never to be abandoned by the United | can pursue without the authority of con

States.

"Resolved, That a committee be appointed to enquire whether any, and if any, what legislative measures are necessary to secure to the people of the United States the free navigation of the river Mississippi."

These were not acted upon, the majority refusing to take the motion into consideration. The following resolutions on the same subject were afterwards agreed to with closed doors:

"Resolved, That this House receive with great sensibility the information of a disposition in certain officers of the Spanish government at New-Orleans, to obstruct the navigation of the river Mississippi, as secured to the United States by the most solemn stipulations.

gress,) when the interest and safety of the United States may render such delay dangerous, and demand measures, if not of action, at least of preparation. - Nothing urged in answer to these objections had the effect of obviating them in my mind. A separate question was taken on the different members of this resolution. Although many thought them liable to the objections I have stated, and would have preferred the adoption of those moved by Mr. Griswold, yet they united in the vote in favour of such principles as accorded with their own. The declaration of a sense of the wrong; the disposition to adhere to that humane and wise policy which should always characterize a free people, and by which the United States had always professed to be governed; and the determination to maintain the rights of "That adhering to that humane and wise bondary, and the free navigation of the policy which ought ever to characterize a river Mississippi, were unanimously agreed free people, and by which the United States to. It was moved to strike out the declarahave always professed to be governed; will- tion of perfect confidence in the wisdom and ing at the same time to ascribe this breach vigilance of the executive, and the deterof compact to the unauthorized misconduct mination to wait the issue of such measures of certain individuals, rather than to a want as that department shall have pursued. On of good faith on the part of his Catholic this question I voted in the affirmative, be Majesty; and relying with perfect confi- cause the solemn vote of perfect confidence on dence on the vigilance and wisdom of the an occasion where no such expression was executive, they will wait the issue of such necessary, and on a subject where the lan measures as that department of the govern- guage of compliment or servility should not ment shall have pursued for asserting the be heard, is only due to the exertion of those rights, and vindicating the injuries of the qualities in measures known and approved: United States; holding it to be their duty, whereas in the present case, so far from mea. at the same time, to express their unalter-sures being known and found to merit appro able determination to maintain the bounda-bation, we were left to conjecture whether ries and the rights of navigation and commerce through the river Mississippi, as es. tablished by existing treaties."

To these resolutions it was objected, that the soft language of "sensibility" was inadequate to the expression, by the representatives of a free people, of the national sense of a great national wrong. That the resolution discovered a timid disposition in calling that a disposition to violate" our treaty which was proved to us to be an actual and avowed, not a contemplated or suspected, infraction of the treaty. That it contained a declaration of "perfect confidence in the wisdom and vigilance" of the executive, and determination to wait the issue of measures pursued by that department, at a time that we had no knowledge whether any measures had been taken, and that it pledged the United States to wait the result of negociation, (the only measures the executive

any had been taken. Indeed the rejection of the call for information regarding Loui siana, ascribable only to the neglect of the executive to procure any; the want of offcial information what measures had been adopted, and the appointment of a minister extraordinary to negociate on this subject not until after these proceedings in the house, warrant the opinion, that at the time of this vote of confidence, the executive had not even taken those measures which his own judgment suggested to be necessary. In support of this blindfold vote of confidence it was argued, that it was the theory of our constitution to ascribe "wisdom and vigi. lance" to the executive in the exercife of powers confided to that department. Permit me here to remark, that it is the theory of the British government to attribute such "perfect wisdom and vigilance" to their king that it has become the maxim of their Sss 2

con

enfeebled the mind of that great man, he would have withheld until called for the information of the injury done us. But with the firmness which marked his character and which elevated the American character under his administration, he communicated the information uncalled for: Not afraid to trust the national council with a constitutional participation in devising measures for the preservation of our rights, he communicated also the instructions he had given for demanding redress. Just, as was the claim of this President to approbation, the legislature forcbore from adulation. But with the in

coming the guardians of the rights of their fellow-citizens, they trusted not the safety and honour of their country to soft expressions of "sensibility"—they acted. They authorised the President to embody and call out 80,000 militia, if circumstances should render it necessary--they suspended, for a time by embargo, all commercial intercourse...they adopted and acted upon the opinion of their wise and vigilant President, "That to avoid insult we must be prepared to repel it."

