The Sun. — London, England, 1820-01-07 00:00:00

AMERICAN PAPERS. THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. WASHINGTON, DEC. 7.—This day, at twelve o'clock, the Pre , i(lent of thr United States trans mitted to both Howe* of Congress, by Mr. J. J. MUNIUDE, the following MESSAGE. Fellow-Citizens of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives, The public Imildiogs bring advanced to a stage to afford accommodation for Congress, 1 Offer you my sincere congratulations on the re•cotumence ment of your duties in the Capitol. In h , inging to view the incidents most descry- it'll:, attention, which have occurred since your last Session, I regret to haee to-state, that seve ral of our principal cities have suffered by sick ness ; that an unusual droli f ,7,lo has prevailed in the Middle and lVestern States ; and that a de- rAugernent tai been telt in mputie of our monied instittrions, which has proportionably affveted tbtir credit. l attt happy, however, to ►rave it in my power to ,ss+►re yo+►, that the health of attr ci►ies is now completely restored ; that the produce of the year, though less abundant than usual, ‘vill not only be amply suficie•nt for home consump tion, but uff►rds a large surplus for the supply of the wants of other nitions and that the derange ment in the circulating paper medium, by being lett to those remedies which its obvious causes sug4ested, and the gLtod senile and virme of our fcllow-ciiizens supplied, h*a diminished. 1-laviog intottned Congress, oil the 27th of Febrnary la“, that a treaty of amity, settlement, and hmits, had heel, concluded, in this city, be- t weer) tlie United States awl Spain, mod ified by the enrupet (nit authorities of 'the former, toll confidence was entertained th.tt it would haee been ratified by his Catholic M eijest y, with equal prompti tude, and a like earnest desire to terminate, on the conditions of that treaty, the differences which had so 'nog exiited htttreeo the two coootriec Every view which the subject atitni!ted of, was thought to have justified this conclusion --- Great losses bad been sustained .by citizens of the United States, from Spanish cru►zers, more tLan twenty years betnie, which hail not been redressed. These losses had been acknow ledged and provided for by a treaty, as far back as th,e year 18)2, which, although concluded at Madrid, was not then ratified by the Government of Spain, nor since, until the last year, when it was suspended by tl►e late treAty, a more satisfar.. tory provision to bolt parties, as was presumed, having been made tor them. Other differences had arisen in this long interval. affecting their highest interests, which were likewise provided for by this last treaty. The treaty itself, was formed on great consideration, and a tho rough knowledge of all circumstances, the sub ject matter of every article having been for years under discussion, and repeated references hav ing been made, by the Minister of Spain, to his Government, on the points respecting which the greatest difference of opinion prevailed. It was formed by a Minister duly authorized for the purpose, who bad represented his government in the United States, and been employed in this long-protracted negociation, several years, and who, it is not .denied, kept strictly within the letter of his instructions. The faith of Spain was therefore pledged, under circumstances of peculiar force and solemnity, for its ratification. On the part of the United States, this Treaty was evi dently acceded to in a spirit of conciliation and concession. The indemnity for injury Ad losses, so long before sustained, and now again acknow ledged and provided for, was to be paid by them, without becoming a charge on the treasury of Spain. For territory ceded by Spain, other territory of great value, to which our claim was believed to be well founded, was ceded by the United States, and in a quarter more interesting to her. This cession was, nevertheless, received as the means of indemnifying our citizens, in a consi derable sum, the presumed amount of their losses• Other considerations, of great weight, urged the cession of this territory by Spain. It was sot-- roundel by the territories of the United States on every side, except on that of the ocean. Spain had lost her authority over it, and falling into the bands of adventurers connected with the sa- rates, it was made the means of unceasing au novance anci injury to our Union, in many of its most essential interests. By ibis cession, then, Spain ceded a territory. in reality, of no value to her, and obtained concessions of the highest im portance, by the settlement of long siancling clif terences will) the United States, affecting their respective chino and limits, and likewise relievetl httsrll from the obligation of a Treaty relating to it, which she had failed to fulfil, and also From the responsibility incident to the 111051 flagrant and pernicious abuses of her rights, where site could not support her authority., It being knoa/n that the Treaty was formed tin der these circum•tances, not a doubt was enter tained that his Catholic Majesty- would have rati fied it without delay. 