The Sun.
London, England, 1823-12-27 00:00:00

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

WASJIJ:NDTON, DEC. 1, 1823.—'S.he first session
of the eighteenth Congress has commenced with
great harmouy. A lafge majority of the mem.
hers of both houses appeared in their respective
chambers this day precisely at 12 o'clock. le
the. Senate, Mr.Gaillard took the chair, and after
the .111411.101 orders for the appointment of chaplaius'
for, supplying the members With new papers, and
for the appointment of joint committees nn annul-
led hills, were severally passed, Messrs. Burbone
and Macon were 'appointed a committee on the
part of the Senate, to wait upon the President,
jointly with a committee from the House of ite:
presantaties, and inform hi:o of the organizatien
of the two houses: to the [louse of Representa-
tives, the roll was called precisely at twelve o'clock,
and one hundred and eihty.one members appear.
ed in their seats. Mr. Clay has so long filled the
Speaker's chair, and given' !ioch imusuai ti,fitc-
Lion, that the moment it was koown that his
health was such as to.permit him to resume the
station, there was a general disposition amimg all,
save the friends of the Treasury candidate!, to
elect him again to the same hotionra hie place.—
Accordingly, when the roll of hers had been
called over, Mr. Taylor, of IN,. York, imm,—
diately rose and declined being considered a
candidate, and in handsome terms requested his
friends not to vote for him. Mr.. Lathrop, of
Massachussetts, end Mr. Rankin, of Mississippi,
were appointed tellerS. On counting the ballots,
it appeared that 181 tnembers had voted, and'
that Mr. Clay had 139 votes. The friends of the
radical chief adhered to their candidate, and to
the ancient dominion, and after some ma-
nceuvriug, obtained 92 votes for Mr. P. P. Bar-
boor, of Virginia (the late Speaker.) The old
clerk and the other officers of the .rouses were re.
chosen. The whole went on smoothly.

THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
Fellow-Citizens of the Senate, and Hoof: cfßererentativer,
—Alany important subjects will claim you attention during the
present &alon, of which I shall endeavour to give, in aid of
your deliberations, a jog idea in this ctuntnunication. I un-
dertake this duty with diflidmee, from the vast extent of the
interests on which I have to treat, and of their great import-
ance to every portion of our Union. I enter on it with zeal,
from a thorough conviction that there never was a period, since
the establiAhroent Of our Revolution, when, regarding the con-
dition of the civilized world,. and its bearing on us, there was
greater necessity for devotion in the public servants to their
respective duties, or for virtue, patriotism, and union, in our
constituents.

/llectini; in you a new Congress, I deem it proper to present
this view of public atfairs in greater detail titan might other-
wise be necessary. Ido it, however, with peculiar satisfac-
tion, from a knoWledge, that in this respect I shall comply
more fully with the sound principles of gtir Government.
The people being with us exclusively the sovereign, it is in-
dispensable that full information be laid before them on all,
important subjects, to enable them to exercise that high. power
with complete effect. If kept in the dark, they nil-Ist be in-
competent to it. We are .41414 to srror, turd these wlio
are engaged in the management of public affair; are more sub.
jest to excitement, and to be led astray by their particular in-
terests and passions, than the great body of our constituents,
who, living at tome, io the yursoit of tlit•ir ordinary ;Ivo-
sations, are calm but deeply interested spectators
,of events.
and of the conduct of those who are parties to them. To the
people, every department of the tiovernment, and every indl-
vidual in each, rare responsible ; and the more full their infor.
mation, the better they can.judge of the wisdom of the policy
pursued, and of the conduct of .eitch in regard t' it. From
their dispassionate judgment, much aid may always be obtain..
ed ; while their approbation will term
‘ilia &cutest incentive
and most gratifying reward fur virtnotis actions ; and the dread
of their censure Ana best security against thy.stbusv of their eon-
fidonce. .Their interests, in all vital questiov iire the same. ;
and the bond by sentiment, am well as by interest, will he pro-
portionably strengthened as they are better informed of the
real. state. of public athars, especially in difficult conjectures.
It is by such knowledge that local prejudices and jealousies are
snimouted, and that ii nationui polies, extending its fostering
care and protection to all the great interests of our union, is
formed tom steadily .adheretlto.
A precise knowledge of our relations with' foreign Powers, as
respects Our negociations and transactions with each, is thought
to be *lrticulitry neccssany. Eqnally necessary
•Is it, that we
should form a just estimate of our resources, n‘venue, and pro.
cu grs in every kind of improvenn...t eonnceted with the national
proverity and public cleft rice. It is by rendering justice to
other nations that we may expect it from them. It is by our
ability to -resent ir.jtiries, and redress wrongs, that we may
avoid, then).

