The National Register. — London, England, 1817-01-06 00:00:00

rtwe : of what consequence is it to the famished wretch, whether his nest neighbour hat, or has not corn, while, by tlysie ineaut or other, he Cannot pew iire it either for himself or his fancily; es.cessive high price, and real dearth, are to Ili one and the same thin::: we know the symptoms of the malady, and we with, like our fathers to aprly the known remedy of a prohioitiou of e•port. Will the plan which the government has proposed effect that object? 'ln a country Sthete the great esports are made by tea, Validh abounds in riveis and ports, together with canals And toads which facili tate 4' unanunicAtion with those ports, the prohibition of tx r--i hy Lind is illusory; the remedy it therefore nugatory, :in l w.:.;(1 he absolutely nullified if Fiance were to permit r. nexpor.e:osi to one territory, which could. not benefit ns. In voting its adoption I shall not be suSpeeted of viewing an it !:..inair remedy ; the shipwrecked mariner lays 11..11 of the first piank within his reach, and I must view. the plan Ni only a pre!ailc to other more efficacious measures, which the goveininent will surely hasten to present to the goatee.' A long debate followed, in which some of the Dutch members speaking in favour of the general freedom of exportation, the audience in the galleries displayed the greatest impatience, and uttered loud murmurs of dis approbation, which obliged the President frequently to call then► to order. The Minister of the Interior, who was present, an swered the objections of several Members, especially those of Mr. Reyphins. His Excellency gave the .Chamber the assurance, that his Majesty had not suf fered a single circumstance to escape, to obviate the •vil ; and that he was persuaded, that if the measure did not produce the desired effect, his Majesty would hasten to propose another. The debate being termi nated, the President put the question upon the law, which was adopted by a majority of 72 votes to 2. AMERICA,V PAPERS. _ ~_ WASIIIN6TON, DEC..l.—Thin day, at 12 o'clock, the Presi dent of the United States transmitted, to both Houses of Con gress, the folio% ing Message by Mr. Todd, his Secretary : Fellow Citizens of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives, In reviewing the present state of our country, our atten tion cannot be withheld from the effect produced by peculiar seasons, which have very generally impaired the annual gifts of the earth, and threatened scarcity in particular districts. Such, however, is the variety of soils, of climides, mid of pro ducts, within our extensive limits, that the aggregate re sources for subsistence are more than sufficient for the aggre gate wants; and, as far as an economy of consumption, more than usual, may be necessary, our thanktidness is due to Pro vidence, for what is far more than a compensation, in the re markable health which has distinguished the present year. Amidst the advantages which have succeeded the peace of Europe, and that of the United States with Great Britain, in a general invigoration of industry among us, and in the Ntension of our commerce, the value of which is mme and more disclosing itself to commercial nations, it is to be re gretted that a depression is experienced by particular branches of our manufactures, and by a portion of our navigation. As the first proceeds, in an essential degree, from an excess of imported merchandise, which carries a check in its own tendency, the cause, in its present extent, cannot be of very long duration. The evil will not, however, be viewed by Congress, without a recollection, that manufacturing estab lishments, if suffered to sink too low, or languish too long, may not revive.after the causes shall have ceased; and that, in the vicissitudes of human affairs, situations may recur, in which a depeodance on foreign sources, for indispensable supplies, may be among the most serious embarrassments. The depressed state of our navigation is to be *set ibed, in a material degree, to its exclusion from the colonial ports Of the nation most extensiVely connected with ns in commerce, and from the indirect operation of that exclusion. Previous to the late Convention at London, between the United States and Great Britain, the relative state of the Navigation Laws of the two co tarries, growing out of the Treaty of 1791, had g iven to the British nay ration a material advautage over the American in the intercourse between the American ports and British ports in Europe. The Con vention of London equalized the laws of the two countries, relating to those ports: leaving the intercourse between our ports and the ports of the British Colonies, subject, as before, tq the respective regulations of the parties. The British ernment, fo r cing , now, regulations which prohibit a trade between its Colonies and the United Stales, in Ameri can vessels, whilst they permit a trade in British vessels, the American navigation loses accordingly; and the loss is one suenteil I.y the advantage which is given to the British com petition over the American, in the navigation between our ports and British ports in Europe, by the circuitous voyages, enjoyed. by the one, and not enjoyed by the other. The reasonableness of the rule of reciprocity, applied to one branch of the commercial intercourse, has been pressed on oar punt, as equally applicable to both branches; lint it is ascertained, that the British Cabinet declines all negocia hen on the subject; with a disavowal, however of any dis position to view, in an unfriendly light, whatever counter vailing regulations the United States may oppose to the re gulations of which they complain. 