The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-01-08 00:00:00

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it Is evident that Spain, as a power, is scarcely felt in it. These
new States had completely achieved their independence before it
was acknowledged by the United States, and they have since main-
tained it, with little foreign pressure. The disturbances which
have appeared in certain portions of that vast territory, have pro-
ceeded from internal causes, which had their origin in their former
Governments, and have not yet been thoroughly removed. It is
manifest that these causes are daily losing their effect, and that
these new States arc settling down under Governments elective and
representative, in every branch similar to our own. In this course
we ardently wish than to persevere, under the firm conviction that
it will promote their happiness. In this, their career, however, we
have not interfered, believing that every people have a right to in-
stitute for themselves the Government shit-ft-in their judgment may
suit them best. One example is before them, of the good effect of
which, being our neighbours, they are competent judges, and to
their judgment we leave it, in thcexirctation that other Powers will
pursue the same policy. The deep interest which we take in their
independence, which we have acknowledged. and in their enjoy-
ment
of 'all the rights incident thereto, especially in the very int-
portant one of instituting their own Governments, has been declared,
and is known to the world. Separated as we are from Europe by
the great Atlantic Ocean, we can have no concern in the wars of
the European Governments, nor in the causes which produce
them. The balance of power between them, into whichever scale
it may turn in its various vibrations, cannot affect us. It is the
interest of the United States to preserve rite most friendly relations
with every Power, and on conditions fair, equal, and applicable to
all. But in regard to our neighbours, our situation is different.
It is Impossible for the European Governments to interfere in their
concerns, especially in those alluded to, which are vital, without
affecting us • indeed, the motive which might induce such inter-
ference In the present state of the war between the parties, if a war
it may be called, would appear to be equally applicable to us. It
is gratifying to know that some of the Powers with whom we en-
joy a very friendly intercourse, and to whom these views have been
communicated, have appeared to acquiesce in them.
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The augmention of oar population, with the expansion of our I ,
Union, and increased number of States, have produced effects in
certain branches of our system, which merit the attention of Con-
garee Some of out anangenients, and particularly the judiciary
establishment, wee. made with a view to the original thirteen i
States only. Since then the United States have acquired a vast
,Ltixtent of territory ; eleven new States have been admitted into the
Ififfnion, and territories have been laid oft' for three others, which
'will likewise be admitted at no distant day. An organization of
the Supreme Court, which assigns to the judges any portion of the
duties which belong to the inferior, requiring their passage over so
vast a space, under any distribution of the States that may now
he mule, if not imdracticable in the execution, must render it im.
possible for them to discharge the duties of either branch, with ad-
vantage to the Union. The duties of the Supreme Count would be
of great importance, if its decisions were confined to the ordinary
limits of other tribunals ; but when it is considered that this Court
decides, and in the last resort, on all the great questions, which
arise under our constitution, involving those between the United
States individually, between the States and the United States, and
between the latter and foreign powers, too high an estimate of their
importance cannot be formed. The great Interests of the nation
seem to require that the Judges of the Supreme Court shoukt be
exempted from every other duty than those which are incident to
that high trust. The organization of the inferior Courts would, of
course, be adapted to circumsfancas. It is presumed that such
a one might be formed as would secure an able and faithful
discharge of their duties, and without any material augmentation
of expense.
The condition of the aborigines within our limits, and especially
those who are within the limits of any of the States, merits like-
wise particular attention. Experience has shown that, unless the
tribes be civilized, they can never be incorporated into our system,
in any form whatever. It has likewise shown that, in the regular
augmentation of our population, with the extension of our settle.
meats, their situation will become deplorable, if their extinction is
not menaced. Some well-digested plan, which will rescue them
from such calamities, is due to their rights, to the rights of hu.
toanity, and to the honour of the nation. Their civilization is in-
dispensable to their safety, and this can be accomplished only by
degrees. The process must commence with the infant state, through
whom some cifct may be wrought on the parental. Difficulties of
the most serious character present themselves to the attainment of
this very desirable result. on the territory on which they now re-
side. To rtmove them from it by force, even with a view to their
own security and happiness. would be revolting to humanity and
utterly unjustifiable. Between the limits of our present States and
territories, and the Rocky Mountain and Mexico, there is a vast
territory to which they might be invited, with inducements that
might be successful. It is thought that if that territory should be
divided into districts, by previous agreement with the tribes now
residing there, and civil governments be established in each, with
schools for every branch of instruction in literature and the arts of
civilized life, that all the tribes now within our limits might gra-
dually be drawn thither. The execution of this plan would neces.
Rarity be attended with expense, and that not inconsiderable, but it
is doubted whether any other can be devises! which would be less
liable to objection, or more likely to succeed.
lo looking to the interests which the United States have on the
Pacific Ocean, and on the western coast of this continent, the pro-
priety of establishing a military post at the mouth of Colombia
river, or at some other point in that quarter, within our acknow-
ledged lintita, is submitted to the consideration of Congress. Our
commerce and fisheries on that sea anti along the coast have much
Increased, and are incteuing. It is thought that a military post,
to which our ships of war might resort, would afford protection to
every interest, and have a tendency to conciliate the tribes to the
torth-west;with whom our trade is extensive. It is thought also,
that by the establishment of such a post, the Intercourse between
our western states and territories and the Pacific, and our trade with.
the tribes residing in the Interior, on each side of the Rocky Moun-
tain, would be essentially promoted. To carry this object into
elect, the appropriation of an adequate sum to authorise the em.
ployment of a frigate, with an officer of the corps of Engineers, to
explore the mouth of Colombia rivet, and the coast contiguous
thereto, to enable the Executive to make such establishment at the
most suitable point, is recommended to Congress.
It is thought that attention is also due to the improvement of this
city. The communication between the public buildings, and in
various other parts, and the grounds around those buildings, require
it. It is presumed, also, that the completion of the canal from the
Tiber to the Eastern Branch. would have a very salutary effect.
(heat exertions have been made, and expenses incurred by the
citizens, in improvements of various kinds; but those which are
suggested belong exclusively to the Government, or are of a nature
to require expenditures beyond their resources. The public lots
which are still for sale would, it is not doubted, be more than
adequate to these purposes.
From the view above presented. it is manifest that the situation
of the United States is in the highest degree prosperous and happy.
There is no object which as a people we can ti-sire which we do not
possess, or which is not within our reach. Blessed with govern-
ments the happiest that the world ever knew, with no distinct
orders in society, or divided interests in any portion of the vast ter-
ritory over which their dominion extends, we have every motive to
cling together which can animate a virtuous and enlightened people.
The great object is to preserve those blessings, and to hand them
doen to our latest posterity. Our experience ought to satisfy us
that our progress, under the most correct and provident policy, will
not be exempt from danger. Our institutions form an important
epoch in the history of the civilized world. On their preservation,
and in their utmost purity, every thing will depend. Extending,
as our interests do, to every part of the inhabited globe, and to
every sea, to which our citizens are carried by their industry and
enterprise, to which they are invited by the wants of others and
have a right to go, we must either protect them, in the enjoyment
of their rightly or abandon them in certain events to west and deso.
lotion. Our attitude is highly interesting, as it relates to other
Powers, and particularly to our Southern neighbours. We hare
duties to perform with respect to all, to which we must be faithful.
To every kind of danger we should pay the most vigilant and un-
ceasing attention ; remove the cause where it may be practicable,
and be prepared to meet it when inevitable.

