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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

MESSAGES TO CONGRESS. - John Adams, The Works of John Adams, vol. 9 (Letters and State Papers 1799-1811) [1854]

Edition used:

The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations, by his Grandson Charles Francis Adams (Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1856). 10 volumes. Vol. 9.

Part of: The Works of John Adams, 10 vols.

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MESSAGES TO CONGRESS.

MESSAGE TO THE SENATE;

NOMINATING ENVOYS TO FRANCE.

31 May, 1797.

Gentlemen of the Senate,

I nominate General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, of South Carolina, Francis Dana, Chief Justice of the State of Massachusetts, and General John Marshall, of Virginia, to be jointly and severally envoys extraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary to the French republic.

After mature deliberation on the critical situation of our relations with France, which have long engaged my serious attention, I have determined on these nominations of persons to negotiate with the French republic, to dissipate umbrages, to remove prejudices, to rectify errors, and adjust all differences by a treaty between the two powers.

It is, in the present critical and singular circumstances, of great importance to engage the confidence of the great portions of the Union, in the characters employed, and the measures which may be adopted. I have therefore thought it expedient to nominate persons of talents and integrity, long known and intrusted in the three great divisions of the Union; and, at the same time, to provide against the cases of death, absence, indisposition, or other impediment, to invest any one or more of them with full powers.

John Adams.

MESSAGE TO BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS;

RESPECTING THE TERRITORY OF THE NATCHEZ.

12 June, 1797.

Gentlemen of the Senate, and
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,

I have received information from the commissioner appointed on the part of the United States, pursuant to the third article of our treaty with Spain, that the running and marking of the boundary line between the colonies of East and West Florida and the territory of the United States, have been delayed by the officers of his Catholic Majesty; and that they have declared their intention to maintain his jurisdiction, and to suspend the withdrawing of his troops from the military posts they occupy within the territory of the United States, until the two governments shall, by negotiation, have settled the meaning of the second article respecting the withdrawing of the troops, garrisons, or settlements of either party in the territory of the other; that is, whether, when the Spanish garrisons withdraw, they are to leave the works standing, or to demolish them; and until, by an additional article to the treaty, the real property of the inhabitants shall be secured; and likewise, until the Spanish officers are sure the Indians will be pacific. The two first questions, if to be determined by negotiation, might be made subjects of discussion for years; and as no limitation of time can be prescribed to the other, or certainty in the opinion of the Spanish officers that the Indians will be pacific, it will be impossible to suffer it to remain an obstacle to the fulfilment of the treaty on the part of Spain.

To remove the first difficulty, I have determined to leave it to the discretion of the officers of his Catholic Majesty, when they withdraw his troops from the forts within the territory of the United States, either to leave the works standing, or to demolish them; and, to remove the second, I shall cause an assurance to be published, and to be particularly communicated to the minister of his Catholic Majesty, and to the Governor of Louisiana, that the settlers or occupants of the lands in question shall not be disturbed in their possessions by the troops of the United States; but, on the contrary, that they shall be protected in all their lawful claims; and, to prevent or remove every doubt on this point, it merits the consideration of Congress, whether it will not be expedient immediately to pass a law, giving positive assurances to those inhabitants, who, by fair and regular grants, or by occupancy, have obtained legal titles or equitable claims to lands in that country, prior to the final ratification of the treaty between the United States and Spain, on the twenty-fifth of April, 1796.

This country is rendered peculiarly valuable by its inhabitants, who are represented to amount to nearly four thousand, generally well affected, and much attached to the United States, and zealous for the establishment of a government under their authority.

I therefore recommend to your consideration the expediency of erecting a government in the district of the Natchez, similar to that established for the territory north-west of the river Ohio, but with certain modifications relative to titles or claims of land, whether of individuals or companies, or to claims of jurisdiction of any individual State.

John Adams.

MESSAGE TO BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS;

ON AFFAIRS WITH ALGIERS.

