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TI PE MISSIONARY.
No 26 Vou Vl.]
From the National Intelligencer of Dte. 7.
The President of the United States transn.it ted,
this day, to both Houses of Congress the following
IsBSsSA'MI
Fellow Citizens of the Senate ,
and of the Home cf Representatives :
The view which I have now to present to
you of oar affair*, Foreign aod Dmestick,
tealizes the most sanguine anticipations,
which have been entertained of the puhlick
prosperity. If we look to the whole, our
growth, as a nation, continues to be rapid,
beyond example ; if to the States which
compose it, the same gratifying spectacle is
exhibited. Onr expansion over the vast
territory within our limits, has been great,
without indicating any decline in those sec
tions from which the emigration has been
most conspicuous. We have daily gamed
strength by a native population in every
quarter—a population devoted to our hap
py system of Government, and cherishing
the bond of union with fraternal affection.
F.xperience has already shown, that the dif
ference of climate, and of industry, proceed
ing from that cause, inseparable from such
.vast domains, and which, under other sys
tem- might have a repulsive tendency, can
not fail to produce, with ns, under wise reg
ulations, the opposite effect. What out
portion wants, the other may supply, and
this will be most sansibly felt by the parts
most distant from each other, forming there
by, a ilomesm k market, and an active in
tercourse between the extremes, and
throughout every portion of our Union.
Thus, by a happy dis ribution of power be
tween the National and State Governments,
governments which rest on the sovereignty
of the People, and are fully adequate to the
grea’ purposes for which they were res
pectively instituted,causes which might oth
erwise lead to dismemberment, operate
powerfully to draw ns closer together In
every other circumstance, a correct view
ol the actual slate of our Union, must be
equally gratifying to onr constituents. Our
relai ions with foreign powers are of a friend
ly character, although certain interesting
differences remain unsettled with some.
Our revenue, under the mild system of im
post and tonnage, continues to be adequate
to all llip purposes of the Government
Our agriculture, commerce, manufactures,
and navigation, flourish. Our fortifications
are advancing in the degree authorized by
existing appropriations, to maturity; and
duo progress is mads in the augmentation
of the Navy, to the limit prescribed for ii
by law. For thpse blessings we owe to A1
mighty God, from whom we derive them,
and with profound reverence, our most
grateful and unceasing acknowledgements.
In adverting to our relations with foreign
power*, which are always an object of the
highest imporiance, I have to remark, that
of the subjects which have been brought
into discussion with them during the pres
ent Administration, some have been satis
factorily terminated: other* have been sus
pended, to be resumed hereafter, under cir- j
cumstantes more favouiable to success;
and others are slil! in negotiation, with the
hope that they may be adjusted, witbmutu
al accommodation to the interests and to
the satisfaction of the respective parties
It has been the invariable object of thiir
Government, to cherish the most friendly!
relations with every power, and on prion
pies and conditions which might make them
permanent. A systematick effort has bee
made to place oor commerce with each
power, on a footing of perfect reciprocity;
to settle with each, in a spirit of candout
aod liberality, all existing differences, and
to anticipate and remove, so far as it might
be practicable, all causes of future variance.
It having been stipulated by the Seventh
Article of the Convention of Navigation and
Commerce, which was concluded on the
twenty-fourth June, eighteen hundred and
twenty-two, between the United States and
France, (bat the said Convention should con
tinue in force for two year;,from the first of
October, of that year, and for an indefinite
term afterwards, unless one of the parties
should declare its intention to reoonuce it,
in which event, it should cease to operate
at the pnd of six months, from such declara
tion ; and, no such intention having been an
nonneed, the Convention having been found
advantageous to both parties, it has since
remained, and still remains, in force. \t
the time when that Convention was concln
fled, many interesting subjects were left
unsettled, and particularly our claim loin
deronily for spoliations which were commit
ted on onr commerce in the late wars. For
these interests and claims, it was in the con
templation of the parties, to make provision
at a subsequent day, by a more comprehen
sive and definitive Treaty. The object ha 9
been duly attended to since by the Execu
tive, but, as yet, it has not been accomplish
ed- It is hoped that a favourable opportu
nity will present itself, for opening a nego
tiation, which may embrace and arrange all
existing differences, and every other con
cern, in which they have a common inter
est. upon the accession of the present King
of France, an event which has occurred
•mce the close of the last Session of Con
gress.
