1818.] Message of the President of the United States of America.

have also been engaged in the discharge of their respective duties, but have not yet completed them. The difference which arose between the two governments under that treaty, respecting the right of the United States to take and cure fish on the coast of the British provinces, north of our limits, which had been secured by the treaty of 1783, is still in negotiation. The proposition made by this government, to extend to the colonies of Great Britain the principle of the convention of London, by which the commerce between the ports of the United States and British ports in Europe had been placed on a footing of equality, has been declined by the British government. This subject having been thus amicably decided between the two governments, and it appearing that the British government is unwilling to depart from its present regulations, it remains for Congress to decide, whether they will make any other regulations in consequence thereof, for the protection and improvement of our navigation.

The negotiation with Spain for spoliations on our commerce and the settlement of boundaries, remained essentially in the state it held by the communications that were made to Congress by my predecessor. It has been evidently the policy of the Spanish government to keep the negotiation suspended, and in this the United States have acquiesced, from an amicable disposition towards Spain, and in the expectation that her government would, from a sense of justice, finally accede to such an arrangement as would be equal between the parties. A disposition has been lately shewn by the Spanish government to move the negotiation, which has been met by this government, and, should the conciliatory and friendly policy which has invariably guided our councils be reciprocated, a just and satisfactory arrangement may be expected. It is proper, however, to remark, that no proposition has yet been made from which such a result can be presumed.

It was anticipated at an early stage that the contest between Spain and the colonies would become interesting to the United States. It was natural that our citizens should sympathize in events which affected their neighbours. It seemed probable, also, that the prosecution of the conflict along our coast, and in contiguous countries would occasional ly interrupt our commerce and otherwise affect the persons and property of our citizens. These anticipations have been realised. Such injuries have been received from persons acting under the authority of both the parties, and for which redress has, in most instances, been withheld. Through every stage of the conflict the United States have maintained an impartial neutrality, giving aid to neither of the parties in men, money, ships, or munitions of war. They have regarded the contest, not in the light of an ordinary insurrec tion or rebellion, but as a civil war between

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parties nearly equal, having, as to neutral powers, equal rights. Our ports have been open to both, and every article, the fruit of our soil, or of the industry of citizens, which either was permitted to take, has been equally free to the other. Should the colonies establish their independence, it is proper to state, that this government neither seeks nor would accept from them any advantage in commerce or otherwise, which will not be equally open to all other nations. The colonies will, in that event, become independent states, free from any obligation to or connection with us, which it may not then be their interest to form on the basis of a fair redprocity.

In the summer of the present year an expedition was set on foot against East Florida by persons claiming to act under the authority of some of the colonies, who took possession of Amelia Island, at the mouth of St. Mary's river, near the boundary of the State of Georgia. As this province lies eastward of the Mississippi, and is bounded by the United States and the ocean on every side, and has been a subject of negotiation with the government of Spain, as an indemnity for losses by spoliation, or in exchange for territory of equal value westward of the Mississippi, a fact well known to the world, it excited surprise that any countenance should be given to this measure by any of the colonies. As it would be difficult to reconcile it with the friendly relations existing between the United States and the colonies, a doubt was entertained whether it had been authorised by them, or any of them. This doubt has gained strength by the circumstances which have unfolded themselves in the prosecution of the enterprise, which have marked it as a mere unauthorised adventure. Projected and commenced with an incompetent force, reliance seems to have been placed on what might be drawn, in defiance of our laws, from within our limits; and of late, as these resources have failed, it has assumed a more marked character of unfriendliness to us; the island being made a channel for the illicit introduction of slaves from America into the United States, an asylum for fugitive slaves from the neighbouring states, and a port for smuggling of every kind.

A similar establishment was made at an earlier period, by persons of the same description, in the Gulf of Mexico, at a place called Galvestown, within the limits of the United States, as we contend, under the cession of Louisiana. This enterprise has been marked, in a more singular manner, by all the objec tional circumstances which characterised the other, and more particularly by the equipment of privateers which have annoyed our commerce, and by smuggling. These establishments, if ever sanctioned by any authority whatever, which is not believed, have abused their trust and forfeited all claim to consideration. A just regard for the rights

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Message of the President of the United States of America. [Feb. 1,

and interests of the United States required that they should be suppressed, and orders have been accordingly issued to that effect.

To obtain correct information on every subject in which the United States are interested; to inspire just sentiments in all persons in authority on either side, of our friend ly dispositions, so far as it may comport with an impartial neutrality, and to secure proper respect to our commerce in every port and from every flag, it has been thought proper to send a ship of war, with three distinguished citizens, along the southern coast, with instructions to touch at such ports as they may find most expedient for their purposes. With the existing authorities, with those in the possession of, and exercising the sovereignty, must the communication be held; from them alone can redress for past injuries, committed by persons acting under them, be obtained; by them alone can the commission of the like in future be prevented.

