19th CONGRESS, Message of the President at the opening of the Session. [Sen. and H. of R.

1st SESSION.

MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT,

TO BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS,

late commercial Convention with France. And, by the act of Congress of the 8th January, 1824, it has received a new confirmation, with all the nations who had acceded

At the commencement of the First Session of the to it, and has been offered again to all those who are, or

Nineteenth Congress.

DECEMBER 6, 1825.

Fellow Citizens of the Senate

and of the House of Representatives:

IN taking a general survey of the concerns of our beloved country, with reference to subjects interesting to the common welfare, the first sentiment which impresses itself upon the mind, is, of gratitude to the Omnipotent Disposer of all Good, for the continuance of the signal blessings of his Providence, and especially for that health | which, to an unusual extent, has prevailed within our borders; and for that abundance which, in the vicissitudes of the seasons, has been scattered, with profusion, over our land. Nor ought we less to ascribe to Him the glory, that we are permitted to enjoy the bounties of His hand in peace and tranquillity-in peace with all the other nations of the earth, in tranquillity among ourselves. There has, indeed, rarely been a period in the history of civilized man, in which the general condition of the Christian Nations has been marked so extensively by peace and prosperity.

Europe, with a few partial and unhappy exceptions, has enjoyed ten years of peace, during which all her Governments, whatever the theory of their constitutions may have been, are successively taught to feel that the end of their institution is the happiness of the People, and that the exercise of power among men can be justified only by the blessings it confers upon those over whom it is extended.

may hereafter be, willing to abide in reciprocity by it. But all these regulations, whether established by treaty or by municipal enactments, are still subject to one impor tant restriction The removal of discriminating duties of tonnage and of impost, is limited to articles of the growth, produce, or manufacture, of the country to which the ves sel belongs, or to such articles as are most usually first shipped from her ports. It will deserve the serious consideration of Congress, whether even this remnant of re striction may not be safely abandoned, and whether the general tender of equal competition, made in the act of 8th January, 1824, may not be extended to include all articles of merchandise not prohibited, of what coun try soever they may be the produce or manufacture. Propositions to this effect have already been made to us by more than one European government, and it is probable, that, if once established by legislation or com pact with any distinguished maritime state, it would recommend itself, by the experience of its advantages, to the general accession of all.

