The Sun.
London, England, 1818-12-24 00:00:00

ROXBURGH F. CLUB.

MR. EDITott,----When 1 wrote to von few
mood's ago upon the s'ibject of a Festival given
by an English Clergyman on the 17th of June,
the Anniversary of the RoxaoacHs CLUB, 1

promised that.l would a-rite to you again, if you I
found room for toy former lucubration. You did
insert it in Toe SUN of the 24th of September,
and I should be ashamed of having so long de-
layed to perform my promise, if any thitig of
iliport;ince had occurred in relation to that Club ;
but all matters seem to have proceeded in the
usual coot se, and the members, no doubt, have
enjoyed their periodical difluers, and iathikied
themselves in high panegyrics on these old Books,
which the several generations that have succeed-
ed the time of their original publication did not
think worth preserving, and which owe the con-
tinuance of their existence to accident, of the
corrupt minds of those who kept theta extant, and.
have transmitted them to an indignaut posterity.
Perhaps it may be necessary to remind your
Readers, that the chief circumstance which oc-
curred at the Paris celebration of the Ariniver-
sat y, was that of an English Clergyman of tire
Orthodox Church, among other toasts appro-
priate to the Meeting, having given one " to
the immortal memory of Co RtsToPtiv.li Vat.-
DABBER, the Printer of the Boccacio, of WI ;
a Book, the purchase of which, by a certain
Nobleman, was the oecas;on of tie Institution of
the Roxßbnon f: CLUB." Now, Sir, perhaps your
Readers iu general may not know the nature of
that work, for Cie printing of which, the me-
mory of VALDAIIFF,B. was !hos honoured; and it
nhiY, therefore, be proper to inform them, that
it is an infamous production, full of the most in-
tensive obscenity, without any such proportion
of humour as could justify its preservari•,n, and
therefore, it that copy of the first Editing had
been the only one extant, and the Nobleman who
purchased it had the moment atter committed it
to the flames, be woold have deserv,d well of

mankind, toi: having destroyed a uork.only cal-
culated to corrupt yoltng ni:wary minds, 2111(1 to
tickle the vicious imaginations of hardened old
siuners. Whit !hen must those of your Ituaders,
,who hare never known this fact before, think of
those who could found an institution, that ought
10 hedevoted to useful Literature, upon such a baisl
For mind, Sir, it was not established for any alledged

purpose of toStcting genius and promoting vworks
of moral and lißrary merit, but merely because a
thoughtless young Nobleman had squandered'a
large sum upon the reliques of ancient profli-
gacy !! I And what must be thought of a Pro-
testant member of a sacred calling .who could put
himself to the expellee of a Tavern Diuter, hi the

Licentious NetropoliS of France, chiefly for the
purpose of celebtating the Anni%:ertary of a Club
that had so exceptionable and disgusting an
? But, Sir, the recent agitation of the BLF.N-
oRINI question has recalled my promise to ray
mind;and induced me again to trouble you on the
subject. It is well known that the Nobleman allud.
ell to, gavke for this nauseous remains of

(lated obscenity no less a sum than 22601., and ►
it appears that he has been felling the trees in a
noble inheritance, the gilt of
,the BRITISH NA-
T!ON to his maternal Ancestor as a reward for his
glorious actions in the field, in honour of his
country, and in resistance-of the ambition of the •
French Monarch of the time.—Well, Sir, thi•
felling has naturally; alarmed those who have an
eventual claim to a ptoperty so honourable to the,
nation which bestowed it, and the familyion which
it was conferred. Now, Sir, as to the bearing of
this ease on the RoxaunGnE CLUB ; it is evidf.llt

(bat if silly men on the one hand, and artful men
on the other, tiid not, in effect, conspire to set
a fantastic value upon books, because they are
old, however trifling, cootemptable, mischievous,
and profligate, snot theteby create a fake ambi-
tion anumg those who by their rank and'wealth
ate suitable dopes for interested and crafty cha-
racters,'this case might never have occurred .
if w'e may believe general tumour, an embarrassed
sitthation was the cause why these dilapidations of
A property so honourable to the nation and to the
family to which it belongs have been comtnitted.
if 22601. be gken for one old hook, mach more
May, perhaps, have been given for others, and
hence we see the ruinous effects of such a delusive
value as is put on votks of that desctintion; and
the mischief, as well as folly, of an Institution
founded on SO despicable a basis. I shall not take
np MOUC of your Valuable Paper at present, than
merely to say, as 1 did on the former occation,
that if you insert this letter, you Will probably
hear from me again on the sane subject, but not
alter so long an interval.
11 Amen Comer, Dec. 20.

