Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-01-01

duty on certain articles would have that
effect, without being liable to any serious
objection.
The examination Of the whole coast,
for the construction ofpermanent fortlfi-
cations, from ST. Croix TO the Sabine,
with the exception of a part OF the terri
tory lately acquired, will be completed
I in the present year, as will be the survey
of the Mississippi, under the resolution
of the House of Representatives, from
the mouth ofthe Ohio to tic Ocean--and,
likewise, of the Ohio, from Louisville to
the Mississippi. Aprcgress, correspond
ing with the sums appropriated, has al
$50 been made in the construction ofthese
Qualifications, at the points designated. AS
they will form system of defence, for
the whole maritime frontier, and, in con-
sequence, for the interior, and are to
last for ages, the utmost care has been ta-
ken to fix the position OF each work. and
to form it on such scale, as will be adj
equate to the purpose intended by it.
All the inlets and assailable parts of our
Union have been infinitely examined,
and positions taken, with a view to the
best effect, observing, in every instance,
a just regard to economy. Doubts how
ever, bcing entertained as to the propriety
OF the position and,he extent of the works
at Dauphihe Island, further progress i'll il
was suspended, soon after the last sss-
sion Of Congress, and an order given 10
the Board OF Engineers and Naval Com
missioners, to make further and more
minute examination oft in both respects,
and to report The result without delay.
Due progress has been made in the
construction Of vessels Of war, according
to the law providing for the gradual aug
menlaiion Of the navy, aud 70 the extent
Of existing appropriations. The vessels
authorized by the act of 1920 have all
been completed, aud are now in actual
service. None of the larger ships have
been, orwill be, launched, for the present,
the object being to protect all which may
GOT be required Tor immediate service
from decay, by suitable buildings, erected
over them. A squadron has been main
tanned, as heretoioie, in the "a eciiterTa-
mean, by means whereof peace has been
preserved with the Daibary powers. This
Squadron has been REDUCED the present
year to as small a force as is compatible
with the lufilment 0; The object intended
by it. From past experience, and the
bess information respecting the views OF
those powers, it is distinctly understood
that, should oar squadron be withdrawn,
they would soon recommence their hos
lilhies and dopredations upon our COM
ineree. Their Publications have lately
been rebuilt, and their maritime force
increased. 1t has also been found ne
cessary to maintain a'naval force in the
Pacific, for the protection OF the very I'M
in commerce aud the fisheries III that sea.
Vessels have likewise been employed in
cruizing along the Atlantic coast, in the
Gulf Of Mexico, on the coast OF Africa,
and in The neichboring seas. In the lat
ter many piracies have been committed
on our commerce, and SO extensive was
becoming the range Of those unprincipled
adv enturers, that there was cause to APP
prehend, without a timely and decisive
effort to suppress them, the worst con-
sequences would oDsuc. Fortunately, a
considerable check has been given to
that spirit by our cruizcrs, who have sue
ceeded in capturing and destroy ing seve-
raj Of their vessels. Nevertheless, it is
considered an OBJECT of high importance
to continue csc cruizes until the practice
is entirely, suppressed. Like success mas
attended our efforts to suppress the slave
trade. Under the flag Of the United
States, and the sanction CT their papers,
the trade is considered as entirely sup
pressed; and, il any Of our citizens are
engaged in it, under the flags and papers
of other powers, it is only from a4espect
TO the rights OF those powers, that these
offenders are not seized and brought
home, to receive the punishment which
the laws inIlict. If every other power
should adopt the same policy, and pur-
sue the same vigorous means for carry
ing it into effect, the trade could no
longer exist.
Deeply impressed with the blessings
which we enjoy, and Of which we have
such manifold proofs, my mind is ire
sistibly drawn 10 that Almighty Being,
the Great Source from whence they pro-
coed, and TO whom our most greattul ac-
acknowledgements are due.
JAMES MONROE.
Washington, Decem6er3, 1921.
RIplAIa1tn. q pIlTRa