The addresses are separated by three asterisks: ***
Dates of addresses by John Adams in this eBook:
November 22, 1797
December 8, 1798
December 3, 1799
November 11, 1800
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State of the Union Address
John Adams
November 22, 1797
Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:
I was for some time apprehensive that it would be necessary, on account ofthe contagious sickness which afflicted the city of Philadelphia, toconvene the National Legislature at some other place. This measure it wasdesirable to avoid, because it would occasion much public inconvenience anda considerable public expense and add to the calamities of the inhabitantsof this city, whose sufferings must have excited the sympathy of all theirfellow citizens. Therefore, after taking measures to ascertain the stateand decline of the sickness, I postponed my determination, having hopes,now happily realized, that, without hazard to the lives or health of themembers, Congress might assemble at this place, where it was next by law tomeet. I submit, however, to your consideration whether a power to postponethe meeting of Congress, without passing the time fixed by the Constitutionupon such occasions, would not be a useful amendment to the law of 1794.
Although I can not yet congratulate you on the reestablishment of peace inEurope and the restoration of security to the persons and properties of ourcitizens from injustice and violence at sea, we have, nevertheless,abundant cause of gratitude to the source of benevolence and influence forinterior tranquillity and personal security, for propitious seasons,prosperous agriculture, productive fisheries, and general improvements,and, above all, for a rational spirit of civil and religious liberty and acalm but steady determination to support our sovereignty, as well as ourmoral and our religious principles, against all open and secret attacks.
Our envoys extraordinary to the French Republic embarked--one in July, theother in August--to join their colleague in Holland. I have receivedintelligence of the arrival of both of them in Holland, from whence theyall proceeded on their journeys to Paris within a few days of the 19th ofSeptember. Whatever may be the result of this mission, I trust that nothingwill have been omitted on my part to conduct the negotiation to asuccessful conclusion, on such equitable terms as may be compatible withthe safety, honor and interest of the United States. Nothing, in the meantime, will contribute so much to the preservation of peace and theattainment of justice as manifestation of that energy and unanimity ofwhich on many former occasions the people of the United States have givensuch memorable proofs, and the exertion of those resources for nationaldefense which a beneficent Providence has kindly placed within theirpower.
It may be confidently asserted that nothing has occurred since theadjournment of Congress which renders inexpedient those precautionarymeasures recommended by me to the consideration of the two Houses at theopening of your late extraordinary session. If that system was thenprudent, it is more so now, as increasing depredations strengthen thereasons for its adoption.
Indeed, whatever may be the issue of the negotiation with France, andwhether the war in Europe is or is not to continue, I hold it most certainthat permanent tranquillity and order will not soon be obtained. The stateof society has so long been