It does not go to the satisfaction of all our claims, but the express reservation of our right to press the validity of the residue has been made the ground of further instructions to our minister.

But as the possession of these provinces is still in Spain, and the course of events may retard or prevent the cession to France being carried into effect, to secure our object it will be expedient to address equal powers to the Government of Spain also, to be used only in the event of its being necessary.

While my confidence in our minister plenipotentiary at Paris is entire and undiminished, I still think that these objects might be promoted by joining with him a person sent from hence directly, carrying with him the feelings and sentiments of the nation excited on the late occurrence, impressed by full communications of all the views we entertain on this interesting subject.

Should any others in consequence of this be made during the session of Congress, they shall be immediately communicated.

They are, as you will perceive, but a small proportion of the whole.

Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government * * * whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights.

Those who are to be the judges of the law ought to be independent, and under the influence of none but heaven.

The wisdom of a few has often outweighed the clamor of many.

A strong sense of the value of union induced the people, at a very early period, to institute a federal government.

The Union will be more happy, more respectable, and more durable, if all the parts of it consider themselves as mutual friends and fellow-citizens.

It is not to be doubted that a unanimous and punctual observance of treaties and public engagements are the best fruits of good faith and honorable integrity.

Among the many objects to which a wise and free people find it necessary to direct their attention, that of providing for their safety seems to be the first.

Providence has been pleased to give this one connected country to one united people—a people descended from the same ancestors, speaking the same language, professing the same religion, attached to the same principles of government.

The people are the sovereign of this country, and consequently the founders of such a society as that of the United States.

To all general purposes we have uniformly been one people, each individual citizen everywhere enjoying the same national rights, privileges, and protection.

Nothing is more certain than the indispensable necessity of government, and it is equally undeniable, that whenever and however it is instituted, the people must cede to it some of their natural rights, in order to vest it with requisite powers.