Star.
London, England, 1802-01-14 00:00:00

AMERICA.

-.P
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES.
PRISIDENT'S
The following meffige was delivered by Mr.
Lawn, the Prefidenes Secretary, to the Speaker
of the Houk, and read by the Clerk

December 8. r Bot.
Sir—The circumnances under which we find
ourfelves at this place, rendering inconvenient the
mode heretofore praaifeth of making by perfonal
iddrefs the &ft communications between the
Le-
giflative and Executive branches, I have adopted
that by Melfage, as tiled on all fuhfequent occa-
lions through the Seffion. In doing this, I have
had principal regard to the convenience of the
Legillature, to t. cm-mostly of their time, to their'
relief from the embarrafrmetit of immediate an-
fwers, on fubjeas not yet fully before them, and to
the benefits thence refulting to the public affairs.
Truing that a procedure, founded in thole mo-
tives, will meet their, approbation, I•beg leave,
through you, Sir, to communicate the inclofed
MetTage; with the documents accompanying it, to
the honourable the Houfe of Reprefentatives, and
pray you to accept, for yourfelf and them, the ho-
mage of my high refpeet and confideration. •
(Signed) Tit. JIMERSON.
The Hon. the Speaker of the Houle of Reprcfcntattves,
Fdlvtc Citicnu of de &awe, and if Me ?We of Rayrefesdaiives,
It is a circumilance fincere gratification to
me, that on meeting the Great Council of the Na-
tion, I am able to announce to them on grounds
of reafonablc certainty, that the wars and troubles
which have for fo many years afflideti our filler
nations, have at length come to an end, and that
the communications of peace and commerce are
once more opening among them. Whilft we de-
voutly return thanks to the BINIFICINT ZEING
who has been pleated to breathe into them the
fpirit of conciliation and forgivenefc, we are bound,
with peculiar gratitude, to be thankful to Hs sc that
our own peace has been preferred through fo pe-
rilous; a feafon, and ourfelves permitted quietly to
cultivate the earth, and to praßife and improve
thole arts which tend to encreafe our comforts.—
The alTuranecs, indeed, of friendly difpofition se•
ceived from all the powers with whom we have
principal relations, had infpired a confidence that
our peace with them would not have been difturb-
ed. But a reflation of the irregularities which has
&Med the commerce of neutral nations, and, of
the irritations and injuries produced by them, can-
not but add to this confidence; and ftrengthens
nt the fame time, the hope that wrongs committed
on unoffcnding friends, under a prelTure of cireum-
fiances, will now be reviewed with candour, and
will be conlidercd-as founding juft claims of retri-
, bution for the pall, and new affurancc for the
future.

Among our Indiao nei:Abours alto a fpirit
of peace and friendfhip generally prevails, and I
on happy to inform pm, that •the continued ef-
forts to introduce among them the implements,
• and the inaaice of hulthindry, and of the bottle-
hold arts, have not been without fucccfs : that
they art b:come m"re and more tenable of the fu.
periority of this dependance, for clothing and
fubfiftence, over the precarious refources of
and fialing : and already we are enabled to
announce that, inflead of that condom diminu-
tion of the-ir numbers produced by their wars and
their want, Come of them begin to experience an
increafe of population.
To this date of general peace, with which we
have been blefred, only one exception exifts. Tri-
poli, the lead confiderable of the Barbary States, i
had come forward with demands unfounded either
in right or in conwalt, and had permitted itfelf to
denounce war, on our failure to comply before a
given day. The Ityle of the demand admitted
but one anfwer. I fent a (mall fquadron of fri-
gates into the Mediterranean, with affurances to
that power of our fincere defire to remain in
peace ; but with orders to pitted our commerce
againft the threatened attack. The meafure was
featonable and (alutary. The Bey bad already de-
clared-war in form. His crofters were out. Two
had arrived at Gibraltar. Our commerce in the
Mediterranean was blo'ckaded ; and that of the
Atlantic in peril. The arrival of our fquadron
difpelled the danger. One of the Tripolitan
cruifers having fallen in with and engaged the
(mall fchooner Euterprize, commanded by Lieu-
tenant Steeret, which had gone out as a tender to
our larger velrelr, was captured, after a heavy
flaughter o; her men, without the lots of a fingle
• one on our part. The bravery exhibited by our
Citizens on that element will, I troll, be a tedi-
mony to the world, that it is not a want of that
virtue which maker us feel their peace; but a con-
feientious defire to dire& the energies of our nation
to the multiplication of the human race, and not
to its deftruaion. Unauthorifed by the Conditn-
don, without the fanaion of Congreft, to go be-
yond the line of defence, the wird- being difabled
, from committing further hoftilities, was liberated
' with its crew. Tke Legiflature will, doubtlefs,
confider whether, by outhorifing 'matures of of-
fence alto, they will place our force on an equal
footing with that of its advcrfaries. I communi•
cate all material information on this fubjea, that
- in the exercife of the important funaion, confided
by the Conflitution to the Legillatore exclufively,
their judgment may form itfelf on a knowledge
and confederation of every circumftance of weight.'
I with I could fly that our fituation with all
the other Barbary flues was entirely fatisfaaory.
Difcovering that fume delays bad-taken place in
the performance of certain articles eipulated by
us, I thought It my duty, by immediate meafures
• for fulfilling them, to vindicate to ourfelves the
right of confidering the effea of departure' from
ftipulation on their fide, From the papers which
will be laid before you, you will be enabled to
judge whether our treaties are regarded by them
as fixing at all the meafure of their demands, or
as guarding, againft the exercife of force, our y;,,G
fels within their power ; and to confider how far
"• •
' will be Cafe and expedient to leave our aff.iirs
- -
with them .n their prefent pollute.
I lay before you the ref Ult of the cenfus lately
I Rthil QC p iithaebitauts, to a copifornucy with

