she was bound by treaty to have prevented, but had not the power to prevent. To have stopped at that line, would have given new encouragement to these savages, and new vigour to the whole combination existing there, in the prosecution of all its pernicious purposes.

In suppressing the establish ment at Amelia Island, no unfriendliness was manifested to wards Spain, because the post was taken from a force which had wrested it from her. The measure, it was true, was not adopted in concert with the Spanish Government, or those in authority under it; because, in transactions connected with the war in which Spain and her colonies are engaged, it was thought proper in doing justice to the United States, to maintain a strict impartiality towards both the belligerent parties, without consulting or acting in concert with either. It gives me pleasure to state, that the Governments of Buenos-Ayres and Venezuela, whose names were assumed, have explicitly disclaimed all participation in those measures, and even the knowledge of them, until communicated by this Government; and have also expressed their satisfaction, that a course of proceeding had been suppressed, which, if justly imputable to them, would dishonour their cause.

In authorizing Major-General Jackson to enter Florida in pursuit of the Seminoles, care was taken not to encroach on the rights of Spain. I regret to have to add, that, executing this order, facts were disclosed respecting the conduct of the officers of Spain

in authority there, in encouraging the war, furnishing munitions of war, and other supplies to carry it on, and in other acts not less marked, which evinced their participation in the hostile purposes of that combination, and justified the confidence with which it inspired the savages, that by those officers they would be protected. A conduct so incompatible with the friendly relations existing between the two countries, particularly with the positive obligation of the 5th article of the treaty of 1795, by which Spain was bound to restrain, even by force, those savages from acts of hostility against the United States, could not fail to excite surprise. The commanding General was convinced, that he should fail in his object, that he should, in effect, accomplish nothing, if he did not deprive those savages of the resource on which they had calculated, and of the protection on which they had relied, in making the war. As all the documents relating to this occurrence will be laid before Congress, it is not necessary to enter into further detail respecting it.

Although the reasons which induced Major-General Jackson to take these posts were duly appreciated, there was, nevertheless, no hesitation in deciding on the course which it became the Government to pursue. As there was reason to believe that the commanders of these posts had violated their instructions, there was no disposition to impute to their Government a conduct so unprovoked and hostile. An order was in consequence issued to the General in command there,

to

to deliver the posts-Pensacola, unconditionally, to any person authorized to receive; and St. Marks, which is in the heart of the Indian country, on the arrival of a competent force to defend it against those savages and their associates.

In entering Florida to suppress this combination, no idea was entertained of hostility to Spain, and however justifiable the commanding General was, in consequence of the misconduct of the Spanish officers, in entering St. Marks and Pensacola, to terminate it, by proving to the savages and their associates that they should not be protected even there; yet, the amicable relations existing between the United States and Spain could not be altered by that act alone. By ordering the restitution of the posts, those relations were preserved. To a change of them the power of the Executive is deemed incompetent. It is vested in Congress only. By this mea sure, so promptly taken, due respect was shown to the Government of Spain. The misconduct of her officers has not been imputed to her. She was enabled to review with candour her relations with the United States, and her own situation, particularly in respect to the territory in question, with the dangers inseparable from it; and, regarding the losses we have sustained, for which indemnity has been so long with held, and the injuries we have suffered through that territory, and her means of redress, she was likewise enabled to take, with honour, the course best calculated to do justice to the United

States, and to promote her own welfare.

Copies of the instructions to the commanding General; of his correspondence with the Secre tary of War, explaining his motives, and justifying his con. duct, with a copy of the proceedings of the courts-martial, in the trial of Arbuthnot and Ambrister; and of the correspondence between the Secretary of State and the Minister Plenipotentiary of Spain near this Government; and of the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at Madrid, with the Government of Spain, will be laid before Congress.

The civil war, which has so long prevailed between Spain and the provinces in South America, still continues without any prospect of its speedy termination. The information respecting the condition of those countries, which has been collected by the commissioners recently returned from thence, will be laid before Congress, in copies of their re. ports, with such other informa. tion as has been received from other agents of the United States.

It appears from these communications, that the Government of Buenos-Ayres declared itself independent in July, 1816, having previously exercised the power of an independent government, though in the name of the King of Spain, from the year 1810: that the Banda Oriental, Entre Reos, and Paraguay, with the city of Santa Fee, all of which are also independent, are unconnected with the present Government of Buenos-Ayres: that Chili has declared itself indepen

dent,

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 exceeded 17,000,000 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 revenue.

It is gratifying to know, that, although the annual expenditure has been increased by the act of the last session of Congress, providing for revolutionary pensions, to an amount about equal to the proceeds of the internal duties, which were then repealed, the revenue for the ensuing year will be proportionably augmented; [N]

and

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 practicable 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 generał 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, trea ties have been formed with the Quapaw tribe of Indians, inhabiting 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 boundaries. 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 civi lize 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