A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents | Page 9

affairs of our
Government to the collected wisdom of the Union. Nothing shall be
wanting on my part to inform as far as in my power the legislative
judgment, nor to carry that judgment into faithful execution. The
prudence and temperance of your discussions will promote within your
own walls that conciliation which so much befriends rational
conclusion, and by its example will encourage among our constituents
that progress of opinion which is tending to unite them in object and in
will. That all should be satisfied with any one order of things is not to
be expected; but I indulge the pleasing persuasion that the great body of
our citizens will cordially concur in honest and disinterested efforts
which have for their object to preserve the General and State
Governments in their constitutional form and equilibrium; to maintain
peace abroad, and order and obedience to the laws at home; to establish
principles and practices of administration favorable to the security of
liberty and property, and to reduce expenses to what is necessary for
the useful purposes of Government.
TH. JEFFERSON.

SPECIAL MESSAGES.
DECEMBER 11, 1801.
Gentlemen of the Senate:
Early in the last month I received the ratification by the First Consul of
France of the convention between the United States and that nation. His
ratification not being pure and simple in the ordinary form, I have
thought it my duty, in order to avoid all misconception, to ask a second
advice and consent of the Senate before I give it the last sanction by
proclaiming it to be a law of the land.
TH. JEFFERSON.

DECEMBER 22, 1801.
Gentlemen of the Senate:
The States of Georgia and Tennessee being peculiarly interested in our
carrying into execution the two acts passed by Congress on the 19th of
February, 1799 (chapter 115), and 13th May, 1800 (chapter 62),
commissioners were appointed early in summer and other measures
taken for the purpose. The objects of these laws requiring meetings
with the Cherokees, Chickasaws, Choctaws, and Creeks, the inclosed
instructions were prepared for the proceedings with the three first
nations. Our applications to the Cherokees failed altogether. Those to
the Chickasaws produced the treaty now laid before you for your
advice and consent, whereby we obtained permission to open a road of
communication with the Mississippi Territory. The commissioners are
probably at this time in conference with the Choctaws. Further
information having been wanting when these instructions were, formed
to enable us to prepare those respecting the Creeks, the commissioners
were directed to proceed with the others. We have now reason to
believe the conferences with the Creeks can not take place till the

spring.
The journals and letters of the commissioners relating to the subject of
the treaty now inclosed accompany it.
TH. JEFFERSON.

DECEMBER 22, 1801.
Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives:
I now inclose sundry documents supplementary to those communicated
to you with my message at the commencement of the session. Two
others of considerable importance--the one relating to our transactions
with the Barbary Powers, the other presenting a view of the offices of
the Government--shall be communicated as soon as they can be
completed.
TH. JEFFERSON.

DECEMBER 23, 1801.
Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives:
Another return of the census of the State of Maryland is just received
from the marshal of that State, which he desires may be substituted as
more correct than the one first returned by him and communicated by
me to Congress. This new return, with his letter, is now laid before you.
TH. JEFFERSON.

JANUARY 11, 1802.
Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives.

I now communicate to you a memorial of the commissioners of the city
of Washington, together with a letter of later date, which, with their
memorial of January 28, 1801, will possess the Legislature fully of the
state of the public interests and of those of the city of Washington
confided to them. The moneys now due, and soon to become due, to the
State of Maryland on the loan guaranteed by the United States call for
an early attention. The lots in the city which are chargeable with the
payment of these moneys are deemed not only equal to the
indemnification of the public, but to insure a considerable surplus to the
city to be employed for its improvement, provided they are offered for
sale only in sufficient numbers to meet the existing demand. But the act
of 1796 requires that they shall be positively sold in such numbers as
shall be necessary for the punctual payment of the loans. Nine thousand
dollars of interest are lately become due, $3,000 quarter yearly will
continue to become due, and $50,000, an additional loan, are
reimbursable on the