GEORGE WASHINGTON.

UNITED STATES, March 8, 1796.

Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives: 

I send herewith, for the information of Congress, the treaty concluded between the United States and the Dey and Regency of Algiers.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

UNITED STATES, March 15, 1796.

Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives: 

By the ninth section of the act entitled “An act to provide a naval armament” it is enacted “that if a peace shall take place between the United States and the Regency of Algiers, that no further proceedings be had under this act.”

The peace which is here contemplated having taken place, it is incumbent upon the Executive to suspend all orders respecting the building of the frigates, procuring materials for them, or preparing materials already obtained, which may be done without intrenching upon contracts or agreements made and entered into before this event.

But inasmuch as the loss which the public would incur might be considerable from dissipation of workmen, from certain works or operations being suddenly dropped or left unfinished, and from the derangement in the whole system consequent upon an immediate suspension of all proceedings under it, I have therefore thought advisable, before taking such a step, to submit the subject to the Senate and House of Representatives, that such measures may be adopted in the premises as may best comport with the public interest.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

UNITED STATES, March 25, 1796.

Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives: 

I send herewith, for your information, the translation of a letter from the minister plenipotentiary of the French Republic to the Secretary of State, announcing the peace made by the Republic with the Kings of Prussia and Spain, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, and the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel, and that the republican constitution decreed by the National Convention had been accepted by the people of France and was in operation.  I also send you a copy of the answer given by my direction to this communication from the French minister.  My sentiments therein expressed I am persuaded will harmonize with yours and with those of all my fellow-citizens.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

UNITED STATES, March 29, 1796.

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: 

I send herewith a copy of the treaty of friendship, limits, and navigation, concluded on the 27th of October last, between the United States and His Catholic Majesty.  This treaty has been ratified by me agreeably to the Constitution, and the ratification has been dispatched for Spain, where it will doubtless be immediately ratified by His Catholic Majesty.