Newspaper Page Text
No. 28. Vol. IV.
Congress of the United States.
From the National Intelligencer, Dec. 3.
This day the President of the United States
transmitted to both Houses of Congress the fol
lowing
JH3B SBA®3B
Fellow Citizens of the Senate
and House of Representatives :
Many causes unite to make your present
meeting peculiarly interesting to our con
stituents. The operation of our laws on
the various subjects to which they apply,
with the amendments which they occa
sionally require, imposes, annully, an im
portant duty on the Representatives of a
free people. Our system has happily ad
vanced to such maturity, that I am not
aware that your cares, in that respect, will
be augmented. Other causes exist which
are highly interesting to the whole civiliz
ed world, an-.l to no portion of it more, so,
in certain views, than to the United Slates.
Os these causes, and of their bearing on the
interest of our Union, I shall communicate
the sentiments which I have formed, with
that freedom which n sense of duty dictates.
It i< proper, however, to invite your atten
tion, io the first instance, to those concerns
respecting which legislative provision is
thought to be particularly urgent.
On the 2-tth of June last, a convention of
navigation and commerce was concluded, in
this city, between the United States and
France, bv ministers duly authorized lor
the purpose. The sanction of the Exec
utive having been given to this conven
tion, under a conviction that, taking all
i- stipulations into view, it rested essential
ly on a basis of reciprocal and equal advan
tage, I deemed it my duty, in compliance
with the autbori'y vested in the Executive
by the second section of the act of the last
session, of the 6th May. concerning naviga
tion, to suspend, by proclamation, until the
end of the next session of Congress, the op
eration of the act, entitled “An act to im
pose anew tonnage duty on French ships
and vessels, and for other purposes,” and to
suspend likewise all other duties on French
vessels, or the goods imported in them,
which exceeded (he duties on American
vessel*, and on similar goods imported in
them. I shall submit this convention, forth
with, to the Senate, for its advice and con
sent, as to (he ratification.
Sinrp your last session, the prohibition
which Sod been imposed on the commerce
between the United Stales and the British
colonies, in the West Indies, and on this
continent, has likewise been removed.
Satisfactory evidence having’ been adduced,
that the ports of those colonies had been
opened to the vessels of the United States,
by an act of the British Parliament, bearing
date on tho 24th of June last, on the condi
tions specimen therein,l deemed it proper.in
compliance with the provision of the first
section of the act of the last session above
recited, to declare, by proclamation, bear
ing date on the 24th of August last, that the
ports of the United States should thence
forward, and until the end of the next ses
sion of Congress, be open to the vessels of
Great Briiian employed in that trade, under
the liuiit ‘lion specified in that proclama
tion.
A doubt was entertained whether the
iict of Congress applied to ihe Crilish colo
nies on this continent, as well as to those in
the West Indies ; but as the act of parlia
ment opened the intercourse equally with
belli, and it was the manifest intention of
Congress, as well as the obvious poiisy
of the United States, that the provisions of
the act of Parliament should be met, in
equal ext. tit, on the part of the United
States, and as also the act of congress was
supposed to vest in the President some dis
cretion ii) the excution of it, I thought it
advisable to give it a corresponding con
struction.
Should the constitutional sanction of the
Senate be given to the ratification of the
convention with France, legislative provis
ion? will be necessary to carry it fully into
effect, as it likewise will be to continue in
force, on such conditions a may be deemed
just 4- proper,the intercourse which has been
opened between the United States and the
]it iti-h colonies. Every light in the pos
session of the Executive, will, in due time,
be communicated on Loin subjects.
nesting essentially on a basis of recipro
cal ant! equal advantage, it has been the
object of the Executive, in transactions with
other powers, to meet the propositions of
each with a liberal spirit, believing that the
interest of our country would thereby be
most effectually promoted. This course has
been systematically pursued in the late oc
currences with France and Great Britain,
and in strict accord with the views of the
legislature. A confident hope is entertain
ed, that, by the arrangement thus commen
ced with each, all differences respecting
navigation anu corrjnerce, with the domin-
THE MISSIONARY.
MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK COUNTY, GEORGIA,) MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1822.
ions in question, will be adjusted, and a solid
foundation be laid for an active and perma
nent intercourse, which will prove equally
advantageous to both parties.