The Comtnissionere under the tifth article of the treaty of
Ghent, having disagreed in their opinions respecting that por-
tion of the boundary between the territories of the United States
and of Great Britete, ti eittablieltinent of which had been sub-
rnitted to them, have made their respective reports, in come
plianee with that article, that the sante might be referred to
decision of a friendly Power. It lkire; tetetiCest, however, tit:t
it would,be difficult, if not impossible, for any Power w rer-
form that office, without great delay arid nitteh inconvenienvQ, to
itself, a proposal has been meat>, by this tioverriment. and ac-
ceded to by that of Great Britain, tOindeevour to establish that
boundary by runiceble negotilitioxi. It apnettrintt from long
. ,
experience, that nosatisfactory arrangerunt could formed pf
the curnmerciel in
tereouree between the United States and the
British colonies in ttlie.benriephere,. by itgielaiiveacte, while
,each party pureued its own course. without ogrmnsLit (4, 4,,,on-
cert with throttler, a propoluilhas been made.to the .ttritittl tte-
vernment to regulete,this commerce by treaty, as it, has been to
arrange, in like manlier, the just claims el the citizens of the
United Statee inhabiting the, states and territories bordering on
the lakes unit rivers which empty into the st. Lawrence, to the
navigation of that river to the wan. For these' mat ether ob-
jects of high import/lett to the interests of both parties, a tie-
gociatiott h it. been opened by the ,British Government, which,
it is liop‘d, will have a itatisfactory result.
'rite Commissionere under the sixth and seventh articles of
the Treaty of Ghent, having succeeefolly closed their lawns
in reletion to the sixth, have proceeded to the discharge of
theme releting to the seventh. Their progress in the extensive
survey required for the performative of their duties justifies the
presumption that it will he completed in the ensuing year.
Th'e negotietion which had been long depending with the
French Government on several important eutnette, and partien-
huly fora just indemnity for !owe unaudited in the late were
by the citizens of the United States, under unjustifiable, seizures
confiscetions of their property, has not, as yet, had the dee
sired effect. As this claim rests on the eatue principle with
others which have been admitted by the 'French Government,.
it is not perceived on what hest grounds it can. be rejected. A
M inieter. will be i nune4iatt. I y appointed to pwcevd to France,
slid Tempe the negeti,tttion on this . and other eubjecte width
now arise between the two nations.
At the propoeal of the Russian Imperial Government, made
through the Mister .of the Emperor residinithere,itfullltower.
and tlistrttettoolt hose been transmitted to the >Mister of the
United Statee,ut..St. Petetsburgh, to arrange, by attitettble Oe-
.Retilttion,the respective rights end interests of the two nations
on the-north-wee: team of rthis continent. A eh-oiler, propoeal
hitt bee:tined@ by. his Imperial Majesty to the Opnrnnteot of
G teat Britain, winch has ,iikewistsboon acceded to. 'lie
vernment of the United Statert has been desirousl terthis friend
ly.proceeding, of manifests:nig the great value which they. have
invariably ettactiett,to the frientlehip itbe Emperor, and their'
solicitude to.eeltivete,:the.best uoderstanding with his tioveroe
.rnent., la the titttelsitiffittimt to .whichiiitilt interest I,as,given risC,
and in tbe.artnnEcutertts which, they /nay tertnitutteetbe
ne-
eaeie been jutiged proper fur asserting,. ne;aprtOtiple, tit
the rights end tilltiettto 14. the littit#4l ‘,stittelt ate,ATRIV,

, • ,
01_4. the Atom-men continents, by the free and indellent
centlition which they have assumed and utaintein, are nee-
fa 11.13 ow. to be: considered tot subjects fcr future colonization b
ens PiropcAß PUwarti. y
Siice the chile of the last SessiOn' of Congrees, the Commie-
sionere and Arbitrators for aecertaining and detertniaini the
, .„ . , „ „
etriue3t et moeminneatian which May, ne due to Citieens, pte
united Sestee, under the decision of hie IMperial Mateety.
liimperor of Ilesele, in conformity to the convention cutlet-tilled
at St. Petershurgh on 12,01 efoIY. 1822, Wive aiserni4K.in
this city, and orgaolee theutsAvea as a board for theiniefeirett.
anCq,ol the ditties ;tit nett to them by that treety. Thiettigte.
miseien constituted under the eleVentli ,article of 'the kriftety:of
the -22t1 of FebrtterY, bOtwoon tiro United StetliKersiid:
.Spain, is. also in session herc t and Its tho:terrn of, three *WI r
„limited by the treaty for the exectition or. the trust will ere
'before the period of the. tliAt reiplbr nweting of Congreetie-The
ettention of the iragislatu,re will. be driven to the meastil'es
evhich May be necessary to ac,coltsplieli thaohject for wbieh U..
epuunission was instjturad.
