sand and thirty dollars seventy-one cents of Louisiana six per cent. and deferred stock, and Mississippi stock. There has, therefore, been an actual increase of the public debt, contracted during the year, of one million five hundred and thirty-eight thousand two hundred and sixty-six dollars sixty-nine cents.

The receipts into the treasury, from the first of January to the 30th of September last, have amounted to sixteen millions two hundred and nineteen thousand one hundred and ninety-seven dollars seventy cents, which, with the balance of one million one hundred and ninety-eight thousand four hundred and sixty-one dollars twenty-one cents, in the treasury on the former day, make the aggregate sum of seventeen millions four hundred and seventeen thousand six hundred and fifty-eight dollars and ninety

one cents.

The payments from the treasury during the same period, have amounted to fifteen millions six hundred and fifty-five thousand two hundred and eighty-eight dollars forty-seven cents, leaving in the treasury, on the lastmentioned day, the sum of one million seven hundred and sixty-two thousand three hundred and seventy dollars forty-four cents. It is estimated

that the receipts of the fourth quarter of the year will exceed the demands which will be made on the treasury during the same period, and that the amount in the treasury on the 30th of September last will be increased on the first day of January next.

At the close of the last session, it was anticipated that the progressive diminution of the public revenue in 1819 and 1820, which had been the result of the languid state of our foreign commerce in those years, had in the latter year reached its extreme point of depression. It has, however, been ascertained that that point was reached only at the termination of the first quarter of the present year. From that time until the 30th of September last, the duties secured have exceeded those of the corresponding quarters of the last year, one million one hundred and seventy-two thousand dollars; while the amount of debentures, issued during the first three quarters of this year, is nine hundred and fifty-two thousand dollars less than that of the same quarters of the last year.

There are just grounds to believe that the improvement which has occurred in the revenue, during the last-mentioned period, will not only be maintained, but that it will progressively increase through the next and several succeeding years, so as to realize the results which were presented upon that subject, by the official reports of the treasury, at the commencement of the last session of Congress.

Under the influence of the most unfavorable circumstances, the revenue for the next and subsequent years, to the year 1825, will exceed the demands at present authorized by law.

It may fairly be presumed, that under the protection given to domestic manufactures by the existing laws, we shall become, at no distant period, a manufacturing country on an extensive scale. Possessing as we dc the raw materials in such vast amount, with a capacity to augment them to an indefinite extent; raising within the country aliment of every kind to an amount far exceeding the demand for home consumption, even in the most unfavorable years, and to be obtained always at a very moderate price skilled also, as our people are, in the mechanic arts, and in every im provement calculated to lessen the demand for, and the price of, labor, it is manifest that their success in every branch of domestic industry may and will be carried, under the encouragement given by the present duties, to

an extent to meet any demand which under a fair competition may be made on it.

A considerable increase of domestic manufactures, by diminishing the importation of foreign, will probably tend to lessen the amount of the public revenue. As, however, a large proportion of the revenue which is derived from duties is raised from other articles than manufactures, the demand for which will increase with our population, it is believed that a fund will still be raised from that source adequate to the greater part of the national expenditures, especially as those expenditures, should we continue to be blessed with peace, will be diminished by the completion of the fortifications, dock-yards, and other public works; but the augmentation of the navy to the point to which it is proposed to carry it; and by the payment of the public debt, including pensions for military services. It can not be doubted that the more complete our internal resources, and the less dependent we are on foreign powers for every national as well as domestic purpose, the greater and more stable will be the public felicity. By the increase of domestic manufactures will the demand for the rude materials at home be increased, and thus will the dependence of the. several parts of our Union on each other, and the strength of the Union itself, be proportionably augmented. In this process, which is very desirable and inevitable under the existing duties, the resources which obviously present themselves to supply a deficiency in the revenue, should it occur, are the interests which may derive the principal benefit from the change. If domestic manufactures are raised by duties on foreign, the deficiency in the fund necessary for public purposes should be supplied by duties on the former. At the last session it seemed doubtful whether the revenue derived from the present sources would be adequate to all the great purposes of our Union, including the construction of our fortifications, the augmentation of our navy, and the protection of our commerce against the dangers to which it is exposed. Had the deficiency been such as to subject us to the necessity either to abandon those measures of defence or to resort to other means for adequate funds, the cause presented to the adoption of a virtuous and enlightened people appeared to be a plain one. It must be gratifying to all to know that this necessity does not exist. Nothing, however, in contemplation of such important objects, which can be easily provided for, should be left to hazard. It is thought that the revenue may receive an augmentation from the existing sources, and in a manner to aid our manufactures, without hastening prematurely the result which has been suggested. It is believed that a moderate additional duty on certain articles would have that effect, without being liable to any serious objection.

