1 whole. This illustration of our energies, if only fostered by an act of common justice, will be worth to the union more than millions for defence." I recommend that provision be made by the legislature for the comptroller general, to proceed, with all such vouchers as he may be able to obtain, to the city of Washington early in January next, to effect, if possible, a final settlement of these claims. caused search to be made in the acts of the legislature on this subject, and have come to the opinion, that the sum appropriated formerly, on the condition that the like sam should be appropriated by the state of Georgia, had long since gone over to the surplus fund, and was out of my control. Since the last vacation, the South Carolina college has regained a portion of the number of students, which it lost by the ill-advised and unprovoked insurrection of the last spring. The steadfast adherence to the rules of the college, and the firmness of the faculty on that occasion will I hope, render this insurrection no perma nent disadvantage to the institution. The same act of the legislature of Georgia contained an appropriation of twenty thousand dollars, for improv The legislatures of the state of South Carolina, in times ing the navigation of the Savannah river, from Augusta past, have, by their resolutions, expressed their disap-to Andersonville-not to be undertaken until a concurrent probation of the course pursued by the general govern-measure shall have been adopted by our state, and invitment, in exercising powers not given by the constitution ing the state to co-operate in both the above appropria of the United States. Since the adoption of these resolutions, for their respective objects. Good faith and sound tions, I have discovered no reasons for changing, but am- policy require that the state of South Carolina should də ple cause for confirming the opinions then entertained. So. The documents relating to this subject, are herewith The scheme for further protecting and encouraging transmitted, marked B. the manufacturers of woollen cloths, (commonly called the woollens bill), by imposing duties on the importation of such cloths, so high as to amount to a prohibition of their importation, which has once been attempted to be passed by the congress of the United States, and which it is understood is about to be again attempted, shews, that the passion for exercising powers beyond those given by the constitution, is still unsated in a por- During the past year, I have reviewed and inspected tion of the congress of the United States. The mode more than half of the militia of this state, and it is with adopted by the friends of this measure for enforcing their sincere gratification, 1 can say, that for the most part, demands, strikes at the root of all constitutional and fair the general officers are attentive and well informed In legislation. A self constituted body, claiming to be com-their duties, the regiments well officered, the men obeposed of delegates from a majority of the states in the dient, and the efforts of all are indefatigable in acquiring union, convenes and organizes itself as a deliberative as the information necessary to an organization, as persembly, and goes through its enactments, in form, to be tect as is attainable in the short time they have for giving sent down to the congress of the United States to be re- and receiving instruction. It is but justice to say that gistered. Is it not time to be alarmed at this utter disre- this improved state of discipline, is, in a great degree to be gard to the letter and to the spirit of the constitution? attributed to the exertions of my predecessors in office, Our fellow citizens, with a unanimity never before wit- and to the very able and prompt assistance, constantly nessed in this state, have petitioned and remonstrated to and assiduously afforded the commander-in-chief, the congress on this painful subject: they are likewise about general and regimental officers, by the adjutant and Into send up their voice to you; and if you can afford spector general of the state. them aid in arresting this mischievous project, it is your I could recommend a revisal of the penal code of the duty to do so. The instrument which binds the union state, and a perseverance in the attempt now making together, has se much of fairness in the bargain, as re-to codify the statute and common law, but such a respects the interests of every member of the confedera- commendation, would be an act of supererogation, when tion; so nice a poise in the weight of the respective so-it is known that you have already undertaken these subvereignties which compose it, and such safe-guards to the jects. JOHN TAYLOR. rights of states and individuals, and such a perfect adaption in it for all foreign relations; and more than all, we have learned from our infancy, to venerate the instrument. Of the senate and house of representatives of the United I would therefore, hold fast to it as the rock of our safety. In the language of Mr. Jefferson, "I have always preferred reform to revolution." Let us then, use all our efforts in this crisis, to bring back the general govern- John Chandler ment to the sound decisions and safe constructions which LIST OF MEMBERS States. Nehemiah R. Knight Soon after the adjournment of the legislature in De-Dudley Chase tember last, I forwarded to our senators and representa tives in congress, the agreement and compact between Martin Van Buren the state of Georgia and our own state, touching the improvement of the navigation of the Savannah river, in Mahlon Dickerson order that the consent of the congress of the United States might be obtained to the same. From the circum- William Marks stance of the senators and representatives from the state of Georgia not having received the counterpart of the 'Louis McLane* said agreement, nor instruction on the subject from their state, nothing was done in the measure at the last Samuel Smith session of congress. About the same time I received | from the governor of Georgia, an authenticated copy of L. W. Tazewell an act of the legislature of that state by which twenty thousand dollars were appropriated for the improvement John Branch of the navigation of the Savannah river, below Augusta, Daniel Webster Connecticut. Calvin Willey. Rhode Island. Asher Robbins. Vermont. Horatio Seymour. New York. Nathan Sanford. New Jersey. Ephraim Bateman. Isaac D. Barnard.