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fabrick of all the most useful manufactures, is of great value. Their preservation, which depends on due encouragement, is connected with the high interests of the nation.

Although the progress of the publick buildings has been as favourable as circumstances have permitted, it is to be regretted that the capitol is not yet in a state to receive you. There is good cause to presume, that the two wings, the only parts as yet commenced, will be prepared for that purpose at the next session. The time seems now to have arrived, when this subject may be deemed worthy the attention of Congress, on a scale adequate to national purposes. The completion of the middle building will be necessary to the convenient accommodation of Congress, of the committees, and various offices belonging to

It is evident that the other publick buildings are altogether insufficient for the accommodation of the several executive departments, some of whom are much crowded, and even subjected to the necessity of obtaining it in private buildings, at some distance from the head of the department, and with inconvenience to the management of the publick business. Most nations have taken an interest and a pride in the improvement and ornament of their metropolis, and none were more conspicuous in that respect than the ancient republicks. The policy which dictated the establishment of a permanent residence for the national government, and the spirit in which it was commenced and has been prosecuted, show that such improvement was thought worthy the attention of this nation. Its central position, between the northern and southern extremes of our Union, and its approach to the west, at the head of a great navigable river, which interlocks with the western waters, prove the wisdom of the councils which established it. Nothing appears to be more reasonable and proper, than that convenient accommodation should be provided, on a well digested plan, for the heads of the several departments, and of the attorney general; and it is believed that the publick ground in the city, applied to those objects will be found amply sufficient. I submit this subject to the consideration of Congress, that such further provision may be made in it, as to them may seem proper.

In contemplating the happy situation of the United States, our attention is drawn, with peculiar interest, to

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the surviving officers and soldiers of our revolutionary army, who so eminently contributed, by their services, to lay its foundation. Most of those very meritorious citizens have paid the debt of nature and gone to repose. It is believed, that among the survivors, there are some not provided for by existing laws, who are reduced to indigence, and even to real distress. These men have a claim on the gratitude of their country, and it will do honour to their country to provide for them. The lapse of a few years more, and the opportunity will be for ever lost: indeed, so long already has been the interval, that the number to be benefitted by any provision which may be made, will not be great.

It appearing in a satisfactory manner that the revenue arising from imposts and tonnage, and from the sale of the publick lands, will be fully adequate to the support of the civil government, of the present military and naval establishments, including the annual augmentation of the latter to the extent provided for, to the payment of the interest on the publick debt, and to the extinguishment of it at the times authorized, without the aid of the internal taxes, I consider it my duty to recommend to Congress their repeal. To impose taxes, when the publick exigences require them, is an obligation of the most sacred character, especially with a free people. The faithful fulfilment of it is among the highest proofs of their virtue, and capacity for self-government. To dispense with taxes, when it may be done with perfect safety, is equally the duty of their representatives. In this instance we have the satisfaction to know that they were imposed when the demand was imperious, and have been sustained with exemplary fidelity. I have to add, that, however gratifying it may be to me, regarding the prosperous and happy condition of our country, to recommend the repeal of these taxes at this time, I shall nevertheless be attentive to events, and, should any future emergency occur, be not less prompt to suggest such measures and burdens, as may then be requisite and proper. JAMES MONROE.

FROM THE

MESSAGE

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, RELATIVE TO THE INVASION OF AMELIA ISLAND AND GALVEZTON. DEC. 15, 1817. In compliance with the resolution of the House of Representatives, of the 8th of this month, I transmit, for the information of the House, a report from the Secretary of State, with the documents referred to in it, containing all the information in the possession of the Executive, which it is proper to disclose, relative to certain persons who lately took possession of Amelia Island, and Galvezton. JAMES MONROE.

Department of State, Dec. 13, 1817.

THE Secretary of State, to whom has been referred the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 8th inst. requesting the President to lay before the House any information he may possess, and think proper to communicate, relative to the proceedings of certain persons who took possession of Amelia Island, at the mouth of St. Mary's river, in the summer of the present year, and made an establishment there; and relative to a similar establishment, previously made at Galvezton, has the honour to submit to the President the accompanying papers, containing the information received at the respective Departments of State, the Treasury, and the Navy, upon the subjects embraced by the resolution. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.

Papers communicated with the Report from the Department of State, of December 13, 1817, to the President. EXTRACTS of a letter from Natchitoches, Louisiana, to a gentleman in the city of Washington, communicated to the Department of State, dated February 4, 1817.