In compliance with the resolatiop of the House of Repreeen.
tativree adopted it their last Seseioa instructions have hem
given to all the Ministers of •the'llnittuf States accredited to the,
Powers of Ettrope and A theriee to prepoee the prteserintion of
the African slave trade, by eletentig it under the dentiminstion,
,and irtflicting on its perpetretors the punishment Of r140,Y•
Should tuts proposal be %Coded to, it opttiotityted t this
odious und crinainsl practice will be promptly arid entirely sup-
pressed. it is earnestly hoped that it will lie acceded to, frein a
firm belief that it is the Most effectual expedient a 3„,t can
adopted for the purpoee.
At the commencement of the recent war between Fre/it:viscid
Spain, it was declared by the Kerich(loverparent that it would
Brent no commissions to privateers, at thet neither the Cent.
mares of Spain herself, nor of the neutral. nation,. s!piald 'be
moleeted by the naval forde of Franceeexcept hi tine beeach of
a lawful blockade. This declaration;, which 'appeare to have
been faithfully earried'into effect, concurring with P:ineiPlett
proclaimed 'and cherished by the United States, from the , Arta
establishment ot' titeir independence, stigeested the'llope'etiat,
the tittle had arrived when the proposal for adopting it ei a per:
nianent and invariable rule in all .fettre maritime wilts (night
meet the favourable censide,ration of the giscet gilt:peen
Powere. Inetructions have accordingly tam) given to our hil-
nitttertt with Frence, Russia, and Greet. Britain, to make those
proposals to their respective Uoveramente iend when Abe
friends of humanity redact on the essential arnelleration to the
Condition of the human race which would result from the:ale°.
Mien of private war :on the sea and on the greet facility by
which, it might be accomplished,, requiring only the consent of
a few eoverelgns, an earnest it9pe is, uulidged that thcow, over-
tures will meet with an attention, animated by the Spirit in
which they were made, and that they will ultimetely
ceseful.
The Minieters who were 'appointed to tte iz.epiitilies of Oa-
',Nubia and Buenos-Ayres, during the,lest S.?,S.stOti.of Cortgrese,
proceeded, shortly afterwarde, to their destinations. Of (heat
swivel there, officio' intelligence has not yet been received.
The Minister appointed to the Repe.'„die of Chili will aell.i9
few daye• Ac early appointment will 440 be Made tO 31iXte.o.
A Minister has been received from Colombia, and thaotleer
Oevernments have been informed that.Minieters, oetliplOnietio
agents of inferior grade, would he received from each, aactnet.
ins as they might prefer the one or the other. , •
The Minister appointed to Speln prt)qetted, faon after hie
appointment, for Cadis, the reeidence of the Sovereign to whom
he was accredited. In approaching that port, the frights vibieh
conveyed him was warned off by the Commander of the Frerteli
sqoatiron by which it was blockaded, 'and not permitted. to
enter, although apprised by the Captain of the filgate of, the
public character of the person Whom Liehad on' board, the
landing of whom was the solo oleicet of. his, propoied entry.
This act, being considered an infringement of the rights of
Ambassadors and of Netions, will .forma J
ust Of Government-
pleint to the of France against tile officer hy whem
it was committed.
The actual condition of the public finances more than rea-
lizes the favourable anticipations that were entertained el, it atti)4 opening of the last eession of Congress. On.threleti t Jo-
finery, there wits a Italtinee in the Trotting: of 4,237.427. dol.
lent Keil Zia cents. From that time to the buil) or Sepittobet the
receipts ainountetho upwarde of 10,100,000 dollere, anti, the
expenditures to 11,400,000 dollars. During the fourth quarter
,of the year, it is estimated that the receipts will, At least,
e_gtal the expenditures; end that there will remain in the
'Treasury, on the Ist day of January next, a surplus of neatly
0,000,000 of dollars.
On the Ist of January, 1823, a large amount of the war debt,
'and a part of the revolutionary debt, become redeemable.—...
Additional portions of the former will continue to become ye-
duernable annuallyeuntil the year 1843. It is belieVed, buy.
ever, that if the vaulted Stater remain at vzoce, the whole of
that debt may be redeemed by the ordinary, revenue of there
years during that ptriod, under the Provision of ,the Act of
March 3, 11117, creating the sinking fend, and in that case the
only pint of the debt that will remain utter the year IEOS will I:e
seven millions of rive per cent, stock sub.:eribtAl to the flank ot'
the United Statce, inch the three per cent, ,revolutionary debt,
amounting to 13,130.099 dollars ti rents. hOth of which are tt-
tlektnahle it the pleastire of the (loverproent.
