The Sun.
London, England, 1826-01-04 00:00:00

1825, 'authorised treaties to be made with the Indians for their'
consent to the making of a road front the frontier of_Missouri to
thatof New Mexico. And another Act of the feline date pro.
stifled for defraying the expellees of holding treaties with the
Sioux, Ohippovays, slenomeneee, Sauks. Foxes, &e.,-for the
purpose of establishing boundaries, and promoting peace be-
tween the said tribes. The first and the last objects of these
Acts have been accomplished; anti the second is yet In a pro-
cess of execution. The treaties whidis since the last Session
of Congress, have been concluded with the several Tribes, will
be laid before the Senate for their censideration conformably
to the Constitution. • They comprise large Sand valuable acqui-
sitions of territory; and they secure an adjustment of botin-
thrice, and give-pledgee or permanent peace between severad.
tribes which had been long waging bloody wars against each
other.
" On the 12th of February last, a treaty was signed at the
Indian Springs, between Conunieeioners appointed on the part
of the United Siefert, anti certain Chiefs and individuals of the
Greek Nation of Indians, which was received at the seat of Go.
vernment only a feW days before the close of the last Session of
Congress, and of the late Administration. The advice and
consent of the Senate was givetitu it. on the 3ti of March, too
late to receive the sanction of theehen' President of the United
States; it was ratified on the 7th March, under the unstispeet.
ing impression that it had been
_negociated in good faith, and in
the confidence inspired by the recommetidation of the Senate.
The subsequent transactions in relation to thin treaty, will form
the subject of a separate message.
" The appropriatietts made by Congress, for public works,.
as well in the construction of fortifications, as for purposes of
internal improvement, as tar as they have been expended,
have been fauhfully.applied. Their Fogless has been delayed
for want of suitable officers for superintending them. An in.
crease of both the Corps of Engineere, Military and Topogra-
phical, was recommended by. my predecessor at the last session
of Congress. The reasons upon which that 'recommendation
was founded subsist in all their three, anti have acquired Mai-
clonal Regency since that time. It may also be expedient to
organize the Topographical Engineers into a corps similar to
the establishment of the Corps of Engineers. The Military
Academy at West Point will furnish, trom the cadets annually
graduated there, officers well qualified for carrying this mea.
sure into effect.

The Board of Engineers for Internal Improvement, ap-
pointed for carrying into execution the Act of Congress, of the
30th of April, 11124, " to procure the necessary surveys, plans,
and estimates, on the subject of roads and canals," have been ac-
tively engaged in that service from the close of the last Session
of Congress. They have completed the surveys necessary for
ascertaining the pracleabillty of a Canal from the Chesapeake
Bay to the Ohio it iver, and are prepering4 full Report on that
subject, which, when completed, will be laid before you. The
same observation is to be made with regard to the two other
objects of national importance, upon which the Board have been
occupied, namely, the accomplishment of a national road front
this city to New Orleans, and the practicability of uniting the
waters of Lake Memphramagog with. Connecticut River, and
the improvement of the navigation of that River. The surveys
have been made, anti are nearly completed. The Report may
be expected at an early period during the present Session of
Congress.

The Acts of Congress of the bolt session, relative to the sur-'
veying, marking, or laying out roads in the territories of Flo-
rida, Archansas, Michigan, from Missouri to Mexico, and for
the continuation of the Cumberland road, are, some of them
fully executed, and others in the process of execution. Those
for completing or commencing fortifications have been delayed
only so far as the corps of engineers has been inadequate to fur-
nish officers for the necessary superintendence of the works.—
Under the Act confirming the statutes of Virginia and Mary-
land, incorporating the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company,
three Commissioners on the part .of the United States have been
appointed for opening .books and receiving subscriptions in con-
cert with a like number of Commissioners appointed on the part
of uclt of those States. A meeting of the Commissioners has
been postponed to await the definitive report of the bard of En-
gineers. The light-houssi and monuments- for the safety ofour
commerce and mariners ; the works for the security of the Ply.
mouth beach, and for the preservation of the islands in Boston
Harbour, have received the attention required by the laws re-
lating to those objects respectively.• The continuation of the
Cumberland road, the most important of them all, after sur.
mounting no inconsiderable difficulty in fixing upon the direc-
tion of the road, has commenced under the most promising
auspices, with the improvements :of recent invention in the
mode of construction, and with the advantage ola great reduc-
tion in the comparative cost of the work.
" The operation of the laws relating to Revolutionary Pen-
sioners may deserve the renewed consideration of Congress......
The Act of March 10,1810, while it made provision for many
Meritorious and indigent citizens, who had served in the War of
Independence, opened a door to numerous abuses and imposi-
tions. To remedy this, the Act, Ist May, 1020, exacted proofs
of absolute indigence, which many really in want, were unable,
and all, susceptible of that delicacy which Is allied to many
virtues, must be deeply reluctant, to give. The result has been.
that some amongst the least deserving have been retained, and
some in whom the ref nisites both -of math and want were com.
bined, have been stricken from'the list. As the number of these
venerable relicts of an age gone by diminish, as the decays of
hotly, mind, and estate of those who survive must in the common
course of nature increase, should not a more liberal portion of
indulgence be dealt out to them ?
• " !Flay not the want, in most instances, be inferred front the
demand, when the service can be duly proved ? and may not
the last days of human infirmity be spared .the mortiticanen of-
purchasing a pittance of relief only by the exposure of its own
necessities ? I submit to Congress the expediency either of
providing for individual cases of this description by special
enactment, or of revising the Act of Ist May, 1820, with a view.
to mitigate the rigour of its exclusions, in favour of persons to
whom charity, now bestowed, stn scarcely discharge the. debt
of justice.

