I now lay before you a statement of the circumstances attending the destruction of the frigate Philadelphia.

That individuals should undertake to wage private war, independently of the authority of their country, can not be permitted in a well-ordered society.

The state of our finances continues to fulfill our expectations.

No circumstance has arisen since your last session which calls for any augmentation of our regular military force.

In these and all other matters which you in your wisdom may propose for the good of our country you may count with assurance on my hearty cooperation and faithful execution.

Peace and intercourse with the other powers on the same coast continue on the footing on which they are established by treaty.

Now know ye that I, Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States, do hereby decide that all the above-mentioned shores, waters, inlets, creeks, and rivers lying within the boundaries of the United States shall constitute and form a separate district, to be denominated 'the district of Mobile'; and do also designate Fort Stoddert, within the district aforesaid, to be the port of entry and delivery for the said district.

Their incompleteness is much to be regretted, and its remedy may at some future time be a subject worthy the attention of Congress.

I recommend, therefore, to the consideration of Congress such an addition to that appropriation as they may think the exigency requires.

This accident renders it expedient to increase our force and enlarge our expenses in the Mediterranean beyond what the last appropriation for the naval service contemplated.

In execution of the act of the present session of Congress for taking possession of Louisiana, as ceded to us by France, and for the temporary government thereof, Governor Claiborne of the Mississippi Territory, and General Wilkinson were appointed commissioners to receive possession.

Our commissioners, on their arrival at New Orleans, found the Province already delivered by the commissioners of Spain to that of France, who delivered it over to them on the 20th day of December, as appears by their declaratory act accompanying this.

Governor Claiborne, being duly invested with the powers heretofore exercised by the governor and intendant of Louisiana, assumed the government on the same day, and for the maintenance of law and order immediately issued the proclamation and address now communicated.

No occasion having arisen for making use of any part of it in the present year, the balance of $18,560 unexpended at the end of the last year remains now in the Treasury.

I now communicate what has since passed on that subject.

The Senate will judge whether the prospect it offers will justify a longer suspension of that portion of indemnities conceded by Spain should she now take no advantage of the lapse of the period for ratification.

As the settlement of the boundaries of Louisiana will call for new negotiations on our receiving possession of that Province, the claims not obtained by the convention now before the Senate may be incorporated into those discussions.

In compliance with the desire of the Senate expressed in their resolution of the 22d of November, on the impressment of seamen in the service of the United States by the agents of foreign nations, I now lay before the Senate a letter from the Secretary of State with a specification of the cases of which information has been received.