The state of the.nrulY, in its ceganfzetion, and discipline, has
been gradually iMprovlng for several year., and has now, at-
tained a Weil degree of .perfecticti. 'The Military
,diebueee-
mein* have been regulerly nieile, and the• accounts regularly
and promptly rendered fur settlement. The suppliesof earion3
descriPtiona have been of good quality anti regtileely irsued tip
all of the posts. A eyetein of economy end azeountability 1; is
been introduced into every branch of the seeviee, which edinite
of little additional iroproventent. This titiirable mate/toe been
attained by the act, re-organizing the stuff of the aril, patteed
on the 14th of April, 1018.
The monies appropriated to fortifications have been regular-
ly and economically applied, enti all the.works advanccd at;
Tepidly us the amount Appropriated would admit. .71zio
portent works will be completed in the courser 'Of this year-...
that is Fort W401110%0, Fort Delavecte, and the,,ro,ft at
ltigolets, iii Louisiana. •
The Board of .Fhigineere, rand theTopogreellical cerps, Iteve
befo ii, coelitailt and itetiVe sttreee, iyi that' Oast.
iis..jOitini4 the works Levees:try t •it.:
The Atilitury Academy hiss .•a ptir'f't:ction in
its dieeipline and i...tistinction
••'• • >,., , to 4V :Y i - stitution of its kind 44 any coutttly.
The money apprepeiated Air the use of, the Ordintuice tee.
parttnent has been legiilarly anti economically applied, The
fob: is stiein of arms at the national artnOUrieS, aimil l,y cootract
will. the Departmmt, Lot been eredually *proving 4,,epetelitv
anti cheepnette. it is believed that, their quality
now twat
us to admit of but little iciprovernent..
The completion of the fortifieatipns rattlers it l'e,:;_ost,ry that
there ehould, be a luitabk appeepriation for porPette 011.,,
brit:aline, the cortoon and r n ag( tt.i...eaSsary ,for tinier worke,
, Under the appeoprietion of 0,000 dollers ,tar 044?4,,ri6,ttie
western Wettni for the leteeion s site for a weeterte a;m9tiry,
cotuminjoi, was va'at ti tut <I, et ittietiflp, or 31,4
Lee,, stud Cept. Taken, who have he 0444 '4;;A.N.,1•4t.-o.it
the country. They tense not yrt 4peztod the retult,,
bebettre, but it is helievid :tiwt Alit), 111' •t it
,
an early pert of tile seettiori.of Coup, '
Poring tin! month of Jim!' Lee, tie Y:erel Ashley V:rels his
party, who were trading tie:Litt iit4:.,:!itotLl i.he (411,14 ou.
'mutant. were attacired.l4.ol,:, it iciatts while pei,Lect.6lk tied-
nig with the Indians, at gitir 091te'st St,vi,t'el th,i, pa;or were killed and woitmled, and their ire} ,n 5 104;4 or dkAiroyeu.
Levenivotth, who ientirtanded Vert Ati inetin , t the
Ctiiineil Mail, the most weettrn poet, apprelie:44ing`thei the
hostile spirit of the Iticarces ,winad Catena: to tither bibles in
that quarter, and that thereby fita levee ileas cats the
,Missouri, and the peace of the frontier. weeldin,
took itntuediate rnoltsorei, to cheek the evil.' ". .
With 4 detaelonetat of the . tee; itnen t , ti4lttoted tilt:erre,
lie euecessfUlly attacked the it iceree.*Nill4ge, 4144 .tithopt.4lthat '
Ort,fiSiipi
,has beeu. .aide on.thatO, an ticrilir,,,otx Oho.
tribes on the Alissouri, as iv 41 prevent Clclirrerot of
,future:
hostility.
'the report of the Seers t;mry o 1 W r, Which is hereWelli witted, will exhibit in greeter deteil the Condition or ,i.he ik-
parit4ent. in its yi‘rious hrsoohps., noel tht= tiro:item; whirh.