1 regret to have to state, that this reasonable expectation has beer. disap pointed ; that the Treaty was not ratified within the time stipulated, and has ttot since been rati fied. As it is important that the nature and cha racter of this unexpected Occurrence should be distinctly understood, I think it my duty to com municate to you all the facts anti circumstance: in toy possession, relating to it. Anxious to prevent all future disagreement with Spain, by giving the most prompt effect to the Treaty, which had been thus concluded, and, particularly, by the est ablishineut of a Coeern went in Florida, which should preserve order there, the Minister of the Uoiied States, who,had been recently appointed to his Catholic Majesty, and !O whom the ratification, by his Government, had been committed, to he exchanged for that of Spain, was instructed to transmit the latter to the Department of gate, es soon as obtained, by a public ship, s,!bjected to his order for the pur pose. Unexpected delay occurring in the ratifi cation, by Spain, he requested to be infoNned of the cause. It was stated, in reply, that the great importance nf the subject, anti a desire to obtain explanations on certain points, which Were not specified, had produced the delay, and th.it an Envoy would be dispatched to the United States, to obtain such explanations of this Government. The Minis . ;yr of the United States offered to give full explanation on any point out which it might be desired : which pro wess! was declined. Haviog communicated this result to the Department of State in August last, he was inst ructesi, not withstanding the disappoint ment and staptise which it produced, to inform the Government o f Spain, that if the treaty should he ratified, and tratismitted here at any time be fore . .be me ling of Congress, it would be teceived, and have the saute effect as it it Into been ratified in due time. This order was executed ; the autho rised commuoicatiott sets made to the Government of Spain, anti by iis answer, which has just been re evved, We are officially made acquainted, for the fired time, with the causes which have prevented the ratification of the treaty, by his Catholic Majesty. It is alleged by the Minister of p a i n , that this G,,vernmeni ILA attempted to alter one of the prin cipal Articles of the Treaty, by a Declaration, which the Minister of the Uoi.ed States had been ordered to present, when he should deliver the ratifi ,. 4 ,6 ) „ b'l hi s Government, in exchange for that of Spain, and of wlitch lie gave notice, ex okitia ory tut 6 i , sen se nto bleb that article was understood. It is further alleged, that this Go vernmeot had recently tolerated, 'or protected, an Ex polition from the United Slant, against the Province of 1 hese two imputed Acts are stated as the reasons which have induced. hi s c a ., (butte. M +sty to withhold his ratification from t h e Treaty. to obtain explauations, respecting which it is repeated, that all Envoy would be forthwith dispatched to the T‘litited States. How f ur t h ese allegations will jostily the conouct of the Govern men! of Spain, will appear on a view of the tol looitig facts, and the esideuce which supports 114: It will be t=een by the documents transmitted herewith, that the (L.'..:laration mentioned relates to a clause in the Bth article concerning ceraiu grants of land, recently mate by his Catholic Ala jesl, iii Flotida, which, it was understood, had conveyed all the lands, \vhicit till then bad been ungranted. It was the intention of the par►ies to annul these latter K raus, and that cl. , use was drawn fur that express purpose, and for none other. Th e d a te of these grants was unknown, but it was understood to he posterior to that inserted in the article ; indeed , it must be obvious to all , t h a ,, if that provision in the treaty hart not the effect of an- Bulling these grants, it would be altogether nuga tory. Immediately after the treaty was concluded, and ratified by this Government, an intimation was received that these grants were of anterior date to that fixed on by the treaty; and that they would not, of course, by affected by it. The mere possibility of such a case, so inconsistent with the intention of the parties, and the meaning of the article, induced this Government to demand an explanation on the subject, which was immediate. ly gt anted, and which corresponds with this statement. With respect to the other act alleged, that this Government had tolerated, or protected an Expedition against Texas, it is smelly without fo „„,k t ina, Every discountenance has invariably been given to every such attempt front within the limits of the United States, as is fully evinced by the acts of the Government, and the proceedings • of the Courts. There being cause, however, to Apprehend, in the course of thc., last summer, that some adven.. turers entertained views of the kind suggested, the attention of the Constituted Authorities in that quarter was immediately drawn to them, and it is known that the project, whatever it might be, has utterly failed. These facts will, it is presumed, satisfy every impartial mind, that the Government of Spain haul oo justifiable cause for declining to r at ify the eaty ; a Treaty concluded - in conformity with in s. ructious is obligatory, in good faith, i n a ll it s stipulations, ccorting to the ye i nten t an meaning of tbe a parti ,i s. Each party u is bound to rd. , ' tify it. If either con!!! set it aside, without the con scut of the other, there would be no longer any roles applicable to such transactions between nations. 