powers. With this view. I recommend to Congress the expediency of such legal provisions as may supply the defects, or remove the doubts of the Executive authority to allow to the cruizers of other powers, at war with enemies of the United States, such use of the American ports and markets as may correspond with the privileges allowed by such powers to American crui

zers.

It would be improper to close this communication without expressing a thankfulness, in which all ought to unite for the numerous blessings with which our beloved During the year ending on the 30th of country continues to be favored, for the aSeptember last, the receipts into the trea-bundance which overspreads our land, and sury have exceeded thirty-seven millions the prevailing health of its inhabitants; for and a half of dollars, of which near twenty-the preservation of our internal tranquillity, four millions were the produce of loans.and the stability of our free institutions; After meeting all the demands for the pub- and above all for the light of divine truth, lic service, there remained in the treasury and the protection of every man's conon that day, near seven million of dollars. science in the enjoyment of it. Under the authority contained in the act And although among our blessings we of the 2d of August last, for borrowing seven cannot number an exemption from the evils millions and a half of dollars, that sum has of war; yet these will never be regarded been obtained on terms more favorable to as the greatest of evils, by the friends of the United States than those of the prece-liberty, and of the rights of nations. Our ding loan made during the present year. Further sums to a considerable amount will be necessary to be obtained in the same way during the ensuing year; and from the increased capital of the country, from the fidelity with which the public engagements have been kept, and the public credit maintained, it may be expected on good grounds that the necessary pecuniary supplies will not be wanting.

The expenses of the current year, from the multiplied operations falling within it, have necessarily been extensive. But on a just estimate of the campaign, in which the mass of them has been incurred, the cost will not be found disproportionate to the advantages which have been gained. The campaign has indeed, in its latter stages in one quarter, been less favorable than was expected, but in addition to the importance of our naval success, the progress of the campaign has been filled with incidents highly honorable to the American arms.

country has before preferred them to the degrading condition which was the alternative, when the sword was drawn in the cause which gave birth to our national independence; and none who contemplate the magnitude, and feel the value of that glorious event, will shrink from a struggle to maintain the high and happy ground on which it placed the American people.

With all good citizens, the justice anti necessity of resisting wrongs and usurpations no longer to be borne, will sufficiently outweigh the privations and sacrifices, inseparable from a state of war. But it is a reflection, moreover, peculiarly consoling that whilst wars are generally aggravated by their baneful effects on the internal improvements and permanent prosperity of the nation engaged in them, such is the favored situation of the United States, that the calamities of the contest into which they have been compelled to enter, are mitigated by improvements and advantages of which the contest itself is the source,

The attacks of the enemy on Craney Island, on Fort Meigs, on Sackett's Harbor, If the war has increased the interrupand on Sandusky, have been vigorously and tions of our commerce, it has at the same successfully repulsed; nor have they in any time cherished and multiplied our manucase succeeded on either frontier, except- factures, so as to make us independent of ing when directed against the peaceable all other countries for the more essential dwellings of individuals, or villages unpre-branches, for which we ought to be depenpared or undefended.

dent on none, and is even rapidly given them an extent which will create additional staples in our future intercourse witli foreign markets.

On the other hand the movements of the American army have been followed by the reduction of York, and of forts George, Erie and Malden; by the recovery of De- If much treasure has been expended, no troit and the extinction of the Indian war inconsiderable portion of it has been ap in the West; and by the occupancy or complied to objects durable in their value, and mand of a large portion of Upper Canada. necessary to our permanent safety. Battles have also been fought on the borders of the St. Lawrence, which, though not accomplishing their entire objects, reflect honor on the discipline and prowess of

If the war has exposed us to increased spoliations on the ocean, and to predatory incursions on the land, it has developed the national means of retaliating the former,

and for providing protection against the ways afraid to look at the full expendi latter; demonstrating to all, that every ture of the country, to state the evil to blow aimed at our maritime independence parliament, or to provide for it honestly is an impulse accelerating the growth of our maritime power.

