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Georgia Journal Office,
MONDAY MORNING, December 24. j *10]
$j* Wv hash n to lay before our readers, the following MESSAGE of the President, communica
ted to Congress on the 5th ult.
Fellow Citizens of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives.
The embarrassments which have
prevailed in our foreign relations,
uul so much employed the delibera
tions of Congress, make it a primary
duty, in meeting you, to cotnmuni-
fcute whatever may have occurred in
that branch of our national affairs.
The act of the last session of Con
gress “ concerning the commercial
intercourse between the United
States and Great-Britam and France
and their dependencies,” having in
vited, in a new form, a termination
of their edicts against our neutral
commerce, copies of the act were im
mediately forwarded to our ministers
at London and Paris ; with a view
that its oojcct might be within the
t arty attention of the French and
British governments.
by the communication received thro’
four minister at Paris, it appeared,
that a knowledge, of the act by the
'French government, was followed
bv a declaration that the Berlin and
IMilan decrees were revoked, and
would cease to have elicct on the
first dav of November ensuing.
Tiusc being the only known edicts
nl,France, within the description ofthe
ict, and tne revocation ot them, be
ing such that they ceased, at that
date,toviwhueourneutralCommerce ;
the fact, as prescribed by law, was
announced by a proclamation bearing
date the second day ot November.
It would have well accorded with
the conciliatory views, indicated by
ibis proceeding on the part of France,
to have extended them to all the
grounds of just complaint, which
now remain unadjusted with the
United States. It was particularly
anticipated that, as a further evidence
of just dispositions towards them,
restoration would have been imme
diately made of the property of our
citizens'seized under a misapplicati
on of the principle of reprisals,com-
him-d with a misconstruction of a
law of the United States. This ex.
peettuion has not been fulfilled.
From the British government no
communication on the subject of the
act has been received. To a com
munication from our ministers at
London of the revocation, by the
French government, of its Berlin
upd Milan decrees, it was answered
that the Biitish system wtAtld be re
linquished as soon as the repeal of
the french decrees should have aertt-
r.liy taken effect, and the commerce
rf neutral nations have been restored
to the condition in which it stood,
' 'previously to the promulgation of
those decrees. This pledge, although
it does not necessar iv import, does
not exclude the intention of relin
quishing, along with the orders in
ouncil, the practice of those no
vel blockades which have n like el-
lect of interrupting our neutral com
merce. And this furtherjustice to
<hc United States is the rather to be
’voiced for, inasmuch as blockades
in question, being not more contrary
to the established law ot nations,
than inconsistent with the rules of
blockade formerly recognized by
Great-Britain herself, couid have no
alletlged basis, other than the plea of
.retaliation, aiicdged as the basis of
Uie orders in council. Under the
modification ot the original orders
of November 180/, into the orders
of April 1809, tilt re is indeed scarce
ly a nominal distinction between the
orders and lire blockades. One of
those illegitimate blockades, bearing
date in May 180(1, having been ex
pressly avowed to be still uuresiind*
c.d, and to be, in effect, comprehend
ed in i he orders in council, was too
distinctly brought within the pur
view or the act of Congress, not to
be comprehended in the explanation
of the requisites to a compliance with
it. The llritisii government was ac
cordingly .-.prized by our minister near
it that such was the light in which
the subject was to he regarded.
On tite other important subjects
depending betw. n the United States
and that government, no progress
oas het-n rriadv, from which an earlv
jtnd satisfactory result can be relied
on.
In this new posture of our relations
with the pow rs, the consideration of
Congress will he properly turned to
a removal of doubts which may oc
cur in the exposition, and of difficul
ties in the executiou of the act above
cited,
The commerce of the United
States, with the North of Europe,
heretofore much vexed by licentious
cruisers, particularly under the Da
nish flag,has latterly been visited with
fresh and extensive depredations.
'I’he measures pursued in behalf of
injured citizens not having obtained
justice for them, a further and more
formal interposition with the Danish
government is contemplated. The
principles which have been maintain
ed by that government in relation to
neutral commerce, and the friendly
professions of his Danish majesty to
wards the United States, are valuable
pledges, in favor of a successful is
sue.
