Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1803-10-18

Secretary to the President.
70 the Senate anl H7use Of Representatives.
ofthe United States.
In calling YOU together, fellow citizens,
at an earlier day than was contemplated
BY the act Of the last session Of congress,
I have not been insensible to the personal
inconvenience necessarily resulting from
an unexpected change IN your arrange
ments but matters of great public con-
cernmenthav renderedthis call necessary;
andthe iaterestyou feel in these will super
cede in your minds all private eonsidera-
tons.
Congress witnessed at their late session,
the extraordinary agitation produced in the
public mind by the suspension of our right
ofdeposit, at the port Of New Orleans, no
assignment of another place having been
made according to treaty. They were
sensible that the continuation of that pri-
walton would be. more injurious to.our ma
ton, tikan any consequences which could
flow from anv mode of redress. But repo-
sing Just confidence in the good faith. of the
Government whose officer had committed
the wrong, friendly and reasonable repre-
sensations were rcsorted to, and the right
ofdeposlt was restored.
Previous howeverto this period, we had
not been unaware Of the danger to which
Jul peace would be perpetually exposed,
whilst so importanta key to the commerce
of the western country remained under fo-
reign power. Difficulties too were present
ing themselves as to the navagation ofother
streams, which arising within our terrific
ries, pass through those adjacent. Propo-
ssis;ons had therefore been authorised tor
obtaining, on fair conditions, the sovereign
ty of New Orleans, and of otherPossess;-
ons in that quarter interesting to our quiet,
to such extent as was deemed practicable;
and the provisional appropriation of two
millions ofdollars, to be applied and &C
counted for BY the President ofthe United
States, intendedas part1of the price, was
considered as conveying the sanction of
Congress to the acquisition proposed
The enlightened government of France
saw, with Just discsrnment, the importance
to both nations of such liberal arrange
ments as might best and permanently pro-
mote the peace, friendship and interest of
both and the property and sovereignty of
all Louisiana, which had been restored to
them, has, on certain conditions, been
transferred to the United States by instru-
ments bearing date the 3oth of April last.
When these shall have received the con-
stitutional sanction Of the Senate, they will,
without delay, be communicated to the
Representatives, also, for the exercise Of
their functions as to those conditions which
are within the powers vested by the Con
stltution in Congress. Whilst the proper
ty and sovereignty of the Mississippi and
its waters secure an independent outlet for
the produce of the western states, and an
uncontrolled navigation through the whole
course, free from collision with other pow
ers, and the dangers to our peace from that
source, the fertility of the country, IT'S
climate and extent, promise, in due season,
important aids to our treasury, an ample
provision for our posterity, and a wide
spread for the blessings of freedom and
equal laws.
With the wisdom of Congress IT twill res-
to take those Interior measures which may
benecessary for the immediate occupation,
and temporary government of the country
for its incorporation into our union for
rendering the change Of government a bles-
singto our newly adopted b~retaern fors e-
curing tothemthe rights circumstance and
Of property for confirming to the Indian
inhabitants theiroecupancv and ID goyern-
ment; establishing friendly. andscomnaer-
cially relations with them, andforascertain-
ing the geography Of the country acquired.
Such materials for your information rela-
tive toits affairs in general, as the short