The National Register.
London, England, 1818-01-11 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL ItEGL,,TER.

AMERICA.

PRESIDENDS ME.4.4AGE TO CONGRESS.

On the 2d of December, the President transmitted
a ruesvage to both houses of Congress, which, like all
the other American State Papers, is of great length,
and infinitely more augmentative than similar produc-
tions of the Old World. This State Paper divides itself
into two branches A view of the Foreist'm relations
of the United States. 2. Of their domestic eireumstasices.
In the preamble the President takes u rapid viow of
the internal prosperity of the Republic.
"At no period of our political existence (says he) had
we so much cause to felicitate ourselves at the prosper-
ous and happy condition of our'countrv. The abun-
dant fruits of the earth have filled it with plenty. An
extensive and profitable commerce has greatly augmetaed
our revenue. The public credit has attained an ex-
traordinary elevation. Our preparations for defence, in
case of future wars, from Which, by the-experience of
all nations, we ought not to expect to be exempted, arc
advancing under a well digested system, with all the
despatch which so important a work will admit, Our
free Government, 'blinded on the interest and of
of the people, has gained, and is daily gaining, strength.
Local jealousies are rapidlY yielding to inure generous,
enlarged, and enlightened views of 'national policy
For advantages so numerous and highly important, it is
our duty to unite in grateful acknowledgements to that '
Omnipotent Being front whom they are derived, and in
unceasing prayer that he will endow us with virtue
and strength to maintain anti hand them down in their
utmost purity to our latest posterity."
Front these topics he immediately turns to Great
Britain, as if she were connected with them all. He
states, that by common agreement, after some negocia-
tion, the British and American naval armament on the
Lakes was to be reduced—on Lake Champlain to a
single vessel—on Lake Ontario to one—Lakes Erie and
the upper Lakes to two—to be armed with one cannon
only : and that all the other vessels, of which exact lists
were to be interchanged, should be forthwith dismantled.
The force kept up was to be applied exclusively to in-
ternal purposes: and the arrangement to stand good
until six months* notice on either side of a wish to dis-
solve it should have expired.
On the disputes lately existing between this country
and America, he says :
" I have the satisfaction also to state, that the Com-
missioners, under the fourth article of the treaty of
Ghent, to whom it was referred to decide, to which
party the several islands in the bay of Passamaquoddy
belonged, under the treaty of 1783, have agreed in a
report, by which all the islands in the possession of
each party befoie the lute war have been decreed to i . The
Commissioners acting under the other article of the
treaty of Ghent, for the settlement of the boundaries,
have also been engaged in the discharge of their re-
spective duties, but have not yet completed them.—
The difference which arose between the two Govern-
ments undet that treaty, respecting the right of the
United States to take and cure fish on the coast of the
British provinces north of our limits, which had been
secured by the treaty of 1783, is still in negociation.—
The proposition made by this Government, to extend
to the colonies of Great Britain the principle of the
convention of London, by which the commerce between
the ports of the United States and British ports in
rairupe had been placed on a footing of equality, has
been declined by the British Government. This sub-
ject having been thus amicably discussed between the
two Governments, and it appearing that the British
Government is unwilling to depart from its present
regulations, it remains for Congress to decide whether
they will make any other regulations, in consequence
thereof, for the protection and improvement of our navi-
gation."
The negotiations with the Court of Madrid are
spoken of in a less measured strain. They do not
seem to prosper. The alleged crimes of the Spaniards
against American commerce have never been redressed;
and Spain is aocused of studiously spinning oat the
diplomatic intercourse upon the matters under discus-
sion. Having spoken of the strict neutrality hitherto
observed by the United :'totes towards the contending
parties in Smith America,. he alludes to hostile acts of
privateers sailiug under the patriot flag, he states, that
to " obtain correct information on every subject in
which the United States are interested ; to inspire just
sentiments, in all persona in authority, on either side,
ot'our friendly disposition, so iisr as it may compert with
an impartial neutrality ; and to secure proper respect
to our commerce in every port, and from every flag, it
has been thought proper to send a ship of war, with
three distinguished citizens, ahmg the southern coast,
with instruction to touch at such ports as they may
find most expedient for these purposes. With Lite ex-
isting authorities, with those in the possession of, and
exercising the sovereigcity, must the communication be
held ; from them alone can redress far past injuries,
committed by persons acting under them, be obtained: by
them alone can the commission of the like in future be
prevented"
Amelia Island is claimed as belonging to the United
States by geographical poaitiou ; sad Cialvestown, on