4 The portion of the naval force of the Union in actual ger.
vice has been chiefly employed on three stations : the Mediter.
raneun, the coasts Of South America bordering on the Nellie
Ocean, and the West Indies. An occasional cruiser has been
sent to range along the African shores most polluted by the traffic
of shoves; one armed vessd has been stationed on the coast

of our eastern boundary, to cruise along the fishing grounds
in Hudson's Bay, and on the coast of Labrador; and the first
service of a new frigate has been performed in returning to his
native soil, and domestic enjoyments, the veteran hero whose
youthful blood and treasure had freely flowed in the cause of
our country's independence, and whose whole life had been
series of sacrifices—and sacrifices to the • improvement of his
fellow thee. The visit of General Lafayette, alike honourable
to himself and to our country, closed, as it had commenced,
with the mug affecting testimonials of devoted attachment on
his part, and of unbounded gratitude of thin people to him in
return. It will form, hereafter, a pleasing incident in the annals
of our Union, giving to real history the intense interest of ro-
mance, and signally marking the uneurchaseable tribute of' a
It'..eat nation's social affections to the disinterested champion of
the liberties of human kind.
" The constant maintenance of a small squadron in the Me-
, diterrenean was a necessary substitute for the humiliating
alternative of paying tribute for the security of our commerce
in that sea, and for a precarious peace at the mercy of every
caprice of tour Barbary States by whom it was liable to be
violated. An additional motive for keeping a reepectable force
stationed there at this time, is found in the maritime war raging
. between the Greeks and the Turkn ; and in which the neutral
navigation of this Union is always in danger of outrage and
depredation. A few instances have occurred of such depreda-
tions upon our merchant vessels by privateers or pirates wear-
ing the Grecian flag, but without real authority from the.
I; reek or any other Government. The heroic struggles of the
Creeks themeelves, in which our warmest sympathies as free-
men and Christians hey.: been engaged, have continued to be
maintained with vicissitudes of success adverse and favourable.
" Similar motives have rendered expedient the .keeping of a
like force On the coasts of and Chile on the Pacific. The
Irregular and convulsive character ot' the war upon those shores
has been extended to the conflicts upon the ocean. An active
warfare has been kept up for years, with alternate success,
though generally to the advantage of the American Patriots.
Hut their naval forces have not always been unda- the con.
trout of their own Governments. Blockades unjustifiable
upon any acknowledged principles of international law, have
been proclaimed by officers in'command ; and though disavowed
by the supreme authorities, the protection of our own com-
merce against them has been made ground of complaint and
of erroneous imputations upon some of the moat gallant
offluts Of our navy. Complaints equally groundless have
Made by the Commanders of the Spaniel] Royal Forces
in those seas ; but the meet effective protection to our commerce
has been the flag and the firmness of our own commanding
officers. The cessation of the war by the complete triumph of
the Patriot cause, has removed, it is hoped, all cause of dissen
sion with one party, and all vestige of force of the other. But
en unsettled coast of many degrees of latitude, forming a part
of our own territory, and a flourishing commerce and &hays
extending to' the islands of the Pacific and to China, still re-
quire that the protecting poWer of the Union should he dis-
played under its flag an welt upon the ocean as upon the land.
" The objects of the West India squadron have hem to
carry into execution the laws for the suppression of the African,
Sieve Trade; for the protection of our commerce against m-
uds of piratical character, though bearing commissions from
either of the belligerent parties; for the protection against open
and unequivocal pirates. 'l'hese objects during the present
year have been accomplished more effectually than ut any
former period. The African- Slave Trade ha* long been ex-
cluded from the use of our flag etind if some few citizens of our
country have continued to set the laws of the Union, es well as
those of nature and humanity, at defiance, by persevering in

