John Adams
2nd State of Union
Philadelphia, PA, 1798-12-08

Gentlemen of the Senate & Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:

While with reverence & resignation we contemplate the dispensations 
of Divine Providence in the alarming & destructive pestilence with 
which several of our cities & towns have been visited, there is cause 
for gratitude & mutual congratulations that the malady has 
disappeared & that we are again permitted to assemble in safety at 
the seat of Government for the discharge of our important duties.  
But when we reflect that this fatal disorder has within a few years 
made repeated ravages in some of our principal sea ports, & with 
increased malignancy, & when we consider the magnitude of the evils 
arising from the interruption of public & private business, whereby 
the national interests are deeply affected, I think it my duty to 
invite the Legislature of the Union to examine the expediency of 
establishing suitable regulations in aid of the health laws of the 
respective States; for these being formed on the idea that contagious 
sickness may be communicated through the channels of commerce, there 
seems to be a necessity that Congress, who alone can regulate trade, 
should frame a system which, while it may tend to preserve the 
general health, may be compatible with the interests of commerce & 
the safety of the revenue.

While we think on this calamity & sympathize with the immediate 
sufferers, we have abundant reason to present to the Supreme Being 
our annual oblations of gratitude for a liberal participation in the 
ordinary blessings of His profidence.  To the usual subjects of 
gratitude I can not omit to add one of the 1st importance to our well 
being & safety; I mean that spirit which has arisen in our country 
against the menaces & aggression of a foreign nation.  A manly sense 
of national honor, dignity, & independence has appeared which, if 
encouraged & invigorated by every branch of the Government, will 
enable us to view undismayed the enterprises of any foreign power & 
become the sure foundation of national prosperity & glory.

The course of the transactions in relation to the United States & 
France which have come to my knowledge during your recess will be 
made the subject of a future communication.  That communication will 
confirm the ultimate failure of the measures which have been taken by 
the Government of the United States toward an amicable adjustment of 
differences with that power.  You will at the same time perceive that 
the French Government appears solicitous to impress the opinion that 
it is averse to a rupture with this country, & that it has in a 
qualified manner declared itself willing to receive a minister from 
the United States for the purpose of restoring a good understanding.  
It is unfortunate for professions of this kind that they should be 
expressed in terms which may countenance the inadmissible pretension 
of a right to prescribe the qualifications which a minister from the 
United States should possess, & that while France is asserting the 
existence of a disposition on her part to conciliate with sincerity 
the differences which have arisen, the sincerity of a like 
disposition on the part of the United States, of which so many 
demonstrative proofs have been given, should even be indirectly 
questioned.

It is also worthy of observation that the decree of the Directory 
alleged to be intended to restrain the depredations of French 
cruisers on our commerce has not given, & can not give, any relief.  
It enjoins them to conform to all the laws of France relative to 
cruising & prizes, while these laws are themselves the sources of the 
depredations of which we have so long, so justly, & so fruitlessly 
complained.

The law of France enacted in January last, which subjects to capture 
& condemnation neutral vessels & their cargoes if any portion of the 
latter are of British fabric or produce, although the entire property 
belong to neutrals, instead of being rescinded has lately received a 
confirmation by the failure of a proposition for its repeal.  While 
this law, which is an unequivocal act of war on the commerce of the 
nations it attacks, continues in force those nations can see in the 
French Government only a power regardless of their essential rights, 
of their independence & sovereignty; & if they possess the menas they 
can reconcile nothing with their interest & honor but a firm 
resistance.

Hitherto, therefore, nothing is discoverable in the conduct of France 
which ought to change or relax our measures of defense.  On the 
contrary, to extend & invigorate them is our true policy.  We have no 
reason to regret that these measures have been thus far adopted & 
pursued, & in proportion as we enlarge our view of the portentous & 
incalculable situation of Europe we shall discover new & cogent 
motives for the full development of our energies & resources.

But in demonstrating by our conduct that we do not fear war in the 
necessary protection of our rights & honor we shall give no room to 
infer that we abandon the desire of peace.  An efficient preparation 
for war can alone insure peace.  It is peace that we have uniformly & 
perseveringly cultivated, & harmony between us & France may be 
restored at her option.  But to send another minister without more 
determinate assurances that he would be received would be an act of 
humiliation to which the United States ought not to submit.  It must 
therefore be left with France (if she is indeed desirous of 
accommodation) to take the requisite steps.

The United States will steadily observe the maxims by which they have 
hitherto been governed.  They will respect the sacred rights of 
embassy; & with a sincere disposition on the part of France to desist 
from hostility, to make reparation for the injuries heretofore 
inflicted on our commerce, & to do justice in future, there will be 
no obstacle to the restoration of a friendly intercourse.

In making to you this declaration I give a pledge to France & the 
world that the Executive authority of this country still adheres to 
the humane & pacific policy which has invariably governed its 
proceedings, in conformity with the wishes of the other branches of 
the Government & of the people of the United States.  But considering 
the late manifestations of her policy toward foreign nations, I deem 
it a duty deliberately & solemnly to declare my opinion that whether 
we negotiate with her or not, vigorous preparations for war will be 
alike indispensable.  These alone will give to us an eaual treaty & 
insure its observance.