which we are to ranee the enfuinytatts of reietia
fentation and taxation. You will perceive du&
the increafe of numbers during the laft ten yeatV,
proceeding in geometrical ratio, promifes a
plication in little More than as years. We con-
template this rapid growth, and the profpea it
holds up to us, not with a view to the injuries it
may enable us to do to othels in tome future day,
but to the fettlement of the extenfive country Rill
remaining vacant within our limits, to the multi-
plication of men, fufceptible of happinefs educated
in the love of order, habituated to felf-govern-
ment, and valuing its bleflings above all price.
Other circumflances combined with the increafe
of numbers have produced an augmentation •of
revenue arifing from confumption, in a ratio far
beyond that of population alone ; and though the
changes in foreign relations, now taking place fo
defirably for the whole world, may for a feafon
affe& tins branch of revenue, yet weighing all
probabilities of expence, as well as of income,
there is reafonable ground of confidence that we
may now fafcly difpenfe with all the internal taxes,
comprehending excites, Ramps, aucLions, licences,
carriages, and refined fugars : to which the pott-
age on newfpapers may be added to facilitate the
progrefs of information; and that the remaining
fources of revenue will be fnfficient to provide for
the fupport of Government, to pay the interefts
of public debts, and to difcharge the principals in
thorter periods than the laws, or the general ex-
pedation had contemplated. War, indeed, and
untoward events may change this profpeiff of
things, and call for the expences which the im-
pofts-could not meet. But found principles will
not jultify your taxing the indullry of our fellow-
citizens to accumulate treafure for wars to happen
we know not when, and which might not perhaps
happen, but from the temptation offered by that
treafure.

Thefe views, however, of reducing our burthens
are formed on the expectation, that a fenfible, and
at the fame time a falutary, redußion may take
place in our habitual expenditures. For this pur-
pole, thofe of the civil government, the army and
navy, will need recital. When we confider that
.this Government is charged with the external and
mutual relations only of tittle Rates; that the
Rates themfelves have principal care of our per-
fons, our property, and our reputation ; conflitu-
ring the great field of human concerns, we may
well doubt whether our organization is not too
complicated, too expenfive ; whether offices and
officers have not been multiplied tinnecelarily,and
fometimcs injurioufly to the (cry ice they were meant
to promote. i will caufe to be laid before you an
effay towards a flatement of thofe who, under
public employment of various kinds, draw money
from the treafury, or from our citizens. Time
has not permitted a perfel enumeration, the rami-
fications of office being too multiplied and remote
to be completely traced in a firft trial Among
thole who are dependent •on executive difcretion,
I have begun the reduCtion of what was deemed
unneceffary. The expences of diplomatic agency
lure been confiderably diminifhed. The infpec-
tor s of internal revenue, who wew found to ob.
fir at the accountability of the inflitution, -have
been difeontinued. Several agencies, created by
executive authority,. on falaries fixed by that al%,
have been fupprefled, and fhould fuggea the ex..
pediency of regulating that power by law, fo as 1,
to fubjeCt its exercifes to legiflative infpeetion and
fanCtion. Other reformations of the fame kind
will be purfued with that caution which is requi-
fite, in removing acids things, not to injure what
is retained. But the great mars of public officers
is ettablifbed by law, and theiefore)bliiaw alotte
can be aboliffied. Should the Legiflature think it
expedient to pals this roll in review, and to try
all its parts by public utility, they may be allured
of every aid and light which executive informa-
tion can yield.
Confidtring the general tendency to multiply
offices and dependencies, and to encreare expence
to the ultimate term of burthen.which the citizen
can bear, it behoves its to avail ourfelves of every
occafion which prefents itfelf for taking off the
furcharge ; that it never may be Peen here that,
after leaving to labour the fmallefi portion of its
earnings on which it can fubfift, government (hall
itfelf confume the refidue of what icwas inflittited
to guard.
In our care too of the public ronttibutions
milted to our direkion, it would be prudent tia
multiply barriers againa their diffipation, by ap-
propriating fpecific rums to every fpecific purpofe,
fufceptible of definition by difallowing all appli-
cations of money varying from the appropriation
in objed or traufcending it in amount ; by redu-
cing the undefined field of contingencies, and
thereby circumfcribinf difcretionary powers over
money ; and by bringing back' to a Tingle depart-
ment all accountabilities for money, where the
examination may be prompt, efficacious, and uni-
form.

