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Washington, I)f,c. 2. This day, at 12 o’clock, the Vresident of the United States transmitted to both houses of Congress the following MESSAGE. Tdlow Citizens of the Senate, and House of Representatives : Many important subjects will claim tour attention during the present ses sion, of which I shall endeavor to give, in aid of your deliberations, a just idea in this communication. 1 undertake this dutv with diffidence, from the vast extent of the interests on which I have to treat, and of their great im portance to every portion of our Union. I enter on it with zeal, from a tho rough conviction that there never was a period, since the establishment of our revolution, when, regarding the condition of the civilized world, and its bearing on us, there was greater necessity for devotion in the public servants to their respective duties, or for virtue, patriotism, and union, in our constituents. Meeting in you anew Congress, I deem it proper to present this view of public affairs in greater detail than might otherwise be necessary. I do it, however with a peculiar satisfac tion, from a knowledge that, in this respect, I shall comply more fully with the sound principles of our gov ernment. The people being with us exclusively the sovereign, it is indis pensable that fall information he laid before them on all important sub jects, to enable them to exercise that high power with complete effect. If kept in the dark, they must be incom petent to it. We are all liable to er ror, and those who arc engaged in the management of public affairs, are more subject to excitement, and to be led astray by their particular interests and passions, than the great body of our constituents, who, being at home, in the pursuit of their ordinary avoca tions, are calm but deeply interested spectators of events, and of the con duct of those who are parties to them. To the people, every department of the government, and every individual in each, are responsible and the more full their information, the better they can judge of the wisdom of the policy pursued, and of the conduct of each in regard to it. From their dispassion ate judgement, much aid may always be obtained, while their approbation will form the greatest incentive, and tsost gratifying reward, for virtuous ati.ons and the dread of their censure the best security against the abuse of their confidence. Their interests, in all vital questions, are the same ; and the bond by sentiment,as well as by in terest,will be proportionately strength ened as they are better informed of the. real state of public affairs, especially in difficult conjunctures. It is by such knowledge that local prejudices and jealousies are surmounted, and that a national policy, extending its fostering care and protection to all the great interests *of our union, is formed and steadily adhered to. A precise knowledge of our rela tions with foreign powers, as respects our negotiations and transactions with each, is thought to tee particularly ne cessary. Equally necessary i* it, that we should form a just estimate of our resources, revenue, and progress in every kind of improvement Connected with the national prosperity and pub lic defence. It is by rendering justice to other nations, that we may expect it from them. It is by our ability to resent injuries, and redress wrongs, that we may avoid them. ‘/’be Commissioners under the sth article of the treaty of Ghent, having disagreed in their opinions respecting that portion of the boundary between the territories of the United States and of Great Britain, the establish ment of which had been submitted to them, have made their respective re ports, in compliance with that article, that the same might be referred to the decision of a friendly power. It being manifest, however, that it would be difficult, if not impossible, for any power to perform that office, w ithout great delay and much inconvenience to itself, a proposal lias been made by this government, and acceded to by that of Great Britain, to endeavour to establish that boundary by amicable negotiation. It appearing, from long experience, that no satisfactory ar rangement could be formed of the com mercitl intercourse between the Uni ted .States and the British colonies in this hemisphere, by legislative acts, while each party pursued its own course, without agreement or concert with the other, a proposal has been made it the British government to regulate their commerce bv treaty as hns been to arrange, in like manner, the just claims of the citizens of the U. States, inhabiting the states and terri tories, bordering on the lakes and ri vers which empty into the Saint Law rence, to the navigation of that river to the ocean. For these and other ob jects tf high importance to the inter ests of both parties, a negot afinn h s bean opened with the British govern incut, which, it is hoped, will have a satisfactory result. The Commissioners, under the sixth and seventh articles of the Treaty of Ghent, having successfully closed their labours in relation to the sixth, have proceeded to the discharge of those relating to the seventh. T heir progress in tiie extensive survey, re quired for the performance of their duties, justifies the presumption that it will be completed in the ensuing year. The negotiation which had been long depending with the French go vernment on several important sub jects and particularly for a just in demnity for losses sustained in the late wars by the citizens of the United States, under unjustifiable seizures and confiscations of their property,has not, as yet, had the desired effect. — As this claim rests onthe same princi ple with others which have been ad mitted by the French government, if is not perceived on what just ground it can be rejected. A minister will be immediately appointed to proceed to France, and resume the negotiation on this and other subjects which