Our relations with the other powers of Europe have experienced no essential change since the last session. In our intercourse with each, due attention continues to be paid to the protection of our commerce, and to every other object in which the United States are interested. A strong hope is entertained that, by adhering to the maxims of a just, a candid, and friendly policy, we may long preserve amicable relations with all the powers of Europe, on conditions advantageous and honourable to our country.

With the Barbary states and the Indian tribes our pacific relations have been preserved.

In calling your attention to the internal concerns of our country, the view which they exhibit is peculiarly gratifying. The payments which have been made into the treasury shew the very productive state of the public revenue. After satisfying the appropriations made by law for the support of the civil government, and of the military and naval establishments, embracing suitable provision for fortifications and for the gradual increase of the navy, paying the interest of the public debt, and extinguishing more than eighteen millions of the principal within the present year, it is estimated that a balance of more than six millions of dollars will remain in the treasury on the 1st day of January applicable to the current service of the ensuing

the support of the civil government, and of the army and navy, as now established by law, amounts to eleven millions and eight hundred thousand dollars; and for the sinking fund to ten millions; making in the whole twenty-one millions and eight hundred thousand dollars; leaving an annual excess of revenue beyond the expenditure of two millions and seven hundred thousand dol lars, exclusive of the balance estimated to be in the treasury on the 1st day of January, 1818.

In the present state of the treasury, the whole of the Louisiana debt may be redeemed in the year 1819; after which, if the public debt continues as it now is, above par, there will be annually about five millions of the sinking fund unexpended, until the year 1825, when the loan of 1812, and the stock created by funding treasury notes, will be redeemable.

It is also estimated that the Mississippi stock will be discharged during the year 1819, from the proceeds of the public lands assigned to that object, after which the receipts from those lands will annually add to the public revenue the sum of one million five hundred thou sand dollars, making the permanent annual revenue amount to twenty-six millions of dollars, and leaving an annual excess of reve nue, after the year 1819, beyond the perma nent authorised expenditure, of more than four millions of dollars.

By the last returns from the department of war, the militia force of the several states may be estimated at 800,000 men, infantry, artillery, and cavalry. Great part of this force is armed, and measures are taken to arm the whole. An improvement in the orga nization and discipline of the militia, is one of the great objects which claims the unre mitted attention of Congress.

The regular force amounts nearly to the number required by law, and is stationed along the Atlantic and inland frontiers.

to

Of the naval force it has been necessary maintain strong squadrons in the Mediterranean and in the Gulf of Mexico.

From several of the Indian tribes, inhabiting the country bordering on Lake Erie, purchases have been made of lands on conditions very favourable to the United States, and, as it is presumed, not less so to the tribes themselves. By these purchases the Indian title, with moderate reservations, has been extinguished to the whole of the land within the limits of the State of Ohio, and to a great part of that in the Michigan territory, and of the State of Indiana. From the Cherokee tribe a tract has been purchased in the State of Georgia, and an arrangement made, by which, in exchange for lands be yond the Mississippi, a great part, if not the whole of the land belonging to that tribe, eastward of that river, in the States of North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee, and in the Alabama territory, will soon be acquired.

Incidents in London and Middlesex.

INCIDENTS, PROMOTIONS, BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, DEATHS, &c. IN LONDON AND MIDDLESEX;

With Biographical Accounts of Distinguished Characters.

Incidents, Promotions, and Appointments.

spective claims, which were 1,270l. for the first, 7521. for the second, and 9521. for the third.

On the acquittal of William Hone, whose trial for parodies on the church catechism, Litany, &c. was noticed in our last number, a subscription was set on foot for him under the auspices of Mr. Waithman. The present amount of the sums received is about 2,000l. We shall not quarrel with the contributors for spending their money as they please; but surely the party who are thus remunerating Hone, ought to have some compassion on Williams.

Jan. 12th, Lieut. Bailey, of the 58th regt. and Mr. T. O'Callaghan, of Gerard street, Soho, met to fight a duel in a field near Chalk Farm. The former received a wound which in two hours proved fatal. His antagonist and the two seconds voluntarily sur rendered themselves, and being brought to trial at the Old Bailey were found guilty of 7 Manslaughter.

1818.]

Preferments, Births, Marriages and Deaths.

Ecclesiastical Preferments.] The Rev. Tuos. Boys, D.D. to hold by dispensation the rectory of Radclive, Bucks, with that of Stratton, Gloucester.

Rev. WM. BRADLEY, to the vicarage of Friston, Suffolk.

Rev. CHAS. DAVID BRERETON, to the rectory of St. Edmund, Norwich.

Rev. JOHN BROCKLEBANK, to hold by dispensation the vicarage of Melbourn with the rectory of Teversham, Cambridge.

Rev. WM. BUTLER, to the rectory of St. Veep, Cornwall.

Rev. RICHARD CHAPMAN, to the vicarage of Tannington Suffolk.

Rev. CHAS. CROOK, to be chaplain to the Prince Regent.

Rev. WM. WATSON DICKENS, to the rectory of Adisham, Kent.

