dent, and is closely connected with Buenos-Ayres: that Venezuela has also declared itself independent, and now maintains the conflict with various success; and that the remaining parts of South America, except Monte Video, and such other portions of the eastern bank of the La Plata as are held by Portugal, are still in the possession of Spain, or in a certain degree under her influence.

By a circular note addressed by the Ministers of Spain to the Allied Powers with whom they are respectively accredited, it appears that the Allies have undertaken to mediate between Spain and the South American provinces, and that the manner and extent of their interposition would be settled by a Congress, which was to have met at Aix-laChapelle in September last. From the general policy and course of proceeding observed by the Allied Powers in regard to this contest, it is inferred that they will confine their interposition to the expression of their sentiments; abstaining from the application of force. I state this impression, that force will not be applied, with the greater satis. faction, because it is a course more consistent with justice, and likewise authorizes a hope that the calamities of war will be confined to the parties only, and will be of shorter duration.

From the view taken of this subject, founded on all the information that we have been able to obtain, there is good cause to be satisfied with the course heretofore pursued by the United States in regard to this contest, VOL. LX.

and to conclude that it is proper to adhere to it, especially in the present state of affairs.

I have great satisfaction in stating, that our relations with France, Russia, and other Powers, continue on the most friendly basis,

In our domestic concerns we have ample cause of satisfaction. The receipts into the Treasury, during the three first quarters of. the year,have exceeded17,000,000 of dollars.

After satisfying all the demands which have been made under existing appropriations, including the final extinction of the old six per cent stock, and the redemption of a moiety of the Louisiana debt, it is estimated that there will remain in the Treasury, on the 1st day of January next, more than 2,000,000 of dollars.

It is ascertained that the gross revenue which has accrued from the customs during the same period, amounts to 21,000,000 of dollars, and that the revenue of the whole year may be estimated at not less than 26,000,000. The sale of the public lands during the year has also greatly exceeded, both in quantity and price, that of any former year; and there is just reason to expect a progressive improvement in that source of

and that, whilst the public expenditure will probably remain stationary, each successive year will add to the national resources, by the ordinary increase of our population, and by the gradual development of our latent sources of national prosperity.

The strict execution of the revenue laws, resulting principally from the salutary provisions of the act of the 20th of April last, amending the several collection laws, has, it is presumed, secured to domestic manufactories all the relief that can be derived from the duties which have been imposed upon foreign merchandise for their protection. Under the influence of this relief, several branches of this important national interest have assumed great activity, and, although it is hoped that others will gradually revive and ultimately triumph over every obstacle, yet the expediency of granting farther protection is submitted to your consideration.

The measures of defence authorized by existing laws have been pursued with the zeal and activity due to so important an object, and with all the despatch prac ticable in so extensive and great an undertaking. The survey of our maritime and inland frontiers has been continued; and at the points where is was decided to erect fortifications, the work has been commenced, and in some instances considerable progress has been made. In compliance with resolutions of the last session, the board of commissioners were directed to examine in a particular manner the parts of the coast therein designated, and to report their opinion of the most suitable

sites for two naval depots. This work is in a train of execution. The opinion of the board on this subject, with a plan of all the works necessary to a general system of defence, so far as it has been formed, will be laid before Congress, in a report from the proper department, as soon as it can be prepared.

In conformity with the appropriations of the last session, treaties have been formed with the Quapaw tribe of Indians, inhabit-. ing the country on the Arkansaw, and with the Great and Little Osages north of the White river; with the tribes in the state of Indiana; with the several tribes within the state of Ohio, and the Michigan territory; and with the Chickasaws; by which very extensive cessions of territory have been made to the United States. Negotiations are now depending with the tribes in the Illinois territory, and with the Choctaws, by which it is expected that other extensive cessions will be made. I take great interest in stating that the cessions already made, which are considered so important to the United States, have been obtained on conditions very satisfactory to the Indians.

With a view to the security of our inland frontiers, it has been thought expedient to establish strong posts at the mouth of the Yellow-Stone-river, and at the Mandan village, on the Missouri; and at the mouth of St. Peter's, on the Mississippi, at no great distance from our northern boun. daries. It can hardly be presumed, while such posts are maintained in the rear of the Indian tribes, that they will

venture

venture to attack our peaceable inhabitants. A strong hope is entertained that this measure will likewise be productive of much good to 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, especially of the tribes belonging to our portion of this hemisphere, among whom, loftiness of sentiment, and gallantry 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. I 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.

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 been 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 example, and at 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 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 be cherished. Each government will acquire new force, and a greater freedom of action, within its proper sphere. [N2]

more

Other

:

Other inestimable advantages will follow our produce will be augmented to an incalculable amount, in articles of the greatest value, for domestic use and 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 further 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. 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 great blessings with which our country has been favoured, 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.

Nov. 17, 1818.

JAMES MONROE.

CHAPTER

the

HE first of these communications for the latter part of year 1817, is a despach from the Hon. Mountstuart Elphinstone, the resident at the court of the Peishwa, to the GovernorGeneral, dated camp at Kirky. Nov. 6, 1817. It contained an account of the great military preparations made by the Peishwa, and his refusal to send any part of his force from Poonah. In conclusion, it mentioned the purpose of his Highness to push on his troops towards those of the English; and in fine, asserted that the Residency had been immediately plundered and burned. The next report is from Lieut.Colonel Burr, to the Deputy Adjutant-General of the fourth division of the Army of the Decan, dated Camp at Kirky, Nov. 6, 1817, in which the relator gives an account of a successful action fought with Goklah's infantry and the Mahratta horse.

Mr. Elphinstone, in the succeeding account, dated from Kirky, Nov. 11th, relates the confusion apparent in the Peishwa's army, but speaks of his conduct as in some instances bearing more of the character of civilized war.

A report follows from Brigadier-General Lionel Smith, to Lieut. Gen. Sir Thomas Hislop, dated Camp before Poonah, on Nov. 20. It gives a particular

relation of his march through a body of the enemy's horse, against the Peishwa's army, whom he at length forced to retreat in the morning of the 17th, after carrying with him all his guns but one. The city of Poonah was taken possession of by the victors on the same day.

A despatch from the Governor in Council of Bombay acquaints the Honourable Committee, that the district of Oolpar has been taken possession of without opposition, and that the fort of Severn-droog has surrendered without a single casualty on their. part.

A despatch from Mr. Elphinstone to the Governor-General, dated Camp, Rajwarree, Nov. 23, contains many particulars relative to the Peishwa and Goklah, with other persons. The army is reported to be in full march after the Peishwa.

at

Brigadier-General Smith next informs Lieut..General Nightingall, Commander - in - Chief, Bombay, of a troublesome march which he took in leaving Poonah in pursuit of the enemy, and of the difficulty he found in bringing them to action.

On the 5th of May 1818 despatches were received at the India-house, containing the following communications : Lieut.-Gen. Hislop, addressed

the