My long experience of the wisdom, fortitude, and patriotism of the Senate of the United States, enhances in my estimation the value of those obliging expressions of your approbation of my conduct, which are a generous reward for the past, and an affecting encouragement to constancy and perseverance in future. Our sentiments appear to be so entirely in unison, that I cannot but believe them to be the rational result of the understandings and the natural feelings of the hearts of Americans in general, on contemplating the present state of the nation. While such principles and affections prevail, they will form an indissoluble bond of union, and a sure pledge that our country has no essential injury to apprehend from any portentous appearances abroad. In a humble reliance on Divine Providence, we may rest assured, that, while we reiterate with sincerity our endeavors to accommodate all our differences with France, the independence of our country cannot be diminished, its dignity degraded, or its glory tarnished, by any nation or combination of nations, whether friends or enemies. JOHN ADAMS. The Senate returned to their own Chamber, and adjourned. FRIDAY, May 26. HUMPHREY MARSHALL, from the State of Kentucky, attended. MONDAY, May 29. JAMES ROSS, from the State of Pennsylvania, attended. SATURDAY, June 24. The following confidential Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: _Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:_ The Dey of Algiers has manifested a predilection for American built vessels, and, in consequence, has desired that two vessels might be constructed and equipped, as cruisers, according to the choice and taste of Captain O'Brien. The cost of two such vessels, built with live oak and cedar, and coppered, with guns and all other equipments complete, is estimated at forty-five thousand dollars. The expense of navigating them to Algiers may, perhaps, be compensated by the freight of the stores with which they may be loaded on account of our stipulations by treaty with the Dey. A compliance with the Dey's request appears to me to be of serious importance. He will repay the whole expense of building and equipping the two vessels; and as he has advanced the price of our peace with Tripoli, and become pledged for that of Tunis, the United States seem to be under peculiar obligations to provide this accommodation; and I trust that Congress will authorize the advance of money necessary for that purpose. JOHN ADAMS. UNITED STATES, _June_ 23, 1797. _Ordered_, That it lie for consideration. SATURDAY, July 1. JAMES GUNN, from the State of Georgia, attended. WEDNESDAY, July 5.