John Adams to George Washington, December 13, 1790

Monday December 13 th 1791 [ 1790 ]

At twelve o’clock the Senate attended upon the President of the
United States at his own House, when the President of the Senate delivered the following
Address. 1

To the President of the United States of America.

We receive, Sir, with particular satisfaction the communications
contained in your Speech, which confirm to us the progressive State of the public
Credit, and afford at the same time, a new proof of the solidity of the foundation on which it rests; and we chearfully join in the
acknowledgement, which is due to the probity and patriotism of the mercantile and Marine
part of our fellow Citizens, whose enlightened attachment to the principles of good
government is not less conspicuous in this, than it has been in other important
respects.

In confidence that every constitutional preliminary has been
observed, we assure you of our disposition to concur in giving the requisite Sanction to
the admission of Kentucky as a distinct member of the Union, in doing which, we shall
anticipate the happy effects to be expected from the sentiments of attachment towards
the Union and its present government, which have been expressed by the Patriotic
inhabitants of that District. 2

While we regret that the continuance and increase of the
hostilities and depredations which have distressed our north western Frontier, should
have rendered Affensive measures necessary, we feel an entire confidence in the
sufficiency of the motives which have produced them, and in the wisdom of the
dispositions which have been concerted in pursuance of the powers vested in you; and
whatever may have been the event, we shall chearfully concur in the provisions which the
expedition that has been undertaken may require on the part of the Legislature, and in
any other which the future peace and safety of our frontier Settlements may call
for.

The critical posture of the European Powers will engage a due
portion of our Attention, and we shall be ready to adopt any measures, which a prudent
circumspection may suggest, for the preservation of the blessings of Peace: The
navigation and fisheries of the United States, are objects too interesting not to
inspire a disposition to promote them, by all the means, which shall appear to us,
consistent with their natural progress, and permanent prosperity.

Impressed with the importance of a free intercourse with the
Mediterranean, we shall not think any Deliberations misemployed which may conduce to the
adoption of proper measures for removing the impediments that obstructed it.

The improvement of the judiciary system, and the other important
objects, to which you have pointed our attention will not fail to engage the
consideration they respectively merit.

In the course of our deliberations, upon every subject, we shall
rely upon that co-operation which an undeminished zeal, and incessant anxiety for the
public welfare on your part, so thoroughly ensure; and as it is our anxious desire, so
it shall be our constant endeavour, to render the established Government more and more
instrumental in promoting the good of our fellow citizens, and
more and more the object of their attachment and confidence.

United States of America.

In Senate December the 13 th 1790

John Adams. Vice President of the United States and President of the
Senate.—