regulations of our commerce, and other important interests, from abuse, without such designation, furnishes a strong motive for this measure. been very interesting to other Powers, and to, ral ports or places along the coast at which none more so than to the United States. A only foreign ships of war and privateers may wirtuous people may and will confine them-be admitted. The difficulty of sustaining the selves within the limits of a strict neutrality; but it is not in their power to behold a conflict so vitally important to their neighbours, without the sensibility and sympathy which naturally belong to such a case. It has been the steady purpose of this Government to prevent that feeling leading to excess; and it is very gratifying to have it in my power to state, that so strong has been the sense, throughout the whole community, of what was due to the character and obligations of the nation, that few examples of a contrary kind have occurred. At the time of the negociation for the renewal of the Commercial Convention between the United States and Great Britain, a hope had been entertained that an article might have been agreed upon, mutually satisfactory to both countries, regulating, upon principles of justice and reciprocity, the commercial intercourse between the United States and the British Possessions, as well in the West Indies as upon the Continent of North America. The Plenipotentiaries of the two Governments, not having been able to come "The distance of the Colonies from the parent country, and the great extent of their population and resources, gave them advantages which, it was anticipated, at a very to an agreement on this important interest, early period, it would be difficult for Spain those of the United States reserved for the to surmount. The steadiness, the consis-consideration of this Government the protency, and success, with which they have pursued their object, as evinced more particularly by the undisturbed sovereignty which Buenos Ayres has so long enjoyed, evidently give them a strong claim to the favourable consideration of other nations. These sentiments on the part of the United States, have not been withheld from other Powers, with whom it is desirable to act in concert. Should it become manifest to the world, that the efforts of Spain to subdue those provinces will be fruitless, it may be presumed that the Spanish Government itself will give up the contest. In producing such a determination, it cannot be doubled that the opinion of friendly Powers, who have taken no part in the controversy, will have their merited in fluence. "It is of the highest importance to our national character, and indispensable to the morality of our citizens, that all violations of our neutrality should be prevented. No door should be left open for the evasion of our laws; no opportunity afforded to any who may be disposed to take advantage of it, to compromise the interest or honour of the nation. It is submitted, therefore, to the consideration of Congress, whether it may not be advisable to revise the laws, with a view to this desirable result. * It is submitted, also, whether it may not be advisable to designate, by law, the seve posal which had been presented to them as the ultimate offer on the part of the British Government, and which they were not autho rised to accept. On their transmission here, they were examined with due deliberation, the result of which was, a new effort to meet the views of the British Government. The Minister of the United States was instructed to make a further proposal, which has not been accepted. It was, however, declined in an amicable manner. I recommend to the consideration of Congress whether further prohibitory provisions, in the laws relating to this intercourse, may not be expedient. It is seen with interest, that although it has not been practicable, as yet, to agree in any arrangement of this important branch of their commerce, such is the disposition of the parties, that each will view any regulations which the other may make respecting it in the most friendly light. By the fifth article of the Convention concluded on the 20th of October, 1818, it was stipulated that the differences which had arisen between the two "Governments, with regard to the true intent and meaning of the fifth article of the Treaty of Ghent, in ro tion to the carrying away, by British officers of slaves from the United States, after the exchange of the ratifications of the Treaty of Peace, should be referred to the decision of some friendly Sovereign or or State, to be named for that purpose. The Minister of the United | and the vitiated character of it where such States has been instructed to name to the British Government a foreign Sovereign, the common friend to both parties, for the decision of this question. The answer of that Government to the proposal when received, will indicate the further measures to be pursued on the part of the United States. "Although the pecuniary embarrassments which affected various parts of the Union during the latter part of the preceding year, have, during the present, been considerably ■augmented, and still continued to ex st, the = receipts into the Treasury, to the 30th of September last, have amounted to 19,000,000 dollars. After defraving the current expenses * of the Government, including the interest and reimbursement of the public debt, payable to that period, amounting to 18,200,000 dollars, - there remained in the Treasury on that day - more than 2,500,000 dollars, which, with the sums receivable during the remainder of the year, will exceed the current demands upon - the Treasury for the same period. "The causes which have tended to diminish the public receipts, could not fail to have acorresponding effect upon the revenue which has accrued upon imposts and tonnage, during the three first quarters of the present ✓ year. It is however ascertainel, that the duties which have been secured during that period exceed 18,000,000 of dollars, and those of the whole year will probably amount - to 23,000,000 of dollars. "For the probable receipts of the next year, I refer you to the statements which will be transmitted from the Treasury, which will enable you to judge whether further provision be necessary. "The great reduction in the price of the principal articles of domestic growth, which has occurred during the present year, and the consequent fall in the price of labour, apparently so favourable to the success of domestic manufactures, have not shielded them against other causes adverse to their prosperity. The pecuniary embarrassments which have so deeply affected the commercial in terests of the nation, have been no less adverse to our manufacturing establishments in several sections of the Union. 