It would have given me, fellow citizens, great satisfaction to announce in the moment of your meeting that the difficulties in our foreign relations existing at the time of your last separation had been amicably and justly terminated. I lost no time in taking those measures which were most likely to bring them to such a termination - by special missions charged with such powers and instructions as in the event of failure could leave no imputation on either our moderation or forbearance. The delays which have since taken place in our negotiations with the British Government appear to have proceeded from causes which do not forbid the expectation that during the course of the session I may be enabled to lay before you their final issue. What will be that of the negotiations for settling our differences with Spain nothing which had taken place at the date of the last dispatches enables us to pronounce. On the western side of the Mississippi she advanced in considerable force, and took post at the settlement of Bayou Pierre, on the Red River. This village was originally settled by France, was held by her as long as she held Louisiana, and was delivered to Spain only as a part of Louisiana. Being small, insulated, and distant, it was not observed at the moment of redelivery to France and the United States that she continued a guard of half a dozen men which had been stationed there. A proposition, however, having been lately made by our commander in chief to assume the Sabine River as a temporary line of separation between the troops of the two nations until the issue of our negotiations shall be known, this has been referred by the Spanish commandant to his superior, and in the mean time he has withdrawn his force to the western side of the Sabine River. The correspondence on this subject now communicated will exhibit more particularly the present state of things in that quarter. The nature of that country requires indispensably that an unusual proportion of the force employed there should be cavalry or mounted infantry. In order, therefore, that the commanding officer might be enabled to act with effect, I had authorized him to call on the governors of Orleans and Mississippi for a corps of 500 volunteer cavalry. The temporary arrangement he has proposed may perhaps render this unnecessary; but I inform you with great pleasure of the promptitude with which the inhabitants of those Territories have tendered their services in defense of their country. It has done honor to themselves, entitled them to the confidence of their fellow citizens in every part of the Union, and must strengthen the general determination to protect them efficaciously under all circumstances which may occur. Having received information that in another part of the United States a great number of private individuals were combining together, arming and organizing themselves contrary to law, to carry on a military expedition against the territories of Spain, I thought it necessary, by proclamation as well as by special orders, to take measures for preventing and suppressing this enterprise, for seizing the vessels, arms, and other means provided for it, and for arresting and bringing to justice its authors and abettors. It was due to that good faith which ought ever to be the rule of action in public as well as in private transactions, it was due to good order and regular government, that while the public force was acting strictly on defensive and merely to protect our citizens from aggression the criminal attempts of private individuals to decide for their country the question of peace or war by commencing active and unauthorized hostilities should be promptly and efficaciously suppressed. Whether it will be necessary to enlarge our regular forces will depend on the result of our negotiations with Spain; but as it is uncertain when that result will be known, the provisional measures requisite for that, and to meet any pressure intervening in that quarter, will be a subject for your early consideration. The possession of both banks of the Mississippi reducing to a single point the defense of that river, its waters, and the country adjacent, it becomes highly necessary to provide for that point a more adequate security. Some position above its mouth, commanding the passage of the river, should be rendered sufficiently strong to cover the armed vessels which may be stationed there for defense, and in conjunction with them to present an insuperable obstacle to any force attempting to pass. The approaches to the city of New Orleans from the eastern quarter also will require to be examined and more effectually guarded. For the internal support of the country the encouragement of a strong settlement on the western side of the Mississippi, within reach of New Orleans, will be worthy the consideration of the Legislature. The gun boats authorized by an act of the last session are so advanced that they will be ready for service in the ensuing spring. Circumstances permitted us to allow the time necessary for their more solid construction. As a much larger number will still be wanting to place our sea port towns and waters in that state of defense to which we are competent and they entitled, a similar appropriation for a further provision for them is recommended for the ensuing year. A further appropriation will also be necessary for repairing fortifications already established and the erection of such other works as may have real effect in obstructing the approach of an enemy to our sea port towns, or their remaining before them. In a country whose constitution is derived from the will of the people, directly expressed by their free suffrages; where the principal executive functionaries and those of the legislature are renewed by them at short periods; where under the character of jurors they exercise in person the greatest portion of the judiciary powers; where the laws are consequently so formed and administered as to bear with equal weight and favor on all, restraining no man in the pursuits of honest industry and securing to everyone the property which that acquires, it would not be supposed that any safe-guards could be needed against insurrection or enterprise on the public peace or authority. The