...,._,R,:.V _A. .
‘ our charge,
3.1. '
19"‘
xvtu. CONQAKESS.
, LIST or M‘Efl‘:‘tBERS.
[Senators ptrblislied ‘week before last.)
I-_IoU's1-3 'OF,;1:\'-l?LtPRESENTA'I‘lVE3.
_ Frorn .«'lIat'-rt‘r:.'—'_“»’.‘.I'iri. Burleigb,Josliua Cush-
WNHEbell’|'Hé35:ick,Dzrvid Kidder,EiiocliLiii-
001". Stephen Longfellow, Jeremiah 0’Brien.
_ New H€d7ilp8hir8.——IGllalJ()(.l“Bifl'tlClt, Mat-
thew H1‘t'.'vey, Arthur Liveririore, Aaron Mat-
Wlh William Pliimer,Jr.'i‘lroinas Wliipp|e,Jr.
Jrlassachusetts.-—S. C. Allen, John Bailey,
’ Francis Baylies, I3. W. Crowniiisliield, Henry
'W. Dwight, Timothy Fuller, Aaron Hobart,
Sanitiel Latlirop, John Locke, Jeremiah Nel-
son,John Reed,JonasSibley,Daniel Webster.
Rliode Ista'nd.—-Job Durfee, Samuel Eddy.
_Connectr'cut.——.‘Ioyes Barber, Samuel A.
Foot, Ansel Stei'liiig, Ebenezer Stoddard,
Gideon Tornliuson, Lemuel Whitman.
Verm(mt.——Wnr.C. B:-titlley, D. A.A. Buck,
Sam’l C. Crafts, R. C. Ma-llary, Charles Rich.
Ne-10 York.—J. W. Cady,,..C. C. Cambre-
leng, Lot Clark, ..Eli Ctillifiis‘, Hector Craig,
Rowlanil Day, Justin Dwinell, Lewis Eaton-
C. A. Foote, Joel Frost, Moses Hayden John
Herkiiner, J. L. Hogebooni, LcrnuelJeiittins,
Sani’l Lawrence, Elisha Litclificld, Dudley
Marvin, H.C. Martiudale, J. J. Morgan,Joliii
Richards, R. K. Rose, Peter Sharpe, Henry
R. Storrs, James Strong,J. VV. Taylor, Egbert
Ten Eyck, A. H. "“racy, Jacob Tyson, ‘\Vni.
Van VVyck, Stephen Van Renssalaer, Isaac
‘Williams,I. V-’ilsori, Silas W'o0tl,VVni.lVoods.
JV'ew Je;-‘sq:/. George Cassedy, Lewis
Condict, Daniel Garrison, George Holcombe,
James Matlack, Samuel Swan.
.Penrzsylvania.——J:iirresAllisnu,SamlBreak,
John Bro\vir,Jaures Bucliauau,Saiiil Edwards,
William Cox Ellis, Patrick Farrelly, John
Findlay,WalterForward,RobertHarris,Jos’ph
Heurpliill, S. D. Ingliaiii, George Kreamer,
Sam’l M’Kean, P. S. Marklcy, D.H.Millcr,J.
S. Mitchell, Thomas Patterson, Geo.Plumer,
’I‘.J.Rogers,Andrew Stewart,JolinTodd,Danl
Udree,Isaac Wayiie,Jas. Wilson,Hen.Wilson.
Detawar-e.—-Louis M‘Laiie.
Jlfarylu-n.rI.—Wrri.Hayward,jr. Joseplilient,
John Lee, Peter Little, Isaac M'I{iin, G. E.
Mitchell,R.Neale,J.S.Sp:-nee, Il.l{.Warfield.
Virgir1*ia.——r"rI:ri‘k Alexairrler, W.S.Arclrer,
‘Vin. Lee Ball, liilip P. Barbour, Burwell
B‘-rssett,Joliu Floyd,Robert S. Garnet,Josepli
Johnson, Jabez Leftwich, Wm. M‘Coy, C.
F. Mercer, Thomas Newton John Rarndolpli,
\Viu. C. Rives, Arthur Smith, William Smith,
Alexander Smyth, Andrew Stephenson, Jas.
Stephenson, George Tucker, J:ired Williams,
.N'orth Caroti'.na.—- H. G. Burton, Henry
Conner, John Ciiluepcr. \V. N. Edwards, A.
M. Catlin, T. H. Hall, Charles Hooks, John
Long, W. P. tVIai'igiiin, R. M. Saunders, R.
