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inn, unusually abundant:
Hourishcd; the levenuu has exceeded
B most favorable anticipation, and peace and
are presi rved with foreign nations,on con-
just and honorable to our country. For
B inestimable blessings, we cannot but be
I’rovidence which Ins o\er
81111 •’ Otcs of nations.
rm litnii ed for tlie operuinn of the
HHHjVI < ot.\< nt ion V. ill; (, re.it b.Mrin will
1\ in tin month o! July ik - \ ..nd it “as
■■M.iporta!.’ that th.ere slumld be no in'er-
u hil h, that nortinnol t : tomnu rce
Bill a•> pr< a id<'d lor by that <>n\< ntioii should
HBBB-ipil.tti and. •!her by .u , o men! !>i t\\< on
‘• or In tln autliorit;. i on-
HHH mini-ter o| tlu Unili and S’ uat I .ou-
HHHntrui ted, < ally in the last sunime'e
hßhm.i! l Int on 11,. 11: i’ i ei mm i
888881. vitii a \ ieu to that obje, t. lie Vas
HHK to propo-.i . a. lso, 111
was u ished to open. mn;M
commei i ol t! and to
inti i ■ ; 1 u. 1 utm ’t l< ■! v in
.Bm; |u> r ti'arlv those relalim.; m im
BBBBBktli<- fn'nerii and houndarii m t'e
HBBBjB at t an..- ;m nt i.npht be made, on
ret ip; O. ll a' I ', ml ■m, b in: •!.
BBBBrnd. and pun ul< . in a satish.i Trv m i
these, high < 1 hu\e tlu sat-
HHHBn to state, that the proposal u;is na ei’.ul,
iiish go\ ernment, in the spirit which
HB/ it; and tint the ncgociation has been
I .ondon, embi'uc'mg’ all tie i.iijn ts.
888 oi- ,iii ~m m i.I great e\le|:t a a.; u.
HBl toe trust, it w as thought ;e opee m < om-
BBB> not less than two of our (listuiguislmd
HHB and. in eonsepuem e, the emm xtraor-
HHBand mil mu ii plenipotentiary ..1 the lb, .it <1
.■V % V\ B\t lam dilia i \ and miliisli iph iiioom i i.m \ ,
Blon; to hoth ol whom corresponding in-
Bwions have been given, and they are now ui-
Bpgcd in the discharge of its duties. It is prop
er to add, that, to prevent any inconvenience re
sulting from the delay incident to a negotiation
on so many important subjects, it was agreed, be
fore entering on it, that the existing convention
should be continued for a term not less than eight
years.
Our relations with Spain remain nearly in the
state in which they were at the close of the last
session. The convention of 1802, providing for
the adjustment of a certain portion of the claims
of our citizens for injuries sustained by spolia
tion, and so long suspended by the Spanish gov
ernment, has at length been ratified by it; but no
arrangement lias yet been made for the payment
|of another portion of like claims, not less exten
sive or well founded, or for other
claims, or for the settlement of bounykmes.-
These subjects have again beenUmlfght under
consideration in both countries-rtTtuno agreement
Hhs been entered them. In the
Bean time, evcuitsJpg(|Bmxurrc<l, w hich clearly
e the ill policy, which t hat. gov-
long pursued, on Ihelricndly re-
two countries, ”, hich,
at of as much importance
■:b Tinted Suites, to maiiitain. A state of
has existed in thc.l loridus, the teiulcncy
has been obvious to*nll\\ ho have paid
BBigh.esr, attentioju to the progi css of affairs in
‘i’hroughout the w hole of those
Binces to which the Spanish title extends, the
■nimcnt of Spain lias scarcely been felt. Its
has been confined, almost exclusively,
BB< walls of Pensacola and St. Augustine,
which only small garrisons have been
■ Bitaincd. Adventurers from every eountry,
.■’..Btives from jusliee, and absconding slaves,
obß* found an asylum there. Several tribes of
|;Bians, strong in tlu; number of their warriors,
|Bu ark able for their ferocity, and v hose settle
9ints extend to our limits, inhabit those pro\ in-
Bp These different hordes of people, connect-
Bi’grethcr, disregarding, on Fie one side, the
HB>rity of Spain, and protected, on the other,
imaginary line which separates Florida
United Stales, have violated our laws
HBhiting the introduction of.davcs. have prat -
BjHurioiis t'l-am!” i>n our revenue, a■! e.emmil •
kind of outrage on our ptact ahle eiti
|&s|Biueh their proximity to us enabled them
v.n ct \melia
by a small !>antl of ad\ enturers, iik ex-
in . and
8888 fcom tile nil iiiis'.tlera :!t Sp.m''-'i t-wce
re, and hi Id it sen ra! siui ;!r-, tint
sm ;K let I,‘ie i ‘l'm i only w > made
iii'll I.'ii. ..< I. ; rlv .:•* t s Imv.