and speedily. For the two or three first years of his ministry, he was too insecure in his situation, to be just to the country in By diffusing through the mass of the na- this particular. His object was to keep his tion the elements of military discipline and instruction, by augmenting and distributing place; and it was kept by false pictures of warlike preparations, applicable to future prosperity, and by budgets of palliatives use, by evincing the zeal and valor with and momentary expedients. When he bewhich they will be employed, and the came more firm in his administration, the mischief had become too great to be told, cheerfulness with which every necessary burden will be borne; a greater respect for or even contemplated with a view to corour rights and a longer duration of our fu-rection. Though warned by his friends of ture peace are promised, than could be expected without these proofs of the nation

al character and resources.

the evil he was bringing upon the country, his death, in a state of the most scandahe persevered,-and left the finances, at lous dilapidation.

As a general minister, Mr. Perceval inflicted all the evils upon a country which can result from the combined effects of

The war has proved, moreover, that our free government, though slow in its early movements acquires in its progress a force proportioned to its freedom and safety of all and of each, is strengthened by every occa-boldness, ignorance and tenacity. Of the sion that puts it to the test.

philosophical principles of law, civil poliIn fine, the war, with all its vicissitudes, cy, or political economy, he knew very is illustrating the capacity and the destiny little; and rather piqued himself indeed of the United States to be a great, a upon despising them. He seemed to supflourishing, and a powerful nation; worthy pose, that rectitude of intention was alone of the friendship which it is disposed to cul- a sufficient reason for self-confidence; and therefore feared nothing, because he tivate with all others; and authorized by its own example, to require from all an ob- meant well. As he was swift to conceive, servance of the laws of justice and recipro-and fearless to execute, so also was he slow to retract; and great part of his time was city. Beyond these their claims have never extended; and, in contending for these, employed, and of his talent displayed, in we behold a subject for our congratulation, defending the lamentable consequences of in the daily testimonies of encreasing har- his measures;-measures, so utterly destimony throughout the nation, and may hum-tute of political wisdom-so rash and so inbly repose our trust in the smiles of heaven in so righteous a cause.

JAMES MADISON. Washington City, Dec. 7, 1813.

The following sketch of the character of Mr. Perceval, late prime minister of Great Britain is from the Edinburgh Review. What a picture is it of Mr. Madison and his administration, as far as it goes! What a perfect picture will it be, when that administration shall have closed its ruinous

career!

EXTRACT.

considerate, that they were abolished by acclamation of friend and foe, the moment after his decease.

With these faults as a politician, he undoubtedly had some excellencies. He was a very acute debater; watchful of every fair advantage against his opponent; and a judge of all those topics which may be pressed, and those prejudices which may be appealed to, in a popular assembly. His temper was good; and he never lost sight of the spirit, or manners of a gentleman. With an high contempt for his rashness mit the gallantry with which he pushed his and ignorance, it was impossible not to adlittle skiff among the precipices, rocks, and cataracts; determined to effect some narrow and mistaken purpose, or perish in

The late Mr. Perceval was unquestiona-the attempt. bly the most mischievous of all the bad ministers who, for these thirty years past, have been placed at the head of affairs, in this country;-and, the political years of his life were steadily employed in bringing this empire to the brink of ruin.