Extracts of two letters from Robert M. Harrison, Esq. consul at St. Thomas, to the Secretary of State, dated April 20th, and May 30th, 1817.

The Secretary of the Treasury to Secretary of State, dated November 21, 1817, communicating

Extracts of a letter to him from Beverly Chew, Esq. collector of the customs, New Orleans, dated Aug.1, 1817. Letter Same to same, dated August 30, 1817.

Same to same, dated October 17, 1817.

Affidavit of Beverly Chew, dated 6th October, 1817, in relation to libels, before the district court of the United States, for Louisiana, vs. cargoes of Juana, Eliza, Carmelite, and Diana.

The same, vs. ninety boxes of sugar.

The same, vs. sundry goods, &c. part of the schooner Mount Vernon's cargo.

Petition of Beverly Chew to judge Hall.

Additional testimony, in sundry cases, pending in the United States' district court, Louisiana, vs. sundry vessels and cargoes from Galvezton.

Extract of a letter from Mr. M'Intosh to Mr. Crawford. Secretary of the Treasury, dated October 30, 1817.

Extract of a letter from Mr. Clark, collector of the customs, at St. Mary's, dated November 1, 1817.

Extract of a letter from lieutenant commandant B. V. Hoffman, to captain Charles Morris, dated Jan. 18, 1817. Extract of a letter from captain Morris to the Secretary of the Navy, dated frigate Congress, off the Balize, March 4, 1817.

Captain Daniel T. Patterson, to Secretary Navy, dated New Orleans, August 4, 1817, communicating

Memorial of merchants of N. Orleans, of July 28, 1817. Protest of William B. Cox, late mate of the American brig Charles, at New Orleans, 25th July, 1817.

Protest of captain Louis Dequemenil de Morant, at New Orleans, 28th July, 1817.

Same, of Jean Baptiste Revarde, same place and date. Deposition of Lanusse, owner of the brig Charles of New Orleans, of Jn. Ble. Revarde, owner of the brig Pomona, and Louis Dequemenil de Morant, owner of the brig Freelove, at New Orleans, 28th July, 1817.

Translation of a protest of Casimer Rieto, captain of the American brig Carlos, against the privateer Congresso, June 30, 1817.

Extract of a letter from captain Charles Morris, United States' frigate Congress, off the Balize, dated June 10, 1817, to the Secretary of the Navy.

Extract of a letter from lieutenant commandant John Porter, dated United States' brig Boxer, off the Balize. June 28, 1817, to Secretary of Navy.

Extract of a letter from commodore D. T. Patterson to Secretary of Navy, dated New Orleans, July 28, 1817.

Extract of a letter from the deputy collector of the port of New York, to captain Samuel Evans, dated September 8, 1817.

Extract of a letter from captain John H. Elton to Secretary of Navy, dated September 26, 1817, on board United States' brig Saranac, Cumberland Sound.

Extracts from the same to the same, dated Oct. 10, 1817. Extract, same to same, dated October 19, 1817.

Extract, same to same, Cumberland Island, November 15, 1817, communicating

Copy of a letter from him to Aury, commanding at Fernandina, dated United States' brig Saranac, Cumberland Island, November 3, 1817.

Same to same, dated brig Saranac, Cumberland Sound, November 9, 1817.

Four letters from Aury, to captain Elton, dated at Fernandina, November 4th, 9th, 11th, and 12th, 1817.

Extract of a letter from Thomas Waine, Esq. purser on board the United States' brig Saranac, dated St. Mary's river, September 27, 1817, to Benjamin Homans, Esq. chief clerk, Navy Department.

A. G. Villeret, to captain John H. Elton, dated Fernandina, November 4, 1817.

A register of the proceedings at Galvezton-translation, 15th April, 1817.

Extract of a Letter from Natchitoches, state of Louisiana, dated February 4, 1817, to a gentleman at the city of Washington.

SEVERAL gentlemen have lately arrived here from the Republican Rendezvous, (Serpent Island) on Galvezton bay, near the mouth of Trinity river, who generally agree in their statements. They have four hundred land troops, commanded by colonel Perry; twelve or fifteen sail of vessels: commodore Aury commands the whole. Colonel Young, late of the 49th [should be 29th] regiment, with captain Brush, and several other officers and two hundred and fifty men, arrived there about a month and a half ago, with general Mino, and a Mr. Stewart, late from

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