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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
CHARLESTON, November 12. .
TSTe haSen to lay before our reader# tins iir.-
■portant document, for which we are indcbicd to
Mr. COTTON, rhe mail contractor, to whom
too much prarfc Scnnot be given, for Lis great
Oar other Torcign relations remain without
unfavorable changes. Wfih Russia, they arc
on the best footing of friendship. The ports
of Sweden hare afi nded proofs of friendly dis
positions towards our commerce, in ihe coun
cils of that cation also. And the information
from our special minister to Denmark shews,
that the mission had been attended with valiia-
L’c effects to our citizens, whose property had
ca'anot but be well bedewed on the jail asd
found policy of feeuring to our mamtfa&urcs
the fuccefs they have attained; and arc (fill at
taining, in fotr.e degree, under the irnptiife of
caufes not permanent ; and to our navigation,
the fair extent of which it is a: prefect abridged
by the unequal regulations of foreign govern
ments.
t’efidcs the reafonahlenefs of faring our tcan-
Wassikctok City, "November
■The President of the United Slates this day
communicated, by Mr. Edward Coles, his
'private secretary, tfae following Message to
Congress:—
■ 1'ellow Caizcnt of the Senate,
And of the House of Refzrescnta lives,
• In calling you together sooner than a sepa
ration from your hemes would otherwise have
been required, I .yielded to considerations
drawn from the postu.e of our foreign affairs;
and in fixing the present, for the lime of your
meeting, regard was had to the .probability of
further dovelopement of the policy of .fie belli
gerent powers towards this country, which
might the more unite the national councils, in
the measures to be pursued.
Atthe close of the last session of congress,
it was hoped that the successive confirmations
of the extinction of the French decrees, so far
as they violated cur "neutral corr.meice, would
have induced the government of Great-Britain
to repeal its orders in council, and thereby au
thorise a removal of the existing obstructions
to her commerce with the United Spates.
Instead of this reasonable step towards sa-
n( j ' Ever since the famous engagements between
ifie means com
nient, io providing fbr the general security. - , ......
i he works of defence on our maritime frontier ar f. n en t s ^ ^ the r-r ' r ’ n Tromp and Biake. r-bout the middle of the
have accordingly been prosecuted, with an ac- \ u * a ‘°.£? g r' e Dn ‘ e *. a(l ^ erc ex * i7 t hcenturv, England has beensoutteunu non-
tVto -Winwliitletobeadde** for the com ole- iftmg difcuminrions in their ports agamft our “»cemurj, ^i.yana nas occnspuueum, non-
i.v.ty leaving »iLtie to. i.ie uuuijiiw % r . *>ence about her right to the seas. -She roust
-lion of the most important ones ; and, as pa - n»wga ion, and a*^quality or leffor difenmma- t disorganize the physical structure of the hu-
ticuiariy suited forco-operatkm in emergences, tjon « eu,oyed by the.-r navigation in our port#, j man ^ and f v / it „ ew mcdcs of
a portion of the gun-boats - have, to particular thee^d cannot oe miftakea, becaufe it has been before she * an evening it l0 * e V eco U.
harbors, been ordeted into use. Tae sh.ps of fenoufly felt by our (hipping intereils : and in ni , ion of n>urdcr) niracy, c.uelty, and cvefy
war before in co . mission, with the addition of propor ion as this .akes place, the advantages of 3trocioUs wron g, a * s rig ht j Q her, and in her
try whet, she requires /ran her, it, he rn Ame
rican who pretends to justify her? By adeptirr,
{Xjrhapst and-in some few instances by birth
(Oh i laR?en;ub«) V rouy best; bu, thank,
heaver, tlxre is r.o iiiug- deinuive cf the A nt-
rican character in general, eithet in his heart,
or his contemptible spirit. li'ewc denied trie
right of faking cur countrymen, most /ulfy firov*
cn to be sc, from tier cosstixg luggers; while
lull) u vccuttiv; vi uutjj w vAWii - » j « t , f yi.it
remitted to the executive depart- trcIcs at lcaft ’ « “P"* our^efence, and our i ^
'd-.nr for the general security.— P nma 7 wan «* we C “ adi not be left to unncces- |
forces, as was thought to promise the services vice of their.country in tiaie6 of danger, rouft
most appropriate and important. In thtadiposi- be diminished.
tion is included, a force consisting ot teguRrs (-he receipts into the treafury. during the year
and militia, embodied in 'he Indiana ieruto- ending on the thirtieth of September laft, have
ry, and marched towatds our north western exceeded thir een millions and a half of dollars,
frontier. This measure was made requisite and have enabled us to defray the current expen-
by -everal mutders on depredations committed ce5i including the in'ceft on the public debt,
by Indians ; but moie especiallyby the menac- ant » , D reimburse more than five millions of dol
ing preparations and aspect of a combination j ars 0 f the principal, without recurring to the
of'hem, on the Wabash, under the influence . ban authorifed by the a d of the Iait fellion.