As a minister of finance, he was profuse, and deficient in vigour: he was al

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THE support already given to the Ex-union," in regard either to its foreign relaAMINER, enables the editor to change it, tions, or internal condition. The message as was originally intended, into A WEEKLY is a communication from the president to PAPER. It will hereafter therefore be pub-congress, and through them to the people. fished on the following By a special constitutional injunction, the president is bound to “give to congress, inI...... It will contain sixteen large octavo pages, formation of the state of the union.” That about one half of which will be usually de- is, congress is to know all that he knows. voted to original essays. They are the legislature, the law makers ; II.... It will be published every Saturday, at five and the president is but an executive offidollars a year, payable by city subscribers, cer; he is to act, but congress is to deliberat the end of six months from the publica ate. He is to execute, and they are to tell tion of the first number; by country sub-him, what. But does the president, of late scribers in advance. years, make a full and perfect disclosure? III...All applications for the Examiner, must Does be directed to the editor; and if by mail, that message, in fact, intended for any any body expect it in the message? Is thing else, than merely to put a good face upon "the state of the union?" What is it intended for, the "information" of congress, or the quieting of the people? for public usefulness, or popular impression? Does any body expect to find in it "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" Is it not, on the contrary, taken up by federalists, for the simple purpose of seeing, THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.It has with what address fortunate events, howbecome extremely fashionable, to entertain ever trifling, will be magnified into wonders; and express a great deal of anxiety, for the and disaster and disgrace converted into earliest possible perusal of this document. triumph and honor? Do the war-hawks The why and the wherefore would puzzle look into it for any thing else than their cue heads more shrewd, honest reader, than to speak by, until it shall please his excelyours or mine. It cannot be, because any lency to give them something more? Is it,, thing new is expected to be disclosed in it; in one word, considered by either party, to for, it is uniformly, nothing but "a tale be any thing else than a mere party protwice told." Nor can it be, on account of its duction? Why is it then, that proprietors of elegance of style, or the beauties of its com- newspapers establish a line of expresses, so position; for it would be difficult to find a that they may be able to have "the messtate paper, more clumsily framed, more sage" carried "through dub and mire,' premeditatedly obscure and perplexing, and delivered here in "twenty-three hours?" than the messages of our late and present Why do they set all hands at work, and inpresidents. Nor can it be, because it is so undate the city with message-handbills, as

December 11, 1818.

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with Mr. Erskine about an arrangement of differences with England, months before he was president, and his premature haste, was really the principal cause of the ultimate disavowal of that arrangement. He ordered his congress to declare war, as Soon as he had the official repeal of the French decrees; whereas, had he waited forty days, he would have had the official

not only have prevented the war, and saved us, all the blood, and treasure, which have been WASTED in its prosecution; it would not only have prevented that dreadful accumulation of debt and taxation, which is

if the fate of the nation depended upon the celerity of their movements, and when they are sure that in nine days, the period of existence allotted to ridiculous wonders, ninetynine out of a hundred will forget almost every word in the message? Why truly these good people know it is THE FASHION, to read this great state paper as early as possible, and no reasonable man can find fault with them, for profitting by so inno-repeal of the orders in council, which would cent a public folly. And for my part, I am free to own my belief, that I shall never be a penny the better for the shilling I gave for the message about twelve hours before I got another for nothing. When every body has read "the mes-rising like a dark and dismal cloud to ensage," and pondered upon "the message," velope and overshadow the land. But it. and has not been made a whit wiser by it would have saved us too, all the disgrace than he was before, then they look ahead our arms have sustained in consequence of for "the papers," to see what they will say it. It would have saved his party the morabout this thing, about this electioneering tification of being obliged to praise and harangue, which would have excited no in-support that navy, the building of which terest if it had had the name of William was in '98, and '99, and 1800, a theme of Duane to it, instead of that of his friend incessant and vulgar abuse against the fedeJames Madison. But the editors must say ral administration. It would have done something or other about this great mes- much more; instead of the downhill course sage, which for several days had excited we are now running, we should have been so much bustle and fuss. And upon these "on the rise;" we should have seen comoccasions I have known my friend, Mr. merce and agriculture flourish. The French Coleman, of the Evening Post, sit down had repealed their edicts; the British theirs; with a heavy heart to say something, about the great causes of dispute would have a thing concerning which little or nothing been removed; and in that auspicious, mowas to be said; and all this simply in defer-ment of returning good will, at least as ence to public folly, and for the gratifica-good an arrangement with regard to imtion of a ridiculous public caprice. And as fressments, might have been made, as that to myself, since I have joined the corps of which Monroe and Pinkney declared so saeditors, it has been frequently said, by tisfactory. But instead of waiting under those whose partiality inclines them to pe- the new and promising circumstances, proruse my humble productions, "you must [duced by the repeal of the French decrees, give us something good about "the mes- for the short space of forty days, which insage"-something right smart." Now, I terval, subsequent events have proved, insist that this is absolutely unreasonable might have been most usefully employed in and unjust; it is downright oppression. And preparation, the mild and amiable Madialthough I yield myself with unfeigned hu- son, without being half ready, orders his mility, this time, to the fashion, I must pro-war to be declared, with a haste and pretest against its being drawn into precedent. cipitation, which had the man, instead of His excellency endeavors to express the mild and amiable, been cunning, adroit and utmost possible grief, at the failure of the hypocritical, would have convinced us, that embassy, dispatched to Russia, to make it was done, because he was absolutely with Great Britain. There is a sin-afraid the orders in council would be repeace gular fatality consequent on all this great pealed. man's great movements. He negociated

