolation that can offer for the loss we are about to sustain, arises from the animating reflection, that the influence of Your example will extend to Your successors, and the United States thus continue to enjoy, an able, upright, and energetic administration.5
John Adams
Vice President of the United States,
and President of the Senate
LB, DLC:GW. Immediately below the date line, the LB reads: “According to appointment on Saturday, the Senate in a body waited upon the President at twelve Oclock, and the Vice President, delivered the following.” For the printed version of this document, see , 9:18–22.
This was the Senate’s response to GW’s annual message. It was read before GW by Vice President John Adams (see GW to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 7 Dec.). After GW’s delivery of his annual message, the Senate appointed Jacob Read, Uriah Tracy, and William Bingham to a “committee to report the draft of an Address to the President of the United States, in answer to his Speech this day.” On 9 Dec., Read “reported the draft of an address to the President,” which the Senate then considered and revised. Further revisions were made on Saturday, 10 Dec., when this document was “unanimously adopted.” The Senate ordered the committee to “wait on the President of the United States, and desire him to acquaint the Senate at what time and place it will be most convenient for him that it should be presented.” GW advised the committee members that “he would receive the address of the Senate, on Monday next,” at noon, “at his own house.” On Monday, 12 Dec., the “Senate waited on the President,” and Adams “presented the address then agreed to” (, 9:15, 17–18, 22–23).
Adams wrote his wife, Abigail, in a letter of this date (12 Dec.) from Philadelphia: “I am just now come from pronouncing a most affectionate Address of the senate to the President in Answer to his Speech. … I thought I was very firm & cool—But the senators say that I pronounced it in so affecting a manner that I made them cry.— The Tears did certainly trickle. The President himself was affected more tenderly than ever I saw him in my Life in pronouncing his Reply” (, 11:443–45). For GW’s reply to the Senate’s address, see n.5 below.
1. For U.S. relations with various Indian tribes and for the other themes discussed in this document, see GW to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 7 December.
2. No national board of agriculture was established. The U.S. House of Representatives designated the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures to consider GW’s statements in his annual message about domestic manufactures, but the Senate appears not to have taken any significant measures on that matter (see , 9:38; see also GW to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 7 Dec., and notes 20 and 21).
3. For the short-lived debate in Congress over a national university, see Commissioners for the District of Columbia to GW, 21 Nov. 1796, and n.1 to that document; see also the commissioners to GW, 21 Feb. 1797.
4. For the laws passed by Congress in early 1797 pertaining to compensation for federal officials, see GW to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 7 Dec., and n.23; see also , 9:108, 136–37.
5. GW replied to the Senate in a letter of this date: “It affords me great satisfaction, to find in your address, a concurrence in sentiment with me, on the various topics which I presented for your information and deliberation; and that the latter, will receive from you, an attention proportioned to their respective importance.
“For the notice you take of my public services, civil and military, and your kind wishes for my personal happiness, I beg you to accept my cordial thanks. Those services, and greater had I possessed ability to render them, were due to the unanimous calls of my country; and its approbation, is my abundant reward.
“When contemplating the period of my retirement, I saw virtuous and enlightened men, among whom I relied on the discernment and patriotism of my fellow-citizens, to make the proper choice of a Successor: men who would require no influential example to ensure to the United States ‘an able, upright and energetic administration’. To such men, I shall cheerfully yield the palm of genius & talents, to serve our common country: but at the sametime, I hope I may be indulged in expressing the consoling reflection (which consciousness suggests) and to bear it with me to my grave, that none can serve it with purer intentions than I have done, or with a more disinterested zeal” (ALS, DNA: RG 46, entry 47; LB, DLC:GW). For the printed version of GW’s reply, see , 9:23–24.