President's Message.

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS.-SECOND SESSION.

BEGUN AT THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 16, 1818.

PROCEEDINGS IN THE SENATE.

PRENTISS MELLEN, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of the State of Massachusetts, As the term limited for the operation of the comto supply the vacancy occasioned by the resig-mercial convention with Great Britain will expire nation of Eli P. Ashinun; WILLIAM A. PALMER, | early in the month of July next, and it was deemed

SENATE.]

President's Message.

[NOVEMBER, 1818.

various frauds on our revenue, and committed every kind of outrage on our peaceable citizens, which their proximity to us enabled them to perpetrate. The invasion of Amelia Island, last year, by a small band of adventurers, not exceeding one hundred and fifty in number, who wrested it from the inconsiderable Spanish force stationed there and held it several months, during which, a single effort only was made to recover it, which failed, clearly proves how completely extinct the Spanish authority had become, as the conduct of those adventurers, while in possession of the island, as distinctly shows the pernicious purposes for which their combination had been formed.

important that there should be no interval, during | side, the authority of Spain, and protected, on the which that portion of our commerce, which was pro- other, by an imaginary line, which separates Florida vided for by that convention, should not be regulated, from the United States, have violated our laws proeither by arrangements between the two Govern-hibiting the introduction of slaves, have practised ments, or by the authority of Congress, the Minister of the United States at London was instructed, early in the last Summer, to invite the attention of the British Government to the subject, with a view to that object. He was instructed to propose, also, that the negotiation which it was wished to open, might extend to the general commerce of the two countries, and to every other interest and unsettled difference between them; particularly those relating to impressment, fisheries, and boundaries, in the hope that an arrangement might be made, on principles of reciprocal advantage, which might comprehend and provide, in a satisfactory manner, for all these high concerns. I have the satisfaction to state, that the proposal was received by the British Government in the spirit which prompted it, and that a negotiation has been opened at London embracing all these objects. On full consideration of the great extent and magnitude of the trust, it was thought proper to commit it to not less than two of our distinguished citizens, and, in consequence, the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at Paris has been associated with our Envoy Extra-quences, the lawful commerce of every nation, and ordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at London; to both of whom corresponding instructions have been given; and they are now engaged in the discharge of its duties. It is proper to add, that, to prevent any inconvenience resulting from the delay incident to a negotiation on so many important subjects, it was agreed, before entering on it, that the existing convention should be continued for a term not less than eight years.

Our relations with Spain remain nearly in the state in which they were at the close of the last session. The convention of 1802, providing for the adjustment of a certain portion of the claims of our citizens for injuries sustained by spoliation, and so long suspended by the Spanish Government, has at length been ratified by it; but no arrangement has yet been made for the payment of another portion of like claims, not less extensive or well founded, or for other classes of claims, or for the settlement of boundaries. These subjects have again been brought under consideration in both countries, but no agreement has been entered into respecting them. In the mean time events have occurred, which clearly prove the ill effect of the policy which that Government has so long pursued, on the friendly relations of the two countries, which, it is presumed, it is at least of as much importance to Spain, as to the United States, to maintain. A state of things has existed in the Floridas, the tendency of which has been obvious to all who have paid the slightest attention to the progress of affairs in that quarter. Throughout the whole of those provinces to which the Spanish title extends, the Government of Spain has scarcely been felt. Its authority has been confined almost exclusively to the walls of Pensacola and St. Augustine, within which only small garrisons have been maintained. Adventurers from every country, fugitives from justice, and absconding slaves, have found an asylum there. Several tribes of Indians, strong in the number of their warriors, remarkable for their ferocity, and whose settlements extend to our limits, inhabit those provinces. These different hordes of people, connected together, disregarding, on the one

This country had, in fact, become the theatre of every species of lawless adventure. With little population of its own, the Spanish authority almost extinct, and the colonial governments in a state of revolution, having no pretension to it, and sufficiently employed in their own concerns, it was in a great measure derelict, and the object of cupidity to every adventurer. A system of buccaneering was rapidly organizing over it, which menaced, in its conse