D. Spaight,I{nbert B. Vance,Lewis Williams.
South Craulina.—Robert Campbell, John
Carter, Joseph Gist,Antlrew l{.Govan, James
Hamilton, George fvlc Dtitlic. Joel R.
Poiiisett, Starling Tucker, John Wilson.
Ggo;'dia.—-Jtiel Abbot,GeorgeCarv,’l‘liom-
as W’. Cobb, Alfred Cuthburt, John F0l‘$_}'lll,
Edwartl F. Taruall, lVilcy Tiioiiipsoii.
Kerrtucky/.—l-leiiry Clay,Riehard Buckner.
Robert P. Henry, Francis Johnson, John T.
Johnson, Robert Letchcr, Thomas Metcalf,
Thomas Moore, Philip Thompson, David
Ti'iinble,.David VV'liite, Charles Wicklitfe.
Tc‘nnéS.§_ee.——Ad2)til Ii. Alexander, Robert
Allen, John Blair, John Cocke,S:rini.icl Hous-
ton, Jacob Isacks, James B. Rcyiioltls,Jaiiies
T. Sanford, James Staudefer.
Oti'io.——l\'Iordecai Bartley,PliileincnBeech-
er, John W. Campbr-.ll, James VV. Gtizlay,
Dirncan Me Arthur, ‘William Me Lean, John
Patterson, Thomas R. Ross, John Sloane,
Joseph Vance, Samuel T. Vintoir, William
VVilson, Elisha. \Vliittlesey, John Wriglit.
Louisiana.—-Vifilliztiii L. Brent, H. H.
Gurley, '.3dwai'd Livingston.
Mr's.sissippi.—Cliristoplier Rankin.
India-na.-J.Jeunings,W m.Priiicc,JolrnTest.
Illinois.-—-Daniel P. Cook.
./tlabama.—-Joliii i‘v1’Gee, G. P. Moore, G.
VJ. Owen. ."l1is.9ouri.—Jolrii Scott.
Di-‘.LEGA'l‘ES. Mr'tr/tigrtn Territory.-—Ga-
briel Richards. .x1rka.n.sas.—-I~leiir'y W.Con-
way. Florida.—Ricliard K. Call.
3.‘:
Wasrrirxcrou, Monday, Dec. 1.
Both Houses ofCongress assembled this day
at an early hour. The Hon. Mr. Guillard,
President pro tem. took the Chair of the Seu-
ate, and on the mil being called 33 meinhcrs
answered to tlieir namcs'._ The usual orders
for furnishing the members with newspapers,
appointing chaplains, and joint coniinittees on
enrolled bills, were passed. Messrs. Barbour
and ;‘rIaeon were appointed, in conjunction
with those appointed by the house, to wait on
the President, and inforiri him of the organi-
zation of the two Houses, and of their readi-
ness to receive any communication from him.
At 12 o‘clock precisely the clerk called the
House to order; 181 iiieinbers were present.
On the roll being called, Mr. Taylor, ofNew
York, remarked that, as it had been aiinoim-
ced that he was a candidate for the Speaker’s
Chair, he thought it proper to state, that he
was iiot a candidate, and expressed a wish
that his friends should not vote for him. The
lslon. HENRY CLAY was their elected Speaker
on the first ballot, having 139 votes. Mr.
Philip P. Barbour, of Va. had -12 votes. Mr.