been made in its etlininietratiou dur'ing the die* tirit.,:tvortet*
of the year, „
1 transioit a rctur4 of iht,4i4ti4 of the svver4l.Btetes accord
log tit the last retterla whiCkihave becti watle ,the limper
odious in each, toehe „flepartenettt,ef. War, '4ll. rOetonee to
this return, it will be seen that it is ;nit COrttplete, seent.exertionahave heen mode tarp49,,it so. ~ ;tiia.,qfimre,
and oven 4*Airi.or 'OW ei*tqtro%l44ol)fta.,:tuf4o4a
imminent dangevecin,the.niilititt,flit of diva hignesiiirnipirtartett
0141%4).4,4'W .nzggiist4l,',4l7xti. 44,44,1514,.fti0w1mu
op,Vpitoh ;teedP OA-ar Ote*4/i4i,i:-01%fteriOrt144P
.grettli MOP 140 it4O:C Brat {leis P 1.4400400 ear,

Of 4.0 j)

;I'.Afg

by the application of the fund appropriated for arming the mi-
litia. Much tliffictilty is found in, distributing the arms accord-
ing to the act of Congress providing for it, from the failure of
the proper departments in many of the States to make regular
returns. 'The act of the 12th of May, 1820, provides that the
esystem of tactics and regulations of the various corps in the
:regular army shall be extended to the militia. This act has
tan very imperfectly executed, from the want of uniformity
in the organization of the militia, proceeding from the defects
of the system itself, and especially in its application to that
main arm of the public defence. It is thought that this impor-
. tent subject, in all its branches, merits the attention of Congress.
t. • The report of the Secretary of the,Navy, which is now com-
municated, furnishes an account of the administration of that
Department, for the three first quartets of the present year,
with the progress* enednin augmenting the navy, and the man.
net in which the vessels in commission have been employed.
'rile usual force has been maintained in the Mediterranean
,41es, the Pacific Ocean, and along the Atlantic coast, and has
: afforded the necessary protection to our commerce in those
Seas.
In the West Indies and the Gulf of Mexico, our naval force
has been augmented by the addition of several small vessels,
provided tbr by
.the " act authorizing an additional naval force
fee. the suppressioni of piracy," passed by Congress at their last
session. filet armament has been eminently successful in the
Accomplishment of its object. The piracies by which our corn-
. merce in the neighbourhood et' the island of Cuba had been
afflicted have been repressed, anti the confidence of our mer-
chants. in a.great measure, restored.
The patriotic zeal and enterprise of CommOdore Porter, to
whom the command of the expedition was confided, has been
seconded by the'officers and men under his command.—
And, in reflecting with nigh satisthetion on the honourable
initnner in which they have sustained the reputation of their
country and its navy, the sentiment is allayed ,only by a con-
c:rn that, in the fulfilment of that arduous service, the diseases
incident to the season and to the climate in which it was dis-
charged, have deprived the nation Of , many useful lives, and
acting them of several officers of great romise.
In the month of August a very malignant fever made its
e-dpestiance at Thompson's Island, which threatened the de-
struction 'dour station there. Many perished, and the corn-
, mending officer was severely attacked, Uncertain as to fate,
stud knowing that most of the medical officers bad been ren-
,tiered incapable of dischargleg their duties, it was thought ex-
pedient to send to that post an officer of rank and ex.perience,
with several. 'skilful surgeone, to ascertain the origin of the
fever, and the probability of its recurrence there in future sea-
sons; to furnish every assistance to those who were suffering,
and, if predicable, to avoid the necessity of abandoning so im-
.portant a station. Commodore Rogers, with a promptitude
-which did him honour, cheerfully accepted that trust, and has
discharged it in the manner anticipated from his skill and pa-
..triotistn. :Before his arrival, Commodore Porter, with the
treater part of the spuadron, bad removed from the island,
and returned to the United Seaton in consequence of the pre-
veiling sickness. Much useful information has, however; been
obtained, as to the state of the island, and great relief afforded
' to those who had been necessarily left there.
Although our expedition, co-operating with en invigorated
administratton of the Government of the Island of Cuba, and
with' the corresponding active exertions of a British naval,
force in the genie seas, have almost entirely destroyed the
unliceneed piracies front that island, the success of our cx.
srtione has not been equally effectual to suppress'the seine
crime, under, other pretences and colour in the neighbouring
island of Porto Rico. They have been committed there un-
der the abusive issue of Spanish commissions. .At an early
.period of the present year, remonstrances were nettle to the
tiovernor of that Island. by an agent who was seilt for the
• purpose, against those outrages on the peaceful commerce of
'the United States, of which many bad occurred. That offi-
cer professing his own want of authority to make satisfaction
for our just' complaint's; answered only by a reference of
them to the Governinent of Spain. The linister of the United
States to that Court was specially instructed: to urge the
necessity of the immediate and effectual interposition of that
Government, directing restitution and indemnity for wrongs
.already committed, and interdicting the repetition,of them.—
The Minister, as has been seen, was debarred access to the
-Spanish Government, and, in the mean time, several new
Casa of' flagrant outrage have occurred, and citizens of the-
United States in the Island of Porto Rico have suffered, and
others been threatened with assassination, for asserting their
unquestionable rights, even before the lawful tribunals of the
country.
