The vice President of the United States and President of the Senate, the Chief Justice, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General respectfully report to Congress as follows: That pursuant to the act entitled “An Act making provision for the reduction of the Public Debt” and in conformity to resolutions agreed upon by them and severally approved by the...
92From John Adams to United States Congress, 13 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
I lay before you the Copy of a letter from the Judges of the Supreme Court of the United States, representing the inconvenience arising from altering the time of holding the Circuit Court for the State of Delaware, from April to June; and desiring that the existing law may be altered, by restoring the Spring-Session of the Circuit Court in Delaware to the 27th of April. DNA : RG 46—Records of...
93From John Adams to United States Congress, 3 April 1798 (Adams Papers)
In compliance with the request of the House of Representatives, expressed in their resolution of the second of this Month, I transmit to both Houses, those instructions to and dispatches from, the Envoys Extraordinary of the United States to the French Republic which were mentioned in my message of the nineteenth of March last, omitting only some names, and a few expressions descriptive of the...
94From James Madison to United States Congress, 5 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund respectfully report to Congress as follows: That the measures which have been authorized by the Board, subsequent to their report of the 5th of February, 1807, so far as the same have been completed, are fully detailed in the report of the Secretary of the Treasury to this Board, dated the fourth day of the present month, and in the statements therein...
95From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 22 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In a separate message of this date I have communicated to Congress so much as may be made public of papers which give a full view of the present state of our relations with the two contending powers of France & England. every one must be sensible that in the details of instructions for negociating a treaty, and in the correspondence & conferences respecting it, matters will occur which...
96From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 30 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I lay before the legislature a letter from Governour Claiborne, on the subject of a small tribe of Alibama Indians, on the Western side of the Missisipi, consisting of about a dozen families. like other erratic tribes in that country, it is understood that they have hitherto moved from place to place according to their convenience, without appropriating to themselves exclusively any particular...
The Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate, The Chief Justice, The Secretary of State, The Secretary of the Treasury and The Attorney General respectfully report to The Congress as follows— That pursuant to the Act intitled An Act making provision for the reduction of the Public Debt and in conformity to Resolutions agreed upon by them and severally approved by the...
98From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 17 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
I communicate to Congs. certain letters which passed between the B. Secy. of State Mr. Canning, and Mr. P. our Minister Plenipoty. at London. When the Documents concerning the relations between the U. S. & G. B. were laid before Congs. at the Commencement of the Session, the answer of Mr. P: to the letter of Mr. Canning, had not been received; and a communication of the latter alone, would...
99From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 22 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose two messages, the one public, the other confidential, with their respective documents under separate covers. those of the Confidential message consist only of such passages or articles as, being improper for publication, have been stricken out of the papers of the other. it is probable therefore that both may be better understood by being read alternately, taking up each separate...
100From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 19 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
In pursuance of a measure proposed to Congress by a message of Jan. 18. 1803. and sanctioned by their appropriation for carrying it into execution, Capt Meriwether Lewis of the 1st. regiment of infantry was appointed, with a party of men, to explore the river Missouri, from it’s mouth to it’s source, &, crossing the highlands by the shortest portage, to seek the best water communication thence...
101From John Adams to United States Congress, 12 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have received information from the Commissioner appointed on the part of the United States, pursuant to the third Article of our Treaty with Spain, that the running and marking of the boundary Line, between the Colonies of East and West Florida, and the Territory of the United States, have been delayed by the Officers of his Catholic Majesty; and that they have declared their intention to...
102From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 19 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I transmit to Congress a letter from our Ministers Plenipotentiary at London, informing us that they have agreed with the British Commissioners to conclude a treaty on all the points which had formed the object of their negociation, & on terms which they trusted we would approve. Also a letter from our Minister Plenipotentiary at Paris, covering one to him from the Minister of Marine of that...
103From John Adams to United States Congress, 6 January 1800 (Adams Papers)
In compliance with the request in one of the resolutions of Congress, of the 21st of December last, I transmitted a copy of those resolutions by my Secretary, Mr. Shaw, to Mrs. Washington, assuring her of the profound respect Congress will ever bear to her person and character, of their condolence in the late afflicting dispensation of Providence, and entreating her assent to the interment of...