23 June, 1797.

Gentlemen of the Senate, and
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,

The Dey of Algiers has manifested a predilection for American built vessels, and, in consequence, has desired that two vessels might be constructed and equipped, as cruisers, according to the choice and taste of Captain O’Brien. The cost of two such vessels, built with live oak and cedar, and coppered, with guns and all other equipments complete, is estimated at forty-five thousand dollars. The expense of navigating them to Algiers may, perhaps, be compensated by the freight of the stores with which they may be loaded on account of our stipulations by treaty with the Dey.

A compliance with the Dey’s request appears to me to be of serious importance. He will repay the whole expense of building and equipping the two vessels; and as he has advanced the price of our peace with Tripoli, and become pledged for that of Tunis, the United States seem to be under peculiar obligations to provide this accommodation; and I trust that Congress will authorize the advance of money necessary for that purpose.

It also appears to be of importance to place at Algiers a person as consul, in whose integrity and ability much confidence may be placed, to whom a considerable latitude of discretion should be allowed for the interest of the United States in relation to their commerce. That country is so remote as to render it impracticable for the consul to ask and receive instructions in sudden emergencies. He may sometimes find it necessary to make instant engagements for money, or its equivalent, to prevent greater expenses or more serious evils. We can hardly hope to escape occasions of discontent proceeding from the regency, or arising from the misconduct or even the misfortunes of our commercial vessels navigating in the Mediterranean sea; and unless the causes of discontent are speedily removed, the resentment of the regency may be exerted with precipitation on our defenceless citizens and their property, and thus occasion a tenfold expense to the United States. For these reasons it appears to me to be expedient to vest the consul at Algiers with a degree of discretionary power, which can be requisite in no other situation. And to encourage a person deserving the public confidence to accept so expensive and responsible a situation, it appears indispensable to allow him a handsome salary. I should confer on such a consul a superintending power over the consulates for the States of Tunis and Tripoli, especially in respect to pecuniary engagements, which should not be made without his approbation.

While the present salary of two thousand dollars a year appears adequate to the consulates of Tunis and Tripoli, twice that sum probably will be requisite for Algiers.

John Adams.

MESSAGE TO BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS;

COMMUNICATING INFORMATION RESPECTING SPAIN.

3 July, 1797.

Gentlemen of the Senate, and
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,

The whole of the intelligence which has for some time past been received from abroad, the correspondences between this government and the ministers of the belligerent powers residing here, and the advices from the officers of the United States, civil and military, upon the frontiers, all conspire to show in a very strong light the critical situation of our country. That Congress might be enabled to form a more perfect judgment of it, and of the measures necessary to be taken, I have directed the proper officers to prepare such collections of extracts from the public correspondences as might afford the clearest information. The reports made to me from the Secretary of State and the Secretary at War, with the collection of documents from each of them, are now communicated to both houses of Congress. I have desired that the message, reports, and documents, may be considered as confidential, merely that the members of both houses of Congress may be apprised of their contents before they should be made public. As soon as the houses shall have heard them, I shall submit to their discretion the publication of the whole or any such parts of them as they shall judge necessary or expedient for the public good.

John Adams.

MESSAGE TO BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS;

ANNOUNCING THE RATIFICATION OF AN AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION.

8 January, 1798.

Gentlemen of the Senate, and
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,

I have now an opportunity to transmit to Congress a report of the Secretary of State, with a copy of an act of the legislature of the State of Kentucky, consenting to the ratification of the amendment of the Constitution of the United States, proposed by Congress in their resolution of the second day of December, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-three, relative to the suability of States. This amendment having been adopted by three fourths of the several States, may now be declared to be a part of the Constitution of the United States.

John Adams.

MESSAGE TO BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS;

RELATIVE TO A FRENCH PRIVATEER.

5 February, 1798.

Gentlemen of the Senate, and
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,

I have received a letter from his Excellency Charles Pinckney, Esquire, Governor of the State of South Carolina, dated on the twenty-second of October, 1797, inclosing a number of depositions of witnesses to several captures and outrages committed within and near the limits of the United States by a French privateer belonging to Cape François or Monte Christo, called the Vertitude or Fortitude, and commanded by a person of the name of Jordon or Jourdain, and particularly upon an English merchant ship, named the Oracabissa, which he first plundered, and then burned with the rest of her cargo of great value, within the territory of the United States, in the harbor of Charleston, on the seventeenth day of October last, copies of which letter and depositions, and also of several other depositions relative to the same subject, received from the collector of Charleston, are herewith communicated.