Clay, on being coudtieted to the Chair, ex-
pressed himself in the following terms : ,
Gentlemen : I pray yoti to accept my most
respectful thanks for the honor which you
have just conferred on rue. The station of
Speaker of this House has been alwaysjustly
considered as one of great respectability and
dignity, as well as of high responsibility. But
at the present period, when we are asscinbled
under a new census, with oitr number consid-
crably enlarged, and the highest interests ofa
greatly augmented population eotrirnitted to
it has acquired iuucli additional
importance, which requires from the favored
Orject of yotir selection his most _grat'elul ac-
kinwledgetiicnts, and the expression of the
pr‘d_'ouiitIest sensibility. The priiieiple_s which
Sllotld regulate the execution of tliedtities of
the iicuinbeiit ofthe chair are not difficult to
(=0IHrrelietid,although their application to par-
t'ICuln., instances is often extremely delicate
and pr,-plexing, They enjoin proniptittrde
and innartiality in deciding the various ques-
tions ofnrder, as they arise, firurtiess and dig-
nity iii hs deportincnt towards the House, pa-
tience, grod ireniper, and courtesy, towards
the lll(llVll,t|tll incmbers, and the best arrange-
ment and qlistribution of the talent of the
House, in ilr riuuierotis subdivisions, for the _
despatch of \ to public business, and the fair
exhibition 0 ._very subject presented for coir-
sideration. 'lliey especially require of liiiri,
in those moments of agitation, from which no
deliberative assembly is always entirely, ex-
empt, to remain cool and unsbaken, amidst all
the storri,is'of-debate, carefully guarding the
preservation of-the permanent la_ws and rules
of the House, from being sacrificed t,o-tempo-
rary passions, prejudices, or interests. _. It is on
such occasions as these, too, that the Chair
stands most in need of your support, ofyour
caridotir, of your liberality, of y_our uiibiassed
judgment. I am not so presuirrpttrous, gen-
tlemen, as to promise. you that I shall perform
the arduous duties, of which I have presented
an imperfect sketch. AIII dare say, is,-,that
I will exert, ananxinris, faithful and unremit-
ting endeavor to fulfil the —,expectations by
which I have been so iriiich honored. And
may we not indulge the hope, that, with the
blessing ofDiviiie Providence, all otrr delib-
erations aiid all our proceedings may tend to
sustain the dignity of the House, to maintain
the honor anil character of the country, and to
advance the ptrblic welfare and happiness.
Matthew St. Clair Clark was re-appointed
clerk to the house, Thomas Dunn, sergeant-at
arms, and Benj. Burch and J. O. Dunn,» door-
keepers. Resolutions appointing a commit-
tee to wait on the President, and directing the
clerk to furnish the ineiribers with newspapers
(the expeiise_ not to exceed the price of 3 daily
papers) were passed, airtl the house adjourned.
DEC. §’...—-—Tlris day,at 1‘2o’clock, the Pres-
ident transmitted to both Houses, byhis pri-
vate Seeretary, the. following MESSAGE.
Fellow Critizens ofthe Senate,
and of the House of Repifcseittatives,
Many important subjects will claim yoirr
attention during the present session, of which
I shall endeavor to give, in aid of your delib-
erations, a just idea in this eotiiirmiiication. I,
undertake this duty with diffidence, from the
vast extent of the interests on which I have to
treat, and of their great importance to every
portion ofour U_n_ion. I enter on it with zeal,
from a thorough conviction that there never
was a period, since the establisliineiit ofour
revolution, when, regarding the condition of
the civilized world, and its bearing on us,
there was greater necessity for devotion in
the public servairts to their respective duties,
or for virtue, patriotisui, and union in our
constittients. Meetiiig in yoti a new Con-
gress, I deeiir it proper to present this view=of
public affairs in greater detail than miglitoth-
erwise be necessary. I do it, lrowever, with
peculiar satisfaction, from a knowledge that.
in this respect,l shall comply iriore fully with
the sound principles ofour £10VBl'tllllelil. The
people being with us excltisively the sove-
reigri, it is iiidispeiisahle that full inforinatioii
be laid before tlierii on all iiiiportant subjects,
to enable them to exercise that high power
with complete effect. if kept in the dark,thcy
must he iiicoiirpetent to it. We are all liable
to error, and those who are engaged in the
iiianagcment of public affairs are more sub-
ject to excitement, and to be led astray by
their particular interests and passioiis, than
the great botly of our eoustitueiits, who, liv-
tug at home, in the pursuit of their ordinary
avocations, are calrri but deeply interested
spectators of events, and of the conductot
those who are parties to them. To the peo-
ple, every departtiientoftlie goverirment,and
every individual in each, are responsible, and
the more ftill their inforuiation, the better
they can judge of the wisdom of the policy
pursued, and of the conduct ofeach in regard
to it. From their dispassionate judgment,
iriucli aid may always be obtained, while their
approbation will form the greatest incentive.
and rriost gratifying reward, for virtuous ac-
tions, and the dread of their censure the best
security against the abuse of their confidence.
Their interests, in all vital questioiis, are the
same, and the bond by scritimeut, as well as
by interest, will be pr'opoi'tional)iy strength-
ened as they are better informed of the real
state of public affairs, especially in ditl‘it:iili
conjunctures. ‘It is by such knowledge that
local prejudices and jealousies are siirmount-
ed, and that a national policy, extending its
fostering care and protection to all the great
iiiterests of our Uiiiou, is formed and steadi-
ly adhered to.
