Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-12-09

.ouoWinS gentlemen attended, IN addition ::
from Pennsylvania, Mr.. Irwin: from Ma
ryland, Mr.. Baer from Virginia, Messrs.
Shelley, Johnson, Kerr; from North Caro-
lima Messrs. Gastsl and Forney.
Noother business was done than read
ing the Presidents Message OF which FIVE
thousand copies were sr.ercd to be print
ed for the use OF the house, and one thou
sand for the use of the Senate.
This diy, ar 10 O'clock, the President ortae Ii.
States Transmitted 10 5oth Eossses Of Congress the
foaosssng Message BY .s6. Todd, his Secretary
Fellow-Citizens of the Senate
and Oft the House of Representatives
have The satisfaction, on our present meeting
OF being able to communicate to YOU the success
ful termination of the war which had been COM
menced against the United States bN the Regency
OF Algiers. The squadron in advance on that
service, under Commodore Decatur lost not a
moment after his arrival in the Mediterranean in
seeking the naval force Of The enemy, then cruz
ing in that and succeeded in capturing two
ofhis ships, one of them the principal ship, com
rnanded by the Algerne Adm rail- The higi,
character ofthe American commander was bril-
Iiantly sustained on the occasion, which brought
his own ship into close action with that ofhis adj
I
the officers and men actually engaged Having
prepared the way by this demonstration of Anne
rcan skill and proves, he FASTENED to the ror of
Aigiers, wherepeace was promptly yielded to his
victorious force. In the terms stipulated. The
rights and honor of the United States were par
ticuiarly consulted, by q perpetual relnqu;sh-
ment On the part ofthe Dey of all pretensons TO
tribute from them. The is;ressions which have
thus been made, strengthened as they will hove
been, by subsequent transactions with the Re-
gencies of runis and Jripoli, By the appearance
ofthe larger force, which followed under Com.
Inodore Bainbridge, the chief in command of the
expedition, and by the jud.ccus precautionary
arrangements laft by him in that quarter afford
areasonable prospect of future security, for the
valuable portion Of our commrce, which passes
within reach of the Barbary cruisers 4
It's another source of satisfaction that the
treaty OF peace with Great Brittle has been sue
ceeded by . convention on the subject of COM
merce, concluded by the Plenpotentaries of the
two countries. In tins result disposition is mani
tested on the part of that nation, corresponding.
With the disposition of the United States, which
il may be hoped, will be improved into liberal ar
fragments on other subjects, on which the par
ties have mutual interests, or which might endan-
gertheir future harmony Congress will decide
on the expedency of promoting such sequel, by
giving effect to the measure of combining the A.
nlerican-nayigation TO American seamen /; a mea-
sure which, at the same time that it might have
that conciliatory tendency would have the further
advantage OF increasing the independence of our
navigation, and the resources for our maritime
defence.
in conformity with the articles Of the Treaty
OF Client relating to the Indians, as well as with
"a view to the tranquility ofour Western and
Eorth Western frontiers, measures were taken
% establish an immediate peace with the several
tribes who had been engaged in hostlties against
the United States.--Such of them rs were invited
10 Detroit acceled readily to ranewal of the for
mer tres.es offriendship. OF the other tribes
who were invited to a station on the Mississippi
the greater number have also accepted the peace
offered 10 them. The residue, consisting OF the
more distant Tribes or parts of'FriheS, remain to
be brought over by farther explanations, or BY
such other means as may be adapted 10 the dis
position they may finally disposition they may
finally disclose
The Indian Tribes within and bordering on our
Southern frontier, whom. q cruel war, on their
part, had conpelledus 20 chEstse into peace have
latterly shewn restlessness, which has called
for preparatory measures for REFRESHING it. and
for protecting the commissioners engaged III car
ryng the terms of the peace into execution.
The execution ofthe Act for fixing the military
peace establishment has been attended with DIFF
ficultes, which even now can only be overcome
by legislative aid. The election of officers the
payment and discharge of the troops enlisted for
the war; the payment of the retained troops, and
their reunion from detached and distant atoms !;
the collection and security of the public pro-
perty, in the Quarter Master, Commissry, and
Ordnance Departments and Che constant me-
dical assistance required in hospitals and garTl.
sons, roHdered a complete execution OF the act
impracticabie on the first of May, the period
more Immediately contemplated As soon, how
ever. as circumstances would permit, and as far
as il has been practicable, consistently with the
public interests the reduction of the army has
been accomplished: but the appropriation for
its paw, and for other branches OF the military SER
vice, having proved inadequate, the earliest at
tention to that subject Will be necessary; and the
expediency of continuing upon the peace esta.
blislment the staff officers, who have hitherto
been Professionally retained, is also recommended
10 the consideration ofcongress.
In the performance of the executive duty upon
1hs occasion, there has not been wanting a just
sensblity TO the merits of the American army,
during tie late war but the Obvious policy and
design in fixing an efficient military peace esta-
blishment, did not afford an opportunity 10 dis
tngtiish the aged and infiru, on account of their
past service, nor the wounded and disabled, on
account Of their present suiferings. The extent
of the reduction, indie Ell. unavoidably involved
the exclusion ofmany mIeritOruus officers of eve.
~ RANK from the service Oftbelr country and So
equal, as well as so numerous, were the claim e.
attention. that q decision by tie standard of com
psrative merit could seldom be attained Judged
however, IN candor, oy a general standard Of posi-
tive merit, che Army Register VIII, t IS believed,
do honor to the establishment while the case of
those officers, whose names arc not included IN ~