lot of imperfect man to retire from this station with the reputation and the favor which bring him into it. Without pretensions to that high confidence you reposed in our first and greatest revolutionary character, whose pre-eminent services entitled him to the first place in his country's love, and destined for him the fairest page in the volume of faithful history, I ask so much confidence only as may give firmness and effect to the legal administration of your affairs.”

1801.-Dec. 8. "It is a circumstance of sincere gratification to me, that, on meeting the great council of the nation, I am able to announce to them, on grounds of reasonable certainty, that the wars and troubles which have for so many years afflicted our sister-nations have at length come to an end, and that the communications of peace and commerce are once more opening among them. Among our Indian neighbors, also, a spirit of peace and friendship generally prevails. We may now safely dispense with all the internal taxes, comprehending excises, stamps, auctions, licenses, carriages, and refined sugars. To this state of general peace with which we have been blessed one

A

only exception exists. Tripoli, the least considerable of the Barbary States, has come forward with demands unfounded either in right or in compact, and has permitted itself to denounce war on our failure to comply before a given day. The style of the demand admitted but one answer. I sent a small squadron of frigates into the Mediterranean, with assurances to that power of our sincere desire to remain in peace, but with orders to protect our commerce against the threatened attack. The measure was seasonable and salutary. statement has been formed by the secretary-atwar, on mature consideration, of all the posts and stations where garrisons will be expedient, and of the number of men requisite for each garrison. Uncertain as we must ever be of the particular point in our circumference where an enemy may choose to invade us, the only force which can be ready at every point, and competent to oppose them, is the body of neighboring citizens as formed into a militia. On these, collected from the parts most convenient in numbers proportioned to the invading force, it is best to rely, not only to meet the first attack, but, if it threatens to be

permanent, to maintain the defence until regulars may be engaged to relieve them. Agriculture, manufactures, commerce, and navigation, the four pillars of our prosperity, are most thriving when left most free to individual enterprise: Protection from casual embarrassments, however, may sometimes be seasonably interposed. I cannot omit. recommending a revisal of the laws on the subject of naturalization. Shall we refuse to the unhappy fugitives from distress that hospitality which the savages of the wilderness extended to our fathers arriving in this land? Shall oppressed humanity find no asylum on this globe? The Constitution, indeed, has wisely provided, that, for admission to certain offices of important trust, a residence shall be required sufficient to develop character and design; but might not the general character and capabilities of a citizen be safely communi*cated to every one manifesting a bonâ-fide purpose of embarking his life and fortunes permanently with us?"

1802.-Dec. 15. "Another year is come around, and finds us still blessed with peace and friendship abroad; law, order, and religion at home;

good affection and harmony with our Indian neighbors; our burdens lightened, yet our income sufficient for the public wants, and the produce of the year great beyond example.. These, fellowcitizens, are the circumstances under which we meet; and we remark with special satisfaction · those which, under the smiles of Providence, result from the skill, industry, and order of our citizens, managing their own affairs in their own way and for their own use, unembarrassed by too much regulation, unoppressed by fiscal exactions. In the department of finance, it is with pleasure I inform you that the receipts of external duties for the last twelve months have exceeded those of any former year, and that the ratio of increase has been also greater than usual. This has enabled us to answer all the regular exigencies of government; to pay from the treasury, within one year, upwards of eight millions of dollars, principal and interest, of the public debt, exclusive of upwards of one million paid by the sale of bank-stock, and making in the whole a reduction of nearly five millions and a half of principal; and to have now in the treasury four millions and a half of dollars,

which are in a course of application to the further discharge of debt and current demands."

1803.-Oct. 17. "The property and sovereignty of all Louisiana has been transferred to the United States by instruments bearing date the 30th of April last. Should the acquisition be constitutionally confirmed and carried into effect, a sum of nearly thirteen millions of dollars will then be added to our public debt, most of which is payable after fifteen years; before which term the present existing debts will all be discharged by the established operation of the sinking-fund. We have seen with sincere concern the flames of war lighted up again in Europe, and nations with which we have the most friendly and useful relations engaged in mutual destruction. While we regret the miseries in which we see others involved, let us bow with gratitude to that kind Providence, which, inspiring with wisdom and moderation our late legislative councils while placed under the urgency of the greatest wrongs, guarded us from hastily entering into the sanguinary contest, and left.us only to look on and to pity its ravages. These will be heaviest on. those immediately en