Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives:
I lay before you a statement of the Southwestern frontiers and of the Indian Department, which have been submitted to me by the Secretary for the Department of War.
I conceive that an unreserved but confidential communication of all the papers relative to the recent negotiations with some of the Southern tribes of Indians is indispensably requisite for the information of Congress. I am persuaded that they will effectually prevent either transcripts or publications of all such circumstances as might be injurious to the public interests,
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
UNITED STATES, January 21, 1790.
Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives:
The Secretary for the Department of War has submitted to me certain principles to serve as a plan for the general arrangement of the militia of the United States.
Conceiving the subject to be of the highest importance to the welfare of our country and liable to be placed in various points of view, I have directed him to lay the plan before Congress for their information, in order that they may make such use thereof as they may judge proper.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
UNITED STATES, January 25, 1790.