The National Register.
London, England, 1809-06-25 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER;

made to the considerations which press on the justice of the
lF'rench government a revocation of its decrees, or such a modi-
tication of them as they shall cease to violate the neutral corn-
Jnerce of the United States. The revision of our commercial
laws, proper to adapt them to the arrangement which has
taken place with Great Britain, will doubtless engage the earls
attention of Congress. It will he worthy, at the same time, of
theirjust and provident care, to make such further alterations
in the laws as will more especially protect and foster the several
branches of manufacture which have been recently instituted or
extended by the laudable exertions of our citizens. It will rest
with the justice of Congress to decide how far the change in our
external prospects may authorise any modifications of the laws
relating to the army and navy establishments. The works of de-
fence for our sea-port towns and harbours have proceeded with
as.initch activity as the season of the year and other circum-
stances would admit. it is necessary, however, to state that the
appropriation hitherto made being found to be deficient, a fur-.
titer provision will claim the early consideration of Congress.—
The w hole of the eight per cent. stock remaining due by the
Unttud States, amounting to 5,300,000 dollars, had been reim
bursed on the last day of the year 1808; amfon the Ist day of
April last, the sum in the treasury exceeded nine apd a half mil-
lions of dollars. This, together with the receipts of the current
year, on account of former revenue bonds,. Will' probably be
nearly, if not altogether sufficient, to defray the'vapences of the
year. But the suspension of exports, and the consequent de-
crease of in) portatiop, duriug the last twelve months, will neces-
sarily cause a great diminution ia the receipts of the year 1310.
After that year, should our foreign relations be undisturbed, the
revenge will again be more than commensurate to all the expen
d i tures. Under the existing aspect of our affairs, I have thought
it -tot inconsistent with a just precaution, to have the gun boats,
with the exceptiou of those at New Orleans, placed id a si-
tuation incurring no expense beyond that requisite for tlleir
preservation and convenience for future service, and to have
the crews of those at New Orleans reduced to the num-
ber required for their navigation and safety. I have thought
also, that our citizens detached in quotas of militia, amounting
to 100,000, under the Act of March, 1808,•naight not improperly
be relieved from the state in which they were held for immediate
service. A discharge of them has been accordingly directed.
The progress made in raising and organizing the additional mili-
tary force,
.for which provision was made by the Act of April,
1808, together with the disposition of the troops, will appear by
a report which the Secretary of War is preparing,-and which
will be laid before you, Pf the additional frigates required by
an Act of the last Session to be fitted for actual service, two are
in readiness, one nearly so, and the fourth is expected to be
ready in the roonth of dilly. A Report, which the Secretary of
the Navy is preparing on the subject, to be laid before Congress,
will chew, at the same time, the progress made in officering and
manning these ships, It will skew also the degree in which the
provisions of the Act relating to the other public armed vessels
have been carried into effect. Aware of the inconvenience of a
protracted Session at the present season of the year, I forbear to
call the attention of the legislature to any matters not particu-
larly urgent. It remains therefore only to assure you of the
fidelity and alacrity with wh .11 I shall co-operate for the wel-
fare and happiness of our country, and to pray that it may ex-
perience a continuance of the Divine blessings by which it has
been so finally favoured.
(Signed) Janus M4DISON."