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Columbian jHuocmn, .1.Y1) SAVANNAH GAZETTE. * ■ HOSTED AM 0 PUBLISHED OS THE BAY, Hr MICHAEL J KAPPEL, & CO. * 4 TV"nsi....DAii.i paper.)..§>B payable in advance. corsTh# I‘apeh, issued on Tuesday, Thursday, nd Sdfnrday, (containing all the news and new advertisements of the daily paper) §5 per an-, num —pay aide in ad\ ance: SAVjWX.HI, TBIJIISDA V MORNING, J)ec. 11, trr—rs,7a ■ , ‘ No papa s north oj Charleston by last night’s mail. It is generally believed, or rather public re port says, that Saturday next the loth inst. is the day (.itched upon for the purpose of taking’ possessi<iu of Amelia by the American forces, which art numerously assembling for the pur pose. Negro*. —A Guineaman with 124 negroes on board, prize to the patriot brig Morgiana, arriv ed at St. Clary’s on the night of the 30th Novem ber—she is detained by the United States’ Gun- Jloaf, Ni. 168. A large amount of property imported from Amelia, was seized by the U. S. at st. Marys on the 4th inst. In consequence of the papers which contain ed the president’s message being detained in the post-office here, till after our paper of y terday ntorning was put to press, we are under the necessity of presenting important do cument to our readers at this late hour. From V-.e National Intelligencer of Fleer. 2. The Congress met yesterday, under auspices as favorable, political and personal, as could be wished by the most sanguine friend to the na tional interests and the harmony of intercourse. The attendance in both houses was unusually full, and all the members appear to bring health with them. The elections in the house of re presentatives were characterized by an unpre cedented unanimity, highly flattering, in partic ular, to the speaker and clerk. CONGRESS. In Senate, Pec. 1. At 12 o’clock, Mr. Gail lard (the president protempore at the time the Senate last adjourned) took the chair. On calling over the list of senators, it appear ed that 23 were present. Tbe.new members present having been qual ified (with the exception of the senators from Mississippi, which state is not yet recognized by the congress) the usual rules of proceeding and arrangement were adopted. A committee was appointed to wait on the president, jointly with such committee as the other house should appoint. Asia the senate adjourned. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The house was called to order by the clerk of the last congress, (Thomas Dougherty) and, on calling over the roll of representatives, it ap peared that a large majority of the members were present. The house then proceeded to the choice of a speaker. On counting the votes, it appeared that of 147 votes given in, there were for Henry Clay 140 ; for Samuel Smith 6 ; blank I—so1 —so that mr Clay was duly elected speaker; and, being conducted to the chair, the usual oath was ad ministered to him bv mr. Hassett. The*members having been severally qualified bv taking the oath to support the constitution, the house proceeded to elect a clerk. I homas Dougherty was accordingly re-elected, without opposition. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE. Ftom the .National Intelligencer Fi'/i'u, 2<l instant. ‘I bis dav at 12 o’clock, the President of the United States transmitted, to both houses of con gress, the following message by mr. Joseph JarcF.s Monroe, his secretary. Fellovr Citizens of the Senate, and of the ffortse of Representatives : At no period of oi. : political existence had we so much cause to ft heiate ourselves at the pros perous and happy condition of our country. The abundant fruits of the earth have filled it with plenty. An extensive and profitable commerce ’ j.as greatly augmented our revenue. The public credit has attained an extraordinary elevation Our prepara; ions for defence, in case of future w ars, from which, by the experience of all na tions, we ought not to expect to be exempted, are advancing, under a well digested system, vc i’h all the dispatch which so important a work will admit. Our free government, founded on the interest and affections of the people, has gained, and . > daily gaining, strength. Local iealousi s are r ipidK yielding to more generous . nlarged and enlightened views of natural policy JVr advantages so numerous, and highly impor tant, it i, onrdnty to unite in gvut -fill Acknowl edgments to tlint omnipotent Being, from whom j t!u\ are derived, and in unceasing prater, that I He will endow • s wuh virtue and strength maintain and hand then, do.vn, in their utmost purity, *o our bu * posterity lb, i die s i j irtion to uform you, that an nri'. ii) n •-lit, v. hi h lud b< en cur mrn dh I r, villi the Urn. it gov, riant ntf forth’ mini unit of the nut ,1 fiio, h Great I llri uin uml the li, ■<i Man , oti tin ld<s, lu*< lx ti < i.i.i dyd"d . b) v hUhlt'* JtJO'i'i* I. that | neither party shall keep in service on lake Chufii plain more than one vessel; on lake Ontario, more than one ; and on lake Erie, and the upper lakes, more than two : to be armed, each, with one cannon only ; and that all the other armed vessels, of both parties, of which an exact list is interchanged, shall be dismantled. It is also agreed, that the force retained shall be rest rict ed, in its duty, to the internal purposes of each party ; and that the arrangement shall remain in force until six months shall have expired, after notice given by on,e of the parties to the other of its desire that it should terminate. By this ar rangement, useless expense, on both sides, and, j what is of still greater importance, the danger of I collision, between armed vessels, in