The Convention of Commerce and Navigation between the United States and France, concluded on the 24th of June, 1822, was, in the understanding and intent of both parties, as appears upon its face, only a temporary arrangement of the points of difference between them, of the most immediate and pressing urgency. It was limited, in the first instance, to two years, from the 1st of October, 1822, but with a proviso, that it should further continue in force till the conclusion ot a general and definitive treaty of commerce, unless terminated by a notice six months in advance, of either of the parties to the other Its operation, so far as it During the same period, our intercourse with all those extended, has been mutually advantageous; and it still nations has been pacific and friendly-it so continues. continues in force by common consent. But it left Since the close of your last session no material variation unadjusted several objects of great interest to the citihas occurred in our relations with any one of them. In zens and subjects of both countries, and particularly the commercial and navigation system of Great Britain, a mass of claims, to consider able amount, of citizens important changes of municipal regulation have recently of the United States upon the government of France, been sanctioned by acts of Parliament, the effect of of indemnity for property taken or destroyed under cirwhich upon the interests of other nations, and particular- cumstances of the most aggravated and outrageous chaly upon ours, has not yet been fully developed. In the racter. In the long period during which continual and recent renewal of the diplomatic missions on both sides, earnest appeals have been made to the equity and magbetween the two governments, assurances have been nanimity of France, in behalf of these claims, their given and received of the continuance and increase of justice has not been, as it could not be, denied. It was the mutual confidence and cordiality by which the ad- hoped that the accession of a new sovereign to the throne justment of many points of difference had already been would have afforded a favorable opportunity for presenteffected, and which affords the surest pledge for the ul-ing them to the consideration of his Government. They timate satisfactory adjustment of those which still remain | have been presented and urged, hitherto, without effect. open, or may hereafter arise. The repeated and earnest representations of our MinThe policy of the United States, in their commercial ister at the Court of France, remain, as yet, even withintercourse with other nations, has always been of the out an answer. Were the demands of nations upon the most liberal character. In the mutual exchange of their justice of each other susceptible of adjudication by the respective productions, they have abstained altogether sentence of an impartial tribunal, those to which I now from prohibitions; they have interdicted themselves the refer would long since have been settled, and adequate power of laying taxes upon exports, and, whenever they indemnity would have been obtained. There are large have favored their own shipping, by special preferences, amounts of similar claims upon the Netherlands, Naples, or exclusive privileges in their own ports, it has been and Denmark. For those upon Spain, prior to 1819, inonly with a view to countervail similar favors and excludemnity was, after many years of patient forbearance, obsions granted by the nations with whom we have been tained, and those upon Sweden have been lately compro engaged in traffic, to their own people or shipping, and mised by a private settlement, in which the claimants to the disadvantage of ours. Immediately after the close themselves have acquiesced. The Governments of Denof the last war, a proposal was fairly made by the mark and of Naples have been recently reminded of those act of Congress of the 5d of March, 1815, to all the yet existing against them; nor will any of them be forgotmaritime nations, to lay aside the system of retaliating re-ten, while a hope may be indulged of obtaining justice, by strictions and exclusions, and to place the shipping of the means within the constitutional power of the Exeboth parties to the common trade on a footing of equality, cutive, and without resorting to those measures of selfin respect to the duties of tonnage and impost. This redress, which, as well as the time, circumstances, and offer was partially and successively accepted by Great occasion, which may require them, are within the exBritain, Sweden, the Netherlands, the Hanseatic Cities, clusive competency of the Legislature. Prussia, Sardinia, the Duke of Oldenburg, and Russia. It was also adopted, under certain modifications, in our

It is with great satisfaction that I am enabled to bear witness to the liberal spirit with which the Republic of

Sen. and H. of R.] Message of the President, at the opening of the Session. 19th CONGRESS,

1st SESSION.

Colombia has made satisfaction for well established sonal liberty, with the effective obligation of private claims of a similar character. And among the docu- contracts, is the difficult problem to be solved by a law ments, now communicated to Congress, will be distin. of bankruptcy. These are objects of the deepest inguished a Treaty of Commerce and Navigation with terest to society; affecting all that is precious in the exthat Republic, the ratifications of which have been existence of multitudes of persons, many of them in the changed since the last recess of the Legislature. The classes essentially dependent and helpless; of the age negotiation of similar treaties with all the independent requiring nurture, and of the sex entitled to protection, South American States, has been contemplated, and may from the free agency of the parent and the husband. yet be accomplished. The basis of them all, as proposed The organization of the militia is yet more indispensable by the United States, has been laid in two principles; to the liberties of the country. It is only by an effective the one, of entire and unqualified reciprocity; the other, militia that we can at once enjoy the repose of peace, the mutual obligation of the parties to place each other and bid defiance to foreign aggression: it is by the milipermanently upon the footing of the most favored na- tia that we are constituted an armed nation, standing in tion. These principles are, indeed, indispensable to the perpetual panoply of defence, in the presence of all the effectual emancipation of the American hemisphere other nations of the earth. To this end, it would be neccsfrom the thraldom of colonizing monopolies and exclu- sary, if possible, so to shape its organization as to give it a sions-an event rapidly realizing in the progress of more united and active energy. There are laws for esta human affairs, and which the resistance still opposed blishing an uniform militia throughout the United States, in certain parts of Europe to the acknowledgment of and for arming and equipping its whole body; but it is a the Southern American Republics as independent States, body of dislocated members, without the vigor of unity, will, it is believed, contribute more effectually to accom- and having little of uniformity but the name. To infuse plish. The time has been, and that not remote, when into this most important institution the power of which some of those States might, in their anxious desire to it is susceptible, and to make it available for the defence obtain a nominal recognition, have accepted of a nomi- of the Union, at the shortest notice, and at the smallest nal independence, clogged with burdensome conditions, expense possible of time, of life, and of treasure, are and exclusive commercial privileges, granted to the na-among the benefits to be expected from the persevering tion from which they have separated, to the disadvan- deliberations of Congress. tage of all others. They are now all aware that such concessions to any European nation, would be incompatible with that independence which they have declared and maintained.