Among the events growing out of
the state of the Spanish monarchy,
our attention was imperiously attract
ed to the change, developing itself
in iliac portion ot West Florida;
which, though of right appertaining
to the United States, had remained
iu the posession of Spain ; awaiting
the result of negotiations for its actu
al delivery to them. The Spanish
authority was subverted : and a sit
uation produced, exposing the coun
try to ulterior events which might
essentially affect the rights and wel
fare of the Union. In such a con
jecture, I did not delay the interpo
sition required for the occupancy of
the territory west of the river Perdi
do ; to which the title of the United
States extends, and to which the
laws, provided for the territory of
Orleans, are applicable. With this
view, the proclamation of which a
copy is laid before you, was confided
to the Governor of that territory, to
be carried into effect. The legality
and necessity of the course pursued,
assure me of the favorable light in
which it will present itself to the le
gislature ; and of the promptitude,
with which they will supply whate
ver provisions may be due to the es
sential rights and equitable interests
of the people thus brought into the
bosom of the American family.
Our amity wttn the powers of
Barbary, with the exception of a re
cent occurrence at Tunis, of which
an explanation is just received, ap
pears to have been interrupted, and
to have become more firmly establish
ed.
With the Indian tribes, also, the
peace and friendship of the U. Stau-s
are found to be so eligible, that the
general disposition to preserve both
continue to gain strength.
1 feel particular satisfaction in re
marking that the interior view of our
country presents us with grateful
proofs of its substantial and increas
ing prosperity. To a thriving agri
culture, and the improvements rela
ted to it, added to a highly interest
ing extention of usctul manufac
tures ; the combined product of pro
fessional occupations, and of house
hold industry. Such, indeed, is the
experience of economy, as well as of
poiicv, in these substitutes, for sup
plies heretofore obtained by foreign
commerce, that, in a national view,
ihe change is justly icgarded as of
itself, more than a recompence for
those privations and losses, resulting
from foreign injustice, which furnish
ed the general impulse required for
its accomplishment, ilow far it may
be expedient to guard the infancy of
this improvement in the distribution
of labor, by regulations of the com
mercial tariff, is a subject which can
not fail <o suggest itself to your pa
triotic reflections.
It will rest with the consideration-
of Congress also, whether a provi
dent, us well as fair encouragement,
would not be given to our navigati
on, by such regulations as will place
it on a level of competition with fo
reign vessels, particularly in trans
porting the important and bulky pro
ductions of our own soil. The fail
ure of equality and reciprocity in the
existing regulations on this subject
operates in our ports, as a premium
to foreign competitors ; and the in
convenience must increase, as these
may be multiplied, unddr more fa
vorable circumstances, J>y the more
than countervailing encouragements
now given them, by the laws of their
respective countries.
Whilst it i3 universally admitted
that a well instructed people a-
lonc can be permanently a free peo
ple ; and whilst it is evident that the
.means of diffusing, and improving
useful knowledge lorm so small pro
portion of the expenditures for na
tional purposes, I cannot pre-sum* it
to be unseasonable, to invite your at
tention to the advantages of superad
ding, to the means of education pro
vided by the several states, a semina
ry of learning, instituted by the na
tional legislature, within the limit of
their excl isive jurisdiction ; the ex
pence, of which might be defrayed,
or reimbursed, out of the vacant
grounds which have accrued to the
nadon within those limits.*
Such an institution, though local
in its character, would be universal
in its beneficial effects. By enlight
ening the opinions : by expanding
the patriotism; and by assimilating
the principles, the sentiments and the
manners of those who might resort
to this temple of Science to be re
distributed, in due time, through c-
very part of ti.e community ; sources
of jealousy and prejudice would be
diminished, the features of national
characters would be multiplied, and
greater extent given the social har
mony. But above all a well consti
tuted seminary, in the centre of the
nation, is recommended by the consi-
derauuu, that the additional instruc
tion e nanating lrom it would contri
bute not less to strengthen the foun
dations, than to adorn the structure,
of our f ree and happy system of go
vernment.
Among the commercial abuses still
commuted tinder the American flag,
and leaving in force ray former re
ference to that subject, it uppears
that American citizens are instru
mental in carrying on a traffic in en
slaved Africans, equally in violation
of the laws of humanity, and in defi
ance to those of tireirown country.—
The same just and benevolent mo
tives which produced the interdicti
on in force against this criminal con
duct, will doubtless be i’elt by Con
gress, in devising further means in
suppressing the evil.
lu the midst of uncertainties, ne
cessarily connected with the great in
terest of the United Stale's, prudence
requires a continuance of out deUn-
sive and precautionary arrangements.