Whenever the channels of diplomatical communication between the United States and France shall be opened, I shall demand satisfaction for the insult and reparation for the injury.

I have transmitted these papers to Congress, not so much for the purpose of communicating an account of so daring a violation of the territory of the United States, as to show the propriety and necessity of enabling the executive authority of government to take measures for protecting the citizens of the United States, and such foreigners as have a right to enjoy their peace and the protection of their laws within their limits, in that as well as some other harbors, which are equally exposed.

John Adams.

MESSAGE TO BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS;

TRANSMITTING DESPATCHES FROM FRANCE.

5 March, 1798.

Gentlemen of the Senate, and
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,

The first despatches from our envoys extraordinary, since their arrival at Paris, were received at the Secretary of State’s office, at a late hour the last evening. They are all in a character, which will require some days to be deciphered, except the last, which is dated the eighth of January, 1798. The contents of this letter are of so much importance to be immediately made known to Congress and to the public, especially to the mercantile part of our fellow-citizens, that I have thought it my duty to communicate them to both Houses, without loss of time.

John Adams.

MESSAGE TO BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS;

TRANSMITTING DESPATCHES FROM FRANCE.

19 March, 1798.

Gentlemen of the Senate, and
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,

The despatches from the envoys extraordinary of the United States to the French republic, which were mentioned in my message to both houses of Congress of the fifth instant, have been examined and maturely considered.

While I feel a satisfaction in informing you that their exertions for the adjustment of the differences between the two nations have been sincere and unremitted, it is incumbent on me to declare, that I perceive no ground of expectation that the objects of their mission can be accomplished on terms compatible with the safety, honor, or the essential interests of the nation.

This result cannot with justice be attributed to any want of moderation on the part of this government, or to any indisposition to forego secondary interests for the preservation of peace. Knowing it to be my duty and believing it to be your wish, as well as that of the great body of the people, to avoid, by all reasonable concessions, any participation in the contentions of Europe, the powers vested in our envoys were commensurate with a liberal and pacific policy, and that high confidence which might justly be reposed in the abilities, patriotism, and integrity of the characters to whom the negotiation was committed. After a careful review of the whole subject, with the aid of all the information I have received, I can discern nothing, which could have insured or contributed to success, that has been omitted on my part, and nothing further which can be attempted, consistently with maxims for which our country has contended at every hazard, and which constitute the basis of our national sovereignty.

Under these circumstances I cannot forbear to reiterate the recommendations which have been formerly made, and to exhort you to adopt, with promptitude, decision, and unanimity, such measures as the ample resources of the country afford, for the protection of our seafaring and commercial citizens, for the defence of any exposed portions of our territory, for replenishing our arsenals, establishing founderies and military manufactories, and to provide such efficient revenue as will be necessary to defray extraordinary expenses, and supply the deficiencies which may be occasioned by depredations on our commerce.

The present state of things is so essentially different from that in which instructions were given to collectors to restrain vessels of the United States from sailing in an armed condition, that the principle on which those orders were issued, has ceased to exist. I therefore deem it proper to inform Congress, that I no longer conceive myself justifiable in continuing them, unless in particular cases, where there may be reasonable ground of suspicion that such vessels are intended to be employed contrary to law.

In all your proceedings, it will be important to manifest a zeal, vigor, and concert, in defence of the national rights, proportioned to the danger with which they are threatened.

John Adams.

MESSAGE TO BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS;

TRANSMITTING DESPATCHES FROM FRANCE.

3 April, 1798.

Gentlemen of the Senate, and
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,

In compliance with the request of the House of Representatives, expressed in their resolution of the second of this month, I transmit to both houses those instructions to and despatches from the envoys extraordinary to the French republic, which were mentioned in my message of the nineteenth of March last, omitting only some names and a few expressions descriptive of the persons.

I request that they may be considered in confidence, until the members of Congress are fully possessed of their contents, and shall have had opportunity to deliberate on the consequences of their publication; after which time, I submit them to your wisdom.

John Adams.