constitution" that the king can do no wrong." If the theory of our constitution be as advanced on this occasion, it differs but in sound from the deformity of the British; and under ours, as under that "the theory and practice will frequently be at variance." I prize our constitution, as the rock of our safety. The obligation of an oath adds not to my disposition to support it but neither my attachment or duty can induce me to ascribe "perfect wisdom and vigilance" to a branch of the government in particular where the evidence rather militates against, than supports the claim. -The motion to reject this part was lost.-dependence of freemen and a promptness beUpon the question to agree to the whole resolution, those whose objections had not been obviated: who thought their vote of perfect confidence improper; having recorded their votes in favour of such parts of the resolutions as were necessary or proper; and believing that the resolutions submitted by Mr. Griswold, were preferable, and that no injury could arise, if those under consideration were rejected, voted against them. I concurred in this vote. To shew that those who differed from the majority in the preference of the resolutions adopted, to those moved by Mr. Griswold, were not, as malice or ignorance may suggest, necessarily advocates for immediate measures of hostility; and that on an occasion similar to the present, under an administration meriting and possessing the perfect confidence of the people, a line of conduct was pursued cor. responding to that which it was the object of Mr. Griswold's resolution to obtain, I beg leave to recall to your recollection the proceedings of Congress in consequence of From the report of the Secretary of the the unjustifiable order of the King of Eng-Treasury, it appears that there was in the land to his naval commanders to capture our Treasury of the United States, on the 30th ships in the year 1793. At the opening of September 1802, in cash, dollars 4,439,675. the session of Congress the President (Wash.. The receipts of the United States for the ington) communicated the subject to Con-year ending the 30th Sept. 1802, was, dolgress, accompanying his communication with lars 15,258,453, which was derived from a copy of his instructions given by him to the following sources: our Minister at the British Court for demanding redress.-The language of Wash ington on this occasion was: There is a rank due to the United States among nations which will be withheld, if not absolutely lost, by the reputation of weakness. If we desire to avoid insult, we must be prepared to repel it. If we desire to preserve peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known that we are at all times ready for war." Had a fear to irritate those who had done us wrong,

.3

On the 7th of January, the President nominated to the Senate James Monroe, as Minister Extraordinary to the Courts of the King of Spain and First Consul of France, to act in conjunction with our Ministers at these Courts to negociate, it is presumed, respecting the shutting the port of New. Oricans, and the cession of Louisiana. This gentleman was formerly our Minister to France, and was recalled by Washington for misconduct.

Duties on impost and tonnage,

Direct tax,

Sales of public lands,
Postage of letters,

Proceeds of sales of bank shares,
Dividends on bank stock,

Pay't on acct. sales of armed ships,
Sales of prizes,
Internal taxes,
Miscellaneous,

Dalls. Cis. 12,298,938 6

226,804 19 179,575 52 50,500 1,287,600

39,960 212,342 83

31,943 22

806,765 65

124,028 64

Dolis. 15,268,258 11
The

The expenditures of the government in [ same period were, dollars 13,667,501 27

cts.

The payments into the Treasury from duties on imports and tonnage being derived from bonds due for duties accruing before the late peace, the President reminds us "that the effect of peace is not yet fully ascertained."-This effect, though not fully ascertained, has yet evinced its operation. It appears from the statements from the Treasury Department, that the amount of duties on goods imported and tonnage secured in the last year, and which will form the receipt of the next, is dollars 2,256,895 less than the year preceding.

"The funds annually appropriated to the discharge of our debt, are, by act of Congress, under the direction of the Vice President, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Chief Justices of the United States, who are styled the "Commissioners of the Sinking Fund." Of these commissioners the Secretary of the Treasury is the agent, the power of the others is barely nominal. The commissioners have laid before Consession, a report of the gress at the present Secretary of the Treasury made to them, containing a detail of the measures pursued in the year 1802, in relation to their duty It does not appear that the Chief Justice of the United States had been consulted on these proceedings: his name does not appear to the report...This report of the Secretary

of the Treasury states,

"That during the year 1802, there has been drawn from the Treasury of the United States, on account of principal and interest of the domestic debt, the stiv. 9,372,752 28

sum of

"The Secretary further states, that at the close of the year 1802, there remained (exclusively of protested bills outstanding, and unapplied balances in the hands of agents) an unapplied balance of guilders 5,914,606 10 stivers, applicable to the payment of Dutch debt, in the year 1803, equal

to

dolls. 2,365,842 40

"Making the sum drawn from the Treasury in the year 1802,but not applied in that year,

dolls. 3,483,711 77

"If to the sum which is stated to have been applied to the reduction of the debt in 1802, viz.

stiv. 6,699,738.47.

be added the last sum, stated to be in
the hands of agents, and not applied,

viz.

dolls. 3,483,711 77:

hands,
leaves a balance, which the report
does not account for in any way, dolls.

