Mr. WRIGHT, of Ohio, from the Joint Committee appointed for the purpose, reported that the Committee waited on the President of the United States, and informed him that the two Houses were about to close the present Session, by adjournment, unless he had further communications to make to Congress; and that the committee received for answer, that he had no further communications to make.

The SPEAKER then rose, and addressed the House, nearly in the following words :

[H. or R.

own honor. Your kind and flattering vote of approba · tion assures me, that my efforts have not been wholly unavailing; and candor requires me to say, that, amidst all the difficulties and embarrassments of the Chair, it has experienced, in an unexampled manner, your kind. ness, confidence, and support. If, gentlemen, in the course of this long and laborious session, the peace and harmony of our deliberations have been threatened, and our councils divided, under the influence of momentary excitements of passion or party, I trust they have now, "GENTLEMEN: I avail myself of the moment of sepa- happily, passed away, and that we shall separate in the ration, to express my deep sense of gratitude and obli- spirit of peace and good will. Here, or elsewhere, it is gation to those who have kindly borne such distinguish- to be hoped, that all have but one object at heart-the ed testimony to my official conduct as the presiding offi- good of our common country. Let me admonish you, cer of this House; and I should be unworthy of it, if I gentlemen, that that country now stands as a mighty did not frankly acknowledge that I feel both gratified land and sea mark in the map of the world. It is a beaand flattered at the manner and circumstances under con on the margin of the main, which serves as an exam. which it has been done. Next to the consciousness of ple to other nations, whilst it denotes the proud prean upright discharge of my official duties, and the con-eminence of our own. Its future destinies, and the blesfidence of my country, is the esteem and approbation of sings we enjoy, must vitally depend on the character and this House; and I hope I may be permitted to say, with- deliberations of this House. The surest means of preout vanity, that I have endeavored to merit it, by un- serving these blessings and our union unimpaired, is in a wearied zeal and assiduity, and a devotion of my time sacred and inviolate regard to the charter of our liberties, and talents to its service. This station, high and exalt- and a system of legislation founded on the principles of ed as it is, has, at no time, been without its embarrass- an honest policy, and dictated by the spirit of an enlightments, and trials. Throughout this long and protracted ened and diffusive patriotism. Let us do nothing, then, session, it has been one continued scene of severe re- which shall shake these solid foundations of our union sponsibility and unexampled labor. Aware of the dif- and liberty, or impair the confidence of the People in ficulty, perhaps of the temerity, of attempting to please our free institutions; but let our proceedings be marked every one, I determined to pursue, fearlessly, what I by mutual forbearance, moderation, and wisdom. You believed to be the path of duty, regardless of conse- will carry with you, in your retirement, gentlemen, my best wishes for your health and happiness; and I ardently pray to Almighty God, that, when we again assemble, we may find our country flourishing, united, and happy.

quences.

"I came to this chair to gratify no private friendships, to indulge no personal or political antipathies; and I feel proudly conscious, that its arduous duties have been discharged with a single eye to the interests of the nation, the character and dignity of the House, and my

"In performing the last act of duty, by declaring this House adjourned to the first Monday in December, I bid you all an affectionate farewell."

VOL. IV.-174

APPENDIX

TO THE REGISTER OF DEBATES IN CONGRESS.

TWENTIETH CONGRESS-FIRST SESSION.

List of Members of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States.

RHODE ISLAND-Tristam Burges, Dutee J. Pearce-2. CONNECTICUT-John Baldwin, Noyes Barber, Ralph J. Ingersoll, Orange Merwin, Elisha Phelps, David Plant-6. VERMONT-Daniel A. A. Buck, Jona han Hunt, Rollin C. Mallary, Benjamin Swift, George E. Wales-5.

NEW YORK-Daniel D. Barnard, George O. Belden, Rudolph Bunner, C. C. Cambreleng, Samuel Chase, John C. Clark, John D. Dickinson, Jonas Earll, jr. Daniel G. Garnsey, Nathaniel Garrow, John 1 De Graff, John Hallock, jr. Selah R. Hobbie, Michael Hoffman, Jeromus Johnson, Richard Keese, Henry Markell, H. C. Martindale, Dudley Marvin, John Magee, John Maynard, Thomas J. O.kley, S. Van Rensselaer, Henry R. Storrs, James Strong, John G. Stower, Phineas L. Tracy, John W. Taylor, G. C. Verplanck, Aaron Ward, John J. Wood, Silas Wood, David Woodcock, Silas Wright, jr.-34.

