Star.
London, England, 1821-04-03 00:00:00

WASHINGTON, MARCH 41.

INAUGURAL SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT.
Yestirday, at twelve o'clock, on taking the oath
to supra the Constitution of the United States, the
following Speech was delivered by Itzium MoNaos,
President of the United States :

41 Fatt.ow-Ctris Xs3-4 shall net attempt to de-
scribe the grateful emotions which the new and very
distinguished proof of the confidence of my fellow-
citizens, evinced by my re-election to this high trust,
has excited in my bosom. The approbation which it
announces of my conduct, in the preceding term, af-
fords me a consolation which I shall profoundly feel
through life. The general accord with which it has
been expressed, adds to the great and never-ceasing
obligations which it imposes, to merit the continu-
ance of this good opinion,. and to carry it with me
into my retirement, as the solace of advancing years,
will be the object of my zealous and unceasing efforts.
" Having no pretensions to the high and command-
ing claims of my predecessors, whose names are so
much more conspicuously identified with our Revo-
lution, and who contributed so pre-eminently to pro.
Mote its success, I consider myself rather as the in-
strument than the cause of the union which has pre-
vailed in the late election. In surmounting, in fa-
vour of my humble pretensions, the difficulties which
so often 'produce division in like occurrences, it is
obvious that other powerful causes, indicating the
great strength and stability of our Union, have es-
sentially contributed to draw you together. That
these powerful causes exist, and that they are perma-
nent, is my fixed opinion ; that they may produce a
like accord in all questions, touching, however re-
motely, the liberty, prosperity, and happiness of our
country, will always be the object of my most fervent
prayers to the SUPREME AUTHOR of all GOOD.
" In a Government which is founded by the People,
who possess exclusively the sovereignty, it seems
proper that the person who may be placed by their
suffrages in this high trust, should declare, on com-
mencing its duties, the principles on which he intends
so conduct the Administration. If the person thus
elected has served the preceding term, an opportu-
nity is afforded him to review its principal occur-
rences, and to give such further explanation respect.
ing them, as in his judgment may be useful to his
constituents. The events of one year have influence
on those of another; and in like manner of a pre-
ceding on the succeeding Administration. The move-
ments of a great Nation are connected in all their
parts. If errors have been committed, they ought
to be corrected; if the policy is sound, it ought to
be supported. It is,by a thorough knowledge of the
whole subject that our fellow-citizens are enabled to
judge correctly of the past, and to give a proper di-
rection to the future.

" Just before the commencement of the last term,
the United States had concluded a war with a very
powerful Nation, on conditions equal and honourable
to both parties. The events of that war are too re-
cent, and too deeply impressed on the memory of
all, to require a devclopement from me. Our com-
merce had been, in a great measure, driven from the
sea; our Atlantic and inland frontiers were invaded
in almost every part ; the waste of lite along our
coast, and on some parts of our inland frontiers, to
the defence of which our gallant and patriotic citi-
zens were called, was immense; in addition to which,
not less than 120 millions of dollars were added at
its end to the Public Debt.
"As soon as the war had terminated, the Nation,
admonished by its events, resolved to place itself in
a situation which should be better calculated to pre-
vent the recurrence of a like evil, and in case it should
recur, to mitigate its calamities. With this view,. af-
ter reducing our land force to the basis of a peace
establishment, which has been further modified since,
provision was made for the construction of fortifica-
tions at proper points, through the whole extent of
our coast, and such an augmentation of our naval
force, as should be well adapted to both purposes.
The laws, making this provision, were passed in
1915 and 1816, and it has been, since, the constant
effort of the Executive to carry them into effect.
The a?vantage of these fortificatidns, and of an
augmented naval force, in the extent contemplated,
in point of economy, has been fully illustrated by a
Report of the Board of Engineers and Naval Com-
missioners, lately communicated to Congress, by
which it appears, that in an invasions by 20,000 men,
with a corresponding naval force, in a campaign of
six months only, the whole expense of the construc-
tion of the works would be defrayed by the differ-
ence in the sum necessary to maintain the force which
would be adequate to our defence with the aid of
those works, and that which would be incurred with-
out them. The reason of this difference is obvious.
If fortifications are judiciously placed on our great
inlets, as distant from our cities as circumstances will
permit, they wiH form the only points of attack, and
the enemy will be detained there by a small regular
force; a sufficient time to enable our Militia to col-
lect, and repair to that on which the attack is made.
A force adequate to the enemy, collected at that sin-
gle point, with suitable preparation for such others,
as might be menaced, is all that would be requisite.
But, if there were no fortifications, then the enemy
might go where he pleased, and, changing his posi-
tion, and sailing from place to place, our force must
be called out and spread in vast numbers along the
whole coast, and on both sides of every bay and
river, as high up in each as it might be navigable for
ships of war. By these fortifications, supported by
our Navy, to which they would afford like support,
we should present to other Powers an armed front
from St. Croix to the Sabine, which would protect,
in the event of war, our whole coast and interior.
from invasion ; and even in the wars of other Powers,
ih ithich we were neutral, they would be foundemi.
neatly useful, as, by keeping their public ships at a
distance from our cities, peace. and order in them
would be preserved, and the Government be pro-
tected from insult

