The Sun.
London, England, 1821-04-03 00:00:00

AMERICA.

CFrom the .Vcw Yorh Commercial Advertiser, ,Alarch B.]
INAUGURAL SPEECH.

Yesterday, at 12 o'clock, on taking the oath to
support the Constitution of the United States,
the following Speech was delivered by JAMES
AloNtto E., President of the United States _

FELLOW CITIZENS—I shall not attempt to describe the
grateful emotions which the new and very aistinguished proof
of the confidence of my fellow citizens, evinced by my re-elec-
tion to this high trust, has excited in,ray bosom. The appro-
bation which it announces of my conduct, in the .preceding
term, affords me a 'consolation which I shall profoundly feel
through life. The general accord with which it has been ex-
pressed, adds to the great and never-ceasing obligation which it
imposes. To merit the continuance of this good opinion, and
to carry it with me to my retirement, as the solace of ,advaneing
years, will be the, objectr of My. most zealous and unceasing
.efforts.. •

Having no pretension to the high and commanding claims of
my predecessors, whose names are so much more conspicuously
identified with our revolution, and who contributed' so pre-
emineitly to promote its success, I consider myself rather as
the instrument than the cause of the union which has-prevailed
in the late eleetion. In surmounting, in favour of my humble
pretensions, the difficulties which so often produce division in
like occurrences, it is obvious that other powerful causes, indi-
cating the great strength and stability of our union, have es-
sentially contributed to draw you together. That these power.
ful causes exist, and that they are permanent, is my fixed opi-
nion; that they may produce a like accord in all questions,
touching, however remotely, the liberty, prosperity, and happi,
tress of our country, will always be the object of my most fer-
rent prayers to the Supreme Author of all good.
In a Government 'which is founded by the people, who pos-
sess exclusively the Sovereignty, it seems proper that the per-
son who may • be placed by their suffrages in this high trust,
should declare, on commencing its duties, the principles on
which he intends to conduct the administration. if the person,
thus elected, has served the preceding term, an opportunity is
afforded him to review its principal occurrences, and to give
such further explanation respecting them as, in his judgifnent,
may be useful to his constituents. The events of one year
have influence on those of another ; and, in like manner, of a
preceding on the succeeding administration. The movements
of a great nation are connected in all their parts. If errors
have been committed, they ought to be corrected ; if the policy
is sound, it ought to be supported. It is by a thorough know-
ledge of the whole subject that our fellow citizens are enabled
to judge correctly of the past, and to give a proper direction to
the future.

Just before the commencement of the last term, the United
States had concluded a war with a very powerful , nation, on
conditions equal and honourable to both parties. The even&
of that war are too recent, and too deeply impressed on the me-
mory of all, to require a developement from me. Our com-
merce had been, in a great measure, driven from the sea ; our
atlantic and inland frontiers were invaded in almost every pare;
the waste of life along our coast, and on some parts of our in-
land frontiers, to the defence of which our gallant and patriotic
'citizens were called, was immense; in addition to which; not
less than one hundred and twenty millions of dollars were
added at its end. to the public debt.
As soon as ,the war had terminated, the nation, admonished
by its event* resolved to place itself in a situation, which
should be better calculated to prevent the recurrence of a like
evil, and, in case it should recur, to mitigate its calamities.—
' With this view after reducing our land foice to the basis of a
peace establishinent, which has been further modified since,
provision was made for the construction of fortifications at
proper points, through the whole extent of our coast, and such
an augmentation of our naval force as should be well adapted
to both purposes. The. laws, making this provision, were
passed in 1813 and 16, and it has been since the .constant
effort of the Executive to carry them into effect.
The advantage of these fortificationie and of an augmented
naval force, in the extent contemplated; in isoint of economy,
has been fully illustrated by a report of the Board of Engineers
and Naval Commissioners, lately communicated to Congress, by
which it appears, that in an invasion by twenty thousand men,
with a correspondent naval force, in a campaign of six months
only, the whole expence of the construction of the works would
be defrayed by the difference in the sum necessary to maintain
the force which would be adequate to our defence with the
aid of those works, and that which would be incurred
without them. The reason' of this difference is obvious.—
If fortifications are judiciously placed on our great inlets,
as distant 'from our cities as circumstances will permit,
they will form the, only points of attack, and the enemy
will be detained there by a small regular force, a sufficient time
to enable our militia to collect, and repair to that on which the
attack is made. A force adequate to the enemy, Collected at
that single point, with suitable preparation for such others as
might be menaced, is all that would be requisite. But, if
`there were no fortifications, then the enemy might go where he
pleased;- and, changing his position, and sailing from place to
place, our force oust be called out and spread in vast numbers
along the wholecoast, and oa both sides of 'every bay and river,
as high up 'in each as it might be navigable for ships of war.—
By thee!, fortifications,-supparted by our navy, to which they
would afford like support, we should picsent to other posers an
armed front from St. Croix to the Sabine, which would protect,
in the event of war, our whole coast and interior from invasion ;
and even in The wars of other 'powers, in which weavere neutral,
they would be found eminetilly useful, as, by keeping their pub-
lic ships at a distance fron*hur- cities, peace and order in them
would be preserved, and the .government be protected from
insult. - •

