American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-12-05
MESSAGE:
Fetloac- Citizens of the Senate
and House Of Representatives

l J
ltenlon during the present session, OF which shall
endeayOur to give, in aid of your deliberations, a
Lust idea in this communication undertake this
duty with ditfidence, from the vast extent of the
interests on which have to treat, and of their
great Importance to every portion Of our Union.
enter on il with zeal, from thorough conviction
that there never was PERIOD since the establish
ment OF our Revolution, when, regarding the CON
dition Of the civilized world, and its bearing on us.
there was greater necessity for devotion in the
public servants to their respective duties, or for
virtue, patriotism and union, in our constituents.
Meeting in you new Congress, deem it pro-
per to present this view of public affairs in create
detail than might otherwise be necessary. do il
however, with peculiar satisfaction, from know
ledge that, in this respect, shall comply more full
y with the sound principles Of our government,
The people being with us exclusively the sovereign,
It is indispensable that full information be laid be-
fore them all important subjects, to enable them
to exercise that high power with complete effect
If kept in the dark, they must be incompetent to
it, We are all liable to error, and those who are
engaged in the management of public affairs, are
more subject TO excitement, and to be led astray
by their particular interests and passions, than the
Igreat body OF our constituents, who, being at home
lin the pursuit of their ordinary ayOcations, are
calm but deeply interested spectators of events,
and OF the conduct Of those who parties to them
10 the people, every department of the govern
ment. and every individual in each are respons
Bile; and the full their information, the bette
they can judge of the wisdom of the policy pur-
sued. and of the conduct of each in regard to il
From their dlspassionate judgment, much aid may
always be obtained, while their appreciation will
form the greatest incentive, and most gratifying
reward, for vrtuous actions and the dread of their
censurc the best security against the abuse of their
confidence. Their interests, in all vital questions,
are the same; and the bond, by sentiment as well
as by interest, will be pr0portonaby strengthened,
as they are better informed of the real State of
public affairs, especially in difficult coniunctures.
1t is by such knowledge that local preiudices and
lJealousles are surrounded, and that national poll
cy, extending its fostering care and protection to
all the great interests Of our Union, is formed and
steadily adhered to-
| precise knowledge of our relations with TO-
reign powers, as respects our negotiations and
transactions with EACH is thought to be particular
y necessary. Equally necessary is it, that we
should form just estimate of our resources, re-
venue, and progress in every kind Improvement
connected with the national prosperity and public
defence. 1t Is by rendering justice to other ma :
tons, that we may expect it from them. 1t is by
our ability to resent injuries, and redress wrongs,
that we may avoid them.
The Commissioners under the fifth article of the
Treaty OF Client, having disagreed in their opin-
IONS respecting that portion of the boundary be-
tween the territories of the United States and of
Threat Britain, the establishment of which had been
submitted to them, have made their respective re-
ports, in compliance with that article, that the
same might be referred to the decision of friend
lly power. It being manifest, however, that it
would be difficult, if not impossible for any mower
to perform that office, without great deiay and
much inconvenience to itself, proposal has been
made by THIS government, and acceded to BY that
OF treat Britain, to endeavor to establish that boun
ldary ny alncable negotiation. 1t appearing, from
long experience, that satisfactory Arrangement
could be formed of the commercial intercourse he
1 tween the United States and the British colonies
IN TINS hemisphere, by legislative acts, while each
party pursued Its own course, without agreement
or concert with the other, proposal has been made
10 the British government to regulate this COM
'herce by treaty, as it has been to arrange, in k.
nannei the just claim of the citizens of the United
states, lnhahlting the States and territories b0r
lderlng on the lakes and rivers which empty into
the st. Lawrence. to the navigation of that river
I" the ocean. For these and other objects, of HIGH
Importance to the interests of both parties. ne
gotlation has been opened with the British govern
meht' which, 1t is hoped, will have a satisfactory
result.
The Commissioners under the sixth and seventh
articles OF the treaty of Client, having successful
closed their labors in relation to the sixth, have
proceeded to the discharge of those relating to the
seventh. Their progress in the extensive survey,
required for the performance of their duties, ust
i Il, the presumption thai it will be completed in
the ensuing year.
The negotiation which had been long depend-
ing with the French government on several ilnpor-
tant subjects, and particularly for Just indemnity
Tor losses sustained in the late wars by citizens Of
the United States, under unjustihabe seizures and
conilscatons of their property, has not as yet, had
the desired effect. As this claim rests on the same
principle with others which have been admitted BY
the Frehch government, tbs not perceived on what