A precise knowledge of our relations with
foreign powers, as respects our rriegoclatiuiis
and transactions with each, is thought to be
particularly necessary. Equally iiecessary is
it, that we should form a just estimate of our
resources, reventre, and pt'u_gi'ess in every kind
of improvement connected with the national
posperity and public defence. It is by reti-
rlering justice to other nations, that we may
expect it from lllt’-ll). It is by oitr ability to
resent injuries, and redress wrongs, that we
may avoid them.
The Coinmissioners under the fifth article
of the-treaty of Glient, having disagreed in
their opinions respecting that portion of the
botrrid:rry between the territories oftlieUrrited
States and ofGreat Britain,tlie establishment
of which had been subiiritted to them, have
tirade their respective reports, in compliance
with that artiele,tli'-it the same might be refer-
red to the decision ofa friendly power. It be-.
ing manifest, however, that it would be diffi-
cult, if not impossible, for any power to per-
form that office without great delay and much
iirconveirience to itself, at proposal has been
made by this governiuent, and acceded to by
that ofGreat Britain, to endeavor to establish
that boundary by auiicable negociation. It
appearing, from long experience, that no sat.-
isfactory arrarigerrieirt cottld be formed of the
comiiiercial intercourse between the U. States
and the British colonies intliis lieniisphere,
by legislative acts, while cacti party pursued
its own course, without agreement or concert
with the otlier,a proposal has been made to the
British Goveriinient to regulate this corri-
iiierce by treaty, as it has been to arrairge, in
like iiiaiiiier, the just claim ofthe citizens of
the United Statesinlrabiting the states and
territories bordering on the lakes and rivers
ivliicli etiipty into the St. Lawrence to the_
navigation of that river to the ocean. For
these and other objects of high importance to
the interests ofboth parties,:r negociation has
been opened with the British goveriimeiit,
wliich,it is lioped,will have asatisftictory result.
‘The Coinniissioiiers under the 6th and 7th
articles of the treaty ofGlieut,liaving success-
fully closed their labors in relation to the 6th,
hive procectlcd to the discharge oflliose rela-
ting to the 7th. Their progress in the exteri-
sive survey, required for the perforin:-tuce of
their duties, justifies the presuniption that it
will be completed in the e[]Sulll2_' year.
The iiegoeiation which had been long de-
pending with the French governuieiit on sev-
eral important subjects, and particiilzrrly for a
just indeiiiuity forlosses sustained in the late
wars by thelcitizens or théU., States, under
property, has not as“ yet, had’ the desired ef-
fect. ;As this claim rests onhthe sair're.priiici-
ple withothers which have been admitted by
the French government,it is not perceived on
whatjust grounds it can be rejected. A Mirt-
ister will be irnuiediately appointed to proceed
to France, and resume the negociation on this
and other subjects which may arise between
the two nations. ~ -
‘At the proposal of the Russian Imperial
government,a full power and instructions have
been transmitted to the Minister of the U. S.
at St. Petersburgli, to arrange, by amicable
negociation, the respective rights, and inter-
ests ofthe two nations on the northwest coast
of this continent. A similar proposal hatl
been made by his Inrperial Majesty, to the
government of Great Britain, which has like-
wise been acceded to. The government of
tire U. States has been desirous, by this friend-
ly proceeding, of nranifesting the great value
which they ltave invariably attached to the
friendslrip of ‘the Emperor, and their solici-
tude to cultivate the best iiriderstanding with
his governrirent. In the discussions to which
this interest has given rise, and in the‘ arrange
merits by which they may terminate‘, the oc-
casion has been judged proper for asserting,
as a principle in which the riglitsand interests
of the U. States are involved, that the Amer
ican continents, by the free and irrdependent
contlitiou which they have assumed and main-
min, are hcricefortli not to be considered 35
subjects for future colonization by any Euro-
pean powers. Since the close of the. last
Session of Congress, the conrinissiouers and
arbitrators for ascertaining and deterininiiig
the airionirt of indemnification which may be
due to citizens of the U. States, under the de-
cision of his Imperial majesty the Emperor of
Russia, have assembled in this city. The
coiuirrission constituted under the llth artich-
of the treaty ofQ"2d Fel). 18l9, between the U.
