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from Ihe. Nat lulttligmeer Extra, 2il inti.
wa r»«jyssAau
The (’resident of the U. .Stines trans
mitted, this ilny, to both Houses of Con
gress, the following Messnge :
•III Till'. SENATE AM' HOUSE OF BrPHF.SE.N-
TAt I' ES OK THE UNI L'ED STATES.
I'tihnr ('iliiens of I hr Semite,
mid of the House of ticpresenlatives:
If die enjoyment in prolusion of the
bounties of Providence forms n suitable
sntiji’i't of mutual grntuhition nud grateful
acknowledgment, we are H-lmnnislied at
this return of the season, when the Hep
resenintives of the Nation me nssemhlp.il
tn'ilelihernte upon their coneei ns, to offer
tip the tribute of fervent anil grateful
hearts, for the never failing mercies of
Him who ruleth over nil. lie has again
favored us with healthful seasons and a-
iiiinilant harvests. He has sustained us in
panes with foreign countries, and in tran
quility within our borders. He has pre
served us in the quiet hiu! undisturbed
possession of civil and religious liberty.—
He has crowned the year with his good
ness, imposing on us no other conditions
than of improving fur cur own happiness
the blessings bestowed by his hands, and
in the fruition of all his favors, of devo
ting the faculties with which we have
been endowed by him to his glory and to
our own temporal and eternal welfare.
In the relations of our Federal Union
with our brethren of the human race, the
changes which have occurred since the
close of your last session, have generally
tended to the preservation of Pence, ami
prepared for signature by the Secretary of
Stale, and liy the Huron tie l.edcrer, in
trusted with full powers of the Austrian
Government. Independently of the new
and friendly relations which may lie thus
commenced with one of the most eminent
and powerful nations of the Earth,the oc
casion has been tnUen in it, us in other re
cent Treaties conpludeil by the United
States, to extend Ihoso principles of libe
ral intercourse and of fair reciprocity
which intertwine with the exchanges id
commerce, the principles of justice, and
ihc feelings of mutual benevolence. This
system, first proclaimed to tlie wor'
tl
sin, one of those with which our inter
course has been no other than a constant
exchange of good offices, and tlmt of the
Ottoman Porte, a nation from which geo
graphical distance, religious opinions, and
maxims of government on their part little
suited to the formation of those bonds of
mutual benevolence which result from the
benefits of commerce, had kept os in a
state, perhaps too much prolonged, of
coldness and alienation. The extensive,
fertile, ami populous dominions of the
Sultan, belong rather to the Asiatic, than
the Europe ur> division of the human fa
mil). They enter hut partially into the
system of Europe : nor have their wars
with Russia and Austria, the European
Stales upon which they border, for more
than n century past, disturbed the pacific
relations of those States with the other
greai Powers of Europe. Neither France,
nor Prussia, nor Great Britain, has ever
taken part in them; nor is it to he expec
ted that they will at tiiis time. The dec
laration of warily Russia lias received the
appi.dmiiim or acquiescence of tier allies,
and we may indulge the hope that its pro
gress and lermimiiiun will he signalized
by the moderation and forbearance, no
less than by the energy of the Emperor
Nicholas, and that it will afford tiie op
portunity for such collateral agency in be
half of the suffering Greeks, ns will se
cure to them ultimately the triumph of
humanity and of freedom.
The slate of our particular rein tions with
France, has scarcely varied m the course
of the present year. The commercial in
tercourse between the two countries hns
continued to increase for the mutual be
nefit of both. The claims of indemnity
to numbers of our fellow-citizens for de
predations upon their property heretofore
committed, during the Revolutionary Go
vernments, still remain unadjusted, and
Mill form the subject of earnest represen
tation and remonstrance. Recent advices
from the Minister of tiie United States at
Paris encourage the expectation that the
appeal to the justice of the French Go-
verumunt will ere long receive a favorable
consideration.
The last friendly expedient hns been re
sorted to for !lie decision of the contro
versy with Great Britain, relating to the
North-Eastern boundary of the Unite
States. By an agreement with the Brit
ish Government, carrying into effect the
provisions of the fifth article of the Tren
ty of Client, ami the Convention of 2!hb
Kept. 1827, Ilis Majesty the King of the
Netherlands, has by common consent linen
selected as the mnpire'hetvvcen the par
ties. The proposal to him to accept the
designation for the performance of this
friendly olfice will bo made nt an early
day, ami the United States, relying upon
the justice of their cause, will cheerfully
commit the arbitrament of it to a l’rince
equally distinguished fur the independence
of his spirit, his indefatigable assiduity to
the duties of his station, and his inflexi
ble personal probity.