* Henry M. Ridgely. Maryland. Ezekiel Chambers. Virginia. North Carolina. Nathaniel Macon. South Carolina. which sum by the terms of said act, was to be ex- William Smith Richard M. Johnson John H. Eaton this union were last assembled at this place, to deliberate period of time, after the expiration of the above mentioned and to act upon the common important interests of their conventions; leaving each party the liberty of terminatconstituents. In that interval, the never-slumbering eye ing them, by giving twelve months notice to the other. of a wise and beneficent Providence has continued its The radical principle of all commercial intercourse beguardian care over the welfare of our beloved country.tween independent nations, is the mutual interest of both The blessing of health has continued generally to pre- parties. It is the vital spirit of trade itself; nor can it be vail throughout the land. The blessing of peace with reconciled to the nature of man, or to the primary laws our brethren of the human race has been enjoyed with- of human society, that any traffic should long be willingly out interruption; internal quiet has left our fellow-citi- pursued, of which all the advantages are on one side, zens in the full enjoyment of all their rights, and in the and all the burdens on the other. Treaties of commerce tree exercise of all their faculties, to pursue the impulse have been found, by experience, to be among the most of their nature, and the obligation of their duty, in the im- effective instruments for promoting peace and harmony provement of their own condition. The productions of between nations whose interests, exclusively considered the soil, the exchanges of commerce, the vivifying labors on either side, are brought into frequent collisions by of human industry, have combined to mingle in our cup competition. In framing such treaties, it is the duty of a portion of enjoyment as large and liberal as the indul- each party, not simply to urge with unyielding pertinacity gence of Heaven has perhaps ever granted to the imper- that which suits its own interest, but to concede liberally fect state of man upon earth; and as the purest of human to that which is adapted to the interest of the other. To felicity consists in its participation with others, it is no accomplish this, little more is generally required than a small addition to the sum of our national happiness, at this simple observance of the rule of reciprocity; and were it time, that peace and prosperity prevail to a degree sel- possible for the statesmen of one nation, by stratagem and dom experienced over the whole habitable globe; pre-management, to obtain from the weakness or ignorance senting, though as yet with painful exceptions, a foretaste of another, an over-reaching treaty, such a compact would of that blessed period of promise, when the lion shall lie prove an incentive to war rather than a bond of peace. down with the lamb, and wars shall be no more. To pre- Our conventions with Great Britain are founded upon the serve, to improve, and to perpetuate, the sources, and principles of reciprocity. The commercial intercourse to direct, in their most effective channels, the streams, between the two countries is greater in magnitude and which contribute to the public weal, is the purpose for amount than between any two other nations on the globe. which government was instituted. Objects of deep im- It is, for all purposes of benefit or advantage to both, as portance to the welfare of the union are constatly recur-precious, and, in all probability, far more extensive, than ring to demand the attention of the federal legislature; if the parties were still constituent parts of one and the and they call with accumulated interest, at the first meet- same nation. Treaties between such states, regulating ing of the two houses, after their periodical renovation. the intercourse of peace between them, and adjusting inTo present to their consideration, from time to time, sub-terests of such transcendent importance to both, which jects in which the interests of the nation are most deeply have been found, in a long experience of years, mutually involved, and for the regulation of which the legislative will is alone competent, is a duty prescribed by the constitution, to the performance of which the first meeting of the new congress is a period eminently appropriate, and which it is now my purpose to discharge. advantageous, should not be lightly cancelled or discontmued. Two conventions, for continuing in force those above mentioned, have been concluded between the plenipotentiaries of the two governments, on the 6th of August last, and will be forthwith laid before the senate for the exercise of their constitutional authority concerning them. Our relations of friendship with the other nations of the earth, political and commercial, have been preserved unimpaired; and the opportunities to improve them have In the execution of the treaties of peace, of November, been cultivated with anxious and unremitting attention. 