Our manufactories will require the continued attention of Congress.  The capital employed in them is considerable, and the knowledge acquired in the machinery and fabric of all the most useful manufactures is of great value.  Their preservation, which depends on due encouragement is connected with the high interests of the nation.

Although the progress of the public buildings has been as favorable as circumstances have permitted, it is to be regretted that the Capitol is not yet in a state to receive you.  There is good cause to presume that the two wings, the only parts as yet commenced, will be prepared for that purpose at the next session.  The time seems now to have arrived when this subject may be deemed worthy the attention of Congress on a scale adequate to national purposes.  The completion of the middle building will be necessary to the convenient accommodation of Congress, of the committees, and various offices belonging to it.  It is evident that the other public buildings are altogether insufficient for the accommodation of the several Executive Departments, some of whom are much crowded and even subjected to the necessity of obtaining it in private buildings at some distance from the head of the Department, and with inconvenience to the management of the public business.  Most nations have taken an interest and a pride in the improvement and ornament of their metropolis, and none were more conspicuous in that respect than the ancient republics.  The policy which dictated the establishment of a permanent residence for the National Government and the spirit in which it was commenced and has been prosecuted show that such improvement was thought worthy the attention of this nation.  Its central position, between the northern and southern extremes of our Union, and its approach to the west at the head of a great navigable river which interlocks with the Western waters, prove the wisdom of the councils which established it.

Nothing appears to be more reasonable and proper than that convenient accommodation should be provided on a well-digested plan for the heads of the several Departments and for the Attorney-General, and it is believed that the public ground in the city applied to these objects will be found amply sufficient.  I submit this subject to the consideration of Congress, that such further provision may be made in it as to them may seem proper.

In contemplating the happy situation of the United States, our attention is drawn with peculiar interest to the surviving officers and soldiers of our Revolutionary army, who so eminently contributed by their services to lay its foundation.  Most of those very meritorious citizens have paid the debt of nature and gone to repose.  It is believed that among the survivors there are some not provided for by existing laws, who are reduced to indigence and even to real distress.  These men have a claim on the gratitude of their country, and it will do honor to their country to provide for them.  The lapse of a few years more and the opportunity will be forever lost; indeed, so long already has been the interval that the number to be benefited by any provision which may be made will not be great.