interval, that the number to be benefitted by any provision which may be made, will not be great.

It appearing in a satisfactory manner that the revenue arising from imposts and tonnage, and from the sale of the public lands, will be fully adequate to the support of the civil government, of the present military and naval establishments, including the annual augmentation of the latter to the extent provided for, to the payment of the interest on the public debt, and to the extinguishment of it at the times authorized, without the aid of internal taxes, I consider it my duty to recommend to Congress their repeal. To impose taxes when the public exigencies require them, is an obligation of the most sacred character, especially with a free people. The faithful fulfilment of it is among the highest proofs of their virtue, and capacity for self government. To dispense with taxes, when it may be done with perfect safety, is equally the duty of their representatives. In this instance we have the satisfaction to know that they were imposed when the demand was imperious, and have been sustained with exemplary fidelity. I have to add, that, however gratifying it may be to me, regarding the prosperous and happy condition of our country, to recommend the repeal of these taxes at this time, I shall, nevertheless, be attentive to events, and should any future emergency occur, be not less prompt to suggest such measures and burthens, as may then be requisite and proper.

Washington, Dec. 2, 1817.

JAMES MONROE.

Without alluding to the distinct subjects embraced in the preceding Message, it may, unhesitatingly be said, that it is a State Paper, which will always unite the sentiments of the world in admiration of the writer of it; and excite the envy of all mankind, except the citizens of the American Republic, who participate in the blessings therein described. The sovereigns of

the Eastern world, when they meet their councils, address them with an exultation at their victories over a rival nation; or in depression, at the diminution or destruction of their own power. At one time they boast of victories over humanity-at another; they wrest from the degraded peasant the last pittance of his hard earnings, to enable them to gain other victories over humble and degraded man. The food that is necessary for the sustenance of the labouring poor, is ravished from them to supply the army and the navy; and the oblivious draught, which for a season, makes them forget their oppressors and their oppressions, is torn from them in the same way, and for the same purpose.

A momentary survey of Europe, (for we scarcely think of Asia and Africa when contemplating the scene of man,') will show the difference between the situation of man, equally entitled to rights with ourselves, in that continent and in our beloved America.

When Russians, Prussians, Germans and Englishmen, utter the piteous groans of misery, they are directed to gaze upon the various stars and different" orders" that decorate the bodies of their generals. The abused power of princes, has perverted the beautiful order of nature, and man seems to have lost the rank assigned him by the wisdom of the Creator.

The contrast produced to this gloomy picture by the American Republic, is one of the most striking in the civilized world. The President's Message is not that glowing representation which contradicts reality. Its truth is acknowledged by Americans with gratitudeby Europeans with astonishment. We have a population, well educated, well fed, and well protected.

We

can hardly be said to have a standing army; but we have eight hundred thousand militia, disciplined and armed, which costs the republic nothing. At a moment's warning, when war is declared, they are converted from citizens to soldiers to defend their home. In peace, they again become citizens.

overflowing, we pay no taxes.

With a treasury

PERPETUITY TO OUR

REPUBLIC.

Dd 2

THE

SECOND TOUR

OF

JAMES MONROE,

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,

IN 1818.

THE determination of the President, soon after his election, to explore the extensive Republic, over which he has presided, and still presides with such universal popularity, excited the undivided pleasure of his fellow citizens. His first Tour carried him through a large and very important section of the American Republic. The plain and unostentatious manner in which he travelled-the unaffected and dignified manner in which he received and reciprocated the civilities bestowed upon him-the interesting and impressive manner in which he answered the numerous addresses delivered-the deep interest he manifested in the Agricultural, Manufacturing, Commercial, and Mechanical interests of the people, all tended to increase the pleasure of an interview between a great Magistrate and the citizens of a great Republic.

The primary object, however, of his first Tour, was to devise the best possible mode of defending the