In pursuing this course, however, I can not forget what is due to the character of our Government and nation, or to a full and entire confidence in the good sense, patriotism, self-respect, and fortitude of my country-men.

Ought our country to remain in such cases dependent on foreign supply, precarious because liable to be interrupted?

However pacific the general policy of a nation may be, it ought never to be without an adequate stock of military knowledge for emergencies.

If the necessary article should in this mode cost more in time of peace, will not the security and independence thence arising form an ample compensation?

The frequent destruction of innocent women and children, who are chiefly the victims of retaliation, must continue to shock humanity, and an enormous expense to drain the Treasury of the Union.

I will only add that it will afford me a heart-felt satisfaction to concur in such further measures as will ascertain to our country the prospect of a speedy extinguishment of the debt.

Posterity may have cause to regret if from any motive intervals of tranquillity are left unimproved for accelerating this valuable end.

Faithful to ourselves, we have violated no obligation to others.

Indeed, whatsoever is unfinished of our system of public credit can not be benefited by procrastination; and as far as may be practicable we ought to place that credit on grounds which can not be disturbed, and to prevent that progressive…

It is now perceived that every expectation from the tenderness which had been hitherto pursued was unavailing, and that further delay could only create an opinion of impotency or irresolution in the Government.

The patronage of our commerce, of our merchants and sea men, has called for the appointment of consuls in foreign countries.

A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite; and their safety and interest require that they should promote such manufactories as tend to render them independent of…

Uniformity in the currency, weights, and measures of the United States is an object of great importance, and will, I am persuaded, be duly attended to.

Nor am I less persuaded that you will agree with me in opinion that there is nothing which can better deserve your patronage than the promotion of science and literature.

Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness.

I saw with peculiar pleasure at the close of the last session the resolution entered into by you expressive of your opinion that an adequate provision for the support of the public credit is a matter of high importance to the national…

The abundant fruits of another year have blessed our country with plenty and with the means of a flourishing commerce.

These aggravated provocations rendered it essential to the safety of the Western settlements that the aggressors should be made sensible that the Government of the Union is not less capable of punishing their crimes than it is disposed to…

The disturbed situation of Europe, and particularly the critical posture of the great maritime powers, whilst it ought to make us the more thankful for the general peace and security enjoyed by the United States, reminds us at the same…

It requires also that we should not overlook the tendency of a war, and even of preparations for a war, among the nations most concerned in active commerce with this country to abridge the means, and thereby at least enhance the price, of…

Our fisheries and the transportation of our own produce offer us abundant means for guarding ourselves against this evil.

The laws you have already passed for the establishment of a judiciary system have opened the doors of justice to all descriptions of persons.

You will consider in your wisdom whether improvements in that system may yet be made, and particularly whether an uniform process of execution on sentences issuing from the Federal courts be not desirable through all the States.

It seems expedient to regulate by law the exercise of that jurisdiction and those functions which are permitted them, either by express convention or by a friendly indulgence, in the places of their residence.

In whatever belongs to my duty you shall have all the cooperation which an undiminished zeal for its welfare can inspire.