114,740 44

"From these facts I am led to remark, that the act of last session placed among the proudest plumes of the present administra tion, entitled "An Act providing for the redemption of the whole public debt of the United States," makes it expressly the duty of the commissioners of the sinking fund to apply annually the sum of 7,300,000 dollars to the discharge of the debt---and that it appears the sum of dollars 6,699,638 47only has been applied in the year 1802-... leaving a deficit of dollars 600,261 53. As to the large sum of 3,483,711 dollars drawn from the Treasury, and not applied, it would have been more satisfactory to "that jealousy which, however detestable in private, is the loveliest trait of political character," had we been informed in whose hands as agents this immense sum was resting. As to myself, I should be glad to have been informed what necessity induced the drawing so large a sum from the Treasury, so long before it was to be applied? Why money was remitted to Europe (if the fact be so) to meet a debt not yet due, at a time that a balance of 600,000 dollars remained, as it still does, unpaid of the sum expressly redolls. 4,065,738 47 quired to be paid in each And I can

"That of the money drawn from the Treasury in the year 1801, which remained unapplied at the expiration of that year, and was applicable to the Dutch debt, there was 2,313,846 guilders 10 stivers, equal at 40 cts. each guilder to

925,538 40

Forming the sum in their hands in
the year 1802,
10,298,290 68
"Of this sum the Secretary renders the following

the hands of agents; should, notwithstand. ing, leave a balance wholly unaccounted for of dollars 114,740 44."

which the duties from imports and tonnage arise and are collected, remain as 'established by the former administration. The progresThe president, in addressing the present sive increasing population, wealth and comCongress after a review of our revenue, and merce of the United States, occasioned the` the payments on account of the debt, remarks, regular annual increase of this revenue, and1 "When effects so salutary result from the in the usual course, the receipts of the last plans you have already sanctioned; when year were greater than the former... But merely by avoiding fikse objects of expence, says the message, this state of things is the we are able without a direct tax, without result" merely of avoiding false objects internal taxes, and without borrowing, to of expence." Some diminution of expen make large and effectual payments towards diture has indeed been made under the prethe discharge of our public debt, and the sent administration, but they have in a very emancipation of our posterity from that great degree resulted from the change in our' mortal canker, it is an encouragement of the situation and circumstances, not been pro highest order to proceed as we have begun duced, I presume to say, by the present ad in substituting economy for taxation, and in ministration. Let it be remembered, that procuring what is useful for a nation placed in the few years preceding the accession of as we are, rather than what is practised by the present administration, millions were* others under different circumstances." The necessarily expended for securing and proconstitution requires of the president that tecting our commerce, to which not only he should give Congress information of the the agricultural, but every other interest state of the union, and recommend such mea- owes its prosperity. Light houses and forsures as he may judge necessary and expe- tifications were erected--Insurrections, In dient. Perhaps it would comport better dian and Algerine wars exhausted large' with the dignity of the first magistrate, if sums; by depredations of the English, in discharging this duty he should not feel French and Spanish nations, property sup himself emancipated from the obligations posed to exceed thirty” millions of dollars, imposed by official propriety. If he was lost, and the revenue consequently great shou refrain from such reflections as are ly diminished. Naval sites and arsenals evidently intended to establish his own re- were established: arms and ordnance to a putation by casting reproach on his prede- large amount purchased; and armouries for cessors, or avoid such a display of measures manufacture of arms set in operation. A and professions as argue a thirst for popu- navy 'was not only built which restored our larity; as his own feelings must regulate commerce and revenue; but when on the re his conduct in this particular, it is at his turn of peace its longer support on the first option to adopt or reject such stale instru- establishment was rendered unnecessary, ments for procuring popular favour. So far, most of the ships were sold, by which mea however, as I deem them disingenuous or sure the amount of the annual expenditure unfounded, it is my duty and a right I feel of the navy was greatly lessened; and the disposed to use, to examine his statement. proceeds of the sales brought back into the The remarks I have quoted from the mes- Treasury, to form a part of that aggregate sage are predicated on the state of our re- which the message suggests to be the result venue, "resulting (says the president) from of the "mere avoiding false objects of the plans you have already sanctioned." expence." The great objects, therefore, of Now it is an indisputable truth, that the expence, upon which much money was explans adopted under the present administra-pended by the former administration, are tion have been to diminish and not to in- the erection of light houses and fortifications crease the revenue. By the repeal of the suppressing insurrections; establishing internal taxes, in which I concurred, though I wished to retain such parts of them as fell on luxury and wealth, the revenue was lessened near one million of dollars per year. No one measure has been adopted, or in the language of the message," sanctioned" in the present administration which adds one cent. a year to the revenue of the United States. The regulations of commerce, under

