A Proclamation

Whereas the Government of the United States, to whom the people thereof have co^m^mitted the exclusive direction of their National affairs, has been pleased to publish, for the Information of the Citizens, divers important and alarming events and transactions; from which it appears, That there exist well founded apprehensions that the Directors of the French Republic have long formed and are strenuously pursuing a system of empire and aggrandizement subversive of the national Rights & Independence, not only of the greater part of Europe, but also of the United States—imposing upon them the necessity of partaking in her Wars and contributing to her expences:

That the cautious and neutral conduct which the United States and several other nations have observed towards the Republic has not been able to shield them from the operation of that System: but on the contrary that complaints against the United States have been diligently sought and alledged, and followed, not by friendly remonstrances and conciliatory overtures, but by unnecessary and unmerited marks of contempt and by injurious and repeated aggressions: That the late and present President, both of whom are eminently distinguished by uprightness and sincerity, have at two different periods sent Ministers to that Republic with ample powers and special Instructions to do their utmost endeavours to preserve peace, and bring all differences to an amicable conclusion, and on reasonable terms: That notwithstanding the accustomed respect which civilized and contending Nations usually pay, as well as owe to each other, and which requires that Ambassadors charged with overtures for peace and conciliation, should at least be received and heard and treated with civility, yet the first of those Ministers was refused to be admitted into the presence of the said Directory, and after singular delay and neglect, was dismissed in a manner very disgusting to free, independent, and friendly people:—

That although the respect which every nation owes to itself, strongly opposed the policy of giving to those directors another opportunity of again treating the United States with singular indignity, yet an earnest and prevailing desire to maintain peace with all Nations and particularly with the French Republic, induced the President to appoint three Envoys extraordinary, selected from the Three great Districts of the U. States and sent them to France with ample powers and Instructions to treat in a friendly manner with that Government, respecting all differences and Complaints, and to accomodate and settle them on terms limited only by the honor independence and essential interests of the United States:

That notwithstanding such strong desires proved by such unequivocal and uncommon efforts to preserve peace and friendship with that Republic, those Envoys were not only refused to be received and accredited but new difficulties and fresh obstacles to accomodation were interposed, by demands which no Nation ought to make, and to which no Nation ought to submit.

These facts and circumstances strongly indicated designs and systems hostile to our peace and independence; and in connection with the long continued, encreasing, and ruinous depredations on our Commerce, afford reason to expect that a more open and decided rupture will take place the moment that further delay shall cease to be convenient.

And whereas several of the more alarming of these events had not been published by order of the Government of the United States, and in an authentic manner, until after the adjournment of the last Session of the Legislature of this State, and it has become prudent to take without delay such measures relative to defence, as the present exigency requires, and which cannot be seasonably and sufficiently provided for by the United States, without the auxiliary efforts of this State: Wherefore concurring in the opinion with many of our best-informed Citizens, I think it my duty to give the Legislature of this State, an early opportunity of taking these important matters into their serious Consideration; and thereupon to do whatever may be proper and necessary in such an emergency; with firm reliance on the divine protection, and with inflexible resolution never to surrender their Independence and pay tribute to any nation whatever.

I do therefore in pursuance of the authority constitutionally vested in me hereby summon and require the members of the Senate and also the members of [the] Assembly of this State to convene and meet in the City-Hall of the City of Albany, on the Ninth day of August next; and this Proclamation (which all Printers of Gazettes in this State are hereby desired forthwith to publish in their Papers) is to be considered as due and sufficient notice.1

Given under my Hand and the Privy-Seal of the State, at the City of New York, on the 2nd day of July in the Year of our Lord 1798, and in the 22nd Year of the Independence of the United States of America.