The examination of the whole coast, for the construction of permanent fortifications, from St. Croix to the Sabine, with the exception of part of the territory lately acquired, will be completed in the present year, as will be the survey of the Mississippi under the resolution of the house of representatives, from the mouth of the Ohio to the ocean, and likewise of the Ohio, from Louisville to the Mississippi. A progress corresponding with the sums appropriated has also been made in the construction of these fortifications at the points designated. As they will form a system of defence for the whole maritime frontier, and in consequence for the interior, and are to last for ages, the utmost care has been taken to fix the position of each work, and to form it on such a scale as will be adequate to the purpose intended by it. All the inlets and assailable parts of our Union have

been minutely examined, and positions taken with a view to the best effect, observing in every instance a just regard for economy. Doubts, however, being entertained as to the propriety of the position and extent of the work at Dauphine island, further progress in it was suspended soon after the last session of Congress, and an order given to the board of engineers and naval commissioners to make a further and more minute examination of it in both respects, and to report the result without delay.

Due progress has been made in the construction of vessels-of-war, according to the law providing for the gradual augmentation of the navy, and to the extent of existing appropriations. The vessels authorized by the act of 1820 have all been completed, and are now in actual service. None of the larger ships have been or will be launched for the present, the object being to protect all which may not be required for immediate service from decay, by suitable buildings erected over them. A squadron has been maintained, as heretofore, in the Mediterranean, by means whereof peace has been preserved with the Barbary powers. This squadron has been reduced the present year to as small a force as is compatible with the fulfilment of the object intended by it. From past experience and the best information respecting the views of those powers, it is distinctly understood that should our squadron be withdrawn they would soon recommence their hostilities and depredations on our commerce. Their fortifications have been lately rebuilt and their maritime force increased. It has also been found necessary to maintain a naval force in the Pacific, for the protection of the very important interests of our citizens engaged in commerce and the fisheries in that sea. Vessels have likewise been employed in cruising along the Atlantic coast, in the gulf of Mexico, on the coast of Africa, and in the neighboring seas. In the latter, many piracies have been committed on our commerce, and so extensive was becoming the range of those unprincipled adventurers, that there was cause to apprehend, without a timely and decisive effort to suppress them, the worst consequences would ensue. Fortunately a considerable check has been given to that spirit by our cruisers, who have succeeded in capturing and destroying several of their vessels. Nevertheless it is considered an object of high importance to continue these cruisers until the practice is entirely suppressed. Like successes have attended our efforts to suppress the slave-trade. Under the flag of the United States and the sanction of their papers, the trade may be considered as entirely suppressed, and if any of our citizens are engaged in it under the flags and papers of other powers, it is only from a respect to the rights of those powers that these offenders are not seized and brought home, to receive the punishment which the laws inflict. If every other power should adopt the same policy, and pursue the same vigorous means for carrying it into effect, the trade could no longer exist.

Deeply impressed with the blessings which we enjoy, and of which we have such manifold proofs, my mind is irresistibly drawn to that Almighty being, the great source from whence they proceed, and to whom our most grateful acknowledgments are due.

SIXTH ANNUAL MESSAGE.

DECEMBER 3, 1822.

Fellow-Citizens of the Senate and House of Representatives:

MANY causes unite to make your present meeting peculiarly interesting to our constituents. The operation of our laws on the various subjects to which they apply, with the amendments which they occasionally require, imposes annually an important duty on the representatives of a free people. Our system has happily advanced to such maturity that I am not aware that your cares in that respect will be augmented. Other causes exist which are highly interesting to the whole civilized world, and to no portion of it more so, in certain views, than to the United States. Of these causes, and of their bearing on the interests of our Union, I shall communicate the sentiments which I have formed with that freedom which a sense of duty dictates. It is proper, however, to invite your attention in the first instance to those concerns respecting which legislative provision is thought to be particularly urgent.

