Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-12-08
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Tuesday, December 7, 1919.
This day, al ~ o'clock, the President o.
the United States transmitted TO bott
Houses q Congress, by Mr. }. J. Monroe
the following message:
Ee!iou- C5pzcns q The Senate
and Of The Houss Of Representatives.
The public buildings being advanced TO a
stage 10 sEord accommodation for Congress
| viIrr YOU my sincere congratulations on the
re. commencement of your duties III the Ca
Piloi
Ia bringing 10 view the incidents most de-
serving attention, which have occurred since
YOUR last session, regret 70 have 10 slate
that several Of our principal cities have sui
tered by sickness that an unusual drought
has prevailed in the middle and western
states and that arrangement has been teit
ia some OF our ,uonied Institutions. which has
Internationally affected their creCit. ] am
happy, however, to have il in my power TO
assure YOU that the health of our cities is now
2 completely restored that The produce OF the
year, though less abundant than usual, VIII
not only be amply sufficient Tor home con-
sumption, but afford a large surplus tor The
supply OF the wants Of other nations and
per medium, by being lett TO those remedies
which It's obvious causes suggested, and the
good sense and virtue of our fellow citizens
supplied, has diminished.
Having informed Congress, or the 9th
of February last, that treaty Of amity, set
Element, and limits, had been concluded IN
this city, between the United States and
spain, and ratified by the competent autho-
rites of the former, iull confidence was en-
tertsined that it would have been ratified by
hlS Catholic Majesty, With equal prompt
tude, and like earnest desire to terminate,
on the cCndili ms of that treaty, the dite
rences which have so long existed between
the two countries. Every view which the
subject admitted of, was thought to have
justified this conclusion. Great losses had
been sustained by citizens OF the United
States, from Spanish cruizers, more than 20
years before, which had not been redressed.
These losses had been acknowledged and
provided for by treaty, as far back as The
year 1909, which, although concluded at
Madrid, was not then ratified by the GO
vsrnment OF Spain, nor since, Unit! The last
year, when il was suspended by the late
treaty, more satisfactory provision to Doth
parties, as was presumed, having been made
tor them. Other differences had arlsen IN
this long interval, affecting their highest IN
tereSts, which were likewise PROVIDED ior5y
this last treaty. The treaty itself was form
ed on great consideration, and a thorough
knowledge of all circumstances, the SUBJECT
matter Of every article having been Tor years
under discussion, anu repeated references
having been made by the Minister Of Spain
to his government, on the points respecting
which the creates, difference OF opinion pre-
vailed. II was formed by minister duly
authorised for the purpose VII" bad repre-
sented his government in the U"lled States,
ana been employed in this long protracted
negotiation several years, and who, 1t is not
deried. kept strictly within the letter OF his
Instructions The fai,h of Spain was there
fore pledged, under circumstances OF pecu-
liar force and solemnity, Tor ITS ratfhcai'oh
On the part OF the United States TINS Treaty
was evidently acceGed ton spirito cohcl-
lia,ion and conce ssioD. The indemnity Tor
injuries and losses SD long before sustained,
and COW again Acknowledged ana PROVIDED
for, was to be paid by them, without becom-
ing charge on the treasury OF SPAN. FOR
TERRITORY coded by Spain, other Territory, o.
great value, 10 which OuI claim was BERRY
ed TO be well founded, was ccdoi by Inc u.
States, and ~ quarter more interesting 10
her. This cesSiOn Sas nevertheless recCIV'
ed, as the means Of indemniiyns Dur oiiI-
zens in considerable sum, tue presumed a
MONT of their losses. Other considerations
of great weight, urged the cession OF this
territory by SPAN. Il was surrounded by
ire territories vf the United States on every
side, except on that OF the ocean. Spain
bad lost her authority over 1t, and, failing in
to the hands OF alyenturers connected with
+ the sayages, II was made the means OF IN
ceasing annbysnc and injury TO our Unien,
I'm r,any OF lis lnost essential interests. BY
this ces.itn then, Spain ce1ed territory, in
reality, Of no vaipe 10 her, aud obtained Con-
Sccssions If the highest importance, by Tie
settlement of long standing differences with
the United States, affecting iheif respective
clsirns and limits, aud likewise relieved her
self from the obligation of treaty relating
to it, which she had failed to fulfil, and aIso
. from the responsibility inciden! 10 the most
fragrant and pernlcious abuses o. her right:
where she could not support her authority.
. ltbem2 known that lhe treaty was formed
: under these circumstances, net doubt wa!
entertained that his Catholic majesty woulC
have ratified il, without delay. | regret t
have to state that this reasonable expeCta
ton has been disappointed !; that tue treaty
was not ratified within the time stipulated
aud mas not since been ratified. As II Is i'm
portant that the nature and character of thi
unexpected occurrence should be distinctly
understood, think il my duty TO communi
cate to You all the facts and circumstance
in my possession relating 10 1t.
Anxious to prevent all future disagreed
men; with Spain, by giving the most promp
effsrt io the frpatv which had been Thus ron