Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-01-08
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
WASHINGTON, DEC. Z.

OF the United States communicated the
. following Message to both Houses oil
Congress, by Mr.. Joseph Jones Monroe.
his secretary.
Fellow Citizens Qfthe Senate,
and Of the House Of Representative
The public buildings being advanced
to stage to afford accommodation for
congress, | offer you my sincere con-
gratulations on the rccommencement oil
your duties in the capitol.
In bringing to view the incidents most
deserving attention, which have occur
red since your last session, regret to
have to state, that several of our princi-
pal cities have suffered by sickness that
an unusual drought has prevailed in the
! middle and western states; and that a
arrangement has been felt in some of our
monied institutions, which has proper
tionably affected their credit. ! am hap
Ply, however, to have it in my power to
assure you that the health Of our cities is
now completely restored; that the pro-
duce of the year, though less abundant
than usual, will not only be amply suf-
ficient for home consumption, but af-
ford a large surplus, for the supply of the
wants OF other nations; and that the de-
rangement IN the circulating paper me-
dunn, by being left to those remedies
which its obvious causes suggested, and
the good sense and virtue Of our fellow
citizens, supplied, has diminished.
Having informed congress, on the
9th of February last, that treaty of
amity, settlement and limits, had been
concluded, in this city, between the
United States and Spain, and ratified by
the competent authorities of the former,
full confidence was entertained that it
would have been ratified by his Catholic
Majesty, with equal promptitude, and a
like earnest desire to terminate, ON the
conditions of that treaty, the differences
which had 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 twenty years before, which
had not been redressed. These losses
had been acknowledged and provided
for by treaty, as far back as the year
1902, which, although concluded at
Madrid, was not then ratified by the
government Of Spain, nor since until the
last year, when it was suspended by the
late treaty, more satisfactory provision
to both parties, as was presumed, having
been made for them. Other differences
had arisen, in this long interval, affecting
their highest interests, which were like
wise provided for in this last treaty.
The treaty, itself, was formed on great
consideration, and a thorough knowledge
of all circumstances, the subject matter
of every article having been for years
under discussion, and repeated referen-
ces having been made by the minister of
Spain, to his government, on the points
respecting which the greatest difference.
of opinion prevailed. 1t was formed by
minister duly authorised for the pur-
pose, who had represented his govern
ment in the United States, and been en-
ployed in this long protracted negocia-
ton several years, and who, it is not de-
MED, kept strictly within the letter of his
instructions. Fhe faith of Spain was,
therefore, pledged, under circumstances
of peculiar force and solemnity, for its
ratification. On the part of the United
States, this treaty was evidently acceded
to il. a spirit Of Cancellation and conces-
sion. The indemnity for injuries and
Iosces 90 lOncr before sustained and now
again acknowledged and provided for,
was to be paid by them, without becom-
ing a charge on the treasury of Spain.
For territory coded by Spain, other ter
ritory of great value, to which our claim
was believed to be well founded, was
coded by the United States, and in
quarter more interesting to her.--This
cession was, nevertheless, received as
the means of indemnifying our citizens,
IN a considerable sum, the presumed
amount of their losses. Other consi-
derations Of great weight urged the ces-
sion of this territory by Spain. 1T was
surrounded by the territories of the
United States, on every side, except on
that of the ocean. Spain had lost her
authority over it, and, falling into the
hands of adventures connected with the
savages, it was made the means of I'M
ceasing annoyance and injury to our
Union, in many of its most essential in
terests. By this cession, then, Spain
.ceded a territory, in reality, of no value
to her, and obtained concessions of the
- Al e