Gentlemen: My sincere acknowledgments are due to the House of Representatives of the United States, for this excellent Address, so consonant to the character of Representatives of a great and free people. The judgment and feelings of a nation, I believe, were never more truly expressed by their Representatives than those of our constituents, by your decided declaration, that with our means of defence, our interest and honor command us to repel a predatory warfare against the unquestionable rights of a neutral commerce. That it becomes the United States to be as determined in resistance as they have been patient in suffering and condescending in negotiation. That, while those who direct the affairs of France persist in the enforcement of decrees so hostile to our essential rights, their conduct forbids us to confide in any of their professions of amity; that an adequate naval force must be considered as an important object of national policy; and that, whether negotiations with France are resumed or not, vigorous preparations for war will be alike indispensable.
The generous disdain you so coolly and deliberately express, of a reliance on foreign protection, wanting no foreign guaranty of our liberties, resolving to maintain our national independence against every attempt to despoil us of this inestimable treasure, will meet the full approbation of every sound understanding, and exulting applauses from the heart of every faithful American.
I thank you, gentlemen, for your candid approbation of my sentiments on the subject of negotiation, and for the declaration of your opinion, that the policy of extending and invigorating our measures of defence, and the adoption with prudent foresight of such systematical measures as may be expedient for calling forth the energies of our country, wherever the national exigencies may require, whether on the ocean or on our own territory, will demand your most sedulous attention.
At the same time, I take the liberty to assure you, it shall be my vigilant endeavor, that no illusory professions shall seduce me into an abandonment of the rights which belong to the United States, as a free and independent nation.
JOHN ADAMS.
United States, December 14, 1798.
Monday, December 31.
Several other members, viz: from Connecticut, John Allen; and from Virginia, Samuel J. Cabell and Thomas Claiborne, appeared, and took their seats in the House.
Remonstrance of Georgia.
RECLAMATION FOR SACRIFICED TERRITORY—COMPARATIVE EXPENDITURE IN DEFENDING NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN FRONTIERS FROM INDIAN DEPREDATIONS.