Address from the Senate to George Washington, [22 November 1794]
Address from the Senate to George Washington
[22 November 1794]
Sir:
We receive with pleasure your speech to the two Houses of Congress.1 In it we perceive renewed proofs of that vigilant and paternal concern for the prosperity, honor, and happiness of our country, which has uniformly distinguished your past administration.
Our anxiety arising from the licentious and open resistance to the laws in the western counties of Pennsylvania, has been increased by the proceedings of certain self-created societies, relative to the laws and administration of the government—proceedings, in our apprehension, founded in political error, calculated, if not intended, to disorganize our Government; and which, by inspiring delusive hopes of support, have been influential in misleading our fellow-citizens in the scene of insurrection.
In a situation so delicate and important, the lenient and persuasive measures which you adopted, merit and receive our affectionate approbation. These failing to procure their proper effect, and coercion having become inevitable, we have derived the highest satisfaction from the enlightened patriotism and animating zeal with which the citizens of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, have rallied around the standard of Government, in opposition to anarchy and insurrection.
Our warm and cordial acknowledgments are due to you, sir, for the wisdom and decision with which you arrayed the militia to execute the public will; and to them, for the disinterestedness and alacrity with which they obeyed your summons.2
The example is precious to the theory of our Government, and confers the brightest honor upon the patriots who have given it.
We shall readily concur in such farther provisions for the security of internal peace and a due obedience to the laws, as the occasion manifestly requires.
The effectual organization of the militia, and a prudent attention to the fortifications of our ports and harbors, are subjects of great national importance, and, together with the other measures you have been pleased to recommend, will receive our deliberate consideration.
The success of the troops under the command of General Wayne, cannot fail to produce essential advantages. The pleasure with which we acknowledge the merits of that gallant general and army, is enhanced by the hope that their victories will lay the foundation of a just and durable peace with the Indian tribes.3
At a period so momentous in the affairs of nations, the temperate, just, and firm policy that you have pursued, in respect to foreign Powers, has been eminently calculated to promote the great and essential interest of our country, and has created the fairest title to the public gratitude and thanks.
John Adams,
Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.
MS not found. Printed from , Foreign Relations, 1:26.
1. Washington used most of his 19 Nov. message to Congress to address the Whiskey Rebellion, for which see note 2, below. He noted that the crisis revealed the need for Congress to regulate the national militia and recommended establishing western trading posts to improve U.S.-Native American relations. Speaker Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg delivered the House of Representatives’ reply on 29 Nov., lauding Washington’s handling of the rebellion and lamenting “so painful an occurrence in the annals of our country” (, 17:181–190; , 3d Cong., 2d sess., p. 247; , 15:386–388).
2. Combining various state militias, the president led an army of nearly 13,000 to quell the Whiskey Rebellion. By 8 Nov. JA reported that there was “All Submission, in the Whiskey Counties. But a Force will be kept there to ensure their Obedience for some necessary time.” Several insurgents were arrested and tried for treason. Two men were convicted, but Washington later pardoned them. JA viewed the conflict as an example of the United States’ potential military might, reflecting, “An Army of 15,000 militia so easily raised from 4 states only to go upon such an Enterprize, ought to be a terrible Phænomenon to antifœderal Citizens as well as to insolent Britains” (vol. 20:xxxii; , 10:248, 271; , p. 212, 219–220).
3. Following the defeat of Gen. Arthur St. Clair to a confederated force of Native fighters at the Battle of the Wabash on 4 Nov. 1791 in the Northwest Territory, Secretary of War Henry Knox and Washington created the Legion of the United States. It was a flexible organization composed of four sub-legions of 1,200 men each, which combined cavalry and artillery with infantry. Washington appointed Gen. Anthony Wayne as commander in April 1792. Wayne trained his troops while waiting for the outcome of negotiations between the American commissioners and Native peoples in Ohio, for which see Benjamin Lincoln’s 11 Sept. 1793 letter, and note 2, above. When the talks foundered, Wayne went on the offensive, culminating in his victory at the Battle of Fallen Timbers on 20 Aug. 1794. The British commander at Fort Miami refused entry to the Native soldiers fleeing the battlefield, and offered no resistance when Wayne burned the surrounding villages and crops (, p. 115, 124, 125, 126, 143, 156–157).