laws, however, aware that these should not be trusted to moral restraints only, have wisely provided punishment for these crimes when committed. But would it not be salutary to give also the means of preventing their commission? Where an enterprise is meditated by private individuals against a foreign nation in amity with the United States, powers of prevention to a certain extent are given by the laws. Would they not be as reasonable and useful where the enterprise preparing is against the United States? While adverting to this branch of law it is proper to observe that in enterprises meditated against foreign nations the ordinary process of binding to the observance of the peace and good behavior, could it be extended to acts to be done out of the jurisdiction of the United States, would be effectual in some cases where the offender is able to keep out of sight every indication of his purpose which could draw on him the exercise of the powers now given by law. The States on the coast of Barbary seem generally disposed at present to respect our peace and friendship; with Tunis alone some uncertainty remains. Persuaded that it is our interest to maintain our peace with them on equal terms or not at all, I propose to send in due time a reenforcement into the Mediterranean unless previous information shall show it to be necessary. We continue to receive proofs of the growing attachment of our Indian neighbors and of their dispositions to place all their interests under the patronage of the United States. These dispositions are inspired by their confidence in our justice and in the sincere concern we feel for their welfare; and as long as we discharge these high and honorable functions with the integrity and good faith which alone can entitle us to their continuance we may expect to reap the just reward in their peace and friendship. The expedition of Messrs. Lewis and Clarke for exploring the river Missouri and the best communication from that to the Pacific Ocean has had all the success which could have been expected. They have traced the Missouri nearly to its source, descended the Columbia to the Pacific Ocean, ascertained with accuracy the geography of that interesting communication across our continent, learnt the character of the country, of its commerce and inhabitants; and it is but justice to say that Messrs. Lewis and Clarke and their brave companions have by this arduous service deserved well of their country. The attempt to explore the Red River, under the direction of Mr. Freeman, though conducted with a zeal and prudence meriting entire approbation, has not been equally successful. After proceeding up it about 600 miles, nearly as far as the French settlements had extended while the country was in their possession, our geographers were obliged to return without completing their work. Very useful additions have also been made to our knowledge of the Mississippi by Lieutenant Pike, who has ascended it to its source, and whose journal and map, giving the details of his journey, will shortly be ready for communication to both Houses of Congress. Those of Messrs. Lewis, Clarke, and Freeman will require further time to be digested and prepared. These important surveys, in addition to those before possessed, furnish materials for commencing an accurate map of the Mississippi and its western waters. Some principal rivers, however, remain still to be explored, toward which the authorization of Congress by moderate appropriations will be requisite. I congratulate you, fellow citizens, on the approach of the period at which you may interpose your authority constitutionally to withdraw the citizens of the United States from all further participation in those violations of human rights which have been so long continued on the unoffending inhabitants of Africa, and which the morality, the reputation, and the best of our country have long been eager to proscribe. Although no law you may pass can take prohibitory effect Ôtil the 1st day of the year 1808, yet the intervening period is not too long to prevent by timely notice expeditions which can not be completed before that day. The receipts at the Treasury during the year ending on the 30th day of September last have amounted to near $15M, which have enabled us, after meeting the current demands, to pay $2.7M of the American claims in part of the price of Louisiana; to pay of the funded debt upward of $3M of principal and nearly $4M of interest, and, in addition, to reimburse in the course of the present month near $2M of 5.5% stock. These payments and reimbursements of the funded debt, with those which had been made in the 4 years and a half preceding, will at the close of the present year have extinguished upward of $23M of principal. The duties composing the Mediterranean fund will cease by law at the end of the present session. Considering, however, that they are levied chiefly on luxuries and that we have an impost on salt, a necessary of life, the free use of which otherwise is so important, I recommend to your consideration the suppression of the duties on salt and the continuation of the Mediterranean fund instead thereof for a short time, after which that also will become unnecessary for any purpose now within contemplation. When both of these branches of revenue shall in this way be relinquished there will still ere long be an accumulation of moneys in the Treasury beyond the installments of public debt which we are permitted by contract to pay. They can not then, without a modification assented to by the public creditors, be applied to the extinguishment of this debt and the complete liberation of our revenues, the most desirable of all objects. Nor, if our peace continues, will they be wanting for any other existing purpose. The question therefore now comes forward, To what other objects shall these surpluses be appropriated, and the whole surplus of impost, after the entire discharge of the public debt, and during those intervals when the purposes of war shall not call for them? Shall we suppress the impost and give that advantage to foreign over domestic manufactures? On a few articles of more general and necessary use the suppression in due season will doubtless be right, but the great mass of the