'I lie wisdom of the Legis lature will decide on the course which, under these circum- Matters, is prescribed by a joint repo d to the slakes ble rela tions between the two nations, and to the just interests of the United States. I have the satisfaction to state, generally, that we remain in amity with foreign Powers. Au occurrence hem, indeed, taken place in the Gulf of Mex ico, which, if sanctioned by the Spanish Government, may make an exception as to that Power. According to the re port of our Naval Commander on that station, one of our public armed vessels was attacked by an overpow cring force, under a Spanish Commander, awl the American tlms, with the 61ficers and crew, insulted, in a manner calling forptompt reparation. This has been demanded. In the mean time, frigate and smaller vessels of war have been ordered into that Gulf foe the protection of oar commerce. It would be inrroper to omit, that the Representative alai ' , C a th o li c al„. jesty in the United States lust no time in giving the strongest assaranees, that no hostile ardor could have emanated from his Government ; and that it will be as ready to do, WI to ex pect, whatever the nature of the case, and the friendly rela tions of the two countries, shall be fonnd to require. The posture of our attain with Algiers at the present 1910- ENVis not kpOwu. The Den drawing pretcats (rein cir- It. THE TIONAL REGISTER. euinstanees, for which the United States were not answer able, undressed 1 letter to this Government, ()Marin:. the ti eaty last concluded sills him to have been annulled by cur violation of it ; nun presenlaig, us the alternative, war or a relies mil of the former treaty, which annulated, among other things, au amnion tribute. The answer, with an c-plieit de claration, that the limited States preferred war to tribute, required his recognition and observance of the treaty last wade, %%Inch Wllllloles tribute and the SlNVery of our captured eithsess. Tile result of the answer haw not been received. Should be renew his warfare on our conmoneree, we rely on the pin tection it will tied in our naval force actually in the Medite ri :mean. With the other Barbary States, our affaias have undergone no change. 'lice Indian Tribes within our limits appear also disposed to remain at peace. Front several of th in purchases oflands have been made, partit illarly lavonrable to the wishes and security of our frontier settlements, as well as to the general iiiterests of the nation. In some instances, the titles, though not supported by due proof, and clashing those of one tribe vrith the claims of another, have been extinguished by double ;timeliest's; the benevolent policy of the United States pre krring the augmented expence to the hazard of doing injus tice—or to the enforcement of juattee against a feeble and untutored people, by means of involving or threatening an effusion of blood. I am happy to add, that the tranquillity which has been restored among the tribes themselves, as well as between them and our own population, will favour flue re sumption of the work of civilization, which had made an encouraging progress among some tribes; and that the faci lity is increasing fur extending that divided and individual ownership, which exists now in moveable property only, to the soil itself ; and of thus establishing in the culture ana im provement of it, the true foundation for a transit from the habits of the savage, to the arts and comforts of social life. As a subject of the highest importance to the national wel fare, I must again earnestljt recommend to the consideration olCongress, a re-organization of the Militia, on a plan which will lona it into classes, according to the periods of life more and less adapted to military service*. An efficient Militia is authorised and contemplated by the Constitution, rind re quired by the spirit and safety of a free Government. The present organization of our Militia is universally regarded as less efficient than it ought to be made; and no organization can be better calculated to give to it its due force, than a classification which will assign the foremost place in the de. fence of the country to that portion of its citizens whose ac tivity and animation best enable them to rally to its standard. Besides the consideration, that a time of peace is a time when a change can be made with most convenience and equity, it will now be aided by the experience of a recent war, in which the alilitia bore so interesting a part. Congress will call to mind, that no adequate provision has yet been made for the 'funnily of Weights and Measures, also contemplated by the Constitution. The great utility of a wandard, fixed in its nature, and rounded on the easy rule of decimal proportion, is sufficiently obvious. It led the Go lllll eat, at an early stage, to preparatory steps for introduc ing it ; and a completion of the work will be a just title to the public gratitude. The importance which I have attached to the establish ment of an University within this District, on a scale, and for objects wt rthy of the American nation, induces me to renew my recommendation of it to the favourable consideration of (,ingress; and I particularly itiVile the it attention to the ex pediency of exercising their existing powers, and where necessary, of resorting to the prescribed mode of enlarging them, in order to effectuate a comprehensive system of Mutes and Canals, such as will have the effect of drawing more closely together every part of our