Star.
London, England, 1807-12-07 00:00:00

AMERICA.

FROM THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, OCT. 27.
This day at twelve o'clock, the Prefident of the
United States communicated, by Mr. Coles, his
Secretary, the following Mel age to both Houfes of
Congrefs :
TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF
THE UNITED STATES.
" Tuefday, October 27, tBo7.
og Circumftances, fellow citizens, which ferioufly
threatened the peace of our country, have made it a
duty to convene you at an earlier period than ufual.
The love of peace, fo much cherifhed in the bofom
of our citizens, which has fa long guided the pro-
ceedings of their public councils, and induced for.
bearance under fb many wrongs, may not infuse our
continuance in the quiet purfuits of indultry. The
many injuries and depredations committed on our
commerce and navigation upon the high feas for
years pall, the fucceffive innovations on thofe prin-
ciples of public law which have been ellablifhed by
the reafon and ufage of nations as the rule of their
intercourfe, and the umpire and fecurity of their
rights and peace, and all the circumftances which
induced the extraordinary miffion to London, arc
already known to you. The inftrudions given to',
our Minifters were framed in the fincerell fpirit of 1
amity and moderation. They accordingly proceeded
in conformity therewith, to propofe arrangements
which might embrace and fettle all the points in
difference between us ; which might bring us to a
mutual underflanding on our neutral and national
rights, and prqvide for a commercial intercourfe on
conditions of tome equality. After long and fruitlefs
endeavours to tffed the purpofes of their miffion, and
io obtain arrangements within the limits cf their in.
ftrudions, they concluded to fign fuch as could be
obtained, and to fend them for confideration ; can•
didly declaring to the other negotiators, at the fame
time, that they were offing againft their inßrudions,
and that their Government therefore could not be
pledged for ratification. Some of the articles pro-
poled might have been admitted on a principle of
compromife, but others were too highly difadvan
tageous ; and no fufficient provifion was made againft
the principal fource of the irritations and collifions
which were contiantly endangering the peace of the
two nations. The queftion, therefore, whether a
treaty Atould be accepted in that form could have
admitted but of one decifion, even had no &data
tions of the other party impaired our confidence in it.
Still anxious not to dole the door againft friendly
adjuftment, new modifications were framed, and
further conceffions authorifed than could before have
been fuppofed neceffary and our Minifters were;
inftruded to refume their negotiations on thefe
grounds. Oa this new reference to amicable dif
cuffion we were repofing in confidence, when on the
sad day of June loft, by a formal order from a Bri•
tab Admiral, the frigate Chefapeake, leaving her
port for a dißant fervice, was attacked by one of
thofe veffels which had been lying in our harbours
under the indulgencies of hofpitality, was difabled
from proceeding, had feveral of her crew killed, and
four taken away. Oa this outrage no commentaries
are neceffary. Its charaifter has been pronounced
by the indignant voice of our citizens with an ern-
phafis and unanimity never exceeded. I immediately,
by proclamation, interdided our harbours and waters
to all Britifh armed vefels, forbade intercourfe with
them,and uncertain how far hoftilities were intended,
and the town of Norfolk indeed being threatened with
immediate attack, a fufficient force was ordered for
the protedion of that place, and fuch other prepara-
tions commenced and purfued as the profpedt render.
ed proper. An armed veffel of the United States
was difpatched with inftrudions to our Minifters at
London, to call on that Government for the fatisfac•
tion and fecurity required by the outrage. A very
Mort interval ought now to bring the Rawer, which
thall be communicated to you as loon as received :
then alto, or as fuon after as the public intereft thall
be found to admit, the unratified treaty, and proceed.
togs relative to it, than be made known to you.
46 The aggreflion, thus begun, has been continued
on the part of the Britifh commanders, by remaining
within our waters in defiance of the authority of the
country, by habitual violations of its jurifdiaion, and
at length by putting to death one of the perfons
whom they had forcibly taken from on board the Che-
fapeake. There aggravations necetfarily lead to the
policy, either of never admitting an armed veffel
into our harbours, or of maintaining in every harbour
inch an armed force as may conlirain obedience to
the laws, and protect the lives and property of our
citizens againft their armed guefts. But the expence
of Inch a (landing force, and its inconfiflence with
our principles, difpenfe with thole courtefiee which
would neceffarily call for it, and leave us equally
free to exclude the navy, as we are the army of a
foreign power from entering our limits.
•' To former violations of maritime rights, another,
is now added of very exteafive effed. The Govern•
ment of that nation has iffued an Order interdiding
all trade by neutrals between ports not in amity with
them. And being now at war with nearly every
Elation on the Atlantic and Mediterranean fear, our
needs are required to facrifice their cargoes at the
firft port they touch, or to return home without the
benefit of going to any other market. Under this
new law of the ocean, our trade on the Mediterra-
nean has been fwept away by feizures and condeni-
nations, and that in other (Cu is threatened with
the fame fate.
t• Our differences with Spain remain Hill unfettled;
rneafure having been taken on her part, fince my
laft communications to Congrefs, to bring them to a
dole. But undsea. Rate of things which may favour
reconfideration, they have been recently preffed, and
an expedation is entertained that they may now foon
ke brought to an iffue of Tome fort. With their
fu jets on our borders no new collifions have taken
p 1 ce, nor teem immediately to be apprehended.—
T our former grounds of complaint has been added
a very fetious one, as you will fee, by the decree, a
c py of which is now communicated. Whether this
d tree, which profeffee to be conformable to that of
t e French Government of November 21, 1806, bere-
t fore communicated to Congrefs, will alto be con
-
f rmed to that in its conftrudion and application in
. riation to the United States, had not been after.
rained the date of our laft communications. There,
however, gave reafon to exped filch a conformity.
" With the t they nations of Europe our harmony

