Speech Transcript:

Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the House of
Representatives:
Immediately after the adjournment of Congress at their last session
in Philadelphia I gave directions, in compliance with the laws, for
the removal of the public offices, records, and property. These
directions have been executed, and the public officers have since
resided and conducted the ordinary business of the Government in this
place.

I congratulate the people of the United States on the assembling of
Congress at the permanent seat of their Government, and I
congratulate you, gentlemen, on the prospect of a residence not to be
changed. Although there is cause to apprehend that accommodations are
not now so complete as might be wished, yet there is great reason to
believe that this inconvenience will cease with the present session.

It would be unbecoming the representatives of this nation to assemble
for the first time in this solemn temple without looking up to the
Supreme Ruler of the Universe and imploring His blessing.

May this territory be the residence of virtue and happiness! In this
city may that piety and virtue, that wisdom and magnanimity, that
constancy and self-government, which adorned the great character
whose name it bears be forever held in veneration! Here and
throughout our country may simple manners, pure morals, and true
religion flourish forever!

It is with you, gentlemen, to consider whether the local powers over
the District of Columbia vested by the Constitution in the Congress
of the United States shall be immediately exercised. If in your
opinion this important trust ought now to be executed, you can not
fail while performing it to take into view the future probable
situation of the territory for the happiness of which you are about
to provide. You will consider it as the capital of a great nation
advancing with unexampled rapidity in arts, in commerce, in wealth,
and in population, and possessing within itself those energies and
resources which, if not thrown away or lamentably misdirected, will
secure to it a long course of prosperity and self-government.

In compliance with a law of the last session of Congress, the
officers and soldiers of the temporary army have been discharged. It
affords real pleasure to recollect the honorable testimony they gave
of the patriotic motives which brought them into the service of their
country, by the readiness and regularity with which they returned to
the station of private citizens.

It is in every point of view of such primary importance to carry the
laws into prompt and faithful execution, and to render that part of
the administration of justice which the Constitution and laws devolve
on the Federal courts as convenient to the people as may consist with
their present circumstances, that I can not omit once more to
recommend to your serious consideration the judiciary system of the
United States. No subject is more interesting than this to the public
happiness, and to none can those improvements which may have been
suggested by experience be more beneficially applied.

A treaty of amity and commerce with the King of Prussia has been
concluded and ratified. The ratifications have been exchanged, and I
have directed the treaty to be promulgated by proclamation.

The difficulties which suspended the execution of the 6th article of
our treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation with Great Britain have
not yet been removed. The negotiation on this subject is still
depending. As it must be fore the interest and honor of both nations
to adjust this difference with good faith, I indulge confidently the
expectation that the sincere endeavors of the Government of the
United States to bring it to an amicable termination will not be
disappointed.

The envoys extraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary from the
United States to France were received by the First Consul with the
respect due to their character, and 3 persons with equal powers were
appointed to treat with them. Although at the date of the last
official intelligence the negotiation had not terminated, yet it is
to be hoped that our efforts to effect an accommodation will at
length meet with a success proportioned to the sincerity with which
they have been so often repeated.

While our best endeavors for the preservation of harmony with all
nations will continue to be used, the experience of the world and our
own experience admonish us of the insecurity of trusting too
confidently to their success. We can not, without committing a
dangerous imprudence, abandon those measures of self protection which
are adapted to our situation and to which, notwithstanding our pacific
policy, the violence and injustice of others may again compel us to
resort. While our vast extent of sea coast, the commercial and
agriculture habits of our people, the great capital they will
continue to trust on the ocean, suggest the system of defense which
will be most beneficial to ourselves, our distance from Europe and
our resources for maritime strength will enable us to employ it with
effect. Seasonable and systematic arrangements, so far as our
resources will justify, for a navy adapted to defensive war, and
which may in case of necessity be quickly brought into use, seem to
be as much recommended by a wise and true economy as by a just regard
for our future tranquillity, for the safety of our shores, and for the
protection of our property committed to the ocean.

The present Navy of the United States, called suddenly into existence
by a great national exigency, has raised us in our own esteem, and by
the protection afforded to our commerce has effected to the extent of
our expectations the objects for which it was created.

In connection with a navy ought to be contemplated the fortification
of some of our principal sea ports and harbors. A variety of
considerations, which will readily suggest themselves, urge an
attention to this measure of precaution. To give security to our
principal ports considerable sums have already been expended, but the
works remain incomplete. It is for Congress to determine whether
additional appropriations shall be made in order to render competent
to the intended purposes the fortifications which have been
commenced.

The manufacture of arms within the United States still invites the
attention of the National Legislature. At a considerable expense to
the public this manufacture has been brought to such a state of
maturity as, with continued encouragement, will supersede the
necessity of future importations from foreign countries.

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:
I shall direct the estimates of the appropriations necessary for the
ensuing year, together with an account of the public revenue and
expenditure to a late period, to be laid before you. I observe with
much satisfaction that the product of the revenue during the present
year has been more considerable than during any former equal period.
This result affords conclusive evidence of the great resources of
this country and of the wisdom and efficiency of the measures which
have been adopted by Congress for the protection of commerce and
preservation of public credit.

Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the House of
Representatives:
As one of the grand community of nations, our attention is
irresistibly drawn to the important scenes which surround us. If they
have exhibited an uncommon portion of calamity, it is the province of
humanity to deplore and of wisdom to avoid the causes which may have
produced it. If, turning our eyes homeward, we find reason to rejoice
at the prospect which presents itself; if we perceive the interior of
our country prosperous, free, and happy; if all enjoy in safety,
under the protection of laws emanating only from the general will,
the fruits of their own labor, we ought to fortify and cling to those
institutions which have been the source of such real felicity and
resist with unabating perseverance the progress of those dangerous
innovations which may diminish their influence.

To your patriotism, gentlemen, has been confided the honorable duty
of guarding the public interests; and while the past is to your
country a sure pledge that it will be faithfully discharged, permit
me to assure you that your labors to promote the general happiness
will receive from me the most zealous cooperation.