Among the unequivocal indications of our national prosperity, is the flourishing state of our Finances. The revenues of the present year, from all their principal sources, will exceed the anticipations of the last. The balance in the Treasury, on the first of January last, was a little short of two millions of dollars, exclusive of two millions and a half, being the moiety of the loan of five millions, authorized by the act of 26th May, 1824. The receipts into the Treasury, from the first of January to the thirtieth of September, exclusive of the other moiety of the same loan, are estimated at sixteen millions five hundred thousand dollars; and it is expected that those of the current quarter will exceed five millions of dollars; forming an aggregate of receipts of nearly twenty-two millions, independent of the loan. The expend

Among the measures which have been suggested to them by the new relations with one another, resulting from the recent changes of their condition, is that of assembling, at the Isthmus of Panama, a Congress at which each of them should be represented, to deliberate upon objects important to the welfare of all. The Republics of Colombia, of Mexico, and of Central America, have already deputed Plenipotentiaries to such a meeting, and they have invited the United States to be also represented there by their ministers. The invitation has been accepted, and ministers on the part of the United States will be commissioned to attenditures of the year will not exceed that sum more than two at those deliberations, and to take part in them, so far as may be compatible with that neutrality from which it is neither our intention, nor the desire of the other American States, that we should depart.

The Commissioners under the Seventh Article of the Treaty of Ghent have so nearly completed their arduous labors, that, by the Report recently received from the Agent on the part of the United States, there is reason to expect that the Commission will be closed at their next session, appointed for the 224 of May of the ensuing year. The other Commission, appointed to ascertain the indemnities due for slaves carried away from the United States, after the close of the late war, have met with some difficulty, which has delayed their progress in the inquiry. A reference has been made to the British Government on the subject, which, it may be hoped, will tend to hasten the decision of the Commissioners, or serve as a substitute for it.

Among the powers specifically granted to Congress by the Constitution, are those of establishing uniform laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout he United States, and of providing for organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States. The magnitude and complexity of the interests affected by legislation upon these subjects, may account for the fact, that, long and often as both of them have occupied the attention, and animated the debates of Congress, no systems have yet been devised for fulfilling, to the satisfaction of the community, the duties prescribed by these grants of power. To conciliate the claim of the individual citizen to the enjoyment of per

millions. By those expenditures, nearly eight millions of the principal of the public debt have been discharged. More than a million and a half has been devoted to the debt of gratitude to the warriors of the Revolution: a nearly equal sum to the construction of Fortifications, and the acquisition of ordnance, and other permanent prepa rations of national defence: half a million to the gradual increase of the Navy: an equal sum for purchases of Territory from the Indians, and payment of annuities to them: and upwards of a million for objects of Internal Improvement, authorized by special acts of the last Con. gress. If we add to these, four millions of dollars for payment of interest upon the Public Debt, there remains a sum of about seven millions, which have defrayed the whole expense of the Administration of Government, in its Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary Departments, including the support of the Military and Naval Establishments, and all the occasional contingencies of a Guvernment co-extensive with the Union.

The amount of duties secured on merchandise imported since the commencement of the year, is about twenty-five millions and a half; and that which will accrue during the current quarter, is estimated at five millions and a half: from these thirty-one millions, deducting the drawbacks, estimated at less than seven millions, a sum exceeding twenty-four millions will constitute the revenue of the year; and will exceed the whole expenditures of the year. The entire amount of public debt remaining due on the first of January next, will be short of eighty-one millions of dollars

By an act of Congress of the third of March last, a loan of twelve millions of dollars was authorized at four and

19th CONGRESS, Message of the President, at the opening of the Session. [Sen. and H. of R.

Sen. and H. of R.] Message of the President, at the opening of the Session.

graduated there, officers well qualified for carrying this measure into effect.