. .
Against foreign danger the policy of the Government stems to
be already settled. The events of the late war admonished us to
Make our maritime frontier impregnable, by a sell-tligeateil chain
of fortifications, and to give efficient protection to our commerce
by augmenting our Navy to a certain extent, which has been stea-
dily permed, and which it is incumbent upon us to complete as
soon as circumstances will permit. In the event of a war, it is on
the maritime frontler that we shaft be assailed. It is is that
quarter, therefore, that we should be prepared to meet the
attack. It is there that our whole force will be called into
action to prevent the destruction of our towns, and the dew.
lotion and pillage of the interior. To give full effect to this
poliky, great improvements will be indispensable. Access
to those works by every practicable communication, should be
made easy, and in every direction. The intercourse also between
every part of our Union, should he promoted and facilitated by
the exercise of those powers which may comport with a faithful
regard to the great principles of our Constitution. With re-
spect to internal causes, those great principles point nut, with
equal certainty, the policy to be pursued. Rating on the peo-
ple, as our Governments do, State and National, with well
defined powers, it is of the highest importance that they
severally keep within the limits prescribed to then,. Fulfilling that
sacred duty, it is of equal importance that the movement between
them be harmonious, and, in ease of any disagreement, ahould snch
eves occur, a calm appeal be made to the people, and that their
voice be heard and promptly obeyed. But Governments being in-
stituted for the common good, we cannot fail to prosper, while those
who made them are attentive to the conduct of their representative'',
and controul their measures. In the pursuit of these great objects,
let ''generous spirit and national views and feelings be indulged,
and let every part recollect that, by cherishing that spirit. and im-
proving the condition of the others, in what relates to their waste,
the general interest will not only be promoted, but the local ad-
vantages be reciprocated by all.
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I cannot conclude this communication, the last of the kind which
I shall have to make, without recollecting with great sensisility
and heart-felt gratitude, the many instances of the public confi.
dente, and the generous support which I have received from my
fellow.citisens, in the various trusts with which I have been ha
homed. Having commenced my service in early youth, and con.
tinued it sine, with few and short intervals, 1 have witnesaed the
great difficulties to which our Union tuts been exposed, and ad.
mired the virtue and courage with which they were surmounted.
From the present prosperous and happy state I derive a gra.
titication which I cannot exprtnes That these blessing may be
preserved and perpetuated, will be ►he object of my fervent and
unceasing prayers to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe.
Washington, Der. 7, 1824.

JAMES MONROE.

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