Our commercial relations with Great
Britain will deserve the serious considera
tion of Congress, and the exercise of a
conciliatory and furliearing spirit in the
policy of both Governments. The state
of them hns been materially changed by
the Act of Congress, passed nt their last
Session, in alteration of the several Acts
imposing duties on imposts, nnd by Acts
of more recent date of the British Parlia
ment. The effect of the interdiction of
direct trade commenced by Great Britain,
and reciprocated by tiie United States, lias
been, as was to be foreseen, only to substi
tute different channels for an exchange of
commodities indispensable to the colonies,
nnd profitable to a numerous class of our
fellow-citizens. The exports, the reve
nue, the navigation of the United States,
have suffered no diminution by our exclu
sion from direct access to tiie British Co
lonies. The Colonics pay more dearly
for the necessaries of life, which their Go
vernment burdens with the marges - or
double voyagfip^Xcpj^ts^Tnr exports
are somew hat impaired, and more injuri
ously transferred from one portion of our
citizens to another. Tho resumption of
this old and otherwise exploded system of
Colonial exclusion hns not secured to the
shipping interest of Great Britain the re
lief which, at the expense of the distant
colonies, and of the United States, it was
expected to afford. Other measures have
been resorted to more pointedly bearing
upon the navigation of the United States,
and which, unless modified by the con
struction given to the recent Acts of Par
liament, will he manifestly incompatible
v. ill* the positive stipulations of the com
mercial convention existing between the
two countries. That convention,' how
ever. may he terminated, with twelve
months notice, nt tho option of either tiar-
ty.
A Treaty of Amity, Navigation nnd
Commerce between the United States nnd
His Majesty the F.inueror of Austria,
King ol llungury and Bohemia, has been
fust commercial Treaty ever conclu
ded by the United Slates, I hill of tilli Feii-
runry, 1778, with France, has been invari
ably the cherished policy of our Union.—
It is by treaties of commerce alone that
it can he made ultimately to prevail as the.
established system of all civilized nations.
With this principle our fathers extended
the hand of friendship to every nation of
the globe, nnd to this policy our country
has ever since adhered whatever ol re
gulation in our laws has ever been adopted
unfavorable to the interest of any loreign
nation, hns been essentially defensive and
counteracting to similar regulations of
their's operating against us.
Immediately after the close of the war
of Independence, Commissioners were
appointed by the Congress of the Con
federation, authorised to conclude trea
ties with every notion of Europe dispos
ed to adopt them. Before the wars of the
French revolution, such treaties Imd been
consummated with the United Nether-
• ' • * ion nnd Prussia. During those
wurs, treaties with Great Britain ami
Spain had tteett eifecuut, Rnu loose witli
Prussia nnd France renewed. In all these,
some concessions to the liberal principles
of intercourse proposed by the United
States, bad been obtained ; but as, in all
the negotiations, they came occasionally
in collision with previous internal regula
tions, or exclusive nnd excluding com
pacts of monopoly, with which the other
parties had been trammeled, the advances
made in them towards the freedom ol
trade were partial and imperfect. Colo
nial establishments, eliurtered companies,
and ship building influence, pervaded and
encumbered the legislation of all the great
commercial States; nnd the United States,
in offering free trade and equal privilege to
all, were compelled to acquiesce in many
exceptions with each of the parties to
their treaties, accommodated to their ex
isting laws nnd anterior engagements.
The colonial system by which this
whole hemisphere was hound, lias fallen
into ruins. Totally abolished by revolu
tions, converiingcoionies into independent
nntions, throughout the two American
Continents, excepting a portion of territo
ry chiefly at the northern extremity of
our own, nnd confined to the remounts of
dominions retained by Great Britain over
tiie insular Archipelago, geographically
the appendages of our part of the globe.
With all the rest we have free trade—even
with the insular colonies of all the Europe
an nations except Great Britain. Her Go
vernment also had manifested approaches
to the adoption of a free and liberal inter
course between her colonies nud other
nations, though, by a sudden nnd scarcely
explained revulsion, the spirit of exclu
sion lias been revived fur operation upon
the United States alone.
are in Ti trntn of negotiation, which we
Imps may terminate u* mutual satisfac
tion, and that it may ue succeeded by n
Treaty of commerce nnd Navigation up
on liberal principles, propitious tt* a greut
and growing commerce, already impor
tant to the interests of our country.