With Great Britain our commercial inter
course rests on the same footing that it did
MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK CQ UNTY, GEORGIA,) MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1824.
at the last Session. By the convention of
one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, the
commerce between the United States and
the British dominions, in Europe and the
East Indies, was arranged on a principle of
reciprocity. That convention was confirm
ed and continued in force, with slight ex
ceptions, by a subsequent Treaty, for the
term often years, front the twentieth Oc
tober, one thousand eight hundred and
eighteen, the date of the latter. The trade
with the British colonies in the West Indies,
has not, as yet, been arranged by treaty or
otherwise, to our satisfaction. An approach
to that result has been made by Legislative
acts, whereby many serious impediments
which had been raised by the parties n de
fence of their respective claims, were re
moved. An earnest desire exists, and has
been manifested on the part of IhisGorern
ment, to place the commerce with the col
onies likewise on a footing of reciprocal ad
vantage; and it is hoped that the British
Government, seeing the justice of the pro
posal, and its importance to the colsnies,
will, ere long, accede to it.
The Commissioners who were appointed
for the adjustment of the boundary, be
tween the territories of the United States
and those of Great Britain specified in.the
fifth article of the Treaty of Ghent, having
disagreed in their decision, and both gov
ernments having agreed to establish that
boundary by amicable negotiation be
tween them, it is hoped that it may be sat
isfactorily adjusted in that mode. The
houhdary specified by the sixth article has ‘
been established by the decision of the com
missioners. From the progress made in
(hat provided for by the seventh, according
to a report recently received, there is good
cause to presume that it will be settled ih
the course of the ensuing year.
It is a cause of serious regret, that no ar
rangement has yet been finally concluded
between the two Governments, to secure
by joint co-operation, the suppression of the
slave trade. It was the object of the Brit
ish Government, in the early stages of the
negotiation, to adopt a plan for the sup.
pression, which should include she conces
ston of the mutual right of search, by the
ships of war of each party, of the vessels of
the other, for suspected offenders. This
was objected to by this Government on the
principle, that, us the right of search was a
right of war of a belligerent towards a neu
tral power, it might have aq ill effect to ex
tend it, by treaty, to an offence which had
been made comparatively mild, to a time of
peace. Anxious, however, for the suppres
sion of this trade, it was thought adviseable,
in compliance with a resolution of the House
of Representatives, founded on an act of
Congress, to propose, to the British Gov
ernment, an expedient which should be
free from that objection, and more effectual
for the object, by making it piratical. In
that mode, the enormity of the crime would
place the offenders out of the protection of
their Government, and involve no question
of search, or other question between the
parties, touching their respective rights.
It was believed, also, (bat it would com
pletely suppress the trade in the vessels of:
both parties, and by their respective citi- 1
zc-ns and subjects, in those of other 1
with whom, it was hoped, that the odium !
which would thereby be attached to it,
voiild produce a corresponding arrange- j
i.imt, and, by means thereof, its entire ex-1
tirpafion forever. A Convention, to this
effect, was concluded and signed, in London, j
ou the day of , by Plenipo
tentiaries duly authorized by both Govern
ments, to the ratification of which certain
obstacles have arisen, which are not yet
entirely removed. The difference between
the parties, still remaining, has been reduc
ed to a point, not of sufficient magnitude, as
is presumed, to be permitted to defeat an
object so near to the heart of both nations,
and so desirable to the friends of humanity
throughout the world. As objections, how
ever, to the principle recommended by the
House of Rep’s, or at least to the conse
quences inseparable from it, and which are
understood to apply to the law, have been
raised, which may deserve a re-considera
tionofthe whole subject, I have thought
it proper to suspend the conclusion of anew
Convention, until the definitive sentiments
if Congress may be ascertained. The doc
uments relating to the negotiation are, with
hat intent, submitted to your consideration.
Our commerce with Sweden has been
placed on a footing of perfect reciprocity
by treaty, and, with Russia, the Nether
lands, Prussia, the free Uanseatick Cities,
the Dukedom of Oldenburg, and Sardinia,
by internal regulations on each side, found
ed on mutual agreement between the res
pective Governments.
