regularity with which they returned to the station of private citizens.

It is in every point of view of such primary importance to carry the laws into prompt and faithful execution, and to render that part of the administration of justice which the constitution and laws devolve on the Federal Courts, as convenient to the people as may consist with their present circumstances, that I cannot omit, once more, to recommend to your serious consideration the Judiciary System of the United States. No subject is more interesting than this to the publick happiness, and to none can those improvements which may have been sug. gested by experience, be more beneficially applied.

A treaty of amity and commerce with the king of Prussia, has been concluded and ratified: the ratifications have been exchanged, and I have directed the treaty to be promulgated by proclamation.

!

The difficulties which suspended the execution of the sixth article of our treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation with Great Britain, have not yet been removed: the negotiation on this subject is still depending. As it must be for the interest and honour of both nations to adjust this difference with good faith, I indulge confidently the expectation that the sincere endeavours of the government of the United States to bring it to an amicable termination, will not be disappointed.

The envoys extraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary from the United States to France, were received by the First Consul, with the respect due to their character; and three persons, with equal powers, were appointed to treat with them. Although at the date of the last official intelligence the negotiation had not terminated, yet it is to be hoped that our efforts to effect an accommodation, will at length meet with a success proportioned to the sincerity with which they have been so often repeated.

While our best endeavours for the preservation of harmony with all nations will continue to be used, the experience of the world and our own experience admonish us of the insecurity of trusting too confidently to their own success. We cannot, without committing a dangerous imprudence, abandon those measures of self-protection which are adapted to our situation, and to which, notwithstanding our pacifick policy, the violence and injustice of others may compel us to resort. While our vast extent of sea-coast, the commercial and agricultural habits of our people, the great capital they will continue to trust on the ocean, suggest the system of defence which will be most beneficial to ourselves, our distance from Europe and our resources for maritime strength, will enable us to employ it with effect. Seasonable and systematick arrangements, so far as our resources will justify, for a navy adapted to defensive war, and which may, in case of necessity, be quickly brought into use, seem to be as much recommended by a wise and true economy as by a just

regard for our future tranquillity, for the safety of our shores, and for the protection of our property committed to the ocean.

The present navy of the United States, called suddenly into existence by a great national exigency, has raised us in our own esteem; and by the protection afforded to our commerce, has effected, to the extent of our expectations, the objects for which it was created.

In connection with a navy ought to be contemplated the fortification of some of our principal sea-ports and harbours. A variety of considerations, which will readily suggest themselves, urge an attention to this measure of precaution. To give security to our principal ports, considerable sums have already been expended, but the works remain incomplete. It is for Congress to determine whether additional appropriations shall be made, in order to render competent to the intended purposes the fortifications which have been commenced.

The manufacture of arms within the United States still invites the attention of the national legislature: at a considerable expense to the publick this manufactory has been brought to such a state of maturity, as with continued encouragement will supersede the necessity of future importations from foreign countries.

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,I shall direct the estimates of the appropriations necessary for the ensuing year, together with an account of the publick revenue and expenditure, to a late period, to be laid before you.

I observe with much satisfaction that the product of the revenue during the present year, has been more considerable than during any former equal period. This result affords conclusive evidence of the great resources of this country, and of the wisdom and efficiency of the measures which have been adopted by Congress for the protection of commerce and preservation of publick credit.

Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of Rep resentatives,-As one of the grand community of nations, our attention is irresistibly drawn to the important scenes which surround us. If they have exhibited an uncommon portion of calamity, it is the province of humanity to deplore and of wisdom to avoid the causes which may have produced it. If turning our eyes homeward, we find reason to rejoice at the prospect which presents itself; if we perceive the interior of our country, prosperous, free, and happy; if all enjoy in safety, under the protection of laws emanating only from the general will, the fruits of their own labour, we ought to fortify and cling to those institutions which have been the source of much real felicity, and resist, with unabating perseverance, the progress of those dangerous innovations which may diminish their influence.

To your patriotism, gentlemen, has been confided the honourable duty of guarding the publick interests; and while the past is to your country a sure pledge that it will be faithfully

discharged, permit me to assure you that your labours to promote the general happiness will receive from me the most zealous co-operation. JOHN ADAMS.

MESSAGE

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF

THE UNITED STATES ΤΟ THE

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. FEB. 27, 1801.

I TRANSMIT you a report of the Secretary of State, with sundry documents relative to the subject of your resolution of the twenty-fourth instant. JOHN ADAMS.

Department of State, February 27, 1801.

SIR,-The order of the House of Representatives of the 24th of this month, requesting an account of the depredations com. mitted on the commerce of the United States by vessels of Great Britain, of which complaint has been made to the government, having been referred to this department, I have the honour to transmit herewith an abstract of such cases as have been complained of since the commencement of the year 1800.

The order of the House having fixed no period at which the account it requests is to commence, I have, from a consideration of the short space for which the present session can continue, thought it compatible with their view, to limit the abstract to the time above mentioned.

From various reasons it is to be presumed that many captures have been made, of which no complaint has been forwarded to the government. Under this impression and for the purpose of giving a comprehensive view of the subject, I have thought it not improper to annex to the abstract several extracts of letters from our consuls, and also an extract of a letter from the President of the chamber of commerce at Philadelphia, to the Secrctary of the Navy.

I will also take the liberty to observe, that neither the communications from our minister at London, nor my conversations with the charge d'affaires of his Britannick majesty in the United States, would lead to an opinion that any additional orders have been lately given by the British government, authorizing the system of depredation alluded to in the letter from Mr. Fitzsimmons. I am, sir, &c. J. MARSHALL.