Statesaiid Spain, is also in‘ session here; and
'-is the term of 3 years limited by the treaty
for the execution of the trust, will expire. be-
fore the period ofthe next regular meeting of
Cotigress, the attention ofthe legislature will
be drawn to the ineastrres which may bene-
cessary to accomplish the object for which
the coninrirssioir was instittitcd.
In compliance with a resolution oftheHonse
of Represeirtatives, adopted at their last ses-
sion, instruetioiis have been given to all the
Ministers of the U. States accredited to the
powers of Europe and America, to propose
proscription of the African slave trade, by
classiiig it under the denomination, and iii-
tlictingflon its perpetrators the ptinisliiirent of
piracy. Should this proposal be acceded to,
it is not doubted that this odious and criiniual
practice will be promptly and entirely stip-
pressed. At the comirrencemeiit ofthe re-
cent war between France and Spain, it was
declared by the French governinent that it
would grant no cominissions to privateers,aiid
that neither the commerce of Spain herself,
iror of neutral nations, should be molested by
the naval force of France, except in the
breach of a lawful blockade. This declara-
tioii, which appears to have been faithfully
carried into effect, concurring with priirciples
proclaiined and clierislied by the U. States,
from the first establislirnent of their indepen-
dence, suggested the hope that the time had
arrived when the proposal for adopting it as
a permanent and invariable rule in all future
inaritinie wars, might meet the favorable con-
sideration ofthe great European powers. In-
structions have accordingly been given to our
ministers with France, Russia, aritl G.Britain,
to make those proposals to their respective
goveriiiiients; and, when the friends of liti-
mauity reflect on the essential aiiielioratiou
to the coiitlitiori of the human race, which
would result from the abolition of private war
on the sea, and on the great facility by which
it might be accoinplislied, requiring only the
consent of a few sovereigns, an earnest hope
is indulged tlraftlrese overtures will ultimate-
ly be successful. The ministers who were
-lpptllllletl to the Republics of Colombia and
i3uei'ios Ayres, during the last sessioir ofCoir-
;.;ress, proceeded, shortly afterwards, to their
destinations. The minister appointed to the
licpublic of Chili will sail in a few days. An
early appoiiitnient will also be made to Mexi-
«:0. A minister‘ has been rec’d froinColombia.
The minister appointed to Spain proceed-
ed, soon after his appointment, for Cadiz, the
residence of the sovereign to whom he was
ziccredited. In approaching that port the
frigate which conveyed him was warned oil‘ by
the coiiiinauder of the French squadron, by
which it was bloekaded. and not permitted to
enter, although apprised by the captain ofthe
frigate, of the public character of the person
whom he had on board, the landing of whom
was the sole object of his proposed entry.---—
This act being considered an iirfringeiiient of
the rights of ambassadors and of nations, will
form ajust cause of complaint to the govern-
ment of France, against the officer by whom
it was coiniirittetl. The actrtal condition of
the public finaiiees more than realizes the fa-
vorable anticipations that were entertained of
it at the opening of the last session of Con-
gress. On the 1st ofJaiiu:iry there was a ba-
lance in the Treasury ot'$'l,'l:37,4'~z7 55 cents.
From that time to the 30th Sept. the receipts
aniouiited to upwards of,‘3t6,l00,000, and the
expenditures to 811,400,000. During the 4th
quarter of the years it is estimated that there
Jain. next a surplus ofnearly $0,000,000.
On Jan. 1st, 1825, a large amount of the
war debt, aird a part ofthe revolittionarydebt,
become redeemable. Additional portions of
the former will continue to become redeema-
ble aurittally, iriilil the year 1835. It is belie-
ved, however, that if the U. States remain at
peace, the whole oftliat debt may he redeem-
ed by the ordinary revenue oftliose years du-
ring that period, iinder the provisions of the
act of March 3d, 1817, creating the sinking
fund, and in that case the only part of the
debt that will remain after the year 1835, will
be the 7,000,000 of 5 per cent stock, siibscri-
bed to the Batik of the U. States, and the 3
per cent. Revolutionary debt, amounting to
313,996,099 6 cents, both of which are re-
deemable at the pleasure oft.he government.
The state of the army in its organization
and discipline, has been gradually improving
for several years, and has now attained a high
degree of perfection. Asystem of economy
and aceotrntability has been introduced into
every braticli of thelservice, which admits of
little additional inrprovement. Tliis_desira-
ble state has been attained bythe act reor-
ganizing the statfoftlie army, passed in Hull.