that abominable traffic. it has been only by sheltering them-
selves under the banners of other nations, lees earnest for the
total extinction of the trade than ours. The irregular pd.
vateers have, within the last year, been in a great measure be.
niched from those setts; and the pirates for months past appear
to have been almost entirely swept away from the borders and
the shores of the two Spanish Wands in: those regions. The
active, persevering, and unremitted energy of Captain War.
rington, and of the officers teed Men under his command, on
that trying and perilous service, have been crowned with signal
success, and are entitled to the approbation of their country.—
But experience has lItY/11, that not even a temporary suspen-
sion or relaxation from assiduity can be indulged on that station,
without reproducing piracy anti murder in all their horrors;
nor is it probable that for years to come our immensely valuable
commerce hi those seas can navigate in security, without the
steady continuance of, an armed force devoted to its protection.
" It were indeed a vain and dangerous illusion to believe
that in the present or probable condition of human society, a
commerce so extensive and so rich as ours could exist, and he
pursued in safety, without the continual support of a military
marine; the only arm by which the power of this confederacy
can be estimated or felt by foreign nations, and the only stand-
ing military force which can never be dangerous to our own
liberties at home. A permanent naval peace establishment,
therefore, adapted to our present condition, and adaptable to
that gigantic growth with which the nation is advancing in its I
career, ix among; the subjects which have already occupied
the foresight of the last Congress, and which will deserve
your serious deliberations.—Oar navy, commenced at an early
period of Our present political organization, upon a scale
commensurate with the incipient energies, the scanty re.
sources, and the comparative indigence of our infancy, was
even then found adequate to cope with all the Powers
of ,Barbary, save the first, and with one of the principal
maritime powers of Europe. At a period of further ad-
enticement, but with little accession of strength, it not only
sustained with honour the most unequal of conflicts, but cos
vered' itself and country with unfailing glory. lint it only
since the close of the late war, that, by the number and focce of
ships of which it was composed, it could deserve the name of a
navy. Yet it retains nearly the same organization as when it
cielsisted only of five frigates. The rules anti regulations by
which' it is governed, urgently call for revision, and the want
of a Naval School of Instruction, corresponding with the Alai.'
tary Academy at West Point, for the formation of scientific and
accomplished officers, is felt with daily increasing aggravation.
" The Act of Congress of 20th May, 11124, authorising an
examination anti survey of the harbour of Charleston, in South
Carolina, of St. Mary's, in Georgia, and of the Coast of
Florieu, and for other purposes, has been executed so fast as the
appropriation would permit. Those of the 3d of March last,
authorising the establishment of a Navy Yard and Depot on
the Count of Florida, in the Gulf of :Mexico, and authorising
the building of ten sloops of war, and for other purposes, are in
the coarse of execution; for the particulars of which, and other
objects connected with this department, I refer to the Report of
the Secretary of the Navy, herewith communicated.
" A Report from the Postmaster General is also submitted,
exhibiting the present flourishing condition of that department.
For the first time formally years, the receipts for the year ending
the Ist of,f uly last, exceeded the expenditures during tht same
period, to the amount of more than 43,000 dollars. Other facts
equally creditable to the administratiou of the department, are,
that in two years, from the first of July, 1823, an improve-
ment of more titan 133,000 dollars in its pecuniary af-
fairs has been realised ; that in die same interval the increase
of the transportation of the mail has exceeded one million .five
hundred thousand miles, annually : and that one thousand and
forty new post.offices have been established. It hence app.'ars
that under judicious management, the income from this esta-
blishment may be relied on as fully adequate to defray its ex.
pences ; and' that by the discontinuance of post-roads, alto.
gether unproductive, others of more usefiel character may be
opened, till the circulation of the mail shall keep pace with die
spread of our population, and the comforts of friendly corre-
spondence, the exchanges of internal traffic, and the lights of
the periodical press, shall he distributed to the remotest corners
of the Union, at a charge scarcely perceptible to any indivi-
dual, and without the cost of a dollar to the public treasury.
" Upon the first occasion of addressing the Legislature of the
Union, with which I have been honoured, in presenting to their
view the execution, so far as it has been effected. of the measures
sanctioned by them, for promoting the internal improvement of
our country, I cannot close the communication without recom-
mending to their celin and persevering consideration, the general
principle in it more enlarged extent. The great object of the in.
*demon of civil govetnment is the improvement of the condition
of those who ere parties to the social compact ; and no Govern.
ment, in whatever form constituted, can accomplish the lawful
ends of its institution, but in proportion its it improves the con.
&don of those over whom it is established. Roads and canals,
by multiplying and facilitating the communications and inter-
