Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-09-21

On the harsh operation of the laws concern
ing Revolutionary Pensions, the President spoke
briefly, but with philanlhropic eloquence, ear
nestly recommending, III favor Of those venera-
bic patriots, mitigation of the provisions which
rendered the existing enactments for their hene-
fit often sources to them of bitter humiliation.
In reviewing the duties in which the Navy had
been employed, the President mentioned the
Virgin Service of the Brandywine, in restoring
to the land of his nativity the veteran apostle
Of liberty, the energies of whose youth had been
so unsparngly exerted in avenging the wrongs
OF our country. The dangers arising to our
commerce from the contempt OF the Barbary
States for International law, rendered necessa-
nv the constant maintenance of small naval
force in the Mediterranean and the pecullarl-
ties Of the war in South America imposed on
the United States the nj cessity of similar pre-
caution on the coasts Of Peru and Chill, on the
Pacific. The President dwelt with pleasure on
the augmented success of the West India squad
ron, in executing the laws for the suppression
of the African Slave Trade, and of piracy; and
strongly urged such an increase OF our perma-
nent naval peace establishment, and such I'M
provements in It's system as the constantly ex-
pandins commerce, and growing greatness OF
the empire required.
The condition of the Post Office Depal tment
disclosed, among others, the pleasing facts, that
the receipts for the year ending July /, 1925,
exceeded its expenses during that period, by
more than S45, 900; and that in two years, from
July /, 1925, more than l,o4o new post Offices
had been established
The establishment Of National University,
an object which had been often brought before
Congress by General Washington, was recon-
mended by the President with all the earnest
ness arising from the conviction that the ad.
vance of knowledge among the people is essen
lial TO the purity and permanence of republl-
can polity, and that the National Legislature is
therefore bound to exert, in promoting this adj
vantage, the power delegated to it by the Con-
stitution The same consideration, animated
by the philosophical and liberal spirit which
should always characterize the Chief Magistrate
of the Union, led him to call the attention OF
Congress 10 the importance and expediency OF
contributing to the progress of geographical
and astronomical science The enterprise sug-
gesled as the appropriate object Of its attention,
is the exploration of the Northwest coast of
this continent, by means of the equipment Of
public ship. This object the President pro-
posed TO connect with the establishment OF
military post on that coast. He advised also
the erection Of an Astronomical Observatory
Mr. Madison'S recommendation of the crea-
ton of another branch Of the Department OF
State, was urged by the President, with the adj
vantages in It's favor, arising from The expert
ence Of nine years. During this interval, our
diplomatic intercourse with the new States of
South America had so GENEROUSLY augmented
tire labors of that Department, in re gard to our
foreign relations, as to add great force to the
reasons for establishing branch Of it, whose
care would be devoted to Home Affairs. Va
rlous, and well known causes having conspired
10 render the Judiciary System inadequate to
accomplish the benehcent results contemplated
by its founders, Mr. Madison had anxiously-re-
commended revision Of it; and the inconve-
niences Of its organization had SO increased
since his retirement from office, that the Presi-
dent repeated that recommendation. On the
subject Of the Patent Office, the Message in
vited the consideration Of Congress 10 the in
quiry, whether the existing system was effec
tive in procuring to authors and inventors the
benefits which il designed. The remaining re-
Of tie Message was, that Con-
gress should carry into operation the resolution
passed ten days after the death of Washington,
to erect in the Capitol, monument to his me-
mory. This tribute of the gratitude Of the Re-
public TO its founder, had long and eagerly been
by the American People, and the
world at large, but in bestowing it an mex
plicable delay had hitherto occurred.
In displaying the advantages OF Internal I'm.
provement, and the obligation on Congress TO
promote it, the President very carefully remind
ed that body that its inclinations in this res
pect should be regulated by its constitutional
and that the authority under
which it acted was ga charter Of limited pow
ers :" Thus emphaticaly asserting the duty of
the Federal Legislature TO dihuse among the.
People, as far as it could according to law, all
the advantages promised by the system which
it administers, but at tie same time to avoid
the least infringement of the sovereignty of the
States.
The expansion and details of the Message
have obliged us, in attempting to exhibit sum-
mary view of its contents, TO omit any special
no,ice of some of its minor topics, and yet, not
to give to this chapter prolixity
with our plan. This first written
communication from President Adams to the
National Legislature, will be found, on exami
nation, to be practical commentary on the
and the complexion which has
been impaired to it by the experience Of thirty
seven years. Many of lis most important sug-
Il tlo IN,