1 he temporary loan obtained in the latter end of
and direction c{ a fanatic of the Shawanesc
tribe. Wiih these exceptions the Indian ttibes
retain their peaceful disposition toivaids us,
and iheir usual pursuits.
I must now. add, that the period is arrived,
tislaction and friendship between 'he l\v& na- > which claims from the legislative guudiansol
lions, the oulers were, at a moment when least : lbc national rights a system of more ample
to have bcciv expected, pm into more rigot obs j p !ov i s ; ons f or maintaining them. Notwith
execution ; and it was communicated, through
the British envoy j'ist arrived, that whilst the
revocation of the edicts of France, ns officially
made known to the British gpvemmen:, vv»s
standing the scrupulous jusiiee, the piotracted
moderation, add the rrmloplied efforli on the
part of the United States, to substitute for the
accumulating dangers to the peace of the two
hi — • ~ 1 ■ 1
denied to have token place; it was an mdispert- countti all .he mutual advantages of re-estab-
sablc condition of the repeal of In: British oi- fishing ;,y ndrii p and confidence ; v/c hareteen
dors, that commerce should be rcstoreo to a »fiat rt.c British cabinet peisevces, not only in
footing that would admit t!ie productiec.s and I ,yj.iaiiolxjinrj a remedy for other wrongs, sc
manufactures cf Great-Britain, when owned by fo rH r ail( j loed!/so catting for it ; hut in the exe-
ricutrals, into markets shut fig-dust them by j cution, hi ought home to the threshold of our
icrntoiy, of meisures which, under existing
circumstances, have live character, as welt as
her enemy ; the United States being given to
Understand that, in the mean time, u cor.iinu-
ance r.f their non-importation act vvouki lead to
measures of ictaliation.
At a later, date, it lias indeed appeared, tha f
n commnnictition to the British govemmen*. of
iccsh evidence of the rcoeal of the F'cnchde
r-.rces agaiiiSt our r.e-ittal trade, was followed by
an inlihiiition, that it had been traosmhted to
the Briiisti p’.cnip'r.entiary here ; in o’dci tlru
it might icuiir full considera'ion, in the de
pending discussions. This communicafvcn ap
pears not to have ticcti received: but the
transmission ot it hi’Uer, ins'ead ot tonnclingnn
it an actual repeal of the order-*, or assurances
that the repeal would ensue, will net permit us
to rely cn any effective change in the British
cabinet. To be ready to meet with cordiality
saiisfoctory proofs of such a change, and to
proceed, in the mean time, in adapting our
measures to the views which have been disclos
ed through'that minister, will beet consult our
whole du'y.
In the unfriendly spirit of those disclosures,
indemnity and redress for other wrongs nave
to be withheld ; and uer coasts and the mouths
bfour hatbots have again witnessed scenes
rot less derogatory to the dearest of our nation
al rights, iIvan vexatious to the regular course
ol our trade.
Among the X)CC\irrences produced by the
conduct cf British ships of war hovering on our
coasts, was an encounter between one of them
:Lc client, of war on c-ui lawful commerce.
Vv'inr ‘'its evidetir.e of hostile fofiexibitiry, in
trampling <■.< rights which no independent na
tion can lerli .qui-h ; congtesswill leel the du
ty of putting die Uni'.eu fhates into an armor
a d an a'tituds demanded by the crisis, and
.tone, p-aai 'ig with the national spirit and ex
pects'ions. ' *
I teco'umend, accordingly, that adequate
provision be made foi tiding the ranks and pro-
-'ongiiig die enlistments id the regular troops ;
for ao auxiiiattj* foice, to be engaged tor a more
limited term ; for the accep ancc of volunteer
corps, who e patriotic ardor may court a parti
cipation in U'geni service-; for deiechmsr/s,
as they may be wanted, of other portions of the
rniiitiu ; and for such a preparation cf she g:e t
body, as will proportion its usefulness to us in-
trinstc capacities. Nor can the-occasion fail to
remind you of 'he importance of those niilharv
seminaries, which, in every event, will form a
valuable and'ftugal part of our -military -esteb
lishrr.ent.