course between distant regions,and multitudes of men are among
the most important means of improvement. But moral, political,
intellectual, imprevement, are duties assigned by the Author of
our existence, to social no less than to individual, man. For the
fulfilment of those duties Government are invested with power,
and to the attainment of the end, time progressive improve.
ment oldie condition of the governed, the exercise of delegated
power is a duty as sacred and indispensable as the nsurpateon of
power not granted is criminal and odious. Almost the first,
perhaps the very first, instrument for the improvement of the
condition of men is knowledge; and to the acquisition of much
of the knowledge adapted to the wants, the comforts, and en=
loyments of human life, public institutions and seminaries of
.learning are essential. So convinced of this was, the first of my
predecessors in this Office, now first in the memory, an, living,
he was first in the hearts of our country, that once and again in
his addressee to the Congresses with whom he cooperated
the public service, he earnestly recommended the establishment
of seminaries of learning, to prepare for all the emergencies of
peace and war—a national university and a military academy.
With respect to time latter, bad he lived till the present day,
turning his eyes to the Institution at West Point, he would
have enjoyed the gratification did* most earnest wishes. lint,
in surveying the city which has been honoured with his name,
he would have seen the spot of earth which he had destined and
bequeathed to the use and benefit of his country as the site for
an university, still bare and barren.
" In assuming her station among the civilised nations of the
earth, it weak, esein that our country had contracted the en-
gagement to contribute her share of mind, of labour, and of ex-
pence, to the improvement of those parts of knowledge which
lie beyond the reach of individual acquisition, and particularly
to geographical and astronomical science. Looking back to the
history only of the half century since die declaration of our in-
dependence, and observing the generous emulation whim which.
the Governments of France, Great Britain, anti Russia, have
devoted the genius, the intelligence, the treasures of their re..
speedy.° natimpe, to the common improvement of the species in
these brenches of science, is it not incembent .upon us to
inquire whether we are not bound by obligations of a high
and honourable character, to contribute our portion of energy
and exertion .to the common stock. The voyhges of ills-
covery, prosecuted in the course of that time, at the ex-
pence of those nations, have not only redounded to their
glory, but to the improvement of human knowledge. 'We
have been partakers of that improvement, and owe for it a
:leered debt, not only of gratitude, but of equal or propor-
tional exertion in the seine common cause. Of the cost of these
under akingin if the mere expenditure of outfit, equipment,
and completion of the expeditions, were to be considered the
only charges, it would be unworthy of a greet and generous.
natton to take a second thought. (hue hundred .expeditions
circumnavigation, like those of Cook and La Perouse, would
not burden the exchequereof the nation fitting them out, so
much as the ways and means of defraying a stogie campaign
in war. But if we take into the account the lives of those be-
nefactor of mankind, of which their services in the cause of
their species were the purchase, how shall the cost of those
heroic entcrprizes be estimated? And what compensation can
be made to them' or to their countries for them ? Is it not by
henring diem in affectionate remembrance? Is it not still more by
imitating their example? By enubllng countrymen of our oil) to
pursue the same career,antl to hazard their lives in the seine cause?
" In invitieg the attention of Congress to the subject of in,
ternal improvements upon a view thus enlarged, it is not my
design to r. commend the equipment of an expedition for tit.-
cumnavigating the globe for the purpoee of scientific research
and . We have objects of useful investigation nearer
home, and to which our cures may be more beneficially ap..
plied. The interior of our own territories has yet been very
imperfectly explored. Our coasts along many degree of In.
titude, upon the shores of the Pacific Ocean, though much
frequented by our spirited commercial navigators, have
betel barely visited by our public ships. The River of
the West, first fully discovered and navigated by a ccun.
tryman.of our own, still bears the name of the ship in which
lie ascended its waters, and claims the protection of our, armed
rational flag at its mouth. With the establishment of a military
post there, or at some other point on that coast, recommended
by my predecessor and already matured in the deliberations of
aanalti
for.
the last Cengress, would suggest time expediency of connect.
ing-the equipment of a public shill for the exploration of the
rdof
weights in this me‘a‘sTuhreesewntaasholinselmonientitieosfpaecin
whole north-west coast of this continent.
fil len ilifblerncts contemplated
standa
illation of our Conatitution, and to fix that standard was one of
the powers delegated by express terms, in that instrument to
Congress, The Governments of Great Britain and France have
scarcely ceased to ha occupied with inquiries and speculation,: on
the (mind subject, since time existence, of our Constitution, and
with them it has expanded into profbund, laborious, and expen-
sive researches into the figure of the earth, and the comparative
length of the pendulum vibrating seconds in various latitudes
from the Equator to the Pole. Theme researches have resulted
in the composition and publication of several works highly in.