The condition nnd prospects Lfthc Re
venue nre more favorable tlinl our most
sanguine expectations had antpipatod.—
The balance in the Treasury onjlho first ol
January Inst, exclusive of the noneys re
ceived under the Convention otldiii No
vember, 182d, with Great Brlttin, was
five millions eight hundred aiiil sixty-one
thousand nine hundred nnd seventy-two
dollars, nnd eighty-three ceuta. The re
ceipts into the Treasury from the first ol
January to the BOtli of September Inst,
so far as they have been ascertained to
form the basis of an estimate, amount to
eighteen millions six hundred apt! thirty-
three thousand five hundred nnd eighty
dollars and twenty-seven cents, which,
with the receipts of the present quurter,
estimated nt five millions four hundred
and sixty-one thousand two hundred and
eighty-three dollars and forty cents, form
an aggregate of receipts during the ydar
of twenty-four millions anti ninety-four
thousand eight hundred and sixty-three
dollars and sixty-seven cents. The txpen-
ditures of the year may probably amount
to twenty-five millions six buudrtd nnd
thirty-seven thousand five hundred anti e-
Inven dollars ami sixty-three eenktj and
leave in tho Treasury on the first yl Jan
uary next, the sum of five millions one
hundred nnd twenty-live thousand six hun
dred and thirty-eight dollm-S fourteen
The conclusion of our last Treaty of
Peace with Great Briluin wns t-horily af
lerwnrds followed by u Commercial Con
vention placing the direct intercourse be
tween the two countries upon a footing of
more equal reciprocity than Imd ever be
fore been admitted. The same principle
bus since been much farther extended by
Treaties with France, Sweden, Denmark,
the llansentic Cities, Prussia, in Europe,
and will) the Republics of Colombia, and
of Central America, in this hemisphere.
The mutual abolition of discriminating
duties and charges, upon the navigation
and commercial intercourse between the
parties is the general maxim which char
acterizes them all. There is reason to
expect thnt it will, at no distant period, he
adopted by other nations, both of Europe
and America, nud to hope that by its uni
versal prevalence, one of the fruitful sour
ces of wars of commercial competition
will he extinguished.
Among the nations upon whose Govern
ments litany of our fellow-citizens have
Imd long pending claims of indemnity for
depredations upon their property during a
period when tho rights of neutral com
merce were disregarded, was that of Den
mark. They were, soon after the events
occurred, the subject of a special mission
front the United States, at the close of
which the assurance was given by his
Danislt Majesty that, at a period of more
tranquillity, nud of less distress, they
would he considered, examined, and de
cided upon, in n spirit of determined pur
pose for the dispensation of justice. I
have much pleasure in informing' Con
gress, that the fulfilment of tiiis honorable
promise is now in progress ; that a small
portion of the claims has already been set
tled to the satisfaction of the claimants;
and that we have reasrin to hope that the
remainder will shortly be placed in n train
of equitable adjustment. This result has
always been confidently expected from
the character of personal integrity nnd of
benevolence which the Sovereign of tiie
Danish Dominions has, through every vi
cissitude of fortune, maintained.
The general aspect of the affairs of our
neighboring American Nations of the
South has been rather of approaching
than of settled tranquillity. Internal d'»
. _ — tl ,Ore rrequent a
rnong them than their common friends
would have desired. Our intercourse with
all hits continued to he thnt of friendship,
anil of mutual good will. Treaties of
Commerce and of Boundaries with tiie U-
nited Mexican States have been negotia
ted, hut, from various successive obstacles,
not yet brought to a final conclusion —
The civil war which unfortunntely still
prevails in the Republic of Central Amer
icn, hns been unpropitious to the cultiva
tion of our commercial relations with
them ; anil the dissentions nnd revolution
ary changes in the Republics of Colom
bia and ol Peru, have been seen with cor-
'li.nl regret hy us, who would gladly con
tribute to the happiness of both. It is
with great satisfaction, however, thnt we
have witnessed the recent conclusion of a
Peace between the Governments of Bue
nos Ayrej «»«1 of Brazil; and it is equally
gratifying to observe that indemnity has
been obtained for some of the injuries
which our fellow-eitzens had sustained in
tho latter of those countries. The rest
l lie receipts of the present year have
amounted to near millions tT,ore than
was anticipated at the eoiranawiiiient of
tiie last session of Congress.