The decision of His Imperial Majesty the
Emperour of Russia, on the question sub
mitted to him by the United Stales and
Great Britian, concerning the construction
of the first Article of the Treaty of Ghent,
has been received. A convention has since
been concluded, between the parties, under
the mediation of His Imperial Majesty, to
prescribe the mode by which that article
shall be carried into effect,in conformity with
that decision. I shall submit ibis conven
tion to the Senate for its advice and consent,
as io the ratification, and, if obtained, shall
immediately bring the subject before Con
gress, for such provisions as may require
the interposition of the Legislature.
In compliance with an Act of the last
session, a 1 erritorial Government has been
established in Florida, on the principles of
our system. By this Act, the inhabitants
are secured in the full enjoyment of their
rights and liberties, and to admission into
the Union, with equal participation in the
Government with the original States, on
the conditions heretofore prescribed to oth
er Territories. By a clause in the ninth
Article of the Treaty with Spain, by which
that Territory was ceded to the United
States, it is stipulated that satisfaction shall
be made for the injuries, if any, which, by
process of law, shaft be established to have
been suffered, by the Spanish officers, and’
individual Spanish inhabitants, by the late
operations of our troops in Florida. No
provision having yet been made to carry
that stipulation into effect, it is submitted
to the consideration of Congress, whether it
will not be proper to vest the competent
power in the District Court at Pensacola,
or in some tribunal, to be specially organ
ized for that purpose.
The fiscal operations of the year have
been more successful than had been antici
pated at the commencement of the last ses
sion of Congress.
The receipts into the Treasury, during
the three first quarters of the year have
exceeded the sum of fourteen millions sev
en hundred and forty-five thousands dollars.
The payments made at the Treasury, du
ring the same period, have exceeded
twelve millions two hundred and seventy
nine thousand dollars. Leaving in the
1: easnry on the 30th day of September
last, (including one million one hundred
and sixty-eight thousand five hundred and
ninety-two dollars and twenty-four cents
which were in the Treasury on the first
day of January last) a sum exceeding
four millions one hundred and twenty-eight
thousand dollars.
Besides discliaring all demands for the
current services of the year, including the
interest and reimbursement of the publick
debt, the six percent, stock of 1796 amount
ing to eighty thousand dollars, has been re
deemed. It is estimated that, after defray
ing the current expenses of the present
quarter, and redeeming the two millions of
six percent, stock of 1020, there will re
main in the Treasury, on the first day of
January next, nearly three millions of dol
lars. It is estimated that the gross amount
of duties which have been securer! from the
first of January to the 30th of September
last, has exceeded nineteen millions five
hundred thousand dollars; and the amount
for the whole year will probably not fall
short of twenty-three millions of dollars.
Os the actual force in service under the
present Military Establishment, the posts
at which it is stationed, and the condition
of each post, a report from the Secretary
of War, which is now communicated, will
give a distinct idea. By like reports the
slate of the Academy at West PoiDt will be
•seen, a9 well as the progress which has
been made on the fortifications along the
coast, and at the Publick Armories and
Arsenals.
The position on the Red River, and that
at the Sault of St. Marie, are the only new
posts that have been taken. These posts,
with those already occupied in the intcri
our, are thought to be well adapted to the
protection of our frontiers. All the force,
not placed in the garrisons along the coast,
and in the ordnance depots, and Indispen
sably necessary there, is placed on the
frontiers.
The organization of the several corps
composing the army is such as to admit its
expansion to a great extent in case of
emergency, the officers carrying with them
all the light which they possess, to the new
corps, to which they might he appointed.
With the organization of the staff, there
is equal cause to be satified. By (be con
centration of every branch, with its chief
in this city, in the presence of the Depart
ment, and with a grade in the chief milita
ry station,to keep alive & cherish a military
spirit, the greatest promptitude in the exe
cution of orders, with the greatest economy
and efficiency, are secured. The same
view is taken of the Military Academy.
Good order is preserved in it, and the youth
are well instructed in every science con
nected with the great objects of the Institu
tion. They are also well trained and dis
ciplined in the practical parts of the pro
fession. It has always been found difficult
to control the ardour inseparable from that
GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH TIIE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE.
I early age, in such a manner as to give it a
proper direction. The rights of manhood
are too often claimed, prematurely; in pres
sing which 100 far, the respect which is
due to age, and the obedience necessary to
a course of study and instruction, in every
such institution, are sometimes lost sight of.