need scarcely be remarked, that these area-,
sures have not been resorted to in a spirit of hostility
to other Powers. Such a disposition does not exist
wit-lids any Power. Peace and good-will have been,
and will hereafter bet cultivated with all, and by the
most faithful regard to justice. They have been
dictated by a loveof peace, of economy, mid an
earliest desire to save the lives of our fellow-citizen'
from that destruction, and our country from that

'devastation, which are inseparable from war, when'
it finds us unprepared for it. It is believed, and ex-
perience his shewn, that such a preparation is the
best expedient that can be resorted to, to prevent
war. I add, with Much pleasure, that considerable
progress has already been airge in these measures of
defence, and that they completed in a few
years, considering the great extent and importance
of the object, if the plan be zealously and steadily
persevered in.
" The conduct of the Government in what relates
to foreign Powers, is always an object of the highest
importance to the nation. Its agriculture, commerce,
manufactures, fisheries, revenue ; an short, its peace,
may all be affected by it. Attention is, therefore,
due to this subject.
" At the period adverted to, the Powers of Europe,
after having been engaged in long and destructive
wars with each other, had concluded a peace, which
happily still exists. Our peace with the Power with
whom we had been engaged, has also been con-
cluded. The war between Spain and the Colonies
in South America, which had commenced many years
before, was then the only conflict that remained unset-
tled. This being a contest between different parts of
the same community, in which other Powers had not
interfered, was not affected by their accommodations.
" This contest was considered, at an early stage,
by my predecessor, a civil war, in which the parties
were entitled to equal rights in our ports. This de-
cision, the first made by any Power, being formed
on great consideration of the comparative strength
and resources of the parties, the length of time, and
successful opposition made by the taalonies, and of
all other circumstances on which it ought to depend,
was in strict accord with the law of nations. Con-
gress has invariably acted on this principle, having
made no change in our relations with either party.
Our attitude has, therefore, been that of neutrality
between them, Ale!, has been maintained by the Go-
vernment with the strictest impartiality. No aid has
been afforded to either, nor has any privilege been
enjoyed by the one, which has not been equally open
to the other party, and every exertion has been made
in its power, to enforce the execution of the laws
prohibiting illegal equipments, with equal rigour
against both.
" By this equality between the parties, their pub-
lic vessels have been received in our ports on the
same footing ; they have enjoyed an equal right to
purchase and export arms, munitions of war, and
every other supply—the exportation of all articles
whatever being permitted under laws which were
passed long before the commencement of the contest ;
our citizens have traded equally with both, and their
commerce with each has been alike protected by the
Government.

