TO THE REGISTER OF DEBATES IN CONGRESS. 18th CONGRESS-SECOND SESSION. List of Members of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States. Senate. PENNSYLVANIA-James Allison, Samuel Breck- man. 7 7 RHODE ISLAND-James D'Wolf, Nehemiah R. Alexander Thompson, Daniel Udree, Isaac Wayne, Knight. James Wilson, Henry Wilson--26. DELAWARE-Louis M'Lane.. field.-9 VERMONT-William A. Palmer, Horatio Seymour. VIRGINIA-Mark Alexander, William S. Archer, House of Representatives. MAINE-William Burleigh, Joshua Cushman, Ebenezer Herrick, David Kidder, Enoch Lincoln, Stephen Longfellow, Jeremiah O'Brien.-7. NEW HAMPSHIRE-Ichabod Bartlett, Matthew Harvey, Arthur Livermore, Aaron Matson, Wm. Plumer, Jr. Thomas Whipple, Jr.-6 MASSACHUSETTS-Samuel C. Allen, John Bailey, Francis Baylies, Benjamin W Crowninshield, Henry W. Dwight, Timothy Fuller, Aaron Hobart, Samuel Lathrop, John Locke, Jeremiah Nelson, John Reed, Jonas Sibley, Daniel Webster.-13 RHODE ISLAND-Job Durfee, Samuel Eddy.-2 CONNECTICUT-Noyes Barber, Samuel A. Foot, Ansel Sterling, Ebenezer Stoddard, Gideon Tomlinson, Samuel Whitman-6 VERMONT-William C. Bradley, Daniel A. A. Buck, Samuel C. Crafts, Rollin C. Mallary, Henry Olin.-5 NEW YORK-John W. Cady, Churchill C. Cambreleng, Lot Clark, Ela Collins, Hector Craig, Rowland Day, Justin Dwinell, Lewis Eaton, Charles A. Foote, Joel Frost, Moses Hayden, John Herkimer, James L. Hogeboom, Lemuel Jenkins, Samuel Lawrence, Elisha Litchfield, Dudley Marvin, Henry C. Martindale, John J. Morgan, John Richards, Robert R. Rose, Peter Sharpe, Heny R. Storrs, James Strong, John W. Taylor, Egbert Ten Eyck, Albert H. Tracy, Jacob Tyson, William Van Wyck, Stephen Van Rensselaer, Isaac Williams, Parmenio Adams, Silas Wood, William Woods.-34 NEW JERSEY-George Cassedy, Lewis Condict, Daniel Garrison, George Holcombe, James Matlack, Samuek Swan.-6 NORTH CAROLINA Henry Conner, John CulpeHall, Charles Hooks, John Long, Willie P. Mangum, Roper, Weldon N. Edwards, Alfred M. Gatlin, Thomas H. mulus M. Saunders, Richard D. Spaight, Robert B. Vance, Lewis Williams.-12. One vacant. SOUTH CAROLINA-Robert Campbell, John Carter, Joseph Gist, Andrew R. Govan, James Hamilton, Jr. George M'Duffie, Joel R. Poinsett, Starling Tucker, John Wilson.-9 GEORGIA-Joel Abbot, George Cary, Alfred Cuthbert, John Forsyth, Edward F. Tattnall, Wiley Thomp son.-6. One vacant. KENTUCKY-Henry Clay, (Speaker) Richard A. Buckner, Robert P. Henry, Francis Johnson, John T. Johnson, Robert Letcher, Thomas Metcalfe, Thomas P. Moore, Philip Thompson, David Trimble, David White, Charles A. Wickliffe.-12. TENNESSEE-Adam R. Alexander, Robert Allen, John Blair, John Cocke, Samuel Houston, Jacob C. Isaacks, James B. Reynolds, James T. Sandford, James Standefer.-9. OHIO Mordecai Bartley, Philemon Beecher, John W. Campbell, James W. Gazlay, Duncan M'Arthur, William M'Lean, John Patterson, Thomas R. Ross, John Sloane, Joseph Vance, Samuel F. Vinton, Elisha Whittlesey, William Wilson, John C Wright.-14 LOUISIANA-William L. Brent, Henry H. Gurley, MISSISSIPPI-Christopher Rankin.-1 Test.-3 ILLINOIS-Daniel P. Cook.-1 ALABAMA-John McKee, Gabriel Moore, George W. Owen.-3 MISSOURI-John Scott.-1 Delegates. MICHIGAN TERRITORY-Gabriel Richard. NOTE-Whatever changes, if any, take place during the Session, will be found noted on the last page of the Appendix. Vol. I-A At the commencement of the Second Session of the future variance. DECEMBER 7, 1824. Fellow-Citizens of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives: THE view which I have now to present to you, of our affairs, Foreign and Domestic, realizes the most sanguine anticipations which have been entertained of the public prosperity. If we look to the whole, our growth, as a Nation, continues to be rapid, beyond example; if to the States which compose it, the same gratifying spectacle is exhibited. Our expansion over the vast territory within our limits, has been great, without indicating any decline in those sections from which the emigration has been most conspicuous. We have daily gained strength by a native population in every quarter-a population devoted to our happy system of Government, and cherishing the bond of union with fraternal affec. tion. Experience has already shewn, that the differ ence of climate, and of industry, proceeding from that cause, inseparable from such vast domains, and which, under other systems, might have a repulsive tendency, cannot fail to produce, with us, under wise regulations, the opposite effect. What one portion wants, the other. may supply, and this will be most sensibly felt by the parts most distant from each other, forming, thereby, a domestic market, and an active intercourse between the extremes and throughout every portion of our Union. Thus, by a happy distribution of power between the National and State Governments, governments which rest exclusively on the sovereignty of the People, and are fully adequate to the great purposes for which they were respectively instituted, causes which might other wise lead to dismemberment, operate powerfully to dr us closer together. In every other circumstance, a correct view of the actual state of our Union must be equally gratifying to our constituents. Our relations with foreign powers are of a friendly character, although some. It having been stipulated by