articles on which impost is paid are foreign luxuries, purchased by those only who are rich enough to afford themselves the use of them. Their patriotism would certainly prefer its continuance and application to the great purposes of the public education, roads, rivers, canals, and such other objects of public improvement as it may be thought proper to add to the constitutional enumeration of Federal powers. By these operations new channels of communications will be opened between the States, the lines of separation will disappear, their interests will be identified, and their union cemented by new and indissoluble ties. Education is here placed among the articles of public care, not that it would be proposed to take its ordinary branches out of the hands of private enterprise, which manages so much better all the concerns to which it is equal, but a public institution can alone supply those sciences which though rarely called for are yet necessary to complete the circle, all the parts of which contribute to the improvement of the country and some of them to its preservation. The subject is now proposed for the consideration of Congress, because if approved by the time the State legislatures shall have deliberated on this extension of the Federal trusts, and the laws shall be passed and other arrangements made for their execution, the necessary funds will be on hand and without employment. I suppose an amendment to the Constitution, by consent of the States, necessary, because the objects now recommended are not among those enumerated in the Constitution, and to which it permits the public moneys to be applied. The present consideration of a national establishment for education particularly is rendered proper by this circumstance also, that if Congress, approving the proposition, shall yet think it more eligible to found it on a donation of lands, they have it now in their power to endow it with those which will be among the earliest to produce the necessary income. This foundation would have the advantage of being independent of war, which may suspend other improvements by requiring for its own purposes the resources destined for them. This, fellow citizens, is the state of the public interests at the present moment and according to the information now possessed. But such is the situation of the nations of Europe and such, too, the predicament is which we stand with some of them that we can not rely with certainty on the present aspect of our affairs, that may change from moment to moment during the course of your session or after you shall have separated. Our duty is, therefore, to act upon things as they are and to make a reasonable provision for whatever they may be. Were armies to be raised whenever a speck of war is visible in our horizon, we never should have been without them. Our resources would have been exhausted on dangers which have never happened, instead of being reserved for what is really to take place. A steady, perhaps a quickened, pace in preparation for the defense of our sea port towns and waters; an early settlement of the most exposed and vulnerable parts of our country; a militia so organized that its effective portions can be   called to any point in the Union, or volunteers instead of them to serve a sufficient time, are means which may always be ready, yet never preying on our resources until actually called into use. They will maintain the public interests while a more permanent force shall be in course of preparation. But much will depend on the promptitude with which these means can be brought into activity. If war be forced upon us, in spite of our long and vain appeals to the justice of nations, rapid and vigorous movements in its outset will go far toward securing us in its course and issue, and toward throwing its burthens on those who render necessary the resort from reason to force. The result of our negotiations, or such incidents in their course as may enable us to infer their probable   issue; such further movements also on our western frontiers as may shew whether war is to be pressed there while negotiation is protracted elsewhere, shall be communicated to you from time to time as they become known to me, with whatever other information I possess or may receive, which may aid your deliberations on the great national interests committed to your charge.
It would have given me, fellow citizens, great satisfaction to announce in the moment of your meeting that the difficulties in our foreign relations existing at the time of your last separation had been amicably and justly terminated. I lost no time in taking those measures which were most likely to bring them to such a termination - by special missions charged with such powers and instructions as in the event of failure could leave no imputation on either our moderation or forbearance. The delays which have since taken place in our negotiations with the British Government appear to have proceeded from causes which do not forbid the expectation that during the course of the session I may be enabled to lay before you their final issue. What will be that of the negotiations for settling our differences with Spain nothing which had taken place at the date of the last dispatches enables us to pronounce. On the western side of the Mississippi she advanced in considerable force, and took post at the settlement of Bayou Pierre, on the Red River. This village was originally settled by France, was held by her as long as she held Louisiana, and was delivered to Spain only as a part of Louisiana. Being small, insulated, and distant, it was not observed at the moment of redelivery to France and the United States that she continued a guard of half a dozen men which had been stationed there. A proposition, however, having been lately made by our commander in chief to assume the Sabine River as a temporary line of separation between the troops of the two nations until the issue of our negotiations shall be known, this has been referred by the Spanish commandant to his superior, and in the mean time he has withdrawn his force to the western side of the Sabine River. The correspondence on this subject now communicated will exhibit more particularly the present state of things in that