has been uninterrupted, and commerce and friendly
intercourfe have been maintained on tbdr Waal-
footing.
" Our peace with the feveral States on the mall of
Barbary appears as firm as at any former period, and
as likely to continue as that of any other nation.
66 Among our Indian neighbours in the north-
wefiern quarter, Come fermentation was obfetved,
Coon after the late occurrences, threatening the con-
tinuance of our peace. Meirages were laid to be in-
terchanged, and tokens to be paging, which ufually
denote a nate of reftlefsnifs among them, and the
character of the agitators pointed to the fources of
excitement. Meafures were immediately taken for
providing againft that danger; inftrudions weregiven
to require explanations, and with affurances of our
continued friendfhip, to admonith the tribes to re-
main quiet at home, taking no part in quarrels not
belonging to them.
46 As far as we are yet informed, the tribes in our
vicinity, who are moll advanced in the purfuits of in-
dultry, are lincerelydifpofed to adhere to their fliend-
fhip with us, and to their peace with all others.—
While thofe more remote do not prefent appearances
fufficiently quiet to jufiify the intermiffion of military
precaution on our part.
66 The great tribes on cur booth weftern quarter,
much advanced beyond the others in agricultural
'and houfehold arts, appear tranquil and identifying
their views with ours, in proportion to their advance.
ments.

" With the whole of thefe people, in every quar-
ter, I !hall continue to inculcate peace and friendthip
with all their neighbours, and perfeverance in thole
occupations and purfuits which will belt promote
their own well being.
" The appropriations of the ht feffion, for the
defence of our lea ports, towns and harbours, were
made under expeeation that a continuance of our
peace would permit us to proceed in that work ac-
cording to our convenience. It has been thought
better to apply the fums then given towards the de-
fence of New York, Charlefton, and New Orleans,
chiefly, as molt open and molt likely firtt to need
protetlion ; and to leave places lets immediately in
danger to the provifions of the prefent feffion;
" The gun boats too already provided have, on
a like principle, been chiefly affigned to New York,
New Orleans, and the Chefapeake. Whether our
moveable force on the water, fo material in aid of
the defenfive works on the land, should be augment-
ed in this or any other form, is left to the wifdom of
the Legiflature. For the purpofe of manning thefe
vetrels, is fudden attacks on our harbours, it is a
matter for confideration, whether the feamen of the
United States may not juftly be formed into a fpecial
militia, to be called on for tours of duty in defence
of the harbours where they (hall happen to be—the
ordinary militia of the place furnilbing that portion
which may confift of landfmen.
" The moment our peace was threatened, I deemed
it indifpenfible to fecure a greater provifion of thole
articles of military (lore. with which our magazines
were not fufficiently furnifhed. To have ;awaited a
previous and fpecial fanilion by law, would have loft
occafions which might not be retrieved. I did not
hefitate therefore to authorife engagements for loch
fupplements to our exiting flock, as would render it
adequate to the emergencies threatning us : and I
tr: it that the Legiflature, feeling the fame anxiety
for the fafety of our country, fo materially advanced
by this precaution, will approve when done, what
they would have feen fo important to be done, if then
affembled. Expences, alto unprovided for, arofe out
of the meaty of calling all our gunboats into aaual
fervice for the defence of our harbours, of all which
accounts will be laid before you.
" Whether a regular army is to be railed, and to
what extent, moil depend on the information fo shortly
ezpeEted. In the mean time 1 have called on the
States for quotas of militia to be in readinefs for pre-
fent defence ; and have, moreover, enciuraged the
acceptance of volunteers, and I am happy to inform
you, that thefe have offered themfelves with great
alacrity in every part of the Union; they are ordered
to be organized, and ready at a moment's warning,
to proceed on any fervice to which they may be cal
led, and every preparation within the executive power
has been made to infure us the benefit of early cur-
dons.