JOIIN BULL.

A meolet ol ot Filler, re.
si!ling to the Cny.roail, took to Neo. gate nimket
yesterday ntorrrin4 a la., of hotseNthltsb, con-
,,tining thirty sticks, ot only one yew'', growth,
• ighinu, when, trimmed for sale, 2711)s ,
-ot,trly the wti6itt of one pound each *tick.

..i( ~

•
It' ASITINGTON (I.iy, At twelve
o'clock, the PIIEIDENT 01 the United Statcs trans.:
witted to both Houses of Co,gress, by hi Se
crutary, Mr..l.3.Mourne, the following
DI ESSAGE.

ranw Citizen: of the Senate, and of the House of
Representatives,
The auspicious circumstances under yoo
will cOMmence th-e duties of the pirsent Session,
will -lighten the -burden inseparable horn the higli
trust comniiticri to y‘,ll. The finits of thc earth
have been unusually abundant ; cotur•erce has
flowished ; the revemie has exceetleti the most
favourable anticipation ; and peace and amity are
preerved With foreign nalions, on conditions just
aunt honourable to our country. For these ines-
timable blessings, cannot but be v.rateful to
that Providence which watches over the deStinies
of nations.

As the term limited for the operation of the
Commercial Convention with Great Poitain wit
expire early in the Month of July next, and it was
deemed important that there should be no inter-
val, doting which: Abet portion of our commerce
which tray provided for by that Conventiou,
should tint be regulated, either by arrangement
between the two 'Governments, or by the ,mtho-
rity of Congress, the A-noisier of the Uni!ed States
at London was instructed, early in the last sum-
mer, to invite the 'attention of the Britian Govern-
ment to the subject, with a view to that object.
Ele was instructed to propose, also, that the ne-
gociatioo which it was proposed to open, might
extend to the general-commence of the two coon-
tt ieS, and to every other interest and unsettled thf-
terence between them ; particularly those relating
to impressment, the fisheries, and boundaries, in
the hope that en arrangement might be made, on
joinciples of reciprocal advantage, which might
comprehend and provide in a S!ttiStriCtory manner
for all these high concerns, 1 have the satisfac-
tion to state, that the proposal was received by
the liritishGovernment ill the spirit which prompt-
ed it ; and that a negociation has been (Terre(' at
London, embracing all these objects. On full
consideration of the great extent and magnitude
of the trust, it was, tlibught proper to commit it
to not less than two of our distinguished citizen';`
and, in consetineoce, the Envoy Extraontintaty
and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States
at Pari4 has beeo associated with our Envoy Ex-
traordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Lon-
don ; to both of whom corrtspondiog instructions
have tonor given ; -and they ate now engaged in
the dischatge of its duties. It is proper to add,
that, to prevent any inconvenience resulting front
the delay incident to a ncgociation on so many
important subjects, it n'B3 agreed, before entering
no it, that the existing Convention should he con-
tinned for a term of not less than eight •years.
Our relations with Spain remaiii neatly in the
state in which they were at the close of the last
Session. The Convention of 1802 providiug for
the adjustment of a certain portion of the claims
of our c tizens for injori,s sustained by spolia-
tion, and so long suspended by the Spanish Go- -
veroffeellt, has at length been ratified by it ; but
no arrangement has yet been made for the pay-,
ment of another portion of like claims, not less
extensive or well foonded, or for on her classes of
claims, or for the settlement .16„..41,,rie5. These
sithj, cts have age io been bronght under consuter-
in both countries, but no agreement has
been entered into
respectinc them. lo the mean
time, events have 'reclined which clearly prove
the ill effect of the pohey svhich Cott Government
has so long pursued oo the ft ientilv relations cif
the two countries, which, it is presnined, it is at
least of as much haportance to Spain as to the
United States to maiotain. A state of things has
existed in the Floridas, the tendency of which has
been obvious to; all who have paid tloc sligoest
attention to the progress of affairs in that quarter.
Thronghout the whole of those provinces to which
the Spanish tire extends) the Government of Spain
has scarcely been felt. Its authority has been
confined, almost exclusively, to the walls of Pen-
titcolit and St. Angustioe, within which only small
garrisons have been maintained. Adventurers
from every country, fugitives from justice, and
-absconding slaves, have found an asylum there.
Several (Hoes et Indians, strong in the number
Of their warriors, remarkable for their ferocity,
and whose sttlen:ents extend to our limits, t 0.1144
.1144 those provinces. These different hordes of
'people, connected together, disregarding, on the
one side, the authority of Spain, and protected
ott the other by an imaginary line which sepa-
rates Florida from the United States, Lice yin-
Itrt ed oor laws, prohibiting the introduction of
slaves, have practised various frauds on our re-
"venue, and committed every kind of outrage oat
our peaceable citizens which their proximity to
us enabled them to penetrate. The invasion of
Amelia Island last year, by a small band of ad-
venturers, not exceoling 150 in number, who
wrested it from the ioconsiderable Spanish force
stationed there, and beld,it several months, dor-
iog which a single•feeble effort only was made
to recover it, which failed, clearly proves how
completely extinct the Spanish Authority had be-
come ; as the coot:net of those adventurers, wink
in possession of the island, as distinctly sHows the
pernicious purposes for which their combination
had been formed.
ThiS country had, in fact, become the theatre

