Defeat of Harmar....

Adjournment of congress.
{1790} On the eighth of January, 1790, the President met both houses of congress in the senate chamber.
[Sidenote: Meeting of the second session of the first congress.] In his speech, which was delivered from the chair of the vice president, after congratulating congress on the accession of the important state of North Carolina to the union, and on the prosperous aspect of American affairs, he proceeded to recommend certain great objects of legislation to their more especial consideration.
"Among the many interesting objects," continued the speech, "which will engage your attention, that of providing for the common defence will merit your particular regard.

To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
"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 on others for essential, particularly for military supplies." As connected with this subject, a proper establishment for the troops which they might deem indispensable, was suggested for their mature deliberation; and the indications of a hostile temper given by several tribes of Indians, were considered as admonishing them of the necessity of being prepared to afford protection to the frontiers, and to punish aggression.
The interests of the United States were declared to require that the means of keeping up their intercourse with foreign nations should be provided; and the expediency of establishing a uniform rule of naturalization was suggested.
After expressing his confidence in their attention to many improvements essential to the prosperity of the interior, the President added, "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.

In one, in which the measures of government receive their impression so immediately from the sense of the community as in ours, it is proportionably essential.