The President of the United States.

Department of State, February 27, 1801. SIR,-In my report of this day to the President, on the subject of British captures, and which he will have transmitted to Congress, it was accidentally omitted to insert the case of the brig

antine Ruby, Captain Wrigley, belonging to Mr. Ambrose Vasse, of Philadelphia. This vessel proceeding for Port-au-Prince, with a cargo consisting of American produce and some German goods, was lately captured by the British ship of war Tisiphone, and carried to Jamaica, where, the owner informs me, both vessel and cargo were condemned as enemy's property.

I therefore request that the House will consider this letter as an appendage to my report above alluded to.

I have the honour to be, &c.

The honourable the Speaker of the
House of Representatives.

J. MARSHALL.

Abstract of the cases of capture of American vessels by British cruisers, of which complaint has been made to the government of the United States, since the 1st of January 1800.

SHIP Gadsen, of Charleston, owned by Frederick Kohn, from Newport to Port Passage, cargo Carolina tobacco, rice, sugar and bees wax, Spanish tobacco, indigo, cocoa, and hides, taken September 9, 1799, by the British sloop of war Pheasant, carried into Halifax, ship and most of the cargo condemned-The reason of condemnation is said by the owner to be, because part of the cargo having been brought from the Spanish colonies, was not landed in America.

Ship Genet, of Boston, owned by Nathaniel Fellowes, from Amsterdam to Boston, cargo gin and iron, taken May 14, 1799, by the British ship of war Director, carried into Yarmouth, (England) ship, cargo and private adventure condemned-She was coming out of the Texel when blockaded.

Brigantine Polly, of Philadelphia, owned by John L. Clark, from Amsterdam to Philadelphia, cargo sundries, taken May 14, 1799, by a blockading squadron off the Texel, carried into Yarmouth (England) supposed to have been condemned-She was coming out of the Texel when blockaded.

Schooner Susanna, of Baltimore, owned by Jonathan Harrison, from Baltimore to Havanna, taken September 29, 1799, by the British ship of war Arab-Sunk by the officers of the Arab chasing with her.

Schooner Diana, of Free Town, charterers Gibbs and Chan. ning, Newport, from Newport to Havanna, cargo provisions, taken August 3, 1800, by the Cleopatra frigate, carried into Halifax.

Cutter Crocodile, of New York, owned by Scott and Seamen, from Curracoa to New York, taken April 5, 1800, by the ship of war Amiable, carried into Kingston, (Jam.) part of the cargo was Dutch, the remainder American property. The captors immediately on the capture, made a privateer of the Crocodile, and sent her on a cruise.

Ship Charlotte, of New York, owned by Henry A. and John G. Castor, from New York to Amsterdam, cargo sugar, coffee, &c. taken April 1800, by the Cleopatra frigate, carried into Halifax, vessel and cargo condemned.

Brigantine Sally of Philadelphia, owned by Stephen Girard, from Batavia to Philadelphia; cargo sugar and coffee, taken July 20, 1800, by the Cleopatra frigate, carried into Halifax, vessel and cargo condemned-The condemnation appears to be grounded upon the allegation that the owner is a native of France, carrying on a course of trade to a French colony.-N. B. Mr. Girard was naturalized a citizen of Pennsylvania in the year 1777, and has ever since resided in the United States.

Brigantine Ruby, of Philadelphia, owned by Chandler Price, from Philadelphia to New-Orleans, cargo English and German dry goods and groceries, taken December, 1800, by the priva teer Brothers of New Providence.

Schooner George, of Baltimore, owned by William Patterson, from Baltimore to Curracoa, cargo gin, flour, linens, &c. &c. taken October 7, 1800, by order of commodore Watkins, of Curracoa, in and at Curracoa-Detained under pretext of ticklenburghs and oznaburghs being contraband.

Maria, of Baltimore, owned by James Biays-In October, 1800, put in requisition at Curracoa, and sent to Jamaica by the British.

Sloop Little Charlotte, of Bristol, Rhode-Island, owned by Charles D'Wolfe, from Bristol to Leghorn, cargo sugar, taken August 2, 1800, by the privateer Eearl of Dublin, of Halifax, vessel and cargo condemned.

Schooner Aurora, owned by R. Johnson & co. of New York, taken by a privateer of New Providence, cargo condemnedbecause part of it consisted of tin plates, as stated by the owners.

Ship Elizabeth, owned by J. Codman, of Boston-She appears to have been captured from having broke the law prohibiting the intercourse with France.

Brig Sea Nymph, of Philadelphia, owned by Louis A. Tarrascon, from Philadelphia, to St. Andera, cargo coffee, specie, &c. taken by a British letter of marque, carried into Lisbon, acquitted after considerable detention.

Brig Gracy, of Baltimore, owned by Rogers and Owings, from Trinidad in Cuba, to Baltimore, cargo sugar, honey and hides, taken January 6, 1801, by the frigate Retaliation, of Jamaica, vessel and cargo condemned.

Schooner Rover, of Baltimore, owned by Rogers and Owings, from Baltimore to St. Jago, Cuba, cargo flour, wines and dry goods, taken by a French royalist privateer, of Jamaica, condemned,

Extract of a letter from William Savage, agent of the United States, at Kingston, (Jamaica) dated June 5, 1800, to the Secretary of State.

"A NUMBER of American seamen in distress have lately been landed from prizes and ships of war who have been relieved by me; as all American vessels met with either going to or coming from Curracoa, Hispaniola, or South America, are brought in