Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1822-12-05
MESSAGE.
Eellow Cstasens oftke Senate

eIlss. The operation of our laws, on the vari-
Gus subjects 70 which they apply, with the a.
mendments which they occasionally require,
imposes, annually, an important duty on the
Representatives ola free people. Our system
has happily advanced to such maturity, that
am not awarethat your cares, in that respect,
viii be augmented Other causes exist which
are highly interesting TO the whole civilized
world, and to nc, portion of it more so, in GER
tain views, than to the United States Of
these causes, and of their bearing on the inter.
ests of our Union, shall communicate the sem
timents which have formed, with that free
dom which sense of duty dictates is prop
ey, however, to invite your attention, IN the
first Instance, to those concerns respecting
which legislative provision is thought to be
particularly urgent. li.t1'f ~
y On the oath of June last convention OF
navigation and comme &C was concluded, In
this city between the United States * France,
bv ministers duly authorized for the purpose
The sanction of the Executive having been
given to this convention under conviction
that taking ali It's stipuatons into view, 1t rest
ed essentially on basis of reciprocal and co ,ial
advantage, | deemed it my duty, in compG
ance with the authority vested In the Execu
tive. by the second section of the act ofthe last
session, ofthe 9th May concerning navigation.
TO suspend, by proclamation, until the end of
the next session of Congress, the operation of
the act. entitled san act to impose new ton
x.nage dutyon French ships & vessels, and for
Ssother purposes, !" and to suspend, likewise, all
other duties on French vessels or thegoods i'm.
ported in them, which exceeded the duties on
American vessels, and on similar goods impor-
Ted IN them. lshall submit this convention
forthwith TO the Senate for its advice and con-
sent as TO the ratification
Since yoar last session, the prohibition
which had been imposed on the commerce be-
tween the United States and the British colo
MES, IN the West indies and on this continent,
has likewise been removed Satisfactory evi-
dence having been adduced, that the ports of
those colonies had been opened to the vessels of
the United States by an act of the British Par
liament, bearing date on the oath OF June last
on the conditions spe flied therein, | deemed
II proper, IN compliance with the provision Of
the first section fthe act of the last session
hove recited, to declare, by proclamation,
bearing date on the cath of August last, that
the ports ofthe United States should thencefor-
ward and until the end of the next session of
Congress, be open to the vessels of Great Bri-
tain empioyed in that trade, under the lmita-
ton specified IN that proclamation.
A doubt was entertained whether the act OF
Congress applied to the British colonies on
tlis continent, as well as to those In the West
Indies; but, as the act of Pailiament opened the
intercourse equally with both, and 1t was the
manifest intention of Congress, as well as the
obvious policy of the United States, that the
provisions ofthe act of Parliament should be
met, In equal extent, on the part of the United
States, and as also, the act of congress was
supposed to vestin the President some discre
ton in the execution oft. thought 1t advisa-
BILE to give it corresponding construction.
Should the constitutional sanction ofthe Sc
nate be given to the ratification of the comven-
ton with France, legislative provision will be
necessary to carry it fully into effect as it like
wise will be to continue in force, on such con
ditions as may be deemed Just and proper, the
intercourse which has been opened between the
II. States K the British colonies Every light
in the possession ofthe Executive, will, in due
time, he communicated on both subjects
Eesting essentially on basis of reciprocal
and equal advantage, it has been the object of
the Executive, in transactions with other
powers, to meet the propositions of each with
liberal spirit. believing that thereby the inter
est ofou country would be most effectually
promoted. This course has been systameti
cally pursued in the late occurrences with
France and Great Britain, and in strict accord
with the views o. the legislature. A confident
hope is entertained, that by the arrangement
!, thus commenced with each, all differences re.
speeding navigation and commerce with the
dominions In question, will be adjusted, and
a Solid foundation be laid 'or an active and per
manent intercourse, which will prove equally
advantageous to both parties.
The decision of His imperial Majesty the
Emperor of Russia, on the question submitted
TO him by the United States and Great Britain,
concerning the construction of the first Arti
Gle ofthe Treaty of Client, has been received.
n Convention has since been concluded be-
tween the parties, under the mediation OF His
imperial Majesty, to prescribe the mode by
Winch that Article shall be carried into effect,
IN conformity with that decision. | shall sub
mt tins convention to the Senate for its ad.
vice and consent, as to the ratification. and, if
ootaineo, shah immediately bring the subject
before congress, for such provisions as may
require the interposition OF the Legislature.
- Ia compliance with an Act ofthe last Session
Territorial Government has been establish
ed IN Florida, on the principles of our system.
BY tins Act, the inhabitants are secured in the
fuli enjoyment Of their rights and liberties, and
to admission into the Union. with equal partici.
!, patton in the Government with the orisinal
States, on the condition heretofore prescribed
20 other Territories. BY a clause in the ninth
xer.'cls OF the Treaty with Spain, by which
~. uAs territory was coded to the United States
Ss'Pal@sed that satiSfaetioR shall be made