The Sun.
London, England, 1830-01-07 00:00:00

SECOND EDITION

PRESIDENT JACKSON'S MESSAGE

The New President of the United State:
(GENERAL .JACKSON,) sent the following
MESSAGE to the Congress on the 7th of
December :

Fellow Citizens of tile Senate, and Housv of Represen•

tatives,
It affm de rae pleasure to tender my friendly greetings to
you on the occasion of your assembling- at the seat of Go-
vernment, to enter upon the important duties to which
you have been called by the voice of our countrymen. Thy
task devolves on me, under a provision of the Constitution,
to present to you, as the Federal Legis'ature of Twrnty.
four Sovereign States, and twelve millions of happy peoph
a view of our affairs ; and to propose such measures as, in
the discharge of my official functions, have suggested them-
selves as necessary to promote the objects of our union.
In communicating with you for the first time, it is, to
me, a source of unfeigned satisfaction, calling for mutual
gratulation and devout thanks to a benign Providence,tha•
we are at peace with all mankind, and that our country
exhibits the most cheering evidence of general welfare and
progressive improvement. Turning our eyes to other
nations, our great desire is to see our brethren of the hu-
man race secured in the blessings enjoyed by ourselves,
and advancing in knowledge, in freedom, and in social
happiness.

Our foreign relations, although in their general charac-
ter pacific and friendly, present subjects of difference be-
tween us and other Powerss of deep interest, as well to
the Country at large as to many of our citizens. To effect
an adjuatment of these shall continue to be the object of
any earnest endeavours, and notwithstanding the ties of the task, I do not allow myself to apprehend.unfa-
vousable results. Blessed as our country is with every
thing which constitutes national strength, she is fully wle•
(plate to the maintenance of all her interests. In dis
charging the- responsible trnst confided to the Executive in
this respect, it is my settled purpose to ask nothing that
is not clearly right, and to submit to nothing that is wrong; and I flatter myself that, supported by the other
branches of the Government, and by the intelligence and
patriutistm of the people, we shall be able, under the pro-
tection of Providence, to cause all our just rights to he
respected.

Of the unsettled matters hst,.vean the United States and
other Powers, the most prominent are those which have
for years been the subject of negociation with England,
France, and Spain. The late periods at which our Mi-
nisters to those Governments left the United States, ren-
der it impoesible, at this early day, to inform you of what
has been done on the subjects with which they have been
reapectividy chaeged. Relying upon the justice of our
views in relation ao the points coinmiitted to negociation,
and the reciprocal good feeling which characterizes our
intercourse with those nation, we have the best reason to
hope for a satisfactory adjustment of existing differences.
With Great Britain, alike distinguished in peace and
War, we may look fooward to years of peaceful, honour.
able, andand his elevated compnti
d orns. Every thing in the con-
on tory of the twonations is calculated to inspire
sentiments of mutual respect and to carry conviction to
the minds of both, that it is their policiey to preserve the
most cordial relations. Subh are my own views, and it
is not to be doubted that such are also the prevailing senti-
ments of our constituents. Although neither time nor oppor-
tunity has been afforded for a full developement of the policy
Which the present Cabinet of Great Britaid designs to pur-
sue towards this country, I indulge the hope that it will
be of a just and pacific character ; and if this anticipa-
tion be realized, we may look with confidence to a speedy
and acceptable adjustment of our affairs.
Under the Convention for regulating the reference to
arbitration of the disputed points of boundary under the
fifth article of the Treaty of Ghent, the proceedings have
hitherto been conducted in that spirit of candour and
liberality which ought ever to characterize the acts of So-
vereign States, seeking to adjust, by the most unex-
ceptionable means, important and delicate subjects of
contention. The first statements of the parties have
been exchanged, and the final replication, on our
jpart, is in a course of preparation. This sub-
ect has received the attention demanded by its great
and peculiar:. importance to a patriotic Member of
the Co,.federacy. The exposition of our rights, al-
re• dy made, is such, as, from the high reputation of
the Commissioners by whom it has been preparod, we had
a right to expect. - Our interest at the Court of the So-
vereign who has evinced his friendly disposition, by assum-
ing the delicate task of arbitration, have been committed
to a citizen of the State of Maine, whose character,
talents, and intimate acquaintance with the subject, emi-
nently qualified him for so responsible a trust. With full
confidence in. the jnstice of our cause, and in the probity,
intelligence, and uncompromising independence of the
illustrious arbitrator, we can have nothing to apprehend
from the result.