The matkirficiure of cannon and small arms
has proceeded with dub success, and the stock
and resources o: ait the necessary munitions
are adequate to emergencies. It will not lie
inexpedient, however, lor uong;ess io authorise
an o .Lu gev.vjtu of them.
Yoi.r intention will oi course be drawn to
the year one thoufand eight hundred and ten,
has alfo been reimburl'ed, and is not.-included in
that amount,
The decrease of revenue arising from the sit
nation of our commerce, ami the extraordinarj
expences which have and may become ne
cessary, must be taken into view, in making
commensurate provisions for the ensuing year.
And I -recommend to your consideration, the
propriety of ensuring a sufficiency of annual
revenue, at least, to defray the ordinary ex
pences of government, and to pay the intere: t
on the public debt, inf hiding that on now loans
which may be authorised.
I cannot close tins communication without
expressing my deep sense of tUecvisis in which
you are assembled , icy confidence in a wfoe and
honorable result to your deliberations, ami
assurances of the faithful zeal with which my
co operating duties well be discharged ; invok
ing, at the same time, the blessing of Heaven
on our beloved country, and on all means that
may be employed, in vindicating its rights, and
advancing its welfare.
JAMES MADISON.
IVuskitirion, November 5th, 1811
ror. THE EVENING EE3GSE.
THE TRUE WHIG.
When ^Denmark and Sweden remonstrated
agains’. the assumption of oui fl.ig by a ueache-
ious belligerent, having simulated documents,
-wo we-e told, and in a sty!e".hat shewed the
tetter’s opinion ol his own archness, that those
ir.itinns were allies rif Franco. One nation's
alliance w th another can neverbe admitted in
a d piumaiic discussion, as-evidence of false-
ti‘>.d in the declaraiions of her government.
Waving this -point as unnecessa: y, tiowever,
we know that-Russia, which-country was hour
ly expected to declare war against Fiance, ie-
monsirated to the Ameiican consul er. :he
same subject iff our neutral S-.g’s piostitution.
Evidences of this fdet aie so multiplied, that
the voice of contradiction, even from rile use
lessly exerted lungs of .British emissaries, ha?
been long silenced. The policy of municipal
regulations to bar the continent’s enemy fron -
fortunately shed in maintaining the honor of
the American Cog- The proceedings of a
court of enquiry requested'by captain'Rodgers,
are communicated ; toge:hcr with the corres
pondence relating to the occurrence, between
(he sectetary of state and his Britannic majes
ty’s envoy. To these arc 'added, the several
correspondences which have passed on the sub
ject of the British orders in council ; and to
both, the correspondence i elating to the T'ior:-
das, in which congress wit! he made acquainted
•with the interposition which the government of
Great-Britain has thought proper to m_ke
sgainst the proceedings of the Unitcd'S’ates.
The ;ustice ai d fairness which have been
evinced on the part of the United States to
wards France, both before and sirca the 'evo
cation of her dectecs, authorised an expecta
tion that tier government would have followed
up tl'at measure by all such others es were due
to our-.reasonable claims, as well as dictated by
its amicable professions. No proof, however,
is yet given cf an intention to repair the o'irer
wrongs done to the U.States; and particularly to
restore the great amount of American proper
ty seised and condemned umie&cdicts, which,
though not affecting our neutral relations, and
therefore, not entering into questions between
the United Slates and other belligerents, were
nevertheless founded on such unjust principles,
that the reparation ought to"have been prompt
and auu.ic-
In addition to tr.i?, and other demands of]
strict right, on that nation; the United Sta'es ;
iiave much rer.snn to be dissatisfied with the ri
gorous and unexpected restrictions, to which
their trade with the French dominions has
Fee:, subject'd; and which, if not discontinued,
will require at least corresponding restrictions
on impoirations from France into the United
States.