:> \
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tion to every people, on whose seduction its suc
cess principally depended. In regard to the
United States, the pernicious effect of this un
lawful combination, was not confined to the ocean:
the Indian tribes have constituted the effective
force in Florida. With these tribes these adven
turers had formed, at an early period, a connec
tion, w ith a view to avail themselves of that force
to promote their own projects of accumulation
and aggrandizement. It is to the interference
of some of these adventurers, in misrepresenting
the claims and titles of the Indians to land, and in
practising on their savage propensities, that the
Seminole war is principally to he traced. Men
who thus connect themselves with savage com
munities, and stimulate them to war, which is al
ways attended on their part with acts of barbari
ty the most shocking, deserve to be viewed in a!
worse light than the savages. They would cer
tainly have no claim to an immunity from the
punishment, which, according to the rules of
warfare practised by the savages, might justly
be inflicted on the savages themselves.
If the embarrassments of Spain prevented her
Trom making an indemnity to our citizens, for so
long a time, from her treasury, for their losses by
spoliation, and otherwise, it was always in her
power to have provided it, by the cession of this
territory. Os this, her government has been re
peatedly apprised; and the cession w as the more
to be anticipated, as Spain must have known that,
in ceding it, she would, in effect, cede w hat had
become of little value to her, and would likewise
relieve herself from the important obligation se
cured by the treaty of 1795, and all other com
promitments respecting it. If the United States,
from consideration of these embarrassments, de
clined pressing their claims in a spirit of hostili
ty, the motive ought, at least, to have been duly
appreciated by the government of Spain. It is
well known to her government that other powers
have made to the United States an indemnity for
like losses, sustained by their citizens at the same
epoch.
There is, nevertheless, a limit beyond which,
this spirit of amity and forbearance can, in no in
stance, be justified. If it was proper, to rely on
amicable negotiation, for an indemnity for losses,
it w ould not have been so, to Lave permitted the
inability of Spain to fulfil her engagements, and
to sustain her authority in the Floridas, to be
perverted by foreign adventurers and savages, to
purposes so destructive to the lives of our fellow
citizens, and the highest interests of the United
States. The right of self-defence never ceases.
It is among the most sacred, and alike necessary
to nations and to individuals. And, whether the
attack be made by Spain, herself, or by those
who abuse her power, its obligation is not tiie
less strong. The invaders of Amelia Island had
assumed a popular and respectable title, under
w hich tlv. ; might approach or. wound us. As
their object was distinctly seen, and the duty im
posed on the executive, by an existing law, was
profoundly felt, that mask was not permitted to
protect tnym. It was thought incumbent outlie
United States, to possess the establishment, and
it was accordingly done. The combination in
Florida, foi the unlawful purposes stated, the
acts perpetrated by that combination, and, above
all, the incitement of the Indians, to massacre
our fellow-citizens, of every age, and of both
sexes, merited a like treatment, and received it.
In pursuing these savages to an imaginary
line, in the woods it would nave been the heighth
of folly to have suffered that line to protect them.
Had that been done, the war could never cease.
Even if the territory had been, exclusively, that
of Spain, and her power complete over it, w r e
had a right, by the law of nations, to follow the
enemy on it, and to subdue him there. Hut the
territory belonged, in a certain sense, at least, to
the.savage enemy who inhabited it, the power of
Spain had ceased to exist over it, and protection
\yas sought, under her title, by'those who had
committed on our citizens hostilities, which she
was bound, by treaty, to have prevented, but had
not the power to prevent. To have stopped at
that line, would have given new encouragement
to these savages, and new vigor to the whole
combination e xisting there, in the prosecution
of all its pernicious purposes.