3 he great object to be accomplished, is the
restraint of that ardour by 9uch wise regu
lations and government, as, by directing all
the energies of the youthful mind, to the
attainment ot useful knowledge, will keep it
within a just subordination, and at the same
time elevate it to the highest purposes.
This object seems to be essentially obtain
ed in Ibis institution, and with great advan
tage to the Union.
The Military Academy forms the basis,
in regard to science, on which the Military
Establishment rests. It furnishes annually,
after due examination, and on the report
of the Academick Staff, many well iofvrm
ed youths to fill the vacancies which tccur
in the several corps of the army, while oth
ers, who retire to private life, carry with
them such attainments, as, under the right
reserved to the several states to appoint
the officers and to (ruin the Militia, will et
able them, by affording a wider field for
selection, to promote the great object af
the power vested in Congress of providing
for the organizing, arming, and disciplining
the Militia. Thus, by’ the mutual and har
monious co-operation of the two govern
ments in the execution of a power divided
between them, an object always to be cher
ished, the attainment of a great result, on
which our liberties may depend, cannot
fail to be secured. I have to add that in
proportion as our regular force i9 small,
should the instruction and discipline of the
Militia, the great resource on which we
rely, be pushed to the utmost extent that
circumstances will admit.
A Report from the Secretary of the Navy
will communicate the progress which has
been made in the construction of vessels of
war with other interesting details, respect
ing the actual state of the affairs of that
Department. It has been found necessary
for the protection of our commerce to
maintain (he usual squadrons on the Medi
terranean, the Pacifiek, and along the At
lanlick Coast, extending the cruizes of the
I latter into the West Indies, where piracy,
organized into a system, has preyed on the
commerce of every country trading thither.
A cruize has also been maintained on the
Coast of Africa, when the season would
permit, for the suppression of the Slave
Trade, and orders have been given to the
commanders of all our publick ships, to
seize our own vessels, should they find any,
engaged in that trade, and to bring them
in for adjudication.
In the West Indies piracy is of recent
date, which may explain the cause why
other powers have not combined against it.
By the documents communicated, it will be
seen that the efforts of the United Slates
to suppress it have had a ve r y salutary ef
fect. The benevolent provision of the set,
under which, the protection has been ex
tended alike to the commerce of other na
tions, cannot fail to be duly appreciated by
them.
In compliance with the Act of last Ses
sion, entitled “ An act to abolish the United
States’ Trading Establishments,” Agents
were immediately appointed, and instruct
ed, under the direction of the Secretary of
the Treasury, to close the business of the
trading houses among the Indian tribes, and
to settle the accounts of the Factors and
Sub-factors eugaged in that trade, and to
execute, in all other respects, the injunc
tions of that act, in the mode prescribed
therein. A final report of their proceedings
shall be communicated to Congress as soon
as ft is received.
It is with great regret I have to state,
that a serious malady has deprived us of
many.valuable citizens at Pensacola, and
checked the progress of some of those ar
rangements, which are important to the
territory. This effect has been sensibly
felt in respect to the Indians who inhabit
that territory, consisting of the remnants of
several tribes, who occupy the middle
ground between St. Augustioe and Pensaco
la, with extensive claims, but undefined
boundaries. Although peace is preserved
with those Indians, yet their position and
claims tend essentially to interrupt the in
tercourse between the eastern and western
parts of the territory, on which our inhabi
tants are principally settled. It isssential to
the growth and prosperity of the territory,
as well a9 the intercourse of the Union,
that these Indians should be removed, by
special compact with them, to some other
position, or concentrated within narrower
limits where they are. With the limited
means io the power of the Executive, in
structions were given to the governour to
accomplish this object, so far as it might be
practicable, which was prevented by the
distressing malady referred to. To carry
it fully into effect in either mode, additional
funds will be necessary, to the provision of
which the powers of Congress alone are
competent. With a view to such provis
ion as may be deemed proper, the subject
is submitted to your consideration, and, in |
the interim, further proceedings are sus- j
pended.
It appearing that so much ‘■r <he a:f. en ■
[ titled “ An act regulating the staff of the ar
my,” which passed on the 14th April, 1818,
as relates to the commissariat, will expire i
in April next, and the practical operation of!
that department having evinced its great
utility, the propriety of its renewal is sub
mitted to your consideration.