It need scarcely he remarked; that thege measures have not
been resorted tdin a Spirit of hOstility t Other powers. such a
disposition-does not exist towards r.ny power. Peace and good
w 11 `.rave beeP,ntld will hereafter be, cvltivated irith- all, and by.

This contest was considered, at an early stage, bynay prede-
cessor, a civil war, in which the parties were entitled to equal
rights in our ports. This decision, the first Made •lev any Power,
being formed•on great cOnsideration Of-the-coniparatiVe strength
and resources of the parties, the length of tuna, and successail
oppoaition made by the Colonies; and of all Other 'circumstances
on which it ought to depend, was in strict accord with the law.
.of nations. Congress has invariably acted: on" this principle,
having made no change in our relations•with either.party. Our
attitude has, therefore, Wen that of neutrality- between them,
which'. has been maintained by • 'the Goya:Mies-it with the
strictest impartiality: No aid has been affbrded to either, nor
has any privilege been enjoyed by the one, which has not been
equally open to the other party ; and every exertion has bean
made in its powers to enforce the execution of the laws prohibit-
ing illegal equipments, with equal rigour against both. •
By this equality between the parties their public vessels have
been received in our'pertis on the same footing; they have en-
joyed an equal right to purchase and export- arms, munitions
of war, and every other supply—the exportation of all articles
whatever being penhitted tinder laws which were passed long be-
fore the commencement of the contest ; our citizens haVe traded
equally with both, and their commerce with each has been
alike protected by the Government.
Respecting the attitude which it may be proper for the United
States to maintain hereafter between the parties, I have no he-
sitation in stating it as my opinion, that ..the neutrality hereto-
fore observed should still be adhered to.
_From the change in
the Government of Spain, and the negociation now depending,
invited by the Cortex and accepted by the.. Colonies it may be
presumed that their differences will be settled on the terms pro-
posed by the Colonies. .Should the war be continued, the
United States regarding its occurrences, will always haVe it in
their power to adopt such measures respecting it, as their ho-
nour and interest may require.
Shorty after the general peaCe, a band of adventurers took
advantage of this conflict, and of the facility which it afforded,
to establish a system of buccaneering in the neighbouring seas,
to the great annoyance, of the. commerce of the United States,
and, as was represented, of that of other powers. Of thiS
and of its injurions Waring on the United States, strong
proofs' were afforded; by the cstablishMent at, Amelia Island,
and the purposes to which it was made instrumental, by this
band in 1L81.7, • and by the occurrences which took place in other
parts of Florida, in 1818, the. details of which, in With. in- •
stances, are two well known to.require to be now recited. • I
am satisfied, had a less decisive course been adopted, that the
worst consequences would haVe resulted from it. We have
seen that these checks, decisive. as they were, were not suffi-
.cient to crush" that piratical spirit. Many culprits brought
Within our limits, have been condemned to suffer death, the
punishment due to that atrocious crime. The decisions of up- •
right and enlightened tribunals fall- equally- on all, whose
crimes subject them, by a fair interpretation of the law, to its
censure. It belongs to the executive not to suffer the execu-
tions, under these decisions, to-transcend the great purpose for
which punishment is necessary.' The full benefit of example
being secured, policy, as well as humanity, equally forbids
that they should be carried further. I have acted on this.prin-
ciple, pardoning those who appear to have been led . astray by
ignorance of the . criminality of the acts they had committed,
and suffering the law to take effect on thoee'only, in whose fa-
vour no extenuating circumstances could be urged.'
Great confidence is entertained, that the late treaty with
Spain, which has been ratified by both the parties, and the ra-
tifications whereof have been exchanged, has placed the relations
of the countries on a basis. of permanent friendship.• The pro-
vision .made by it for such of our citizens as have claim on
Spain, of the cnaracter described, will, it is presumed, be very
satisfactory to them ; and the boundary which is establishedd
