The Statesman.
London, England, 1820-12-16 00:00:00

STATESMAN.

MESSAGE
OF TOR
PRESIDENT OP THE UNITED OATES
td brut mouses, AT TIM OPININO Or TIM MOND 51111014
VIP •OTB TIM US Of CONOIRSII.

intended to prevent a monopoly under British regale-
tines, In favour of Great Britain; as it likewise is, to
know that the experiment is advancing In a spirit of
amity between the parties.
The qnestion depending between the United Statei
and Great Britain, respecting. the construction of the
first article of the treaty of Ghent, has been referred by
both gorerasents to the decision of the Emperor of
Russia, who bad accepted the umpirage.
An attempt has teen made with the Government of
France, to regalate, by treaty, the commerce between
the two countries, on the principle of reciprocity and
equality. ii> the last communication from the Minister
Plenipotentiary of the United States at Paris, to whom
full power half been given, we learn that the negocia•
tion had been commenced there, but serions difficulties
having occurred, the French Government had resolved ;
to transfer it to the Cnited States, for which purpose '
the Minister Plenipotentiary of France had beenordered
to repair to this city, and n hose arrival might soon be
expected. It is hoped that this important interest may
be arranged on just conditions, and in a manner equally
satisfactory to both parties. It is submitted to Congress
to decide, until such arrangements is made, how far it
may be proper, no the principle of the act of the last I
session, which ang'snented the tonnage duty on French
vessels, to adopt GB:v measures for carrying more com-
pletely into effect the kolicy of that act.
The act referred to, Ichicb imposes new tonnage on
French vessels, baring been in torte from and after the
first day of July, it has happened that several vessels of
that nation winch had been dispatched from France
before its existence was known, have entered the ports
of the United States, and been subject to its operation.
without that previous notice which the general spirit of
our laws gives to i nil it iduals in similar cases. The object
of that law having been merely to countervail the inequa-
lities which existed to the disadvantage of the United
States, in their commercial intereo.:rse stills France, it
is submitted also to the consideration of Congress,
thee, in the spirit of mite and conciliation which it is '
no less the inclination than the policy of the United
States to preserve in their intercourse with other powers,
it may not be proper to extend relief to the individuals
interested in those rase-,, by exempting from the opera-
tion of the law all those vessels which have entered our
ports without having bad the means of previously know-
ing the existence of the additional duty.
The contest between Spsin and the t'olonien. accord-
ing to the most authentic information, is maintained by
the latter with improved success. The unfortunate slivi-1
sinus which were known to exist some time since at
Buenos Ayres, it is understood, still prevail. In no
part of South America has Spain made any impression
on the Colonies, while in many parts, and particularly
in Venezuela and New Grenada, the Colonies have
gained strength and acquired reputation, both for the
management of the war, in which they have been suc-
cessful, and for the order of time internal administration.
The late change in the government of Spain, by the re-
establishment of the constitution of 1814, is an event
which promises to be favourable to the revolution.—
Under the authority of the fortes, the Congress of
Angustura was invited to open a negotiation for time
settlement of differences between the parties, to
tibias it was replied, that they would willingly open
the negotiation, provided the acknowledgment of
their independence was made its basis, but not other-
wise. Of further proceedings between them we are un-
informed. No facts are known to this government to
warrant the belief, that any of the powers of Europe will
take part in the contest; whence it may be inferred,
cansidering all circumstances, which must have weight
in produciug the result, that an adjustment will finally
take place on the basis proposed by the Colonies. To
promote that remelt by friendly counsels, with ether
powers, including Spain herself, has been the uniform
policy of this government.
In looking into the internal concerns of oar country,
you will, I am persuaded, derive much satisfaction from
a view of the several objects to which, io the discharge
of your official duties, your attention will be drawn.
Among these, none holds a more important place than
the public revenue, from the direct operation of the
power, by whirls it is raised, on tlie people, and by its
tallnence in giving effect to eveiy other power of the go-
vernment. The revenue depends on the resources of the
country, and the facility by which the amount required
is raised, is a strong proof of the extent of the resources,
and of the efficiency of the government. A few promi-
nent facts will place this greet interest in a just light be-
fore you. On the :10th of September, ISIS, the funded
and floating debt of the United States was estimated at
one hundred and nineteen millions six hundred and
thirty-five thousand five hundred and fifty-eight dollars. If
to this stun be added the amount of tive per cent. Stock sub-
scribed to the Bank of the United States, the amount
of Mississippi stock, and of the stock which was issued
subsequently to that date, the balances ascertained to he
doe to certain states, for military services, and to indi-
viduals, for supplies furnished, and services rendered,
during the late war, the public debts may be estimated
as amounting, at that date, and as afterwards liquidated,
to one hundred and fifty-eight millions seven hundred
and thirteen thousand forty-nine dollars. On the 30th
of September, 1820, it amounted to ninety-one millions
nine hundred and ninety-three thousand eight hundred
83 dollars, having been reduced in that interval, by
payments, sixty-ate millions eight hundred and seventy-
nine thousand one hundred and sixty-five dollars. Du-
ring this term, the expences of the government of the
United States were likewise defrayed, in every branch
of the civil, military, and naval establishments ; the
public edifices in this city have been rebuilt, with con-
siderable additions ; extensive fortifications have been
commenced, and are in a train of execution ; permanent
arsenals and magazines have been erected in various
parts of the Union ; our navy has been considerably
augmented, and the ordinance, munitions of war, and
stores, of the army and navy, which were much ex-
hausted during the war, have been replenished.
By the discharge of so large a proportion of the pub-
lic debt, and the execution of such extensive and im-
portant operations, in an short a time, a just estimate
may be formed of the great extent of our national re-
sources. The demonstration is the more complete and
gratifying, when it is recollected that the direct tax and
excise were repealed soon after the termination of the
late war, and that the revenue applied to these purposes
has been derived almost wholly from other sources.
The receipts into the Treasury from every source to
the 30th Sept. last, hare amounted to sixteen millions
seven hundred and ninety-four thousand one hundred
and seven dollars and sixty-four cents ; whilst the public
expenditures, to the same period, amounted to sixteen°
millions eight hundred and seventy-one thousand five
hundred and thirty-four dollars and seventy-two cents;
leaving in the Treasury, on that day, a sum estimated
at one million nine hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
For the probable receipts of the follow lag year, I refer
you to the statement which will be transmitted from
the Treasury.
The stun of three millirem of dollars, authorised to be
raised by loan, by an Act of the last Session of Con-
gress, has been obtained upon terms advantageous to
Government, indicating not only an increased confidence
in Ai faith of the nation, bet the exitance of a large

