The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

42 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [1793.
of the true wisdom of encountering a small present
addition to their contributions, to obviate a future accumulation of burdens.
But here I cannot forbear to recommend a repeal
of the tax on the transportation of public prints.
There is no resource so firm for the government of
the United States, as the affections of the people,
guided by an enlightened policy; and to this primary
good, nothing can conduce more than a faithful representation of public proceedings, diffused without restraint throughout the United States.
An estimate of the appropriations necessary for the
current service of the ensuing year, and a statement
of a purchase of arms and military stores made during
the recess, will be presented to Congress.
GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE
AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
The several subjects, to which I have now referred,
open a wide range to your deliberations, and involve
some of the choicest interests of our common country.
Permit me to bring to your remembrance the magnitude of your task. Without an unprejudiced coolness,
the welfare of the government may be hazarded;
without harmony, as far as consists with freedom of
sentiment, its dignity mnay be lost. But as the legislative proceedings of the United States will never, I
trust, be reproached for the want of temper or candor; so shall not the public happiness languish from
the want of my strenuous and warmest cooperations.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.