between the territories of the parties, westward of the Missis-
sippi, heretofore in dispute, has, it is thought, been-settled on
conditions just and advantageous to both, But Co: the acquisi-
tion of Florida, too much importance cannot be attached. It
secures to the United States a territory important in itself, and
whose importance is much increased by.its bearing on many of
the highest interests of the Union. It opens to several of the
neighbouring states a free. passage to the ocean, through the
province ceded, by several rivers, having-their sources high up
within their limits. It secures us against all future annoy-
ance from powerful Indian tribes. It gives us several excel-
lent harbours in the Gulf of Mexico for ships of war of the
largest size. It covers, by its position in the Gulf, the Missis-
sippi and other great waters within our extended limits, and
thereby enables the United States to afford complete protection
to the vast and very valuable productions of our whole western
country,. which find a market through those streams.
By a treaty with the British Government, bearing. date on
the 20th October 1918, the Convention regulating. the. com-
merce between the United States and Great Britain, •con-
eluded on the third of July, 11115, which was about expiring,
was revived arid continued .for the term of ten years from the
time of its expiration. By that treaty, also, the differences
which had arisen under the treaty of Ghent, respecting the
right claimed by the United States tor their citizens to take and
cure fish on the coast of his Britannic Majesty's dominion's in
America, with 'other differences on important interests, were
adjusted, to the satisfaction of both parties. No agreement has
yet been entered into respecting the commerce between the
United States and the British dominions in the 'West Indies.,
and on this Continent. The restraints imposed on that com-
merce by Great Britain, and reciprocated by the. United States,
on a principle of
.defcnce, continue still in force.
The negociation with France for the regulation of the corn:
mercial relations between the two countries, which, in the course
of the last summer, .had been commenced at Paris, has since
been transferred to this city, and will be pursued, on the part
of the United States, in toe spirit of conciliation, and with an
earnest desire that it may terminate in an arrangement satis-
factory to both parties.
Our relations with the Barbary powers
.are preserved in the
that were .employed when
same state, and by the same meanie,
I came into this office. As early as • 1801, it was found neces-
sary to send a squadron into the :Mediterranean; for the protec-
tion of our commerce, and no period hat intervened,- a short
term excepted, when it was thought advisable to withdraw it.
The great Interest which . the United States have in •the Pacific,
in commerce and in the fisheries, have also made it necessary
to maintain a naval force there. In sneposing of this foree, in
both instances, the most effectual measures in our power ,have
been taken, without interfering with its other duties, for the •
suppression of the Slave Trance, and of piracy, in the neigh-
bouring seas.
The situation of the United States, in regard -to their re-
sources, the extent of their rev,,nuo, ant'- fire facility with whiea
it is rased, affhrds a mast gratifying spectacle. The paynient
of nearly sixty-seven millions of dollars of the public debt,
with the great progress made in measures of defence; and 'in
other imneevenients e`' . various kinds, ainc:; tile late war, arc:
conclusive i• •
' proofs of this extraordinary prosperity, especially,
when it• is reCoileeted that these expeticlitures have been de-
frayed, without a 131arthen on .the peopleathe direct tax and ex-
cise having been repealed soon after the conclusion of the late
war; and the revenue applied to these great objeets having been
raised in a manner not to be felt.. Our great resources, there- '
fore • remain 111:v41:lied, fur :any purpose which may affect the
vitaiinterests of the nation. For all such purposes they are
inexhauitible. They are mare especially to be found in the
virtue, patriotism, and intelligence, of our fellow citizens, and
in the devotion with which they would yield up, hy..a.ny just
measure of taxation, alltheir property, is support of the rights
and honour of t!leir coantry.. • •
Under the present depression of prizes, affecting. all the pros'
suctions of the country, and every branch Inelustsy, pro-