" Respecting the attitude which it may be proper
for the United States to maintain hereafter between
the parties, I have no hesitation in stating it as my
opinion, that the neutrality heretofore observed,
should still be adhered to. Flom the change in the
Government of Spain, and the negotiation now de-
pending, invited by the Cortes, and accepted by the
Colonies, it may be presumed that their differences
will be settled on the terms proposed by the Colonies.
Should the war be continued, the United States, re-
garding its occurrences, will always have it in their
power to adopt such measures resiecting it, as their
honour and interest may require.
" Shortly after the general peace, a band of ad-
venturers took advantage of this conflict, and of the
facility which it afforded, to establish a system of
buccaneering in the neighbouring seas, to the great
annoyance of the commerce of the United States,
and, as was represented, of that of other Powers. Of
this spirit, and of its injurious bearing on the United
States, strong proofs were afforded by the establish-
ment at Amelia Island, and the purposes to which
it was made instrumental, by this band, in 1817, and
by the occurrences which took place in other parts
of Florida, in 1818, the details of which, in both
instances, are too well known to require to be now
recited. lam satisfied, had a less decisive course
been adopted, that the worst consequences would
have resulted from it. We have seen that these
checks, decisive as they were, were not sufficient to
crush that piratical spirit. Many culprits, brought
within our limits, have been condemned to suffer
death, the punishment due to that atrocious crime.
The decisions of upright and enlightened Tribunals
fall equally on all, whose crimes subject them, by a
fair interpretation of the law, to i.s censure. It be-
longs to the Executive not to suffer the executions,
under these decisions, to transcend the great purpose
for which punishment is necessary. The full benefit
of example being secured, policy as well as huma-
nity, equally forbids that they should be carried fur-
ther. 1 have acted on this principle, pardoning
those who appear to have been led astray by igno-
rance of the criminality of the acts they had com-
mitted, and suffering the lnw to take effect on those
only, in whose favour no extenuating circumstances
could be urged.
" Great confidence is entertained, that the late
Treaty with Spain, which has been ratified by both
the parties, and the ratifications whereof have been
exchanged, has placed the relations of the two cowl-,
tries on a basis of permanent friendship. The provi-
sion made by it for such of our citizens as have claims
on Spain, of the character described, will, it is pre-
sumed, be satisfactory to them ; and the boundary
which is established between the territories of the par-
ties, westward of Mississippi, heretofore in dispute,
has, it is thought, been settled on conditions just and
advantageous to both.
" But to the acquisition of Florida too much im-
,portance cannot be attached. It secures to the Uni-
ted' States a territory important in itself, and whose
.importance is much increased by its bearing en many
of the highest interests of the Union. It opens to se-
veral of the neighbouring States a free passageto the
Ocean, through the province ceded, by several riven,
having their sources high up withia their. limits. It
secures us against all future annoyance from power.
,ful Indian tribes. It gives us several excellent har-
bours in the Gulf of Mexico for ships of war of the
largest size. It covers, by its position in the Gulf,
'the Mississippi and other great waters within our ex.
-tended limits, and thereby enables the United States
to afford complete protection to the vast and very
valuable productions of our whole Western Country,
which find market through these streams.
• 44 By a Treaty with the British Government, bap.
Ins date pp the '2oth day of October, 1818, the Come.f
vention regulating the commerce between thg

'States and Great Britain, concluded on the 3d of
July, 1815, which was about expiring; was revived,
and continued for the term bE ten years frem the
time of its expiration. By that Treaty, also, the dif-
ferences which had arisen under the Treaty of Ghent,
respecting the right claimed by the United States,
for their citizens to take and cure fish on the coast of
his Britannic Majesty's dominions in America, with
other differences on important interests, were ad-
justed to the satisfaction of both pirties. No agree-
ment has yet been entered into respecting the com-
merce between•the United States and the British do-

minions in the West Indies and on this Continent.—
The restraints imposed on that commerce by Great
Britain, and reciprocated by the United States on a
principle of defence, continues still in force.
" The negotiation with France for the regulation
of the commercial relations between the two coun-
tries, which, in the course of the last summer, had
been commenced at Paris, has since been transferred
to this city, and will be pursued, on the part of the
United States, in the spirit of conciliation, and with
an earnest detire that it may terminate in an arrange-.
ment Satisfactory to both parties.
.4 Our relations with the Barbary Powers are pre-
served in the same state, and by the same means,
that were employed when I came into this office. As
early as 1801, it was found necessary to send a squa-
droll into the Mediterranean for the protection of our
commerce; and no period has intervened, a short
term etcepted, when it was thought advisable to
withdriw it.