those inland waters, which was great, is prevented. I have the satisfaction also to state, that the commissioners, under the fourth article of the treaty of Ghent, to whom it was referred to de cide, to which party the several islands in the bay of Passamaquoddy belonged under the treaty of one thousand seven hundrafoiml eighty-three, have agreed in a report, by which aHfethe islands in the possession of each party before the late war have been decreed to it. Tne commission ers acting under the other articles of the treaty of Ghent, for the settlement of boundaries, have also been engaged in the discharge of their re spective dutiesy but have not yet completed them. The difference which arose between the two governments under that treaty, respecting the rights of the United Stat es to take and cure fish on the coast of the British provinces, north of our limits, which had been secured by the treaty of one thousand seven hundred and eighty three, is still in negociation. The preposition made by this government, to extend to the col onies of Great Britain the principle of the con vention of London, by which the commerce be tween the ports of the United States and British ports in Europe had been placed on a footing of equality, has been declined by the British gov ernment. This subject having heen thus amica bly discussed between the two governments,and it appearing that the British government is un willing to depart from its present regulations, it remains for congress to decide, whether they will make any other regulations, in consequence thereof, for the protection and improvement of our navigation. The negociation with Spain, for spoliations on our commerce, and the settlement of bounda ries, remains, essentially, in tbe state it held, by the communications that were made to congress by my predecessor. It has been evidently the policy of the Spanish government to keep the negociation suspended, and in this the U. States have acquiesced, from an amiable disposition towards Spain, and in the expectation that her government would, from a sense of justice, final ly accede to such an arrangement as would be equal between the parties. A disposition has been lately shewn by the Spanish government to move in the negociation, which has been met by this government, and, should the conciliatory and friendly policy, which has invariably guided our councils, be reciprocated, a just and satis factory arrangement may be expected. It is proper, however, to remark, that, no pioposi tion has yet been made from which such a re sult can be presumed. It was anticipated, at an early stage, that the contest between Spain and the colonies would become highly interesting to the United States. It was natural that our citizens should sympathise in events which affected their neighbors. It seemed probable, also, that the prosecution of the conflict, along our coast, and in contiguous countries, would occasionally interrupt our com merce, and otherwise affect the persons and property of our citizens. These anticipations have been realized. Such injuries have been received from persons acting under the authority of both the parties, and for which redress has, in most instances, been withheld. Through every stage of the conflict, the United States have maintained an impartial neutrality, giving aid to neither of the parties in men, money, ships or munitions of war They have regarded the con test, not in the light of an ordinary insurrection or rebellion, but as a civil war between parties nearly equal, having, as to neutral powers, equal rights. Our ports have been open to both, and every article, the fruit of our soil, or of the in dustry of our citizens, which either w as permit ted to take, has been* equally free to the other. Should the colonies establish their independence, it is proper now to state, that this government neither seeks, nor would accept, from them any advantage, in comn erce or otherwise, which will not be equally open to all other nations. The colonies will, in that event, become independent states, free from any obligation to, or connexion with, us, v Inch it may not then be their interest to form on the basis of a fair reciprocity. In the summer of the present year, an expe dition was set on foot against East-Florida, by persons claiming to act under the authority of some of the colonies, who took possession of A inclia Island, at the mouth of the st. Mary’s riv er, near the boundary of the state of Georgia. As this province lies eastward of the Mississippi, and is bounded by the United States and the occ in on every side, and has been a subject of negotiation with the government of Spain, as an indemnity for losses by spoliation, or in exchange for territory, of equal value, westward of the Mississippi, a fact well known to the world, it excited surprise, that any countenance should he given to this measure by any of the colonies. As it would he difficult to reconcile it with the i friendly relations existing between the United Sta'es and the colonies, n doubt wns entertained \v hetht r it had been smtltoi ‘zed by them, or anv <il tin-in. Tins doubt has gain’ and strength, I>v the i.iiriniixtaner* wliiih have unfolded themselves in the prose’ niouofthe enterprise, which have mark'd u u iiutc private, unauthorised ad venturin’ I'rojei it and and roinmeuced with an in competent force, reltaiwv seems to have been |/l iCell Ul| vital might lie ill 10 11, 111 I fell Alice 111 j our la > Lorn v uJjin mu l.nuUj sit'J of U’ e, is j their resources have failed, it has assumed a more marked character of unfriendliness to us ; the island being made a channel for the illicit in troduction of slaves from Africa into the United States, an asylum for fugitive slaves from the neighboring states, and a port for smuggling of every kind. A similar establishment was made, at an earli er period, by persons of the same description in the Gulf of Mexico, at a place called Galvczton, within the limits of the United States, as we con tend, under the cession of Louisiana. This en terprise has been marked, in a more signal man ner, by all the objectionable circumstances which characterized thejothcr, and more particu larly by the equipment of privateers which have annoyed our commerce, and by smuggling.