• te
he usual orders have been given to all our public ships to
seize American vessels calmed in the Slave Trade, and bring'
them in for adjudication, and I have the gratification to state,
that not one so emploieedhas been discovered, and there is good
reason to believe that our flag is now seldom, if at all, di.-
- greets' by that traffic.
It is 14 source of great satisfaction, that we are always
enabled to recur to the conduct of our navy with pride and
' commendation. As a means of national defence, it enjoys the
• public confidence, and is steadily assuming additional impor-
tance. It is submitted whether a more eiiicient anti equally
economical organization of it might not, in several respects, be
effected. It is supposed that higher grades than now exist by
law would be useful. They would afford well-merited rewards
to dime who have long and faithfully served their country ;
present the best incentives to good conduct, and the best means
of .ensuring a proper discipline; destroy the inequality in that
respect between the military and naval services, and relieve our
officer* from many inconveniences and mortifications, which
oceur when our vends meet those of other nations—ours being
tire only service in which such grades do not exist.
A report of the Postmaster-General, which accompanies this i
txminitinication, will show the present state of the Post-office
Wipertinent, and its general operations for some years petit.
Them is established by law 88,700 tulle's of post roads, on
which the snail is now transported 85,700 miles, and contracts
him been niade for its transportation on all established routes,
with one or two exceptions. There are 5,240 post-offices in the
Union, and as many postmasters. The gross amount of
postage which occurred from the Ist of July, 1822, to theist
of July, 11123, was
,1,114,845 dollars and 12 cents. During
the same wrioil the expeuditure of the post-office department
amounted to 1,169,885 dollars and 51 cents ; and consisted of
the following items :—Compensation to postmasters, 353,995
&Were end 98 cents; incidental expences, 30,1166 dolling and 37
cents; transportation oftheinall,7B4,6oo dollars and 8 cents; pay.
menet into the Tretteury, 433 dols. and 8 c. On the Ist July last,
there was due to the department front postmasters 135,245 dols.
and 211 cents. • front late postmasters and contractors, 256,742
debars anti 31 cents. ; making a total amount of balances due
to the department, of 391,994 dollare and 59 cents. These
balances embrace all delinquencies of postmasters and contrac.
tort, which have taken place since the organization of the de-
partment. There. was clue by the department to contractors,
tint the Ist day of July last, 28,548 donate mid 64 cents.
The transportetion of the mull, within five yeses rat, has
.been greatly extended, anti the expenditures of ate department
proportionably increased. Although the postage which has
accrued within the last three years has fallen short of the ex-
peedituree 2(12,821 deliars and 46 cents. it appears that coffee-
lectioini have been made from the outstanding balances to meet
th rincipal part of the current demands.
• ; Ibis estimated that not more than 260,000 dollars of the above
balances can be collected, and that a considerable part of this
sum can only
.be realized by a resort to legal process. Some
improvement In the receipts fur postage is expected. A prompt
attention to the collection of monies received by postentaaters,
it is 'believed, will enable the department to continue its oper.
ations without aid front 'the treasury, unless the expenditure
*hell be increased by the establishment of new instil routes.
A revieion of Sonia parts of the post-office law may be ne-
cessary ; and it is submitted, whether it would not be proper
• to provide for the eppoimment of port-tnasters, where the coin-
peasation exceed* a certain amount, by nomination to the
Senate, as other officers of the.gen eral governtii en t are appointed.
Having communicated my views to Congress at the corn.
mencement of the het .session, respecting the encouragement
which ought to be given to our manufactures, and the principle
• on which it should be founded, I have only to add that those
views remain unchanged, and that the present state, of those
couriirits with which we have the most immediate political re-
lations, and greatest commercial intercourse, tends to confirm
therm Under this impression, I recommend a review of the
tariff, for the pitrpo,e of affording such additional protection to
' those article* which we are prepared to manufacture, or which
are more immediately connected with the defence and inde•
peridenee of die country.
Th, .tual state of the public accounts furnishes additional
evidt it' the efficiency of the present system of accountability,
in relaieon to the public expenditure. Of the minket drawn
from the Treasury since the 4th of March, 1817, the sum re.
attaining unaccounted for, on the 30th of September Last, is
mare than a million and a halt' of dollars less than on the 80th
of September preceding ; and during the Saine period reduC-
- deli of nearly a tnilfion of dollars has been made in the amount
of the unsettled accounts; for monies advanced previously to the
•fth of March, 11117. , It will be obvious that in proportion its
the mass of icemen's of the latter description is diminished by
settlement, the difficulty of „settling the residue is increased,
from the cOneideration that in many instances it can be obtained
only by leeeel prodies. For more preeLle details on this sub.
jest, I refer to a report from the First Comptroller of' the
Treasury.