Among the measures of preparation which appear expedient, I take the 
liberty to recall your attention to the naval establishment.  The 
beneficial effects of the small naval armament provided under the 
acts of the last session are known & acknowledged.  Perhaps no 
country ever experienced more sudden & remarkable advantages from any 
measure of policy than we have derived from the arming for our 
maritime protection & defense.

We ought without loss of time to lay the foundation for an increase 
of our Navy to a size sufficient to guard our coast & protect our 
trade.  Such a naval force as it is doubtless in the power of the 
United States to create & maintain would also afford to them the best 
maens of general defense by facilitating the safe transportation of 
troops & stores to every part of our extensive coast.  To accomplish 
this important object, a prudent foresight requires that systematic 
measures be adopted for procuring at all times the requisite timber & 
other supplies.  In what manner this shall be done I leave to your 
consideration.

I will now advert, gentlemen, to some matters of less moment, but 
proper to be communicated to the National Legislature.

After the Spanish garrisons had evacuated the posts they occupied at 
the Natchez & Walnut Hills the commissioner of the United States 
commences his observations to ascertain the point near the 
Mississippi which terminated the northernmost part of the 31st degree 
of north latitude.  From thence he proceeded to run the boundary line 
between the United States & Spain.  He was afterwards joined by the 
Spanish commissioner, when the work of the former was confirmed, & 
they proceeded together to the demarcation of the line.

Recent information renders it probably that the Southern Indians, 
either instigated to oppose the demarcation or jealous of the 
consequences of suffering white people to run a line over lands to 
which the Indian title had not been extinguished, have ere this time 
stopped the progress of the commissioners; & considering the 
mischiefs which may result from continuing the demarcation in 
opposition to the will of the Indian tribes, the great expense 
attending it, & that the boundaries which the commissioners have 
actually established probably extend at least as far as the Indian 
title has been extinguished, it will perhaps become expedient & 
necessary to suspend further proceedings by recalling our 
commissioner.

The commissioners appointed in pursuance of the 5th article of the 
treaty of amity, commerce, & navigation between the United States & 
His Britannic Majesty to determine what river was truly intended 
under the name of the river St. Croix mentioned in the treaty of 
peace, & forming a part of the boundary therein described, have 
finally decided that question.  On the 25th of October they made 
their declaration that a river called Scoodiac, which falls into 
Passamaquoddy Bay at its northwestern quarter, was the true St. Croix 
intended in the treaty of peace, as far as its great fork, where one 
of its streams comes from the westward & the other from the 
northward, & that the latter stream is the continuation of the St. 
Croix to its source.

This decision, it is understood, will preclude all contention among 
the individual claimants, as it seems that the Scoodiac & its 
northern branch bound the grants of land which have been made by the 
respective adjoining Governments.  

A subordinate question, however, it has been suggested, still remains 
to be determined.  Between the mouth of the St. Croix as now settled 
& what is usually called the Bay of Fundy lie a number of valuable 
islands.  The commissioners have not continued the boundary line 
through any channel of these islands, & unless the bay of 
Passamaquoddy be a part of the Bay of Fundy this further adjustment 
of boundary will be necessary, but it is apprehended that this will 
not be a matter of any difficulty.

Such progress has been made in the examination & decision of cases of 
captures & condemnations of American vessels which were the subject 
of the 7th article of ther treaty of amity, commercy, & navigation 
between the United States & Great Britain that it is supposed the 
commissioners will be able to bring their business to a conclusion in 
August of the ensuing year.

The commissioners acting under the 25th article of the treaty between 
the United States & Spain have adjusted most of the claims of our 
citizens for losses sustained in consequence of their vessels & 
cargoes having been taken by the subjects of His Catholic Majesty 
during the late war between France & Spain.

Various circumstances have concurred to delay the execution of the 
law for augmenting the military establishment, among these the desire 
of obtaining the fullest information to direct the best selection of 
officers.  As this object will now be speedily accomplished, it is 
expected that the raising & organizing of the troops will proceed 
without obstacle & with effect.

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:

I have directed an estimate of the appropriations which will be 
necessary for the service of the ensuing year to be laid before you, 
accompanied with a view of the public receipts & expenditures to a 
recent period.

It will afford you satisfaction to infer the great extent & solidity 
of the public resources from the prosperous state of the finances, 
notwithstanding the unexampled embarrassments which have attended 
commerce.  When you reflect on the conspicuous examples of patriotism 
& liberality which have been exhibited by our mercantile fellow 
citizens, & how great a proportion of the public resources depends on 
their enterprise, you will naturally consider whether their 
convenience can not be promoted & reconciled with the security of the 
revenue by a revision of the system by which the collection is at 
present regulated.

During your recess measures have been steadily pursued for effecting 
the valuations & returns directed by the act of the last session, 
preliminary to the assessment & collection of a direct tax.  No other 
delays or obstacles have been experienced except such as were 
expected to arise from the great extent of our country & the 
magnitude & novelty of the operation, & enough has been accomplished 
to assure a fulfillment of the views of the Legislature.

Gentlemen of the Senate & Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:

I can not close this address without once more adverting to our 
political situation & inculcating the essential importance of uniting 
in the maintenance of our dearest interests; & I trust that by the 
temper & wisdom of your proceedings & by a harmony of measures we 
shall secure to our country that weight & respect to which it is so 
justly entitled.                  - 30 -