Froin Fratiee, our ancient all, we have a right to expect
that justice which becomes the Sovereign of a powerful,
intelligent, and magnanimous people. The beneficial effects produced by the commercial convention of 122.: limited as are its provisions, are too obvious not to make a
*salutary impression upon the minds of those who are
charged with the administration of her Government.
Should this' result induce a disposition to embrace to their
full extent the wholesome principles which constitute our
commercial policy, our Minister to that Court will be
' found instructed to cherish a disposition, and to aid in
conducting • it to useful practical conclusions. The
claims. of ptir citizens for depredations upon their pro-
perty, long since committed under the authority, and,
---- in
many instances, by the express direction, of the
, • then existing Government of Fronce, remain unsat-
, unsatisfied ; and must, therefore, continue to furnish a
subject of unpleasant discussion, and possible collision, be-
, tween the two Governments. I cherish, however, a lively
hope, founded as well on the Nit of those claims and
the established policy of all vaenlightenedi Governments, as
, on the known integrity of the French Monarch, that the
injurious delays of the past will find redress in the equity
of the delays of
Minister has been instructed to press
these demands on the French Government with all the
!arnestoess which is called for by their importance and
irrefutable justice; and in a pirit at tr evi the re-
spect which is due to the feelings ofth those ill
fromnce whom the
satisfaction is required.
Our Minister recently
authorize appointed to Spain has been
both d to assist in removing evils alike injurious to
fierecountries, either by concluding a Commercial Con-
ial ' by urging the Convention upon liberal and reciprocal terms, or
,
acceptance in the full extent, of the inutu-
aliolY beneficial provision', of our navigation acts. He has
bet% instructed to make a further appeal to the justice
t),,„,8: Pain, in behalf of our citizevs, for indemnity for
• sr""sti°rls upon our commerce, committed under her
oatbithority--an appeal which the pacific and liberal course
served on our part, and a due. confidence in the honour
01°FaitibeaitnGo.vernizient, authorized us to exdect will not be
vain.
. With other European Powers our intercourse is on the
torost friendly footing In Ru.sia, placed by her territo-
- 'll the rank
Htl limits, xtensive :population, and. great power, high
States have always
• found a of nations, the United
. ~
54,0
of 4titerakderatt friend. Although her recent int a-,
wh, Y awakened a lively sympathy for those
, ere ex,,,,,,....,
anticipate ,cv4 the desolations of war, we cannot but
cause or :'," the result will prove favourable to the
Pine ,-. c„Tlization, and to the progress of human hap-
LarB„; been'lle Treaty of Peace between these Powers
be ~Ife; ratified, we cannot be insensible to ;he great
, Btl;-"I to be derived to the commerce of the United
aft."' f"rn unlocking the navigation of the Black Sea—
e.." Plasage. into. which is secured to all merchant
tiv.'"6 bound to porta of Russia under a flag at peace with
, le Porte. This advantage, enjoyed upon conditions by
-thsat of the Powers of Europe,-'
has hitherto been withheld
filNl ns.--During the past Summer, an antecedent, but
etuevessful attempt to obtain it, was renewed, undercir-
. 41.0,"neea which promised the most favourable results.
atta°u2h these results have fortunately been thus in part
&eipe, further facilities to the enjoyment of this. new
itirA f.or the enterprise our citizens are, in my opinion,
. att,iat'ti!olintlY desirable toof ensure to them our most zealous
atocelc, trade with Austria, although of secondary import-
as t:,141 been gradually increasing, anti is now so extended
‘,,,,,cat",eserve the fostering care of the Government. A ne-
Po, I") commenced and nearly completed with thattd
by -"' by the late Administration, has been consummated
aillabTriert.ty of Amity, Navigation, and Rommerce, which
bli,C,lol before the Senate.
Ivith ~Pg the recess of Congress, our diplomatic relations
thin 4-?rtugal have been resumed. The poefculiar state of
• i0,,4 In that country caused a suspension the recogni-
`).PPOZ th,e Representative who presented himself, until an,
4
• 111,2144 Y was had to obtain from our official organ them Prol-"lttion regardine the actual, and, as far as practicable,
eentaßetietive condition-of the authority by which the rep.re-
-o
beias. `e in question was api, inte,l. This information
teceived, the application of the established rule of
Ct, -'.ertnnent in like cases, was no longer withheld.
4"erable :drawee have been made during the pre- i