The Board of Engineers for Internal Improvement, appointed for carrying into execution the Act of Congress of 30th of April, 1824, "to procure the necessary surveys, plans, and estimates, on the subject of roads and canals," have been actively engaged in that service from the close of the last Session of Congress. They have completed the surveys necessary for ascertaining the practicability of a Canal from the Chesapeake Bay to the Ohio River, and are preparing a full Report on that subject; which, when completed, will be laid before you. The same observation is to be made with regard to the two other objects of national importance upon which the Board have been occupied; namely, the accomplishment of a National Road from this City to New Orleans, and the practicability of uniting the waters of Lake Memphramagog with Connecticut River, and the improvement of the navigation of that River. The surveys have been made, and are nearly completed. The Report may be expected at an early period during the present Session of Congress.

gress the expediency either of providing for individual cases of this description by special enactment, or of revising the Act of 1st May 1820, with a view to mitigate the rigour of its exclusions, in favor of persons to whom charity now bestowed can scarcely discharge the debt of justice.

The portion of the Naval force of the Union in actual service, has been chiefly employed on three stations : the Mediterranean, the coasts of South. America bordering on the Pacific Ocean, and the West-Indies. An occasional cruiser has been sent to range along the African shores most polluted by the traffic of slaves; one armed vessel has been stationed on the coast of our eastern boundary, to cruise along the fishing grounds in Hudson's Bay, and on the coast of Labrador; and the first service of a new frigate has been performed in restoring to his native soil, and domestic enjoyments, the veteran hero whose youthful blood and treasure had freely flowed in the cause of our Country's Independence, and whose whole life had been a series of services and sacrifices to the improvement of his fellowmen. The visit of General Lafayette, alike honor. The Acts of Congress of the last Session, relative to able to himself and to our Country, closed, as it had the surveying, marking, or laying out, roads in the Ter- commenced, with the most affecting testimonials of deritories of Florida, Arkansas, and Michigan, from Mis- voted attachment on his part, and of unbounded gratisouri to Mexico, and for the continuation of the Cum-tude of this people to him in return. It will form, hereberland Road, are, some of them, fully executed, and after, a pleasing incident in the annals of our Union, others in the process of execution. Those for complet- giving to real history the intense interest of romance, ing or commencing Fortifications have been delayed and signally marking the unpurchasable tribute of a only so far as the Corps of Engineers has been inade great Nation's social affections to the disinterested quate to furnish officers for the necessary superintend- champion of the liberties of human kind. ence of the works. Under the act confirming the sta- The constant maintenance of a small squadron in the tutes of Virginia and Maryland, incorporating the Che-Mediterranean, is a necessary substitute for the humiliatsapeake and Ohio Canal Company, three Commission- ing alternative of paying tribute for the security of our ers on the part of the United States have been appointed commerce in that sea, and for a precarious peace, at the for opening books and receiving subscriptions, in con- mercy of every caprice of four Barbary States, by whom cert with a like number of Commissioners appointed on it was liable to be violated. An additional motive for the part of each of those States. A meeting of the keeping a respectable force stationed there at this time, Commissioners has been postponed, to await the defini- is found in the maritime war raging between the Greeks tive Report of the Board of Engineers. The light-houses and the Turks; and in which the neutral navigation of and monuments for the safety of our commerce and ma- this Union is always in danger of outrage and depreda riners; the works for the security of Plymouth Beach, tion. A few instances have occurred of such depredaand for the preservation of the Islands in Boston Har- tions upon our merchant vessels by privateers or pirates bor; have received the attention required by the laws wearing the Grecian flag, but without real authority relating to those objects respectively. The continua- from the Greek or any other Government. The heroic tion of the Cumberland Road, the most important of them struggles of the Greeks themselves, in which our all, after surmounting no inconsiderable difficulty in fix- warmest sympathies as Freemen and Christians have ing upon the direction of the road, has commenced un- been engaged, have continued to be maintained with der the most promising auspices, with the improve- vicissitudes of success adverse and favorable. ments of recent invention in the mode of construction, and with the advantage of a great reduction in the comparative cost of the work.