The amount of duties sccnrej on im
portations from the first of January to the
IJtlth of September, was about twenty-two
millions nine hundred and minty-seven
thousand, and that of the estimated ac
cruing revenue is live millions, leaving an
aggregate fur the year of near twenty
eight millions. This is one million more
than the estimate made last December for
the accruing revenue of the present year,
which, with allowances for drawbacks
and contingent deficiencies, was Expected
to produce an actual revenue of,twenty•
two millions three hundred thousand dol
lars. Had these only been realized, the
expenditures of the year would have been
also proportionally reduced. Forof these
twenty-four millions received, upwards of
nine millions have been applied to the ex
tinetion of public debt bearing an interest
of six per cent, a year, and ,qf ( course
reducing the burden of interest annually
payable in future, by the amount of more
than half a million. The payments on
account of interest during the current
year exceed three millions of dollars; pre
senting an aggregate of more than twelve
millions applied during the year to the
discharge of the public debt, the whole of
which remaining due on the first of Ja
unary next will amount otdy to fifty-eight
millions three hundred nnd sixty-two thou
sand one hundred and thirty-five doliurs
seventy-eight cents,
Thnt the revenue of the ensiling year
will not fall short of that received in the
one now expiring, there are indications
which can scnrcelv prove deceptive. In
our country, an uniform experience of for
ty years hns shown thnt whatever the tar
iff of duties upon articles imported from
abroad lias been, the amount of importa
tions has ulwnys borne nn average value
nearly approaching to that of the exports,
though occasionally differing in the ba
lance, sometimes being more, and some
times less. It is, indeed, a general law of
prosperous commerce, that the real value
of exports should by a small, nnd only a
small balance, exceed that of imports, that
balance being a permanent addition to the
wealth of the nation. The extent of the
prosperous commerce of the nation must
lie regulated hy the amount of its exports ;
and an important addition to the value of
these will draw after it u corresponding
increase of importations. It hns happen
ed, in the vicissitudes of the seasons,
that tho harvests of all Europe have, in
the late Summer and Autumn, fallen short
of their usual average. A relaxation of
the interdict upon the importation of grain
and Hour from abroad has ensued ; a pro
pitious market lias been opened to the
granaries of our country ; and a new
prospect of rewurd presented to the. la
bors of the litishandinnii, which, for several
years has been denied. This accession
to the profits of agriculture in tiie middle
and western portions of our Union is acci
dental and temporary. It may continue
only for a single year. It may he, ns has
been often experienced in the revolutions
of time, but the first of several sennty
harvests in succession. We may consider
it certain that, for the approaching year,
it hns added an item of large amount to
the value of our exports, and that it will
produce a corresponding increase of im
portations. It may, therefore confidently
be foreseen, that the revenue of 1829 will
equal, nnd proahly exceed that of 1828,
nnd will afford tiie means of extinguish
ing tPii millions more of the principal of
the public debt.
Tiiis new element of prosperity to that
part of our agricultural industry which is
occupied in producing the first article of
human subsistence, is of the most cheer
ing character to tiie feelings of patriotism.
Proceeding from ncausd which humanity
will view with concern, tiie sufferings of
Hi-nn-ity in distant lands, it yields ncon
dolatory reflection, mat this" scarcity is
in lio respeet attributable to us : That it
entries from the dispensation of Him who
ordains all in wisdom and goodness, and
who permits evil itself only as an instru
mem of good : That, far from contrtfou
ting to this scarcity, our agency will he
applied only to the alleviation of its sever
ity, and that in pouring forth, from the n-
hiindanre of our own garners, the sup
plies which will partially restore plenty
to those who are in need, we shall ourselves
reduce our stores, and add to the price of
our own bread so as in some degree to
participate in the wants which it will he
the good fortune of our country to relieve.
The great interests of an agricultural,
commercial and manufacturing nation, are
so linked in union together, that no per ma
neut cause of prosperity to one of them
enn operate without extending its influence
to the others. All these interests arealike
under the protecting power of the legisla
tive authority: and the duties of the re
presentative bodies arc to conciliate them
m harmony together. So fur ns the oh.