NEW JERSEY-Lewis Condiet, George Holcombe, Isaac Pierson, Samuel Swan, Belge Thompson, Ebenezer Tucker.

20th CONGRESS, 1st SESSION.

Message of the President, at the opening of the Session.

MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT,

TO BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS,

[Sen. and H. of R.

been duly received, and the commission instituted conformably to the act of Congress of the second of March last, for the distribution of the indemnity to the persons

At the commencement of the First Session of the entitled to receive it, are now in session, and approaching

Twentieth Congress.

DECEMBER 4, 1827.

Fellow Citizens of the Senate,

and of the House of Representatives:

the consummation of their labors. This final disposal of one of the most painful topics of collision between the United States and Great Britain, not only affords an occasion of gratulation to ourselves, but has had the happiest effect in promoting a friendly disposition, and in softening asperities upon other objects of discussion. Nor ought A REVOLUTION of the seasons has nearly been com-it to pass without the tribute of a frank and cordial acpleted since the representatives of the People and States knowledgment of the magnanimity with which an hơnof this Union were last assembled at this place, to delib.orable nation, by the reparation of their own wrongs, erate and to act upon the common important interests of achieves a triumph more glorious than any field of blood their constituents. In that interval, the never-slumbering can ever bestow. eye of a wise and beneficent Providence has continued its The Conventions of 3d July, 1815, and of 20th of Octoguardian care over the welfare of our beloved country. ber, 1818, will expire by their own limitation on the 20th The blessing of health has continued generally to prevail of October, 1828. These have regulated the direct comthroughout the land. The blessing of peace with our mercial intercourse between the United States and Great brethren of the human race, has been enjoyed without Britain, upon terms of the most perfect reciprocity; and interruption; internal quiet has left our fellow citizens in they effected a temporary compromise of the respective the full enjoyment of all their rights, and in the free ex- rights and claims to territory westward of the Rocky Moun ercise of all their faculties to pursue the impulse of their tains. These arrangements have been continued for an nature, and the obligation of their duty, in the improve-indefinite period of time, after the expiration of the ment of their own condition. The productions of the above mentioned Conventions, leaving each party the soil, the exchanges of commerce, the vivifying labors of liberty of terminating them, by giving twelve months nohuman industry have combined to mingle in our cup a tice to the other. The radical principle of all commet portion of enjoyment as large and liberal as the indul- cial intercourse between independent nations, is the mu gence of heaven has perhaps ever granted to the imper- tual interest of both parties. It is the vital spirit of trade fect state of man upon earth; and as the purest of human itself; nor can it be reconciled to the nature of man, or felicity consists in its participation with others, it is no to the primary laws of human society, that any traffic small addition to the sum of our national happiness, at should long be willingly pursued, of which all the advanthis time, that peace and prosperity prevail to a degree tages are on one side, and all the burdens on the other. seldom experienced over the whole habitable globe; pre-Treaties of Commerce have been found, by experience, senting, though as yet with painful exceptions, a foretaste to be among the most effective instruments for promoting of that blessed period of promise, when the lion shall peace and harmony between nations whose interests, exlie down with the lamb, and wars shall be no more. To clusively considered on either side, are brought into frepreserve, to improve, and to perpetuate the sources, and quent collisions by competition. In framing such treaties, to direct, in their most effective channels, the streams it is the duty of each party, not simply to urge with upwhich contribute to the public weal, is the purpose for yielding pertinacity that which suits its own interest, but which government was instituted. Objects of deep im-to concede liberally to that which is adapted to the inte portance to the welfare of the Union are constantly re- rest of the other. To accomplish this, little more is curring, to demand the attention of the Federal Legisla. generally required than a simple observance of the rule ture, and they call with accumulated interest, at the first of reciprocity; and were it possible for the statesmen of meeting of the two Houses, after their periodical renova- one nation, by stratagem and management, to obtain from tion. To present to their consideration, from time to the weakness or ignorance of another, an overreaching time, subjects in which the interests of the nation are treaty, such a compact would prove an incentive to war most deeply involved, and for the regulation of which the rather than a bond of peace. Our conventions with legislative will is alone competent, is a duty prescribed Great Britain are founded upon the principles of reci by the Constitution, to the performance of which the first procity. The commercial intercourse between the two meeting of the new Congress is a period eminently ap- countries is greater in magnitude and amount than bepropriate, and which it is now my purpose to discharge. tween any two other nations on the globe. It is, for all Our relations of friendship with the other nations of purposes of benefit or advantage to both, as precious, the earth, political and commercial, have been preserved and in all probability far more extensive than if the parunimpaired, and the opportunities to improve them have ties were still constituent parts of one and the same na been cultivated with anxious and unremitting attention. tion. Treaties between such States, regulating the inA negotiation upon subjects of high and delicate interest tercourse of peace between them, and adjusting interests with the government of Great Britain, has terminated in of such transcendant importance to both, which have the adjustment of some of the questions at issue upon been found, in a long experience of years, mutually adsatisfactory terms, and the postponement of others for vantageous, should not be lightly cancelled or disco future discussion and agreement. The purposes of the tinued. Two conventions for, continuing in force those Convention concluded at St. Petersburg, on the 12th day above mentioned have been concluded between the Pie of July, 1822, under the mediation of the late Emperor nipotentiaries of the two Governments, on the sixth of Alexander, have been carried into effect, by a subse- August last, and will be forthwith laid before the Senate quent Convention concluded at London on the 13th of for the exercise of their constitutional authority concernNovember, 1826, the ratifications of which were ex-ing them. changed at that place on the 6th day of February last In the execution of the Treaties of Peace, of Nove A copy of the proclamation issued on the nineteenth day ber, 1782, and September, 1783, between the United of March last, publishing this Convention, is herewith States and Great Britain, and which terminated the War communicated to Congress. The sum of twelve hun- of our Independence, a line of boundary was drawn as dred and four thousand nine hundred and sixty dollars, the demarcation of territory between the two countries, therein stipulated to be paid to the claimants of indem extending over near twenty degrees of latitude, and rangnity under the first article of the Treaty of Ghent, hasing over seas, lakes, and mountains, then very imperfect