13y this proceeding the Goveyntnent of Spain has rendered to the United St ates a new // WI very serious injury. It has been stated, that a Minister %rookd be sent, to ask certain explana tions of this Government. But, if such were l desired" ? %%by were they not asked within the time limited for ratification ? Is it con tem plated to open a new siegociatien respecting any of the articles or conditions of the Treaty th „, were done, to what consequences might it not lead ? At what time and it what manner would - a new negociat ion let minate ? By this pi oceediog, Spain has formed a relation bet %veto the two countries which will justify any measures on the part or the United Stioks, which a s!ron g ~oe of injury, and a proper regard tor the tigl 4 i s a wl in terests of the tta:ion may dictate. In tb c course to be pursued, these objects should be constantly held in view, and have their due weight. Our national honour mast be maintained, and a new and a distinguished proof be afforded of that re g rd for justice and moderation, which has inva riably governed the councils of this free people, It must be obvious to all, that if the United States l►ad been desirous of making conquests, or had been even willing to aggrandize themselves in that way, they could have had no inducement to form this Treaty. They would have much cause for gratidal ion, at the course which has been pursued by Spain. An ample field for ambition is open before them ; but such a career is not consistent with the principles of their Government, nor the interesti t . )l the Nation. From a full view of all circumstances, it is sub mitted to the consideration of Congress, whether it will not be proper for the United States So carry the conditions of the Treaty into effect in the, same manner as if it had been ratified by Spain, claming on their part all its advantages, and yielding to Spain those seemed to her. By pursuing this course we shall rest on the sacred ground of right, sanctioned, in the most solemn manner, by Spain herself, by a Treaty she was bound to ratify, `or refusing to do which she must incur the censure of other nations, even those most friendly to her ; while, by confining our selves within that limit, we cannot fail to obtain their well-merited approbation. We must have peace on a frontier where we have been so long disturbed, our citizens most be •indemnified for losses so long since sustained, and for which in demnity has been so long unjustly withheld from them. Accomplishing these great objects, we ob- tain all that is desirable. But his Catholic Majesty has twice declared his determination to send a Minister to the United States to ask explanations on certain points, and to give them respecting his delay to ratify the treaty. Shall we act, by taking tt)e ceded terri tory, and proceeding to execute the other condi tions of the treaty, before this Minister arrives and is heard ? This is a case which forms a strong appeal to the candour, the megnanimity, and honour of this people. Mitch is due to courtesy between nations. By a short delay, we shall lose nothing; for, resting on the ground of immuta ble truth pod justice, we cannot be diverted from our purpose. It ought to be presumed that the explanations which may be given to ;the Minisrer of Spain, will be satisfactory and produce the desired result. In any event, the delay, to' the purpose mentioned, btiing a further manifeste.tion of the sincere desire to terminate in the mos , friendly manner all differeoces with Spain, cannot fad to be duly appreciated by his Catholic Nlajesty, as well as by other Powers. It is sub mitted therefore, whether it will not be proper to snake the law proposer! for carrying the conditions of the Treaty into clf:!ct, should it be adopted, contingent ; to suspend its operation upon the responsibility of tbe Executive, in such manner, as to afford an cppottunity for such friendly ex planations as n►ay be desired during the present Session of Congress. I communicate to Congress a copy of the treaty, and of the instructions to the Minister of the United States at Madrid respecting it, of his coy tespo!;dence with the Minister of Spain, and of such other documents as may be necessary to give a full view of the subject. In the course which the Spanish Government hare, on this occasion, thought