discharging tho debts, and defraying the
expenses of the community, it should as
much as possible suit the burden with
equal hand upon all, in proportion with
their ability of hearing it without oppres
sion. But the legislation of one nation is
sometimes intentionally made to hear hea
vily upon the interests of another, Thnt
legislation, adapted as it is meant to bo to
the spucinl interests of its own people,
will often press most unequally upon the
several component interests ot its neigh
bors. Thus, tho legislation ot Grout Bri-
tian when, ns lias recently been avowed,
adapted to the depression of a rival nation,
will naturally abound with regulations ot
interdict upon tho productions of the soil
or industry of tho other which come itt
competition with its own; nnd will pre
sent encouragement, perhaps even bounty,
to tho raw material of the other State,
which it cannot produce itself, and which
is essential for tiie use of its manufactures,
competitors in the markets of tho world
with those of its commercial rival. Such
is the state of the commercial legislation
of Great Hritinn, ns it hoars upon oar in
terests. It excludes, with interdicting du
ties, all importation (except in time of np-
pronching famine) of the gr^it staple pro
ductions of our Middle nnd Western
States; it prescribes, with equal rigor, the
bulkier lumber nud live stork of the same
portion, ami also of the Northern nnd
Eastern part of our Union. It refuseseven
tiie rice of the South, unless aggravated
with a charge of duty upon the Northern
carrier who brings it to them. But the
cotton, indispensable for their looms, they
will receive almost duty free, to weave it
into a fabric for our owt* wear, to tiie de
struction of our own manufactures, which
they nre enabled thusio undersell. Is the
self-protecting energy of this nation so
helpless that there exists, in tiie political
institutions of our country, no power to
counteract the bias of this foreign legisla
tion ? thnt the growers of grain must suit
mit to this exclusion from the foreign mar
kets of their produce ; that the shippers
must dismantle their ships, tiie trade of
the North stagnate at the wharves, and
the manufacturers starve nt their looms,
while the whole people shall pay tribute
to foreign industry, to he clad in a foreign
arli; that the Congress of the Union are
impotent to restore the balance in favor of
native industry destroyed by the statutes
of another realm ? More just nnd more
generous sentiments will, I trust, prevail.
If the tariff adopted at the Inst session of
Congress shall he found by experience, to
henr oppressively upon the interests of any
one section of the Union, it ought to lie,
nnd I cannot doubt will he, so modified a
to alleviate its burden. To the voice ol
just complaint from any portion of their
constituents, the Representatives of the
States and People will never turn nivav
their ears. But so long ns the duty of the
foreign shall opernte only os a bounty up
on the domestic article—while the planter,
and the merchant and the shepherd, an
the husbandman, shall he found thriving
in their occupations under the duties im
posed for the protection of domestic, rnnnu
factnres, they will not repine nt tiie pros
perity shared with theinsplves liy their fol
low-citizens of other professions, nor de
nounce ns violations of the Constitution
the deliberate acts of Congress to shield
front the wrongs of foreign laws the na
tive industry of the Union. While the ta
rift' of the last session of Congress was n
subject of legislative deliberation, it was
foretold hy some of its opposers that cmc
of its necessary consequences would he to
impair the revenue—If is yet loo soon to
pronounce with ennfidenon, time this pre
diction was erroneous. The obstruction
of one avenue of trade not (infrequently
opens nn issuo to another. The conse
quence of the tariff will he to increase the
exportation, and to diminish the importa
tion of some specific articles. But bv the
general law of trade, the increase of ex
portation of one article will he followed
by an increased importation of others, the.
duties upon which will supply the defici
encies, which the diminished importnti
on would otherwise occasion. The ef
fect of taxation upon revenue enn seldom
be foreseen with certainty. It must abide
the test of experience. As yet no symp
toms of d'rrinution are perceptible in the
receipts of tlie Treasury - As vet, little ad
dition of cost hns even been experienced
upon the articles burdened will* heavier
duties by the last tariff. The domestic
manufacturer supplies the same or a kin
dred article nt a diminished price, anil the
consumer pays the same trihnte to the la
hor of his own countrymen, which he must
otherwise have paid to foreign industry
ami toil.
The tariff of the last session wns in its
details not acceptable to the gKtat interests
of any portion of the Union, not even to the
interest which it was specially intended to
subserve. Its object was to balance the
burdens upon native industry imposed by
the operation of foreign laws; hut not to
aggravate the burdens of one section ofthe
Union l*v the relief afforded to another.—
To the great principle sanctioned hy that
act, one of those upon which the Constitu
tion itself tvas formed. I hope nnd trust the
authorities of the Union will adhere. But
if any of the duties imposed bv the act
only relieve the manufacturer by aggra
vating the burden of the planter, let a
careful revisnl of its provisions, enlighten
ed hy tho practical experience of its ef
feels, he directed to retain those which
impart protection to native industry, and
remove or supply the place of those which
only alleviate one great national interest
by the flopression of another.
The United States of America, nnd the
Ueople of every State of which they nre
composed, are each of them Sovereign
Powers. The legislative authority of the
whole is exercised by Congress under au
thority-granted them in the common con
stitution. The legislative power of each
State is exercised hy assemblies deriving
their authority from the Constitution of
the State. Each is sovereign within its
own province. The distribution of [low
er between them presupposes that these
authorities will move in harmony with
each other. The members ofthe State and
General Governments nre all under oatit
to support both, nnd allegiance is due to
the one and to the other. The case of a
conflict between these two powers has
not been supposed; nor lias any provision
been made for it in our institutions ; as n
virtuous Nation of ancient times existed
more than fivo centuries without a law for
the nunishtnent of parf-iciile.
