according to the rules of warfare practised by the Savages, might justly be inflicted on the Savages themselves.

If the embarrassments of Spain prevented her from making an indemnity to our Citizens, for so long a time, from her Treasury, for their losses by spoliation, and otherwise, it was always in her power to have provided it, by the cession of this Territory. Of this, her Government has been repeatedly apprized, and the cession was the more to have been anticipated, as Spain must have known that, in ceding it, she would, in effect, cede what had become of little value to her, and would likewise relieve herself from the important obligation secured by the Treaty of 1795,* and all other compromitments respecting it. If The United States, from consideration of these embarrassments, declined pressing their Claims in a spirit of hostility, the motive ought, at least, to have been duly appreciated by the Government of Spain. It is well known to her Government, that other Powers have made to The United States an indemnity for like losses, sustained by their Citizens at the same epoch.

There is, nevertheless, a limit, beyond which this spirit of amity and forbearance can, in no instance, be justified. If it was proper to rely on amicable negotiation for an indemnity for losses, it would not have been so to have permitted the inability of Spain to fulfil her engagements, and to sustain her authority in the Floridas, to be perverted, by Foreign Adventurers and Savages, to purposes so destructive to the lives of our Fellow-Citizens, and the highest interests of The United States. The right of self-defence never ceases. It is among the most sacred; and alike necessary to Nations and to Individuals. And whether the attack be made by Spain herself, or by those who abuse her power, its obligation is not the less strong. The invaders of Amelia Island had assumed a popular and respected title, under which they might approach and wound us. As their object was distinctly seen, and the duty imposed on the Executive, by an existing Law, was profoundly felt, that mask was not permitted to protect them. It was thought incumbent on The United States to suppress the Establishment, and it was accordingly done. The combination in Florida, for the unlawful purposes stated, the acts perpetrated by that combination, and, above all, the incitement of the Indians, to massacre our FellowCitizens, of every age, and of both sexes, merited a like treatment, and received it. In pursuing these Savages to an imaginary line, in the woods, it would have been the height of folly to have suffered that line to protect them. Had that been done, the War could never cease. Even if the Territory had been, exclusively, that of Spain, and her power complete over it, we had a right, by the Law of Nations, to follow the enemy on it, and to subdue him there. But the Territory belonged, in a certain sense, at least, to the savage enemy who inhabi

* See Vol. 1820, 1821. Page 540.

ted it; the power of Spain had ceased to exist over it, and protection was sought, under her title, by those who had committed on our Citizens, hostilities which she was bound by Treaty to have prevented, but had not the power to prevent. To have stopped at that line, would have given new encouragement to these Savages, and new vigor to the whole combination existing there, in the prosecution of all its pernicious purposes.

In suppressing the Establishment at Amelia Island, no unfriendliness was manifested towards Spain, because the post was taken from a force which had wrested it from her. The measure, it is true, was not adopted in concert with the Spanish Government, or those in authority under it; because, in transactions connected with the War in which Spain and her Colonies are engaged, it was thought proper, in doing justice to The United States, to maintain a strict impartiality towards both the Belligerent Parties, without consulting or acting in concert with either. It gives me pleasure to state, that the Governments of Buenos Ayres and Venezuela, whose names were assumed, have explicitly disclaimed all participation in those measures, and even the knowledge of them, until communicated by this Government, and have also expressed their satisfaction that a course of proceeding has been suppressed, which, if justly imputable to them, would dishonor their

cause.

In authorizing Major-General Jackson to enter Florida, in pursuit of the Seminoles, care was taken, not to encroach on the rights of Spain. I regret to have to add, that, in executing this order, facts were disclosed, respecting the conduct of the Officers of Spain, in authority there, in encouraging the War, furnishing munitions of War, and other supplies to carry it on, and in other acts, not less marked, which evinced their participation in the hostile purposes of that combination, and justified the confidence, with which it inspired the Savages, that, by those Officers they would be protected. A conduct so incompatible with the friendly relations existing between the 2 Countries, particularly with the positive obligation of the Vth Article of the Treaty of 1795, by which Spain was bound to restrain, even by force, those Savages, from acts of hostility against The United States, could not fail to excite surprise. The Commanding General was convinced that he should fail in his object, that he should in effect accomplish nothing, if he did not deprive those Savages of the resource on which they had calculated, and of the protection on which they had relied in making the War. As all the Documents relating to this occurrence will be laid before Congress, it is not necessary to enter into further detail respecting it.

Although the reasons which induced Major-General Jackson to take these posts were duly appreciated, there was, nevertheless, no hesitation in deciding on the course which it became the Government to

pursue. As there was reason to believe that the Commanders of these Posts had violated their Instructions, there was no disposition to impute to their Government a conduct so unprovoked and hostile. An Order was in consequence issued to the General in command there, to deliver the Posts;-Pensacola, unconditionally, to any Person duly authorized to receive it; and St. Mark's, which is in the heart of the Indian Country, on the arrival of a competent Force, to defend it against those Savages and their Associates.

In entering Florida to suppress this combination, no idea was entertained of hostility to Spain, and, however justifiable the Commanding-General was, in consequence of the misconduct of the Spanish Officers, in entering St. Mark's and Pensacola, to terminate it, by proving to the Savages and their Associates, that they could not be protected, even there; yet the amicable relations existing between The United States and Spain, could not be altered by that act alone. By ordering the restitution of the Posts, those relations were preserved. To a change of them, the power of the Executive is deemed incompetent. It is vested in Congress only.