An account of the receipts and expenditutes of
the lag year, as prepared by the Secretary of the
Treafury, will as ufual, be laid before you. The
fuccefs which has attended the late fates of the pub-
lic lands fhews that, with attention, they may be
made an important fource of receipt. Among tale
payments, thole made in difcbarge of the principal
and intereß of the national debt, ,will thew that the
public faith has been exaelly maintained. To thefe '
will be added an eftimate of appropriations necef-
fary for the enfuing year. This,laft will of courfe
be affeaed by fuch modifications of the fyftent of
espence as you (hall think ptopdr to adopt.
ti gatemen has been formed by the Secretary
at War, on mature confideration, of all the pofts
and Rations where garrifons will be expedient, and
of the number of men requifite for each garrifon.
The whole amount is confiderably of the pre-
'tent military eftablifiiment. tor the furplus no
particular ufe can be pointed out. For defence
ag.ainft invafion, their number is as nothing ; nor
is it confidered nsedfitl or fate that a (landing army
fbould be kept up, in than of peace. Uncertain
as we mull ever be o 4 the particular point in our
circumference where an enemy may chafe to in.
rade us, the only force which can be ready at every
point, and competent to oppofe them, is the bode
of 4eifillb.9ooPB citi*Ps3 as (WOO 411. q 3144

-7"

On diskpolleited from the parienittli collier:tient, 1
rut nougats proportiq -W to the invading force, it
u belt to rely, not to meet the firft attack, but
if it threatens to be permanent, so maintain the de-
fence until the regulars mar be engaged to relieve
them. Thofe confiderations render it important
that we !hotly!, at every fetron, continue to amend
the defelts, which from time to time thew them-
felves, in the laws for regulating the militia, until
they are fufficiently perfet: nor should we now,
or at any time, feparate, until we can fay we have
done every thing for the militia, which we could
do, were an enemy at our door.
The provifion of military limes on hand will be
laid before you, that you may judge of the addi-
tions Rill requifite.
With refped to the extent to which our prepa-
tions fhould be carried, Come difference of opinion
may be expeded to appear; but jolt attention to
the circomnances of every part of the union will
doubtlefs reconcile all. A (mall force will proba-
bly contimie to be wanted for adual fervice in the
Mediterranean. Whatever annual fum beyond
that you may think proper to appropriate to naval
preparations, would perhaps be better employed
in providing chore articles which may be kept with-
out wafte or confumption, aod be in readinefs
when any exigence calls them into nfe. Progrefs
has been made, as will appear by papers now com-
municated, in providing materials for feventy-four
gun (hips as direded by law.
How far the authority given by the Leg:nature
for procuring and eflablithing foes for naval pur-
poles, has been perfetily underlood and purfued
in the execution, admits of fome doubt. A (late-
ment of the expences already incurred on that tub-
jed !hall be laid before you. I have in certain
cafes, fufpended or flackened thefe expenditures,
that the Legiflature might determine whether fo
many yards are necefary as have been contem-
plated. The works at this place ale among thofe
permitted to go on ; and five of the (even frigates
direEted to be laid up, hive been brought and laid
up here, where, befides the fafety of their pofitien,
they are under the eye of the Executive Admini-
ambit', as well; as its agetttsi'and where your-
(elves alto will be guided by your own view, in the
Legiflative provilions refpeding them, which may
from time to time be neceffary. They are pre-
ferved in fuch condition, as well the vac's, as
whatever belongs to them, as to be at all times
ready for lea on a (port warning. Two others are
yet to belaci up, fo foon as they (hall have reecho-
ed the repairs requitite to put them atfo in a found
condition. 4s a fuperintending officer will be ne-
cefary at each yard, his duties and emoluments,
hitherto fixed by the Executive, will be a more
proper fubjed for Legiflation. A communication
will be made of our prorrefs in the execution of
the law refpeding the veifels direded to he fold.
The fortificatt9os of our hat hours, more or lets
advanced, prefent confiderations of great difficulty.
While fome of them are on a fcale fufficiently pro-
portioned to the advantages of their pofition, to
the efficacy of their protedion,and the importance
of the points within it, others are fo extenfire,-will
coil fo much in the fira eredion, fo much in their
maintenance, and require fuch a force to garrifon
them, as to make it queftionable what is bell now
to be done. A fiatentent of thole commenced or
projeded, of the expences already incurred, and
climates of their future con, as far as can be fore-
teen, null be laid before you, that you may be
enabled to judge whether any alteration is neccf-
fAry in the laws refpeeting this fubje.ft.
Agriculture, manufactures, commerce, and na-
vigation, the four pillars of our profperity, arc
-theztazoft thriting, when left moll free to indivi-
dual enterprife. Proteilion from cafual embarraff-ments, however, may fometimes be fcalonably in-
terpofed. If in the courfe of your obfervations or
enquiries, they lhould appear •to need any aid,
within the limits of our conflitutional powers, your
fenfe of their importance is a fufficicnt affurance
they. will.occupy your attention. We cannot, in-
•deedi but all feel an anxious folicitude for the dif-
ficulties tinder Which our carrying trade will foon
be placed. How far it can be relieved, otherwife
than by time, is a fubjed of important confidera-
don.