The moneys appropriated for fortificatioris
unjitstifiable seizures and confiscation of their
will reiriaiii in the Treasury on the 1st day of
have been‘ regularly lat. eeondniieally applied,
and all the works advanced as rapidly as the.
amount appropriated would admit. - Three
important‘ ‘works will be. completed ‘ in the
course ofthis year ;that is',‘-Fort Washington,
Fort Delaware, and the Fort at the Rigolets,
in Louisiana. . The Board of Eiigineers,‘
and the 'l‘opograph_ical Corps, have been in
constant and active service, in _surveyiug.the
Coast, and projecting the works necessary
for its defence.——-Tlie MilitaryAcademy has
attairred a degree ofperfection in its discipline
.:dn(l.ll')Slt‘l]CllOl‘l, equal, as is believed, to any
rnstrttition ofits kind in any country.
_ The completion oftlieFortifications renders
it necessary that there should be a suitable ap-
propriation for the purpose of fabricating the
cairrion $1. carriages necessary for those works.
Under the appropriation of $5,000 for ex-
ploring the Western waters for the location of
a site for a VVestern Armory, a coniniission
was constituted, consisting of Col. Mcliee,
Col. Lee, and Capt. Talcott who have been
engaged in exploring the country. They have
not ye§..reported the result oftlieir labors, but
it is believed that they will be prepared to do
it, at air early part ofthe session of Congress.
During the month of Jtine last, Gen. Ash-
ley and his party, who were trading iiirder a
license from the. general goveriinrent, were at-
tacked by the Ricarees while peaceably trad-
ing with the liidians, at their request. Sev-
era] of the party were killed and wotriided,
and their property taken or destroyed.
Col. Leavenworth, who commanded Fort
Atkinson, at theCouncil Bltiffs, the most west-
ern post, appreliending that the hostile spirit
ofthe Pticarees would extend to other tribes
in that qriarter, and that thereby the lives of
the traders on the Missouri, and the peace of
the Frontier would be endangered, took im-
mediate measures to check the evil.
With a detachment of the regiment station-
ed at the Blulfs, he successfully attacked the
Ricaree village, and it is hoped that such an
impression has been made on them, as well as
on the other tribes on the Missouri, as will
prevent a reeirrrence of future hostility.
The report of the Secretary of War, which
is herewith transmitted, will exhibit, in great-
er detail, the condition of the Department in
its various branches, and the progress which
has been made in its administration, during
the three first quarters of the year.
I transmit a return ofthe tiiilitia ofthe sev-
eral states, according to the last reports which
have been made by the proper officersiii each,
to the Department of War. By reference to
this return, it will be seen that it is not coin-
plete, altho’ great exertioiis have been made,
to make it so. As the defence, aird even the
liberties, ofthe coitiitry must depend, iutimes
ofimminent danger, on the iriilitia, it is of
the highest importance that it be well organ-
ized, aririerl, and disciplined, throughout the
Union. The report ofthe Secretary of War
sliews the progress tirade during the three first
quarters of the present year, by the applica-
tion of the fund appropriated for arming the
militia. Much difliculty is found in distribu-
ting the arms according to the act of Congress
providing for it, from the failure of the pro-
perDepartments in many ofthe states to make
proper returns. The act of May 12th, 18910,
provides that the system oftactics and regti-
lations ofthe various corps in the_regular ar-
my, shall be extended to the militia. This
act has been very imperfectly executed, from
the want ofuiriformity in the organization of
the militia, proceeding from the defects ofthe
system itself, and especially in its application
to that main am} of the public defence. It is
tlioright that this important subject, in all its
branches, merits the attention of Congress.
Tire report of the Secretary of the Navy
which is now communicated, furnishes an ac-
count of the adiriinisti°ation of that Depart-
iiieiit, for the 3 first quarters of the present
year, with the progress made in augmenting
the navy,aiid the manner in which the vessels
in coinmissiou have been employed.
The usual force has been inaiirtained in the
Mediterraueari Sea, the Pacific Ocean. and
along the Atlantic Coast, and has af’forded the
necessary protection to oiirconimerce in those
seas. In the Vltest Indies and the Gulf of
Mexico. our naval force has been augmented
by the additionof several small vessels, provi-
ded for by the ‘ act authorizing an additional
naval force for the suppression of piracy,’pas-
sed by Congress at their last session. That
armament has been eminently successful in
the accomplisliirrerrl of its object. The pira-
cies by which our commerce in the neighbor-
hood of the Island of Cuba had been afflicted
have been repressed, and the confidence of
our merelrants, in a great measure restored.
