which their country takes no part; to punish severely
those persons, citizen or alien, who shall usurp the
cover of our flag for vessels not entitled to it,
infecting thereby with suspicion those of real Americans
and committing us into controversies for the redress
of wrongs not our own; to exact from every nation
the observance toward our vessels and citizens of
those principles and practices which all civilized
people acknowledge; to merit the character of a just
nation, and maintain that of an independent one, preferring
every consequence to insult and habitual wrong.
Congress will consider whether the existing laws enable
us efficaciously to maintain this course with our citizens
in all places and with others while within the limits
of our jurisdiction, and will give them the new modifications
necessary for these objects. Some contraventions
of right have already taken place, both within our
jurisdictional limits and on the high seas. The
friendly disposition of the Governments from whose
agents they have proceeded, as well as their wisdom
and regard for justice, leave us in reasonable expectation
that they will be rectified and prevented in future,
and that no act will be countenanced by them which
threatens to disturb our friendly intercourse.
Separated by a wide ocean from the nations of Europe
and from the political interests which entangle them
together, with productions and wants which render
our commerce and friendship useful to them and theirs
to us, it can not be the interest of any to assail
us, nor ours to disturb them. We should be most
unwise, indeed, were we to cast away the singular
blessings of the position in which nature has placed
us, the opportunity she has endowed us with of pursuing,
at a distance from foreign contentions, the paths
of industry, peace, and happiness, of cultivating
general friendship, and of bringing collisions of
interest to the umpirage of reason rather than of force.
How desirable, then, must it be in a Government like
ours to see its citizens adopt individually the views,
the interests, and the conduct which their country
should pursue, divesting themselves of those passions
and partialities which tend to lessen useful friendships
and to embarrass and embroil us in the calamitous
scenes of Europe. Confident, fellow-citizens,
that you will duly estimate the importance of neutral
dispositions toward the observance of neutral conduct,
that you will be sensible how much it is our duty
to look on the bloody arena spread before us with
commiseration indeed, but with no other wish than to
see it closed, I am persuaded you will cordially cherish
these dispositions in all discussions among yourselves
and in all communications with your constituents;
and I anticipate with satisfaction the measures of
wisdom which the great interests now committed to
you will give you an opportunity of providing,
and myself that of approving and of carrying
into execution with the fidelity I owe to my country,