of every species of lawless advent tit e. With little
population of its own, the .‘,panisli authority al-
most extmrt, and the Governments in a
state of revolution, having :to pretension to ir,, ,
and sufficiently employed in then inwn concerns,
it Was in a great measure dery list, and the object
of cupidity to every adventurer. A system of hor!...
canecring wag rapidly organizing over it, which
menaced, in iis consequences, the lawful com-
merce of .every nation, and particulaily of the
United Srares ; while it presented a tempticioni
to every people, on whose s,duction its success
principally depended. lii r.gard to the Unit. d
States, the pe'rnicions effects of this unlawful
combination was nut confined to the ocean ; the
Itilltan tellies hive cOnsti, toted the elective force
to Finrida. With these tithes these adventure's
hot t.ruted, at an early p...riod, a connevon; With.
a view to avail themselves of that force to pro.-
mute their own projects of accumulation au‘i

vandisentent. ft is to the interference of some
0: thttse adverttorers, in Wisrepresentilog the claims
curl titles of the lodians IO land, and in practising
their sava4e' nroper;sitie, that tier Seminole
vr:lr is principaliy to be traced!. Men who thus.
connect theoiseive, with savage cootirrattiiies, and
sti4ttilate them Ca war, witielt is alwayg attcoded
oa elieir hart with acts of hieh4rity the moat
slocking, deserve to be viewed in a worse light
tl'ah the Sdvagt-t. They would certainly have tho
claim to an immunity front the intilkittnrltt which,
arcordine: to the roles of warfare practised by the
savages. night justly be inflicted on the savages
ti,ernselves.

If the embarrassments of Spain prevented her
from making an indemnity to out citizens, for So
10111; n time,-from her treasury, fur their losses by
spoliation, and otherwise, it was always in her
rower to have provided it, by the cession of this
Territory. Of this, her Government had been
repeatedly apprised; and the cession was [lmmure
to he anticipated, di 5114111101151 have known that,
in ceding it, she would in effect cede what hafi be-
come of little value to her, and would likewise
relieve herself from the important obbeation se-
cured by the Treaty of 1793,, and all other corn-
promitments respecting it. If the United States,
from consideration of these embarras•ments, de-
clined pressing their claims in a spiri• of hostility,
the motive ought at least to have been duly ap-
preciated by the Government of Sp tin. It is well
Lnomn to her Government that othee Powers have
ro::Ate to the United States an indemnity for like
icyt:Aeso sustained by their citizens at the same
epoch.