'ent year, in the adjustment of claims of our citizens upon
)enmark fur spoliation.; but all that we have a right to
lemand from that Governmnt, in their behalf, has not
yet been conceded. From the liberal footing, however,
Ipon which the subject has, with the apprsbation of the
claimants, been placed by the Government, togeth, r with
he uniformly just and friendly disposition which bas been
..vinced by his Danish illaj,..sty, there is a reasonable
(round to hope that this single subject of difference will
Teedily be removed.
Our relations with the Barbary Powers continue, as
hey have long been, of the most favourable character.
l'he policy of keeping an adequate force in the Mediterra-
nean, as security for the continuance of this tranquillity,
rill be persevered in, as well as a similar one for the pro
section of our commerce and fisheries in the Pacific..
The southern Republics of our own hemisphere have not
et realized all the advantages for which they have been so
"mg struggling,. We trust, however, that the day is not
distant, when the restoration of peace and internal quiet,
wider permanent systems of governimitt, securing the li-
;erty, and promoting the happiness of the citizens, will
crown, with complete success, their long and arduous
,fforts in the cause of self government, and enable us to
'aloe them as friendly rivals in all that is truly great and
glorious.

The recent invasion of Mexico, and the effect thereby
~roduced upon her domestic policy, must have a controll-
ing influence upon the great question of South American
emancipation. We have seen the fell spirit of civil dis-
-ension rebuked, and perhaps for ever stifled in that
Republic, by the lore of independence. If it be true,
is appearances strongly indicate, that the spirit of
Independence is the master spirit, and if a corresp rid-
ing sentiment prevail i❑ the ether St .tes, this devotion to
liberty, cannot be without a proper effect upon the Coun-
cils of tlif mother country. Tha adoption, by Spain, of
a pacifieltolicy towards her former colonies—an event
eonsolisg to humanity, and a blessing to the world, in
which she herself cannot fail largely to participate—may
be most reasonably expected.
The claims of our citizens upon the South American
Governments, generally, are in a train of settlement,
while the principal part of those upon Brazil have been
adjusted, and a decree in council, entering bonds to be is-
sued by the Minister of the Treasury for their amount, has
received the sanction of-Iris Imperial Majesty. This event,
together with the exchange of the ratifications of the
Treaty negotiated and concluded in 182 S, happily termi-
nates all serious causes of difference with that Power.
Measures have been taken to place our commercial re-
lations with Peru upon a better footing than that upon
which they hitherto rested ; and if met by proper dispo-
sition on the part of that Government, important benefits
ens), be secured to both countries.
I/reply interested as we are in the prosperity of our sis-
ter Republics, and mere particularly in that of our imme-
diate neighbour, it would be most gratifying to me were I
permitted to sty that the treatment which we have re-
ceived at her hands oad been as universally as the early
and constant solicitude :manifested by the United States
for her success gave us a right to expect. But it becomes
my duty to inform you that prejudices, long indulged by a
portion of the inhabitants of Mexico against the Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United
States, have had an unfortunate influence upon the affairs
of the two countries, and have ditnintshed that usefulness
to his own which was justly to be expected from his ta-
lents and zeal. To this cause, in a great measure, is to be
imputed the failure of several ma eas ur es equally interesting
to both parties; but particularly of the Mexican Govern-
ment to ratify a Treaty, negocivted and concladi d in its
own capital and tinder its own eye. Under these circum-
stances, it appeared expedient to give to Mr. Poinsett the
option either to return or not, as, in his judgment, the in-
terest of his country might require, and instructions to
that end were prepared; but, before they could be
dis-
patched, a communication waa received from the Govern-
ment of Mexico, through it Charge d'Affaires here, re-
questing the recall of our Minister. This was promptly
complied with, and a Representative of a rank correspond-
ing with that of the Mexican Diplomatic. Agent near this
Government was appointed. Our conduct towards that
Republic hai ben uniformly of the most friendly charac-
ter; and haring thus removed the only alleged obstacle
to harmonious intercourse, I cannot but hope that an ad-
vantageous change will occur in our affairs.
IR justice to Mr. Poinsett, it is proper to say, that my
immediate compliance with the application for his recall,
and the appointment of a successor, are not to be ascribed
to any evidence that the imputation of an improper inter-
ference by him in the local politics of Mexico was well
founded ; nor to a want of confidence in his talents or in-
tegrity ; and to add, that the truth of that charge has
never been affirmed by the Federal Government of Mexico,
in its communications with this.
I consider it one of the most urgent of my duties to
bring to your attention the propriety of amending that part
of our Constitution which relates to the election of Pre-
sident and Vice-President. Our system of Government
was, by its framers, deemed an experiment ; and they,
therefore, consistently proilded a mode of remedying its
defects.