teresting to.the cause of science. The experiments are yet in
the process of performance. Sonic of them have recently been
made on our own shores, within .the walls of one ofour own
.
colleges and partly by one of our own fellow-citizens. It would
be honourable to our country, if the sequel of the same experi-
ment should be countenanced by the patronage of our Govern.
meat as they have hitherto been by those of France and Britain.
Connected with the establishment of an University, or sepa-
ratofrom it, might be undertaken the erection of an astronomi-
cal observatory,with provision for the suppots of an astronomer,
tube In constant attendance and observation upon the pheno-
mena of the heavens, and fox the periodical publication of his
observations. It is with no feeling of pride, as an American,
that the remark may be made, that on the comparatively small
territorial surface of Europe, there are existing upwards of one
hundred and thirty of, these light houses of the skies; while
thronglikit the whole American hemisphere there is not one.—
If
fans eerneflueu,citesa,mhooivneenbtoeunpoinnat4te Ti
the 'universe by means of those buildings, and of observers
stationed in them shall we doubt of. their usefulness to every
discoveries
sical constitution of
which, in the last
nation ? And while scarcely a year passes over our heads
without bringing some ner., astronomical discovery to light,
which we must fain restive at second hand from Europe, are
we not cutting ourselves off from the means of returning light
for light,' While we have neither observatory or observer upon
our half ofahe globe, and the earth revolves in perpetual dark-
nests to our unsearching eyes ?
" When, on the 25th of October, 1791, the first President of
the United States announced to Congreste the result of the first
enumeration of the inhabitants of this Union, he informed them
that the population of the United States bordered on four mil-
lions of persons. Atone distance of thirty years from that time
the last enumeration, five years since completed, presented
a population bordering upon ten millions. Perhaps, of all the evie
dencei of aprosperous and happy condition of human society,
the rapidity -a( the increaseof population is the most unequivocal.
But the demonstration of our prosperity rests not alone upon this
indication. Our commerce, our wealth, and the extent of our
territories, have increased in corresponding proportions; and
the number of s independent communities associated in our
Federal Union, hes, since that time, nearly doubled. The
legislative representation of the States end people, in the two
houses of Congress, has grown with the growth of their consti-
tuent bodies. The House, which then consisted of. C 5 Mem-
bers now numbers upwards of two hundred. The Senate,
which consisted of twenty-six Members, has now forty-eight.
But the isxecutive, and still more the, Judiciary Department,
are yet in a great measure confined to their primitive organiza-
tion, anti are now not adequate to the urgent wants of a still
growing community.
" The naval armaments which at an early period forced
themselves upon the necessities of the Union, soon led to the
establishment of a Department of the Navy. But the De-
partment of Foreign Affairs, and of the Interior, which,
early after the formation. of the Government had been united
in one, continues united at this tisue, to the unquestion-
able detriment of the public' service. The multiplication
of our relations with the nation, and Governments of the
old world, has kept pace with that of our population and
commerce, while within the last ten years a new family
of nations, in our own hemisphere, has arisen among the
inhabitants of the earth with whom. our intercoure, commereial
and political, would of itself furnish occupation to an active and
industrious department. The constitution ot' the Justiciary ex-
perimental and imperfect as it was, even in the infancy of our
existing Government, is yet more inadequate to the administra-
tion •of- national justice at our present maturity. Nine years
have elapsed since a predecessor in this Office, now not the
least—the citizen who, perhaps, of all others throughout the
Union, contributed most to the formation and establishment of
our Constitution, in his valeditory addretes to Congress imme-
diately preceding his retirement from public life, urgently re-
commended the revision of the Justiciary, and the establish-
ment of an additional Executive Department.
" The exigencies of the public service, and it unavoidable
deficiencies, as now in exercise, have added yearly cumulative
weight, to the consideration presented by him as persuasive to
the measure; and in recommending it to your deliberations, I
ant happy to have the influence of his high authority, in aid of
the undoubted convictions of my own experience.
" The laws relating to the administration of the Patent
Office are deserving of much consideration, and, perhaps, sus-
ceptible of some improvement: The grant of power to regulate
the action of Congress on this subject has specified both the end
to be attained, and the means by which it is to be effected—to
promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for
limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to
their respective writings and discoveries. If an honest pride
might be indulged in the reflection, that on the records of that
office are already found inventions the usefulness of which has
scarcely been transcended in the annals of human ingenuity,
would not its exultation be allayed by the inquiry, whether the