1782, and September, 1783, between the United States A negotiation upon subjects of high and delicate interest, and Great Britain, and which terminated the war of our with the government of Great Britain, has terminated in independence, a line of boundary was drawn as the dethe adjustment of some of the questions at issue upon marcation of territory between the two countries, extendsatisfactory terms, and the postponement of others for fu- ing over near twenty degrees of latitude, and ranging ture discussion and agreement. The purposes of the over seas, lakes, and mountains, then very imperfectly convention concluded at St. Petersburg, on the 12th day explored, and scarcely opened to the geographical knowof July, 1822, under the mediation of the late emperor ledge of the age. In the progress of discovery and setAlexander, have been carried into effect by a subsequent tlement by both parties, since that time, several questions convention, concluded at London on the 13th of Novem- of boundary between their respective territories have ber, 1826, the ratifications of which were exchanged at that place on the 6th day of February last. A copy of arisen, which have been found of exceedingly difficult the proclamation issued on the nineteenth day of March adjustment. At the close of the last war with Great Brilast, publishing this convention, is herewith communicat- the consideration of the negotiations of the treaty of tain, four of these questions pressed themselves upan ed to congress. The sum of twelve hundred and four Ghent, but without the means of concluding a definitive thousand nine hundred and sixty dollars, therein stipulated to be paid to the claimants of indemnity under the first arrangement concerning them. They were referred to article of the treaty of Ghent has been duly received, sioners, one appointed by each party, to examine and dethree separate commissions, consisting of two commisand the commission instituted, conformably to the act of congress of the 'second of March last, for the distribu- cide upon their respective claims. In the event of disation of the indemnity to the persons entitled to receive it, seement between the commissioners, it was provided are now in session, and approaching the consummation of that they should make reports to their several govern their labors. This final disposal of one of the most pain- the decision of a sovereign, the common friend of both. ments; and that the reports should finally be referred to ful topics of collision between the United States and Of these commissions, two have already terminated their Great Britain, not only affords an occasion of gratulation to ourselves, but has had the happiest effect in promoting sessions and investigations, one by entire and the other a friendly disposition, and in softening asperities upon by partial agreement. The commissioners of the fifth ar other objects of discussion. Nor ought it to pass without ticle of the treaty of Ghent have finally disagreed," and the tribute of a frank and cordial acknowledgment of the made their conflicting reports to their own governments. magnanimity with which an honorable nation, by the re-making up a question to be decided by the arbitrator. But from these reports a great difficulty has occurred in paration of their own wrongs, achieves a triumph more This purpose has, however, been effected by a fourth glorious than any field of blood can ever bestow. The conventions of 3d July, 1815, and of 20th Octo-convention, concluded at London by the plenipotentia ber, 1818, will expire, by their own limitation, on the 20th ries of the two governments on the 29th of September October, 1828. These have regulated the direct commerlast. It will be submitted, together with the others, to cial intercourse between the United States and Great Bri- the consideration of the senate. tain, upon terms of the most perfect reciprocity; and they effected a temporary compromise of the respective rights and claims to territory westward of the Rocky Mountains, These arrangements have been continued for an indefinite While these questions have been pending, incidents have occuered, of conflicting pretensions and of a danger our character, upon the territory itself, in dispute between the two nations. By a common understanding between the governments, it was agreed, that no exercise of portion of this trade, in the vessels of all nations. exclusive jurisdiction, by either party, while the nego- That period having already expired, the state of mutual tiation was pending, should change the state of the ques- interdiction has again taken place. The British governtion of right, to be definitively settled. Such collisionment have not only declined negotiation upon this subhas, nevertheless, recently taken place, by occurrences, ject, but, by the principle they have assumed with referthe precise character of which has not yet been ascer-ence to it, have precluded even the means of negotiation. tained. A communication from the governor of the It becomes not the self respect of the United States, state of Maine, with accompanying documents, and a either to solicit gratuitous favors, or to accept as the grant correspondence between the secretary of state and the of a favor that for which an ample equivalent is exacted, minister of Great Britain, on this subject, are now com-It remains to be determined by the respective governmunicated. Measures have been taken to ascertain the