George Washington 1792 State of the Union Address
6th November 1792.
Fellow Citizens of the Senate and of the House of Representatives:
It is some abatement of the satisfaction with which I meet you on the
present occasion that, in felicitating you on a continuance of the national
prosperity generally, I am not able to add to it information that the Indian
hostilities which have for some time past distressed our Northwestern frontier
have terminated.
You will, I am persuaded, learn with no less concern than I communicate
it that reiterated endeavors toward effecting a pacification have hitherto
issued only in new and outrageous proofs of persevering hostility on the
part of the tribes with whom we are in contest. An earnest desire to procure
tranquillity to the frontier, to stop the further effusion of blood, to
arrest the progress of expense, to forward the prevalent wish of the nation
for peace has led to strenuous efforts through various channels to accomplish
these desirable purposes; in making which efforts I consulted less my own
anticipations of the event, or the scruples which some considerations were
calculated to inspire, than the wish to find the object attainable, or
if not attainable, to ascertain unequivocally that such is the case.
A detail of the measures which have been pursued and of their consequences,
which will be laid before you, while it will confirm to you the want of
success thus far, will, I trust, evince that means as proper and as efficacious
as could have been devised have been employed. The issue of some of them,
indeed, is still depending, but a favorable one, though not to be despaired
of, is not promised by anything that has yet happened.
In the course of the attempts which have been made some valuable citizens
have fallen victims to their zeal for the public service. A sanction commonly
respected even among savages has been found in this instance insufficient
to protect from massacre the emissaries of peace. It will, I presume, be
duly considered whether the occasion does not call for an exercise of liberality
toward the families of the deceased.
It must add to your concern to be informed that, besides the continuation
of hostile appearances among the tribes north of the Ohio, some threatening
symptoms have of late been revived among some of those south of it.
A part of the Cherokees, known by the name of Chickamaugas, inhabiting
five villages on the Tennessee River, have long been in the practice of
committing depredations on the neighboring settlements.
It was hoped that the treaty of Holston, made with the Cherokee Nation
in July, 1791, would have prevented a repetition of such depredations;
but the event has not answered this hope. The Chickamaugas, aided by some
banditti of another tribe in their vicinity, have recently perpetrated
wanton and unprovoked
hostilities upon the citizens of the United States in that quarter.
The information which has been received on this subject will be laid before
you. Hitherto defensive precautions only have been strictly enjoined and
observed.
It is not understood that any breach of treaty or aggression whatsoever
on the part of the United States or their citizens is even alleged as a
pretext for the spirit of hostility in this quarter.
I have reason to believe that every practicable exertion has been made
(pursuant to the provision by law for that purpose) to be prepared for
the alternative of a prosecution of the war in the event of a failure of
pacific overtures. A large proportion of the troops authorized to be raised
have been recruited, though the number is still incomplete, and pains have
been taken to discipline and put them in condition for the particular kind
of service to be performed. A delay of operations (besides being dictated
by the measures which were pursuing toward a pacific termination of the
war) has been in itself deemed preferable to immature efforts. A statement
from the proper department with regard to the number of troops raised,
and some other points which have been suggested, will afford more precise
information as a guide to the legislative consultations, and among other
things will enable Congress to judge whether some additional stimulus to
the recruiting service may not be advisable.
In looking forward to the future expense of the operations which may
be found inevitable I derive consolation from the information I receive
that the product of the revenues for the present year is likely to supersede
the necessity of additional burthens on the community for the service of
the ensuing year. This, however, will be better ascertained in the course
of the session, and it is proper to add that the information alluded to
proceeds upon the supposition of no material extension of the spirit of
hostility.
I can not dismiss the subject of Indian affairs without again recommending
to your consideration the expediency of more adequate provision for giving
energy to the laws throughout our interior frontier and for restraining
the commission of outrages upon the Indians, without which all pacific
plans must prove nugatory. To enable, by competent rewards, the employment
of qualified and trusty persons to reside among them as agents would also
contribute to the preservation of peace and good neighborhood. If in addition
to these expedients an eligible plan could be devised for promoting civilization
among the friendly tribes and for carrying on trade with them upon a scale
equal to their wants and under regulations calculated to protect them from
imposition and extortion, its influence in cementing their interest with
ours could not but be considerable.
The prosperous state of our revenue has been intimated. This would be
still more the case were it not for the impediments which in some places
continue to embarrass the collection of the duties on spirits distilled
within the United States. These impediments have lessened and are lessening
in local extent, and, as applied to the community at large, the contentment
with the law appears to be progressive.