laws have effectively insured to the Inventors the reward des-
deed to them by the Constii mien, even a limited term of ex-
elusive right to their discoveries ?
On the 24th December, 1799, it was resolved by Congress
that a marble monument should be erected by the United States
in the Capitol, at the City of ‘Vitshington ; that the family of
General Washington should be requested to permit his body to
be deposited under it; anti that the monument be so designed
as to commemorate the great events of his military and political
life. In reminding Congress of this resolution, and that the
monument contemplated by it remains yet without execution,
shall indulge only the remark, that the works in the Capitol are
approaching to completion. That the consent of the family
-desired by the resolution was requested and obtained. That a
monument has been recently erected in the city, at the expence
'of the nation, over the remains of another distinguished Patriot
of the Revolution; and that a spot has been reserved within
time walls where you are deliberating for the benefit of this and
future ages, in which the mortal remains may be deposited of
him whose spirit hovers over you, and listens with delight to
every act of the Representatives of this Nation, which can`
tend to exalt and adorn his and their country.
" The Constitution under which you are assembled is a
charter of limited powers; after full and solemn deliberation-
upon all or any of the objects which, urged by an irresistible
sl !towns that,br
them
de-
sirabletwiooiu)
Is, l
transcend
ernaui
instrument
sds tcr
themselves,nyndoliet
nt
aiecwtheoeur
sat
whe
sense of my own duty, I have recommended to your atten-
he
tion,
eemcoennteoluf
committedare to
all
bouynodu
to support;
Ve-
nerable
let no consideration induce you to assume the powers not
granted to yon by the People. But if the powers to exer-
cise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever over the
district of Colombia, if the power to lay and collect taxes, duties,
imposts, and excises, to pay the debts, and provide ter the com-
mon defence and general welfare of the United States ; if the
power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among
lie several States, and with the Indian tribes ; to fix the
Standard of weights anti measures ;to establish post-offices and
post-roads; to declare war; to raise and support armies; to
provide and maintain a navy ; to dispose of, and make all
needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other
property belonging to the United States ; and to make all laws
which shall be necessary and proper for carrying these powers
into execution.-11 these powers, and others enumerated isi,the
Constitution, may be effectualy brought into action by laws
promoting.
the improvement of Agriculture, Commerce, rind
Manufacturee, the cultivation anti encouragement of the Me-
chanicand the elegant Arts, the advancement of Literature,
wnueladerbeeistiontidtle therm
ni
and the progress of the Sciences, ornamental and profound—
etabrethbtehue talent
e litleonft tclo'empmertretlei to our charge—would be treachery to the most sacred of trusts.
" The spirit of improvement is abroad upon the earth. It
stimulates the heart, and sharpens the faculties, not of our
fellow-citizens alone, but of the nations of Europe, and of
their rulers. While' dwelling with pleasing satisfactibn upon
the superior excellence of our political institutions, let us not
be unmindful that liberty is power ; that the nation, blessed
with the largest portion of liberty, must, in proportion to
its numbers, be the most powerful nation upon earth ; and
that the tenure of power by man is, its Lite moral pur-
poses of his Creator, upon condition that it shall be exer-
cised to ends of beneficence to improve the cOntlition of
himself and his fellow men: While foreign nations, less
blessed with that freedom which is power, than ourselves, arc
advancing • 1 • • in
gigantic stridesthe career of public improve-
ment, were we to elumber indolence, or fold up our arms, and
proclaim to the world that we acre palsied by the will of our
constituents, would it not lie to cast away the bounties of Provi-
dence, and doom ourselves to perpetual inferiority ? In the
course of the year now drawing to its close, we have beheld,
under the auspices, and at the expence of one State of this Union,
a new univereity unfolding its portals to the sons of Science, and
dinol up the torch of human iinprovement to eyes that seek
the lgl
it. We have seen, under the persevering and enlight.: ened enterprise of' another State, the waters of our west n lakes
mingled with those of the ocean. If undertakings like these
have been accomplished in the compass of a few years, can we,
the Representative Authorities of the whole Union, fall behind
Our fellow-servants in the exercise of the trust committed to us
for the benefit of our common sovereign, by the accomplish-
merit of works important to the whole, and to which neither the
authority nor the resources of any one State can be adequate.
" Finally, fellow-citizens I shall await with cheering hope,
and faithful co-operation, the result of your deliberations ; as-
sured that, without encroaching upon the lowers reserved to
the authorities of the respective Stares, or to the people, you
will, with a due sense of your obligations to your country, and
of the high responsibility weighing upon yourselves, give effi-
eacy to the means committed to you for the common good. And
may He who searches, he hearts of the children °linen prosper
your exertions to secure the blessings of peace, and 'promote the
highest welfare of our country:_____