the Gulph of Mexico, is contended for as American
ground, by virtue of the Kirgain tbr Lousiana, Smug.
glint;, and. various descriptions of irregularity in the
unauthorised captors of these two posts, are added as
a collateral justification of the order: which have been
issued to seize them on the part of the North American
Government. The relations with Europe remain un.
changed ; and peace has been preserved with the states
of Barbary, and with the Indians. Thus ends that
portion of the message with which foreigners are os-
tensibly and directly concerned.
It then passes to a view of the financial concerns of
the country, which, we must confess is favourable
enough to excite something like envy in the breasts of
the inhabitants of the old world ; it alludes to the pur-
chases of land lately made from the Indians, and dwells
with a confident hope on the advantages likely to re.
suit from the measure, by a giving greater degree of sc•
curity to their frontier. The President next adverts
to the great advantages whicF. arc to be derived to
commerce from the making of good roads and canals,
but at the same time gives it as his opinion, that, by
the constitution, Congress has no power to establish
such a system f improvement : he, however, recom-
mends to the Stats, the adoption of an amendment to
the constitution which shall give to congress, the right
in question.
On the progress of their Insnufactures and public
public buildings the Meesage has little to boast: it
considers the time is arrived, when something decisive
should be done towards completing the desert city of
Washington. It recommends the surviving officers and
soldiers of the revolutionary war to the protection of
the country, and concludes with the following para-
graph, which must be highly consoling to the feelings
of the inhabitants of the United States:—

" It appearing in a satisfactory manner that the
revenue arising from imports and tonnage, and from the
sale of the public lands, will be fully atlegnate to the
support of the civil government; of the present military
and naval establishments, including the annual
au•,mtentation of the latter, to the extent provided fur,
to the payment of the interests on the public debt, and
to the extinguishment of it at the times authorised,
without the aid of internal taxes; I consider it my
duty to recommend to Congress their repeal. To ims
pose taxes, when the public exigencies require them, is
an obligation of the most sacred character, especial),
with a free people. The faithful fulfilment of it is
amon:r the highest proofs of their virtue, and capacity
for self-government. To dispense with taxes, when it
may be done with perfect safety, is equally the duty of
their representatives. In this instance we have the
satisfaction to know that they were imposed when the
demand was imperious, and have been sustained with
evemplary fidelity. I have to add, that, however gra-
tifying it may be to me, regarding the prosperous and
happy condition of our country, to recommend
the repeal of these taxes at this time, I 'shall
nevertheless be attentive to events, and should any fu-
ture iminergency occur, be not less prompt to suggest
such measures and burdens as may then be requisite
and proper.'
In addition to the message we have received the pro..
ceedings of the House of Representatives on the 3cl ult.
on which day Mr. Clay brought figwanl the case of the
British officers immured in prison at Philadelphia ; by
what appears pretty clearly from the speeches delivered
on the occasion, to have been a stretch of power, rather
than an enforcement of law. Mr. Clay was followed
by Mr. Serjeant, who confirmed his statement in all its
parts. Both these members bore testimony to the cor..
rect deportment of our unfortunate countrymen, and
both were restrained by a mere sense of decency from
giving expression to their sentiments respecting the
conduct of Judge Washington. Mr. Clay's amend-
ment which went to ihquire into the law of the case
was carried without opposit►on.

There are occasionally in the American papers adver.•
tisemenis, offering rewards for the apprehension of run-
away slaves, marked. with letters imprinted bya.red4tut
iron on the shoulders, breasts, or cheeks ; but of all the
instances -f abominable cruelty and injustice, perpetrated
" as the law directs," the following is, perhaps, the most
striking:—A poor fellow wh, declares that he is a free-
man, is seized and cast into prison by nobody knows
who ; the owner, " if any," is desired to release him ;
but if he has no owner, that is, if he be what he de-
clam himself, a free man, he will be sold to defray the
expense of his imprisonment
Nocke.—waseammitpd to the gaol of Frederick county, Mary.
land. the 29th of September last, as a run-away, u mulatto man who
calls himself William, five feet ten inches high; had on when corn-
mined, an old blue cloth coat, striped limey vest, tow-linen panta-
loons and !.hirt, fur hat about half worn; he is about 39.yclus
says he is free. that he was nutnumitted by Phillip I .ove, Reistar.
town, Baltimore county. The owner (if any), is desirous to release
him, otherwiv lu• »is be Add,* his insprisonmastrees,,,, ght. law di-
rec:a."—(,Cgaed. &c.)
An ordinance has been passed in the city of Savannah,
br which any one who teaches a man of' colour, either
a slave or free, to read or write, or causes such person
to be so taught, is subjected to u line of 30 dollars for
each offence ; and every person of colour who shall keep
a school to teach reading or writing, is subject to a tine
of 30 dollars, or he imprisoned ten days, and whipped
39 lashes. Behold the enlightened policy of the free
people of A.nierica!