To the People belongs the right of electing their Chief
Magistrate ; it was never designed that their choice should
in any case be defeated, either by the intervention of elec-
toral colleges, or by the agency coskned under certain con-4
tingencies, to the House of Representatives. Experience
proves, that, in proportion as agents to execute the
the People are multiplied, their is danger in their wishees
being frustratedr Some may be unfaithful ; all lare iable

to err. So far, therefore, as the People can, with con-
venience, speak, it is safer for them to express their own
will.

The number of aspirants to the Presidency, and the
diversity of the interests which may influence their claims,
leave little reason to expect a choice in the first instance;
and in that event, the election must devolve on the House
of Representatives, where it is obvious the will of the
people may not be always ascertained, or if ascertained
may net be regarded.—Prom the mode of voting by States,
the choice is to be made by twenty.four votes ; and it
may often occur that one of these may be controuled by
an indivi,lual Representative. Honours and offices are
at the disposal of the successful candidate. Repdated
ballotings may make it apparent that a single indi-
vidual holds the cast in his own hand May he not
he tempted to name his reward? But even without
corruption—supposing the probity of the Representa-
tive to be proof against the powerful motives by
which he may be assailed— the will of the people is still
constantly liable to be misrepresented. One may err
from ignorance of the wishes of his constituents; ano-
ther, front a conviction that it is his duty to be governed
by his own judgment of the fitness of the candidates;
finally, although all were inflexibly honest—and accurately
informed of the wishes of their constituents—yet, under
the present mode of election, the minority may often elect
a President; and when this happens, it may reasonably
be expected that efforts will be made on the part of the '
majority, to rectify this injurious operation of their insti-
tutions. But although no evil of this character should
result from such a perversion of the first principle of our
system—that the majority is to govern—it must be very
certain that a President elected by a minority cannot en-
joy the confidence necessary to the successful dsscharge of
his duties.

In this, as in all other matters of public concern, policy
requires thit as few itnpeditnents as possible should exist
to the free operation of the public will, Let us, then, en-
deavour so to amend our system that the office of Chief
Magistrate may not be conferred upon any citizen but in
pursuance of a fair expression of the will of the majority.
I would therefore recommend such an amendment of
the Constitution as may remove all intermediate agency in
the election of President and Vice-President. The mode

may be so regulated as to preserve to each State its present
relative weight in the election ; and a failure in the first
. _ .

attempt may be provided for, by confining the second to a
choice between the two highest candidates. In connexion
with such an amendment, it would seem advisable to limit
the services of the Chief Magistrate to a single term, of
either four or six years. If, however, it should not be
adopted, it is worthy of consideration whether a provision
disqualifying for office the Representatives in Congress on
whom such an election may have devolved, would not be
proper.

While Members of Congress can be constitutionally ap-
pointed to offices of trust and profit, it will be the prac-
tice, even under the most conscientious adherence to duty,
to select them for such stations as they are believed to be
better qualified to fill than other citizens ; but the purity
of our Goverment would doubtless be promoted by their
exclusion from 01l appointments in the gift of the Presi-
dent, in whose election they may have been officially con-
cerned. The nature of the judicial office, and the neces-
sity of securing in the Cabinet and in diplomatic stations
of the highest rank, the best talents and political expe-
rience, should, perhaps, except there from the exclusion.
There are, perhaps, few men who can, for nny great
length of time, enjoy office and power, witimonut being or
logs under the feelings unfavourable to a faithful dis-
charge of their duties. Their integrity may be proof
against improper considerations immediately, ad-
dressed to 4hemseelves, but they nterests, and of
tolerating conduct from which anuninb a elinvibit
of looking with indifierence lupon the public
practised man would revolt. Office is considered at a
species of property; and Government, rather as a means