quarter. The nature of that country requires indispensably that an unusual proportion of the force employed there should be cavalry or mounted infantry. In order, therefore, that the commanding officer might be enabled to act with effect, I had authorized him to call on the governors of Orleans and Mississippi for a corps of 500 volunteer cavalry. The temporary arrangement he has proposed may perhaps render this unnecessary; but I inform you with great pleasure of the promptitude with which the inhabitants of those Territories have tendered their services in defense of their country. It has done honor to themselves, entitled them to the confidence of their fellow citizens in every part of the Union, and must strengthen the general determination to protect them efficaciously under all circumstances which may occur. Having received information that in another part of the United States a great number of private individuals were combining together, arming and organizing themselves contrary to law, to carry on a military expedition against the territories of Spain, I thought it necessary, by proclamation as well as by special orders, to take measures for preventing and suppressing this enterprise, for seizing the vessels, arms, and other means provided for it, and for arresting and bringing to justice its authors and abettors. It was due to that good faith which ought ever to be the rule of action in public as well as in private transactions, it was due to good order and regular government, that while the public force was acting strictly on defensive and merely to protect our citizens from aggression the criminal attempts of private individuals to decide for their country the question of peace or war by commencing active and unauthorized hostilities should be promptly and efficaciously suppressed. Whether it will be necessary to enlarge our regular forces will depend on the result of our negotiations with Spain; but as it is uncertain when that result will be known, the provisional measures requisite for that, and to meet any pressure intervening in that quarter, will be a subject for your early consideration. The possession of both banks of the Mississippi reducing to a single point the defense of that river, its waters, and the country adjacent, it becomes highly necessary to provide for that point a more adequate security. Some position above its mouth, commanding the passage of the river, should be rendered sufficiently strong to cover the armed vessels which may be stationed there for defense, and in conjunction with them to present an insuperable obstacle to any force attempting to pass. The approaches to the city of New Orleans from the eastern quarter also will require to be examined and more effectually guarded. For the internal support of the country the encouragement of a strong settlement on the western side of the Mississippi, within reach of New Orleans, will be worthy the consideration of the Legislature. The gun boats authorized by an act of the last session are so advanced that they will be ready for service in the ensuing spring. Circumstances permitted us to allow the time necessary for their more solid construction. As a much larger number will still be wanting to place our sea port towns and waters in that state of defense to which we are competent and they entitled, a similar appropriation for a further provision for them is recommended for the ensuing year. A further appropriation will also be necessary for repairing fortifications already established and the erection of such other works as may have real effect in obstructing the approach of an enemy to our sea port towns, or their remaining before them. In a country whose constitution is derived from the will of the people, directly expressed by their free suffrages; where the principal executive functionaries and those of the legislature are renewed by them at short periods; where under the character of jurors they exercise in person the greatest portion of the judiciary powers; where the laws are consequently so formed and administered as to bear with equal weight and favor on all, restraining no man in the pursuits of honest industry and securing to everyone the property which that acquires, it would not be supposed that any safe-guards could be needed against insurrection or enterprise on the public peace or authority. The laws, however, aware that these should not be trusted to moral restraints only, have wisely provided punishment for these crimes when committed. But would it not be salutary to give also the means of preventing their commission? Where an enterprise is meditated by private individuals against a foreign nation in amity with the United States, powers of prevention to a certain extent are given by the laws. Would they not be as reasonable and useful where the enterprise preparing is against the United States? While adverting to this branch of law it is proper to observe that in enterprises meditated against foreign nations the ordinary process of binding to the observance of the peace and good behavior, could it be extended to acts to be done out of the jurisdiction of the United States, would be effectual in some cases where the offender is able to keep out of sight every indication of his purpose which could draw on him the exercise of the powers now given by law. The States on the coast of Barbary seem generally disposed at present to respect our peace and friendship; with Tunis alone some uncertainty remains. Persuaded that it is our interest to maintain our peace with them on equal terms or not at all, I propose to send in due time a reenforcement into the Mediterranean unless previous information shall show it to be necessary. We continue to receive proofs of the growing attachment of our Indian neighbors and of their dispositions to place all their interests under the patronage of the United States. These dispositions are inspired by their confidence in our justice and in the sincere concern we feel for their welfare; and as long as we discharge these high and honorable functions with the integrity and good faith which alone can entitle us to their continuance we may expect to reap the just reward in their peace and friendship. The expedition of Messrs. Lewis and