The principles upon which the commer
cial policy of the United States is founded,
are to be traced to an early period. They
! are essentially connected with those upon
which their independence was declared, and
owe their origin to the enlightened men
who took the lead in oor affairs at that im
portant epoch. They are developed in
their first treaty of commerce with France
of sixth February, one tho isaiid seven hun
dred and seventy-eight, and by a formal
commission, which was instituted immedi
ately after the conclusion of their ReVolu-
tionary struggle, f or the purpose of negotia
ting treaties of commerce with every Euro
pean power. The first treaty of (he Unit
ed States with Prussia, which was negotiat
ed by that commission, affords a signal il
lustration of those principles. The act of
Congress of the third March, one thousand
eight hundred and fifteen, adopted immedi
ately after the return of a general peace,
was anew overture to foreign nations to es
tablish our commercial relations with them
on the basis of free and equal reciprocity.
That principle has pervaded all the acts of
Congress, and all the negotiations of the
Executive on the subject since.
A convention for the settlement of im
portunt questions in relation to the North
west Coast of this Continent, and its adjoin
ing seas, was concluded and signed at St.
Petersburg, on the . day of
last, by the Minister Plenipotentiary of the
United States, and Plenipotentiaries of the
Imperial Government of Russia. It will im
mediately be laid before the Senate for the
exercise of the constitutional authority of
that body, with reference to its ratification.
.It is proper to add, that the manner in which
this negotiation was invited and conducted
on the part of the Emperour, has beeu very
satisfactory
The great and extraordinary changes
which have happened in the government of
Spain and Portugal, within the last two
years, without seriously affecting the friend
ly relations which, under all of them, have
been maintained with those powers by the
United States, have been obstacles to the
adjustment of the particular subjects of dis
cussion which have arisen with each. A
resolution of the Senate, adopted at their
last session, culled for information as to the
effect produced upon our relations with
Spain, by the recognition, on the part of j
the United Slates, of the Independent South i
American Governments. Tlie papers con
taining that information are now communi
cated to Congress.
A Charge d’Affaires has been received
from the Independent Government ot Bra
zil. That country, heretofore a colonial
possession of Portugal, had, some years
since, been proclaimed, by the Sovereign
ol Portugal himself, an independent king
dom. Since his return to Lisbon, a revolu
tion in Brazil has established anew govern
ment there, with an Imperial title, at the
head of which, is placed the Prince, in whom
the Regency had been vested by the King,
at the time of his departure. There is
reason to expect that, by amicable negotia
tion, the independence of Brazil will, ere
long, be recognized by Portugal herself.
With the remaining Powers of Europe,
with those on the coast of Barbary,and with
all the new South American States, our re
lations are of a friendly character. We
have Ministers Plenipotentiary residing
with the Republicks of Columbia and Chili,
and have received Ministers of the same
rank from Colombia, Guatimala, Buenos
Ayres, and Mexico. Our commercial rela
tions with all those States are mutually
beneficial and increasing. With the Repub
lick of Colombia, a trealy of Commerce
bxs been formed, of which a copy is receiv
ed, and the original daily expected. A ne
gotiation for a like treaty would have been
Commenced with Buenos Ayres, had it not
been prevented by the indisposition and la
mented decease of Mr. Rodney, our Minis
ter there ; and to whose memory the most
respectful attention has been shown by the
Government of that Republicfc. An advan
tageous alteration ofour treaty with Tunis,
has been obtained by our Consular Agent
residing there ; the official document of
which, when received, will be laid before
-the Senate.
1 he atttention of the Government has
been drawn, with great solicitude, to other
subjects, and particularly to that relating
to a state of maritime war involving the re
lative rights of neutral and belligerent in
such wars. Most of the difficulties which
we have experienced, and of the losses
which we have sustained, since the estab
lishment of our Independence, have pro
ceeded from the unsettled state of those
rights, and the extent to which the belli
gerent claim has been carried against the
neutral party. It is impossible to look back
on the occurrences of the late wars in Eu
rope, aod to behold the disregard which
was paid to our rights, as a neutral pow
er, and the waste which was made
of our commerce by the parties to
those wars, by various acts of their respec
tive Governments, and under the pretext,
by each, that the other had set the exam
ple, without great mortification, and a fixed
purpose never to submit to the like in fu
ture. An attempt to remove those causes
of possible variance, by friendly negotia
tion, and on just principles which would be
applicable to all parties, could, it was pre
sowed, be viewed by none, other than as
a proof of an earnest desire to preserve
these relations with every power. In the
late war between France and Spain, a cris
is occurred in which it seemed probable
that all the controvertible principles involv
ed in such wars might be brought iDto dis
cussion, and settled to the satisfaction of all
parties. Propositions, having this object
in view, have been made to the Govern
ments of Great Britain, France, Rustic, and
ot other Poweis, which have been receiv
ed in a friendly manner by all, but as yet
no treaty has been formed with either for
its accomplishment. The policy will, it is
presumed, be persevered in, and in the
hope that it may be successful.