The patriotic zeal and enterprize of Cotii.
Porter, to whom the command ofthe expedi-
tion was confided, has been frilly seconded by
the officers and men, underlris coiiimand.—
And, in reflecting with high satisfaction, on
the ll0l1()l'tll)le irranner in which they have
sustained the reptitatioii of their country and
its navy, the sentiment is alloyed only by a
concern, that in the ftilfilir-ieiit ofthat arduous
service, the diseases iiieideiit to the season,
and to the climate in which it was discharged,
have deprived the nation of many tiseful lives,
and among them of oflicers of great promise.
Although our expedition, co-operating with
an ltivigoratetl administration of the govern-
ment of the Island of Cuba, and with the cor-
responding active exertions of a British naval
force in the same seas, have almost entirely
destroyetl the uirlicensed piracies from that
island, the success of our exertioirs has not
been equally effectual to suppress the same
criuie, under other pretences and other colors,
in the neighboring island of Porto Rico.-
They have been eoiirirritted there under the
abusive issue of Spanish commissions. At an
early period ofthe present year, remon.stran-
ces were tirade to the governor of that island,
by an agent, who was sent for the purpose, a-
gainst tliose oiitrages on the peaceful coin-
nierce ofthe United States, of which many’
had occurred. That officer, professing his
own want of authority to make saitisfaction for
our just cornplaints, answered only by :1 refer-
ence oftlieur to the governiiient of Spain.-—
The iiiiriister of the United States to that
court was especially instrticte.d to urge the ne-
cessity of the iuriiiediate aiiil effectual iiiter—
position ofthat government, directing restitu-
tioir and irirleiiruity for wrongs already coin-
mitteil, and iiiterdictirig the repetitiuri ofthem.
The Minister, as has been seen, was debarred
access to the Spanish Government, arril,iii the
mean time, several new cases of flagrant out-
rage have occurred, and citizens ofthe Unit-
ed ‘States in the island of Porto Rico have
stifl'er'ed, and others been threatened with as-
sassination for asserting their unquestionable
rights,_even lJerOi‘e-lll€{’la\\'flll ‘tribunals of rlri‘
country. The usual orders have been giv-
en-to all our public ships,~to seize» American
V85S¢lS engagedin-the slave trade,‘ and bring
them.-in for adjudication, and IA havetlie-grab
rfication to state, that not one;,.,so-einployed
has been discovered, and‘ tlrerefisgood reason
.A
to belifgfite that our flag" is 'now'seldo'm,if at all ,
disgraceil by that traflic. _ . . .
It is a source of great satisfac'tion,~‘tliat we
are always enabled to recur to theconduct of
otrr Navy with pride and conimeridation. As
a means of national’ defence, it enjoy: the
pttblic confidence, and is steadily assumiiw
additional iiriportanee. -It is submitted wheth?
er a more efficient and equally ecoiromicalor-
gaiiization ofit might not, in several respects
be affected. It is supposed that higher grades,
than now exist by law, would be iiseful. They
would afford well merited I'e\v:irds to muse
who have long and -faithfirlly ‘served their
country; present the best incentives to good
conduct, ‘and the ‘best _-means of ensuring a
proper discipline; destroy the inequality in
lliatjrespect between the militaryand naval
services, ‘and relieve otir officers from many
iiicouverirences and mortilicatioiis, which oc-
cur when our vessels meet those ofotlier na-
tions—ours being the only service in whii_-tr
such grades do not exist. ‘
A report ofthe Postmaster-General, which
aCCOl‘i‘tpalll6Stl1lSCOn‘lmlll'llC71ll0ll,Willshewthg
prcserit state of the Post Office Department,
an'd‘its ge.neral operations for some years past,
_'1 here is established by law 33,300 m',j,_.,, of
post roads, on which the mail is now transpo,--
‘Cd 35.700 miles; and contracts have been
made for its traiisportation on all the estab-
jl‘Slle(l routes, with one or two exceptions.-
1 here are 4,9140 post omces in the Unioi'r,anrl
as many post-masters. The gross amount of
postage which accrued from the 1st of July,
l8°1Q,tothelst0fJuly,18923,was $1,114,345 lg
cents. During the same period, the expendi-
tures of the Post Office Department, amount-
ed to $1,160,885 51 cents ; and consisted of
the following items: compensation to post-
masters, $353,995 98 cents; iiicidental expen-
ses, $30,866 37 cents ; transportation of’ the
mail, $784,600 08 cents; payment into the
treasury, $423 08 cents. ‘
On the lst of July last, there was due to
the Department, from postmasiers, $1359.45
28 cents ; from late postiiasters and contract-
or_s, £256,749 31 cts. matting a total amount
of balances due to the department, $591,994
59 cents. These balances embrace all delin-
quencies of postinasters and contraetors,which
have taken place since the organization ofthe
Department. There was due by the Depart-
ment to contractors, on the 1st day of July
last, $£’6,§48_64 cents. The transportation
of the riiail,wrtliin 5 years past has been great-
ly extended and the expenditures of the De-
partment proportionably increased. Altlioiigh
the postage which has accrued within the last
3 years, has fallen short of the expenditures
$262,821 46 cents, it appears that collections
have been made, from the outstanding balan-
ces, to meet the principal part of the current
demands.-——-It is estimated, that not more
than £250,000 ofthe above balances can be col-
lected,and that a considerable part of this sum
can only be realized by a resort to legal pro.