the seventh article of the convention of navigation and commerce, which was con cluded on the twenty-fourth of June, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-two, between the United States and France, that the said convention should continue in force for two years, from the first of October of that year, and should declare its intention to renounce it, in which event for an indefinite term afterwards, unless one of the parties it should cease to operate at the end of six months from such declaration; and no such intention having been ar nounced, the convention having been found advantage ous to both parties, it has since remained, and still remains, in force. At the time when that convention was and particularly our claim to indemnity for spoliation concluded, many interesting subjects were left unsettled, which were committed on our commerce in the late wars. For these interests and claims, it was in the con templation of the parties, to make provision at a subsequent day, by a more comprehensive and definitive tres. ty. The object has been duly attended to since by the Executive; but, as yet, it has not been accomplished. It is hoped that a favorable opportunity will present itse for opening a negotiation, which may embrace and ar range all existing differences, and every other concern in which they have a common interest, upon the accession of the present king of France, an event which has occu rel since the close of the last session of Congress. With Great Britain our commercial intercourse rests on the same footing that it did at the last session. By the convention of one thousand eight hundred and fifter, the commerce between the United States and the Britis dominions in Europe and the East Indies, was arrange on a principle of reciprocity. That convention was co firmed and continued in force, with slight exceptions, b a subsequent treaty, for the term of ten years, from the twentieth of October, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, the date of the latter. The trade with the British colonies in the West Indies, has not, as yet, be arranged by treaty, or otherwise, to our satisfaction. At approach to that result has been made by legislative acc whereby many serious impediments, which had bee raised by the parties in defence of their respective chies manifested on the part of this Government, to place the were removed. An earnest desire exists, and has been ciprocal advantage; and it is hoped that the British portance to the colonies, will, ere long, accede to it. vernment, seeing the justice of the proposal, and its in certain interesting differences remain unsettled with Our revenue, under the mild system of impost and tonnage, continues to be adequate to all the pur-commerce with the colonies, likewise, on a footing of t poses of the Government. Our agriculture, commerce, manufactures, and navigation, flourish. Our fortifications are advancing in the degree authorized by existing appropriations, to maturity, and due progress is made in the augmentation of the navy, to the limit prescribed for it by law. For these blessings, we owe to Almighty God, from whom we derive them, and with profound reve. rence, our most grateful and unceasing acknowledg ments. The Commissioners who were appointed for the a justment of the boundary, between the territories of United States and those of Great Britain, specified in the fifth article of the Treaty of Ghent, having disagree in their decision, and both governments having agree! to establish that boundary by amicable negotiation be Itween them, it is hoped that it may be satisfactorily a justed in that mode. The boundary specified by th sixth article has been established by the decision of th commissioners. From the progress made in that prom ed for by the seventh, according to a report recent ceived, there is good cause to presume that it will be tled in the course of the ensuing year. In adverting to our relations with foreign powers, which are always an object of the highest importance, have to remark, that, of the subjects which have been brought into discussion with them during the present administration, some have been satisfactorily terminated; others have been suspended, to be resumed hereafter, under circumstances more favorable to success, une others are still in negotiation, with the hope that they may be adjusted, with mutual accommodation to the inIt is a cause of serious regret that no arrangement l terests, and to the satisfaction, of the respective parties. yet been finally concluded between the two It has been the invariable object of this Government, toments, to secure, by joint co-operation, the suppress cherish the most friendly relations with every power, of the slave trade. It was the object of the Bitish and on principles and conditions which might make them vernment, in the early stages of the negotiation, to adop a plan for the suppression, which should include the con our commerce with each power on a footing of perfect cession of the mutual right of search by the ships of permanent. A systematic effort has been made to place 18th CONGRESS, Message of the President, at the opening of the Session. [Sen. and H. of R. reference to its ratification. It is proper to add, that the manner in which this negotiation was invited and conducted on the