Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

At a general meeting of the inhabitants of the city of Perth Amboy, in the State of New-Jersey, on Monday the 7th day of May, 1798--John Angus, Esquire, in the chair:

Resolved unanimously, That the following Address to the President of the United States, be signed by the Chairman in behalf of this meeting, and transmitted by him to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, with a request that he will present the same to the President.

To the President of the United States.

SIR,

THE inhabitants of the city of Perth Amboy in the State of New-Jersey, beg leave at this important crisis, to join the general voice of their fellow citizens in other parts of the United States, in expressing to you their sincere and unequivocal approbation of the measures which have been adopted and pursued by the government, to preserve the blessings of peace to the country, and particularly to restore harmony with the Republic of France.

We reflect with gratitude on the earnest solicitude and successful endeavours of your illustrious Predecessor, to avoid a participation in the desolatory European War; and we acknowledge with pleasure a correspondent sentiment, on a review of the wise, firm and patriotic measures of your Administration.

Although we deprecate a war with any nation, and deplore the prospect that now threatens our peace; yet under such auspices, and relying on the unanimity of the people and the justice of our cause, we may look forward with confidence to the favourable issue of a contest, even with that nation who, flushed with victory, has insolently threatened our country with the humiliating fate of Venice.

The exercise of a foreign influence in the United States is so degrading, that we trust every American will repel with indignation any attempt of that nature-For ourselves, we disdain the spirit that would bend to a mean subserviency to the views of any foreign power whatsoever.

Feeling an unlimited attachment to and confidence in the Government of the United States, we do not hesitate to declare our determination to support, to the utmost of our power, every measure deemed necessary for the defence of the honor, interest, and independence of our Country.

By the unanimous order of the Meeting.

JOHN ANGUS, Chairman.
ANSWER.

To the Inhabitants of the city of Perth Amboy in the State of New-Jersey.

GENTLEMEN,

I THANK you for your unanimous Address, ordered at a general meeting, and presented to me by the Speaker, Mr. Dayton, and for joining the general voice of our fellow citizens, in expressing their sincere and unequivocal approbation of the measures which have been pursued by the Government, to preserve the blessings of peace, and restore harmony with the republic of France.

Your gratitude is justly due to the earnest solicitude and successful endeavours of my illustrious Predecessor, to avoid a participation in the desolating European War; and your acknowledgment of a correspondent sentiment, on a review of the measures of my Administration, does me great honour and receives my best thanks.

Relying on the unanimity of the people, and the justice of our cause, we may look forward with confidence to a favourable issue of any necessary contest, with any nation, however inflated with victories.

It is too much to expect, that every American will repel with indignation any attempt at a foreign influence; some will raise their hopes of ambition, and others of avarice, upon such influence. These passions, if not controlled by a religious, sacred sense of moral obligation, will soon form a formidable party in any nation, especially in a commercial nation.

That the morals and religion of this country have been attempted, by measures the most daring and by others the most insidious, for this very purpose of erecting and aiding a foreign influence, I appeal to your own observation and submit to your reflections—

I give you full credit, for your disdain of the spirit, that would bend to a mean subserviency to the views of any foreign power.

For your attachment to the Government of the United States and confidence in it; and for your determination to support, to the utmost of your power, every measure necessary for the defence of the honor, interest, and independence of our Country. you deserve the highest praise of the best Citizens.

Signed) JOHN ADAMS.

Philadelphia, May 15, 1798.