On all those subjects, our minister plenipc-
et once be attainable.
in-contemplating the scenes which dist:
guish this momentous epoch, and estimating
their claims to our attention, it is impossible
j to overlook liiose developing themselves,! our nation’s peace
American consuls on the continent, exercising
their duties with vigilance, however pcnetra'ed,
through the treachery of documents simulated,
crushed the premature transports of their users,
and feed us from '.he infernal snare laid foi
j among the great communities which occupy
southern portion oi our own hemisphere,
The treaty which w&s transmilled from Lon
don to V/ashiBgton by Messrs. Monroe and
and extend into our negbborhood. An en- ^Pinkney, was so unsatisfactory that the formal
larged philanthropy, and en enlightened -fore-i ity of presenting i/ to The senate was dispens
ers;, concur in imposing on the national coon-i-ed with. It is a most fallacious conclusion to
cits an oblige lien to take a deep interest in j suppose, that the transmission cf this instni-
their destinies-; to cherisn reciprocal senti-| men, was proof of its being thought acceptable
meats ot good witl; to tegard the progress of bv our ministers. It was sent as a mere shew-
advert to any other branch of my
subject, it is necessa-y to speik. of the article,
which the British negociators annexed to the
transmitted paper of Messrs, Xiunroe and Pink
ney. In that article Engla .d reserved it as a
matter of right (but it would have boen an in
sufferable wrong) to treat us as France did, at
all times. We were placed in the situation of
an individual, endeavoring to protect and guard
himself fiom two suspicious person. With
England, as one, we were exerting ourselves to
make a friendly accommodation; but sho
would agree to nothing, unless she reserved as
her t ight, the privclcdgc of cuffing us on the
left side if France happent.ed to cutf us cn the
tight one. Whether (hiswas not sufficient to
put an end to negotiation, let any rational man
determine; and as to the fairness of the statc-
nterti, it is as great as the assimilation of nations
to individuals will admit ol.
As conclusive ;voof of the ,'tdadklength to
which England’s hired agents will go,take the
toil, wing from the “ -Repertory” of Boston.-—
•> America, bu for her own, ac*, couid carry
on more trade wi-lt England now, (hart she can
with the whole European continent.” .Indeed!
and what hinders us from trading with the
whole European continent*? Britain’s orders
in council, and nothing else. If she destroys
our trade with evoty ether country, then in
forms us that we may -carry it on with her
alone, of course, if we were such'base slaves es
to submit to hei dictation, we v/ouid -tiave more
wuh her than where s'ne -ard the alone, would
iet us hive none at alb The ihneiing’s
position is the most hare-facr.d attempt to give
an enemy iwofi from his owo wrong, that was
ever used before an aggrieved nation. While,
however,such a prostituted mercenary disgraces
our shores,-read-who: an-honcot Eivgtishman ha»
written and published id L >r.don. M The com
merce of Ametica, tti a national po:m ofview,is
not wot ill pursuing, during the existence of the
orders in council, as her produce must centre in
this Island ” fie honestly and fail Ly attributes
the destruction ol cur cammarcs to it’s true
cause, the order's in councii. Mcdi’aite on the
quotation from 'the Repertory—then refibet
over the .just-simplicity- arising not from weak
ness of mind but -rectitude of hear', which cha
racterises the extract from the<Statesman—and
rrreihiriks it will be impossible for you not to
perceive and detest the hneling here while you
recognize a bright example of British integri
ty at home.
*-Vhat 'h nk you people of America I of that
cation, which beneais it’s subjects by the sacri
fice of your proper'y, under the base requisi
tion rrf what is, by her own tact, rendered an im-
possibili y to you ? England is this nation.— .
Stic requires proof from Americans, wh ch
the orders of tier cabinet council make it tm-
passible lor them to give ; and when the impos-
sibmiy appeals, (hen, under die diabolical pre
tension of defect in evidence, our property is
confiscated Do any ask for proof? I give
unvarnished facts, which must sp.-ak irresisti
bly to every American’s heart. By the Milan
decree, eve;y American bottom, which had
been sp.iken by - an English vessel cf war was
made good prize. This was a me'e declara
tion, which w;t*completely prevented from be--
iug effective, by British cruizers, acting under
the orders in council. It was impossible, total-
1,' impasstbV, for an American bottom to reach
any port ol Frapce, after she bad been spoken
by an English vessel of war. Why > Because
each English vessel ot. war captured every
American bottom which was met, if bound to
any port of I ranee. When the custom-house
papers gave no evidence of her being bour.d to
iog of the best terms on which the British court I’ r 3nce, die B: nish marauder's caprice, very
would neat; and it evinced the impolicy 0 f j oltcn, impeding her voyage, has sent her imo
two plenipotentiaries remaining longer at St. - S5me British port, ,to appear before the miroi-
speedily fallowed the ' c: - v °/ justice, on ausfi cion. Americans, when
-transiiiit'ed paper “ '
tfie sena’e wou
To have presented it to i s f ,u ,' n ’ ,iav “ ljeetl !oit * lllat the orders m coun-
e-yents; and not to be unpiepared foi whatever
order ert ttrings may be ultimately established.