may arise between the two nations. At the proposal of the Russian Im perial government, made through tlte Minister of the Emperor, residing here, a full power and instructions have been transmitted to the Minister of the United Slates at St. Petersburg, to arrange, by amicable negotiation the respective rights and interests of the two nationson the north-west coast of this continent. A similar proposal had been made by his Imperial Ma jesty to the government of Great Bri tain, which has likewise been acceded to. The government of the U. States has been desirous, by this, friendly proceeding, of manifesting the great value which they have invariably at tached to the friendship of the Empe ror, and their solicitude to cultivate the best understanding with his go vernment. In the discussions to which this interest has given rise, and in the arrangements by which they may ter minate, the -occasion has been judged proper, for asserting, as a principle in which the rights and interests of the United States are involved, that the American continents by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are hence forth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any Europe an powers. Since the close of the last session of Congress, the commissioners and ar bitrators for ascertaining and deter mining the amount of indemnification which may be due to the citizens of the United States under the decision of his Imperial Majesty, the Emperor! of Russia, in conformity to the con- 1 ventiun concluded at St. Petersburg, j on the 12th of July, 1822, have as9cm-j hied in this city, and organized them selves as a board for the performance of the duties assigned to them by that treaty. The commission constituted under the Uth article of the treaty of the 22d of February, 1819, between the United States and Spain, is also in session here ; and, as the term of three years limited by the treaty, for the ex ecution of the trust, will expire before the period of the next regular meeting of Cougress, the attention of the Le gislature will be drawn to the measure which may be necessary to accomplish the objects sot which the commission was instituted. In compliance with a Resolution of the House of Representatives, adopted at their last session, instructions have been given to all the Ministers of the U. S. accredited to the powers of Eu rope and America, to propose the pro scription of the African slave trade,by classing it under the denomination, and indicting on its perpetrators the punishment of piracy. Should this proposal be acceded to, it is not doubt ed, that this odious and criminal prac tice will be promptly and entirely sup pressed. It is earnestly hoped that it will be acceded to, from the firm be lief that it is the most effectual expedi ent that can be adopted for the pur oose. i At the commencement of the recent war between France and Spain, it was declared by the French government, that it would grant no commissions to privateers, and that neither the com merce of Spain herself, nor of neutral nations, should be molested by the na val force of France, except in the breach of a lawful blockade. This de claration which appears to have been faithfully carried into eQect, concur ring with principles proclaimed and cherished by the United States, from the first establishment of their inde pendence, suggested the hope, that the time had arrived when the proposal for adopting it a9 a permanent and in variable rule, in all future maritime wars, might meet the favorable consi deration of the great European powers. Instructions have accordingly been gi ven to our ministers with France, jßussia, and Great //ritain, to snake! those proposals to their respective go vernments ; anti, when the triemls ot humanity reflect on the essential ame lioration to the condition of the hu man race which would result from the abolition of private war on the sea, ar.d on the great facility by which it might be accomplished, requiring only the consent of a few sovereigns, an earnest hope is indulged that these overtures will meet with an attention animated by the spirit in which they wdre made, and that they will ulti mately be successful. ‘File Ministers who were appointed to the Republics of Colombia and Bue nos Ayres, during the last session of Congress, proceeded shortly after wards to their destinations. Os their arrival there, official intelligence has not yet been received. The Minister appointed to the Republic of Chili will sail in a few days. An early ap pointment will also be made to Mexi co. A Minister has been received from 9clotnbia, and the other govern ments have been informed that Minis ters, or Diplomatic Agents of inferior grade, would be received from each, accordingly as they might prefer the our or the other. ‘/’lie Minister appointed to Spain proceeded, soon after his appointment, tor Cadiz, the residence of the Sove reign, to whom he was accredited.— In approaching that port, the frigate which conveyed him was warned off'by the commander of the French squad ron, bv w’hich it was blockaded and not permitted to enter, although ap prized by the captain of the frigate, of the public character of the person whom he had on board, the landing of whom was the sole object of his pro posed e ntrv.