— These establishments, if ever sanctioned by any authority whatever, which is not believed, have abused their trust, and forfeited all claim to con sideration. A just regard for the rights and in terests of the United States required that they should be suppressed, and orders have been ac cordingly issued to that effect. The imperious considerations which produced this measure will be explained to the paries whom it may, in any degree, concern. To obtain correct information on every subject in which the United States are interested ; to in spire just sentiments in all persons in authority, on either side, of our friendly disposition, so far as it may comport with an impartial neutrality ; and to secure proper respect to our commerce in every port, and from every flag, it has been thought proper to send a ship of war, with three distinguished citizens, along the southern coast, with instruction to touch at such ports as they may find most expedient for these purposes.— With the existing authorities, with those in the possession of, and exercising the sovereignty, must the communication beheld; from them alone can redress for past injuries, committed by persons acting under them, be obtained; by them alone can the commission of the like, in future, be prevented. Our relations with the other powers of Europe h?ve experienced no essential change since the last session. In our intercourse with each, due attention continues to be paid to the protection of our commerce, and to every other object in which the U. States are interested. A strong hope is entertained, that by adhering to the maxims of a just, a candid, and friendly policy, we may long preserve amicable relations with all the powers of Europe, on conditions advanta geous and honorable to our country. h ith the Barbary states and the Indian tribes our pacific relations have been preserved. In calling your attention to the internal con cerns of our country, the view which they exhi bit is peculiarly gratifying. The payments which have been made into the treasury show the very productive state of the public revenue. After satisiy ing the appropriations made by law for the support of the civil government, and of the mil itary and naval establishments, embracing suita ble provision for fortifications and for the grad ual increase of- the nkvy, paying the interest of the public debt, and extinguishing more than eighteen millions of the principal, within the present year, it is estimated that a balance of more than six millions of dollars will remain in the treasury on the first day of January applica ble to the current service of the ensuingyear. The payments into the treasury during the year one thousand eight hundred and seventeen, on account of imposts and tonnage, resulting principally from duties which have accrued in the present year, may be fairly estimated at twenty millions of dollars; internal revenues, at two millions five hundred thousand ; public lands at one million five hundred thousand ; bank di vidends and incidental receipts, at five hundred thousand; making in the whole, twenty-four millions and five hundred thousand dollars. The annual permanent expenditure for the support of the civil government, and of the army and navy, as now established by law, amounts to eleven millions and eight hundred thousand dol lars ; and for the sinking fund, to ten millions; making in the. whole, twenty-one millions and eight hundred thousand dollars; leaving an an nual excess of revenue beyond the expenditure, of two millions and seven hundred thousand dol lars, exclusive of the balance estimated to be in the treasury on the first day of January, one thou sand eight hundred and eighteen. In the present state of the treasury, the whole of the Louisiana debt may be redeemed in the year one thousand eight hundred and nineteen ; after which, if the public debt continues as it now is above par, there will be annually about five millions of the sinkingfund unexpended, un til the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty-five, when the loan of one thousand eight hundred and twelve, and the stock created by funding treasury notes, will be redeemable. It is also estimated that the Mississippi stock will be discharged during the year one thousand eight hundred and nineteen, from the proceeds of the public lands assigned to that object, after which the receipts from those lands will annu ally add to the public revenue the sum of one million five hundred thousand dollars, making the permanent animal revenue amount to twen ty-six millions of dollars, and leaving an annual excess of revenue, after the year one thousand eight hundred and nineteen, beyond the perma nent authorised expenditure, of more than four millions of dollars. By the list returns from the Department of War, the militia force of the several states may lie estimated at eight hundred thousand men, infantry, artillery and < avalry. (treat part of this three is armed, and measures are taken to arm the whole. An