Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-12-09
Presidents Message.

. bu M. Coles, f!s Secretary, .fe .yofIp9c-r
ing Message 10 both Hoases u Congress,
70 HE Seaatf and House IF Rearesenta
tiues orthe United States Of .fa,erica, IN
Congress assembled. ,l.3 =
1T would have given ME, fellow citizens,
great satisfaction TO announce, in the mo-
mcnt of your meeting, that the difficulties,
Incur foreign rclatioqs, existing at the t;lne
of vour last separation, hal been amicab,y
and Justly terminated. lost no time in Ia
king those measures which were mosthke-
" to bring them to srch termination,
by special missions, charged with snch
powers and Instructions as, IN the event
of failure, could leave no imputstion on
either orr moderation or for6earanec.
The DELAYS which have since taken place in
our negotiations with tue British govern
meat, appear TO have proceeded from caii-
ses whioh DO not foroid the expectation that
duriag the course of the session NAV be
enabled IS lay before YOU their final issue.
What viii be that of the negotiations for
settling our differences with Spain, noe
thing which had taken place 1T the date of
the last dispatches, enables ME 10 pronounce.
On the Western side Of the Mississippi
they advanced in considerable force and
took post in the settlement of Bayou Pierre,
on the Rel river. This village was orisi-
hailv settled by France, was held by her
as long as she held Louisiana, and was de-
livcrei to Spain only rs part OF bouisia-
ma. Being small, insulated, and distant, 1t.
was not observed at the mon,ent osrc-dc-
livery to France and the United States,
that she Continued guard OF flalf do
zen men, which had been stationed there.
A proposition has been lately made by
our comman Ter in CHIEF, to assume the So-
bine river rs q temporary line OF separate
or between the troops OF the two nations un-
I'll the issue of our negotiations shall be
known this has been referred by the Spa
nisli comniandant to his superior, and IN
the mean tine lie has Withdrawn his force
to the Western side of the Sabine river.
The correspondence on this subject, now
communicated, will exhibit more particu-
larry the state Of things in that quarter.
The nature os that country requires in
dspensab,v that an unusual proportion os
the force employed there should be caval-
~, or mounted infantry. In order, there
fore, that the commanding officer might be
enabled 10 act, with effect, had authorised
him to chi! on the governors ofOrlcans and
Mississippi Cor Z corps of FIVE hundred vo-
1untceri CAVIAR. The temporary arrange
ment he has proposed may perhaps render
this unnecessary. Put inform YOU with
which tire inhabitants OF those territories
have rendered their services in defence of
their country. 1t has doac honor 70 them
selves, entitled them to the confidence. of
Sheir fellow citizens in every part of the
union, and must strengthen che general de-
Termination TO protect them eihcaciouSly
un1cr all circumstances which may occur
Having received Information that in a.
pother part of the u. 5. a great number Of
private iDlivials were combining together,
arning and organizing themselves contrary
to law, to carry on a military expedition
against the territories OF Spain, | thought
It necessary by proclamation rs well as by
special orders, 10 take measures for pre-
venting and spppressing this enterprize,
for sei2ing the vessels, arms and other
means provided for it, and FOR arrcsting and
bringing 70 Justice it's authors and abettors.
1t was due to that COOL faith which ought
ever tn be the rule OF action, in public as
well as in private transactions; it was due
70 good orClera and regular government, that,
while ;bc 1ubiic force was acting strictly ON.
the defensive, and merely To protect our
citizens trom aggression, the criminal At
,tempts OF privace individuals to decide for
their country, the question peace or war,
by commencing active and unanthoriscd
hostilities, should be promptly and elficaci-
ouslv suppressed.
Whether it will DC necessary to enlarge
orr regular force, will DEPEND on the result
of our negotiations with Spain. But as il
is Uncertain when that result will he known,
the provisional measures requisite for that
and u meet any pressure. intervening in
that quarter, will be q subject ior your ear
~ consideration.
The possession of both banks of the Mis-
sissppi reducing to a single point the de-
fence Of that river, It's waters, ard The coun-
trf adjacent, il becomes highly necessary TO
provide, for that point, a more adequate
security. Some position above It's mouth,
Commanding tho psssage of the river, should |
he renleriered sufficiently strong to cover
the ar ned vessels which may be stationed |
there for defence and, in conjunction with |
their, to present an insnperable obstacle to |
any force, attempting to pass. The ~pproa- |
ches to the CITY Of New-Oreans, from the /
eastern quarter also, will require 10 be cx- !
am;ncd, anil more effectually guarded For I
the internal support OK the country, the en- !
couFagemcnt Of strong settlement on the I,
western side ofthe Mississippi, within reach (
Of l-ew-Orleans, will be worthy the consi- |
deration Of the Legislature.
The gun boats, authorised by an act Of /
the last session, are SO advanced, that they !
will be ready for service in TIC ensuing /
spring Circu.nst snces permitted us to all I