MESSAGE TO BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS;

ON THE STATE OF AFFAIRS WITH FRANCE.

21 June, 1798.

Gentlemen of the Senate, and
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,

While I congratulate you on the arrival of General Marshall, one of our late envoys extraordinary to the French republic, at a place of safety, where he is justly held in honor, I think it my duty to communicate to you a letter received by him from Mr. Gerry, the only one of the three who has not received his congé. This letter, together with another from the minister of foreign relations to him, of the third of April, and his answer of the fourth, will show the situation in which he remains, his intentions, and prospects.

I presume that before this time he has received fresh instructions (a copy of which accompanies this message) to consent to no loans; and therefore the negotiation may be considered at an end.

I will never send another minister to France, without assurances that he will be received, respected, and honored as the representative of a great, free, powerful, and independent nation.

John Adams.

MESSAGE TO THE SENATE;

TRANSMITTING A LETTER FROM GEORGE WASHINGTON.

17 July, 1798.

Gentlemen of the Senate,

Believing that the letter received this morning from Genera Washington will give high satisfaction to the Senate, I transmit them a copy of it, and congratulate them and the public on this great event, the General’s acceptance of his appointment as Lieutenant-General and Commander-in-chief of the army.

John Adams.

MESSAGE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES;

RESPECTING CERTAIN ACTS OF BRITISH NAVAL OFFICERS.

8 January, 1799.

In compliance with your desire, expressed in your resolution of the 2d of this month, I lay before you an extract of a letter from George C. Morton, acting consul of the United States at the Havana, dated the 18th of November, 1798, to the Secretary of State, with a copy of a letter from him to L. Trezevant and William Timmons, Esquires, with their answer. Although your request extends no further than such information as has been received, yet it may be a satisfaction to you to know, that as soon as this intelligence was communicated to me, circular orders were given by my direction to all the commanders of our vessels of war, a copy of which is also herewith transmitted. I also directed this intelligence and these orders to be communicated to his Britannic Majesty’s envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the United States, and to our minister plenipotentiary to the court of Great Britain, with instructions to him to make the proper representation to that government upon this subject.

It is but justice to say, that this is the first instance of misbehavior of any of the British officers towards our vessels of war, that has come to my knowledge. According to all the representations that I have seen, the flag of the United States, and their officers and men, have been treated by the civil and military authority of the British nation, in Nova Scotia, the West India islands, and on the ocean, with uniform civility politeness, and friendship. I have no doubt that this first in stance of misconduct will be readily corrected.

John Adams.

CIRCULAR,

To the Commanders of Armed Vessels in the Service of the United States, given at the Navy Department, December 29th, 1798.

Sir,—

It is the positive command of the President that on no pretence whatever you permit the public vessel of war under your command to be detained or searched, nor any of the officers or men belonging to her to be taken from her, by the ships or vessels of any foreign nation, so long as you are in a capacity to repel such outrage on the honor of the American flag. If force should be exerted to compel your submission, you are to resist that force to the utmost of your power, and when overpowered by superior force, you are to strike your flag, and thus yield your vessel as well as your men; but never your men without your vessel.

You will remember, however, that your demeanor be respectful and friendly to the vessels and people of all nations in amity with the United States; and that you avoid as carefully the commission of, as the submission to, insult or injury.

I have the honor to be, &c.

Ben. Stoddert.

MESSAGE TO BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS;

TRANSMITTING A FRENCH DECREE RESPECTING NEUTRAL SAILORS.

28 January, 1799.

An edict of the executive directory of the French republic of the 29th of October, 1798, inclosed in a letter from our minister plenipotentiary in London, of the 16th of November, is of so much importance, that it cannot be too soon communicated to you and the public.

John Adams.

MESSAGE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES;

RESPECTING THE SUSPENSION OF A FRENCH DECREE

15 February, 1799.

In pursuance of the request in your resolve of yesterday, I lay before you such information as I have received, touching a suspension of the arrêt of the French republic communicated to your house by my message of the 28th of January last. But if the execution of that arrêt be suspended, or even if it were repealed, it should be remembered that the arrêt of the executive directory of the 2d of March, 1797, remains in force, the third article of which subjects, explicitly and exclusively, American seamen to be treated as pirates, if found on board ships of the enemies of France.

