Address from the Senate to George Washington, 9 December 1793
Address from the Senate to George Washington
December the 9th 1793.—
At twelve o’Clock, agreeably to appointment, the Senate waited on the President at his House and presented the following
Address.
To the President of the United States.
Accept, Sir, the thanks of the Senate for your Speech delivered to both Houses of Congress at the opening of the session.1 Your reelection to the chief magistracy of the United States gives us sincere pleasure. We consider it as an event every way propitious to the happiness of our Country; and your compliance with the call, as a fresh instance of the patriotism which has so repeatedly led you to sacrifice private inclination, to the public good.— In the unanimity which a second time marks this important national act, we trace with particular satisfaction, besides the distinguished tribute paid to the virtues and abilities which it recognizes, another proof of that just discernment, and constancy of sentiments and views, which have hitherto characterized the Citizens of the United States.—
As the European powers with whom the United States have the most extensive relations were involved in war in which we had taken no part; it seemed necessary that the disposition of the Nation for peace should be promulgated to the world, as well for the purpose of admonishing our citizens of the consequences of a contraband trade and of acts hostile to any of the belligerent parties, as to obtain by a declaration of the existing legal state of things, an easier admission of our rights to the immunities of our situation,—we therefore contemplate with pleasure, the proclamation by you issued, and give it our hearty approbation. We deem it a measure well timed, and wise; manifesting a watchful solicitude for the welfare of the Nation and calculated to promote it.— The several important matters presented to our consideration will, in the course of the Session, engage all the attention to which they are respectively entitled; and as the public happiness will be the sole guide of our deliberations, we are perfectly assured of receiving your strenuous & most zealous cooperations.—
John Adams,
Vice President of the UStates,
and Presidt. of the Senate.—
FC (DLC:Washington Papers).
1. Washington met with his cabinet in November to discuss the content of his annual address. According to Thomas Jefferson, Edmund Randolph largely shaped the final text. Washington delivered it to Congress on 3 Dec., highlighting the need for U.S. neutrality during the newest Anglo-French conflict, with an emphasis on the dangers of engaging in contraband trade and the need for Congress to clarify the legality of prizes. He gestured to federal efforts to negotiate trade agreements with Native peoples, reported on the continuing settlement of the public debt, and mentioned the successful opening of a new Dutch loan. Oliver Ellsworth of Connecticut chaired the committee that prepared the Senate’s reply. Three days later, the House of Representatives delivered a reply authored mainly by James Madison, trumpeting support for Washington’s political agenda. The president’s address appeared in multiple newspapers, including the Philadelphia General Advertiser, 4 Dec., New York Columbian Gazetteer, 6 Dec., and Boston Columbian Centinel, 14 Dec. (, 14:383, 385, 462–469; , 3d Cong., 1st sess., p. 9; , 15:159–160).