The emit which was appropriated at the last session, for the
repair •of the Cumberland-road, has been applied with good
effect to that object. &final, report hat not yet been re.
seesse, ceived from the agent who was appointed to superintend it. its
av it is teceived, it shall be communicated toCongress.
• • Many.pattiotic .10 enlightened citizens, who have made the
eitlejetetsri object of particular investigation, have satggested an
esex-4 imprOvinateat of *till greeter importance. They are of opinion

that the waters of the Chesapeake and Ohio mny be connected
together by one continued canal, and at un expence far short
of the value . and importance of the ablect to be obtained. If
this could be accomplished, it is impossible to calculate the
beneficial consequences which would result from it. A great
portion of the produce of the very fertile country. through
which it would pass would find, a market through that chan-
nel. Troops might be moved with great facility in war,
with cannon, and every kind of munition, and in either direc-
tion. Connecting the Atlantic. with the western country, in
a line passing through the seat of the National Government,
it would contribute essentially to strengthen the bond of union ;
itself. Believing, as I do, that Congress possesses the right
to appropriate Money for such a national object (the jurisdiction
remaining to ,the states through which the canal would pass),
I submit it to your consideration, whether it may not be advise-
able to authorize, by an adequate appropriation, the employ..
ment of 'a suitable number of the officers of the corps of engin-
eers, to examine the unexplored ground during the next season,
and to report their opinion thereon. It will ftkewise beproper
to extend their examination to the several routes through winch
the waters of the Ohio may be connected, by canals with those
of hake Erie.
As the Cumberland road will require annual repairs, and
Congress have not thought it expedient to recommend to the States
an amendment to the constitution for the purpose of vesting in
the United States a power to adopt and execute a system of in-
ternal improvement, it is also submitted to your consideration,
whether it may not be expedient to authorize the Executive to
enter into an arrangement with the several States through which
the road panes, to establish tolls each within its limits, for the
purpose of defraying the expence of future repairs, and of pro-
viding also, by suitable penalties, for its protection against
future injuries.
The act of Congress of the 7th of May, 1822, appropriated
the sum of 22,700 dollars for the purpose of erecting two piers
as a shelter for vessels from ice, near Cape Henlopen, Dela-
ware Bay. To effect the object of the act, the officers of the
Board of Engineers, with Commodore Bainbridge, were direct-
ed to prepare plans and estimates of piers sufficient to answer
ete purpose intended by the act. It appears by theirreport, which
accompanies the documents from the War Department, that
the appropriation is not adequate to the purpose intended ; arid,
as the piers would be of great service, both to the navigation of
the Delaware Bay, and the protection of vessels on-the adjacent
parts of the eoasts, 1 submit for the consideration of the Con-
gress, whether additional and sufficient appropriations should
not be made.
The Board of Engineers were also directed to examine and
survey the entrance of the harbour of the port of Presquisle, in
Pennsylvania, in order to make an estimate of the expence of
removing the obstructions to'the entrance, with a plan of the
best mode of effecting the same under the appropriation for
that purpose, by act of Congress passed the 3d of March last.
The report of the Board accompanies the Tuipers from the War
Department, and is submitted for the consideration of Congress.
A. strong hope has been long entertained,. founded on the
heroic struggle of the. Greeks, that they would succeed in their
contest, and resume their equal station among the nations of the
earth. It is believed that the whole civilized world takes a deep
interest in their welfare. Although no Power has declared' in
their favour, yet none, according to our information, has
taken part against them. Their cause and their name have
protected them from dangers, which might, ere this, have over-
whelmed any,other people. The ordinary calculations of inte-
rest, and-of acquisition, with a view to aggrandizement, which
mingle so much.in the transactions of nations, seem to have had
no effect in regard to them. From the facts which have come
to our knowledge, there is good cause to believe that their
enemy has lust for ever all dominion over them; that Greece
will become again an independent nation. That she may ob-
tain that rank is the objeCt of our most ardent wishes.
It was stated at the commencement of the last session, that
the great effort was then making in Spain and Portugal to im-
prove the condition of the people of those countries, anti that it
appeared to be conducted with extraordinary moderation. It
need scarcely be remarked that die result has been, so far, very
different from what was then anticipated. Of events. in that
quarter of the globe, with which we have so much intercourse,
and from which we derive our origin, we have al ways been anxious
and interested spectators. The citizens of the United States
cherish sentiments the most friendly in favour of the liberty
and happiness of' their fellow men on that side of the Atlantic.