"JOHN QUINCY ADAMS."

TITHES.

ST, GILES'S, CRIPPLEGATE.

A requisition having been presented to the
Churchwardens of St. Giles 8, Cripplega,te, numerously and,
respectably signed, a meeting was called of the inhabiutpts of
the parish, to take into consideration a Circular Letter received
from the Rev. Mr. flotatEs, the Vicar, respecting the Tithes,
and,to determine what measures should be adopted thereon.—
Mr. HILL, the Churchwarden, having been called to the chair,
said he considered it his duty to comply with the requisition
presented to him for an early meeting of the parishioners, and
he most particularly wished the 'parties present would abstain
from personal or angry observations, as by a calm and deli-
berate line of conduct they were likely ultimately to crown their
exertions with success. Every man, be his opinion what it'
may, was entitled to; and he had no doubt would receiTe,
patient hearing.—After the requisition had been read, the fol.,
lowing letter from the Vicar was produced,—it created great
sensation amongst the auditors:—

" To the Inhabitants of the Parish of St. Giles.withcatt-Ceip-
plegate, in the City of London.
" For some time past I have had it in contemplation to maks
an alteration in the rate of the parish tithes, which I have de-
layed, until circumstances have rendered such alteration abso-
lutely necessary.

_
" During the 23 years r have been Vicar of this large and re•
spectable parish, the utmost I have required of • any inhabitant
has been Is. in he pound ; not calculated on the actual arnottntr
of rent paid, but on an assessment, admitted by all to be lest
than the actual rents, and much less than by law I am entitled
to. Notwithstanding which, I have, within the last nine years,
been put to a considerable expellee by the'pariahioners, joining
in three several applications to Parliament to repeal the statute',
on which my right to tithe is founded.
" I am now involved in a most serious expence, in nearly:'
rebuilding the vicarage-house, which, notwithstanding tits
frequent repairs I have given it during my incumbency, hest ,
from age, fallen into general decay ; and when I add to this
the increased expencea of my family,4 feel imperatively calla
upon to apply to my legal resources for aid and assistance.
" I therefore give notice, that from anti after Christmas next
my collector will call upon the inhabitants for an increased pay-
ment of tithes upon the rents of the several houses and buildings
within the parish. At the same time I beg it to be understood
that it is not my intention to demand the full amount of my
legal right, but to place the rate of the tithes of Cripplek,rat•
upon a similar footing with other parishes in which the tithes
arc regulated by the same statute.
" 1 trust, that when my parishioners reflect on the. great
length of time I have contented myself with so small a portion
of my right, and the circumstances which make it necessary L
should now increase it, they will not sutler the harmony and
!.good understanding that has hitherto subsisted between us to
be interrupted ; as they cannot, with justice, consider I am
I. departing from that line of moderation which I have always
Ipursued, and of which they have enjoyed the benefit for so
many years.

" WILLIAM HOLMES, Vicar."
" Cripplegate, Aug. 4, 1023."
Mr. IlitooDEN, in a speech of some length, submitted some
resolutions for the approval of the assembly. Ile stated that he
was always sorry to see a misunderstanding between a shepherd
and his flock ; and however great his reluctance to enter the lists
in this instance, he did it from a firm conviction of right;
hoped by a mild anti firm behaviour to settle their differences
amicably. Mr. lirogden proposed, that a Committee be ap-
pointed to wait upon the Vicar to know would he consent to qqe
before Parliament with the parishioners, if the consent of the
patrons could be obtained. Mr. B. said, as a Member of the
Church of England, he considered it degrading to the dignity
of the Church and to the religion of the country; to enter into
cabals equally hurtful to both parties. They wanted not only
the concurrence of the Vicar, but of the Dean and Chapter of
St. Paul's. He (Mr. B.) considered it would be doing an
in-
justice to all
.parties to anticipate an unfriendly answer. It
should be also considered, that in giving his sanction to' go be-
fore Parliament the future interest of the Vicarage would be
compromised. The future peace of the parish depended on their
present conduct, and it behoved them to act with circumspec-
tion, that they might not hereafter have to reproach themselves
with having acted indiscreetly. -
LI Mr. JONES highly approved of the resolution of Mr. Dreg:
den, and said the object or the Committee should be conflneei
to ascertaining the views of the Rev. Mr. Holmes, they should:
not be empowered to make any proposal, or hold forth any ex-
pectation that might afterwards be disapproved of. He (Dlr.
Jones) considered a fixed annual stipend as the most equitable
mode of remunerating the clergy, and it would be very desir-
able to come to some Parliamentary arrangement, to prevent
these inroads on our rights by these already well paid eons of