part of the Emperor, has been very satisfactory. The great and extraordinary changes which have happened in the government of Spain and Portugal, within the last two years, without seriously affecting the friendly relations which, under all of them, have beeh maintained with those powers by the United States, have been obstacles to the adjustment of the particular subjects of discussion which have arisen with each. A resolution of the Senate, adopted at their last session, called for information as to the effect produced upon our relations with Spain, by the recognition, on the part of the United States, of the Independent South American Governments. The papers containing that information are now communicated to Congress. of each party, of the vessels of the other, for suspected will immediately be laid before the Senate for the exer offenders. This was objected to by this government, oncise of the constitutional authority of that body, with the principle, that, as the right of search was a right of war of a belligerent towards a neutral power, it might have an ill effect to extend it by treaty to an offence which had been made comparatively mild. to a time of peace. Anxious, however, for the suppression of this trade, it was thought adviseable, in compliance with a resolution of the House of Representatives, founded on an act of Congress, to propose to the British Government an expedient which should be free from that objection, and more effectual for the object, by making it piratical In that mode the enormity of the crime would place the offenders out of the protection of their government, and involve no question of search, or other question between the parties, touching their respective rights. It was believed, also, that it would completely suppress the trade in the vessels of both parties, and by their respective citizens and subjects in those of other powers with whom it was hoped that the odium which would thereby be at- A Charge d'Affaires has been received from the Indetached to it, would produce a corresponding arrange-pendent Government of Brazil. That country, heretoment, and, by means thereof, its entire extirpation for fore a colonial possession of Portugal, had, some years ever. A convention to this effect was concluded and since, been proclaimed by the Sovereign of Portugal signed in London on the 13th day of March, by pleni-himself, an independent kingdom. Since his return to potentiaries duly authorized by both governments, to the Lisbon a revolution in Brazil has established a new goratification of which certain obstacles have arisen which vernment there, with an Imperial title, at the head of are not yet entirely removed. The difference between which is placed the Prince in whom the Regency had the parties still remaining, has been reduced to a point, been vested by the King, at the time of his departure. not of sufficient magnitude, as is presumed, to be per- There is reason to expect that, by amicable negotiation, mitted to defeat an object so near to the heart of both the independence of Brazil will, ere long, be recognized nations, and so desirable to the friends of humanity by Portugal herself. throughout the world. As objections, however, o the principle recommended by the House of Representatives, or at least to the consequences inseparable from it, and which are understood to apply to the law, have been raise, which may deserve a reconsideratior of the whole subj ct, I have thought it proper to suspend the conclusion of a new convention until the definitive sentiments of Congress may be ascertained. The documents relating to the negotiation, are, with that intent, submitted to your consideration. Our commerce with Sweden has been placed on a footing of perfect reciprocity by treaty, and, with Russia, the Netherlands, Prussia, the free Hanseatic Cities, the Dukedom of Oldenburgh, and Sardinia, by internal regulations on each side, founded on mutual agreement between the respective Governments. With the remaining Powers of Europe, with those on the coast of Barbary, and with all the new South American States, our relations are of a friendly chanc ter. We have Ministers Plenipotentiary residing with the Republics of Colombia and Chili, and have received Ministers, of the same rank, from Colombia, Guatimala, Buenos Ayres, and Mexico. Our commercial relations with all those States, are mutually beneficial and in creasing. With the Republic of Colombia, a Treaty of Commerce has been formed, of which a copy is received, and the original daily expected. A negotiation for a like Treaty would have been commenced with Buenos Ayres, had it not been prevented by the indisposition, and lamented decease, of Mr. Rodney, our Minister there, and to whose memory the most respectful attention has been shewn by the Government of that Republic. An advantageous alteration in our Treaty with Tunis bas been obtained by our Consular-Agent residing there, the official document of which, when received, will be laid before the Senate. The principles upon which the commercia policy of the United States is founded, are to be traced to an early period. They are essentially connected with those upon which their independence was declared, and owe their origin to the enlightened men who took the lead in our The attention of the Government