United States have .iberty, in common with the subjects of Great Britain, to take fish on the southern, western, and northern coast of Newfoundland, &c. The second article establishes the northern boundaries of the United States from the Lake of the Woods, to the Stoney Mountains. By the fourth article, the commercial convention between the two countries, concluded at London, in 1815, is extended for the term of ten years longer, &c. &c.

Sec. 13. On the 22d of February, following, a treaty was concluded at Washington, by John Quincy Adams, and Luis de Onis, by which East and West Florida, with all the Islands adjacent, &c. were ceded by Spain to the United States.

By this treaty the western boundary between the United States and Spain was settled. A sum not exceeding five millions of dollars is to be paid by the United States out of the proceeds of sales of lands in Florida, or in stock, or money, to citizens of the United States, on account of Spanish spoliations and injuries. To liquidate the claims, a board was to be constituted by the government of the United States, of American citizens, to consist of three commissioners, who should report within three years.

Such were the essential provisions of the above treaty, which was ratified by the president and senate on the 24th, under a full confidence that it would, within six months, the time stipulated, be ratified by his Catholic Majesty. His majesty, however, declined the ratification, on the ground that the American government had attempted to alter one of the principal articles of the treaty by a declaration which the minister of the United States had been ordered to present, on the exchange of ratifications; and also on the ground that the government of the United States had recently tolerated or protected an expedition from the United States against the province of Texas.

In a message to congress, the president satisfactorily explained these subjects, and submitted to their consideration whether it would not be proper for the United States to carry the treaty into effect on her part, in the same manner as if it had been ratified by Spain, claiming on their part all its advantage, and yielding to Spain those secured to her. A bill, authorizing the president to take possession of Florida, was introduced into the house, but the subject was postponed to the consideration of the next congress. In October, 1820,

the king of Spain gave the treaty his signature. On the 19th of February following, 1821, the president, with the advice of the senate, finally ratified the treaty. Formal pos session of the territory was given to General Jackson, as the commissioner of the United States, in the month of July following.

Sec. 14. On the 2d of March, 1819, the government of the ARKANSAS Territory was organized by an act of congress.

The earliest settlement, within the limits of the territory of Arkansas, was made by the Chevalier de Tonte, in 1685, at the Indian village of Arkansas, situated on the river of that name. Emigrants from Canada afterwards arrived, but the progress of settlement was slow. Upon the cession of Louisiana to the United States, the ceded territory was divided into two parts, the territory of Orleans, lying south of latitude thirty degrees, and the district of Louisiana, comprehending all the tract of country between the Missis sippi and the Pacific Ocean. In March, 1805, the latter country was denominated the Territory of Louisiana. 1812, this territory was constituted a territorial government, by the name of the Territory of Missouri. In March, 1189, the inhabitants of the northern parts were formed into a distinct district, by the name of Missouri, and soon after the southern was formed into a territorial government by the name of Arkansas. In December, 1819, an election for a delegate to congress was held for the first time.

In

Sec. 15. During the following summer, 1819, the president visited the southern section of the country, having in view the same great national interests, which had prompted him in his previous tour to the north.

In this tour the president visited Charleston, Savannah, and Augusta; from this latter place he proceeded to Nashville, through the Cherokee nation, and thence to Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky, whence he returned to the seat of government, early in August.

Sec. 16. On the 14th of December following, a resolution passed congress, admitting ALABAMA into the union, on an equal footing with the origi nal states.

Alabama, though recently settled, appears to have been visited by Ferdinand de Soto, in 1539. Some scattered settlements were made within the present state of Mississippi before the American revolution, but Alabama continued the hunting ground of savages, until a much later period.

After the peace of 1783, Georgia laid claim to this territory, and exercised jurisdiction over it, until the beginning of the present century. In 1795, an act passed the legislature of Georgia, by which twenty-five millions of acres of its western territory were sold to companies for five hundred thousand dollars, and the purchase money was paid into their treasury. The purchasers of these lands soon after sold them at advanced prices. The sale of the territory excited a warm opposition in Georgia, and at a subsequent meeting of the legislature, the transaction was impeached, on the ground of bribery, corruption, and unconstitutionality. The records respecting the sale were ordered to be burnt, and the five hundred thousand dollars to be refunded to the purchasers. Those who had acquired titles of the original purchasers instituted suits in the federal courts.