Sen. and H, of R.]

Message of the President, at the opening of the Session.

Oth CONGRESS, 1st SESSION.

ly explored, and scarcely opened to the geographical ports, under heavy and burdensome restrictions to vessels knowledge of the age. In the progress of discovery and of the United States, had not been reciprocated by an settlement by both parties, since that time, several ques- admission of British vessels from the colonies, and their tions of boundary between their respective territories cargoes, without any restriction or discrimination whathave arisen, which have been found exceedingly difficult ever. But, be the motive for the interdiction what it may, of adjustment. At the close of the last war with Great the British Government have manifested no disposition, Britain, four of these questions pressed themselves upon either by negotiation or by corresponding legislative enthe consideration of the negotiators of the Treaty of actments, to recede from it, and we have been given disGhent, but without the means of concluding a definitive tinctly to understand, that neither of the bills which were arrangement concerning them. They were referred to under the consideration of Congress, at their last session, three separate Commissions, consisting of two Commis. would have been deemed sufficient in their concessions, sioners, one appointed by each party, to examime and to have been rewarded by any relaxation from the British decide upon their respective claims. In the event of dis- interdict. It is one of the inconveniences inseparably agreement between the Commissioners, it was provided connected with the attempts to adjust, by reciprocal that they should make reports to their several Govern. | legislation, interests of this nature, that neither party can ments; and that the reports should finally be referred to know what would be satisfactory to the other; and that, the decision of a Sovereign, the common friend of both. after enacting a statute for the avowed and sincere purOf these commissions, two have already terminated their pose of conciliation, it will generally be found utterly sessions and investigations, one by entire, and the other inadequate to the expectations of the other party, and by partial agreement. The Commissioners of the fifth will terminate in mutual disappointment. article of the Treaty of Ghent have finally disagreed, and made their conflicting reports to their own governments. But from these reports a great difficulty has occurred in making up a question to be decided by the Arbitrator. This purpose has, however, been effected by a fourth Convention, concluded at London by the Plenipotentiaries of the two Governments on the 29th of September last. It will be submitted, together with the others, to the consideration of the Senate.