By this measure, so promptly taken, due respect was shewn to the Government of Spain. The misconduct of her Officers has not been imputed to her. She was enabled to review, with candor, her relations with The United States, and her own situation, particularly in respect to the Territory in question, with the dangers inseparable from it; and, regarding the losses we have sustained, for which indemnity has been so long withheld, and the injuries we have suffered through that Territory, and her means of redress, she was likewise enabled to take, with honor, the course best calculated to do justice to The United States, and to promote her own welfare.

Copies of the Instructions to the Commanding-General; of his Correspondence with the Secretary of War, explaining his motives, and justifying his conduct, with a Copy of the Proceedings of the Courts-Martial, in the Trial of Arbuthnot and Ambrister; and of the Correspondence between the Secretary of State and the Minister Plenipotentiary of Spain, near this Government; and of the Minister Plenipotentiary of The United States, at Madrid, with the Government of Spain, will be laid before Congress.

The Civil War, which has so long prevailed between Spain, and the Provinces in South America, still continues, without any prospect of its speedy termination. The information respecting the condition of those Countries, which has been collected by the Commissioners, recently returned from thence, will be laid before Congress, in Copies of their Reports, with such other information as has been received from other Agents of The United States.

It appears, from these Communications, that the Government of [1818-19.] H

Buenos Ayres declared itself independent in July 1816, having previously exercised the power of an independent Government, though in the name of the King of Spain, from the year 1810: that the Banda Oriental, Entre Rios, and Paraguay, with the City of Santa Fé, all of which are also independent, are unconnected with the present Government of Buenos Ayres: that Chili has declared itself independent, and is closely connected with Buenos Ayres: that Venezuela has also declared itself independent, and now maintains the conflict with various success; and that the remaining parts of South America, except Monte Video, and such other portions of the Eastern Bank of La Plata as are held by Portugal, are still in the possession of Spain, or, in a certain degree, under her influence.

By a Circular Note addressed by the Ministers of Spain to the Allied Powers with whom they are respectively accredited, it appears that the Allies have undertaken to mediate between Spain and the South American Provinces, and that the manner and extent of their interposition would be settled by a Congress, which was to have met at Aix-la-Chapelle in September last. From the general policy and course of proceeding observed by the Allied Powers in regard to this contest, it is inferred that they will confine their interposition to the expression of their sentiments; abstaining from the application of force. I state this impression, that force will not be applied, with the greater satisfaction, because it is a course more consistent with justice, and likewise authorizes a hope, that the calamities of the War will be confined to the Parties only, and will be of shorter duration.

From the view taken of this subject, founded on all the information that we have been able to obtain, there is good cause to be satisfied with the course heretofore pursued by The United States, in regard to this Contest, and to conclude, that it is proper to adhere to it, especially in the present state of affairs.

I have great satisfaction in stating, that our relations with France, Russia, and other Powers, continue on the most friendly basis.

In our domestic concerns we have ample cause of satisfaction. The Receipts into the Treasury, during the 3 first quarters of the year, have exceeded 17,000,000 dollars.

After satisfying all the demands which have been made under existing appropriations, including the final extinction of the old 6 per cent Stock, and the redemption of a moiety of the Louisiana Debt, it is estimated that there will remain in the Treasury, on the 1st day of January next, more than 2,000,000 dollars.

It is ascertained that the gross Revenue which has accrued from the Customs during the same period amounts to 21,000,000 dollars, and that the Revenue of the whole year may be estimated at not less than 26,000,000. The sale of the Public Lands during the year has also

greatly exceeded, both in quantity and price, that of any former year; and there is just reason to expect a progressive improvement in that source of Revenue.

It is gratifying to know, that, although the Annual Expenditure has been increased, by the Act of the last Session of Congress, providing for Revolutionary Pensions, to an amount about equal to the proceeds of the internal Duties, which were then repealed, the Revenue for the ensuing year will be proportionably augmented; and that, whilst the public Expenditure will probably remain stationary, each successive year will add to the national resources, by the ordinary increase of our Population, and by the gradual developement of our latent sources of national prosperity.

The strict execution of the Revenue Laws, resulting principally from the salutary provisions of the Act of the 20th of April last, amending the several Collection Laws, has, it is presumed, secured to domestic manufactures all the relief that can be derived from the Duties which have been imposed upon Foreign merchandise, for their protection. Under the influence of this relief, several branches of this important national interest have assumed greater activity, and, although it is hoped that others will gradually revive, and ultimately triumph over every obstacle, yet the expediency of granting further protection is submitted to your consideration.

The measures of defence, authorized by existing Laws, have been pursued with the zeal and activity due to so important an object, and with all the despatch practicable in so extensive and great an undertaking. The survey of our Maritime and Inland Frontiers has been continued; and, at the points where it was decided to erect Fortifications, the work has been commenced, and in some instances considerable progress has been made. In compliance with Resolutions of the last Session, the Board of Commissioners were directed to examine, in a particular manner, the parts of the Coast therein designated, and to report their opinion of the most suitable sites for 2 Naval Depots. This work is in a train of execution. The opinion of the Board on this subject, with a plan of all the works necessary to a general system of defence, so far as it has been formed, will be laid before Congress, in a Report from the proper Department, as soon as it can be prepared.

In conformity with the appropriations of the last Session, Treaties have been formed with the Quapaw Tribe of Indians, inhabiting the Country on the Arkansaw, and with the Great and Little Osages, north of the White River; with the Tribes in the State of Indiana; with the several Tribes within the State of Ohio, and the Michigan Territory; and with the Chickasaws; by which very extensive Cessions of Territory have been made to The United States. Negotiations are now depending with the Tribes in the Illinois Terri