" The great interest which the United States have
in the Pacific, in commerce and in the fisheries, have
also made it necessary to maintain a naval force
there. In. disposing of this force, in both instances,
the most effectual, measures in our power have been
taken, without interfering 'with its other duties, for
the suppression of the Slave Trade and of piracy, in
the neighbouring seas.
" The situation of the United States, in regard to
resources, the extent of their revenue, and the faci-
lity with which it is raised, affords a most &ratifying
spectacle. The payment of nearly sixty-seven mil-
lions of dollars of the public debt, with the great
progress made in measures of defence, and in other
improvements of various kinds, since the late war,
ale conclusive proofs of this extraordinary prospe-
rity; especially when it is iecollected that these ex-
penditures have been defrayed without a burthen on
the people, the direct Tax and Excise having been
repealed soon after the conclusion of the late war,
and the revenue applied to these great objects having
been raised in a manner not to be felt. Our great
resources, therefore, remain untouched, for any pur-
pose which may affect the vital interests of the na-
tion. Tor all such purposes they are inexhaustible.
They are more especially to be found in the virtue,
patriotism, and intelligence of our fellow-citizens,
aria in the devotion with which they would yield up,
by any just measures of taxation, all their property,
in support of the rights and honour of their country.
" Under the present depression of prices, affecting
all the productions of the country, and every branch
of industry, proceeding from causes explained on a
former occasion, the revenue has considerably dimi-
nished ; the effect of which has been to compel Con-
gress either to abandon these great measures of de:
fence, or to resort to loans or internal taxes, to sup-
ply the deficiency. On the presumption that this
depression, and the deficiency in the revenue arising
from it, would be temporary, loans were authorised
for the demands of the last and present year. Anxious
to relieve my fellow-citizens, in 1817, from every
btu then which could be dispensed with, and the state
of the Treasury permitting it, I recommended the
repeal of.the internal taxes, knowing that such relief
was then peculiarly necessary, in consequence of the
great exertions made in the late war. I made that
recommendation under a pledge that, should the
public exigencies require a recurrence to them at any
time while I remained in this trust, I would with
equal promptitude, peiform the duty which would
then be alike incumbent on me. By the experiment
now making it will be seen, by the next Session of
Congress, whether the revenue shall have been so
augmented as to be adequate to all these necessary
purposes. Should the deficiency still continue, and
especially should it be probable that it would be per-
manent, the course to tie pursued appears to me to
be obvious. I am satisfied that, under certain cir-
cumstances, loans may be resorted to with great ad-
vantage. I am equally well satisfied, as a general
rule, that the demands of the current year, especially
in time of peace, should be provided for by the re-
venue of that year. I have never dreaded, nor have
I ever shunned, in any situation in which I have
been placed, making appeals to the virtue and pa-
triotism of my fellow-citizens, well knowing that
they could never be made in vain; especially in times
of great emergency, or for purposes of high national
importance. Independently of the exigency of the
case, many considerations of great weight urge a
policy having in view a provision of revenue to meet,
to a certain extent, the demands of the nation, with-
out relying altogether on the precarious resource of
foreign commerce. I am satisfied that internal Du-
ties and Excises, with corresponding imposts on I'o-
-reign articles of the same kind, would, without im-
posing any serious burthens on the people,. enhance
the price of produce, promote our manufactures, and
augment the revenue ; at the same time that they
made it more secure and permanent.
" The care of the Indian Tribes within our limits
has long been An essential part of our system, but,
unfortunately, it has not been executed in a manner
to accomplish all the objects intended by it. We have
treated them as independent nations, without their
,having any substantial pretension to that rank. The
distinction has flattered their pride, retarded their im-
provement, and, in many instances, paved the way to
their destruction. The progress of our Settlements
westward, supported, as they are, by a dense popu-
lation, has constantly driven then; back, with almost
the total sacrifice of the lands which they have been
compelled. to abandon.—They have claims on the
magnanimity, and, I may add, on the justice of this
nation, which we must all feel. We should
their real benefactors, we should perform the office
of their Great Father, the endearing title which thez
emphatically give to the Chief blagistrate of our
Union. Their sovereignty'over vast territories should
cease, in lieu of which the right of soil should be se-
cured to each individpal, and his posterity, in com-
petent portions; 'and, for the territory thus ceded by
each tribes some reasoaable equivalent should be