country, by promoting in tercourse and improvements, and by increasing the share of every part in the common stock of national prosperity. Occurrences having taken place which chew that the sta tuary provisions for tiie dispensation of Ciiminal Justice are deficient, in relation both to places and to persons, under the exclusive cognizance of the national authority, an amend ment of the law, embracing such cases, will merit the earli est attention of the Legislature. It will be a seasonable oc casion also for inquiring how far legislative interposition may be further requisite in providing penalties fur offences de signated in the Constittition or in the Statutes, and to which either no penalties are annexed, or none with sufficient cer tainty; and I submit to the wisdom of Congress, whether a more enlarged revisal of the Criminal Code be not expedient, for the purpose of mitigating, in certain cases, penalties which were adopted into it antecedent to experiments and examples which justify and reconunend a inure lenient policy. The United States having been the first to abolish within the extent of their antliority,the transportation of the natives of Africa into slavery, by prohibiting the introduction of slaves, and by punishing their citizens participating iii the Waite, cannot but be gratified at the progress made by elm cue rent efforts of other nations, towards a general suppres sion of so great an evil. They must feel, at the same time, the greatest solicitude to give the fullest efficacy to their own regulations. With that view, the interposition of Congress appears to be required, by the violations and evasions, which, it is suggested, are chargeable on unworthy citizens who mingle in the slave trade under foreign flags, and with fo reign ports ; and by collusive importations of slaves into the Lusted States through adjoining ports and territories. I pre sent the subject to Congress, with a full assuranee of their disposition to apply all the remedy which can be afforded by an amendment of the law. The regulations which were intended to gnard against abuses of a kindred character, in the trade between the several States, ought also to be Leo. tiered more effectual for their humane object.. 'I othese recommendations I add, for the consideration of Congress the expediency ol'a re-modification of the jildiciary establishment, and of an additional department in the Exe cutive branch of the Government. The first is called for by the accruing business which ne e( scarily swells the duties of the Fedral Comets, and by the great and widening space, s Rhin which justice is to be di.,- ''lensed by them. The time seems to have arrived, which claims fOr Members of the Supreme Court a relief from itinerary fatigues, incompatible, as well with the age which a portion of them will always have attained, as with the re s.-Alies and ',reparations winch are tine to their star s, and to the juridical reputation of their country. And con siderations equally cogent requite a more convenient orga nization of the subordinate Tribunals, ss hick may be accom plished without an objectionable iocrtastr of the number or expence of the Judge. The extent and variety of F.%ecutive hosimmq, riso accu mulating with the progress of one country, and its growing population, Citit for an additional department, to be charged with ditties now overburdening other departments, and with suds as save not Imo aarivaed to an; departipeut. JANUARY C. The c - cc of espy: ienee rec.:mime:l tls, as another im provement in the Executive establishment, that the provision tnr the station of Attorney General, whose residence at the seat of Government; official connexions is 'As it, and manage ment of the public business In fore the Judiciary, preclude an extensive participatimt in professienal emoluments, be made more attenuate to his services and his relingnisliments; and that, with a vievr to his reasonable acc.immottatien, unil to a proper depository of his official opilt . s and proceeding., there be included in the provision the usual appurtenances to a public office. In directing the legislative attention to the slate of the finances, it is subject of great gratification to find, that, even within the short period which has elapsed since the return if peace, the revenue has far exceeded all the current demands upon the Treasury, and that, snider any probable diminution of its (inure annual product, which the v irissitudes of cats. meree may occasion, it will atioril an ample fund for the ef fectual and early extinguishment of the public debt. It has beets estimated, that during the year Isl 6, the actual receipts of 'even''e at the Treasury, including the balance at the commencement of the year, and excluding the proceeds of loans and Treasury notes, will amount to about the suet of 17 millions of dollars; that during the same year, the actual payments at the Treasury, including the payment of the lavenders Alf the Wpr Department, as well as the pay Ilieht of a considerable excess, beyond the annual appropriation, will amount to about the sum of :Pt millions of dollars; and that, consequently, at the close of the year, there will be a sur plus in the Treasury of about the stun of nine millions of dollars. The operations of the Treasury continue to be obstructed by difficulties arising from the condition of the national cur rency; hut they have, nevertheless, been effectual, t o a beneficial extent, in tile reduction of the public debt, anal the establishment of the public credit. The floating debt of Treasury note% and temporary loans, will soon be entirely discharged. The aggregate of the funded debt, composed of the debts incurred during the wars of 1716 and of ISI has been estimated with reference to the Ist of January next, at a sum not exceeding HO millions of dollars. 