While these questions have been pending, incidents have occurred of conflicting pretensions, and of dangerous character upon the territory itself in dispute between the two nations. By a common understanding between the Governments it was agreed that no exercise of exclusive jurisdiction by either party, while the negociation was pending, should change the state of the question of right to be definitively settled. Such collision has nevertheless recently taken place, by occurrences the precise character of which has not yet been ascertained. A communication from the Governor of the State of Maine, with accompanying documents and a correspondence between the Secretary of State and the Minister of Great Britain, on this subject, are now communicated. Measures have been taken to ascertain the state of the facts more correctly by the employment of a special agent to visit the spot where the alleged outrages have occurred, the result of whose enquiries, when received, will be transmitted to Congress.

While so many of the subjects of high interest to the friendly relations between the two countries have been so far adjusted, it is matter of regret that their views respecting the commercial intercourse between the United States and the British Colonial possessions have not equally approximated to a friendly agreement

At the commencement of the last session of Congress, they were informed of the sudden and unexpected exclusion by the British Government, of access, in vessels of the United States, to all their colonial ports, except those immediately bordering upon our own territories. In the amicable discussions which have succeeded the adoption of this measure, which, as it affected harshly the interests of the United States, became a subject of expostulation on our part, the principles upon which its justification has been placed, have been of a diversified character. It has been at once ascribed to a mere recurrence to the old, long established principle of colonial monopoly, and at the same time to a feeling of resentment, because the offers of an Act of Parliament opening the colonial ports upon certain conditions, had not been grasped at with sufficient cagerness by an instantaneous conformity to them. At a subsequent period it has been intimated that the new exclusion was in resentment, because a prior Act of Parliament, of 1822, opening certain colonial

The session of Congress having terminated without any act upon the subject, a Proclamation was issued, on the 17th of March last, conformably to the provisions of the sixth section of the act of 1st March, 1823, declaring the fact that the trade and intercourse authorized by the British Act of Parliament, of 24th June, 1822, between the United States and the British enumerated co. lonial ports, had been, by the subsequent Acts of Parlia ment, of 5th July, 1825, and the Order of Council, of 27th July, 1826, prohibited. The effect of this Procla mation, by the terms of the Act under which it was issued, has been, that each and every provision of the Act concerning Navigation, of 18th April, 1818, and of the Act supplementary thereto, of 15th May, 1820, revived, and is in full force. Such, then, is the present condition of the trade, that, useful as it is to both parties, it can, with a single momentary exception, be carried on directly by the vessels of neither. That exception itself is found in a Proclamation of the Governor of the Island of St. Christopher and of the Virgin Islands, inviting, for three months from the 28th of August last, the importation of the articles of the produce of the United States, which constitute their export portion of this trade, in the vessels of all nations. That period having already expired, the state of mutual interdiction has again taken place. The British Government have not only declined negotia tion upon this subject, but, by the principle they have assumed with reference to it, have precluded even the means of negotiation. It becomes not the self respect of the United States, either to solicit gratuitous favors, or to accept as the grant of a favor that for which an ample equivalent is exacted. It remains to be determined by the respective Governments, whether the trade shall be opened by acts of reciprocal legislation. It is in the meantime satisfactory to know, that, apart from the inconveniences resulting from a disturbance of the usual channels of trade, no loss has been sustained by the com. merce, the navigation, or the revenue of the United States, and none of magnitude is to be apprehended from this existing state of mutual interdict.

With the other maritime and commercial nations of Europe, our intercourse continues, with little variation. Since the cessation, by the Convention of 24th June, 1822, of all discriminating duties upon the vessels of the United States and of France, in either country, our trade with that nation has increased and is increasing. A disposition on the part of France has been manifested to renew that negotiation; and, in acceding to the proposal, we have expressed the wish that it might be extended to other objects, upon which a good understanding between the parties would be beneficial to the interests of both. The origin of the political relations between the United States and France, is co.val with the first years of our indepen