The Indian

particularly of the United States; while it presented
a temptation to every people, on whose seduction its
success principally depended. In regard to the Unit-
ed States, the pernicious effect of this unlawful com-
bination was not confined to the ocean.
tribes have constituted the effective force in Florida.
With these tribes these adventurers had formed at an
early period, a connection, with a view to avail them-
selves of that force, to promote their own projects of
accumulation and aggrandizement. It is to the in-
terference of some of these adventurers, in misrepre-
senting the claims and titles of the Indians to land,
and in practising on their savage propensities, that
the Seminole war is principally to be traced. Men
who thus connect themselves with savage communi-
ties, and stimulate them to war, which is always at-
tended, on their part, with acts of barbarity the most
shocking, deserve to be viewed in a worse light than
the savages. They would certainly have no claim
to an immunity from the punishment which, accord-
ing to the rules of warfare practised by the savages,
might justly be inflicted on the savages themselves.
If the embarrassments of Spain prevented her from
making an indemnity to our citizens, for so long a
time, from her treasury, for their losses by spoliation
and otherwise, it was always in her power to have
provided it, by the cession of this territory. Of this
her Government has been repeatedly apprised, and
the cession was the more to have been anticipated,
as Spain must have known that, in ceding it, she
would, in effect, cede what had become of little value
to her, and would likewise relieve herself from the im-
portant obligation secured by the treaty of 1795, and
all other compromitments respecting it. If the Unit-
ed States, from consideration of these embarrassments,
declined pressing their claims in a spirit of hostility,
the motive ought, at least, to have been duly appre-
ciated by the Government of Spain. It is well known
to her Government that other powers have made to
the United States an indemnity for like losses sus-
tained by their citizens at the same epoch.

There is, nevertheless, a limit, beyond which this spirit of amity and forbearance can in no instance be

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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.

justified. If it was proper to rely on amicable negotiation for an indemnity of losses, it would not have been so to have permitted the inability of Spain to fulfil her engagements, and to sustain her authority in the Floridas, to be perverted, by foreign adventurers and savages, to purposes so destructive to the lives of our fellow-citizens, and the highest interests of the United States. The right of self-defence never ceases. It is among the most sacred, and alike necessary to nations and individuals. And, whether the attack be made by Spain herself, or by those who abuse her power, its obligation is not the less strong. The invaders of Amelia Island had assumed a popular and respected title, under which they might approach and wound us. As their object was distinctly seen, and the duty imposed on the Executive, by an existing law, was profoundly felt, that mask was not permitted to protect them. It was thought incumbent Although the reasons which induced Major Genon the United States to suppress the establishment, eral Jackson to take these posts were duly appreciaand it was accordingly done. The combination in ted, there was, nevertheless, no hesitation in deciding Florida, for the unlawful purposes stated, the acts on the course which it became the Government to perpetrated by that combination, and, above all, the pursue. As there was reason to believe that the comincitement of the Indians, to massacre our fellow-manders of these posts had violated their instructions, citizens, of every age, and of both sexes, merited a there was no disposition to impute to their Governlike treatment, and received it. In pursuing these ment a conduct so unprovoked and hostile. An order savages to an imaginary line, in the woods, it would was in consequence issued to the General in comhave been the height of folly to have suffered that mand there to deliver the posts-Pensacola, uncondiline to protect them. Had that been done, the war tionally to any person duly authorized to receive it; could never cease. Even if the territory had been, and St. Marks, which is in the heart of the Indian exclusively, that of Spain, and her power complete country, on the arrival of a competent force, to defend over it, we had a right, by the law of nations, to it against those savages and their associates. follow the enemy on it, and to subdue him there. But the territory belonged, in a certain sense, at least, to the savage enemy who inhabited it; the power of Spain had ceased to exist over it, and protection was sought, under her title, by those who had committed on our citizens hostilities which 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 vigor to the whole combination existing there, in the prosecution of all its pernicious purposes.

In suppressing the establishment at Amelia Island, no unfriendliness was manifested towards Spain, because the post was taken from a force which had wrested it from her. The measure, it is 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 the colonies are engaged, it was thought proper, in doing justice to the United States, to maintain a strict impartiality towards both the belligerent parties, with out 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 proceedings had been suppressed, which, if justly imputable to them, would dishonor 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, in 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

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 measure, 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 candor 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 withheld, and the injuries we have suffered through that territory, and her means of redress, she was likewise enabled to take, with honor, 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 Secretary of War, explaining his motives, and justifying his conduct, with a copy of the proceedings of the courtsmartial, 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.

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President's Message.

[NOVEMBER, 1818.