granted, to be vested in peftbartent funds foriue
port of civil Government over theib, and for the elk,
cation of their children, for their instruction in the
arts of husbandry, and to provide sustenance Re them
until they could provide it for themselves. My
earnest hope is, that Congress will digest some plan,
founded on these principles, with such improvemesits
as their wisdom may suggest, and carry it tate effect
as soon as it may be practicable.
« Europe is again unsettled, and the prospect of
war increasing. Should the flame light up in any
quarter, how far it may extend it is impossible to
foresee. It is our peculiar felicity to be altogether.
unconnected with the causes which proddce this me.
racing aspect elsewhere. With every Power we are
in perfect amity, and it is our interest to remain so,
if it be practicable on just conditions. I see no rev
sobable cause to apprehend variance with any Poweri
unless it proceed from a violation of our **kin*
rights. In these contests, should they occur, saw ea
whatever extent they may be carried, we shall bn
neutral ; but, as a neutral Power, we have rights
which it is oar duty to maintain. For light injuries
it will be incumbent on us to seek redress in a spirit
of amity, in full confidence that, injuring none, no,ie
would knowingly injure us. For more imminent
dangers we should be prepared, and ifshould always
be recollected that such preparation, adapted to the
circumstances, and sanctioned by the judgment and
wishes of our constituents, cannot fail to have a good
effect in averting dangers of every kind. Weshould
recollect, also, that the season of peace is best adapted
to these preparations.

" If we turn our attention, fellow-citizens, 'more
immediately to the internal concerns of our country,
and more especially to those on which its future wet.
fare depends, we have every reason to anticipate the
happiest results. It is now rather mere than forty.
four years since we declared our Independence, end
thirty-seven since it was acknowledged. The talent'
and virtues which were displayed in that greastrug-
gle were a sure presage of all that has since followed.
A people who were able to surmount, in their infant
state, such great perils, would be more comreteury
as they rose into manhood, to repel any which they
might meet in their progress. Their physical sttenql
would be more adequate to foreign danger, and tie
practice of self-government, aided by the light of
experience, could not fail to produce an effect equally
salutary in all those questions connected with the in.
ternal organization. These favourable anticiptions
have been realized. In our whole system, National
and State, we have shunned all the defects which en.
ceasingly preyed on the vitals and destroyed the an-
cient Republics. In them there were distinct order,
a Nobility and a People, or the People.governed is
'one assembly. Oar population has augmented in an
astonishing degree, and extended in every direction.
We now, fellow-citizens, comprise within our knits.
the dimensions and faculties of a great Power, under
a Government possessing all the energies of any Go-
vernment ever known to the Old World, with as
utter incapacity to oppress the people.

" Entering, with these views, the ace which I
liave just solemnly sworn to execute with fidelity, and
to the utmost of my ability, I derive great utisfac-
don from a knowledge that I shall be assisted in the
several departments by the very enlightened and up.
right citizens from' whom I have received so much
aid in the pieceding term. With full confidence In
the continuance of that candour, and generous indul-
gence from my fellow-citizens at large, which I have
heretofore experienced, and with a aim reliance oa
the protection of ALMIGHTY GOD, I shall forthwith
commence the duties of the high trust to which yes
have called me."