improvement in the organiza tion ami discipliu of the militia, is on# of the gn at objects which claim the unrcniiUed Atten tion of ooiq rt'S*. ‘I lie regular force amounts nearly to the num ber r> |ii in <1 h\ law, and i*. stationed along the j Atlantic ml inland frontier Gs the naval force it has been necessary to I maintain strong squadrons in the Mediterranean and in the gulf of -Mexico. l'rom several oftlie Indian tribes, inhabiting the country bordering on Lake Erie, purchases have been made of lands, on conditions very fa vorable to the United States, and, us it is presu med, not less so to the tribes themselves. By these purchases the Indian title, witlF moderate reservations, has been extinguished, to the whole of the land within the limits of the state of Ohio, and to a great part of that in the Michigan terri tory, and of the state of Indiana. From the Cherokee tribe a tract has been purchased in the state of Georgia, and an arrangement made, by which, in exchange for lands beyond the Mis sissippi, a great part, if not the whole of the iand belonging to that tribe, eastward of that river, in the states of North-Curolina, Georgia and Tennessee, and in the Alabama territory, will soon be acquired. By these acquisitions, and others that may reasonably be expected soon to follow, we shall be enabled to extend our settlements from the inhabited parts ol the state of Ohio, along Lake Erie inlathe Michigan territory, and to connect our settlements by de grees through the state of Indiana and the Illin ois territory, to that of Missouri. A similar and equally advantageous effect will soon lie produ ced to the south, through the whole extent of the states and territory which border on the wa ters emptying into the Mississippi and the Mo bile. In this progress, which the rights of na ture demand, and nothing can prevent^marking a growth rapid and gigantic, it is our duty to make new efforts for the preservation, improve ment and civilization of the native inhabitants. The hunter state can exist only in the vast, un cultivated desart. It yields to the more dense and compact form, and greater force, of civilized population ; and of right it ought to yield, for the earth was given to mankind to support the great est number of which it is capable, and no tribe or people have a right to withhold from the wants of others more than is necessary for th&ir own support and comfort. It is gratify ing to know, that the reservations of land made by the trea ties with the tribes on Lake Erie, were made with a view to individual ownership among them, and to the cultivation of the soil by alj Sv that an annual stipend has been pledged to sup ply their other wants. It will merit the consid eration of congress, whether other provision, not stipulated by the treaty, ought to be made for these tribes,and for the advancement oftlie libe ral and humane policy of tht United States, towards all the tribes within our limits, and more particularly for their improvement in the arts of civilized life. Among the advantages incident to these pur chases, and to those which have preceded, the security which may thereby be afforded to our inland frontiers is peculiarly important. With a strong barrier, consisting of our own people tlv.s planted on the Lakes, the Mississippi and the Mo bile, with the protection to be derived from the regular fbree. Indian hostilities, if they do b..-t altogether cease, will henceforth lose their ter ror. Fortifications in those qua; vers, to any ex tent, will not be necessary, and the expense at tending them may be saved. A people accus tomed to the use of fire arms only, as the Indian tribes are, w ill shun even moderate works, which are defended by cannon. Great fortifications will, therefore, be requisite only, in future, along the coast, and at some points in the interior, con nected with it. On these will the safety of our towns, and the commerce of our great rivers, from the bay of Fundytotlie Mississippi, depend. On these therefore, should the utmost attention, skill, and labor, be bestowed. A considerable and rapid augmentation in the value of all the public lands, proceeding from these and other obvious causes, may hencefor ward be expected. Tbe difficulties attending early emigrations, will lie dissipated even in the most remote parts. Several new states have been admitted into our union, to the west and the south, and territorial governments, hap pily organized, established over every other por tion in which there is vacant land for sale. In terminating Indian hostilities, as must soon be done, in a formidable shape at least, the emigra tion, which has heretofore been great, will prob ably increase, and the demand for land, and the augmentation in its value, be in like proportion. The great increase of our population through out the union will alone produce an important effect, and in no quarter will it be so sensibly felt as in those in contemplation. The public lands are a public stock, which ought to be dis posed of to the best advantage for the nation. The nation should, therefore, derive the profit proceeding from the continual rise in their value: Every encouragement should be given to emi grants, consistent with a fair competitio'n be tween them, but that competition should operate in the first sale to the advantage of the nation rather than of individuals. Great capitalists will derive all the benefit incident to their superior wealth, under any mode of sale which may he ad opted. But if, looking forward to the rise in the value ofthe public lands, they should have the op portunity of amassing, at a low price, vast bodies in their