naval sites and arsenals; the purchase of arms and ordnance; establishing armouries, and protecting commerce against Algerine and French pirates by building a navy. Let any candid man reflect whether, under the same circumstances, the present administration ought not to resort to the same measures.-Whether the injustice and violence of foreign nations may not compel us

at

revenue, "in the full tide of successful experiment;" unembarrassed by foreign dis. sentions: relieved from the necessity of great expenditures on national objects which

at any time, and however pacific the dispo- The present administration have done sition of the administration, to resort to much. With the happy fortune of receiv measures of defence, and then let him saying the government and every branch of its whether these were false objects of expence. There are however other objects of expence not adopted, or rather "avoided," by the present administration, such as the reduction of the expence of the judiciary depart-their predecessors had completely or greatly ment by the repeal of the judicial system advanced. With an increasing population, adopted February 1801-the reduction of commerce and wealth; and a revenue yield. the army, and the dismissing the officers ing them in two years the immense sum of employed in collecting the internal taxes. thirty-one millions of dollars; much was to The expenditure retrenched by the repeal of be expected. Let any candid and intelli the judiciary was surely not the cause of our gent American review these things; he will former poverty or of our present wealth, be- see with pleasure and with pride the pros. cause the system repealed had been in opera-perous situation of our country; but he must tion but one year, and the saving does not exceed thirty thousand dollars, a sum less than the expence of repealing it.

admit that we do not owe it to the " plans sanctioned" or false "objects of expence avoided" by the present administration. The planter who succeeds to the possession of farm already well improved and planted, should be content with reaping the profits of the industry and skill of his predecessor, without detracting from his merits. He de. rives no merit from the boasts-I have ga thered an harvest which I might have de stroyed.

The reduction of the army was justified in my estimation and supported by my vote; but I am of opinion, that while our differences subsisted with the European powers with whom we were contending---the force retained was necessary to garrison our forts and guard our frontiers. The restoration of harmony, which authorised a reduction of the navy, justified a like reduction of the The President recommended to Congress,? army. A change of circumstances had in to appropriate a sum of money for erecting! this instance rendered that force useless, at this city a dry dock, in which, by emwhich a few months before had been indis-ploying water drawn from a source above pensable. By repealing the internal taxes the level of the tides, as practised in lock the expence of collection was dispensed with. navigation, the ships of our navy might be This measure did not expedite the discharge placed on a dry and sheltered bed," in of the debt or replenish the treasury; for which situation the progress of decay would while it saved the expence of one hundred be arrested. The estimate of this work thousand dollars, it prevented the receipt of submitted to the President was four hundred ten times that sum. I cherish the hope that and twenty thousand dollars. No subject neither the public fate nor public safety may can more justly merit the attention of the require a resort to direct for internal taxes, legislature than the preservation of our navy or to loans. But however sincere the pre- the solicitude of the President on this occasent administration may be to avoid thesesion is honourable to him; but unfortunately measures, yet it certainly is not correct to claim as a merit due to them, that they have replenished our treasury, and reduced the debt, “without" these aids; because the documents from the Treasury department shew, that they have received from the direct tax and internal taxes, the large sum of two millions seven hundred and sixty thousand dollars. The arrears of taxes yet unpaid, are estimated by the Secretary of the Treasury, at upwards of one million of dollars, which will also be at the disposal of the present administration. It appears then, that the present administration have the benefit of near four millions of dollars from the direct tax and internal taxes,

the project, by every light afforded by phi losophy or experience, was judged not to be adapted to its object, and would be less con ducive to the preservation than to the de. struction of the navy. After some discus. sion it was agreed, without a dissenting voice, to permit the subject to rest withour a decision.

At the last session of Congress, a proposi tion was made for repealing the several acts of Congress, by which foreign ships arriving in our ports are liable to higher tonnage duty than our own, and goods imported in them subjected to an additional duty of 10: per cent.; the repeal to take effect when. ever it should be ascertained that any foreign

nation