The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-12-27 00:00:00

-OPENING OF

WAS/WIGTON; Dtc. I; Is23.—The first session of the Pith-
teenth Congress has commenced with great harmony. A large
majority of the Members of both honaes appeared in their re-
apecuive chambers, this day, precisely at
.twelve o'clock. In
the Senate, Mr. Gaillard took the chair, and after the usual
Order& teethe appointment of chaplains, for atipplying the mem-
bers. with newspapers, ard for the appointment of joint com-
mittees on enrolled hills, were seterally passed, Messrs. Bar•
hour. and Macon were appointed a committee on the part of
the '.lour.
to wait up •11 the Preside• t, jointly, with a com.g.it-
tee trim the House of Representatives, and inform him of the
organizatioh of the two Houses.
In the House of Representatives, the roil was called pre-
cisely at twelve o'clock, and one hundred end eighty onemem-
bers appeared in their seats. Mr. Clay. has so long filled the
Speaker's chair. and given such unusual satisfaction, that the
moment it was known that. his health was such as to permit him
to resume the station, there was a general, disposition among
,all, save the friends of the Treasury candidate, to elect hi II
again to the same honourable place. Accordingly, *hen Oho
roll of members had been called over, Mr. Taylor, of New
York, immediately rose and declined being eonsidere I t can-
didate, and in handsome terms requested his friends not to Sole
for him. Mr. Lathrop, of Massachusetts. and Mr. Rankin. of
Mississippi, were appointed Tellers. Oa counting the ballots,
it a wared, that ISt members nad voted, and that Mr..o sy
had 139 votes. 'fine friends of the Radical Chief asitured tv
their candidate, and to the ancient dominion, and after some
manteuvring, obtained 42 votes for Mr. P. P. Barbour, of
Virginia, the late Speaker. The old clerk sod the other on.
errs of the !louses, were re chosen. The whole *cut on
smoothly.

HeSSAGE:

(Sequel of the President's Message from the ST.tiESMAN of
yesterday.)
The ministers who were appointed to the Republic of
Colombia and linen°. Ayres, during the leo Session of
Congress, proceeded, shortly afterwards, to their deetina.
lions. Of their active' there, official intelligence has rot
yet been received The minister appointed to the Repot lie
of Chili will sail in a a few days. An early appointment
will also he made to Mexico. A minister has been received
from Colombia, and the o:h-r governments have been in-
formed that ministers, or diplomatic agents of inferior
grade, would be received from each according as they
might prefer the one or the other.
The minister appointed to Spain proceeded, soon after
his appointment, for Cadiz, the residence of the Sovereiita
to whom he was accredited. In approaching that port,
the frigate which conveyed him was warned of by the
Commander of the French sqn kdron by which it was blurt:-
ailed, and not permitted to enter, although apprized by
the Captain of the frigate, of the public character of t..e
person whom he had on board, the landing of whom was
the Pole object of his proposed entry. This act, being con•
sifirred an infringement of the rights of ambassadors an
of nations, will form a' joist cause of complaint to the
Government of France, against the officer by whom it
.11 as
committed.
The actual condition of the public !I ancee more than
realises the favourable anticipation that were entertained of
it at the opening of the last session of Congress. (hi the
Ist of January, there was a balance in the treasury of fo.ir
millions two hundred and thirty s^ven amound fo.or
hundred and twenty save,. Hollers and fifty five cents. From
that time to the 30th of September, the receipts amount.
to upwards of 16.100,004 dollars, and the expenditures *!to
11,400,000 dollars. During the fourth (Fierier of t..e
year, it is estimated that the receipts will, at least, eqn.l
the expenditures, awl that theta will rem sin in the treasury
nn the Ist day of January next, • a surplus of nearly
0,0)0,000 of dollars.
On the Ist of January, 1535, a large amount of the war
I debt, and a part of the revolutionary debt, become redeem.
able. Addition:.) portions of the former will inpatient to
become redeemable, annually, until the year 1835. It is
believed, however, that Bch, UnitealStates remain at peace,
the whole of that debt may. be redeemed by the ordinary
.r,venue .of those years during that period under the pro-
sibiolt of the act of March 11, Isl 7, creating the sinking
fond, and in that case the only part of the debt that w::.1
remain after the year 1825, will be seven millions of fiva
per cent. stock subscribed to the Bank of the United
and the there per cent- revolutionary debt, amounting to
thirteen' milliogs two hundrestand ninety six thousand and
ninety nine dollars and six cenb, both of which are redeem-
able at the pleasure of the Government.
The state of the army in its organisation and _discipline,
has been gradually improving for several years, and has
now attained a high degree of perfectiun. The military
dieburseNuents have been regulary made, and the ;sc.
counts regularly and promptly rendered fur settle.
meat. The supplies of various descriptions have
been of good quality and regularly issued at a 4
of the purrs. A system of economy and acconntabiliee
have been introduced into every branch of the service,
which admits of little additional improvement. Th.s
desirable state has been attained by the act reorganizing
the staff of the army, passed oa the 14th of April, eighteen
bandied and eighteen.
The monies appropriated for fortifications have beets
regularly and economically applied, and all the wet Its
advanced as rapidly .as the amount appropriated would
admit. Three important works still. he vo:npleted in roe
course of this year; that i^, Fort Washington, Fort
Delaware, and the Fort at tile Itigolets, in bou.iana.
The Board of Engineers, and the Topographical Corps,
Lays been in constant and active service, in surveying
the coast, and projecting the works necessary for its

defence.
-Tice Military Academy has attained a degree of perfect
Lion in its discipline and instruction filial, as is believed;
to any institution of its kind in any country..
The money appropriated for the use of the (Moine,
Department, has been regularly and economically applie.
The fabrication of arms at the national armories, and ity
'contract with the department, has been geddlialli impoy.
login quality and cheapness. It is believed that their
quality is now such as to admit of but little improve-
went.
The completion of the fortifications renders it neces
,sary that there should be a suitable appr,•priation for t'l.l
pprpose of. fa%ticatlug the cannon and carriages necessary
for those work'.
Uwiter the appropriation of 5,000 dollars f tr imploring the
western waters for the location of a site for 4 western
:armory, a commission was constituted, consisting- nt
Colonel 1161 tee, Colonel Lee, and Captain Talcott, who have
becit engaged in exploring the country. Tbev have not .y. t
reported the result of their labours, hut it Is believed that
they will be prepared to do it at an early part of the. Sns-
shin of Congreve.
During the month of June last. General Ashley and his
arty, wbo were trading under a license • from the general
government, were attacked by the Iticarees while peareahh!
trading with the Indians, at their reqnest. Several of the
party were killed and wounded, anuilteir property taken
or destroled.
Colonel Leavenworth, who commanded Fort Atkinson,
at the Cauncil Bluffs, the inset wevernitest, who appre-
hending that the hostile spirit of the Rimers would PC-
Itend to other tribes in that quarter, and that thereby the
lives of the traders on the Missouri, and the piece of the
frontitr woola be endangered, took immediate measures (t)
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