There is, nevertheless, a limit beyond which
this spirit of amity and forbearance can in no in-
stance he justified'. It it was proper to rely on
amicable negociation for an indemuily for losses,
it would not nave been so to have permitted tire
inability of Spain to fulfil her engagements, and
to sustain her authority in the Floridas, to be per-
verted by foreign adventurers and savages, to pur-
poses so destructive to the lives of our fellow-citi-
zens, and the highest interests of the United
States. 'The right of self defence never ceases.—
It is among the must sacred, and alike necessary
to notions and to individuals. And, whether the
attack be made by Spain herself, or by those who
rabese her Poe er„ its obligation is not the less
strong. The invaders of Amelia Island bail assumed
8 pop.hraod ret re: ted title, turner which they might
spi/rgaCllart I,votend us. As their object was dist hitt y
seen, and the duty imposed on the Executive, by an
existing law, was profoundly felt, that russk was
not p• ratified to protect them. It was thoo!!ht
incumbent on the Mated States to suppress the
establishment, and it was accordingly done. The
combiaat ion ie Florida, for the unlawful ,purposes
stated, the acts perpetrated by that combination,
and above all, the incitement of the Indians to
massacre our fellaw•citizens, of every age, and
of both sexes, merited a like treatment and re-
ceived it. In pursuing these savages to an mina-
gimtry line in the woods, it would have been the
height of fully to have suffered that line to protect
them [lid that been done, the war could never
tease. Even if the territory had been exclusively
that of Spain, end her power complete over it, e.'e
had a right, by the law of me ions, to follow the
eortnv on it, and to subdue him there. lint the
territory belonged, in a certain sense at least, to
the saysae enernr who inhabited it, the power of
einem had Ceased to exist over it, end protection
was sought, ender her title, by those Who had
committed on our citizens hostilities, which she
was bound by treaty to have prevented, but had
not the power to prevent. To have stopped at
Oa! line, would have given new encouragement
to these savages, and new vigour to the whole
combination existing there, its the prosecution of
all its pernicious purposes.
In suppres.ring the establishment at Amelia
Island, no unfriendliness was manifested towards
because the post was taken (corn a force
which had wrested it front her. The measure, it
was, true, was not adopted in concert with the
Spanish Government, or those in authority under
it ; because, in transactions connected with the,
war in which Spain and her colonies are engaged,
it seas thought proper, in doing justice to the
United States, to maintain a strict itnpariality to-
avarOs both, the belligerent parties, without con-
sulting or acting in concert with either. It gives
rue pleasure to state, that the blovernments of
Buenos Ayres and Venezuela, whose names were
assomerl, have explicitly disclaimed all participa-
tion in those measures, and even the knowledge of
them, treid communicated by this Goverament ;
and have also expressed their satisfaction, that a
course of proceeding had been suppressed, which,
if justly imputable to them, would dishonottrtheir
cause.

In authorizing Major-General Jackson to enter
Florida in pursuit of the Seminoles, care was taken
not to encroach on the rights of Spain. I regret
to have to add, that, executing this order, facts
were disclosed respecting the conduct of the offi-
cers of Spain in authority there in encouraging
the war, furnishing munitions of war, and other
.supplies to carry it on, and in other acts not less
marked, which evinced their participation in the
.hostile purposes of that combination, and justi-
fied the confidence with which it inspired the sa-
vages, that by those officers they would he pro-
tected. A conduct so incompatible with the friend-
ly relations exist ing between the two count' ies ,par-
ticidarly with the positive obligation of the sth
article of the Treaty of 1795, by which Spain was
hound to restrain, even by force, those savages
ft um acts of hostility against the United States,
could not fail to excite surprise. The Command-
ing General was convinced, that he should fail in
his object, that he should, in effect, accomplish
nothing, if he did not deprive those savages of the
resource on which they had calculated, and of the
protectiou,on which they had relied, in making
the war. As all the documents relating to this
occurrence will be laid before Congress, it is not
necessary to enter into further detail respecting it.
Although the reasons which induced Major-
General Jackson to take these posts were duly
appreciated, there was, nevertheless, no hesita-
tion in deciding on the course which it became
the Government to p4sue As there was reason
to believe that the Commanders of these posts had
violated
.their instructions, there was no disposi-
tnYr tf. impute to their Government a conduct so
t-trpromi.rO trod hostde, An order was in conse-