'the ordi. nary annual expeuces of the Government, fin the mainte nance of all its institutions, civil, military, and naval, have been estimated at a sum less than 20 millions of dolling. And the permanent revenue, to ho derived from all the existing sources, has been estimated at a stun of about 2S millions of dollars. l'pon this general view of the subject, it is obvious that there is only wanting, to the fiscal prosperity of the Govern ment, the restoration of an uniforiu medium of exchange. The resources and tlw filth of the nation, displayed in the system which Congress has established, ensure respect and confldenee both at home and abroad. The local nierrinitiht times of the revemie have already marbled the 'Treasury to meet the public engagements in the local currency of most of the States; and it is expected that the same cause will produce the same effect throughout the Union. But, for the interests of the com iiiii nity at large, as well as for the pnrpmes of the Treasury, it is essential that the Halloo should possess a currency of equal value, credit and use, wherever it may circulate. The Constitntion has entrusted Congress ex clusively with the power of creating and re:Misting a cm rency of that description; and the measures which were taken during the last Session:in esectii ion of the power, give every promise of success. The Illatik at' the United States has been organized under auspices the most favourable, and cannot fitil to bean important auxiliary to those measures. For a more enlarged vie* of the public finances, with a view of the 1114 amuses pursued by the Treasury Department, previous to the resignation of the late Secretary, I transmit an extract froin the last report of that officer. Congress 0-'.ll perceive in it ample proofs of the solid foundation on which the financial prosperity of the nat' rests; and will do jus tice to the distinguished ability and successfid exertions will which the dillies of the depattment were executed during a period remarkable fur its difficulties and peculiar per- The period of my retiring from the public service being at a little distance, I shall find no occasion more proper Ilan tine present for ewe easing to my fellow-citizens my deep sense of the continued confidence and kind support w hick I Inc , e received from them. sly grateful recollection of these distiNolislittl marks of their flivourable regard can never cease; and with the consei iiii sness, that if I have not served my country 0 ills greater ability, 1 have served it with a sin cere devotion, will accompany me as a source of unfailing gratification. Happily, I shall carry with me from the public theatre, other sources, which those who love their country most will best appreciate. I shall behold it blessed with tranquillity and prosperity at home, and with peace and respect abroad. I can indulge the proud reflection, that the American people have 'cached in safety and success their fortieth year as an independent station ;'and for nearly an entire Reiteration, they have had experience of the present Constitution, the oth.pring of their undisturbed deliberations, and of their free choice; that they have found it to bear the trials of adverse as whin as prosperous eirennistances r to contain, in its conibi ' nation of the federate and elective principles, a reconcile ment of public strength with individual liberty, of national power for the defence of national rights, with a security against wars of injustice, of ambition, or of vain glory, in the fundamental provision which subjects all questions of war to the will of the nation itself'. which' is to pay its costs and feel its calamities. •Nor is it kt.s a peculiar felicity of this Con stitution so dear to its all, that it is footsid to be capable, with out losing its vital energies, of expanding itself over a spa cious territory, with the increase and expansion of the coin infinity for %shire benefit it was established. And may I not he isfloweddo add to this gratifying spec tacle, and I shall lead in tin• character of the American peo ple, in taieir desotion to true liberty, and to the constitution which is its palladi . Pure presages, that the destined c a rr i . r of my country will exhibit a government pursuing the pliblie good as its sole object ; and regulating its 1111'411,, by the great principles consecrated in its charter, and by those moral principles to which they are so well allied: a government which watches over the purity of elections, the freedom of speech, and of the pi ess, the trial by jury, and the areal in terdict against elle rmirlinteuts and compacts between religion and the state, inahitains inviolably the maxims or pub. tic faith, the security if persons and proper.), and elierair,,p,.s in es. ry ant limited mode, that general diffusion of knowledge which guarantees to public liberty its permanency, and to those Mho possess the blessing, the true enjoyment of it ; a government which avoids jut elision on the internal repose of other nations, and repels them fifilli its own ; which does jus tice to all :tattoos with a readiness equal to die firmness with which it requires justice from* them ; and ‘i hich, whilst it re lines its Minn see code fame every ingredient not congenial with the precepts of au enlightened age, and the sentiments eta virtuous people, seeks by appeals W re,a t .:9o, an d by its