It will always he recollected that with
one of the parties to those wars, aod from
whom we received those injuries, we sought
redress by war. From the other, by whose
then reigning Government our vessels
were seized in port as well as at sea, and
their cargoes confiscated, indemnity has
been expected, but has not yet been ren
dered. It was under the influence of the
latter, that our vessels were likewise seiz
ed by the Governments of Spain, Holland,
Denmark, Sweden, and Naples, and from
whom indemnity has been claimed and is
still expected, with the exception of Spain,
by whom it has been rendered. With both
parties we had abundant cause of war, but
we had no alternative but to resist that
which was most powerful at sea, and pres
sed us nearest at borne. With this, all
differences were settled by a treaty found
ed on conditions fair and honourable to both,
and which has been so far executed with
perfect good faith, ft has been earnestly
hoped, that the other would, of its own ac
cord, and from a sentiment of justice and
conciliation, make to our citizens the indem
nity to which they are entitled, B od there
by remove from our relations any just cause
ot discontent on our side.
I. Is estimated that the receipts into the
Treasury during the current year, exclu
sive of loans, will exceed eighteen millions
live hundred thousand dollars, which with
the sum remaining in the Treasury, at the
end of the last year amounting to nine mil
lions four hundred sixly-tbree thousand
nine hundred twenty-two dollars and eighty.
| one cents, will, after discharging the cur
rent disbursements of the year, the interest
: on pobfick debt, and upwards of eleven
millions five hundred thousand dollars of
the principal, leave a balance of more than
three million dollars in the Treasury on
the first day of January next.
A larger amount of the debt contracted
during the late war, bearing an interest of
six per cent, becoming redeemable in the
course of the ensuing year, than could lie
discharged by the ordinary revenue, the
act of the twenty sixth of May, authorized
a loan of five million dollars at four nnd a
half per cent to meet the same. By this
arrangement an annual saving will accrue
to the publick of seventy-five thousand dol
lars.
Under the act of the twenty fourth of
May last, a loan of five million dollars, was
authorized m order to meet the awards,
under the Florida Treaty, which was no
gotiated at par, with the Batik of the United
States at four and a half per ceot. the lim
it of interest fixed by the act. By this
provision the claims of our citizens, who
bad sustained so great a loss by spoliations,
and from whom indemnity had been so long
withheld, were promptly paid. For these
advances the puhlick will be amply repaid,
at no distant day, by the sale of the lands in
Florida. Os the great advantage resulting
from the acquisition of the territory, in oth
er respects, too high an estimate cannot be
formed.
It is estimated that the receipts into the
Treasury, during the year one thousand
eight hundred and twenty-five, will be suf
ficient to meet the disbursements of the
year, including the sum of ten millions of
dollars, which is annually appropriated by
the act, constituting the Sinking Fund, to
the payment of the principal and interest
of the publick debt.
The whole amount of the publick debt,
on the first of January next, may be estima
ted at eighty six millions of dollars, inclu
sive of two millions five hundred thousand
dollars of the loan authorized by the act of
the twenty-sixth of May last. In this esti
mate is included a stock of seven million
dollars issued for the purchase of that
amount of the capital stock of the Bank of
the United States, and which, as the stock
of the Bank still held by the Government,
will at least be fully equal to its reimburse
ment, ought not to be considered as con
stituting a part of the publick debt. Esti
mating then, the whole amount of the pub
lick debt at seventy-nine million dollars, &
regarding the annual receipts and expendi
tures of the Government, a well-founded
hope may be entertained, that, should no
unexpected event occur, the whole publick
debt may be discharged in the course of
ten years, and the Government he left at
liberty thereafter, to apply such portion of
the revenue as may not be necessary for
current expenses, to such other objects as
may be most conducive to the publick se
curity and welfare. That the sum appli
cable to these objects, will be very consid
erable, may be fairly concluded, when it is
recollected, that a large amount of the pub
lick revenue bag been applied since the
late war, to (he construction of the publick
buildings in this city ; to the erection of
fortifications along the coast, and of arsenals
in different parts of the Union; to the aug
mentation of the navy, to the extinguish
ment of the Indian title to large tracts of
fertile territory ; to the acquisition of Flor
ida ; to pensions te revolutionary officer*