Ill ore than once, however, in the pro
gress of our history, have the People nnd
to this conflict; and the mentis of effect- i
ing this impulse have been allegations that
the nets of Congress to be resisted were'
unconstitutional. The People of no one
State have ever delegated to their Legis
lature the power of pronouncing an net of
Congress unconstitutional ; but they have
delegated to them powers, hy tho exercise
of which the execution ofthe Itr-vs ofCon-
gress within the State may ho resisted.—
If we suppose the case of such conflicting
legislation sustained hy the corresponding
Executive and Judicial authorities, Patri
otism and Philanthropy turn their eyes
from the condition in which the parties
would be placed, and from tbnt ofthe peo
ple of both, which must be its victims.
Tho Reports from the Secretary of War,
ami from the various subordinate offices
ofthe resort of that Department, present
nn exposition of the public administration
of affairs connected with them, through
the course of the current year. Tho pre
sent state of the army, nnd the distribution
ofthe force of which it is composed, will
he seen from the Report of the Major Ge
neral. Several alterations in the disposal
of the troops hove been found expedient
in tiie course of the year, anil the discipline
of the army, though not entirely free from
exception, has been generally good.
Tho ntteniion of Congress is particular
ly invited to thnt part of the Report of the
Secretary of War, which concerns the ex
isting systern of our relations with the In
dian tribes. At the establishment of the
Federal Government, under the present
Constitution ofthe United States, the prin
ciple wns adopted of considering them as
foreign nnd independent powers; and al
so ns proprietors of lands. They were
moreover, considered as savages, whom it
was our policy nnd our duty to use our in
Huettce in converting to Christianity, and
in bringing within the pale of civilization.
As independent Powers, we negotiated
with them hy treaties; as proprietors we
purchased of them all the lands which we
could prevail upon them to sell—ns breth
ren ofthe human luce, rude ami ignorant,
we endeavored to bring them to the know
ledge of religion and of letters. Tue ulti
mate design wns to incorporate in our own
institutions thnt portion of them which
could lie converted to the state of civiliza
tion. In the practice of European States,
before our Revolution, they had been con
siiiered as children to he governed: ns
tenants at discretion, to he dispossessed us
occasion might require; as hunters to he
indemnified hy trilling concessions for n-
itiovul from the grounds upon which their
game was extirpated. In changing the
system, it would seem ns if a fidl content
Illation ofthe consequences ofthe cliunge
Imd not been taken. We have been fur
more successful in the acquisition of their
lands than in imparling to them the priu- ]
riplas, or inspiring them with the spirit of I
civilization. But in appropriating to our
selves their hunting grounds, we have
brought upon ourselves the obligation of
providing them with subsisteice ; and
when we have had the rare good fortune
of teaching them the arts of civilization,
and the doctrines of Christianity, we Imve
unexpectedly found them forming, in the
midst of ourselves, communities claiming
to lie independent of ours, and rivals of
sovereignty within the territories of the
members of our Union. This state of
things requires that a remedy should he
provided. A remedy which, while it shall
do .just ice to those unfortunate children of
nature, may secure to the members of our
confederation their rights of sovereignty
and of soil. As the outline of n pruject
to that effect, the views presented in the
Report of tho Secretary of Wur are recoin-
mended to the consideration of Congress.
The Report from the Engineer Depart
ment piescntsa comprehensive view of
the progress which lias been made in the
great systems promotive of the public in
torest, commenced and organized under
the authority of Congress, and the effects
of which have already contributed to the
security, us they will hereafter lurgelv
contribute to the honor and dignity, of the
nation.
The first of these great systems is that
of fortifications, commenced immediately
after the close of our last war, under the
salutary experience which the events of
that wur had impressed upon our coun
trymen of its necessity. Introduced under
the auspices of my immediate predeces
sor, it has been continued with the perse
vering and liberal encouragement of the
Legislature; nnd combined with corres
ponding exertions for the gradual increase
and improvement of the Navy, prepares
for our extensive country a condition of
defence adapted to any critical emergency
which the varying coarse of events may
bring forth. Our advances in these con
certed systems have for the last ton years
been steady and progressive ; nnd in a few
years more will ho so completed as to leave
no cause for apprehension, that our sea
const will ever again offer a theatre of
hostile invasion.
The next of these cardinal measures of
policy, is tlie preliminary to great titid
lasting works of public improvement, in
the surveys of ronds, examination for the
course of canals, and labours for tho re
moval of the obstructions of rivers and
harbours, first commenced liy the Act of
Congress of fiOth April, 1824.