—This act, being consid ered an infringement of the rights of ambassadors, and of nations, will form a just cause of complaint, to the gov ernment of France, against the officer by whom it was committed. The actual condition of the public finances more than realizes the favor able anticipations that were entertain ed of it at the opening of the last ses sion of Congress. On the first of Jan uary there was a balance in the Treas ury of 84,237,427 55. From that time to the 50th September, the re ceipts amounted to upwards of 816,- 100,000 and the expenditures to 811,- 400,000. During the fourth quarter of the year, it is estimated, that the receipts will, at least, equal the expen ditures, and that there will remain in the Treasury on the Ist day of Janu ary next a surplus of nearly 89,000,- 000. On the Ist of January, 1825, a large amount of the war debt, and a part of the Revolutionary debt, become re deemable. Additional portions of the former will continue to become redeemable, annually, until the year 1835. It is believed, however, that, if the U. States remain at peace, the whole of that debt may be redeemed by the ordinary revenue of those years during that period, under the provision of the act of March 3,1817, creating the sinking fund, and in that case, the only part of the debt that will remain after the year 1835, will be the seven millions of five per cant, stock sub scribed to the Bank of the U. States, and the three per cent. Revolutiona ry debt, amounting to 813,296,099 6 both of whieh are redeemable at the pleasure of the government. The state of the army in its organi zation and discipline, has been grad ually improving for several years, and has now attained a high degree of per fection. The Military disbursements have been regularly made and the accounts regularly and promptly ren dered for settlement. The supplies of various descriptions has been of good quality and regularly issued at ail of the costs. A system of econo my and accountability has been- in troduced into every branch of the ser vice, which admits of little additional improvement. This desirable state has been attained by the act re-organ izing the staff'of the army passed* 5 on the 14th of April 1818. Ihe moneys appropriated for forti fications have been ready and econom ically applied, and all the works ad vanced as rapidly as the amount ap propriated would admit. Three im portant works will be completed in the course of this year;that is, Fort Wash ington, Fort Delaware, and the Fort at the Rigolets, in Louisiana. The Board of Engineers, and the Topographical Corps, have been in constant and active service, in sur veying the coast, and projecting the works necessary for its defence. The Military Academy has attained a degree of perfection in its discipline and instruction, equal, as is believed, to any institution of its kind in any country. Tbe money appropriated for the use of the Ordnance Department, has been regularly and economically applied. The fabrication of arms at"the national armories, anil by contract with the De partment, has been gradually improv ing iu quality and cheapness. It is believed that (heir quality is now such as to admit of but little improve ment. _ ... Tbe completion of the fortification renders it necessary that there should be a suitable appropriation for the purpose of fabricating cannon anil carriages necessary lor those works. Under the appropriation of 85000, for exploring the western waters f>r the location of a site for a Western Armory, a commission was ennstitu- ; teil, consisting of col. Mcßce, col. Lee ; and capt. Talcott, who have been en gaged in exploring the country. 1 hev have not yet reported the result of their labours, but it is believed that they will he prepared to do it at an earlv part of the session of congress. During the month of June last (ion. Ashley and his party , who werfc trad ing under a license from the govern ment, were attacked by the Ricarees while peaceably trading with the In dians, at their request. Several of the party were killed and wounded and their property taken or destroyed. Col. Leavenworth, who commanded at Fort Atkinson,at the Council-Bluffs the mo9t western post, apprehending that the hostile spirit of the Ricarees would extend to other tribe* in that quarter, and that thereby the lives of the traders on the Missouri, and the peace of the frontier, would be en dangered, took immediate measures to check (he evil. With a detachment of the regiment stationed at the Bluffs he successfully attacked the Ricarec village, and it is hoped *'iat such an impression has been made on them, as well as on the other tribe* of the Mis souri, ns will prevent a recurrence of future hostility. The report of the Secretary of War which is herewith transmitted, will ex hibit in greater detail, the condition of the Department, in its various branch es, and the progress which has been made in its administration during the three first quarters of the vear. I transmit a return of the militia of the several states, according to the last reports which have been made bv proper officers in each, *o the. Depart ment of War. By reference to this return it will be seen that it is not complete, although great exertions have been used to make it so. As the defence, and even the liberties of the country must depend, in times of im minent danger, on the militia, it is of the highest importance, that it be well organized, armed and disciplined throughout the Union. The report of the Secretary of War shows the pro gress made during the three first quar ters of the present vear by the appli cation of the fund appropriated for arming the militia. Much difficulty is found in distributing the arms ac cording to the act of Congress provi ding for it, from the failure of the pro per departments in many of the states to make regular returns. The act of May 12, 1820, provides that the sys tem of tactics and regulations of the various corps of the regular armv shall be extended to the Militia. This act has been very imperfectly executed, from the want of unifoimity in the or ganization of the militia, proceeding from the defects of the system itself, and especially in its application to the main arm of the public defence. It is thought that this important subject, in all its branches, merits the attention of Congress. The report of the Secretary of the Navy, which is now communicated, furnishes an account of the adminis tration of that department, for the first three quartersof the present year,with the progress made in augmenting the navy, and the manner in which the vessels in commission have been