The operation of the laws relating to the Revolutionary Pensioners may deserve the renewed consideration of Congress. The act of 18th March, 1818, while it made provision for many meritorious and indigent citizens, who had served in the War of Independence, opened a door to numerous abuses and impositions. To remedy this, the act of 1st May, 1820, exacted proofs of absolute indigence, which many really in want were un able, and all, susceptible of that delicacy which is allied to many virtues, must be deeply reluctant to give. The result has been, that some among the least deserving have been retained, and some in whom the requisites both of worth and want were combined, have been stricken from the list. As the umbers of these venerable relics of an age gone by diminish; as the decays of body, mind, and estate, of those that survive, must, in the common course of nature, increase; should not a more liberal portion of indulgence be dealt out to them? May not the want, in most instances, be inferred from the demand, when the service can be duly proved; and may not the last days of human infirmity be spared the mortification of purchasing a pittance of relief only by the exposure of its own necessities? I submit to Con

Similar motives have rendered expedient the keeping of a like force on the coasts of Peru and Chili on the Pacific. The irregular and convulsive character of the war upon the shores, has been extended to the conflicts upon the ocean. An active warfare has been kept up for years, with alternate success, though generally to the advantage of the American Patriots. But their naval forces have not always been under the control of their own Governments. Blockades, unjustifiable upon any acknowledged principles of international law, have been proclaimed by officers in command; and though disavowed by the supreme authorities, the protection of our own commerce against them has been made cause of complaint and of erroneous imputations against some of the most gallant officers of our Navy. Complaints equally groundless have been made by the commanders of the Spanish Royal forces in those seas; but the most effective protection to our commerce has been the flag, and the firmness of our own commanding officers. The cessation of the war, by the complete triumph of the Patriot cause, has removed, it is hoped, all cause of dissension with one party, and all vestige of force of the other. But an unsettled coast of many degrees of latitude, forming a part of our own Territory, and a flourishing commerce and fishery, extending to the Islands of the Pacific and to China, still require that the protecting power

91 CONGRESS, Message of the President, at the opening of the Session. [Sen, and H. of R.

1st

of the Union should be displayed under its flag as well upon the ocean as upon the land.

sloops of war, and for other purposes are in the course of execution: for the particulars of which, and other objects connected with this Department, I refer to the Report of the Secretary of the Navy, herewith communi

