At twelve o’clock the Senate attended upon the President of the United States at his own House, when the President of the Senate delivered the following Address.1

To the President of the United States of America.

We receive, Sir, with particular satisfaction the communications contained in your Speech, which confirm to us the progressive State of the public Credit, and afford at the same time, a new proof of the 446 solidity of the foundation on which it rests; and we chearfully join in the acknowledgement, which is due to the probity and patriotism of the mercantile and Marine part of our fellow Citizens, whose enlightened attachment to the principles of good government is not less conspicuous in this, than it has been in other important respects.

In confidence that every constitutional preliminary has been observed, we assure you of our disposition to concur in giving the requisite Sanction to the admission of Kentucky as a distinct member of the Union, in doing which, we shall anticipate the happy effects to be expected from the sentiments of attachment towards the Union and its present government, which have been expressed by the Patriotic inhabitants of that District.2

While we regret that the continuance and increase of the hostilities and depredations which have distressed our north western Frontier, should have rendered Affensive measures necessary, we feel an entire confidence in the sufficiency of the motives which have produced them, and in the wisdom of the dispositions which have been concerted in pursuance of the powers vested in you; and whatever may have been the event, we shall chearfully concur in the provisions which the expedition that has been undertaken may require on the part of the Legislature, and in any other which the future peace and safety of our frontier Settlements may call for.

The critical posture of the European Powers will engage a due portion of our Attention, and we shall be ready to adopt any measures, which a prudent circumspection may suggest, for the preservation of the blessings of Peace: The navigation and fisheries of the United States, are objects too interesting not to inspire a disposition to promote them, by all the means, which shall appear to us, consistent with their natural progress, and permanent prosperity.

Impressed with the importance of a free intercourse with the Mediterranean, we shall not think any Deliberations misemployed which may conduce to the adoption of proper measures for removing the impediments that obstructed it.

The improvement of the judiciary system, and the other important objects, to which you have pointed our attention will not fail to engage the consideration they respectively merit.

In the course of our deliberations, upon every subject, we shall rely upon that co-operation which an undeminished zeal, and incessant anxiety for the public welfare on your part, so thoroughly ensure; and as it is our anxious desire, so it shall be our constant endeavour, to render the established Government more and more instrumental 447 in promoting the good of our fellow citizens, and more and more the object of their attachment and confidence.

United States of America.

In Senate December the 13th 1790

The partiality of some of my American friends, has induced them to consider me, as not altogether uneligible, as Resident, from the United States, to the Court at the Hague; & they have in consequence named me, to his Excellency the President, as Candidate for that Appointment—the kind interest, I am informed, your Excellency has been pleased to express in my behalf, claims my gratitude, & leads me to hope, I may need no apology for the present intrusion—1

So far as talents for public affairs—a mature age & experience, find their due weight, I cannot be considered as so eligible to the appointment in question, as many, who, perhaps, may alike stand candidates—but if, what may be found wanting on this side, can in any measure be compensated for, by the few accidental local advantages I possess—I might, perhaps, with the aid of your Excellencys kindness, flatter myself, with some hopes of obtaining, the suffrage of his Excellency the President in my favour—

My numerous friends & family connections, in the several 448 departments of the Government of this Country—my long acquaintance with the manners of its inhabitants; and my Knowledge of the languages most used here; constitute the principle advantages above alluded to—

It may perhaps also, not be improper I should mention to your Excellency, the circumstance of my having been once honoured by an application from the Grand Pensionary of Holland, for the procurement of a large quantity of Grain, at a time when a dearth was apprehended—which, together with that, of my having had repeated occasion to decline the acceptance of Offices under this Government, prove, that I enjoy here no small share in the public confidence—2

But I can urge no circumstance, on which to ground, any particular claim, to the confidence of my Countrymen—unless it be, the unasked for, & almost unknown influence, I have, in more than one instance, used with the Admiralty here, for the releasement of American Vessels, arrested on suspicion, or proof of frauds—together with the circumstance, of my having obtained authorization for the subscription of about half a Million dollars, to the new Loan of Congress, with the view of lessining the influence of a powerfull party of Annuitants, whose declared intentions are, to protest against the Act of Congress, lessening the rate of Interest, on the national debt—

Unwilling to intrude further on your Excellencys time, I would only add, that should it please his Excellency the President, to nominate me Resident; it would be my wish, that the salary allowed, may be as small as propriety will admit of, & to be increased, only, as my services may deserve—

I have the honour to be, / with the utmost esteem & veneration / Your Excellencys respectfull / and most obedient Servant