Clarke for exploring the river Missouri and the best communication from that to the Pacific Ocean has had all the success which could have been expected. They have traced the Missouri nearly to its source, descended the Columbia to the Pacific Ocean, ascertained with accuracy the geography of that interesting communication across our continent, learnt the character of the country, of its commerce and inhabitants; and it is but justice to say that Messrs. Lewis and Clarke and their brave companions have by this arduous service deserved well of their country. The attempt to explore the Red River, under the direction of Mr. Freeman, though conducted with a zeal and prudence meriting entire approbation, has not been equally successful. After proceeding up it about 600 miles, nearly as far as the French settlements had extended while the country was in their possession, our geographers were obliged to return without completing their work. Very useful additions have also been made to our knowledge of the Mississippi by Lieutenant Pike, who has ascended it to its source, and whose journal and map, giving the details of his journey, will shortly be ready for communication to both Houses of Congress. Those of Messrs. Lewis, Clarke, and Freeman will require further time to be digested and prepared. These important surveys, in addition to those before possessed, furnish materials for commencing an accurate map of the Mississippi and its western waters. Some principal rivers, however, remain still to be explored, toward which the authorization of Congress by moderate appropriations will be requisite. I congratulate you, fellow citizens, on the approach of the period at which you may interpose your authority constitutionally to withdraw the citizens of the United States from all further participation in those violations of human rights which have been so long continued on the unoffending inhabitants of Africa, and which the morality, the reputation, and the best of our country have long been eager to proscribe. Although no law you may pass can take prohibitory effect Ôtil the 1st day of the year 1808, yet the intervening period is not too long to prevent by timely notice expeditions which can not be completed before that day. The receipts at the Treasury during the year ending on the 30th day of September last have amounted to near $15M, which have enabled us, after meeting the current demands, to pay $2.7M of the American claims in part of the price of Louisiana; to pay of the funded debt upward of $3M of principal and nearly $4M of interest, and, in addition, to reimburse in the course of the present month near $2M of 5.5% stock. These payments and reimbursements of the funded debt, with those which had been made in the 4 years and a half preceding, will at the close of the present year have extinguished upward of $23M of principal. The duties composing the Mediterranean fund will cease by law at the end of the present session. Considering, however, that they are levied chiefly on luxuries and that we have an impost on salt, a necessary of life, the free use of which otherwise is so important, I recommend to your consideration the suppression of the duties on salt and the continuation of the Mediterranean fund instead thereof for a short time, after which that also will become unnecessary for any purpose now within contemplation. When both of these branches of revenue shall in this way be relinquished there will still ere long be an accumulation of moneys in the Treasury beyond the installments of public debt which we are permitted by contract to pay. They can not then, without a modification assented to by the public creditors, be applied to the extinguishment of this debt and the complete liberation of our revenues, the most desirable of all objects. Nor, if our peace continues, will they be wanting for any other existing purpose. The question therefore now comes forward, To what other objects shall these surpluses be appropriated, and the whole surplus of impost, after the entire discharge of the public debt, and during those intervals when the purposes of war shall not call for them? Shall we suppress the impost and give that advantage to foreign over domestic manufactures? On a few articles of more general and necessary use the suppression in due season will doubtless be right, but the great mass of the articles on which impost is paid are foreign luxuries, purchased by those only who are rich enough to afford themselves the use of them. Their patriotism would certainly prefer its continuance and application to the great purposes of the public education, roads, rivers, canals, and such other objects of public improvement as it may be thought proper to add to the constitutional enumeration of Federal powers. By these operations new channels of communications will be opened between the States, the lines of separation will disappear, their interests will be identified, and their union cemented by new and indissoluble ties. Education is here placed among the articles of public care, not that it would be proposed to take its ordinary branches out of the hands of private enterprise, which manages so much better all the concerns to which it is equal, but a public institution can alone supply those sciences which though rarely called for are yet necessary to complete the circle, all the parts of which contribute to the improvement of the country and some of them to its preservation. The subject is now proposed for the consideration of Congress, because if approved by the time the State legislatures shall have deliberated on this extension of the Federal trusts, and the laws shall be passed and other arrangements made for their execution, the necessary funds will be on hand and without employment. I suppose an amendment to the Constitution, by consent of the States, necessary, because the objects now recommended are not among those enumerated in the Constitution, and to which it permits the public moneys to be applied. The present consideration of a national establishment for education particularly is rendered proper by this circumstance also, that if Congress, approving the proposition, shall yet think it more eligible to found it on a donation of lands, they have it now in