has been drawn with affairs at that important epoch. They are developed in great solicitude to other subjects, and particularly to that their first treaty of commerce with France o' sixth Feb-relating to a state of maritime war, involving the relative ruary, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight, rights of neutral and belligerent in such wars. Most of and by a formal commission, which was instituted imme- the difficulties which we have experienced, and of the diately after the conclusion of their Revolutionary strug- losses which we have sustained, since the establishment gle, for the purpose of negotiating treaties of commerce of our Independence, have proceeded from the unset with every European power. The first treaty of the ted state of those rights, and the extent to which the United States with Prussia, which was negotiated by that Jelligerent claim has been carried against the neutral commission, affords a signal illustration of those princi- party. It is impossible to look back on the occurrences ples. The act of Congress of the third March, one thou- of the late wars in Europe, and to behold the disregard sand eight hundred and fifteen, adopted immediately, which was paid to our rights as a neutral power, and the after the return of a general peace, was a new overture waste which was made of our Commerce by the parties to foreign nations to establish our commercial relation to those wars, by various acts of their respective Gowith them on the basis of free and equal reciprocit. vernments, and under the pretext, by each, that the That principle has pervaded all the acts of Congres, other had set the example, without great mortification, and all the negotiations of the Executive on the subret and a fixed purpose never to submit to the like in fusince. ture. An attempt to remove those causes of possible A convention for the settlement of inportant quesions variance by friendly negotiation, and on just princiin relation to the Northwest Coast of this Continen, and ples, which should be applicable to all parties, could, its adjoining seas, was concluded and signed at st. Pe- it was presumed, be viewed by none other than as a tersburg on the fifth day of April last, by the Minis-proof of an earnest desire to preserve those relations In the late war between France ter Plenipotentiary of the United States, and Pleni- with every power. potentiaries of the Imperial Government of Pussia. It and Spain, a crisis occurred, in which it seemed proba 18th CONGRESS, 24 SESSION. Message of the President, at the opening of the Session. ble that all the controvertible principles, involved in such wars, might be brought into discussion, and settled to the satisfaction of all parties. Propositions, having this object in view, have been made to the Governments of Great Britain, France, Russia, and of other Powers, which have been received in a friendly manner by all, but as yet no treaty has been formed with either for its accomplishment. The policy will, it is presumed, be persevered in, and in the hope that it may be suc cessfirl [ Sen. and H. of R. That dollars of the loan authorised by the act of the twentysixth of May last. In this estimate is included a stock of seven million dollars, issued for the purchase of that amount of the capital stock of the Bank of the United States; and which, as the stock of the Bank, still held by the Government, will at least be fully equal to its reimbursement, ought not to be considered as constituting a part of the public debt. Estimating, then, the whole amount of the public debt at seventy-nine million dollars, and regarding the annual receipts and expenditures of the It will always be recollected that with one of the par- Government, a well-founded hope may be entertained, ties to those wars, and from whom we received those in- that, should no unexpected event occur, the whole of the jur, w sought redress by war. From the other, by public debt may be discharged in the course of ten years, whose then reigning Government our vessels were seized and the Government be left at liberty thereafter, to apply in port as well as at sea, and their cargoes confiscated, such portion of the revenue as may not be necessary for indemnity has been expected, but has not yet been ren-current expenses, to such other objects as may be most dered. It was under the influence of the latter, that conducive to the public security and welfare. our vessels were likewise seized by the Governments the sum applicable to these objects, will be very consi of Spain, Holland, Denmark, Sweden and Naples, and derable, may be fairly concluded, when it is recollected, from whom indemnity has been claimed and is still ex- that a large amount of the public revenue has been appected, with the exception of Spain, by whom it has plied since the late war, to the construction of the been rendered, With both parties we had abundant public buildings in this city; to the erection of fortificause of war, but we had no alternative but to resist that cations along the coast, and of arsenals in different parts which was most powerful at sea, and pressed us nearest of the Union; to the augmentation of the navy; to the at home. With this, all differences were settled by a trea- extinguishment of the Indian title to large tracts of ferty