In 1802, however, Georgia ceded to the United States all her western territory, for one million two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. On this event, the purchasers of the Yazoo land petitioned congress for redress and compensation. After considerable opposition, an act passed for reimbursing them with funded stock, called the Mississippi stock. In 1800, the territory which now forms the states of Mississippi and Alabama, was erected into a territorial government. In 1817, Mississippi territory was divided, and the western portion of it was authorized to form a state constitution. The eastern portion was then formed into a territorial government, and received the name of Alabama. In July, 1819, a convention of delegates met at Huntsville, and adopted a state constitution, which being approved by congress in December following, the state was declared to be henceforth one of the United States.

Sec. 17. In the ensuing year, March 3d, 1820, MAINE became an independent state, and a member of the federal union..

The separation of the District of Maine from Massachusetts, and its erection into an independent state, had been frequently attempted without success. In October, 1785, a convention met at Portland, for the purpose of considering the subject. In the succeeding year, the question was sub

mitted to the people of Maine, to be decided in town meetings, when it was found that a majority of freemen were against the measure. The subject was renewed in 1802, when a majority appeared averse to a separation. In 1819, an act passed the general court of Massachusetts, for ascertaining the wishes of the people; in conformity to which, at vote was taken in all the towns. A large majority were found in favour of a separation. A convention was called, and a constitution adopted, which being approved, Massachusetts and Maine amicably separated, the latter taking her proper rank, as one of the United States.

Sec. 18. On the 3d of March, 1821, the sixteenth congress closed its second session. Few subjects of importance were discussed, and but little done for the advancement of public interest, or the promotion of private prosperity. Acts were passed to admit Missouri into the union conditionally; to reduce the military peace establishment to four regiments of artillery, and seven regiments of infantry, with their proper officers; and to carry into further execution the provisions of treaties with Spain and Great Britain.

Sec. 19. On the 5th, Mr. Monroe, who had been re-elected to the presidency, took the usual oath of office. The re-election of Monroe was nearly unanimous. Mr. Tompkins was again

elected vice-president.

Sec. 20. August 10th, 1821, the president, by his proclamation, declared MISSOURI to be an independent state, and that it was admitted into the federal union.

The first permanent settlements in Missouri, appear to have been made at St. Genevieve and New-Bourbon, which were founded soon after the peace of 1663. In the succeeding year, St. Louis, the capital of the state, was commenced. In 1762, Louisiana, and Missouri of course, were secretly ceded by France to Spain; but the latter did not attempt to take possession of the country until some years

after.

Missouri remained in possession of Spain, through the war of the revolution, until the cession of Louisiana to France, in 1801, by which latter power it was ceded to the United States in 1803.

Upon the cession of Louisiana to the United States, the district which now forms the state of Louisiana, was separated from the territory, and made a distinct government, by the name of the territory of Orleans. In 1811, the territory of Orleans became a state, by the name of Louisiana. The remaining part of the original province of Louisiana, extending to the Pacific, was erected into a territorial government, and called Missouri. In 1818-19, application was made to congress, by the people of this territory, to form a state constitution. A bill was accordingly introduced for the purpose, a provision of which forbade slavery or involuntary servitude. The bill with this provision passed the house of representatives, but was rejected in the senate, and, in consequence of this disagreement, the measure, for the time, failed. In the session of 1819-20 the bill was revived; and, after long and animated debates, a compromise was effected, by which slavery was to be tolerated in Missouri, and forbidden in all that part of Louisiana, as ceded by France, lying north of 36° 30' north latitude, except so much as was included within the limits of the state. In the mean time the people of Missouri had formed a state constitution. When this constitution was presented to congress, in 1820-21, a provision in it, which required the legislature to pass laws "to prevent free negroes and mulattoes from coming to, and settling in the state," was strenuously opposed, on the ground that it violated the rights of such persons of that description as were citizens of any of the United States. The contest occupied a great part of the session, and it was finally determined, by a small majority, that Missouri should be admitted, upon the fundamental condition, that the contested clause should not be construed to authorize the passage of any laws, excluding citizens of other states from enjoying the privileges to which they are entitled by the constitution of the United States. It was also provided, that if the legislature of Missouri should, by a solemn public act, previously to the 4th Monday of November, 1821, declare the assent of the state to this fundamental condition, the president should issue his proclamation, declaring the admission complete. On the 24th of June, 1821, the legislature of Missouri assented to the fundamental condition; and, on the 10th of August fol