104From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 19 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
It was reasonably expected that while the limits between the territories of the US. and of Spain were unsettled, neither party would have innovated on the existing state of their respective positions. some time since however, we learnt that the Spanish authorities were advancing into the disputed country, to occupy new posts & make new settlements. unwilling to take any measure which might...
105From Commissioners of the Sinking Fund to United States Congress, 18 December 1795 (Adams Papers)
The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund Respectfully report to Congress, as follows. That pursuant to the Act entitled “An Act supplementary to the Act making provision for the debt of the United States” and in conformity to Resolutions agreed upon by them and severally approved, by the President of the United States they have caused purchases of the said debt to be made through the Agency of...
106From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 2 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Believing that the confidence & union of our fellow citizens at the present crisis will be still further confirmed by the publication of the letter of mr Champagny to Genl. Armstrong and that of mr Erskine to the Secretary of State, communicated with my message of the 30th. Ult. and therefore that it may be useful to except them from the confidential character of the other documents...
107From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 18 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The scale on which the military academy at West point was originally established is become too limited to furnish the number of well instructed subjects in the different branches of artillery and engineering, which the public service calls for. the want of such characters is already sensibly felt, and will be increased with the enlargement of our plans of military preparation. the Chief...
108From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 6 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I now lay before Congress a statement of the works of defence which it has been thought necessary to provide in the first instance for the security of our seaport towns & harbours, & of the progress towards their completion. their extent has been adapted to the scale of the appropriation, & to the circumstances of the several places. The works undertaken at New York are calculated to annoy and...
109From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 11 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I now lay before Congress a statement of the militia of the United States, according to the returns last recieved from the several states & territories. it will be percieved that some of these are not of recent dates, & that from the states of Maryland & Delaware no returns are stated. as far as appears from our records, none were ever rendered from either of these states. from the territories...
110From George Washington to United States Congress, 23 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
The great events on which my resignation depended having at length taken place; I have now the honor of offering my sincere Congratulations to Congress & of presenting myself before them to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the Service of my Country. Happy in the confirmation of our Independence and Sovereignty, and pleased with...
111From James Madison to United States Congress, 1 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
In pursuance of the Act of Congress entitled "An act to regulate and fix the compensation of Clerks &c. the Secretary of State, has the honor to submit to Congress the annexed list of persons employed in his office, during the Year 1807, and to report that the business of the Department generally is in a state of progressive increase: hence it has been found impracticable to bestow that prompt...
112From John Adams to United States Congress, 30 December 1797 (Adams Papers)
In complyance with the desire of the two Houses of Congress, expressed in their resolution of the Second day of March, one thousand seven hundred and ninety Seven, that some speedy and effectual means might be adopted of obtaining information, from the States of Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Tenessee, and South Carolina, whether they have ratified the...
113From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 15 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I now render to Congress the account of the grant of twenty thousand dollars for the Contingent charges of government, by an Act making appropriations for the support of government for the year 1805. of that sum, nineteen hundred & eighty seven dollars, fifty cents have been necessarily applied to the support of the territorial governments of Michigan & Louisiana, until an opportunity could...
114From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 8 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I now render to Congress the Account of the fund established for defraying the Contingent expences of government for the year 1807. of the sum of 18,012. Dollars 50. cents which remained unexpended at the close of the year 1806, 8736. Dollars 11. cents have been placed in the hands of the Attorney General of the US. to enable him to defray sundry expences incident to the prosecution of Aaron...
115From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 25 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The dangers to our country arising from the contests of other nations, and the urgency of making preparation for whatever events might affect our relations with them, have been intimated in preceding messages to Congress. to secure ourselves by due precautions, an augmentation of our military force, as well regular, as of volunteer militia, seems to be expedient. the precise extent of that...
116From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 7 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In the city of New Orleans, & adjacent to it are sundry parcels of ground, some of them with buildings & other improvements on them, which it is my duty to present to the attention of the legislature. the title to these grounds appears to have been retained in the former sovereigns of the province of Louisiana, as public fiduciaries, & for the purposes of the province. some of them were used...