The report exhibits in one table the
funds appropriated nt the last and prece
ding Sessions of Congress, for till these
fortifications, surveys, and works of public
improvement; the. manner in which these
funds have been applied, the amount ex
pended upon the several works under con
struction, and the further sums which may
be necessary to complete them. In n se
cond, the works projected hy tiie Board of
Engineers, which have not been commen
ced, nnd the estimate of their cost.
In a third the report of the annual Board
of Visiters nt the Military Academy nt
West Point. For thirteen fortifications
erecting on various points of our Atlantic
coast from Rhode Island to Louisiana, the
aggregate expenditure of the year has fal
len a little short of one millon of dollars.
For the preparation of five additional
reports of reconnoissanons and survoys
since the last Session of Congress, for the
civil constructions upon thirty-seven dif
ferent public works commenced, eight oth
ers for which specific appropriations have
been made by Acts of Congress, and twen
ty other incipient surveys under the au
thority given hy the ActofJMHIi April, 1821,
about one million more of dollars have
bean drawn from the Treasury.
To tlicse two millions of dollars nre to be ltd
ded tint appropriation o('250,U00dollars, to com
meocn the erection of a breakwater near the
ville and Portland, the Dismal
Chesapeake and Ohio Canals • the i
buns of lands to the States of Ohio S’
boots and Alabama, fcr objects of jm, 11
within those States, and the sum.?.'
for Light Houses, Buoys nnd Piers
amU full view will betaken of the
ofthe Nation In the application of it “^,0"'"
to the Improvement of its own conditio!,
Of these great national undertaking ,
Academy nt West Point i, among ,[,* **', ! h, “
portant m itself, nnd the most con nrT
in its consequences. In that instiuut en,lvt
ofthe Revenue ofthe Nation is app lieOto’d. ?*"
the expense of educating a competent porfr
heryouth, chiefly to the knowledge and , 7"
tieR of military life. It is the living , r ,„ the
the Nation. While the other work® S” ° !
meat enumerated in the report# now '
to the attention of Congress, are desiin T B,ei1
meliorate the face of nature; multiply 5*
cditics of communication between ilia .nr
parts of the Union; to assist the labor!
the comforts, and enhance the en joymem.
dividual#—'the instruction acquired ij ln
Point enlarges the dominion and 1, ‘ , , 1
capacities of the mind |„ ^Idt
nre already experienced in the comnoilii™ -
thr army, and their Influence is f e | t j„ °, f
lectiml progress of society. The lnslli,,iil„ 1
susceptible still of great improve,!*!. ?? ,S
benefactions nropnged bv sevi«n\i . r ? ni
boards of Visiters, ,0 whose comm and T'"
ed recommendations I cheeifullv add m- !pCat ’
With the usual annual repoKlftffi;
tary of the Navy and the board of CommlT*'
ers, will be exhibited to the view of Con M ° n '
the execution of the laws relating to ihf/n*’
partment of the public service. The rearm';!!,'
of piracy in the West-Indies and in the Grt
seas hns been effectually maintained with scs/"
ly any exception During the War between £
Governments ot Buenos Ayres and of Brazil r
quent collisions between belligerent sets of H
er and the rights of neutral commerce occurr!!'
Licentious blockades, irregularly enlisted™’
impressed seamen, and the property „f i 101 ot
commerce seized with violence, and even nl
<ler, ,l under legal pretences, are disorders nm!
separable from the conflicts of war uno„
ocean.' Will, « portion of them, th! co?Z
(lencc of our commanders on the Eastern ,
ofthe South American coast, and aiming^!
Islands of Greece, discover how far we In
been involved. In these the honor of our com!
Uy and the rights of our citizens have been
serted and vindicated. The
appearance of
. • tlw Legislatures of one or more Stales, in mouth of the Delaware river; the subscriptions
ject 01 taxation is to raise a re von uo for, moiuenty of excitement, been instigated t0 t* 10 Delaware aud Chesapeake—the Louis-
new squadrons in the Mediterranean, and the
blockade of the Dardanelles indicate the danm
of other obstacles to the freedom ofcoimnen*
and the necessity of keeping our Naval forcejn
those seas. To the suggestions repeated in the
report ol the Secretary of the Navy. a„d tend-
mg to the permanent improvement of thiainxti-
tution, I invite the favorable consideration of
Congress.