1-4* promoting individual interests th,n as an instrit-
ment created solely for the ic,d the pen:d.•
Corrupeion is some, and, in whet- A oerversion
mrreet feelings and principles, divert Government fro.
,ts legitimate ends, and make it an engine for the support
if the few at the expence of the trimly. The sititieA
in public officers are, or at least .inhnit of being made so
Alain and simple, that men of intelligenre may readih,
hemselves for their pet!ormance ; and I cannot but be-
:ieve that mere is lost by the long continuame of men it
office than is generally to be gained by their experience.
submit, therefore, to your consideration, whether the
-fficiency of the Government would not lie promoted, and
,ffieial industry and integrity better secured, by a general
•xtension of the law which limits the appointment to four
years.

In a country where officef are created solely for the
benefit of the People, no one man Ices any more intrinsic.
right to official station than another. Officers were not
c.stalilished to give support to particular men at the public
expense. No individual wrong is therefore done by re-
moval, since neither appointment to, nor continuance in
office, is matter el right. The incumbent became :an
ufft.•er with a view to public benefits; and when these re-
quire his removal, they are not to be sact Aced to private
interests. It is the people, and they alone, who have a
tight to complain when a bad officer is substituted for a
good one. lie who is removed has the same means of ob-
taining a living that are enjoyed by the milions who never
held office. The proposed limitation would destroy the
idea of property now so generally connected with official
station, and although individual distress may be sometimes
produced, it would, by promotiing that rotation which,
constituter a le ding principle in . the republican creed,
give healthful action to the system.
No very considerable-change has occurred, during the
recess of Congress, in the condition of either our agricul-
ture, commerce, or manufictures. The operation of *the.
Tariff has not proved so injurious to the two former, nor
as beneficial to the latter, as was anticipated. Importation,
of foreign goods have not been sensibly diminished; while
domestic competition, under an illusive excitement, has in.
creased the production much beyond the demand for home
consumption—the cons. qucnces have been low prices, tem-
porary embarrassment, and partial loss. That sucq of our
manufacturing establishments as are based upon capital,
and are prudently managed, will survive the shock, and be
ultimately profitable, there is no good reason to doubt.
To .regulate its conduct so as to promote equally the
prosperity of these three Cardinal interests, is one of the
most difficult tasks of Government ; and it may be re-
gretted that the complicated restrictions which now
embarrass the intercourse of nations, could not by com-
mon consent he abolished, and commerce allowed to flow
in those channels to which individual enterprise--always
its surest guide—mighs direct it. But we must ever ex-
pect selfish legislation in other nations, and are, there-
fore, compelled to adapt our own to their regulations, in
the marines best calculated to avoid serious injury, and to
harmonise the conflicting interests of our agriculture., our
commerce, and our manufactures.- Under these impres-
sions I invite your attention to the existing Tariff, believ-
ing that some of its provisions requite modification.
The general rule to be applied in graduating the duties
Upon articles of foreign growth or manufacture is, that
which will place our own in fair competition with those of
other countries: and the inducements to advance even a
step beyond this point, are controlling in regard to those
articles which are of primary necessity in time of war.
When we reflect upon the difficulty and delicacy of this
operation, it is important that it should never be attempt-
ed but with the utmost cautien. Frequent legislation ire
regard to any branch of industay, affecting its value,
and by which its capital may be tran►ferred to new chan-
nels, must always be productive of hazardous speculation
and loss.

In deliberating, therefore, on these interesting subjects,
local feelings and prejudices should be merged in the pa-
triotic determination to promote the great interests of the
whole. All attempts to connect them with the party,
conflicts of the day are necessarily injurious, and should
be discountenanced. Gur action upon them should be
under the controul of higher and purer motives. Legisla-
tion subjected to such influences can never be just, and
will not long retain the sanction of a people whose active
patriotism is not bounded by sectional limifs, nor insen-
sible to that spirit of concession and forbearance which
gave life to our political compact, and still sustains it.
Discarding all calculations of politioal ascendancy, the
North, the South, the East and the West, skould unite in
diminishing any burthen of which either may justly coin-