117From John Adams to United States Congress, 25 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund respectfully Report to Congress as follow. That in pursuance of the powers committed to them by the Act entitled “An Act making provision for the payment of Certain debts of the United States” passed in the last session of Congress, they have authorized Sales of a part of the Capital Stock of the Bank of the United States, belonging to the United States,...
118From John Adams to United States Congress, 23 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
It appears that the Dey of Algiers has manifested a predilection for American built vessels, and in consequence has desired that two vessels might be constructed and equipped as cruisers, “according to the choice and taste of captain O’Brien.” But instead of two brigs, Captain O’Brien thinks it will be most eligible to build one brig of twenty guns, and a schooner of about sixteen guns. The...
119From John Adams to United States Congress, 23 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed memorial from the commissioners appointed under an act of the United States entitled “An act for establishing the temporary and permanent seat of the Government of the United States,” representing the situation and circumstances of the city of Washington, I take this opportunity to present to both Houses of the Legislature and recommend to their consideration. Alexander White,...
120From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 17 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I communicate to Congress certain letters which passed between the British Secretary of State, mr Canning, & mr Pinckney our Minister Plenipotentiary at London. when the documents concerning the relations between the United States & Great Britain were laid before Congress, at the commencement of the session, the answer of mr Pinckney to the letter of mr Canning had not been received, and a...
121From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 19 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The states of Pensylvania, Maryland & Virginia having, by their several acts, consented that the road from Cumberland to the State of Ohio, authorised by the act of Congress of March 29. 1806. should pass through those states, and the Report of the Commissioners, communicated to Congress with my message of Jan. 31. 1807. having been duly considered, I have approved of the route therein...
122From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 3 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
A letter has been recieved from the Governor of South Carolina, covering an act of the legislature of that state, ceding to the US. various forts & fortifications & sites for the erection of forts in that state, on the conditions therein expressed. this letter & the act it covered are now communicated to Congress. I am not informed whether the positions ceded are the best which can be taken...
123From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 25 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In proceeding to carry into execution the act for fortifying our ports and harbours, it is found that the sites most advantageous for their defence, and sometimes the only sites competent to that defence are, in some cases the property of minors incapable of giving a valid consent to their alienation, in others belong to persons who may refuse altogether to alienate, or demand a compensation...
124From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 13 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I now render to Congress the account of the fund established for defraying the contingent expences of government for the year 1808. of the 20,000. D. appropriated for that purpose, 2000. D. were deposited in the hands of the Attorney General of the US. to pay expences incident to the prosecution of Aaron Burr & his accomplices, for treasons & misdemeanors alledged to have been committed by...
125From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 14 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
During the blockade of Tripoli by the squadron of the US. a small cruiser, under the flag of Tunis, with two prizes, (all of trifling value) attempted to enter Tripoli, was turned back, warned, & attempting again to enter, was taken & detained as prize by the squadron. her restitution was claimed by the Bey of Tunis, with a threat of war in terms so serious, that, on withdrawing from the...
126From John Adams to United States Congress, 2 February 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received from our Minister in London two Acts of the Parliament of Great Britain, one passed on the fourth of July 1797 entitled “an Act for carrying into execution, the Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation concluded between his Majesty and the United States of America” the other passed on the nineteenth day of July 1797 entitled “an Act for the regulating the Trade to be Carried on...
127From John Adams to United States Congress, 17 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have received from Elias Boudinot Esq Director of the mint of the United States a Report of the Second of January instant, representing the State of it, together with an Abstract of the Coins Struck at the mint, from the first of January to the thirty first of December 1800: an Abstract of the Expenditures of the Mint, from the 1st of January to the 31. of December 1800 inclusive: a...
128From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 31 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
In execution of the act of the last session of Congress entitled ‘an act to regulate the laying out & making a road from Cumberland in the state of Maryland to the state of Ohio,’ I appointed Thomas Moore of Maryland, Joseph Ker of Ohio, & Eli Williams of Maryland Commissioners to lay out the said road, & to perform the other duties assigned to them by the act. The progress which they made in...