John Adams.

MESSAGE TO THE SENATE;

NOMINATING AN ENVOY TO FRANCE.

18 February, 1799.

Gentlemen of the Senate,

I transmit to you a document, which seems to be intended to be a compliance with a condition mentioned at the conclusion of my message to Congress of the twenty-first of June last.

Always disposed and ready to embrace every plausible appearance of probability of preserving or restoring tranquillity, I nominate William Vans Murray, our minister resident at the Hague, to be minister plenipotentiary of the United States to the French republic.

If the Senate shall advise and consent to his appointment, effectual care shall be taken in his instructions that he shall not go to France without direct and unequivocal assurances from the French government, signified by their minister of foreign relations, that he shall be received in character, shall enjoy the privileges attached to his character by the law of nations, and that a minister of equal rank, title, and powers, shall be appointed to treat with him, to discuss and conclude all controversies between the two republics by a new treaty.

John Adams.

MESSAGE TO THE SENATE;

NOMINATING THREE ENVOYS TO FRANCE.

25 February, 1799.

Gentlemen of the Senate,

The proposition of a fresh negotiation with France, in consequence of advances made by the French government, has excited so general an attention and so much conversation, as to have given occasion to many manifestations of the public opinion; from which it appears to me that a new modification of the embassy will give more general satisfaction to the legislature and to the nation, and perhaps better answer the purposes we have in view.

It is upon this supposition and with this expectation that I now nominate

Oliver Ellsworth, Esquire, Chief Justice of the United States;

Patrick Henry, Esquire, late Governor of Virginia; and

William Vans Murray, Esquire, our minister resident at the Hague; to be envoys extraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary to the French republic, with full powers to discuss and settle, by a treaty, all controversies between the United States and France.

It is not intended that the two former of these gentlemen shall embark for Europe, until they shall have received, from the Executive Directory, assurances, signified by their secretary of foreign relations, that they shall be received in character, that they shall enjoy all the prerogatives attached to that character by the law of nations, and that a minister or ministers, of equal powers, shall be appointed and commissioned to treat with them.

John Adams.

MESSAGE TO BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS;

ANNOUNCING THE DECEASE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON.

19 December, 1799.

Gentlemen of the Senate, and
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,

The letter herewith transmitted will inform you that it has pleased Divine Providence to remove from this life our excellent fellow-citizen, George Washington, by the purity of his character and a long series of services to his country, rendered illustrious through the world. It remains for an affectionate and grateful people, in whose hearts he can never die, to pay suitable honors to his memory.

John Adams.

Mount Vernon, 15 December, 1799.

Sir,—

It is with inexpressible grief that I have to announce to you the death of the great and good General Washington. He died last evening, between ten and eleven o’clock, after a short illness of about twenty hours. His disorder was an inflammatory sore throat, which proceeded from a cold, of which he made but little complaint on Friday. On Saturday morning, about three o’clock, he became ill. Doctor Craik attended him in the morning, and Doctor Dick, of Alexandria, and Doctor Brown, of Port Tobacco, were soon after called in. Every medical assistance was offered, but without the desired effect. His last scene corresponded with the whole tenor of his life; not a groan, nor a complaint escaped him in extreme distress. With perfect resignation, and in full possession of his reason, he closed his well-spent life.

I have the honor to be, with the highest respect, Sir, your most obedient and very humble servant.

Tobias Lear.

MESSAGE TO BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS;

TRANSMITTING A LETTER OF MARTHA WASHINGTON.

6 January, 1800.

Gentlemen of the Senate, and
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,

In compliance with the request in one of the resolutions of Congress, of the 21st of December last, I transmitted a copy of those resolutions by my Secretary, Mr. Shaw, to Mrs. Washington, assuring her of the profound respect Congress will ever bear to her person and character, of their condolence in the late afflicting dispensation of Providence, and entreating her assent to the interment of the remains of General George Washington, in the manner expressed in the first resolution. As the sentiments of that virtuous lady, not less beloved by this nation than she is at present greatly afflicted, can never be so well expressed as in her own words, I transmit to Congress her original letter.