their power to endow it with those which will be among the earliest to produce the necessary income. This foundation would have the advantage of being independent of war, which may suspend other improvements by requiring for its own purposes the resources destined for them. This, fellow citizens, is the state of the public interests at the present moment and according to the information now possessed. But such is the situation of the nations of Europe and such, too, the predicament is which we stand with some of them that we can not rely with certainty on the present aspect of our affairs, that may change from moment to moment during the course of your session or after you shall have separated. Our duty is, therefore, to act upon things as they are and to make a reasonable provision for whatever they may be. Were armies to be raised whenever a speck of war is visible in our horizon, we never should have been without them. Our resources would have been exhausted on dangers which have never happened, instead of being reserved for what is really to take place. A steady, perhaps a quickened, pace in preparation for the defense of our sea port towns and waters; an early settlement of the most exposed and vulnerable parts of our country; a militia so organized that its effective portions can be called to any point in the Union, or volunteers instead of them to serve a sufficient time, are means which may always be ready, yet never preying on our resources until actually called into use. They will maintain the public interests while a more permanent force shall be in course of preparation. But much will depend on the promptitude with which these means can be brought into activity. If war be forced upon us, in spite of our long and vain appeals to the justice of nations, rapid and vigorous movements in its outset will go far toward securing us in its course and issue, and toward throwing its burthens on those who render necessary the resort from reason to force. The result of our negotiations, or such incidents in their course as may enable us to infer their probable issue; such further movements also on our western frontiers as may shew whether war is to be pressed there while negotiation is protracted elsewhere, shall be communicated to you from time to time as they become known to me, with whatever other information I possess or may receive, which may aid your deliberations on the great national interests committed to your charge.
it would have given me fellow citizens great satisfaction to announce in the moment of your meeting that the difficulties in our foreign relations existing at the time of your last separation had been amicably and justly terminated i lost no time in taking those measures which were most likely to bring them to such a termination by special missions charged with such powers and instructions as in the event of failure could leave no imputation on either our moderation or forbearance the delays which have since taken place in our negotiations with the british government appear to have proceeded from causes which do not forbid the expectation that during the course of the session i may be enabled to lay before you their final issue what will be that of the negotiations for settling our differences with spain nothing which had taken place at the date of the last dispatches enables us to pronounce on the western side of the mississippi she advanced in considerable force and took post at the settlement of bayou pierre on the red river this village was originally settled by france was held by her as long as she held louisiana and was delivered to spain only as a part of louisiana being small insulated and distant it was not observed at the moment of redelivery to france and the united states that she continued a guard of half a dozen men which had been stationed there a proposition however having been lately made by our commander in chief to assume the sabine river as a temporary line of separation between the troops of the two nations until the issue of our negotiations shall be known this has been referred by the spanish commandant to his superior and in the mean time he has withdrawn his force to the western side of the sabine river the correspondence on this subject now communicated will exhibit more particularly the present state of things in that quarter the nature of that country requires indispensably that an unusual proportion of the force employed there should be cavalry or mounted infantry in order therefore that the commanding officer might be enabled to act with effect i had authorized him to call on the governors of orleans and mississippi for a corps of 500 volunteer cavalry the temporary arrangement he has proposed may perhaps render this unnecessary but i inform you with great pleasure of the promptitude with which the inhabitants of those territories have tendered their services in defense of their country it has done honor to themselves entitled them to the confidence of their fellow citizens in every part of the union and must strengthen the general determination to protect them efficaciously under all circumstances which may occur having received information that in another part of the united states a great number of private individuals were combining together arming and organizing themselves contrary to law to carry on a military expedition against the territories of spain i thought it necessary by proclamation as well as by special orders to take measures for preventing and suppressing this enterprise for seizing the vessels arms and other means provided for it and for arresting and bringing to justice its authors and abettors it was due to that good faith which ought ever to be the rule of action in public as well as in private transactions it was due to good order and regular government that while the public force was acting strictly on defensive and merely to protect our citizens from aggression the criminal attempts of private individuals to decide for their country the question of peace or war by commencing active and unauthorized hostilities should be promptly and efficaciously suppressed whether it will be necessary to enlarge our regular forces will depend on the result of our negotiations with spain but as it is