129From John Adams to United States Congress, 22 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
Immediately after the adjournment of Congress, at their last session in Philadelphia, I gave directions, in compliance with the laws for the removal of the public offices, records and property. These directions have been executed and the public officers have since resided and conducted the ordinary business of the government in this place. I congratulate the people of the United States on the...
130From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 13 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I lay before Congress the application of Hamet Caramelli, elder brother of the reigning Bashaw of Tripoli, solliciting from the US. attention to his services & sufferings in the late war against that state. and in order to possess them of the ground on which that application stands the facts shall be stated according to the views & information of the Executive. During the war with Tripoli, it...
131From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 22 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to the request of the House of Representatives, communicated in their resolution of the 16th. instant, I proceed to state, under the reserve therein expressed, information recieved touching an illegal combination of private individuals against the peace & safety of the Union, and a military expedition planned by them against the territories of a power in amity with the US. with the...
132From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 8 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
It would have been a source, fellow Citizens, of much gratification if our last communications from Europe had enabled me to inform you, that the belligerent nations, whose disregard of neutral rights has been so destructive to our commerce, had become awakened to the duty and true policy of revoking their unrighteous edicts. that no means might be omitted to produce this salutary effect, I...
133From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 3 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
At a moment when the nations of Europe are in commotion & arming against each other, when those with whom we have principal intercourse are engaged in the general contest, & when the countenance of some of them towards our peaceable country, threatens that even that may not be unaffected by what is passing on the general theatre, a meeting of the representatives of the Nation in both houses of...
134From John Adams to United States Congress, 16 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
On addressing myself to the Senators & Representatives of the United States, it would have afforded me the most sincere satisfaction to have been able to congratulate you on the restoration of peace to the nations of Europe whose contentions have endangered our tranquillity & to have invited your attention only to such measures as ordinarily occur, in managing the concerns of an extensive and...
135From John Adams to United States Congress, 3 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
It is, with peculiar Satisfaction, that I meet the Sixth Congress, of the United States of America.——Coming from all parts of the Union, at this critical, and interesting period, the members must be fully possessed, of the Sentiments and wishes of our Constituents. The flattering prospects of abundance, from the labours of the people, by land and by sea; the prosperity of our extended...
136From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 2 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
To the Senate & House of Representatives of the US. of America, in Congress assembled. Foreign Relations. It would have given me, fellow citizens, great satisfaction to announce, in the moment of your meeting, that the difficulties in our foreign relations existing at the time of your last separation, had been amicably & justly, terminated. I lost no time in taking those measures which were...
137From John Adams to United States Congress, October 1799 (Adams Papers)
On the mission to France – To be independent of all nations and at peace with all has been the sincere desire of the United States. From the commencement of the present war in Europe unexampled in the history of modern times, the proceedings of our government, guided constantly and uniformly by this honorable and pacific maxim, have as constantly received the general approbation and steady...
138From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 27 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Circumstances, fellow Citizens, which seriously threatened the peace of our Country have made it a duty to convene you at an earlier period than usual. the love of peace so much cherished in the bosom of our Citizens, which has so long guided the proceedings of their public Councils, & induced forbearance under so many wrongs, may not ensure our continuance in the quiet pursuits of industry....
139From George Washington to United States Congress, 8 September 1783 (Washington Papers)
Upon a careful examination of the Report delivered to Congress the 17th of June, by the Committee on the Peace Arrangement the following remarks have occurred. Nothwithstanding there may not be any very essential difference between the proposed Plan for a standing Force now under consideration, & the Sketches which were given in my Memorial of the 1st of May; yet it is my wish to make known...
140From John Adams to United States Congress, 22 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
I was, for sometime apprehensive, that it would be necessary, on account of the contagious Sickness which afflicted the City of Philadelphia, to convene the national Legislature, at Some other place. This measure, it was desireable to avoid,; because it would occasion much public Inconvenience, and a considerable public expence, and add to the calamities of the Inhabitants of this City, whose...