em ployed. ‘The usual force has been maintain ed in the Mediterranean sea, the Paci fic octan, and along the Atlantic coast, and has afforded the necessary protec tion to our commerce in those seas. In the West Indies and the Gulpli of Mexico, our naval force has been augmented by the addition of several small vessels, provided for by the * act authorising an additional naval force for the suppression of piracy,’ passed by congress at their last session. That armament has been eminently success ful in the accomplishment of its object. The piracies, by which our commerce in the neighbourhood of the island of Cuba bad been afflicted, have been re pressed, ami the confidence of our merchants in agreat measure restored. The patriotic Zeal and enterprise of coin. Porter, to whom the command of the expedition was confided, has been fully seconded by the officers and men under his command. And in reflect ing with high satisfaction on the hon orable manner in which they have sus tained the reputation of their country and its navy, the sentiment is alloyed only by a concern, that in the fulfil ment of that arduous service, the dis eases incident to the season, and to the climate, in which it was discharged, have deprived the nation of many use ful lives, and among them of several officers of great promise. In the month of Augist, a very ma lqjnant fever made its appearance at Thompson** Island which threat.. - the destruction of our station the- Many perished ; ami the of.icer was severely attack ‘d, r‘’ tain as to his fate,'and knowing"?; most of the medical officers had’ b rendered incapable of ditchaS* their duties, it was thought exnedm to send to that post an officer of and experience, with several surgeons to ascertain the origin ( ,f fever ami the probability of reej rence there in future seasons; /’ tiisli every assistance to those were suffering, and if practicable *” avoid the necessity of abandoning* important a staMon. Com. with a promptitude which did nour, cheerfully accepted that try • and lias discharged it in the main - anticipated from his skill and ism. Before his arrival, com. p or ; c ' r * with the greater part of the squadron’ had removed from the island, amj re turned to the U. S. in consequence 0 f the prevailing sickness. Much useQ information, has however been obtain ed, as to the state of the island, great relief afforded to those who had been necessarily left there. Although our expedition, co-open ting with an invigorated administre tion of the government of Cuba, ail with the corresponding active exet tions of a British naval force in ifo same seas, have almost entirely 4. stroyed the unlicensed piracies'fron that island, the success of our esc. tions has not been equally effectual# suppress the 9ame crime under othr pretences and colors, in the neighbor mg island of Porto Rico. They hav> been committed there under the abu sive issue of Spanish commissions.- At an early period of the present verr remonstrances were made,to the (>#•. ernor, by an agent who was sent fo tbe purpose, against those outrages ui the peaceful commerce of the U. B, of which many had occurred. That if licer, professing hvs own want of ai thorithy to make satisfaction for ur just complaints, answered only by# reference of them to the governmtif of Spain. The minister of the T. to that court was specially instructs to urge the necessity of the immediaie and effectual interposition of thatp vernment, directing restitution ani indemnity for wrongs already commit ted, and interdicting the repetition o: them. The minister, as has been seet was debarred access to the Spanish government, and, in the mean time,se veral new cases of flagrant outrage hare occurred and citizens of the U.S in the island of Porto Rico have sir sered, and others have beau threatened with assassination, for asseriing ther unquestionable rights, even before tie lawful tribunals of the country. The usual orders hafe been giveat all our public ships, to seize Anterior, vessels engaged in the slave traic, and bring them in for adjucaUon,aul 1 have the gratification to state, tlaf not one so employed has been disc? ered, and there is good reason to le lieve that our flag is now’ seldom, ifat all disgraced by that traffic. It is a source of great satisfacti®, that we are always enabled to recur# the conduct of our Navy with pruf and commendation. As & means if national defence, it enjoys the pubic confidence, and is stcadilv assumii; additional importance. His submt ted whether a more efficient aw! equally economical organization of it might not, in several respects be ■ fected. It is supposed that grades than these which now exist!)# law would be useful. They wow afford w’ell merited rewards to th ;! who have long and faithirdly ser*d their country ; present the best it* centives to good conduct, ani the W means of insuring a proper disciple destroy the inequality in that resjtd between military and naval service and relieve our officers from many ll '* conveniences and mortifications, wbek occur when our vessels meet those 0 * of other nations —ours being the o service it which such grades do 10 exist. A report of the Post Master ml, which accompanies this conn |Ui: cation, will shew the present the post office department, and neral operations tor some year* p l '” There is established by law, w GOO miles of post roads, on whuij the mail is now transported 85/ miles, and contracts have made for its transportation on J the established routes, with or two exceptions. There arc 5, post offices in the Union, r,t ! “ many postmasters. ‘I he g amount of postage which accrt .. from the Ist of July, 1822, to th f of July, 1823, was ’ Duiiig the same period the 1 penditure of the Post Offic e partment amounted to SHdy ’ , 51; and consisted of the o^s - : Compensation to P° ters, 8353,995 98 ; incidental • penses, 830,866 37 ; transport” of the mail, 8784,000 8 ; P t h into the Treasury J 5423 8- v 4