Under this view of our affairs, I should hold myself guilty of a neglect of duty if I forbore to recommend that we should make every exertion to protect our commerce and to place our country in a suitable posture of defense as the only sure means of preserving both.
Adams feels a duty to recommend measures to protect commerce and national defense.
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More from John Adams
The faith of society is pledged for the preservation of the rights of commercial and sea faring no less than of the other citizens.
An efficient preparation for war can alone insure peace.
The consequences arising from the continual accumulation of public debts in other countries ought to admonish us to be careful to prevent their growth in our own.
It is my duty to recommend to your serious consideration those objects which by the Constitution are placed particularly within your sphere--the national debts and taxes.