It would be an attempt of too much delicacy to make any comments upon it; but there can be no doubt that the nation at large, as well as all the branches of the government, will be highly gratified by any arrangement which may diminish the sacrifice she makes of her individual feelings.

John Adams.

Mount Vernon, 31 December, 1799.

Sir,—

While I feel with keenest anguish the late dispensation of Divine Providence, I cannot be insensible to the mournful tributes of respect and veneration, which are paid to the memory of my dear deceased husband; and as his best services and most anxious wishes were always devoted to the welfare and happiness of his country, to know that they were truly appreciated and gratefully remembered, affords no inconsiderable consolation.

Taught by that great example which I have so long had before me, never to oppose my private wishes to the public will, I must consent to the request made by Congress, which you have had the goodness to transmit to me; and in doing this I need not, I cannot say what a sacrifice of individual feeling I make to a sense of public duty.

With grateful acknowledgments and unfeigned thanks for the personal respect and evidences of condolence expressed by Congress and yourself, I remain very respectfully, Sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

Martha Washington.

MESSAGE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES;

TRANSMITTING A LETTER OF JOHN RANDOLPH, JR.

14 January, 1800.

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,

As the inclosed letter from a member of your House, received by me in the night of Saturday, the 11th instant, relates to the privileges of the House, which, in my opinion, ought to be inquired into in the House itself, if any where, I have thought proper to submit the whole letter and its tendencies to your consideration, without any other comments on its matter or style. But as no gross impropriety of conduct, on the part of persons holding commissions in the army or navy of the United States, ought to pass without due animadversion, I have directed the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy to investigate the conduct complained of, and to report to me, without delay, such a statement of facts as will enable me to decide on the course which duty and justice shall appear to prescribe.

John Adams.

MESSAGE TO THE SENATE;

TRANSMITTING A REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

21 January, 1801.

Gentlemen of the Senate,

In compliance with your request, signified in your resolution of the twentieth day of this month, I transmit you a report, made to me by the Secretary of State on the same day, a letter of our late envoys to him of the 4th of October last, an extract of a letter from our minister plenipotentiary in London to him, of the 22d of November last, and an extract of another letter from the minister to the secretary of the 31st of October last.

The reasoning in the letter of our late envoys to France is so fully supported by the writers on the law of nations, particularly by Vattel, as well as by his great masters, Grotius and Pufendorf, that nothing is left to be desired to settle the point, that if there be a collision between two treaties, made with two different powers, the more ancient has the advantage; for no engagement contrary to it can be entered into in the treaty afterwards made; and if this last be found, in any case, incompatible with the more ancient one, its execution is considered as impossible, because the person promising had not the power of acting contrary to his antecedent engagement. Although our right is very clear to negotiate treaties according to our own ideas of right and justice, honor and good faith, yet it must always be a satisfaction to know that the judgment of other nations, with whom we have connection, coincides with ours, and that we have no reason to apprehend that any disagreeable questions and discussions are likely to arise. The letters from Mr. King will, therefore, be read by the Senate with particular satisfaction.

The inconveniences to public officers, and the mischiefs to the public, arising from the publication of the despatches of ministers abroad, are so numerous and so obvious, that I request of the Senate that these papers, especially the letters from Mr. King, be considered in close confidence.

John Adams.

MESSAGE TO THE SENATE;

ON THE CONVENTION WITH FRANCE.

2 March, 1801.

Gentlemen of the Senate,

I have considered the advice and consent of the Senate to the ratification of the convention with France, under certain conditions. Although it would have been more conformable to my own judgment and inclination to have agreed to that instrument unconditionally, yet, as in this point I found I had the misfortune to differ in opinion from so high a constitutional authority as the Senate, I judged it more consistent with the honor and interest of the United States to ratify it under the conditions prescribed, than not at all. I accordingly nominated Mr. Bayard, minister plenipotentiary to the French republic, that he might proceed without delay to Paris to negotiate the exchange of ratifications; but as that gentleman has declined his appointment for reasons equally applicable to every other person suitable for the service, I shall take no further measures relative to this business, and leave the convention with all the documents in the office of State, that my successor may proceed with them according to his wisdom.

John Adams.