The secretary of war and ihe secre
tary of the navy will submit the
statements and estimates which may
aid congress, in their ensuing provi
sions lor the land and naval forces.
The statements of the latter will in
clude a vie w of the transfers of appro
priations in the naval expenditures
and tiic grounds on which they were
made.
The fortifications for the defence
of our maritime frontier have been
prosecuted according to the plan
laid down in 1808. The works with
some exceptions, are completed, and
furnished with ordnance. Those
for the security of the city of New-
York, though far advanced towards
completition, will require a further
time and appropriation. This is the
case with a few others, either not
completed or in need of repairs.
Tire improvements, in quality and
quality made in the manufactory of
cannon ; and of small arms, both at
the public armories, and private fac
tories, warrant additional confidence
in the competency of these resources,
for supplying the public exigencies.
These preparations for arming the
militia, having thus far provided 1W
oue of the objects contemplated by
the power vested in congress, with
respect to that great bulw ark of the
public safety ; it is for their conside
ration whether further provisions are
not requisite,for the other contempla
ted objects, of organization and deci-
pline. To give to this great mass
of physical and moral iorce, the affi •
ciencv vvhi. h it merits, and is capa
ble of receiving ; it is indispensable
they should be instructed and prac
tised in the rules by which they are
to be governed. Towards an accom
plishment of this important work, I
recommend for the consideration
of Congress the expediency of in
stituting a system, which shall iu
the first instance, call into the field,
at the public expence, and for a gi
ven time, certain portions of the
commissioned and non commission
ed officers. The instruction and dis
cipline thu3 acquired would gradu
ally diffuse through the entire body
of the militia, that practical know
ledge and promptitude for active
service which are the gh at ends to
he pursued. Experience has left no
doubt either of the necessity, or ot
the efficacy, of competent military
skill, in those portions of an army
in fitting it for the final duties, which
it tnav have to perform.
L’be corps of Engine e r s, with the.
Military Academy, are entitled to
the early attention of congress.—
The buildings at the seat, fixed by
law, for th..- present Academy, arc
so far in decay, as not to afford the
necessary accommodation. But hi
revision of the law is recommen
ded, principally with aview toa more
enlarged cultivation and diffusion of
the advantages ol such institutions,
by providing professorships for all
the necessary branches of military
instuction, and by the establishment:
of an additional Academy at the
seat of government or elsewhere.
The means by which war, as well lor
defence as for offence, are now car
ried on, render these schools of the
more scientific operations and in
dispensable part of every adequate
system . Even among nations whose
large standing armies and feqnent
wars afford every other opportunity
of instruction, these establishments
are found to be indespensable for
the due attainment of the branches of
military science, which require a re
gular course of study and experi
ment.
In a government, happily without tlieo-
tber opportunities ; feminaries where the e-
lementary principles of the art of war can
be taught withou' actual war and without
the expense of extensive and standing ar-
nves, h-eve the pi conus advantage of uniting
an e(T nt'al preparation againft external dan
ger, with a frrnpuloun regard to internal
safe' y. Inner other way, probably, can a
provision of equal iffi-wy for the puMic
UeUnce, be made at lit te expen a , or more
consistency wi’h the public lihtr'y.
The tec ipts .»to 'h. treasury during the
year ending on >he 30’b September last
(and amounting to more ban eight millions
and a half of cto'larp) (»?• v • exceeded current
expences of the government, inruding the
interest oil the pnnlie debt. F ir the pur'
pose of re imbursir.g, at the tnd of the year,
3 75<V)00 dollars of the principal, a loan,
as authorized by law, had been negotiated
to that amount ; but has since been tedu-
ced to 2 500,000 dollar- ; the reduction be
ing permitted by the state of iheTreasury;
in which there will be a balance, remaining
at the cud of the year, estimated at 2,000,00
dollar*. For the probable receipts of n xt
year, and other detail*, I refer to the state
ments wh>ch will be transmitted from the
Treafury, and which will enable you to
judge what further provisions may be ne
cessary for the ensuing year.
Reserving for future occasions in the
course of the session, whatever other com
munications may claim your attention, I
close the present, by expressing my reli
ance, under the blrffing of Divine Provi
dence on the judgment and patriotism which
will guide your measures, at a period parti-
cularly calling for united councils, and iti-
ftexible exertions, for the welfare of our
country, and by assuring you of the fidel
ity and alacrity with which my co-opcav
tion will be afforded. ♦**'■ -
James Madison-