ments, whether the trade shall be opened by acts of reci state of the facts more correctly, by the employment of procal legislation. It is in the meantime satisfactory to special agent, to visit the spot where the alleged outrages know, that, apart from the inconveniences resulting from have occurred, the result of those inquiries, when receiv-a disturbance of the usual channels of trade, no loss has ed, will be transmitted to congress. been sustained by the commerce, the navigation, or the revenue of the United States, and none of magnitude is to be apprehended from this existing state of mutual interdict. a While so many of the subjects of high interest to the friendly relations between the two countries have been so far adjusted, it is matter of regret that their views respecting the commercial intercourse between the United States and the British colonial possessions, have not equally approximated to a friendly agreement. With the other maritime and commercial nations of Europe, our intercourse continues, with little variation. Since the cessation, by the convention of 24th June, 1822, At the commencement of the last session of congress, of all discriminating duties upon the vessels of the Unitthey were informed of the sudden and unexpected ex-ed States and of France, in either country, our trade with clusion, by the British government, of access, in vessels that nation has increased and is increasing. A disposition of the United States, to all their colonial ports, except on the part of France has been manifested to renew that those immediately bordering upon our own territories. negotiation; and in acceding to the proposal, we have exIn the amicable discussions which have succeeded the pressed the wish that it might be extended to other obadoption of this measure, which, as it affected harshly the jects, upon which a good understanding between the parinterests of the United States, became a subject of ex-ties would be beneficial to the interests of both. The postulation on our part, the principles upon which its origin of the political relations between the United justification has been placed, have been of a diversified States and France, is coeval with the first years of our character. It has been at once ascribed to a mere re-independence. The memory of it is interwoven with currence to the old long established principle of colonial that of our arduous struggle for national existence. monopoly, and at the same time to a feeling of resent-Weakened as it is has occasionally beeen since that time, ment, because the offers of an act of parliament, open-it can by us never be forgotten; and we should hail with ing the colonial ports upon certain conditions, had not exultation the moment which should indicate a recollecbeen grasped at with sufficient eagerness by an instan- tion, equally friendly in spirit, on the part of France. A taneous conformity to them. At a subsequent period it fresh effort has recently been made, by the minister of has been intimated that the new exclusion was in resent- the United States residing at Paris, to obtain a considement, because a prior act of parliament, of 1822, open-ration of the just claims of citizens of the United States, ing certain colonial ports, under heavy and burdensome to the reparation of wrongs long since committed, marestrictions to vessels of the United States, had not been ny of them frankly acknowledged and all of them en reciprocated by an admission of British vessels from the titled, upon every principle of justice, to a candid exami colonies, and their cargoes, without any restriction or nation. The proposal last made to the French governdiscrimanation whatever. But, be the motive for the ment has been to refer the subject, which has formed an Interdiction what it may, the British government have obstacle to this consideration, to the determination of a manifested no disposition, either by negotiation or by cor- sovereign, the common friend of both. To this offer no responding legislative enactments, to recede from it, definitive answer has yet been received; but the gallant and we have been given distinctly to understand, that and honorable spirit which has at all times been the pride neither of the bills which were under the consideration of and glory of France, will not ultimately permit the decongress, at their last session, would have been deemed mands of innocent sufferers to be extinguished in the sufficient in their concessions, to have been rewarded by mere consciousness of the power to reject them. any relaxation from the British interdict. It is one of A new treaty of amity, navigation and commerce, has the inconveniences inseparably connected with the at- been concluded with the kingdom of Sweden, which will tempt to adjust, by reciprocal legislation, interests of this be submitted to the senate for their advice with regard to nature, that neither party can know what would be satis-its ratification. At a more recent date, a minister pleni. factory to the other; and that, after enacting a statute for potentiary from the Hanseatic republics of Hamburg, Luthe avowed and sincere purpose of conciliation, it will beck, and Bremen, has been received, charged with a generally be found utterly inadequate to the expectations special mission for the negotiation of a treaty of amity and To the other party, and will terminate in mutual disap- commerce between that ancient and renowned league pointment. and the United States. This negotiation has accordingly been commenced, and is now in progress, the result of which will, if successful, be also subniitted to the senate for the consideration. The session of