founded on conditions fair and honorable to both, and tile territory; to the acquisition of Florida; to pensions which has been so far executed with perfect good faith. to revolutionary officers aut soldiers, and to invalids of It has been earnestly hoped, that the other would, of the late war. On many of these objects the expense its own accord, and from a sentiment of Justice and will amually diminish, and cease at no distant period on conciliation; make to our citizens the indemnity to which most or all. On the first of January; one thousand eight they are entitled, and thereby remove from our relations hundred and seventeen, the public debt amounted to any just cause of discontent on our side. one hundred and twenty-three million four hundred and It is estimated that the receipts into the Treasury ninety-ne thousand nine hundred and sixty-five dollars during the current year, exclusive of loans, will exceed and sixteen cents; and notwithstanding the large sums eighteen million five hundred thousand dollars, which which have been applied to these objects, it has been with the sum remaining in the Treasury at the end of reduced since that period, thirty-seven million four hunthe last year, amounting to nine million four hundred dred and forty-six thousand nine hundred and sixty-one sixty-three thousand nine hundred twenty-two dollars dollars, and seventy-eight cents. The last portion of eighty-one cents, will, after discharging the current dis-the public debt will be redeemable on the first of Jabursements of the year, the interest on the public debt,nuary one thousand eight hundred and thirty-five; and and eleven million six hundred and thirty-three thousand dollars fifty-two cents of the principal, leave a balance of more than three million dollars in the Treasury on the first day of January next. A larger amount of the debt contracted during the late war, bearing an interest of six per cent. becoming redeemable in the course of the ensuing year, than could be discharged by the ordinary revenue, the act of the twenty-sixth of May, authorized a loan of five million dollars, at four and a half per cent, to meet the same. By this arrangement an annual saving will accrue to the public of seventy-five thousand dollars. while there is the best reason to believe, that the resources of the Government will be continually adequate to such portions of it as may become due in the inter val, it is recommended to Congress to seize every opportunity, which may present itself, to reduce the rate of interest on every part thereof. The high state of the public credit, and the great abundance of money, are at this tme very favorable to such a result. It must be very graying to our fellow-citizens, to witness this flourishing state of the public finances, when it is recollected, tha no burthen whatever has been imposed upon them. Under the act of the twenty-fourth of May last, a ban The Miliary Establishment, in all its branches, in the of five millions dollars was authorized, in order to performance of the various duties assigned to each, jusmeet the awards, under the Florida Treaty, which was tifies the favourable view which was presented, of the effnegotiated at par, with the Bank of the United States, it ciency of its organization, at the last session. All the four and a half per cent. the limit of interest fixed by appropriations have been regularly applied to the obthe act. By this provision the claims of our citizens, whejects intended by Congress; and, so far as the disbursehad sustained so great a loss by.spoliations, and from ments have been made, the accounts have been render whom indemnity had been so long withheld, were ed and settled, without loss to the public. The condi promptly paid. For these advances, the public will be tion of the Arny itself, as relates to the officers and amply repail, at no distant day, by the sale of the lands men, in science and discipline, is highly respectable. in Florida. Of the great advantages resulting from the acquisition of the territory in other respects, too high an estimate cannot be formed. It is estimated that the receipts into the Treasury, during the year one thousand eight hundred and twentyfive, will be sufficient to meet the disbursements of the year, including the sum of ten million dollars, which is annually appropriated by the act, constituting the Sinking Fund, to the payment of the principal and interest of the public debt. The whole amount of the public debt on the first of January next, may be estimated at eighty-six million dollars, inclusive of two millions five hundred thousand The Military Academy, on which the Army essentially rsts, and to which it is much indebted for this state of inprovement, has attained, in comparison with any other inaitution of a like kind, a high degree of perfection. Experience, however, has shewn, that the dispersed conlition of the Corps of Artillery is unfavourable to the liscipline of that important branch of the Military Establishment. To remedy this inconvenience, eleven companies have been assembled at the Fortification erectedat, Old Point Comfort, as a school for Artillery instruction, with intention, as they shall be perfected in the various duties of that service, to order them to other posts, and to supply their places with other companies, |