In suppressing the establishment at Amelia
Island, no unfriendliness w as manifested towards
Spain, because the post was taken from a force
w hich had wrested it from her. The measure,
it is true, was not adopted in concert with the
Spanish government, or those in authority under
it, because, in transactions connected with the
war, in which Spain and her colonies are engag
ed, it was thought proper, in doing justice to the
United States, to maintain a strict impartiality
towards both the belligerent parties, without con
sulting or acting in concert with either. It gives
me pleasure to state that the governments of Bu
enos Ayres and Venezuela, w hose narilcs were
assumed, have explicitly disclaimed all partici
pation in those measures, and even the know
ledge of them, until communicated by this gov
ernment, and have also expressed their satisfac
tion, that a course of proceeding had been sup
pressed, which, if justly imputable to them,
would dishonor their cause.
In authorising major general Jackson to enter
Florida, in pursuit of the Seminolcs, care was
taken not to encroach on the rights of Spain.—
1 regret to have to add, that, in executing this
order, facts were disclosed, respecting the con
duct of the officers of Spain, in authority there,
in encouraging the war, furnishing munitions
of war, and other supplies to carry it on,
and in other acts not less marked, which
evinced their participation in the hostile pur
poses of that combination, and justified the
confidence, w ith which it iuspired the savages,
that by those officers they would be protected.—
A conduct so incompatible with the friendly re
existing between the two countries, par-
the positive obligation of the sth
HBQhBl ; vot ; 1-\ V. i'iAi Spam V. as
from acts of hostility against the United States, I
could not fail to excite surprise. The command
ing general was convinced that he should fail in
his object, that he should, in effect, accomplish
nothing, if he did not deprive those savages of
the resource on which they had calculated, and
of the protection on which they had relied, in
making the war. As all the documents, relat
ing to this occurrence, will be laid before con
gress, it is not necessary to enter into further de
tail respecting it.
Although the reasons which induced major
general Jackson to take these posts were duly
appreciated, there w r as, nevertheless, no hesita
tion in deciding on the course which it became
the government to pursue. As there w'as rea
son to believe that the commanders of these posts
had violated their instructions, there w r as no dis
position to impute to their government a conduct
so unprovoked and hostile. An order was in
consequence issued to the general in command
there, to deliver the posts; Pensacola, uncondi
tionally to any person duly authorized to receive
it; and St. Marks, which is in the heart of the In
dian country, on the arrival of a competent force to
defend it against those savages and their associates.
In entering Florida to suppress this combina
tion, no idea was entertained of hostility to Spain,
and, however justifiable the commanding gener
al was, in consequence of the misconduct of the
Spanish officers, in entering St. Marks and Pen
sacola, to terminate it, by proving to the savages
and their associates, that they should not be pro
tected, even there; yet, the amicable relations
existing between the United States and Spain
could not be altered by that act alone. By or
dering the restitution of the posts, those relations
were preserved. To a change of the
power of the executive is deemed incompetent.
It is vested in congress only.
By this measure, so promptly taken, due res
pect was shown to the government of Spain.—
The misconduct of her officers has not been im
puted to her. She was enabled to review with
candor her relations with the United States, and
her own situation, particularly in respect to the
territory in question, with the dangers insepara
ble from it; and, regarding the losses we have
sustained, for which indemnity has been so long
withheld, and the injuries we have suffered
through that territory, and her means of redress,
she was likewise enabled to take, with honor, th%
course best calculated to do justice to the United
States, and to promote her own welfare.
Copies of the instructions to the commanding
general; of his correspondence with the'secreta
ry of war, explaining his motives, and justifying
his conduct, with a copy of the proceedings of
the courts martial, in*the trial of Arbuthnot and
Ambristie; and of the correspondence between
the secretary of state and the minister plenipo
tentiary of Spain, near this government; and of
the minister plenipotentiary of the United States,
at Madrid,,wfni the government of Spain, will be
laid before congress.