The objects of the West India squadron have been to carry into execution the laws for the suppression of the African Slave Trade for the protection of our com-cated. merce against vessels of piratical character, though A Report from the Postmaster General is also submit. bearing commissions from either of the belligerent par-ted, exhibiting, the present flourishing condition of that ties: for its protection against open and unequivocal Department. For the first time for many years, the repirates. These objects, during the present year, have ceipts for the year ending on the 1st of July last, exceedbeen accomplished more effectually than at any former ed the expenditures during the same period, to the period. The African Slave Trade has long been ex. amount of more than forty-five thousand dollars. Other cluded from the use of our flag; and if some few citi- facts, equally creditable to the administration of this Dezens of our country have continued to set the laws of partment, are, that, in two years from the 1st of July, 1823, the Union, as well as those of Nature and Humanity, an improvement of more than one hundred and eightyat defiance, by persevering in that abominable traffic, five thousand dollars in its pecuniary affairs has been it has been only by sheltering themselves under the realized; that in the same interval the increase of the banners of other nations, less earnest for the total ex-transportation of the mail has exceeded one million five tinction of the trade than ours. The irregular priva- hundred thousand miles, annually; and that one thou. teers have, within the last year, been in a great measure sand and forty new post offices have been established. banished from those seas; and the pirates, for months It hence appears, that, under judicious management, the past, appear to have been almost entirely swept away income from this establishment may be relied on as fully from the borders and the shores of the two Spanish adequate to defray its expenses; and that, by the disconislands in those regions. The active, persevering, and tinuance of post-roads, altogether unproductive, others unremitted energy of Captain Warrington, and of the of more useful character may be opened till the circulaofficers and men under his command, on that trying tion of the mail shall keep pace with the spread of our and perilous service, have been crowned with signal population; and the comforts of friendly correspondence, success, and are entitled to the approbation of their the exchanges of internal traffic, and the lights of the country. But experience has shown, that not even a periodical press, shall be distributed to the remotest temporary suspension or relaxation from assiduity can corners of the Union, at a charge scarcely perceptible be indulged on that station, without re-producing piracy to any individual, and without the cost of a dollar to the and murder in all their horrors; nor is it probable that, public treasury. for years to come, our immensely valuable commerce in those seas can navigate in security, without the steady continuance of an armed force devoted to its protection. It were indeed a vain and dangerous illusion to believe, that, in the present or probable condition of human society, a commerce so extensive and so rich as ours could exist and be pursued in safety, without the continual support of a military marine-the only arm by which the power of this Confederacy can be estimated or felt by foreign nations, and the only standing military force which can never be dangerous to our own liberties at home. A permanent Naval Peace Establishment, therefore, adapted to our present condition, and adaptable to that gigantic growth with which the nation is advancing in its career, is among the subjects which have already occupied the foresight of the last Congress, and which will deserve your serious deliberations. Our Navy, commenced at an early period of our present political organization, upon a scale commensurate with the incipient energies, the scanty resources, and the comparative indigence of our infancy, was even then found adequate to cope with all the powers of Barbary, save the first, and with one of the principal maritime powers of Europe. At a period of further advancement, but with little accession of strength, it not only sustained with honor the most unequal of conflicts, but covered itself and our country with unfading glory. But it is only since the close of the late war, that, by the number and force of the ships of which it was composed, it could deserve the name of a Navy. Yet it retains nearly the same organization as when it consisted only of five frigates. The rules and regulations by which it is governed earnestly call for revision, and the want of a Naval School of Instruction, corresponding with the Military Academy at West Point, for the formation of scientific and accomplished officers, is felt with daily increasing aggravation. The act of Congress of 26th May, 1824, authorizing an examination and survey of the harbor of Charleston, in South Carolina, of St. Mary's, in Georgia, and of the Coast of Florida, and for other purposes, has been executed so far as the appropriation would admit. Those of the Sd of March last, authorizing the establishment of a Navy Yard and Depot on the Coast of Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico, and authorizing the building of ten

Upon this first occasion of addressing the Legislature of the Union, with which I have been honored, in presenting to their view the execution, so far as it has been effected, of the measures sanctioned by them, for promoting the internal improvement of our country, I cannot close the communication without recommending to their calm and persevering consideration the general principle in a more enlarged extent. The great object of the institution of civil government, is the improvement of the condition of those who are parties to the social compact. And no government, in whatever form constituted, can accomplish the lawful ends of its institution, but in proportion as it improves the condition of those over whom it is established. Roads and canals, by multiplying and facilitating the communications and intercourse between distant regions, and multitudes of men, are among the most important means of improvement. But moral, political, intellectual improvement, are duties assigned, by the Author of our existence, to social, no less than to individual man. For the fulfilment of those duties, governments are invested with power; and, to the attain. ment of the end, the progressive improvement of the condition of the governed, the exercise of delegated power, is a duty as sacred and Indispensable, as the usurpation of power not granted is criminal and odious. Among the first, perhaps the very first instrument for the improvement of the condition of men, is knowledge; and to the acquisition of much of the knowledge adapted to the wants, the comforts, and enjoyments of human life, public institutions and seminaries of learning are essential. So convinced of this was the first of my predecessors in this office, now first in the memory, as, living, he was first in the hearts of our country, that, once and again, in his addresses to the Congresses with whom he co-operated in the public service, he earnestly recommended the establishment of Seminaries of Learning, to prepare for all the emergencies of peace and war-a national university and a military academy. With respect to the latter, had he lived to the present day, in turning his eyes to the institution at West Point, he would have enjoyed the gratification of his most earnest wishes. But, in surveying the city which has been honored with his name, he would have seen the spot of earth which he had destined and bequeathed to the use and benefit of