The considerations which respect the right to hold this conduct, it is not necessary on this occasion
to detail.  I will only observe, that according to my understanding of the matter, that right, so
far from being denied by any of the belligerent powers, has been virtually admitted by all.
    The duty of holding a neutral conduct may be inferred, without any thing more, from the obligation
which justice and humanity impose on every nation, in cases in which it is free to act, to maintain
inviolate the relations of peace and amity towards other nations.
    The inducements of interest for observing that conduct will best be referred to your own reflections
and experience.  With me, a predominant motive, has been to endeavour to gain time to our
country to settle and mature its yet recent institutions, and to progress without interruption, to that
degree of strength and consistency, which is necessary to give it, humanly speaking, the command
of its own fortunes.
    Though in reviewing the incidents of my administration, I am unconscious of intentional error;
I am nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed
many errors.  Whatever they may be I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils
to which they may tend.  I shall also carry with me hope that my country will never cease to
view them with indulgence; and that after forty-five years of my life dedicated to its service, with
an upright zeal, the faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as myself must
soon be to the mansions of rest.
    Relying on its kindness in this as in other things, and actuated by that fervent love towards it.
which is so natural to a man, who views in it the native soul of himself and his progenitors for
several generations; I anticipate with pleasing expectation that retreat, in which I promote myself to
realize, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst of my fellow-citizens, the
benign influence of good laws under a free government--the ever favourite object of my heart, and
the happy regard, as I trust, of our mutual cares, labours and dangers.
                                                                                                G.  WASHINGTON.
    UNITED STATES, 17th September, 1796.

    The clerk of the house delivers to the clerk of the senate the following resolutions:

    THE senate met.  Present the same members as on yesterday.  The proceedings of yesterday
were read.
    The bill, entitled, An act to authorise and empower the president and directors of the Patowmack
company to contract the breadth of the locks at the Great Falls of Patowmack, was sent to the
house of delegates by the clerk.
    The clerk of the house of delegates delivers to the clerk of the senate a bill, entitled, An act for
recognizing the coin of the United States, and the value of foreign coins, as established by the acts
of the congress of the United States, thus endorsed; " By the house of delegates, December 1, 1796:
" Read the first time and ordered to lie on the table.
                                                                " By order,                          W.  HARWOOD, clk.