proper to pursue, if is satisfactory to know that they have not been CoorUetianced by - any other European power. On the e•ottrary, the opinion and wishes, both of France and Great Britain have not been withheld, either from the United States or from Spain ; and have been unequivocal in favour of the ratification. There is also reason to believe, that the senti ments of the Imperial Government of Russia have been the same, and that they have also been made known to the Cabinet of Madrid. In the civil war existing between Spain and the Spanish Pcovinces in this hemisphere, the great est care has been taken to enforce the laws in tended to preserve an impartial neutrality. Our , ports have continued to be equally open to both parties, and on the same conditions ; and our ci tizens have been equally restrained from interfer ing in favour of either to the prejudice of the other. The progress of the war, however, has operated manifestly in favour of the Co lonies. Buenos Ayres still maintains unshaken the independence which it declared in 1816, end has enjoyed since 1810. Like success has also lately attended Chili, and the provinces north of the La Plata, bordering on it, and likewise Venezuela. This contest has from its commencement. been very interesting to o th er Powers, and to none more so than to the United States. A virtuous people may, and will confine themselves within the limits of a strict neutrality ; but it is not in their power to behold a conflict so vitally important to their neighbours, without the sensibility and sym pathy which naturally belong to such a ease. It has ' been the steady purpose of thin Government to prevent that feeling leading to excess, and it is very gratitYing to have it in my power to state, , that so strong has been the sense throughout the whole community of what was due to the cha racter and obligations of the nation, that few examples of a contrary kind have occurred. The distance of the colonies lions the parent country, and the great extent of their population and resources, gave them advantages which it was anticipated at a very early period, it would be dif ficult for Spain to surmount. The steadiness, consistency, and success, with which they have pursued their object, as evinced more particularly by the undisturbed sovereignty which Buenos Ayres has so long enjoyed, evidently give them a strong claim to the favourable consideration of other nations. These sentiments, on the part of the United States, have not been withheld from other powers, with whom it is desirable to act in concert. Should it become manifest to the world that the efforts of Spain to subdue those provinces will be truitless, it may be pre sumed that the Spanish Government itself kvill give op the contest. 10 producing such a deter ruination, it cannot be doubted that the tiPinii)" of friet,dly Powrrs, who have taken no part to the controVerby, will have their mutated in fluence. It as of the highest importance to our uational character._ and indispensable to the morality of our citizens, that all viola ti o ns o f our neutrality, should be preven ted. No door should be lett openaff(f,or(rieldhetra:lsy tcli . iono„f c nsiti ay be lastrs ; di 110 opportuni ty3posed to take advantage of it, to compromise the interest or honour of the nation. It is submitted, therefore, to the consideration of Cong re s s, w he t her it may not be advisable to revise the laws, with a view to !his desirable result. It is submitted, also, whether it may not be oper to designate, by law, the several ports or places along the coast, at which, only, foreign ships of war and pi ivateers may be admitted,—. The difficulty of sustaining the regulations of our commerce, and of other important interests front abuse, without such designation, furnishes a strong motive for this measure. At the time of the negociation for the re newal of the commercial Convention between he United States and GreatlSritsin, a hope lied been entertained that an article might have been agreed upon , mutuall y sati sfactory to both conntties, regoatiog, upon principles of ,jus tice and reciprocity, the commercial intercourse between the United States and the British posses. ' sions, as well the West Indies, as upon the Continent of North America. The Plenipotentiaries of the two Governments not having h eel} a bl e to come to an agreement on ibis litiport ant interest, those of the United States reserved for the conside ration of this Government the proposa!s which had been presented to them, as the ultimate offer oft the part of the British Government, and which they were - not authorised to accept. On their transmission bete, they were examined with due deliberation, the result of which was a new effort to meet the views of the British Go. verntnent. The Minister of the United State* was instructtri to make a further pi oposal, which has not been accepted. It was, ever, declined in an amicable manner. 