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.

44 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [1794.
against the interruption of the public peace. Nor can
I doubt, that the subjects which I have recommended
to your attention, as depending on legislative provisions, will receive a discussion suited to their importance. With every reason, then, it may be expected,
that your deliberations, under the Divine blessing, will
be matured to the honor and happiness of the United
States.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
SPEECH
TO BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS,
NOVEMBER 19TH, 1794.
FELLOW-CITIZENS OF THE SENATE
AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES)
When we call to mind the gracious indulgence of
Heaven, by which the American people became a nation; when we survey the general prosperity of our
country, and look forward to the riches, power, and
happiness, to which it seems destined; with the deepest regret do I announce to you, that, during your recess, some of the citizens of the United States have
been found capable of an insurrection. It is due,
however, to the character of our government, and to
its stability, which cannot. be shaken by the enemies
of order, freely to unfold the course of this event.
During the session of the year 1790, it was expedient to exercise the legislative power, granted by the
constitution of the United States, "to lay and collect
excises." In a majority of the States, scarcely an
objection was made to this mode of taxation. In
some, indeed, alarms were at first conceived, until they