" I informed Congrefs at their Taft Seffion, of the
enterprifes againft the public peace, which were be-
lieved to be in preparation by Aaron Burr and his
affociates, of the meafures taken to defeat them, and
to bring the offenders to juflice. Their enterprifes
were happily defeated by the patriotic exertions of
the militia, whenever called into a6ion, by the fide
lity of the army, and energy of the Commander in.
Chief, in promptly arranging the difficulties prefent-
ins themfelves on the Sabine, repairing to meet thole
suiting on the Miffiffippi, and diffipaung before their
explofion plots engendering there. I than think it
my duty to lay before you the proceedings, and the
evidence publicly exhibited on the arraignment of the
principal offenders berme the Dille ia Court of Vir.
ginia. You will be enabled to judge whether the
defed was in the tefi'mony, in the law, or in the admi-
nifiration of the law ; and wherever it (ball be found,
the Legiflaturc alone can apply or originate the
remedy. _ _ _

" The framers of our conflitution certainly fup•
poled they had guarded, as well their government
againft deftruaion by treafon, as thcir citizens againft
oppreffion, under pretence of it ; and if theft ends
arc not attained, it is of importance to inquire by
what means, more effedual, they may be fecured.

- .
" The accounts of the receipts of revenue, during
the year ending on the gosh day of September lati,
being not yet made up, a correB fiatement will be
hereafter tranfmitted from the Treafury. In the
mean time it is afcertained that the receipts have
amounted to near fixteen millions of dollars; which,
with the five millions and a half in the Treafury at
the beginning of the year, have enabled us, after
meeting the current demands and interell incurred,
to pay more than four millions of the principal of
our funded debt. Thefe payments, with thofe of
the preceding five and a half years, have extinguifhed
of the funded debt, twenty five millions and a half
of dollars, being the whole which could be paid or
purchafed within the limits of the law, and of out
contraas, and have left us in the Treafury eight
millions and a half of dollars. A portion of this
turn may be confidered as a commencement of accu-
mulation of the furpluffes of revenue, which, after
paying the inlialfunts of debt, as they (halt become

payable, will remain without soy fpecific objea. It
may partly. indeed, be applied towards completing
the defence of the tzpoffd points of our country, on
filch a fcale as (hall be adapted to our principles and
j circumftances.

as This object is doubtlefs among the
ifirft entitled
to attention in fuck a Aate of our finaaces, and it
is one which, whether we have peace or war, will
provide fecuiity where it is due. Whether what
thall remain of this, with the future furpluffec, may
be tatefully applied to purpnfes already autholifed,
or more ufefully to others requiring new authorities,
or how other wife they Mall be difpofed of, are quer-
tions calling for the notice of Congrefs ; unlefs, in-
deed, they than be fuperfeded by a change in our
public relations, now awaiting the determination of
other:. Whatever be that determination, it is a great
confolation that it will become known at a moment
when the Supreme Council of the Nation is affem.
bled at its poll, and ready to give the aids of its
wifdom and authority to whatever courfe the good
of our country thall then call us to purfue.
41 Matters of minor importance will be the fob.
jet% of future communications ; and nothing thin
be wanting on my part which may give information
or difpatch to the proceedings of the Legiflature, in
the exercife of their high duties, and at a moment fo
interefting to the public welfare.

