Thomas Jefferson: “We must join in the unprofitable contest of trying which party can do the other the most harm.”

I now render to Congress the account of the fund established for defraying the contingent expenses of Government for the year 1808.

$2,000 were deposited in the hands of the Attorney-General of the United States to pay expenses incident to the prosecution of Aaron Burr and his accomplices for treason and misdemeanors alleged to have been committed by them.

I transmit to Congress a letter recently received from our minister at the Court of St. James, covering one to him from the British secretary of state, with his reply.

I now lay before Congress a statement of the militia of the United States according to the latest returns received by the Department of War.