Thecare.of the Indian tribes within Our limits has long.baen
ineisential part of our system, but unfortunately, it has not
been executed in a manner to accomplials all the objects intend-
ed. by it. _We have treated them as independent nations with-
out their having fury subitahtial pretension to that-rank. The
distinction has flattered their pride, retarded their ithprovement,
and, in many instances, paved the way to their destrtiction.--.
The.progress of our settlements westward, supported, as they -
are, by a dense population, has constantly driven thehi back,
- with almost the total sacrifice of the lands which they have been
compelled to abandon. They have claims on the magnanimity,
and, I may add, on the justice of this nation, which we must
all feel. We should 'become their, real benefactors, we should
-perforrn the office of their Great Father, the endearing title
Which they emphatically give to the Chief Magistrate of our
Union: Their sovereignty over vast territories should cease, in
lieu of which the right of soil should be secured to each indivi-
dual, and his posterity, in competent portions, and, for the ter-
, ritory thus ceded by ends tribe, some reasonable equivalent
should be granted, to be vested in permanent funds for the sup-.
port of civil government over • them, and for the education of
their children, for their instruction in the arts of husbandry,"
and- to provide sustenance far them until they could provide it
for tiieiisselves. My earnest hope is, that Congress will digest
some plan, founded on these principles; with such improvements
-as their wisdom may suggest, and carry it into effect as Soon as
.
it may be practicable. . .
-Europa is again unsettled, and the prospect of war increa.s-t
inn. Should the flame light up; in any-quarter, how far it may
extend, it is impossible to foresee. It is our peculiar felicity to
be altogether unconnected with the causes which produce this
menacing-aspect elsewhere. With eveiT power we are in per-
fect amity, and it is our interest to remain so, if it be practicable
on just conditions. I see no reasonable cause to apprehend va-
riance with any power; Unless' it proceed from a violation of our
maritime rights. In these contests, should they occur, and to
whatever extent they may be carried, we shall be neutral ; but,
as a neutral power, we have rights which it is our duty to main-
tain. For light injuries it will be' incumbent on us to seek re-
dress in a spirit-of amity, in full confidence thateinjuring none,
none. would. knowingly injure us. For more imminent dangers
we should be prepared, and it should alWays be recollected that
such preparation, adapted to the circumstances, and sanctioned
by .the judgment and wishes of our constituents, cannot fail to
have a good effect of averting thing ars of every kind. We should
- recollect, also, that the season of peace is best adapted to these
preparations.- •
rf we turn-our attention, fellow-citizens, more immediattlY to
the internal concerns of our country, and more especially to
thos..eon. which its future welfare depends, we have every reason
to anticipate the happiest results. It is now rather "more than
forty :our 'years since "we declared our independence, and
thirty-scveri since it was acknowledged. The talents and virtues
which were displayed in that great struggle were a sure presage
of all that has since followed. A people who were able to Sur-
mount, in their infant state, such great perils, would be more
competent, as they rose into manhood, to repel any which they
might meet in their progress. Theirphysical strength would be
, more adequate to foreign danger, and the practice of self-go-
vernment, aided by the light of experience, could not fail to
produce an effect equally salutary, on all those questions con-
nected
with the internal organization. These favonrable anti-
cipations have been realized. In our whole system, national
and state,-we have shunned all the defects which unceasingly •
preyed on the vitals -and destroyed the amient Republics. In
them there were distinct orders, a nobility and a people, or the
people governed in one Assembly. Thus, in the one instance,
there was a perpetual Conflict between the orders in society for
the ascendancy, in which the victory of either terminated in the
overthrow of the Government, -and the ruin of the State. In
the other, in which the people governed in a body, and Whose
dominion, seldom exceeded the dimensions of .a county in one
of our States, a tumultuous and disorderlyemovement, permitted
only a transitory existence. In this great Nation there is but one
order, that of the people, whose power, -by a peculiarly happy
improvement of the representative principle, is transferred from
them without impairing, in the slightest degree, -their sove-
reignty, to bodies of their own creation, and to persons elected
by themselves, in the full extent nee( ssary for all the purposes
of fr -e, enlightened, and efficient Government. The whole
system is elective, the complete sovereignty being in the people,
and every. Officer, in every department, deriving his authority
from, arid being responsible to them, fbr his conduct. -
Our caxeer has corresponded with • this great outline. Per-
&ether,. in our organization could not have been expected in the
outset, either in the National or State Governments, or in trac-
ing the line between their respective powers. But no serious
conflict tuts arisen, nor any contest 'ant such as are Managed by
argurnerit;and by a fair appeal to the good sense of the people ;
and many of the defects which experience had clearly demon-
strated, in both Governments, have been remedied. By stew-'
dila, pursuing this course, in this spirit, there is every reason to
believe that our .system will soon attain the highest degree of
perfection of which human institutions are capable, and that the
movenientein all its branches,-will exhibit such a degree of or-
der -aid harmany, as to command the admiration and respect of
the civilized world. •• . - •