He had tried the importation and non

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importation; embargo and no embargo; in- | dispatches them at once. And now he tercourse and non-intercourse; negociation stands with "the uplifted whites of both his upon negociation; entreaty upon entreaty ! eyes," wondering that the British did not at all the answer he could get was, "the or- once fall in with his project! And when he "ders in council are in retaliation of the has set all the war-hawks wondering with "French decrees; and so long as those de- him, it turns out that he made one mistake crees are in force, so long the orders in only, in the whole business, though that was "council will continue. When the decrees ja fatal one. He proceeded to send his min

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are repealed, the orders will be repealed isters, without knowing whether Great Brialso; then and not until then." When tain would accede to the mediation or not. therefore all our means of coercion had ut-That which he ought to have known, he terly failed to operate at all upon Bri- persuaded himself, by his reasonings, and tish obstinacy, and when that state of things considerations, would certainly happen, and had arrived, upon the existence of which, he, of course, acted as if it had happened. If the British government had been pledged, we are charitable enough to allow his "exover and over again, to repeal their orders; pectation" to have been very reasonable, and then it was, that the mild and amiable that it was extremely unfriendly, unkind, Madison became, some how or other, im- and even uncivil, in the British, not to conpetuously furious, and insisted upon an in-sent to assist at a little party of sociable stant declaration of war, spurning the idea" 'discussion," at least, after Mr. Madison of profiting by the only real opportunity, had so firmly persuaded himself they would; that had ever offered, to restore the country if we should even allow all this, still it does to its former prosperity. Then it was, and not alter the matter. Mr. Madison should under these circumstances of fair and lively have known their temper, first. But perpromise, that he brought upon tis this war; haps THEIR " just expectation" was, that, and with it, all the calamities, and slaugh-as the only use, our cabinet had ever made ter, and disgrace, and debts, and taxes, of these discussions, was, to inflame the which have marked its progress. American mind against the British; perWhen the good gentleman had declared haps they were weak enough to believe this this war, then it was, that he sent instruc- whole diplomatic parade, to be a mere tions to our minister, to offer peace. Here hoax, and therefore resolved, that if our adagain, was a haste and precipitancy, which ministration wanted brick-dust to throw could have the effect, if the British govern- into the eyes of their constituents, they ment could have trusted in its sincerity, must burn the brick with straw of their only of persuading the ministry, of the pre-own finding. That the British ministry have sident's inconsistent eagerness for peace, no confidence in the sincerity of our adminalthough he had so unnecessarily commen-istration, when it talks of its desire of peace, ced a war. is very certain. Partly for that reason per

His mission to Russia is in the same char-haps, and partly, because they are not dis acter. It would seem, though even on that inclined to have a few hard knocks with us, point nothing can be with certainty relied they have not only utterly disappointed Mr. on, that the mediation of Russia was offered, Madison's "just expectation," but treated by her minister in this country, instructed it with absolute contempt. And now, leavor uninstructed by his master, we knowing it with that learned gentleman, to not; and without waiting to know, whether show, how an expectation, never realized, the mediation had been accepted by Great can be called a just expectation, without Britain-without giving Russia time to com- committing a bit of a bull, I conclude by municate what the disposition of Great Bri- saying, what no reasonable man can deny, tain was without deigning to consult the viz.-that Mr. Madison's sending minissenate, either upon the propriety of the ters to Russia, upon any expectation, short mission itself, or the fitness of the ministers of absolute moral certainty; that his sendto be sent, the mild and amiable Madison, ing them without the least intimation from