Several other members, to wit: from Massachusetts, Samuel Sewall; from New York, David Brooks; from Maryland, John Dennis; from Virginia, John Nicholas and Josiah Parker; and from North Carolina, Thomas Blount, appeared and took their seats in the House.
Address to the President.
Mr. Otis, from the committee appointed to draft an Address in answer to the Speech of the President of the United States, reported the following, which was twice read, and referred to a Committee of the Whole for to-morrow:
Sir: While our sympathy is excited by the recent sufferings of the citizens of Philadelphia, we participate in the satisfaction which you are pleased to express, that the duration of the late calamity was so limited, as to render unnecessary the expense and inconvenience that would have been incident to the convention of Congress in another place: and we shall readily attend to every useful amendment of the law which contemplates the event of contagious sickness at the seat of Government.
In lamenting the increase of the injuries offered to the persons and property of our citizens at sea, we gratefully acknowledge the continuance of interior tranquillity, and the attendant blessings of which you remind us, as alleviations of these fatal effects of injustice and violence.
Whatever may be the result of the mission to the French Republic, your early and uniform attachment to the interest of our country; your important services in the struggle for its independence, and your unceasing exertions for its welfare, afford no room to doubt of the sincerity of your efforts to conduct the negotiation to a successful conclusion, on such terms as may be compatible with the safety, honor, and interest of the United States. We have also a firm reliance upon the energy and unanimity of the people of these States, in the assertion of their rights, and on their determination to exert, upon all proper occasions, their ample resources in providing for the national defence.
The importance of commerce, and its beneficial influence upon agriculture, arts, and manufactures, have been verified in the growth and prosperity of our country. It is essentially connected with the other great interests of the community. They must flourish and decline together; and while the extension of our navigation and trade naturally excites the jealousy, and tempts the avarice of other nations, we are firmly persuaded, that the numerous and deserving class of citizens engaged in these pursuits, and dependent on them for their subsistence, has a strong and indisputable claim to our support and protection.
The delay of the Spanish officers to fulfil the treaty existing with His Catholic Majesty is a source of deep regret. We learn, however, with satisfaction, that you still indulge hopes of removing the objections which have been made to its execution, and that you have continued in readiness to receive the posts. Disposed to perform, with fidelity, our national engagements, we shall insist upon the same justice from others which we exercise towards them.
Our abhorrence cannot be too strongly expressed of the intrigues of foreign agents to alienate the affections of the Indian nations, and to rouse them to acts of hostility against the United States. No means in our power should be omitted of providing for the suppression of such cruel practices, and for the adequate punishment of their atrocious authors.
Upon the other interesting subjects noticed in your Address, we shall bestow the requisite attention. To preserve inviolate the public faith, by providing for the due execution of our treaties; to indemnify those who may have just claims to retribution upon the United States for expenses incurred in defending the property and relieving the necessities of our unfortunate fellow-citizens; to guard against evasions of the laws intended to secure advantages to the navigation of our own vessels; and especially, to prevent, by all possible means, an unnecessary accumulation of the public debt, are duties which we shall endeavor to keep in view, and discharge with assiduity.