Rev. JOHN FAYRER, to the prebend of Heredum Morney, in the church of Endellion, Cornwall.

Rev. G. W. GREEN, to the vicarage of Tytherington, Gloucester.

Rev. Jos. HODGKINSON, to the rectory of Dudcote, Berks.

Rev. D. HOSE, to the rectory of Hopton, Suffolk.

Rev. ford, Notts.

HOSKIN, to the vicarage of Bas

Rev. RANN KENNEDY, to be minister of
St. Paul's Chapel, Birmingham.
Rev. SAM. KNIGHT, to the vicarage of
Halifax, York.

Hon. and Rev. AUGUSTUS EDW. HOBART,
to the rectory of Benington, Lincoln.
Rev. EDW.OFFSPRING HOLWELL, to the
rectory of Plymtree, Devon.

Rev. W. HUTCHINSON, to the perpetual curacy of Wick, Worcester.

Rev. F.IREMONGER, to a prebend in Winchester Cathedral.

Rev. HERBERT PHILLIPS, to the rectory of Folkton, York.

Rev. JOHN PRESCOTT, to the vicarage of North Somercotes, Lancaster.

Rev. HENRY ANT. PYE, to a prebend in Worcester Cathedral.

Rev. THOS. ROBERTS, to the vicarage of Llanbeblig, Carnarvon.

Rev. WM. SNOWDEN, to the perpetual curacy of Horbury, York.

Rev. THOS. TALBOT, to the rectory of Troston, Suffolk.

Rev. JOHN WALPOLE, to the perpetual curacy of Attercliffe, York.

Rev. GEORGE WILKINS, to the perpetual curacy of Sneinton, Notts.

Birth.] Lady St. John, of a laughter. The lady of Major Gen. Sir Wm. Anson, of a daughter.

The lady of G. H. Freeling, esq. of the
General Post Office, of a son.
The lady of J. H. Tremayne, esq. M. P.

of a son.

Lady Liddell, of a son.

Married.] At St. James's Church, by

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the very Rev. the Dean of Canterbury, Major Keane, 7th Hussars, A. D. C. to Major Gen. Sir Hussey Vivian, K. C. B. and third son of Sir John Keane, Bart. M. P. to Anne, third daughter, and also John Grove, M. D. of Salisbury, second son of Thos. Grove, esq, of Fern, in the county of Wilts. to Jean Helen, fourth daughter of Sir William Fraser, Bart. Bedford square.

Thos. Newman, esq. of Nelmes, Essex, to Eliza, daughter of Thos. Hall, esq. of Cumberland street, Portman square.

Lieut. Col. Brereton, Royal African regt. to Margaret, widow of J. A. Olten, esq. of Barbadoes.

B. W. Hickes, esq. of Berkeley, Gloucestershire, to Rachael, youngest daughter of the late John Morgan, esq. of Bishopsgate

street.

Mr. R. Taylor, of Maida Vale, Paddington, to Eliza, eldest daughter of Wm. Williams, esq. of Clarendon place.

The Rev. G. Taylor, of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge, to Elizabeth, daughter of the late Mr. G. Adams, of Sittingbourne, Kent.

Alex. Don, esq. of Great Coram street, to Martha, eldest daughter of Wm. Maybury, esq. of Tunbridge place.

John Yates, esq. of Redworth, Warwick, to Anne, only daughter of S. Villers, esq. of Russell square.

Mr. John Smith, of Kennington, to Ann, widow of the Rev. J. Adamthwaite, minister of Bowes, Yorkshire.

Rich. Lang, esq. of Blewhayes, late lieut. col. of the S. Down Militia, to Harriot, third daughter of the late W. Bamford, esq.

Mr. H. R. Hodson, of Cross street, Hatton Garden, to Harriet, only daughter of the late Jas. Hodson, M. D.

G. S. Bruce, esq. British consul general for the Canary Islands, to Mary, second daughter of Nich. Power, esq. of Queen

square.

Jos. Fras. Berry, esq. of Earl's court, Brompton, to Eliza, eldest daughter of Mr. Mann, Parliament street.

Fras. Line, esq. of New Bond street, to Elizabeth, only daughter of the late Peter Colt, esq. of Stepney green.

Thos. Bowness, esq. of Bishop Auckland, Durham, to Miss Margaret Fair, of Cheapside.

Mr. Dore, surgeon, of Marchmont street, to Cecilia, eldest daughter of Jas. Collings, esq, of Long-acre.

At Stepney, the Rev. J. Stock, of Maidstone, to Miss Sophia Thomson, of Poplar.

Died] In Harpur street, D. Braithwaite, esq. F. R. and A S. formerly Comptroller of the Foreign Post Office, 86.

In Leicester square, Thos. Parker, esq. of Kidwelly, S. Wales, a magistrate and deputy recorder of that place.

In Great Charlotte Street, Blackfriars, Mrs. Beecroft, late of Peterborough, eldest daughter of the Rev, S. Bruce, vicar of Inglesham, Wilts, 57.