" Tuefday, Odtober 27, 1807.

" TH. JEFFERSON."

jofeph B Varnunt was chofen Speaker, and Pa.
trick Magruder, Clerk. Of 217 votes, General Var•
nunt had 59, giving him a majnity of one!
The Hall of the Houfe of Reprefentatives was
on this day opened, for the firft time.

THE EVENING STAR.

LONDON.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7.

PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK:
3 per Cent. Confols, Ihut—for Jan. amount 64
Reduced 63+—Ornnium prem..—Excheq. Bills, 3s. prem.
PRICE OF STOCKS ON SATe R DAY.
3 per Coat. Rut 624.1 India Bonds par is. dlf.
3 per C. CODE MID That Imp. An. 74
4 per Colt. kit Excheq. Bills. IS. se. pr.
3 per Cent. Navy (hut I Cone ler aec. 634 64
Long Ana. i7l 13-t6 1. s6+

Mr. Prefident Jurcason's Meilsge on opening
the Congrefs of the United States, given in the pre-
ceding columns,defervesthc attention of our Readers.
—ln force points there is an evident want of can-
dour in this Addrefs. The Prefident alludes to the
public ads of our Government refpe6ing the com-
merce of the two countries, without once glancing
at the outrages committed on their trade by the
French, though NA P 0 L lON'S famous Decree of block-
ade had been publifhed before our Government
adopted any of the ads Co difagreeable to the Ame-
cans, and though he could not be ignorant that Cc
venal American veffels had adually been condemned
as prizes by the French for having touched at a
British port.

His account of the affair of the Chefapeake is
equally fubjea to the charge of ambiguity. He
mentions the four feamen taken out of the American
(hip, whom he [Liles part of her crew, and ht dif-
tinaly Rates it as an additional aggreffion, "that one
of there four feamen was put to death. He avoids
faying whether they were or were not American fub-
jeas, and he takes no notice of the proceedings and
verdia of the Court Martial. He brings it forward
in this way, before he has learned whether the Britifb
Government jullifies the aa of its Officer, or dif.
claims it. His condudt will appear precipitate, and
his language hulk, when the KINQ'S anfwer to his
remonftrance Ihall arrive in America.

A profpeEl is held out of an adjoßment of the dif-
ferences with Spain, becaufe, 44 though no meafures
46 have been taken on her part to bring them to a
" dole, yet under a Rate of things which may fa.
64 your reconfideration, an expalation is entertained
64 that they may loon be brought to on jfue of fome
" fort." How different the language which America
holds even to Spain, from that which fhe has thoughc
proper to adopt in her relations with this country ?
And what is Rill more fingular, her harmony
with the other States of Europe is Paid to have been
uninterrupted. France then may feize American
Cps, and caR her Citizens into prifon, without de.
Rroying the harmony fubtilling between the two
Countries !

It is not a little fingular that the Treaty offered
by the late Minifters, and which, it has been affirmed
at home, conceded to the Americans the beft rights
of England, is by the American Government cha-
raelerifed as a Treaty 44 highly difadvaatageous to
64, America—and in which they had (lipulated for,
4 and maintained all the principles which had been
44 the caufe of thofe irritations and collifioss which
44 fo frequently endangered the peace of the two
41 nations."

The American Oovernment continues to preferve
a rigid fyftenl of economy, which, is highly commen-
dable. The Prefident Rates, that after difcharging
all the NatiOpal Debt which could be paid or pur-
chafed within the limits of the Law, they have a
furplus in the Treafury of Eight Millions and a Half
of Dollars !
A Member of the American Legation at Paris is'
arrived in London, and confirms the report we have
heard, that Bomarstra demands peremptorily that
the American government fball break with Englana
or with France. He leaves them no alternatiire; and
we tuft that they will have no difficultj in their
choice.

Mr. Mew's, of Manchener.fquare, it appointed
to a miffion to`the Court of SmallWm, -and will
leave town in a few days for Sweden.