A resolution of the House of Representatives
requesting that one of our small public vessels
should be sent to Ihe Pacific Ocean and Souih
Sea, to examine the eonsts, Islands, Harbors
Shoals and Reefs in those Seas, nnd to nscertaiii
• hair true siiuation nnd description, has !«„
put in a train of execution. The vessel is nearly
ready to depart; the successful accomplish,
incut of the expedition may be greatly facilitat
ed hy suitable legislative provisions; and parti
cularly by nn appropriation to defray its neces
sary expense. The addition of a second, and
perhaps a third vessel, with a slight aggravation
ofthe cost, would contribute much to the safety
of the citizens embarked on this undertaking!
the results of which may be of the deepest iuii^
rest to our country.
With the report of the Secretary of the Nary,
will be submitted, in conformity to the act of
Congress, of 3d March, 1B27, for the gradual
improvement of the Navy of the United Stales,
statements of the expenditures under that act,
nnd of tiie measures taken for carrying the
same into effect. Every section of that statute
contains n distinct provision, looking to die
great object of the whole, the gradual iinpiove-
ment of the Navy. Under its salutary sancti
ons, stores of ship timber have been procured,
and are in process of seasoning and preservati
on for the future uses of the Nuvy. Arrange
ments have been made for the preservation of
tire live oak timber growing on the lands of the
United States, and for its reproduction lo sup
ply at future and distant days the wasteof that
most valuable material for ship building, hy the
great consumption of it yemly for the commer
cial as well as for the military marine of our
country. The constiuclinn of the two Dry
Docks at Charlestown nod at Norfolk, is nuk
ing satisfactory progreas towards a durable es
tablishment. The examinations and enquiries
to ascertain the practicability and eipediency
of a Marine Railway nt Pensacola, though not
yet accomplished, have been postponed, but to
bn Ihe more effectually made. The Navy
Yards of the United States have been examined,
nnd plans for their improvement, and the pre
servation of the public property therein; at
Portsmouth, Charlestown, Philadelphia, Wash
ington and Gosport ; and to which tivo others
nre to be added, have been prepared, amt re
ceived my sanction; and no other portion of my
public duties hns been performed with a more
intimate conviction of its importance lo Ihe fu
ture welfare and security of the Union-
With the report of the Postmaster General, is
exhibited a comparative view of the gradual in
crease of (hat establishment, from five to live
years, since 1792, till this time, in the number
of Post Offices, which has grown from less than
two hundred to nenrly eight thousand ; in the
revenue yielded by them, which, from sixty-
seven thousand dollars, has swollen to upwards
of it million and a half, and in the number ol
miles of Post Roads, which, from five thousand
six hundred und forty-two, have multiplied to
one hundred and fourteen thousand five hun
dred and thirty-six. While, in the same period
of time, the population of the Union lias shout
thrice doubled, the rate of increase of these offi
ces is nearly forty, and of the revenue, undo!
travelled miles, from twenty to twenty-five for
one. The increase of revenue, within Ihe lad
five years, lias hern nearly equal lo the whole
revenue ofthe Department in 1S12.
The expenditures of the Department, (luring
Ihe year which ended on the first of July
have exceeded the receipts by a sum of about
twenty-five thousand dollars. The exce« s " d ®
been occasioned by the increase of mail convci-
(dices and facilities, to the extent of near tig
hundred thousand miles. It hns li-ran J l 'PP‘ lf
liy collections from the Poshnasturs of the ar
rearages of preceding years. While *' IC c 7
rect principle seems to be, that the income
vied by the Department should defray «** 1
expenses, It has never been the policy ol 1
Government to rnise from this estublislime
any revenue 10 be applied to any other P ur r|
ses. The suggestion of the Postmaster Gent r ,
that the insurance of the safe transmission^
moneys by the mail might he nssuniod y *
Department, for a moderate and cqmpeteu r ‘
numeration, will deserve the {BWidenUlou °‘
A Report from the Commissioner of the puj)
lie buildings in this City exhibits the W
tnreg upon them in the course of the cu
year. It will be seen that the humane ’
nevolent intentions of Congress lii prov '
by the act of 20th May, 182ff, ftr the ere ‘on
of a Penitentiary in this district, have
complished The authority of farther W
tion is now required for the removid «®
neinent of the offenders against I ■* ’ f lir
fenced to atone by personal confio ^ ^
their crimes, and to provide a ‘ ;0< . con tin
employment and government whde !h“*
The Commissioners appointed
to the act of 2d March, 1827,io P nt i,led 1°
adjustment of claims of P 01 * 0 *® ^riicle
demnification under the firat >n >ing
Treaty of Ghent, and for the
such claimants ofthe sum |)»ni pnl j r n of
ment of Great Britain under the C00 ^ ^ (he
13th November, 182<i, closed ft* j^nutl
3Dth of August last, by awarding