The agricultural interest of our country is so essentially
connected with every other, and so superior in importance
lance to them all, that it it is scarcely necessary to invite
to it your particular attention. It is principally as manu-
factures and commerce tend to increase the value of agri-
cultural productions, and to extend their application to
the wants and comforts of society, that they deserve the
fostering care of Goaernment.
Looking forward to the period, not far distant, when a
sinking fund will no longer be required, the duties on
those articles of importation which cannot come in com-
petition with our own productions, are the first that should
engage the attention of the Congress in the modification of
theVariff. Of these, tea and coffee are the most promi-
,iteqk they enter largely into the consumption of the coun-
try, and have become articles of necessity to all classes. A
reduction, therefore, of the existing duties, will be felt as a
4ommon benefit; but like all other legislation connected
with commerce, to be efficacious, and not injurious, it
should be gradual and certain.

The public prosperity is evinced in the increased reve-
nue arising from the sales of the public lands, and in the
steady maintenance of that produced by imposts and ton-
nage, notwithstanding the additional duties imposed by the
Act of 19th of May, 1828, and the unusual importations
in the early part of that year.

The balance in the Treasury on the let of Jannary,
1829, was 5,972,435 dollars and SI vents. The receipts
of the current year arc estimated at 24,602,230 dollars ;
and the expenditure for the same time at 26,164,595 dol-
lars ; leaving a balance in the Treasury on the Ist of Ja-
nuary next, of 4,410,070 dollars, and SL cents.
There will have been paid, on account of the publia
debt, during the present year, the suin of 12,405,005
dollars and SO cents ; reducing the whole debt of the Go-
vernment, on the Ist of January next, to 48,5651406
dollars and 50 cents., including seven millions or five per
per cent. stock, subscribed to the Bank of the United
States. The payment on account of the public debt, made
on the Ist of July last, was 8,715,462 dollars and S 7
cents. It was apprehended that dm sudden withdrawal
of so large a sum from the Banks in which it was de-
positedf unusual pressure in the moncy market. might cause
much injury to the interests dependent on Bank accom-
modation. But this evil was completely averted
by an early anticipation of it at the Trevsnry.
aided by the judicious arrangements of the officers of the
Bank of the United States.

Alter the extinction of the public debt, it is not pro-
bable that any adjustment of the Tariff, upon principles
satisfactory to the people of the Union, will, until a re-
mote period, if ever, leave the Government without a con-
siderable surplus in the Treasury, beyond what may be
required for its current service. As then the period ap-
proaches when the application of the revenue to the pay-
ment of debt will cease, the disposition of the surplus Will
present a subject for the serious deliberation of Congress,
and it may be fortunate. for the country that it is yet to
be decided. Considered in connection with the diffi-
culties which hava heretofore attended appropriations
for purposes of internal improvement, and with those
which this experience tells us we will certainly arise,
whenever power over such subjects may be exer-
cised by the general Government, it is hoped that it may
lead to the adoption of some plan which wia reconcile the
diversified interests of the States, and strengthen the bonds
which unite them. Every member of the Union, in peace
and in war, will be benefitted by the improvement of in-
land navigation and construction of highways in the seve-
ral States. Let us then endeavour to attain this benefit in
a mode which will be satisfactory to nII. That hitherto
adopted has, by many of our fellow-citizens, been depre-
cated as an infraction of the Constitution, while by others
it has been viewed as inexpedient. All feel that it has
been etnpleyed at the expense of harmony in the Legisla-
tive Councils.

Nothing is clearer, in my view, than that we are chiefly
indebted fir the success of the Constitution tinder which
we are new acting, to the watchful and auxiliary operation
of the State authorities. This :is not the reflection of a
day, but belongs to the most deeply rooted convictions of
my mind. 1 cannot, therefore, too deeply or too earnestly
from my own sense of its importance, warn you against
all encroachments upon the legitimate sphere of State so-
vereignty. Sustained by its healthful and invigorating in-
fluence, the Federal system can never fail.
The Report of the Secretary yf War tvill make you
acquainted with the condition of. our Army, Fortifica-
tions, Arsenals, and Indian Affairs. The proper dis-
cipline of the Army, the training and equipment of the
Militia, the Education bestowed at West Port, and tne
accumulation of the means of defence, applicable to the
Naval force, will tend to prolong the peace we now enjoy,
and which every good citiven, more especially those who
have felt the miseries of even a successful warfare—must
ardently desire to perpetuate.

The accompanying report of the Secretary of the Navy