JFhe civil war, which basso long prevailed be-
Bveen Spain, and the provinces in South A mem
% still continues without any prospect of its
speedy termination. The information respect
ing the condition of those countries, which has
been collected by the commissioners, recently
returned thence, will be laid before con
gress, in their reports, with such other
information as hhs. been received from other a
gents of the UnitecFStates.
It appears, from tfigse communications, that
the government of Buenos Ayres declared itself
independent in July, 1816, having previously ex
ercised the power of an inGependent govern
ment, though in the name of the, king of Spain,
from the, year 1810: that, the Banda Oriental,
Entre Reos, and Paraguay, with the cuy of Santa
Fee, all of which are equally independent, arc
unconnected with the present government of
Buenos Ayres: that Chili has declared itsWj’ in
dependent, and is closely connected with Bucflbs
Ayres: that Venezuela has also declared itself
independent, and now maintains the conflict with
various auccess; and that the remaining parts of
South America, except Monte Video, and such
and such other portions of the eastern bank of the
La Plata as are held by Portugal, are still in the
possession of Spain, or, in a certain degree, un
der her influence.
By a circular note addressed by the ministers
of Spain to the allied powers with wnom they
are respectively accredited, it appears - that the
allies have undertaken to mediate between Spain
and the South American provinces, and that the
manner and extent of their interposition w ould
be settled by a congress, which was to have met
at Aix-la-Chapelle, in September last From
the general policy and course of proceeding ob
served by the allied powers in regard to this con
test, it is inferred that they will confine their-in
terposition to the expression of their sentiments;
abstaining front the application of force. I state
this impression, that force will not be applied,
with the greater satisfaction, because it is a
course more consistent with justice, and likewise
authorises a hope that the calamities of the war
will he confined to the parties only, and will be
of shorter duration.
From the view taken of this subject, founded
on all the information that we have been able to
obtain, there is good cause to be satisfied with
the course heretofore pursued by the United
States, in regard to this contest, and to conclude,
that it is proper to adhere to it, especially in the
present state of affairs.
I have great satisfaction in stating, that tmr re
lations with France, Russia, and other powers,
continue on the most friendly basis.
In our domestic concerns, we have ample
cause of satisfaction. The receipts into the trea
sury, during the three first quarters of the year,
have exceed seventeen million of dollars.
After satisfying all the demands which have
been made under existing appropriations, includ
ing the final extinction of the old six per cent,
stock, and the redemption of a moiety of the
Louisiana debt, It is estimated that there w lil rc -
main in the treasury, on the first day of January
next, more than two millions of dollars.
It is ascertained that the gross revenue w hich
has accrued from the customs during the same
period amounts to twenty-one millions of dollars,
and that the revenue of the whole year may be
estimated at not less than twenty-six millions.—
The sale of the public lands during the year has
also greatly exceeded, both in quantity and price,
that of any former year; and there is just reason
to expect a progressive improvement in that
source of revenue.
It is gratifying to know, that, although the an
nual expenditure has been increased, by the act
of the last session of congress, providing for re
volutionary pensions, to an amount about equal
to the proceeds of the internal duties, which
were then repealed: the revenue for the ensuing
year will be proportionally augmented, and that,
whilst the public expenditure will probably re
main stationary, each successive year will add
to the national resources, by the ordinary in-*
crease of our population, and by the gradual de
velopement of our latent sources of national pros
perity.
The strict execution of the revenue laws, re
sulting principally from the salutary provisions
of the actofthc 20th of April last, amending the
several collection law's, has, it is presumed, se
cured to domestic manufactures all the relief that
can be derived from the duties which have been
imposed upon foreign merchandize, for their
the influence of this relief,
several import ant national inte
rest have assumcu^^B|^acti vity, and although
it is hoped that revive, and
every the
exmx]j|WPWiA£ranting further
mTOoto your consideration.
