United States, June 21, 1798.

Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the Goose of Representatives:

While I congratulate you on the arrival of General Marshall, one of our late envoys extraordinary to the French Republic, at a place of safety, where he is justly held in honor, I think it my duty to communicate to you a letter received by him from Mr. Gerry, the only one of the three who has not received his conge. This letter, together with another: from the minister of foreign relations to him of the 3d of April, and his answer of the 4th, will shew the situation in which he remains-his intentions and prospects.

I presume that before this time he has received fresh instructions (a copy of which accompanies this message) to consent to no loans, and therefore the negotiation may be considered at an end.

I will never send another minister to France without assurances that he will be received, respected, and honored as the representative of a great, free, powerful, and independent nation.(1)

JOHN ADAMS.

(1) See the Message to the Senate of February 18, 1799 for the French responce contained in a letter from Talleyrand. [Note added by the Avalon Project]. Back