Daniel Hamilton, ten years of age, and Daniel Sinclair, Atm
:die, were the boys mentioned in Friday's Sloss, as Wing beta
found in a field near Glasgow, the latter dead from the affects
of fatigue, hunger, damp, and cold. The boys bad ersdlabis
parents in that city. Having staid away from the schools de
afternoon of Monday sennight, they were afraid so p loon—
' Sinclair, who had been in the Highlands before asalliqrsime.
proposed that they should go there again. They snob* mg
off, on the Greenock road, and had reached Inchlinin, 010.•
they were stopt for the pontage. The toillogsw sisiod tldr
return; and about night-fall they reached ths miglaisodissisl
Govan, nearly worn out with fatigue and hunger. OM OAT
asked at a house for a drink of water, which was Ow door -
A little farther on they were nearly sinking, what they samully
exhorted each other to try another house ; but tit* eselbeet
and their hopes bad led ; and, unable to move forward, thsf of
down under a hedge, where they were found the oat mars*
Hamilton had no hat, but he opened his OW, sod pined kora
his head. Sinclair wept bitterly, and on llinsissas aegis('
from a sleep or faint, he wept and complained sf Maim He
soon relapsed into a state of insensibility, from tabieli be me
never to awake. The survivor is doing 1141110111 d Mors wakist
to the very active humanity of the surgeons ant the
of several other individuals. He had neither shoes, ear
cap ; says that the deceased, who was well provisiad in as ilia
respects, generously agreed to lie above him to. tort hie warns
may in some measure account for Maintain a sa-
crifice to the inclemency of the weather.

DIED.
Last night, Mr. Samuel Highley, Bookseller, Fleet4ttets
aged 60 years—a conscientious honourable man, greatlY esteem
by all who knew him.
On the 21 ult. at Florence, William Robert Broughton.
Post Captain in the Royal Navy, and Colonel of Marines.
'zealous and meritorious Officer served his country most WWI
for more than 40 years. He commanded the Clutha* knilr
which attended Captain Vancouver on his voyage round du
world, and explored all the interior of California; and IMO
accompanied by the present Captain Thomas of the
Navy, he discovered and explored the greaoftiver Columbia, an
the north-west coast of America.
SUDDEN MUTH Or Mu. ELLISTIOL—Mrs. Instal, she WI
I of Mr. Ellistoo, the lessee of Drury-Lane Theatre, died alma
suddenly on Saturday, at her residence iu Stratford-place. 'lb
amiable woman was in the gallery at the Freemasons' Tavern
on Friday last, in good health, and was taken ill after kw ea
tarn tome from the annual dinner gives in aid ofthe Mani'
cal Fund. She continued indisposed daring Saturday, lost
did not retire to rest until her usual hour at
had not been in bed long, when she was Attacked by a On''
lent hysteric affection, to which, during the last two rim
she had been subject, and in about ten minutes she was se
more. Mr.. Billiton was formerly one of the celebrated *le
Flemming, of Bath, and was well known in the most resell:
able circles in London Bath, Leamington' and elsewhere; Ina
known only to be admired and beloved. She was not more re.
markable for her personal accomplishments, than for the rare
and exemplary excellence of her private charades: Her Ile
was 46: she had been married to Mr. Elliston four and twee/
years, and had borne him ten children, of whom nine are
tiviaF
Mr. Elliston, after officiating at the Drury-Lane Theatrkal
Dinner, at Freemasons' 11.11, on Friday evening last, Mon"
to Mrs. Elliston, in Stratford-place, and set off on Sawa%
morning, at live o'clock, for Leamington, to attend a nisi
the Warwick Assizes. He had not the consolation, &rags"'
of being with Mrs. Elliston in her last moments. He we
ifor express, and reached home with his eldest son, Inlirrat
diction, at an early hour yesterday morning.

_
LONDON Printed and published by Tarn Kitxr, PO*
Place, Tempk-lisr.