hands, the profit will accrue to them, and not to the public. They would also have the power, in that degree, to control the emigration and settlement in such a manner as their opinion of their respective interests might dictate. I submit this subject to the consideration of con gress, that such further provision may be made in the sale of the public lands, with a view to the public interest, should tin | 1( , deemed expedient, as in their judgment may be best adopted to the object. When we consider the vast extent of ter ritory within the U. States, the great am i mint and value of its productions, the i on- j nertinn of its parts, and oilier circumstau-i Ices,on which their prosperity Mid happiness |depend, tie cannot tail to entertain a high sense of the advantage to he derived from j the facility which may be afforded in the intercourse between them, by means of good roads and canals. Never did a country of such vast extent, offer equal inducements to improvements of this kind nor ever were consequences of such magnitude involved in them. As this subject was acted on by congress at the last session, and there may be a disposition to revive it at the present, 1 have brought it.into view, for the purpose of communicating my seutiments on a very important circumstance connected with it w ith that freedom & candor which a regard for the puulic interest, and a proper respect for congress, require. A difference of opin ion has existed, from the first formation of our costitution to time, amoiw our most enlightened and virtuous citizen? respecting the right of congress, to establish such a system of improvement. Taking into view the trust with which I am now honored, it would be improper, after what has passed, that this discussion should be revived, with an uncertainty of my opinion respecting the right. Disregarding early impressions, 1 have bestowed on the sub", ject all the deliberation which its great im portance, and a just sense of my duty, re quired—and the result is, a settled convic tion in my mind, that congress do not pos. sess the right. It is not contained in any of the specified powers granted to congress —nor can I consider i< inci lental to, or a necessary mean, viewed on the most liber, al scale, for carring into effect any of the powers which are specifically granted. Iu communicating this result, I car.not resist the obligation which I feel to suggest to congress the propriety of recommendingto the states the adoption of an amendment to the constitution, which shall give to con gress the right in question. In cases of doubtful construction, especially ofsuch vi tal interest, it comports with the nature and origin ofour institutions, and will con tribute much to preserve them, to apply to our constituents for an explicit grant of t!,e I power. We may confidently rely, that 1 if it appears to their sal inaction, that the I power is necessary, it will always be gran-l ted. In this case I am happy to observe,] that experience has afforded the most ani-l pie proof of its utility, and that the. benigal spirit of conciliation and harmony, which! now manifests itself throughout our union,l promises to such a recommendation the! most prompt and favorable result. 1 think] proper to suggest also, in case this measure] is adopted, that it be recommended to the] states to include, in the amendmfents uug/tfj a right in congress to institute, likewise,] seminaries of learning, tor the all import.] ant purpose of diffusing knowledge among! our fellow-citizens throughout the United! States. i Our manufactories will require the con-1 tinned attention of congress. The capifall employed in them is considerable, and thel knowledge acquired in the machinery and! fabric of all the most useful manufactures, ijl of a great value. Their preservation, whiclil depends on & encouragement, is connected! with the high interests of the nation. I Although the progress ofthe public buil-l dings lias been as favorable as circumstan*! ces 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 part as yet com*! menced, will be prepared for that purpose! at the next session. The time seems notfl to have arrived, when this subject may kei deemed worthy the attention of Congress,! on a scale adequate to national purposes.! The completion of the middle building “ill! be necesssary to the convenient accornot*! dation ot congress, of the committees, anil various officers belonging to it. It is evil dent that the other public buildings art! altogether insufficient for tbe accotninodrß tionof the several executive departments some of whom are much crowded, and evf® subjected to the necessity of obtaining it® private buildings, at some distance from tsß bead of the department, and with income® ience to the management of the public, bus® ness. Most nations have taken an interestß and a pride in the improvement and orniß ment of their metropolis, and none “'tf® more conspicuous in that respect than tK® ancient republics. The policy which ® iC 'B tated t’ne establishment of a permanW® residence fur the national govern ment,(jß the spirit in which it was commenced has been prosecuted, show that suck i>j provement was thought worthy the attend®*® of this nation. Its central position, bot*®®*® the northern and southern extremes ol union, and its approach to the west, 3 * ~B Iu ad of a great navigable river, ~,fllinT ® locks with the western waters, P ron ‘u® I wridom ofthe councils which establidii’ *■ | Nothing appears to he more readable proper, than that convenient H j should be provided, on a well digested |’ L® ; lor the head* of the several tM B .uul for the attorney-general: a “ w