1 reductions have not been attempted, instead of placing within the reach of these establishments the pecuniary aid necessary to avail themselves of the advantages resulting from the reduction of the prices of the raw ma terials and of labour, have compelled the banks to withdraw from them a portion of the capital heretofore advanced to them. That aid which has been refused by the banks, has not been obtained from other sources, owing to the loss of individual confidence, from the failures which have recently occurred in some of our principal commercial cities. "An additional cause of the depression of these establishments may probably be found in the pecuniary embarrassments which have recently affected those countries, with which our commerce has been principally prosecuted. "Their manufactories, for the want of a ready or profitable market at home, have been shipped by the manufacturers of the United States, and, in many instances, sold at a price below their current values at the place of manufacture. Although this practice may, from its nature, be considered temporary, or contingent, it is not on that account less injurious in its effects. Uniformity in the demand and price of an article, is highly desirable to the domestic manufacturer. "It is deemed of great importance to give encouragement to our domestic manufacturers. In what manner the evils adverted to may be remedied, and how far it may be practicable, in other respects, to afford to them further encouragement, paying due regard to all the other great interests of the nation, is submitted to the wisdom of Congress. : "The survey of the coast for the establishment of fortifications is wow nearly completed, and considerable progress has been made in the collection of materials for the construction: of fortications in the Gulf of Mexico, and in the Chesapeake Bay. The works on the eastern bank of the Potomac, below Alexandria, and on the Peapatch, in the Delaware, are inuch advanced, and it is expected that the fortifications at the Narrows, in the harbour of New York, will be completed the present "The great reduction of the currency year. To derive all the advantages contem which the banks have been constrained to plated from these fortifications, it was neces make, in order to continue specie payments, I sary that they should be judiciously posted B and constructed with a view to permanence. | their rapacity. Due attention has likewise The progress has hitherto been slow; but as the difficulties, in parts heretofore the least explored and known, are surmounted, it will, in future, he more rapid. As soon as the survey of the coast is completed, which it is expected will be done early in the next spring, the engineers employed in it will proceed to examine, for like purposes, the nothern and north-western frontiers. "The troops intended to occupy a station at the mouth of the St. Peters, on the Mississippi, have established themselves there; and those which were ordered to the mouth of the Yellow Stone, on the Missouri, have ascended that river to the Council Bluffs, where they will remain until next spring, when they will proceed to the place of their destination. I have the satisfaction to state, that this measure has been executed in amity with the Indian tribes, and that it promises to produce, in regard to them, all the advantages which were contemplated by it. "Much progress has likewise been made in the construction of ships of war, and in the collection of timber and other materials for ship building. It is not doubted that our navy will soon be augmented to the number, and placed, in all respects, on the footing provided for by law. : "The Board, consisting of engineers and naval officers, have not yet made their final report of sites for two naval depots, as instructed according to the resolutions of March 18, and April 20, 1818; but they have examined the coast therein designated, and their report is expected in the next month. For the protection of our commerce in the Mediterranean, along the southern Atlantic coast, in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, it has been found necessary to maintain a strong naval force, which it seems proper for the present to continue. There is much reason to believe, that if any portion of the squadron heretofore stationed in the Mediterranean should be withdrawn, our intercourse been paid to the suppression of the Slave Trade, in compliance with a law of the last Session. Orders have been given to the commanders of all our public ships, to seize all vessels navigated under our flag, engaged in that trade, and to bring them in, to be proceeded against in the manner prescribed by that law. It is hoped that these vigorous measures, supported by like acts by other nations, will soon terminate a commerce so disgraceful to the civilized world. " In the execution of the duty imposed by these Acts, and of the high trust connected with it, it is with deep regret I have to state the loss which has been sustained by the death of Commodore Perry. His gallantry in a brilliant exploit, in the late war, added to the renown of his country. His death is deplored as a national misfortune. "JAMES MONROE.. "Washington, Dec. 7, 1819." In this message we have four great topics very fully and very frankly opened to the Congress. 