. The judiciary fyftem of the United States, and
cfpecially that portion of it recently erected, will
of courfe prefent itfelf to the contemplation °Mon-
&fat and that they may be able to judge of the
proportion which the inftitution bears to the bufi-
nefs it has to perform, I have canted to be pro-
cured from the feveral Rates, and now lay before
Congrefs, an exact Ratement of all the carafes de-
cided fence the firft ellabliftiment of the courts, and
of thofe which were depending when additional
courts and judges were brought in to their aid.
And iris* on the judiciary organization, it will
'be worthy ydur confederation whether the protec-
tion of the ineftimable institution of juries has been
extended to all the cafes involving the fecurity of
our perfons and property. Their impartial felec-
tion alfo being etrential to their value, we ought
further to confider whether that is fnikeiently fe-
cured in thofe hates, where they are named by a
marital depending on executive will, or defignsited
by the.court, or by officers derndant on them.
I cannot omit recommending a revifal of the
laws on the fubjed of naturalixation. ConGdering
the ordinary chances of human life, sti denial of ci-
tizenthip under a relidence of re years, is a denial
to •n great proportion of thofe who elk it; and
sontrouls a policy Rurfued, from their firft fettle-
mem, by many of clack Rates, and Rill believed of
confequence to their poßerity. And Wall we re-
fute to the unhappy fugitives from diftrefs, that
hofpitality which the ravages of the wildernefs ex-
tended tia our fathers arriving in this land ? Shall
opprefred humanity find no afylum on this globe ?
The oonftitution, indeed, las wifely provided that,
for adrniffion to certain offices of important truft,
a relidence !hall be required fufficient to dcvelope
charader and defirn. But might not the general
charader and capabilities of a citizen be fakir
communicated to every one manifefting a awl&
purpofe of embarking his life and fortunes perma-
nently with us? with reftriaions, perhaps, to guard
againft the fraudulent teurpation of our flag ; an
abufe which brints fo much 'embarraffment an 4.
lots og the genuine citiscpj sad ,Co Nuch 44iler tq

•

the nation-of being involved in War, that nn e,i.
deavour should be Tpared to dew& and fupprefs it.
Thefejellow-citizens, are the matters relpthing
the Rate of the nation, which I have thought ni
importance to be fubmitted to your contider.itii,n
at this time. Some others of lefs moment, or not
yet ready for communication, will be the fulijel
of feparate meffages. lam happy in this oppor.
tunity of committing the arduous affairs of our
Government to the colleted wifdom of the union.
Nothing fhall be wanting on my part to
inform, as far as in my power, the legilla-
tire judgment, nor to carry that judgment into
faithful execution. The prudence and tempe-
rance of your difcuflions will promote, within you&
own walls, that conciliation which fo much be-
friends rational conclufion, and by its example will
encourage among our Conftituents that progrc hive
opinion which is tending to unite them in object.
and in will. That all thould be fatisfied with any
one order of things.is not to be expelled,- but I
indulge the pleading perfualion that the great body •
of our citiiens will cordially concur in hiinell ani
difinterelted efforts, which have for their object
to preferve the General and State Governments in
their Conaitutional form and equilibrium—to
maintain peace abroad, and order and obedience
to the laws at home—to eftablillt, principles and
praelices of adminiQration favourable to the fecti-
rity of liberty and property—and to reduce ex-
penccs to what is neceffary for the ufeful purpoles
of Government. TH. JEFFERSON.