1 re• commend to the consideration of Congress, whe- cher further prohibitory provisions in the laws relating to this intercourse, may not be expedient. It is seen interest, that although it has not been practi,:able, as yet, to agree in any arrange ment of this important branch of their commerce, liich is the disposition of the pArties, that each will view any regulations which the °flier may make respecting it, in the most friendly By the fifth article of the Conventinn, conclud. ed on the 20tii of October, 181.8, it was stipu ;ated, that the differences whist; had arisen be.. tween the two Governments, with respect to the ;roe intent and tneaning of the fifth article of the Treaty of Ghent, iu relation to the carrying away by fit itish Officers of slaves from the United States, alter the exchange of thr ratifications of the Treaty of Peace, should be reierred to the de cision of some friendly Sovereign or State, to be named for that purpose. The Minister of the United States has b,en instructed to name to tine British Government a foreign Sovereign, the common friend to both parties, for the decision of lists question. The answer of that Government to the proposal, when received, wall iirdicate the further measures to'be pursued on the part of this United States. Islthough the pecuniary embarrassments which affected various parts of the Union, during the latter part of the pre. ceding year, have, during the present, been considerably augmented, and still continue to exist, the receipts in this 'Treasu•ry, to the 30th of September last, have amounted to 19,000,000 dollars. After defraying the current expellees of the Governmebt, including the interest and reimbursement of the Public Debt, payable to that period, amounting to 18,200,000 dollars, there remai-ned in the Treasury, on that day, mote than 2,500,000 dollars, which, with the sums receiv able during the remainder of the year, will exceed the,cur rent demands upon the Treasury for the same period. The causes which have tended to diminish the Public Re ceipts could not fail to have a corresponding effect upon the Revenue which has accrued upon imposts and tonnage, dur ing the three first quarters of the present year; it is, how ever, ascertained that the duties which have been secured during that period, exceed 18,000,000 dollars, and those of the whole year will probably amount to 23,000,000 dollars. For the probable receipts of the next year, I refer you to the statements whieh will be transmitted front time Treasury, which will enable you to judge whether further provision be necessary. The great reduction in the price of the principal articles of domestic growth, which has occurred during the present rear, and the consequent fall in the price of labour, apparently** favourable to the success of domestic manufactures, have Hitt shielded them against other causes adverse to their prosperity. The pecuniary embarrassments which have so deeply affectel the commercial interests of the nation, have been no less ad verse to our manufacturing establishypents in several sec tions of the Union. The great reduction of the currency, which the banks bare been constrained to mate, in only( to continue specie payments, and the vitiated character of it where such reductions have not been attempted, instead of placing within the reach of these establishments thepecuniary aid necessary to avail themselves of the advantages resitit ing from the reduction of the prices of the raw materials, and of labour, hart compelled the banks to withdraw from them a portion of the capital heretofore advanced to them. That aid which has been refused by the banks, has not been ob tained from other sources, owing to the loss of individual confidence, from the failures which have recently occurred in some of our principal commercial cities. An additional cause of the depression of these establish ments may probably be found in the pecuniary embarrass ments which have recently affected those countries with wilich our commerce has been principally prosecuted. Their 'Manufactures, for the want of a ready or profitable market at home, have been shipped by the Munufacturers to the United States, and, in many instances, sold at a price be low their currenvalue at the place of manufacture. Al though this practice may, from its nature, be considered tem porary, or contingent, it is riot on that account less injurious in its effects. Uniformity in the demand and price of an ar ticle, is highly desirable to the domestic manufacturer. It is deemed of great importance to give encouragement to one Domestic Manufactures. In what manner the evils ad verted to' may be remedied, arid how ftr it may be practi cable in other respects to afford •to them further encourage ment, paying due reard to all the other great interests of the Nation, is submitted to the wiFdoto of Congress. The sum!) , of the coast, for the establishment of lot tiEca- tinny, is now nearly completed, arid considerable progress ha 4 been made in the collection of inaterla!s for the constructio of fortifications in the Cr4;lpli of 3yiexico, and in tlic Otto-