In the wars of the European Powers, in matters relating to
themselves, we have never taken any, part, nor does it com-
port with our policy so to do. It is only when our rights
are invaded, or seriously menaced,. that we resent injuries,
or make preparation for our defence. With the movements
in this hemisphere, we are, of necessity, more immediately
connected, and by causes which must •be obvious to all
enlightened and impartial observera. The political 'la-
tent of the Allied Powers is essentially different, in this
respect, from that of America. This difference proceeds
from that which exists in their respective governmenth. And to
the defence of our own, which has been achieved by the loss of
so much blood and treasure, and matured by the wisdom of
their most enlightened citizens, and under which we have en-
joyed unexampled felicity, this whole nation is devoted. We
owe it, therefore, to candour, and to the amicable relations
existing between the United States anti those Powers, to declare
that we should consider any attempt on their part to extend
their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to-
our peace and safety. With the existing colonies or depend-
encieis of any European Power we have not interfered, and shall
not interfere. But with the Governments who have declared
their independence, and maintained it, and whose independence
we have, on great consideration, and on just principles, acknow-
ledged, we could not view any interposition for the purpose of
oppressing them, or controuling in any other manner their
destiny, by any European Power, in any other light than as the
menifeatation of an unfriendly disposition towards the United
States. In the war between those new Governments and Spain,
we declared our neutrality 'at the time of their recognition ; and
to this we have adhered, and shall continue to adhere, provided
no change shall occur, which, in the judgment of rho compe-
tent authorities of this Government, shall make a correspond-
ing change, on the part of the United States,' indispensable to
their security.
The late events in Spain and Portugal shew that Europe is
still unsettled. Of this important fact no stronger proof can
be adduced, than that the Allied Powers should have thought
it proper, on any principle satisfactory to themselves, to have
interposed, by force, in the internal concerns of Spain. To
what extent such interpositions may. be carried on the same prin-
ciple, is a question in which all Independent'Powers, whose
Governments differ from theirs, are interested ; even those most
remote, and surely none more so than the United States. Our
policy, in regard to Europe, which was adopted at an early
age of the wars. which have so long agitated that quarter of the
globe, nevertheless remains the same ; which is, not to inter-
fere in the internal concerns of any of its Powers; to consider
the government de rizcio as the legitimate government for us ;
to cultivate friendly relations with it, and to preserve those
relations by a frank, firm, and manly policy; meeting, in all in-
stances, the just claims of* every Power-,-submitting to injuries
from none. But, in regard to those continents, circumstances
are eminently and conspicuously different.. It is Impossible that
the Allied Powers should extend their political system to any
portion of either continent, without endangering our peace
and happiness ; nor can any one believe that our brethren,
if left to themselves, would adopt it of their own accord.'
—lt is equally impossible, therefore that we should be-
hold such interposition, in any faun, with indifference. If we
loch to the comparative strength and resources of Spain, and
those new governments, and their distance from each other, it
must be obvious that she can never subdue them. It is still
the true policy of the Unite'd States to leave the parties to
themselves, in the hope that other Powers will pursue the same
Course.
It' we compare the present condition of our Union with its
actual state at the close of our revolution, 'the history of the
world furnishes no example of a pro ess in improve-
inent in all the Important circumstances which constitute the
happinews of a nation, which hears any resemblance to it. At
die first epoch, our population did not exceed 3,000,000. '
By the last census it amounted to about 10,000,000, and, what
is more extraordinary, It is almost altogether nattve—for the
emigration from other countries has been inconsiderable. At
the first epoch, half the territory within our acknowledged limits
was uninhabited and a wilderness. Since then, new territory
has been acquired, of vast extent, comprising within it many
rivers, particularly the Mississipi, the navigation of which, to the
ocean, was of the highest importance to the original states. Over
this territory our population has expanded in every. direction,
and new states bane been established, almost equal its number
to those which formed the first bond of our union. This
expansion of our population and accession of new states to
our union, have had the happiest effect on all its highest
interests. That it has eminently augmented our resources,
and added to our strength and respectability as a power, is ad-
mitted by all. But it is not in these circumstances only that this
happy effect is felt. It is manifest that, by enlarging the basis
of our system, and increasing the number of States, the system
- itself has been greatly strengthened in both its branches. Con-
tiolidation and disunion haye thereby been rendered equally im-
practicable. Each C-; overnment, confiding in its own strength ,lias
less to apprehend from the other, anti, in consequence, each en-
joying a greater freedom of action, is rendered more efficient for
till the purposes for which it was instituted. It is unnecessary
to treat here of the vast improt ement made in the system itself
by the adoption of this constitution, and of its happy effect in
' elevating the character and in protecting the rights of the na-
tion, as well as of individuals. To what, then, do we owe
these blessings ? It is known to all that we derf4 them from
the excellence of our institution*. Ought we not then, to
adopt every measure which may be necessary to perpetuate
them
Washington, Dec. 2, 1023.

JAMES MONROE.