Our, physical ,aftairinients have • not been less eminent.—
.Twenty-'five years ago'thessriver Alississippl was shut up, and
our western brethren had no outlet far their commerce. What
has been the progress since that time ? The river has not only
become the property of the Unit.ed States from its source to the
ocean. with all its tributary streanisc (With the exception of the
upper part of .the Ited I,l.iver only:n but'Louisiana, with a fair
and-liberal boundary on,the western side, and the Floridas, on
the eastern, have been ceded to us. The United States now
enjoy the -complete !and -uninterrupted Sovereignty over the
,whsle territory from St. Croix to the Sabine.- New States, set-
tled from among. ours...lves in this, and in other parts, have
been admitted into our Union; in ennal participation in the na-
tional sovereignty, with the original State's. Our population
Ins augmented in an astnnishing degree, and extended in every
direction. Aire nevi, fellow-einzens„ coninrige within our lc-
'mitt the dimensions and faculties of ngreat power, under a
4lovernmene•passessing all. the energies of any. Governinent
ever known to the, old world, with an utter incapacity to op-
.
preSs•the neaple. . .
Entering, with these views, the ofike which I have just so-
lemnly sworn to execute with fiedlity, and to the ittinOst of my
ability, .1 derive great satisfaction from a knowledge that I shall
be assisted in the several departments •by the very enlightened
and upright citizens from whom I shave retieved so much aid in
tile preceding term. With full 'confidence in the continuance
bf that candor, and generous indulgence, from my fellow-
citizens at large, which I have heretnfOre,experieneed, and with
a firm reliance ott.'thil. prroteetion 'of Almighty GoD, I shall
forthwith commence the duties of the high trust to which you
have called me.

The Marquess of L.iNsnow:4 held various 14,!-•
titiens from the Clothiers in the Woollen triclif
of several towns in the West of England, pray-
ing for the removal of the Wool 'f as. As tar
he had been able to collect information on tligt
subject, it appeared to him that the Wool rat,
though intended for the protection of Agrictilturt,
had not answered its object ; whilst it had pro?,-
ed injurio4s
.to the manufacturing interest, by•
making foivign countries- indisposed to receir: •
our goods. He admitted, therefore, that thet.
manufacturing interests came to the House-willf-
a fair claim for relief, but he wisaed that they'
would take a more enlightened view of the sub- •
ject themselves, and agree to the free export-1.,
tion of Wool. If they understood" their re,il in-
terests properly, they would not object to .the,
opening of our ports, and he. had no doubt th:it
both their Lordships and the other House wonl,l
enter into the same view, and would consent C.
withdraw a tax which, without being productive.,
was deeply injurious to the trade, aud seriously
affected the policy of the country.—The Petitions „
were then read, and laid on the table.
The Bishop of CLIESTSR presented a Petition
from the Archdeaconry and Chapter of Chester
against the Catholic claimi.7—Laid on the table.
The Earl of FOILTSSCUk presented a Petition
from the Borough of Plymouth, praying for
revision'of.the Criminal Laws.—Laid on the table.
The Irish Witchcraft. Law Repeal- Bill wenC.
through a Committee,: and the Report 'was re-
ceived. •
, .

The Earl of C.tuRNATIVON, finding that the
Records of Convictions, for which he had moved,
had been removed by certiorari into the Court
of King's Bench, moved, that the proper OM,c;er
be directed to search for them. Agreed
Adjourned.