peace.
Mr. PALLISER said, he took perhaps it different view of the
question front the Gentleman who precct'ed him, but he was
certain' that a great majority of the •patish were of the same
feeling as himself. He could not patiently acquiesce in pay-
ing the increased demand, nor could he be silent on such an
occasion. Some years ago, when the Vicar first received our
shilling in the pound, he pledged himself not to make any far-
ther demand upon them ; he has broke his faith with us, there-
fore his word cannot further be depended on. It was his wish,
if possible, to raise by subscription sufficient to combat ben,
and enfranchise the parish from such exorbitant and capricious
demands. He said that the Vicar should have his own words
repeated to hint, to rule up his recollection.
Deputy PULLEN said, he was anxious that the object for
which they were assembled should be kept in view. It was
not to propose means of contesting the right, nor to raise sub.
scriptions for that purpose; such proposals are equally Pl'e
practicable and ridiculous. Any sum that could be taiga
would be insufficient for such a purpose; and of two evils l.
think it would be advisable to choose the least. It has be
suggested that the result of the conference .e immediately
communicated to the parishioners, a suggestion highly ere'
ditable to the gentlea:an who made it. The plain question t‘;.
be asked is this: If we apply to Parliament for a regulation of
the living upon such terms as may hereafter be agreed upon,
and gain the consent of the Dean anti Chapter, will you J°l,l'
us ? Mr. P. said, ax they were compelled to live in the pettsl
with Mr. Holmes, as Vicar, it became them to be in unity an
good fellowship with him. lie hoped the unfortunate dill;
cons in other 'parishes would operate as a warning to theme ell'
prevent them from inflicting wounds on each other, which dine
could never heal.
Mr. ATKINSON said, that although the epistle was not esl."
culated to engage the esteem and confidence of the parish, ,
hoped the Vicar would. honourably relinquish all further dee
mends, or go with them heed in hand to Parliament to arrange
their differences, and he should be reminded of his engagemel
on receiving one shilling in the pound ; he pledged his w°l.
that while he lived he would never require more.
Mr. NEWELL, sen. hoped the deputation would not faits
the expectation of the Vicar as their instructions were only '
learn to what extent Mr. Holmes intended to go. lie said etla
understood the living to be worth 2,0001. per year; that to°
circular which he held in his hand was a gross violation of gbou
faith, anti it was too often the case, that the faults and impel'
fections of individuals cast a shade over the faith which they
profess. When he came first into the parish the tithe was they
in thtepound, and it was his opinion that the Act ofthe 37th of
Henry VIII. ought to be repealed, as it only encouraged mere
cenary behaviour amongst the teachers of Christianity, by ex-
asperating instead of 'appeasing their flock. When the Vicar
had the tithe raised from ed to Is. he said it would make a dife
ference to him of 1,0001, per year.
Mr. Alderman WooD said, he felt in common with the reo
of the parish, that the tithe system was a great grievance, but
it was a source of consolation to him that he had done his best
to prevent the clergy from carrying their measures against the
pockets of the people. Although propositions were made of
opposing the demand of the Vicar on a former occasion, he wa'
the only person in the parish who withstood the demand, einl
would have done it to this day, had there been any 11°P,eseeCe
success. "fis true, he carried it into Chancery, but the Clergy
will not try it in the Lower Courts, and the Lord Chancellor be
given his opinion in favour of the demand, he says he will take
the law as it stands at
as to the Act of Parliament u
la%
upon which they founded their del
ever having been registered. The first Law-Officer in the
says, he will not permit you to go into a Court of Law, wh„ta
you can try it by a Jury—but decides upon it himself, hel"n1;
both Judge and Jury ! helot having been our good fettupt
to be burnt down at the Fire 'of London, we must be eontebe
to make a peaceable turangernent ; and whatever assistance ,e
could afford should most willingly be given. He, for Wing":
solemnly declared, that he would resist every increase t,
less' they went before Parliament. If they succeli;
their endeavours to bring the Vicar and his patrons t° ele,
views, they may calculate upon having a powerful all to
iRt
Peel, who has declared that he will render all possible itee:l,,
ance to the parties if they will go to Parliament volunteti.4v
If you should not succeed in adjusting your differences ;a,
this application, you will have pod grounds to apply t° oes
liament. Ile stated that he was an enemy to rack rent 2
eily
not just, and that a fixed stipend was the only means ot'ullTh
adjusting the aide, tv
do, would be complied with.
which, if it. was the wish of the VW
tione
The Committee was elected, and will commence 00°
mmtliately ; it consists of the followin eleven Oentlemen 'O,
Messrs. Brogden, Pullen, Gibbs, Jones
softy
weed and the twoChurchwardens,:sleser
Masmeseed Atkinson,
ll
The thanks of the Meeting having been voted to Mr. —OO,
for his .irnpartial.coneue'. in the Chair, he returned
ar,d, the Meeting separated.
Morriso