(ilferaoe issued to the General in command there,
:to deliver the posts—Pensacola, unconditionally,
to any person anthonzed to receive ; and Saint
I.Marks. which is in the heart of the Indian coon-
try, on the arrival of a competent force to defend
I it
agaiust those savages and their associates.
In entering Florida to suppress this combioa-
' tion, no idea was entertained ot hostility to Spain.
and however justifiable the Commanding General
was, in consegoenee of the miszonduct of the
Spanish officers, in entering St. Marks and Pensa-
-0014, to terminate it, by- proving to the savages
and their associates that they should not be pro-
tected even there ; yet, the amicable telations ex-
istiog -between the United states and Spain could
not be altered by that. act alone By ordering
the restitution of the posts, those relations were
preserved. To a change of them. the power of the
Executive is deemed incompetent. It is vested in
Congress only. By t his measure ,so prompt ly taken,
due respect was shewn to the Government of Spain.
The misconduct of her officers has not been im-
puted to her. She was enabled to review with
candour her relations with time United States, and
her own situation, particularly in respect to the
territory isS question, with the (Inners insepa-
rable from it-; and, regarding the losses we have
sustained, for which indemnity has been so long
withheld., and the injuries we have stifle' ed
through that territory, and her means of redress,
she was likewise enabled to take, with honour,
the course best calcolited to do justice to the
United States, and to promote her own welfare.
Copies of the instructions to the ObinmanAing
General ; of his Correspondence with the Se-
cretary of IVor, explaining motives, and justi-
tying his conduct, with a copy of the Proceedings
of the Courts-Martial, in the Trial of Artiathoot
and A:obristie; and the Corresr,ondence be-
t.eeen the Secretary of State :mft the Minister
Plenipotentiary of Spain near this Government,
and of the Minister Pleniporeotiary of the United
States at Madrid, with the Governillent ot Spain,
will he laid before Congress.

The civil war, which so long prevailed be-
tween Spain and the Provioc,s ii. 'iontli America,
still continues without any prospect of its speedy
termination. The information reTecttog the
condition of those countries, which has heel' col-
lectsd by tLe Commiusimbers recently returned
front thent:.., will he laid before Congress, in co-
pies of their Reports, with such other informa-
tion as has been received from other agents of
the United S!istes.

It appears from these communications, that the
Government of Buenos-Ayres declared itself in-
dependent in July, 1816, having lireviously exer-
cised the power of an iwieriendent Government,
though in the name of t',e King of Spain, from
the year 1810: that the B inch* Oriental, Entre
hens, and Paraguay, with the city of Santa Fe,
all of which are also independent, are unconnected
with the present Governtritur of Buenos-Ayres :
that Chili has declared itself independent, and is
closely connected with Buenos-Ay, es : that Vene-
zuela has also declared itself independent, and now
maintains the conflict with various success ; and
that the remaining. parts of South America, except
Mow e Video, andsuch other portions of the eastern
hank of the Plata as are held by Portugal. are
still in the possession of Spain, or in-a certain degree
under her influence.

By a circular note addressed by the Ministers of
Spain to the Allied ['Myers with whom they are
respectively accredited, it appears that the Allies
have undertaken to mediate between Spain and
the South American Provinces, and that the man-
ner and extent of their interposition would be
settled by a Congress, which was to have met at
Aix-la-Chapelle in September last. From the
general policy awd course of proceeding observed
by the Allied Powers in regard to this contest, it
is inferred, that• they will confine their interposi-
tion to the expression of their sentiments ; ab-
staining from the application of force. I state
this impression, that force will not he applied,
with the greater satisfaction, because it itt a course
more consistent with justice, and likewise autho-
rises a hope that the calamities of war will be con-
fined to the parties only, and will be of shorter
duration.

