eur merchants and seamen that their rights are not sacrificed nor their injuries forgotten.

We regret that notwithstanding the clear and explicit terms of the treaty between the United States and his Catholic Majesty, the Spanish garrisons are not yet withdrawn from our territory, nor the running of the boundary line commenced.

"The United States have been faithful in the performance of their obligations to Spain, and had reason to expect a compliance equally prompt on the part of that power. We still, however, indulge the hope that the convincing answers which have been given to the objections stated by the Spanish officers to the immediate execution of the treaty, will have their proper effect, and that this treaty, so mutually benefical to the contracting parties, will be finally observed with good faith.... we, therefore, entirely approve of your determination to continue in readiness to receive the posts, and to run the line of partition between our territory and that of the King of Spain. Attempts to alienate the affections of the Indians, to form them into actual hostility against the United States, whether made by foreign agents or by others, are so injurious to our interests at large, and so inhuman with respect to our citizens inhabiting the adjacent territory, as to deserve the most exemplary punishment, and we will cheerfully afford our aid in framing a law which may prescribe a punishment adequate to the commission of crimes so heinous..

"The several objects you have pointed out to the attention of the Legislature, whether they regard our internal or external relations, shall receive from us that attention which they merit, and we will readily concur, in all such measures as may be necessary, either to enable us to fulfil our engagements at home or to cause ourselves to be respected abroad; and at this portentous period, when the powers of Europe, with whom we are connected by treaty or commerce, are in so critical a situation, and when the conduct of some of those powers towards the United States is so hostile and menacing, the several branches of the government, are, in our opinion, called upon with peculiar importunity to unite, and, by union, not only to devise and to carry into effect these measures, on which the safety and prosperity of our country depend, but also to undeceive those nations, who, regarding us as a weak and divided people, have pursued systems of aggression inconsistent with a state of peace between independent nations. And, sir, we beg leave to assure you, that we derive a singular consolation from the reflection, that at such a time the Executive part of our government has been committed to your hands; for in your integrity, talents and firmness, we place the most entire confidence."

To this address the President was pleased to give a few words in reply, complimenting them in his turn, upon their wisdom, their penetration, and independent spirit.

The House of Representatives delivered their address the day following, and received the honor of tasting the wine and breaking the bread of the President. Mr. Lyon, of Vermont, was the only member who had the firmness to refuse attending this procession.

The first important business which came before Congress this session, was the conspiracy of governor Blount. Mr. Sitgreaves, on the 4th of December, brought up the report from the committee which had been appointed for the purpose of collecting evidence relative to this subject. In their report the committee state, that soon after their appointment, they received a trunk from J. Ross, Esq. containing sundry papers belonging to William Blount, which had been seized by order of the Senate. From a perusal of these papers, it appeared that one Nicholas Romayne, a practitioner of physic, in New-York, was intimately connected with Blount. They, therefore, conceived it to be their duty to secure the person of Romayne, and for that purpose issued a writ, the execution of which they placed in the hands of the Secretary of State, who appointed Captain W. Eaton, messenger on the occasion. This messenger returned with Romayne and his papers, which he also seized on the 10th of July. Mr. Romayne, after being examined, gave security for his appearance before the Senate on the trial of Blount.

Major Lewis was appointed by the committee to secure James Carey and one James Grant,

who also appeared to have had connections with Blount. Mr. William Davy, of Philadelphia, was examined respecting a Mr. Chisholm, who sailed for London in a vessel chartered by him, having his passage paid by Mr. Liston. Mr. Davy recollected a conversation which passed between Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Thornton, the Deputy of Mr. Liston, who promised Chisholm the command of a squadron to act against Pensacola. He also produced a letter from his brother in London, mentioning that Chisholm endeavored to get money from him; but before he gave him any, he applied to Lord Grenville's office, to know if he had got any money from thence, and finding they had supplied him largely, he declined letting him have any.

The deposition of Dr. Romayne was nearly as follows: He stated that he had been acquainted with Mr. Blount since 1782; that his first acquaintance with Chisholm, was whilst in treaty with Mr. Blount in land speculation. Some time afterwards he intended going to London to sell lands, but abandoned that design, owing to property falling in price. He said governor Blount promised to procure a bill to enable aliens to hold land in the State of Tennessee. He confessed that Blount used often to regret that the English did not possess Louisiana, and spoke of going to England on that business, for that they had much better possess it than the French; that it was agreed on between Blount and himself, to sound certain persons in Philadelphia, as well as in Virginia and the

Southern States, on this subject; but that the whole business had been dropped for some time, by Blount's neglecting to answer his letters.

The letters which passed between Blount and Romayne have dates from February to May, 1797, and were chiefly on the project of going to England on the business of Louisiana. In these letters Dr. Romayne frequently speaks with confidence of success, and often remarks upon the critical situation of the European powers, and the improbability of peace.

Several letters passed between Romayne and Mr. Liston, but the former acknowledged their being destroyed, except the following one, which, of itself is a sufficient proof of the conspiracy on the part of the British minister:

Philadelphia, 28th April, 1797.

"I am much indebted to you, Sir, for your friendly letter of the 14th of this month, inclosing one from Mr. Pulteney, whose good opinion gives me high satisfaction. (That letter is now returned.)

"Taking it for granted that I understand to what business you allude, I could wish to have a full examination of your sentiments on the subject. It may be done, I think, in writing; you may depend on secrecy and discretion on my part.

"The general sketch of what has taken place here, is, that a person came to me to make certain important propositions of enterprize, to which I listened, but said I had no power to act.