The view which has been taken of the
probable productiveness of the lead mines,
connected with the importance of the mate
rial to the publick defence, makes it expe
dient that that they should be managed with
peculiar care. It is therefore suggested
whether it will not comport with the pub
lick interest to provide by law for the ap
pointment of an /gent skilled in mineralogy',
to superintend them, under the direction of
the proper department.
It is understood that the Cumberland road
which was constructed at a great expense,
ha 9 already suffered from the want of that
regular superintendence, and of those re
pairs which are indispensable to the pres
ervation of such a work. This road is of
incalculable advantage in facilitating the in
tercourse between the western and the At
ianlick states. Through it the whole coun
try's from the northern extremity of lake
Erie to the Mississippi, and from all the wa
ter* which empty into each, finds an easy
and direct communication to the seal of gov
ernment, and thence to the Atlanlick. The
facility which it affords to all military and
commercial operations, and also to those of
the post office department, cannot be esti
mated too highly. This great work is like
wise an ornament, and an honour, to the na
tion. Believing that a competent power to
adopt and execute a system of internal im
provement has not been granted to con
gress, but that 9uch power, confined to
great national purposes, and with proper
limitations, would be productive of eminent
advantage to our union, I have thought it
adviseable that an amendment of the con
stitution to that effect, should be recommen
ded to the several states. A bill which as
sumed the right to adopt and execute such
a system having been presented for my sig
nature, at the last session, I was compelled
from the view which I had taken of the
powers of the general government to neg
ative it, oo which occasion 1 thought it
proper to communicate the sentiments
which I had formed, on mature considera
tion, on the whole subject. To that com
munication, in all the views in which
the great interests to which it relates
may be supposed to merit your atten
tion, I have now to refer. Should congress,
however, deem it improper to recommend
such an amendment, they have, according
to ray judgment, the right to keep the road
in repair, by providing for the superinten
dence of it, and appropriating the money
necessary for repairs. Surely if they had
the right to appropriate money to make the
road, they have a right to appropriate it to
preserve the road from ruin. From the
exercise of this power no danger is to be
apprehended. Under our happy system
the people are the sole and exclusive foun
tain of power. Each government origin
ates from them, and to them alone, each to
its proper constituent*,are they respectively
and solely responsible for the faithful dis
charge of their duty, within their consti
tutional limits. And that the people will
confine their publick agents of every sta-
tion, to the strict line of their constitutional
duties, there is no cause to doubt. Having,
however, communicated my sentiments to
congress, at the 1 ast session, fully in the
document to which I have referred, respec
ting the right of appropriation, as distinct
from the right of jurisdiction and sovereign
ty, over the territory in question, I deem it
improper to enlarge on the subject here.
From the best information that I have
been able to obtain, it appears that,our
manufactures, though depressed immediate
ly after the peace, have considerably in
creased, and are still increasing, under the
encouragement given them by the tariff of
181 G, and by subsequent laws. Satisfied, 1
am, whatever may be the abstract doctrine
in favour of unrestricted commerce, provi
ded all nations would concur in it, and it was
not liable to he interrupted by war, which
has never occurred, and cannot be expect
ed, that there are other strong reasons ap
plicable to our situation, and relations wifia
other countries, which impose on us the oP
ligation to cherish and sustain our manufac
tures. Satisfied, however, I likewise am,
that the interest of every part of our Union,
even of those most benefitted hy manufac
tures, requires that this subject should be
touched with the greatest caution, and a
critical knowledge of the effect to he pro
duced by (he slightest change. On full
consideration of the subject, in all its rela
tions, I am persuaded, that a further aug
mentation may now be made of the duties
on certain foreign articles, in favour of our
owd, and without affecting, injuriously, any
other interest. For more precise details, I
refer you to the communications which
were made to congress during the last
session.