From the view taken of this subject, founded
on all the information that we have been Able to
obtain, there is good cause to be sa►isfied with
the course heretofore pursued by the United
States in regard to this contest, and to conclude
that it is proper to adhere to it, especially in the
present state of affairs.

I have great satisfaction in stating, that our re-
lations with Fiance, Itirskia, and other Powers,
continue on the most friendly basis.
In our domestic concerns we have ample cause
of satisfaction. The receipts into the Treasury,
during the three first quarters of the year, have
exceeded 17,000,000 of dollars.

After satisfying all the demands which have been
matte under existing appropriations, including the
final extinction of the old six per cent. stock, and
the redemption of a moiety of the Louisiana; debt,
it is estimated that there will remain in the Trea-
sury, on the Ist day of January next, more than
2,000,000 of dollars.

It is ascertained that the gross revenue which
has accrued from the customs during the same pe-
riod, amounts to 21,000,000 of dollars, and that
the revenue ut the whole year may be estimated
at not less than 26,000,000. The sale of the pub-
lic lands during the year has also greatly exceed-
ed, both in quantity and price, that of any former
year ; and there is just reason to expect a pro-
gressive improvement in that source of revenue.
It is gratifying to know, that although the an-
nual expenditure has been increased by the act of
the last Session of Congress, providing for revolu-
tionary pensions, to an amount about equal to the
proceeds of the internal duties, which were then
repealed, the revenue for the ensuing year will be
proportionably augmented ; and that, whilst the
public expenditure will probably remain station-
ary, each successive year will add to the national
resources, by the ordinary increase of our popula-
tion, and by the gradual development of our
latent sources of national prosperity.
The strict execution of the revenue laws, re-
sulting principally front the salutary provisions of
the Act of the 20th of April last, amending the
sehralcollection laws, has, it is presumed, se-
cured to domestic manufactories all the relief that
can be derived from the duties whid have been

' imposed upon foreign merchandize for their pro-
tection. Under the influence of this relief, seve-
ral branches of this important national interest
have assumed great :activity, and, although.it is
hoped that others will gradually revive and
nisi-
mately triumph over every obstacle, yet the ex-
pedieney of granting further protection is sub-
mitted to yotv consideration.
The measures of defence authorized by existing
laws have been pursued with the teal and activity
doe to so important an object, and with all the
dispatch practicable in so extensive anti great an
undertaking.' The survey of our maritime and
inland frontiers has been continued ; and at the
points where it was decided tri erect fortifications,
the work has been commenced, and in some in-
stances considerable progress has been made. In
compliance with resolutions of the last session, the
Board of Commissioners wet e directed In examine
in a particular manner the parts of the coast there-
in designated, and to report their opinion of the
most suitable sites for two naval depots. This
work is in a train of execution. The opinion of
the Board on this subject, with a plan of all the
works necessary to a general system of dtienee,
so far as it has been formed, will be laid before
Congress, in a Report from the proper Depart-
ment, as soon as it can be prepared.
In conformity with the appropriations of the
last Sesuion, treaties have been formed with the
Quispaw tribe of Indians, inhabiting the country
on the ArkßllStitv, and wi:h rite Great and Little
Usages north of the White river ; with the tribes
in the state of Intliiana ; with the several tribes
within the state of Ohio, and the Michigan terri-
tory; and with the Chickasaws; by which very ex-
tensive cessions of territory have been made to the
Uaited. Stares. Negotiations are now pending
with the tribes in the Illinois territory,and with the
Choctaws, by bleb it is expected that other exten-
sive cessions will be made. I take great interest in
stating that the cessions already made, which are
considered so important to the United States,
have been obtained on conditions very satisfactory
to the Indians.

