Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-12-06

20 both Houses of Congress, 6y MT.
81. Gouverneur, the following
e MESSAGE.
# Fsllozr Citizens of the Senate,
saud of the House Of Representatives.,
II Tine progress of our affairs since the
q last session has been such as may justly
bs claimed and expected, under govern
d ment deriving all its powers from an en-
lightensd people, and under laws termed
Eby their representatives, on great consld-
81 Grafton, for the sole purpose OF promoting
tine welfare and happiness OF their consult
uents. In the execution OF those laws,
y and the powers vested blythe constitution
IS in the Executive, unremitted attention mas
n been paid to the great objects to which
4 they extend. In the concerns which are
IS exclusively internal, there is good cause
70 be satisfied with the result. The laws
q have had their due operation and effect.
d In those relating to foreign powers, am
*happy to state that peace and amity are
'spreserved with all, by strict observance,
Il on both sides, of the rights OF each. In
matters touching our commercial Inter-
course where difference OF opinion has
Fl existed in any case, as to the conditions
II on which it should be placed, each party
has pursued its own policy, without CIV
4 inc lust cause Of offence to the other. In
this annual communication, especially
when it is addressed to new Congress,
Z the whole scope of our political concerns
naturally comes into view; that errors, II
such have been committed, may be COR
re.ted. that defects, which have become
manifest, may be remedied; and, on the
other hand, that measures which were a
dooted on due deliberation, and which ex-
3 psrience has shown are just IN them
selves, and essential to the public well
fare. should be persevered in and support
ed. In performing this necessary and
very important duty,l shall endeavor to
place before you, on its merits, every sub
iecs that is thought to DE entitled to your
particular attention, in as distinct and
clear light, as may be able.
Byan act of the Sd of March, 1915, so
1 much of the several acts as imposed high
er duties on the tonnage of foreign ves-
sells. and on the manufactures and produc-
lions of foreign nations, when importe
into tho United States in foreign vessels,
than when imported in vessels OF the
United States, were repealed, 90 Tar as
respected che manufactures and produc-
tions OF the nation to which such vessel
belonged, on the condition, that the 'epeal
shouId.take effect only in favour OF any
foreign nation, when the Executive should
he satisfied that SUCH discriminating du-
ties. to the disadvantage of the y. States,
had likewise been repealed by such ma
ton. By this act, a proposition was made
To all nations, to place our commerce,
with each, on a basis, which, it was pre-
sumed, would DC acceptable to all. Eve
nv nation was allowed to bring its manu-
lectures and productions into our ports,
and to take the manufactures and prdduc-
tious of the United States, back to their
ports. in their ewn vessels, on the same
conditions that they might be transported
In vessels of the Cni;ed States; and, In
return, it was required that like accom-
mediation should be granted to the vessels
of the United States, in the ports Of other
powers. The articles to be admitted or
prohibited, on either side, formed no part
of the proposed arrangement. Each par
ty would retain the right to admit or pro-
hibit such articles from the other as it
thought proper, and on its own condl-
lions.
When the nature of the commerce be-
tween the United States and every other
|, country was taken into view, 1t was
thought that this proposition would be
considered fair, and even liberal, by every
power. The exports Of the United States
consist generally OF articles of the first
necessity, and Of rude materials, in de-
mand for foreign manufactures, OF great
bulk, requiring for their transportation
many vessels, ths return FOR which, in the
manufactures and productions OF any for
: eigu country, even when disposed OF there
to advantage, may be brought in single
vessel. This observation is more espe-
cialIy applicable to those countries from
which manufactures alone are imported
but it applies, in a great extent, to the
European donnioas of every European
power, and, in certain extent, to all the
colonies of those powers. BY placing,
then, the navigation precisely on the same
ground, in the transportation of exports
and imports; between he United States
and other countries, it was presumed that
all was offered which could be desired 1t
seemed to be the only proposition which
could be devised which would retain even
the semblanee ofequality in our favor.
Many considerations OF great weight
- . r;nbt m exnect that this com