cess. Some itiiprovcnient in the receipts for
postage is expected. A prompt attention to
the cpllection ofmoneys received by postmas-
ters, it is believed, will enable the Department
to continue its operations without aid from
the Treasury. A revision of some parts of
the post-office law may be necessary ; and it
is stibiriitted, whether it would not be proper
to provide for the appointment ofpostmasters,
where the compensation exceeds a certain a-
riiount, by nomination to the Senate, as other
officers oftlregen. government are appointed.
Having communicated my views to Cori-
gress at the coinmencement ofthe last session,
respecting the encorrrageirieiit which ought to
be given to our manufactures, and the princi.
pic on which it should be founded, I have on-
ly to add, that those views remain unchanged,
and that the present state of those countiics,
with which we have the most immediate po-
litical relations, and greatest coriimercitil iii.
tereourse, tends to corifirrir them. Under this
iiiipyessiorr, I recommend a review ofthe tar-
ill, for the purpose of affording such addition-
al protection to those articles which we are
prepared to manufacture, or which are more
iinnieiliately connected with the defence and
independence ofthe country.
The actual state of the public aceoitnts,fur-
nishes additional evidence ofthe efficiency of
the present system ofaccountability, in rela-
tion to the public expenditure. Oftlre mon.
eys drawn from the Treasury since the 4th
ofMarcb,l817, the sum remaining uiraccoim-
ted for, on the 30th of Sept. last, is morerhan
a million and a halfofdollars less than on the
30th of Sept. preceding ;and during the same
period a reduction of nearly a million ofdol-
lars has been made in the amount of unsettled
accounts for moneys advanced previously to
the 4th of i\'Iarch, 1817.
The sum which was appropriated at the last
session, for the repair oftheCuiuberland road,
has been applied with good effect totlratobject.
Many patriotic and enlightened citizens,
who have made the subject an object of par-
ticitlar investivation, have suggested an irri-
proveiiient of stil.l greater importance. 7 They
are of opinion that the waters of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio may be connected together,
by one continued canal, and at an expense far
short of the value and importance ofthe ob-
ject to be obtained. If this could be accom-
plished, it is impossible to calculate the hen-
eficial consequences which would result from
it. A great portioir ofthe produce ofthe ve-
ry fertile country thro’ which it would pass,
would find a market tliroiiglr that eliannel.—-
Troops might be moved with great facility in
war,with caim_on, and every kiird of irrtitritiou,
and in every direction. Connectiiig the‘ At-
lantic with the western country, in auliue pas-
sing tlrrouglr the seat of the national govern-
rneirt—-it would contribute essentially to
sticiigtlicii the bond of Union itself. Believ-
ing, as I do,tliat Congress possessthe right to
appropriate money for such a iiatioual object,
[the jnris.-liction reniaiiriiig to the states tlrro’
which the canal would pass,) I submit it to
your consirleration whetlicr it may not be ad-
visable to aiitliorize, by an adequate appro-
priatioir, the eurplo_vment of a suitable rrtiiii-
ber ofthe officers ofthe corps ofeugiriecrs, to
examine the unexplored grouiirl during the
next season, and to report their opinions there-
on. It will likewise be proper to exteiril their
exaininatioii to the several routes thin’ which
the waters ofthe Ohio may be coriuccted, by
canals, with those ofLake Erie.
As the Cumberland road will require annu-
Norwalk Chronicler