The information respecting the condition of those | expenditure has been increased by the act of the last countries, which has been collected by the Commis-session of Congress, providing for Revolutionary pensioners, recently returned from thence, will be laid before Congress, in copies of their reports, with such other information 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 Rios, and Paraguay, with the city of Santa Fe, all of which are also independent, are unconnected with the present Government of Buenos Ayres: that Chili has declared itself independent, 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 Montevideo, 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 spectively 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-la-Chapelle 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 satisfaction, because it is a course more consistent with justice, and likewise authorizes a hope that the calamities of the war will be confined to the parties only, and will be of shorter duration.

sions, to an amount about equal to the proceeds of the internal duties, which were then repealed, the revenue for the ensuing year will be proportionally augmented, and that, while 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 manufactures 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 greater activity, and, although it is hoped that others will gradually revive, and ultimately triumph over every obstacle, yet the expediency of granting further protection is submitted to your consideration.

The measures of defence, authorized by existing re-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 under taking. The survey of our maritime and inland frontiers has been continued; and, at the points where it 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 general 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.

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, and to conclude, that it 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 seventeen millions 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 first day of January next, more than two millions of dollars.

It is ascertained that the gross revenue which has accrued from the customs during the same period amounts to twenty-one millions of dollars, and that the revenue of the whole year may be estimated at not less than twenty-six millions. 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

In conformity with the appropriations of the last session, treaties have been formed with the Quapaw tribe of Indians, inhabiting the country on the Arkansas, and with the Great and Little Ösages 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 Yellow Stone River, and at the Mandan village, on the Missouri: and at the mouth of St. Peters, 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 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 civilize 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.

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power, in which the people have no participation, Congress legislate in all cases, directly on the local concerns of the District. As this is a departure, for a special purpose, from the general principles of our system, it may merit consideration, whether an arrangement better adapted to the principles of our Government, and to the particular interests of the people, may not be devised, which will neither infringe the constitution, nor affect the object which the provision in question was intended to secure. The growing population, already considerable, and the increasing business of the District, which it is believed already interferes with the deliberations of Congress on great national concerns, furnish additional motives for recommending this subject to your consideration.

When we view the great blessings with which our country has been favored, those which we now enjoy, and the means which we possess of handing them down, unimpaired, to our latest posterity, our attention is irresistibly drawn to the source from whence they flow. Let us then unite in offering our most grateful acknowledgments for these blessings to the Divine Author of all Good. JAMES MONROE.

NOVEMBER 16, 1818.

The Message was read, and two thousand copies thereof ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate.

WEDNESDAY, November 18.
HARRISON GRAY OTIS, from the State of
Massachusetts, attended this day.

THURSDAY, November 19.

JOHN J. CRITTENDEN, from the State of Kentucky, attended this day.

FRIDAY, November 20.
CLEMENT STORER, from the State of New
Hampshire, attended this day.

MONDAY, November 23.

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 of 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 vigor 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 proportionally diminished. The impracticability of one consolidated Government for this great and growing nation will be more apparent, and will be universally NICHOLAS VAN DYKE, from the State of Delaadmitted. Incapable of exercising local authority, ware, attended this day; JOHN FORSYTH, арexcept for general purposes, the General Government pointed a Senator by the Legislature of the will no longer be dreaded. In those cases of a local State of Georgia, to supply the vacancy occanature, and for all the great purposes for which it sioned by the resignation of George M. Troup, was instituted, its authority will be cherished. Each produced his credentials, was qualified, and Government will acquire new force and a greater free-took his seat in the Senate. dom of action, within its proper sphere. Other inestimable advantages will follow: our produce will be augmented to an incalculable amount, in articles of the greatest value for domestic use and foreign commerce. Our navigation will, in like degree, be increased; and, as the shipping of the Atlantic States will be employed in the transportation of the vast produce of the Western country, even those parts of the United States which are most remote from each other, will be further bound together by the strongest ties which mutual interest can create.

The situation of this District, it is thought, requires the attention of Congress. By the constitution, the power of legislation is exclusively vested in the Congress of the United States. In the exercise of this

TUESDAY, November 24

Mr. FROMENTIN submitted the following motion for consideration:

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause to be laid before the Senate such information as he may possess touching the execution of so much of the first article of the late Treaty of Peace and Amity between His Britannic Majesty and the United States of America as relates to the restitution of slaves, and which has not heretofore been communicated.