With a view to the security of our inland Iron-
tiers, it has been thought expedient to establish
strong posts at the mouth of the Yellow Stone.
;leer, and at the Mandan village. on the Missouri;
and at the mouth of St. Peters, on .-!he Missis-
sippi. at no great distance from our northern
boundaries. It can hardly be presumed, while
such posts are maintained in the rear of the In-
dian tribes, that they will venture to attack our
peaceable inhabitants. A strong hope is enter-
tained that this measure will likewise be produc-
tive of much good to the tribes themselves, espe-
cially in promoting the great object of their civi-
lisation. Experience has clearly demonstrated,
that independent savage communities cannot twig
exist within the limits of a civilised pop' lation.
The progress of the latter has, almost invariably,
terminated in the extinction of the former, espe-
cially of the tribes belonging to our portion of
this hemisphere, among whom, loftiness of sen-
timent, and. gallantry in action, have been con-
spicuous. To civilise them, and eveL to prevent
their extinction, it seems to be indlipensahle that
their independence, as communities, shoeld cease,
and that the contron! of time United States over
them should be complete and undisputed. The
hunter slate will then be more easily abandoned,
and recourse will be had to the acquisition and
culture of land, and to other pursuits tending to
dissolve the ties which connect them together as
R savage community, and to give a new character
to every individual. 1 present this subject to the
consideration of Congress, on the presumption
that it may be found expedient and practicable to
adopt some benevolent provisions, having these
objects in view, relative to the tribes within our
settlements.

It has been necessary, during the present year,
to maintain a strong naval force in the Mediter-
ranean, and in the Gulp!► of Mexico, and to send
some public ships.along..tbe southern coast, and
to the Pacific Ocean. By these means, amicable
relations with the Barbary Powers have laeen
preserved, our commerce has been protected, and
our rights respected. The augmentation of our
navy is advancing with a steady progress towards
the limit contemplated by law.
I communicate with great satisfaction the ac-
cession of another state, Illinois, to our Union ;
because I perceive, friim the proof afforded by the
additions already made-, the regular progress and
sure consummation of a policy, of which history
affords no example, and at which the good effect
cannot he too highly estimated. By extending
our thivernment, on the principles of our Con-
stitution, over the vast territory within our limits,
on the Lakes and the Mississippi, and its nu-
merous streams, new life and vigour are infused
into every part of our system. By increasing the
number of the states, the confidence of the State
Governments in their own security is increased,
and their jealousy of the National Government
proportionably diminished. The impracticability
of one consolidated Government for this great
and growing nation will be more apparent, and •
will be universally admitted. Incapable of ex-
ercising local authority, except for general pur-
poses, the general G►►►ernment will no longer be
dreaded. In those cases of a local nature, and
for all the great purposes for which it was insti-
tuted, its authority will be cherished. Each Go-
vernment will acquire new force, end a greater
freedom of action, within its proper sphere.
Other inestimable advantages will follow : our
produce will be augmented to an incalculable
amount, in articles of the greatest value, for do-
mestic use and foreign commerce. Our naviga-
tion will, in like degree, be- increased ; and, as
the shipping of the Atlantic States will be em-
ployed in the transportation of the vast produce of
the Western Country, even those parts of the
"United States which are the most remote from
each other will be further bound together by the
strongest ties which mutual interest can create.
The situation of this district, it is thought, re-
quires the attention of Congress. By the Con-
stitution the power of legislation is exclusively
vested in the Congress of the United States. In
the exercise of this power, in which the people
have no participation, Congress legislate •in all
cases directly on the local concerns of the district.
As this is a departure; for a special purpose, from
the general principles of our system, it may omit
consideration whether au arrangement better

adapted to the principles of our Governme',t,
to the particular interests of the people, may "a
be devised, which will neither_ infringe the Col?'
stitution, nor affect the object which the:previ'
si" in question was intended to secure. Ti'!,
growing population, already considerable,
the increasing business of the district, whieb, tt
is believed, already interferes with the delthgra"
dons of Congress on great national concernsi,
furs;sh additional motives for recommending, this
subject to your consideration.
‘Vhen we view the great blessings with which
our country has been favoured, those which ‘i'e
now enjoy, and the means which w, possess
of
handing them down, unimpaired, to our latest
posterity, our attention is irresistibly drawn to
the source from whence they flow. Let us Oleo
unite in offering our most grateful ackftbwledge"
molts for these blessings to the Divine Author
of all aood.
Nov, 17, ISIS.