The measures of defence, authorized by exist
ing laws, have be cn pursued w ith the zeal and
activity due to so .important an object, and with
all the despatcli practicable in so extensive and
great an undertaking. The survey of our mari
time and inland frontiers lias been continued; and,
at the points where it tvas decided to erect forti
fications, the work has been commenced, and, in
some instances, considerable progress has been
made. In compliance with resolutions of the
last session, the board of commissioners were di
rected- to examine in.a particular manner the
parts of the coast therein designated, and to re
port their opinion of the most suitable scites for
two naval depots. This work is in a train of ex
ecution. The opinion of the board on this sub
ject, with a plan of all the works necessary to a
general system of defence, so far as it has been
formed, will be laid before congress, in a report
from the proper deparment, as soon as it can be
prepared.
In conformity with the appropriations of the last ses
sion, treaties have been formed with the Quapaw tribe
ot Indians, inhabiting, the country on the Arkansaw,
and with the Great and Little Osages north of the White
river; with the tribes in the state of Indiana; with the se
veral tribes within the state of Ohio, and tlie Michigan
territory; and with the Chickasaws; by which very ex
•ttisive cessions of territory have been made to the Unit
ed States. Negociations are now depending with the
tribes in the Illinois territory, and with the Choctaws,
by which it is expected that other extensive cessions
will lie made. I take great interest in stating that the
cessions already made, which are considered so impor
tant to the United States, have been obtained on condi
tions very satisfactory to the Indians.
y> ith a view to the security of our inland frontiers, it.
has been thought expedient to establish strong posts at
the mouth of the Yellow Stone river, and at the Man
dan village, on the Missouri; and at the mouth of the
St. Peter’s, on the Mississippi, at no great distancp from
our northern boundaries. It can hardly be presumed,
while such posts are maintained in the rear of the Indi
an tribes, that they will venture to attack our peaceable
inhabitants. A strong hope is entertained that this
measure will likewise be productive of much good to
the tribes themselves; especially in promoting the great
object of their civilization. Experience lias clearly
demonstrated, that independent savage communities
cannot long exist within the limits of a civilized
population. The progress of the latter has, almost in
• variably, terminated in the extinction of the former, es
pecially ot the tribes belonging to our portion of this
hemisphere, among whom, loftiness of sentiment, and
gallantry in action, have been conspicuous. To civi
lize them and even to prevent their extinction, it seems
to be indispensible that their independence, as commu
nities, should cease, and that the control of the United
States over them should be complete and undisputed.—
Ihe hunter-state will then be more easily abandoned,
and recourse will be had to the acquisition and culture
of land, and to other pursuits tending to dissolve the
ties which connect them together as a savage comniun ty,
and to give anew character to every individual. 1 pre
sent this subject to the consideration of congress,'on
the the presumption that it may be found expedient
and practicable to adopt some benevolent provisions,
having these objects in view, relative to the tribes with
in our settlements.
It has been necessary during the present year to
maintain a strovg naval force in the Mediterranean, and in
the gull Mexico, and to send some public ships along the
southern coast, and to the Pacific ocean. By these
means, amicable relations with the Barbary powers
have been preserved, our commerce has been protect
ed, and our rights respected. The augmentation of our
navy is advancing, with a steady progress, towards the
limit contemplated by law.
1 communicate, with great satisfaction, the accession
of another state, Illinois, to our union, because I per
ceive, from the proof afforded by the additions already
made; the regular progress and sure consummatln of
a policy, of which history affords no example, and of
which the good effect cannot be too highly estimated.—
By extending our government on the principles of our
constitution, over the vast territory within our limits,
on the lakes and the Mississippi, and its numerous
streams, new life and vigor are infused into every part
of our system. By increasing the number of the states,
the confidence of the state governments in their own
security is increased, and their jealousy of the national
government proportionally diminished. The imprac
ticability of one consolidated government for thi# great
and growing nation* will be more apparent, and wul be
universally admitted; fnciqjahle ofirxercising local au
thority, except the general gov
verninemuaM^lmmgerbe dreaded. Tn those cases of
aioeaf nature, and for all the great purposes for which
it was instituted, its authority will be cherished. Each
j government will acquire new force, and a greater free
dom of action, within its proper sphere. Other iilesti-
I mable advantages will follow: our produce will be aug
i mented to an incalculable amount, in articles of the
! greatest value for domestic use and foreign commerce.
! Our navigation will, in like degree, be increased; and.
i as the shipping of the Atlantic states will bo employed