But symptoms of increased opposition having lately manifested themselves
in certain quarters, I judged a special interposition on my part proper
and advisable, and under this impression have issued a proclamation warning
against all unlawful combinations and proceedings having for their object
or tending to obstruct the operation of the law in question, and announcing
that all lawful ways and means would be strictly put in execution for bringing
to justice the infractors thereof and securing obedience thereto.
Measures have also been taken for the prosecution of offenders, and
Congress may be assured that nothing within constitutional and legal limits
which may depend upon me shall be wanting to assert and maintain the just
authority of the laws. In fulfilling this trust I shall count entirely
upon the full cooperation of the other departments of the Government and
upon the zealous support of all good citizens.
I can not forbear to bring again into the view of the Legislature the
subject of a revision of the judiciary system. A representation from the
judges of the Supreme Court, which will be laid before you, points out
some of the inconveniences that are experienced. In the course of the execution
of the laws considerations arise out of the structure of the system which
in some cases tend to relax their efficacy. As connected with this subject,
provisions to facilitate the taking of bail upon processes out of the courts
of the United States and a supplementary definition of offenses against
the Constitution and laws of the Union and of the punishment for such offenses
will, it is presumed, be found worthy of particular attention.
Observations on the value of peace with other nations are unnecessary.
It would be wise, however, by timely provisions to guard against those
acts of our own citizens which might tend to disturb it, and to put ourselves
in a condition to give that satisfaction to foreign nations which we may
sometimes have occasion to require from them. I particularly recommend
to your consideration the means of preventing those aggressions by our
citizens on the territory of other nations, and other infractions of the
law of nations, which, furnishing just subject of complaint, might endanger
our peace with them; and, in general, the maintenance of a friendly intercourse
with foreign powers will be presented to your attention by the expiration
of the law for that purpose, which takes place, if not renewed, at the
close of the present session.
In execution of the authority given by the Legislature measures have
been taken for engaging some artists from abroad to aid in the establishment
of our mint. Others have been employed at home. Provision has been made
of the requisite buildings, and these are now putting into proper condition
for the purposes of the establishment. There has also been a small beginning
in the coinage of half dimes, the want of small coins in circulation calling
the first attention to them.
The regulation of foreign coins in correspondency with the principles
of our national coinage, as being essential to their due operation and
to order in our money concerns, will, I doubt not, be resumed and completed.
It is represented that some provisions in the law which establishes
the post office operate, in experiment, against the transmission of news
papers to distant parts of the country. Should this, upon due inquiry,
be found to be the fact, a full conviction of the importance of facilitating
the circulation of political intelligence and information will, I doubt
not, lead to the application of a remedy.
The adoption of a constitution for the State of Kentucky has been notified
to me. The Legislature will share with me in the satisfaction which arises
from an event interesting to the happiness of the part of the nation to
which it relates and conducive to the general order.
It is proper likewise to inform you that since my last communication
on the subject, and in further execution of the acts severally making provision
for the public debt and for the reduction thereof, three new loans have
been effected, each for 3,000,000 florins - one at Antwerp, at the annual
interest of 4.5%, with an allowance of 4% in lieu of all charges, in the
other 2 at Amsterdam, at the annual interest of 4%, with an allowance of
5.5% in one case and of 5% in the other in lieu of all charges. The rates
of these loans and the circumstances under which they have been made are
confirmations of the high state of our credit abroad.
Among the objects to which these funds have been directed to be applied,
the payment of the debts due to certain foreign officers, according to
the provision made during the last session, has been embraced.
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:
I entertain a strong hope that the state of the national finances is
now sufficiently matured to enable you to enter upon a systematic and effectual
arrangement for the regular redemption and discharge of the public debt,
according to the right which has been reserved to the Government. No measure
can be more desirable, whether viewed with an eye to its intrinsic importance
or to the general sentiment and wish of the nation.
Provision is likewise requisite for the reimbursement of the loan which
has been made of the Bank of the United States, pursuant to the eleventh
section of the act by which it is incorporated. In fulfilling the public
stipulations in this particular it is expected a valuable saving will be
made.
Appropriations for the current service of the ensuing year and for such
extraordinaries as may require provision will demand, and I doubt not will
engage, your early attention.
Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives:
I content myself with recalling your attention generally to such objects,
not particularized in my present, as have been suggested in my former communications
to you.
Various temporary laws will expire during the present session. Among
these, that which regulates trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes
will merit particular notice.
The results of your common deliberations hitherto will, I trust, be
productive of solid and durable advantages to our constituents, such as,
by conciliating more and more their ultimate suffrage, will tend to strengthen
and confirm their attachment to that Constitution of Government upon which,
under Divine Providence, materially depend their union, their safety, and
their happiness.
Still further to promote and secure these inestimable ends there is
nothing which can have a more powerful tendency than the careful cultivation
of harmony, combined with a due regard to stability, in the public councils.
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