the tribes themselves, especially in promoting the great object of their civilization. Experience has clearly demonstrated, that independent savage communities cannot long exist within the limits of a civilized population. The progress of the latter has, almost invariably, terminated in the extinction of the former, espe cially of the tribes belonging to our portion of this hemisphere, among whom, loftiness in sentiment, and galTantry in action, have been conspicuous. To civilize them, and even to prevent their extinction, it seems to be indispensable that their independence, as communities, should cease, and that the control of the United States over them, should be complete and undisputed. The hunter state will then be more easily abandoned, and recourse will be had to the acquisition and culture of land, and to other pursuits tending to dissolve the ties which connect them together as a savage community, and to give a new character to every individual. present this subject to the consideration of Congress, on the presumption that it may be found expedient and practicable to adopt some benevolent provisions, having these objects in view, relative to the tribes within our settlements.

I

It has been necessary, during the present year, to maintain a strong naval force in the Mediterranean, and in the Gulf of Mexico, and to send some public ships along the southern coast, and to the Pacific Ocean. By these means amicable relations with the Barbary powers have peen preserved, our commerce has been protected, and our rights respected. The augmentation of our navy is advancing, with a steady progress, towards the limit contemplated by law.

I communicate, with great satisfaction, the accession of another state, Illinois, to our Union; because I perceive, from the proof afforded by the additions already made, the regular progress and sure consummation of a policy, of which history affords no axample, aad of which the good effect cannot be too highly estimated. By extending our government, on the principles of our constitution, over the vast territory within our limits, on the Lakes and the Mississippi, and its numerous streams, new life and vigour are infused into every part of our system. By increasing the number of the states, the confidence of the state governments in their own security is increased, and their jealousy of the national government proportionably diminished. The impracticability of one consolidated government for this great and growing nation, will be more apparent, and will be universally admitted. Incapable of exercising local authority, except for general purposes, the general government will no longer be dreaded. In those cases of a local nature, and for all the great purposes for which it was instituted, its authority will de cherished. Each government will acquire new force and a greater freedom of action within its proper sphere. Other inestimable advantages will follow our produce will be augmented to an incalculable amount, in articles of the greatest value for domestic use and for foreign commerce. Our navigation will, in like degree, be increased; and, as the shipping of the Atlantic states will be employed in the transportation of the vast produce of the western country, even those parts of the United States which are the most remote from each other, will

be found bound together by the strongest ties which mutual interest can create.

The situation of this District, it is thought, requires the attention of Congress. By the Constitution, the power of legislation is exclusively vested in the Congress of the United States. In the exercise of this power, in which the people have no participation, Congress legislate in all cases, directly on the local concerns of the District. As this is a departure, for a special purpose, from the general principles of our system, it may merit consideration, whether an arrangement better adapted to the principles of our government and to the particular interests of the people, may not be devised, which will neither infringe the constitution, nor affect the object which the provision in question was intended to secure. The growing population, already considerable, and the increasing business of the District, which it is believed already interferes with the deliberations of Congress on great national concerns, furnish additional motives for recommending this subject to your consideration.

When we view the greater blessings with which our country has been favored, those which we now enjoy, and the means which we possess of handing them down unimpaired, to our latest posterity, our attention is irresistibly drawn to the source from whence they flow. Let us, then, unite in offering our most grateful acknowledgments for these blessings to the Divine Author of all good.

November 17, 1818.

JAMES MONROE.

Let the people of the American Republic read this Message, and rejoice in the goodness of Providence, and the wisdom of their Rulers, for the blessings they enjoy.

The approbation bestowed upon the immortal Hero of Tohopeka and New Orleans, was what might be expected from a man who "views the whole ground.” To JAMES MONROE, is the Republic indebted for the acquisition of Louisiana, and of consequence the Mississippi, by the masterly diplomatic skill of that Statesman. To ANDREW JACKSON is it indebted for the defence of the country by the sword, which was acquired by negociation. While America has such men to secure their rights in the Cabinet, and such men to defend them in the field, she has nothing to fear from abroad or at home. May a succession of such men continue to arise with our rising Republic, and through unborn generations transmit unimpaired, the unparalleled blessings we enjoy.