So great was the amount of accounts for
monies advanced during the late war, in ad
dition to others of previous date, which, in
the regular operations of the government,
necessarily remained unsettled, that it re
quired a considerable length of time for
their af'juslmr.nt. By a report fton) the
Prrrp $ 50 pr. ann. or, I
I $3,00 in ch ance.*
j first comptroller of the treasury, it appears
j that, on tbe fourth of March, 1817, the ac
| counts then unsettled amounted to one hun
j dred and three million* rixty-eight thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six dollar* and
forty-one cents, of which on the 30 of riept.
of the present year, ninety-three millions
one hundred and seventy-five thousand
three hundred and ninety-ix dollars and fif
ty-six cents had been settled; leaving on
that day a balance unsettled of nine millions t
eight hundred and ninety-three thousand
four hundred and seventy-nine dollars and
eighty five cents. That there have been
drawn from the treasury, in paying the pub
lick debt, and sustaining the government in
all its operations and disbur*ements, since
the 4th of March, 1817, one bundled and
fifty-seven millions one hundred and ninety
niue thousand three hundred and eighty dol
lars and ninety-six cents—the accounts for
which have been settled to the amount of
one hundred and thirty-seven million* five
hundred and one thousand fourjiundred and
fifty one dollars and twelve cents; leaving
a balance unsettled of nineteen million* six
hundred and ninety-seven thousand nine
hundred twenty-nine dollars and eighty-four
cents. For precise details respecting each
of these balances, I iefer to the report of
the comptroller, and the documents which
accompany it.
From this view, it appears that our com
mercial differences with France and Great
Britain have been placed in a train of ami
cable arrangement, on conditions ‘fair and
honourable, in both instances, to each par
ty ; that our finances are in a very j.rojwc
tive state; om-_ revenue being at present
fully competent to nil demands upon it;
that our military force is well organized in
all its branches, and capable of rendering
the most important service, in rase of eiper
gency, that its number will admit of; that
due progress has been made, under .exist
ing appropriations, in the construction of
fortifications, and in the operations of tbe
ordnance department; that due progress
has, in like manner, been in thocon
structiou of ships of war; that our navy is
in the best condition, felt and respected, in
every sea in which it is employed for the
protection of our commerce ; that our man
ufactures have augmented in amount, and
improved in quality; that g:eat progress
has been made in the settlement of accounts,
and in the recovery of the balances due by
individuals ; and, (bat the utmost economy
is secured and observed, in every depart
ment of tbe administration.
Other objects will likewise claim your
attention, because, from the station which
the United States hold, as a member of the
great community of nations, they have
rights to maintain, duties to perform, and
dangers to encounter.
A strong hope was entertained that peace
would, ere this, have been concluded, be
tween Spain & the independent governments
south of the United States in this hemis
phere. Long experience having evinced
the competency of those government*, to
maintain the independence which they had
declared, it was presumed, that the consid
erations which induced their recognition by
the United States, would have had equal
weight with other powers, and that Spain
herself, yielding to those magnanimous feel
ings of which her history furnishes so many
examples, would have terminated, on that
basis, a controversy so unavailing, Hnd at
the same time, so destructive. We still
cberih the hope, that this result will not
lons’ he postponed.
Sustaining our neutral position, and al
lowing to each party, while the war con
tinues, equal rights, it is incumbent on the
U. S. to claim of each, with equal rigour,
the faithful observance of our rights, ac
cording to the well known law of nations.
From each, therefore alike co-operation is
expected in the suppression of the piratical
practice which has grown out of this war,
and of blockades of extensive coasts on
both seas, which, considering the small force
employed to sustain them have not the
slightest foundation to rest on.
Europe i9 still unsettled, and although the
war long menaced between Russia and Tur
key, has Dot broken out, there is no cerr
tainty that the differences between those
kpowers will be amicably adjusted. It is im
possible to look to the oppressions of the
country, respecting which those differences
arose, without being deeply affected. The
mention of Greece fills the mind with the
most exalted sentiments and arouses in our
bosoms the best feelings of which our nature
is susceptible. Supericur skill and refine
ment in the arts, heroick gallantry in ac
tion, disinterested patriotism, enthusia:ick
zeal and devotion in favour of publick and
personal liberty, are associated with our
recollections o/'ancienf Greece. That such
‘a country should have been overwhelmed,
and so long hidden, as it were, from the
world, under a gloomy despotism, ha been
the cause of unceasing and deep regret to
generous minds fnj* ages past. It was natu
ral, therefore, that the re appearance of
thoe people in their original character coo
tending in favour of their liberties, should
produce that great excitement and sympa
thy in their favour, which have beenso sig.
nally displayed throughout the U States.
A strong hope is entertained that these peo
ple will recover their independence, and