“Whether it will be necessary to tions already established, and the enlarge our regular force, will depend erection of such other works as may on the result of our negociations with have real effect in obstructing the Spain. But as it is uncertain when approach of an enemy to our seathat result will be known, the provi- port towns, or their rehraining before sional measures requisite for that, and ihem. to meet any pressure intervening in “Iu a country whose constitution that quarter, will be a subject for your is derived from the will of the peoearly consideration.

ple, directly expressed by their free “ The possession of both banks of suffrages, where the principal executhe Mississippi reducing to a single tive functionaries, and those of the point the defence of that river, its legislation, are renewed by them at waters, and the country adjacent, it short periods--where, under the chabecomes highly necessary to provide racter of jurors, they exercise in perfor that point a more adequate secu- son the greatest portion of judiciary rity. Some position above its mouth, powers--where the laws are consecommanding the passage of the river, quently so formed and administereet should be rendered sufficiently strong as to bear with equal weight and fato cover the armed vessels which

may vour on all, restraining no man in the be stationed there for defence; and, pursuits of honest industry, and sein conjunction with them, to present curing to every one the property an insuperable obstacle to any force which that acquires, it would not be attempting to pass. The approaches supposed that any safeguards could of the city of New Orleans, from the be needed against insurrection or eneastern quarter also, will require to terprize on the public peace or aube examined, and more effectually thority. The laws, ever, aware guarded. For the internal support that these should not be trusted to of the country, the encouragement of moral restraints only, have wisely a strong settlement on the western provided punishment for these crimes side of the Mississippi, within reach when committed. But would it not of New Orleans, will be worthy the be salutary to give also the means of consideration of the legislature. preventing their commission? Where

“The gun-boats, authorised by an an enterprize is meditated by private act of last session, are so advanced, individuals against a foreign nation that they will be ready for service in 'in amity with the United States, powthe ensuing spring. Circumstances ers of prevention, to a certain extent, permitted us to allow the time neces- are given by the laws.---Would they sary for their more solid construction. not be as reasonable and useful, As a much larger number will still be where the enterprize preparing is wanting to place our sea-port towus against the United States ? While and waters in that state of defence to adverting to this branch of law, it is which we are competent, and they en. proper to observe, that in enterprizes titled, a similar appropriation for a meditated against foreign nations, further provision of them is recom- the ordinary process of binding to mended for the ensuing year.

the observance of the peace and good A further appropriation will also behaviour, could it be extended to be necessary for repairing fortifica- acts to be done olit of the jurisdiction of the United States, would be ef- companions, bave, by this arduous fectual in some cases where the offen- service, deserved well of their country. der is able to keep out of sight every “ The attempt to explore the Red indication of his purpose, which could River, under the direction of Mr. draw on bin the exercise of the pow. Freeman, though conducted with a ers now given by law.

zeal and prudence meriting entire “The states of the coast of Bar- approbation, has not been equallybary seem generally disposed at pre- successful. After proceeding up it sent to respect our peace and friend. about 600 miles, nearly as far as the. ship. With Tunis alone some uncer- French settlements had extended tainty remains.

Persuaded that it while the country was in their posis our interest to maintain our peace session, our geographers were obliged with them on equal terms, or not at to return without completing their all, I propose to send, in due time, a work. reinforcement into the Mediterranean, “Very useful additions have been unless previous information shall shew made to our knowledge of the Misit be unnecessarya

sissippi, by Lieut. Pike, who has as“We continue to receive proofs of cended to its source, and whose jourthe growing attachment of our Indian nal and map, giving the details of his neighbours, and of their disposition journey, will shortly be ready for to place all their interests under the communication to both houses of patronage of the United States. These congress. Those of Messrs. Lewis, dispositions are inspired by their con- Clarke, and Freeman, will require fidence in our justice, and in the further time to be digested and presincere concern we feel for their wel. pared. These important surveys, in. fare. And as long as we discharge addition to those before possessed, these high and honourable functions furnish materials for commencing an with the integrity and good faith accurate map of the Mississippi and which alone can entitle us to their its western waters. Some principal continuance, we may expect to reap rivers, however, remain still to be exthe just reward in their peace and plored, towards which the authorizafriendship

tion of congress, by moderate appro“The expedition of Messrs. Lewis priations, will be requisite. and Clarke, for exploring the river "I congratulate you, fellow citiMissouri, and the best communica- zens, on the approach of the period tion from that to the Pacific Ocean, at which you may interpose your auhas had all the success which could thority constitutionally, to withdraw have been expected. They have the citizens of the United States from traced the Missouri nearly to its source, all further participation in those viodescended the Columbia to the Pa- lations of human rights which have cific Ocean, ascertained with accura- been so long continued on the 10cy the geography of that interesting offending inhabitants of Africa, and communication across our continent, which the morality, the reputatiop, learut the character of the country, and the best interests of our country, of its commerce and inbabitants; and have long been eager to proscribe. it is but justice to say, that Messts. Although no law you may pass can Lewis and Clarke, and their brave take probibitory effect till the first day

of

of the year 1808, yet the intervening to by the public creditors, be applied period is not too long to prevent, hy to the extinguishment of this debt, timely notice, expeditions which can- and the complete liberation of our not be completed before that day. revenues, the most desirable of all

“ The receipts of the treasury, objects ; nor, if our peace continues, during the year ending on the 30th will they be wanting for any other of Septenxher last, have amounted to existing purpose.

The question, near 15 millions of dollars, which therefore, now conies forward, to have enabled us, after meeting the what other object shall these surpluseurrent demands, to pay two millions ses be appropriated, and the whole seven hundred thousand dollars of surplus of impost, after the entire disthe American claims, in part of the charge of the public debt, and during price of Louisiana ; to pay, of the those intervals when the purposes

of funded debt, upwards of three mil- war shall not call for them? Shall lions of principal, and nearly four we suppress the impost, and give of interest; and, in addition, to re- advantage to foreign over domestic imburse, in the course of the present manufacturers ? On a few articles of month, near two millions of five and a more general and necessary use, the a half per cent.stock. These payments suppression, in due season, will doubtand reimbursements of the funded less be right; but the great mass of debt, with those which had been made these articles on which impost is paid in the four years and a half preceding, are foreign luxuries, purchased by will, at the close of the present year, those only who are rich enough to afhave extinguished upwards of twenty- ford themselves the use of them. Their three millions of principal.

patriotism would certainly prefer its “The duties composing the Medi- continuance, and application to the terranean fund will cease, by law, at great purposes of public education, the end of the present session. Con- roads, rivers, and canals, and such sidering, however, that they are levied other objects of public improvement chiefly on luxuries, and that we liave as it may be thought proper to add an impost on salt, a necessary of life, to the constitutional enumeration of the free use of which otherwise is so federal powers. By those operations, important, I recommend to your con- new channels, of communication will sideration the suppression of the du- be opened between the states; the ties on salt, and the continuation of lines of separation will disappear, their the Mediterranean fund, instead there- interests will be identified, and their of, for a short time, after which they union much cemented by new and will become unnecessary for any pur- indissoluble ties.-Education is here pose now within contemplation. placed among the articles of public

“When both of these branches of care; not that it would be proposed revenue shall, in this way, be relin- to take its ordinary branches out of quished, there will still, ere long, be the hand of private enterprize, which an accumulation of monies in the manages so much better all the contreasury, beyond the instalment of cerps to which it is equal; but a pubpublic debt which we are permitted lic institution can afone supply those by contract to pay. They cannot sciences which, though rarely called then, without a modification assented for, are yet necessary to complete the

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