MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO CONGRESS RELATIVE TO ALGIERS. JUNE 23, 1797. 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. The cost of two such vessels, built with live oak and cedar, and coppered, with guns and all other equipments complete, is estimated at forty-five thousand dollars. The expense of navigating them to Algiers may perhaps be compensated by the freight of the stores with which they may be loaded on account of our stipulations by treaty with the dey. A compliance with the dey's request appears to me to be of serious importance; he will repay the whole expense of building and equipping the two vessels; and as he has advanced the price of our peace with Tripoli, and become pledged for that of Tunis, the United States seem to be under peculiar obligations to provide this accommodation; and I trust that Congress will authorize the advance of money necessary for that purpose. It also appears to be of importance to place at Algiers a person as consul, in whose integrity and ability much confidence may be placed, to whom a considerable latitude of discretion should be allowed, for the interest of the United States in relation to their commerce. That country is so remote as to render it impracticable for the consul to ask and receive instructions in sudden emergencies. He may sometimes find it necessary to make instant engagements for money, or its equivalent, to prevent greater expenses or more serious evils. We can hardly hope to escape occasions of discontent proceeding from the regency, or arising from the misconduct, or even the misfortunes, of our commercial vessels navigating in the Mediterranean sea; and unless the causes of discontent are speedily removed, the resentment of the regency may be exerted with precipitation on our defenceless citizens, and their property, and thus occasion a tenfold expense to the United States. For these reasons it appears to me to be expedient to vest the consul at Algiers with a degree of discretionary power, which can be requisite in no other situation. And to encourage a person deserving publick confidence to accept so expensive and responsible a situation, it appears indispensable to allow him a handsome salary. I should confer on such a consul a superintending power over the consulates for the states of Tunis and Tripoli, especially in respect to pecuniary engagements, which should not be made without his approbation. While the present salary of two thousand dollars a year appears adequate to the consulates of Tunis and Tripoli, twice that sum probably will be requisite for Algiers. JOHN ADAMS. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE SENATE RELATIVE TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. JULY 17, 1798. BELIEVING that the letter received this morning from general Washington will give high satisfaction to the Senate, I transmit them a copy of it, and congratulate them and the publick on this great event, the general's acceptance of his appointment as lieutenant general and commander in chief of the army. JOHN ADAMS. Mount Vernon, July 13, 1798. DEAR SIR,-I had the honour on the evening of the 11th instant to receive from the hands of the Secretary of War, your favour of the 7th, announcing that you had, with the advice and consent of the Senate, appointed me "lieutenant general and commander in chief of all the armies raised or to be raised for the service of the United States." I cannot express how greatly affected I am at this new proof of publick confidence, and the highly flattering manner in which you have been pleased to make the communication; at the same time I must not conceal from you my earnest wish, that the choice had fallen upon a man less declined in years, and better qualified to encounter the usual vicissitudes of war. You know, sir, what calculation I had made relative to the probable course of events on my retiring from office, and the determination I had consoled myself with, of closing the remnant of my days in my present peaceful abode; you will therefore be at no loss to conceive and appreciate the sen sations I must have experienced to bring my mind to any conclusion that would pledge me, at so late a period of life, to leave scenes I sincerely love, to enter upon the boundless field of publick action, incessant trouble, and high responsibility. It was not possible for me to remain ignorant of, or indifferent to, recent transactions. The conduct of the directory of France towards our country; their insidious hostility to its government; their various practices to withdraw the affections of the people from it; the evident tendency of their acts and those of their agents to countenance and invigorate opposition; their disregard of solemn treaties and the laws of nations; their war upon our defenceless commerce; their treatment of our ministers of peace; and their demands amounting to tribute; could not fail to excite in me corresponding sentiments with those my countrymen have so generally expressed in their affectionate addresses to you. Believe me, sir, no one can more cordially approve of the wise and prudent measures of your administration. They ought to inspire universal confidence ; and will no doubt, combined with the state of things, call from Congress such laws and means as will enable you to meet the full force and extent of the