Pelime Citizen• of the Settee, end./ the House of
Repre*entatines :—ln communicating to you a just
view of public affairs, at the commencement of your
present labours, I do it with great satisfaction; be-
cause, taking all circumstances Into consideration
which claim attention, I see much cause to rejoice in
the felicity of our situation. In making this remark,
I do not wish to be understood to imply that an un-
varied prosperity is to he seen in every interest of this
great community. In the progress of a nation, inha-
biting a territory of such vast extent and great va-
riety of climate, every portion of which is engaged in
foreign commerce, and liable to be affected, in some
degree, by the changes which occur in the condition
and regulations of foreign countries, it would be
strange, if the produce of our soil and the industry
and enterprise of our fellow-citizens received at all
times, and in every quarter, an uniform and equal
encouragement. This would be more than we have a
right to expect, under circumstances the most favour-
able. Preasuras on certain interests, it is admitted,
have been tilt; but, allowing to these their greatest
extent, they detract bat little from the force of the
remark already made. In forming a just estimate
of our present situation it is proper to look at the
whole ; in the outline, as %yell as in the detail.
A free, ♦irtuous, and enlightened people know well
the great principles and causes nn which their happiness
depends; and even those who suffer most, occasionally,
in their transitory concerns, tint' great relief under their
sufferings, from the blessings which they otherwise en-
joy, and in the consoling and animating hope which they
administer. From whence do these pressures ?
Not from a government which is founded by, adminis-
tered for, and supported hy, the people. We trace them
to the peculiar character of the epoch in which we live,
and to the extraordinary occurrences which have signa-
lized it. The convulsions with which several of the
powers of Europe have been shaken, and the long and
destructive wars in which all were engaged, with their
sudden transition to a state of peace, presenting, in the
first instance, unusual encouragement to our commerce,
and withdrawing it in the second, even within its wonted
Is, could nut fail to be sensibly felt here. The station
too, which we had to support through this long conflict,
compelled as we were, finally, to become a party to it
with a principal power, and to make great exertions,
suffer heavy losses, and to contract considerable debts,
disturbing the ordinary course of affairs, by augmenting,
to a vast amount, the circulating medium, and thereby
elevating at one time, the price of every article above a
just standard, and depressing it at another below it, had
likewise its due effect.