On the 24th of June last, a convention of navigation and commerce was concluded in this city between the United States and France, by ministers duly authorized for the purpose. The sanction of the executive having been given to this convention under a conviction that, taking all its stipulations into view, it rested essentially on a basis of reciprocal and equal advantage, I deemed it my duty, in compliance with the authority vested in the executive by the second section of the act of the last session, of the 6th of May, concerning navigation, to suspend by proclamation, until the end of the next session of Congress, the operation of the act entitled, "An act to impose a new tonnage duty on French ships and vessels, and for other purposes," and to suspend, likewise, all other duties on French vessels, or the goods imported in them, which exceeded the duties on American vessels, and on similar goods imported in them. I shall submit this convention forthwith to the senate for its advice and consent as to the ratification.

Since your last session, the prohibition which had been imposed on the commerce between the United States and the British colonies, in the West Indies and on this continent, has likewise been removed. Satisfactory evidence having been adduced that the ports of those colonies had been opened to the vessels of the United States by an act of the British parliament, bearing date on the 24th of June last, on the conditions specified therein, I deemed it proper, in compliance with the provision of the first section of the act of the last session above recited, to declare, by proclamation bearing date the 24th of August last, that the ports of the United States should thenceforward and until the end of the next session of Congress, be open to the vessels of Great Britain employed in that trade. under the limitation specified in that proclamation.

A doubt was entertained whether the act of Congress applied to the British colonies on this continent as well as to those in the West Indies. but as the act of parliament opened the intercourse equally with both, and it was the manifest intention of Congress, as well as the obvious policy of the United States, that the provisions of the act of parliament should be met in equal extent on the part of the United States, and as also the act of Congress was supposed to vest in the president some discretion in

the execution of it, I thought it advisable to give it a corresponding construction.

Should the constitutional sanction of the senate be given to the ratification of the convention with France, legislative provisions will be necessary to carry it fully into effect, as it likewise will be to continue in force, on such conditions as may be deemed just and proper, the intercourse which has been opened between the United States and the British colonies. Every light in the possession of the executive will in due time be communicated on both subjects.

Resting essentially on a basis of reciprocal and equal advantage, it has been the object of the executive, in transactions with other powers, to meet the propositions of each with a liberal spirit, believing that thereby the interest of our country would be most effectually promoted. This course has been systematically pursued in the late occurrences with France and Great Britain, and in strict accord wit the views of the legislature. A confident hope is entertained that, by the arrangement thus commenced with each, all differences respecting navigation and commerce with the dominions in question will be adjusted, and a solid foundation laid for an active and permanent intercourse which will prove equally advantageous to both parties.

The decision of his imperial majesty, the emperor of Russia, on the question submitted to him by the United States and Great Britain, concerning the construction of the first article of the treaty of Ghent, has been received. A convention has since been concluded between the parties, under the mediation of his imperial majesty, to prescribe the mode by which that article shall be carried into effect in conformity with that decision. I shall submit this convention to the senate for its advice and consent as to the ratification, and if obtained, shall immediately bring the subject before Congress for such provisions as may require the interposition of the legislature.

In compliance with an act of the last session, a territorial government has been established in Florida on the principles of our system. By this act, the inhabitants are secured in the full enjoyment of their rights and liberties, and to admission into the Union, with equal participation in the government with the original states, on the conditions heretofore prescribed to other territories. By a clause in the ninth article of the treaty with Spain, by which that territory was ceded to the United States, it is stipulated that satisfaction shall be made for the injuries, if any, which by process of law shall be established to have been suffered by the Spanish officers and individual Spanish inhabitants by the late operations of our troops in Florida. No provision having yet been made to carry that stipulation into effect, it is submitted to the consideration of Congress whether it will not be proper to vest the competent power in the district court at Pensacola, or in some tribunal to be specially organized for that purpose. The fiscal operations of the year have been more successful than had been anticipated at the commencement of the last session of Congress. The receipts into the treasury during the first three quarters of the year have exceeded the sum of fourteen millions seven hundred and forty-five thousand dollars. The payments made at the treasury, during the same period, have exceeded twelve millions two hundred and seventy-nine thousand dollars, leaving in the treasury on the 30th day of September last (including one million one hundred and sixty-eight thousand five hundred and ninety-two dollars twenty-four cents, which were in the