crisis. Satisfied, therefore, that you have sincerely wished and endeavoured to avert war, and exhausted, to the last drop, the cup of reconciliation, we can with pure hearts appeal to Heaven for the justice of our cause; and may confidently trust the final result to that kind Providence who has heretofore, and so often, signally favoured the people of these United States. Thinking in this manner, and feeling how incumbent it is upon every person, of every description, to contribute at all times to his country's welfare, and especially in a moment like the present, when every thing we hold dear and sacred is so seriously threatened, I have finally determined to accept the commission of commander in chief of the armies of the United States; with the reserve, only, that I shall not be called into the field until the army is in a situation to require my presence, or it becomes indispensable by the urgency of circumstances. In making this reservation, I beg it to be understood, that I do not mean to withhold any assistance to arrange and orga nize the army, which you may think I can afford. I take the liberty also to mention, that I must decline having my accep tance considered as drawing after it any immediate charge upon the publick, or that I can receive any emoluments annexed to the appointment, before entering into a situation to incur expense. The Secretary of War being anxious to return to the seat of government, I have detained him no longer than was necessary to a full communication upon the several points he had in charge. With very great respect and consideration I have the honour to be, &c. GEO. WASHINGTON. John Adams, President of the United States. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE SENATE RELATIVE TO TREATY WITH PRUSSIA. FEB. 17, 1800. I Now lay before you the instructions given to our minister at the court of Berlin, with the correspondence respecting the negotiation of the treaty with Prussia, according to your request of the 12th of this month. JOHN ADAMS. [Documents returned to the Department of State. Copies not to be procured.] MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES RELATIVE TO THE FRENCH REPUBLICK. DEC. 22, 1800. [Cannot be published. Message, &c. recalled, and copy not to be found.] MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO CONGRESS RELATIVE TO TRANSACTIONS WITH THE BARBARY POWERS. MARCH 1, 1802. I TRANSMIT, for the information of Congress, letters recently received from our consuls at Gibraltar and Algiers, presenting the latest view of the state of our affairs with the Barbary powers. The sums due to the government of Algiers are now fully paid up; and of the gratuity which had been promised to that of Tunis, and was in a course of preparation, a small portion only remains still to be finished and delivered. TH: JEFFERSON. Extract of a Letter from John Gavino, Esq. Consul of the United States of America at Gibraltar, to the Secretary of State. December 29, 1801. "ON the 22d instant, arrived captain M'Neale, in eight days from L'Orient, in the State frigate Boston, and pro ceeded next day into the Mediterranean in quest of commodore Dale. By said gentleman I was honoured with your letter of 3d October last, with two enclosed for consul Cathcart, which I have forwarded by different posts to consul Appleton, of Leghorn, to be delivered him if there; else to be sent him by some safe conveyance. Three Swedish frigates, commanded by an admiral, arrived at Malaga from Sweden to cruise against the Tripolines. I am just informed from Malaga, that the Swedish admiral Cedestron has four frigates, and his orders from the king of Sweden are to consult and co-operate with commodore Dale regarding the Tripolines." Extract of a Letter from John Gavino, Esq. American Consul at Gibraltar, to the Secretary of State. Jan. 11, 1802. "The last despatch I had the honour of addressing you was No. 178, to which refer, as well as the copy of consul O'Brien's letter then enclosed you. On the 7th instant arrived an English frigate from England, with a British consul on board, and the Algerine ambassador, who had been some time in England. The consul, Mr. Hargrave, had a box intrusted to him from our minister, Mr. King, for consul Eaton, of Tunis, which contained jewels as a present from our President for the bey. They sailed said day, and I informed consul O'Brien thereof to be on the look out for their safety, as Mr. Hargrave meant to go from Algiers to Tunis by land. I now enclose you a copy of a letter from commodore Dale, dated at Toulon, the 7th ultimo, duplicates of which I delivered to captain Bainbridge, whose frigate is at anchor in Algeziras bay. Captain M'Neale, in the Boston, sailed from Malaga for Toulon to see commodore Dale. Consul Simpson writes me from Tangier that the Tripoline ambassador had gone up to see the emperor, and that the commander of the cruiser laid up here had been with him some time. P. S. The Swedish admiral has left Malaga to join commodore Dale." Captain O'Brien to Consul Gavino, at Gibraltar. Algiers, November 28, 1802. ESTEEMED SIR,-On the 14th instant called off this port the United States ship President, commodore Dale. He landed the money thirty fathoms, and I have therewith made a cash payment to the regency for one years' annuity. The President steered [for] Mahon. On the 22d sailed the Unit |