JAMES MONROE-

LAW INTELLIUENCE.

VICE-CHANCELIAM'S COURT, DEC. 23.

THE EARL OF SHAFTESBURY, LORD ROBERT SPF rid
CFR, AND HENRY BLACKSTONE, ESQ,, v. TO

DUKR t,F MARLBOROUGH.

Mr. I.3it.t. stated, that this was a petition nn the
part of tiie Duke of Morlborough, praying that the
receiver is ho had been lately appointed by that
Court might be directed to pay over to General
St. John, the surplus of the rents and profits arising
from certain estates of which the phdruifrs were
trustees. The estates in ques-t-ion were limited
under the trusts specified for the term or 300 year 9,
but the defendant had assigned his interest t°
General St. John. The ptincipal conditions of the
trust were, to keep down the interest of incum"
brances, to secure the sum of 30,0001. as a pro'
vision for the Duchess, and provide fur the grand'
children. The bill went on to pray for a reference
to the Master, to inquire and report what was the
value of the timber already cut down, what tree'
were fit to be cut down at.present, and how the
produce ought to be applied.
Sir A. PIGGOTT, for Lord Shaftesbury and
Lord Robert Spencer, °Wet red, that it was a part
of the decree of the Court made on the Bth et
August last, that the surplus of ,the, trust eatates,
after performing the conditions of the convey'
ance, snould be paid to the present Duke of Marl'
borough. The petition referred to a deed exe:
cute(' by his Grace to General St. John ; but of
this the Court could take no notice nor make of
or;icr thereon, as General St. Johu was not e
party to the suit. This application called upon
the Court to alter a decree on petition, which
could nor be regularly tione except on a supple'
mentary bill.

. _
Mr. 'HART said, he appeared for Mr. Black•
stone, the other trustee, and his only objection to
the prayer of this petition was of the same nature
as that stated by h►s Lenrned htiend.
The Court ►directed a reference to the Master,
in conformity to the defendant's application,

PROPOSED FASHIONABLE MARRIAGE.
PHILIPS t. HERBERT.

Mr. WINGFIELD stated, that this was a petition
from Lord Anson, praying that it might be re"
(erred to the 'Master to inquire whether the pro"
pos4ls of marriAge which his Lordship had mad!,
to Catheriue Louisa Philips were proper ; andli
such should he the :'Taster's opinion, then that 04
might be directed to prepare a proper at ttlemelltf
Granted.

LORD CLIFDEN AND OTHERS V. THE DUKE OF MARL`

BoßoUGli.

This was en application by Mr. Hoatl-E, on the
part of the Noble plaintiff; the object of which
was, that he should be aliotved to claim on tun
general estate of th- Noble detendant, lie amoung
of ally deficiency which might aope4r in the rents
and profits of a certain. estate, cailed Steeple Bo'
toss Estate, which ha•i beets concignett by the fate
Duke of Marlborough to the Nonle plaintiff, Lora
Clitden, as an indemnity to secure the contingent,
amount of tithes, which operated as a deduction'
to the rents and profits of another estate, coiled
1-Joldenby Estate, which Lnid Clitden had pre'
viously purchased from the Noble Duke, for se'
venty thousand pouLds.
This question was involved in much intricacyt
and between the statement of the Noble plaintn;
and the Report of the Master, to whom it 10d
previously been submitted, there was, in the
niou of his Honour the Vlce-CHaNceLLott, an
itreconcileable .incongruity ; to adjust which,
after a long discussion of forms, precedents, and-,
technicalities, in which Sir ARTHUR PIGGOTT, f(1!
the Trustees, Mr. SHADWELL I' and M. BELL 10°ii '
part, his-Honour the VICE-CHANCELLOR directed
that the Report be sent back for the Master t°
review it, with liberty to the_ Noble plliintitio
Lord Clifden, to amend Isis claim.