Under another aspect-ot ohi* situation, the
cat ty attention of congress writ be dee to rfie
expediency of furrher guards against evasions
and infractions of our commercial laws. The
practice of smuggling, which is edious evety of their patrio
where, and particulariy criminal in free go- judgment to
vernments, vriiere, the lawsfreing trade by all a nd patrioiisn
fir the good cf all, a fraud is committed on! not but spurn such an instrument. Besides, var<H g c of'be wrong, arising from your'ovra
every individual as well as on the state, attains Mr. Jcffarson felt that he could nevsr affix Lj creation of an impossibility, you sacrifice our
i s utmost gei'r, when it blends, with a pur- signature to stipulations so defective in justice P r opefty under a requisition, criminally unjust,
suit of ignominious gain, a treacherous subser- , 0 America; and, with this convic'ion in his becuuse clearly impracticable. This would
ight., .
m to maintain them, thev could Lie tor us to give such psoof; and, :akmg ad
live Tgutar animadversions of tlie most compe-j ing art idea of its probable acceptance. This
tent laws. ^ i probable acceptance could not have been ex-
Fosecuie greater respect to our mercantile pected, without a viitual impeachment of
flag, and to the honest interests which it covers; the patriotic or intellectual won h of the se
it is expedient also, that it be made punishable naie. i'.om these premises, the wisdom and
in our citizens, to accept licences from foreign propriety of doing with the paper what wa
governments, for a trade unlawfully interdicted dore with it are fully apparent. No provision
by iaern to other American citizens ; or to was made in it for-the reimbursement of plu-
trade under false colois or papers of any sort. : dered property. Engiand WjS io return p. -
A prohibiiion is cquany cai ed for, against tiling, b"t we were to forget all. It contains
the acceptance, by our citizens, of special been-' ^ sr . ec ifia concessions relative to future in -
tentrary* liUtly sent tc Paris, lias carried with I ses ’ lo use ^ * u a trade with the Lnbecfr pressmtots. The navigation laws of Engla
him the recessai v instructions; the result cf
which will be communicated to ycu. and by as
certaining the ulterior policy of the French go
vernment tc.wauis the United Sta'es, wHl ena
ble you to adapt to it, that of ihe L'nfrcd States
Awards France. !
S'ates ; and agatnst the admission into particu- J pro'ect every man, of xstmtever country, ■.»
Jar ports of the United S-are?, cf vessels from j sails under the British fl^g. This pro*ect
foreign countries, authorised 'o tiade with par- j : s held valid by England, on boaid" of trad
licular peris only. j xessetr as well «s ships of war. Lfoes h*ic cfi<
A!though other fijbjeds willprefs more imme-t that as a right, indeed, which so plainly she «.
d:s;e!y on your deliberations, a portion c* them nics tc ethers I When she refuses rsour coou-
fuur.dsd, and not on national law upheld bv
cquitabl argument. A solitary vessel is order
ed to be like: used occasionally, in order to give
some plausible coloring to then black proceed
ings in admiralty. The practice proves ineffi
cient though, because ii’s object is seen.
Is it just, people of .America ! for one nation
o require our belief of her declarations, when
•cade in a particular form ; and yet to expect
t:r negation cf credence to ano her nation’s
'.'owals, if effered precisely in the Si-me way ?
'nil must reply in the regativc : cod England
•1 e nation that would impose such a icqusi-
o upon us. Site has sent ar. as: bas-ador to
nerica invested with picnipoienl p- wers,
ose. tetters of credence were rtr justification
placing foil co: fi lence in ihe au'.hcti'y of
uis acts. Scarcely had h? ralined e most itn-