congress having terminated without any act upon the subject, a proclamation was issued, on the 17th of March last, conformably to the provisions of the 6th section of the act of 1st March, 1823, declaring the Since the accession of the emperor Nicholas to the imfact that the trade and intercourse authorized by the Bri-perial throne of all the Russias, the friendly dispositions tish act of parliament, of 24th June, 1822, between the United States and the British enumerated colonial ports, had been, by the subsequent acts of parliament, of 5th July, 1825, and the order of council, of 27th July, 1826, prohibited. The effect of this proclamation, by the terms of the act under which it was issued, has been that each and every provision of the act concerning navigation, of 18th April, 1818, and of the act supplementary thereto, of 15th May, 1820, revived, and is in full force. Such, then, is the present condition of the trade, that, useful as it is to both parties, it can, with a single momentary exception, be carried on directly by the vessels of neither. That exception itself is found in a proclamation of the governor of the island of St. Christopher and of the Virgin islands, inviting, for three months from the 28th of August last the importation of the articles of the prodice of the United States, which constitute their export towards the United States, so constantly manifested by his predecessor, have continued unabated, and have been recently testified by the appointment of a minister plenipotentiary to reside at this place. From the interest taken by this sovereign in behalf of the suffering Greeks, and from the spirit with which others of the great European powers are co-operating with him, the friends of freedom and of humanity may indulge the hope that they will obtain relief from that most unequal of conflicts, which they have so long and so gallantly sustained; that they will enjoy the blessings of self-government, which by their sufferings in the cause of liberty, they have richly earned; and that their independence will be secured by those liberal institutions, of which their country furnished the earliest examples in the history of mankind, and which have consecrated to immortal remembrance the very soil for which they are now again profusely pouring forth their blood. The sympathies which the people and government of the United States have so warmly indulged with their cause, have been acknowledged by their government, in a letter of thanks, which I have received from their illustrious president, a translation of which is now communicated to congress, the representatives of that nation to whom this tribute of gratitude was intended to be paid, and to whom it was justly due. In the American hemisphere, the cause of freedom and independence has continued to prevail; and if signalized by none of those splendid triumphs which had crowned with glory some of the preceding years, it has only been from the banishment of all external force against which the struggle had been mantained. The shout of victory has been superseded by the expulsion of the enemy over whom it could have been achieved. Our friendly wishes and cordial good will, which have constantly followed the southern nations of America in all the vicissitudes of their war of independence, are succeeded by a solicitude, equally ardent and cordial, that, by the wisdom and purity of their institutions, they may secure to themselves the choicest blessings of social order, and the best rewards of virtuous liberty. Disclaiming alike all right and all intention of interfering in those concerus which it is the prerogative of their independence to regulate as to them shall seem fit, we hail with joy every indication of their prosperity, of their harmony, of their perserving and inflexible homage to those principles of freedom and of equal rights, which are alone suited to the genius and temper of the American nations. It has been therefore with some concern that we have observed indications of intestine divisions in some of the republics of the south, and appearances of less union with one another, than we believe to be the interest of all. Among the results of this state of things has been that the treaties concluded at Panama do not appear to have been ratified by the contracting parties, and that the meeting of the congress at | Tacubaya has been indefinitely postponed. In accepting the invitations to be represented at this congress, while a manifestation was intended on the part of the United States, of the most friendly disposition towards the southern republics by whom it had been proposed, it was hoped that it would furnish an opportunity for bringing all the nations of this hemisphere to the common acknowledgment and adoption of the principles, in the regulation of their international relations, which would have secured a lasting peace and harmony between them, and have promoted the cause of mutual benevolence throughout the globe. But as obstacles appear to have arisen to the re-assembling of the congress, one of the two ministers commissioned on the part of the United States has returned to the bosom of his country, while the ministers charged with the ordinary mission to Mexico remains authorized to attend at the conferences of the congress whenever they may be resumed. A hope was for a short time entertained, that a treaty of peace, actually signed between the governments of Buenos Ayres and Brazil, would supersede all further occasion for those collisions between belligerent pretensions and neutral rights, which are so commonly the result of maritime war, and which have unfortunately disturbed the