It is manifest that the pressures of which we com-
plain have proceeded, in a great measure, from these
causes. When, then, we take into view, the prosperous
and happy condition of our country, in all the great
circumstances which constitute the felicity of a nation
—every individual in the full enjovinent of all his
rights: the Union blessed with plenty, and rapidly
rising to greatness, under a national government, which
operates with complete effect in every part, without be-
ing felt in any, ex.ept by the ample protection which it
affords, and under state governments which perform
their equal share, according to a wile distribution of
power between them, in promoting the public happiness
—it is impossible is behold so gratifying, so glorious a
spectacle, without being penetrated with the most pro-
found and grateful acknowledgments to the Supreme
Author of all good for such manifold and inestimable
blessings. Deeply impressed with these sentiments, I
cannot regard the pressures to which I have *decred
otherwise than in the light of mild and instructive ad-
monitions; warning us of dangers to he shunned in fu-
ture; teaching as lessons of economy, corresponding
with the simplicity and purity of our institutions, and
best adapted to their support: evincing the connection
and dependence which the various parts of our happy
Union have on each other, thereby augmenting daily
our social incorporation, and adding, by its strong ties,
new strength and vigour to the padre): opening a
wider range,and with new encouragement to the industry
and enterprise of our fellow-citizens at home and
abroad ; and more especially by the multiplied proofs
which it has accumulated of the great perfection of our
most excellent system of government, the powerful in-
strument, in the hands of an all merciful Creator, in se-
curing to us these blessings.
Happy as our situation is, it does not exempt us from
solicitude and care for the future. On the contrary, as
the blessings which we enjoy are great, proportionably
great should be our vigilance, zeal, and activity to pre-
serve them. Foreign tears may again expose us to new
wrongs, which would. impose on us new dnties, for
which we ought to be prepared. The state of Europe
is unsettled, and how lung peace may be preserved, is
'iltegether uncertain ; in addition to which, we have in-
terests of our own to adjust, wbith will require parti-
War attention. A correct view of our relations with
Gosh power will enable you to form a just idea of exist-
ing difficulties, and of the measures of precaution best
adapted to them.
Respecting our relations with Spain, nothing explicit
sae now be communicated. On the adjournment of Con-
In May last, the Minister
Plenipotentiary of the listed States at Madrid, was instructed to inform the
government of Spain, that if His Catholic Majesty should
then ratify the treaty, this tiovernment would accept the
flltification so far as to submit to the decision of the
Renate the question whether such ratification should be
'received in exchange for that of the United States, here-
before given. By letters from the Ministers of the United
States to the Secretary of State, it appears, that a comm u-
Ideation, in conformity with his instructions, had been
sande to the Ooveroment of Spain, and that the Cortes had
she subject under consideration. The result of the delibe-
lotions of that body, which is daily ex petted, will be made
brown to Congress as soon as it is received. The friendly
irtetiment which was expressed on the part of the United
Slates, in the message of the 9th of May last, it still en.
lertsined for Spain. Among the causes of regret, how-
ever, which are inseparable from the delay attending
this transaction, it is proper to state, that satisfactory
Information has been received that measures have been
recently adopted by designing persons, to convert cer-
*dm parts of the province of East Florida into depots
ibe the reception of foreign goods from whence to smug-
gle them into the United States. By opening a port
eilthin the limits of Florida, immediately on our bound-
ary, where there was no settlement, the object could not
be misunderstood. As emir accommodation of differ-
tacos will, it is hoped, prevent all such fraudulent and
pernicious practices, and place the relations of the two
,Illessutries, on a very amicable and permanent basis.
The commercial relations between this United States
eird the British Colonies in the West Indies, lad on
this m 4111444, have undergone no chug.; the • Bel.
tish government still preferring to leave that esswiterce .is this de___,
in
..._ It ~, ~___ yet* „„litir.
1
under the restriction heretofore laspesad 011 it, tea each scythe, them 5=04:478 "'" the* nvorr"
side. It ii satisfactory to recollect, that the reetrainte the gut ethane *geese limit or ties Naomi
resorted to by the United States, were dde4eive oily, reined* allttoos.—Ba.