1. The cession of the Floridas by Spain to the United States; 2. the revolution in South America; 3. the state of the finances and paper-money in the United States; 4. the state of the American manufactures, including suggestions relative to the further protection of those manufactures against the rivalship of ours. 21 With regard to the first, that is to say, the cession of the Floridas, your Lordship will see that the President will, by about this time, have been authorised to take possession of those provin ces; and a very good way this is tioned, by adventurers from every country, of carrying on an unfinished nein abuse of the friendly flags which they have! gociation! Your Lordship may there would be to abandoneit as a prey to be quite sure that if the President with the powers bordering on that sea would be much interrupted, if not altogether de a spirit of piracy, in the other quarters men stroyed. Such, too, has been the growth of assumed, that not to protect our commerce Potom 0.3 were not disposed to do this, sonage would say now! How the people would very quickly changed are we since WALTER I THE BASE, the proprietor of the Times newspaper, told the na. tion that we must carry on war 'till we had overthrown the constitution of the United States; because, said he: "no regular "government can exist in safe"ty as long as there remains in "the world that example of suc"cessful democratical rebellion!" How changed are we since that day of insolent anticipated triumph, when, amidst the shouts of hundreds of thousands of peo make him to be so disposed. In short, there can be no doubt as to the result. The embroiderers of petticoats for the Virgin Mary may bid adieu to the Floridas for ever. Their shuffling and trickery will avail them nothing in this case. But, the curious thing is that we are told that the opinion and wishes of Great Britain "have been une"quivocal in favour of this cession;" oh, brave! how friendly and how gentle we are become! How loving towards the United States! ple (for then they might meet The COURIER, which is a paper in more than fifties) the Ameri can frigates were sunk, burned and destroyed, in so gallant a style, on the Serpentine River! One would think, my Lord, that a nation would blush itself to death at the recollection of these rather more than suspected, of having immediate communication with the Treasury, calls this "a highly important fact." So it is; but, whether it will be very gratifying to the people of this country or not, the Courier things. But the actors in such has not, as yet, been commis- scenes have no sense of either sioned to tell us. But again, shame or disgrace. 1 was at how civil we are become; how pliant; how respectful towards the President of the United States; how we are changed since that time when Sir JOSEPH SIDNEY YORK, then a Lord of the Admiralty, made a speech in Parliament, in which he was reported to have said that "James Maddi" son must be deposed before we "could think of sheathing the "sword!" I wonder what this enlightened and eloquent per 1 the time here referred to, the only writer in England that cried out, shame! shame! shame on you braggarts! and the time soon followed, when the braggarts were really put to shame. But to return to the cession of Florida. I told the Americans, two years ago, that is to say, I stated it in a Register, published in England, that this thing here; this system; this mass of power; this assemblage of rulers R (for what to'call the whole thing the opinions and wishes of Great taken together, I really do not Britain (meaning, I suppose, the know); this funding system; pretty gentlemen at Whitehall) this power-of-imprisonment-law "have been unequivocal in favour system; this banishment-law system; this paper, this gold bar thing, this, I do not know what to call it: I told the Americans, two years ago, that this thing never could go to war again. And that it could resent nothing done by foreign nations, in any " of the cession!" So, those pretty gentlemen wished the United States to have the Floridas! And this is an important fact, is it? And is it thus to go off, my Lord? Will the parliament which has shewn such vigour of late, with regard to the Reformers; a vigour not ment join in these wishes? We shall see, but I imagine it will; for it is grown very modest; very meek indeed, with regard to foreign nations, and particularly with regard to the United States. other way than by grumbling surpassed by that of the Mancurses between its teeth. The chester Magistrates and Yeomancession of Florida to the Unit-ry; will this vigorous Parliaed States I rejoice at, most sincerely; it is an extension of that room which Mr. PAINE said they would make for honest men to live in. It gives additional power to a government which acts upon the principle of no taxation without representation; it is a proof that the cause of freedom is thriving in the world: but, can any body believe that it has not grated the very souls of some men to see this territory pass from Spain to the United States? This territory holds the key of the Gulph of Mexico, commands, whenever it can, if they will, meet in more pleases, the Bahamas, and the extensive Island of Cuba, which Islands the United States may now lay their hands upon, whensoever they please; and yet the crawling slave of corruption, tells us in his paper of Friday, that it is " a highly important fact," that This gentleness, this wonderful moderation and meekness, has not, however, been yet put to the utmost of its capacity; for, it appears very clear to me, that the United States will not be long before they acknowledge the Independance of every part of South America. The people of that country have some. thing to say in publicaffairs. They than fifties without the danger of being transported. And the people of the United States very generally desire to see the Southern Continent of America freed from European intrusion. It has been only by a small majority in the Congress, that a refusal, or, |