harmony of the relations between the United States and the Brazilian government. At their last session, congress were informed that some of the naval officers of that empire had advanced and practised upon principles in relation to blockade, and to neutral navigation, which we could not sanction, and which our commanders found it necessary to resist. It appears that they have not been sustained by the government of Brazil itself. Some of the vessels captured under the assumed authority of these erroneous principles, have been restored; and we trust that our just expectations will be realized, that adequate indemnity will be made to all the citizens of the United States who have suffered by the unwarranted captures which the Brazilian tribunals themselves have pronounced unlawful. In the diplomatic discussion, at Rio de Janeiro, of these wrongs sustained by citizens of the United States, and of others which seemed as if emanating immediate ly from that government itself, the charge d'affaires of the United States, under an impression that his representations in behalf of the rights and interest of his countrymen were totally disregarded and useless, deemed it his duty, without waiting for instructions to terminate his official functions, to demand his passports and return to the United States. This movement dictated by an honest zeal for the honor and interest of his country; motives which operated exclusively upon the mind of the officer who resorted to it, has not been disapproved by me. The Brazilian government however, complamed of it as a measure for which no adequate intentional cause had been given by them; and upon an explicit assurance, through their charge d'affaires, residing here, that a successor to the late representative of the United States near that government, the appointment of whom they desired, should be received and treated with the respect due to his character, and that indemnity should be promptly made for all injuries inflicted on citizens of the United States, or their property, contrary to the laws of nations, a temporary commission as charge d'affaires to that country has been issued, which it is hoped will entirely restore the ordinary diplomatic intercourse between the two governments, and the friendly relations between their respective nations. Turning from the momentous concerns of our union, in its intercourse with foreign nations, to those of the deepest interest in the administration of our internal affairs, we find the revenues of the present year corresponding as nearly as might be expected to the anticipations of the last, and presenting an aspect still more favourable in the promise of the next. The balance in the treasury, on the first of January last, was six million three hundred and fifty-eight thousand six hundred and eighty six-dollars and eighteen cents. The receipts from that day to the 30th of September last, as near as the returns of them yet received can show, amount to sixteen millions eight hundred and eighty-six thousand five hundred and eighty-one dollars and thirty-two cents. The receipts of the present quarter, estimated at four millions five hundred and fifteen thousand, added to the above, form an aggregate of twenty-one million four hundred thou sand dollars of receipts. The expenditures of the year may perhaps amount to twenty-two millions three hundred thousand dollars, presenting a small excess over the receipts. But, of these twenty-two millions; upwards of six have been applied to the discharge of the principal of the public debt; the whole amount of which, approaching seventy-four millions on the first of January last, will, on the first day of next year, fall short of sixty-seven millions and a half. The balance in the treasury, on the first of January next, it is expected will exceed five millious four hundred and fifty thousand dollars, a sum exceeding that of the first of January, 1825, though falling short of that exhibited on the first of January last. It was foreseen that the revenue of the present year would not equal that of the last, which had itself been less than that of the next preceding year. But the hope has been realized which was entertained, that these deficiencies would in nowise interrupt the steady operation af the discharge of the public debt by the annual ten millions devoted to that object by the act of 3d March, 1817. The amount of duties secured on merchandise imported from the commencement of the year until the 30th of September last, is twenty-one million two hundred and twenty-six thousand, and the probable amount of that which will be secured during the remainder of the year, is five millions seven hundred and seventy-four thousand dollars; forming a sum total of twenty seven millions. With the allowances for drawbacks and contingent deficiencies which may occur, though not specifically foreseen, we may safely estimate the receipts of the ensuing year at twenty-two millions three hundred thousand dollars; a revenue for the next, equal to the expenditure of the present year. The deep solicitude felt by our citizens of all classes throughout the union for the total discharge of the public debt, will apologize for the earnestness with which I deem it my duty to urge this topic upon the consideration of congress of recommending to them again the observance of the strictest economy in the application of the public funds. The depression upon the receipts of the revenue which had commenced with the year 1826, continued with increased severity during the two first quarters of the present year. The returning tide began to flow with the third quarter, and, so far as we can judge |