uncertain when that result will be known the provisional measures requisite for that and to meet any pressure intervening in that quarter will be a subject for your early consideration the possession of both banks of the mississippi reducing to a single point the defense of that river its waters and the country adjacent it becomes highly necessary to provide for that point a more adequate security some position above its mouth commanding the passage of the river should be rendered sufficiently strong to cover the armed vessels which may be stationed there for defense and in conjunction with them to present an insuperable obstacle to any force attempting to pass the approaches to the city of new orleans from the eastern quarter also will require to be examined and more effectually guarded for the internal support of the country the encouragement of a strong settlement on the western side of the mississippi within reach of new orleans will be worthy the consideration of the legislature the gun boats authorized by an act of the last session are so advanced that they will be ready for service in the ensuing spring circumstances permitted us to allow the time necessary for their more solid construction as a much larger number will still be wanting to place our sea port towns and waters in that state of defense to which we are competent and they entitled a similar appropriation for a further provision for them is recommended for the ensuing year a further appropriation will also be necessary for repairing fortifications already established and the erection of such other works as may have real effect in obstructing the approach of an enemy to our sea port towns or their remaining before them in a country whose constitution is derived from the will of the people directly expressed by their free suffrages where the principal executive functionaries and those of the legislature are renewed by them at short periods where under the character of jurors they exercise in person the greatest portion of the judiciary powers where the laws are consequently so formed and administered as to bear with equal weight and favor on all restraining no man in the pursuits of honest industry and securing to everyone the property which that acquires it would not be supposed that any could be needed against insurrection or enterprise on the public peace or authority the laws however aware that these should not be trusted to moral restraints only have wisely provided punishment for these crimes when committed but would it not be salutary to give also the means of preventing their commission where an enterprise is meditated by private individuals against a foreign nation in amity with the united states powers of prevention to a certain extent are given by the laws would they not be as reasonable and useful where the enterprise preparing is against the united states while adverting to this branch of law it is proper to observe that in enterprises meditated against foreign nations the ordinary process of binding to the observance of the peace and good behavior could it be extended to acts to be done out of the jurisdiction of the united states would be effectual in some cases where the offender is able to keep out of sight every indication of his purpose which could draw on him the exercise of the powers now given by law the states on the coast of barbary seem generally disposed at present to respect our peace and friendship with tunis alone some uncertainty remains persuaded that it is our interest to maintain our peace with them on equal terms or not at all i propose to send in due time a reenforcement into the mediterranean unless previous information shall show it to be necessary we continue to receive proofs of the growing attachment of our indian neighbors and of their dispositions to place all their interests under the patronage of the united states these dispositions are inspired by their confidence in our justice and in the sincere concern we feel for their welfare and as long as we discharge these high and honorable functions with the integrity and good faith which alone can entitle us to their continuance we may expect to reap the just reward in their peace and friendship the expedition of lewis and clarke for exploring the river missouri and the best communication from that to the pacific ocean has had all the success which could have been expected they have traced the missouri nearly to its source descended the columbia to the pacific ocean ascertained with accuracy the geography of that interesting communication across our continent learnt the character of the country of its commerce and inhabitants and it is but justice to say that lewis and clarke and their brave companions have by this arduous service deserved well of their country the attempt to explore the red river under the direction of freeman though conducted with a zeal and prudence meriting entire approbation has not been equally successful after proceeding up it about 600 miles nearly as far as the french settlements had extended while the country was in their possession our geographers were obliged to return without completing their work very useful additions have also been made to our knowledge of the mississippi by lieutenant pike who has ascended it to its source and whose journal and map giving the details of his journey will shortly be ready for communication to both houses of congress those of lewis clarke and freeman will require further time to be digested and prepared these important surveys in addition to those before possessed furnish materials for commencing an accurate map of the mississippi and its western waters some principal rivers however remain still to be explored toward which the authorization of congress by moderate appropriations will be requisite i congratulate you fellow citizens on the approach of the period at which you may interpose your authority constitutionally to withdraw the citizens of the united states from all further participation in those violations of human rights which have been so long continued on the unoffending inhabitants of africa and which the morality the reputation and the best of our country have long been eager to proscribe although no law you may pass can take prohibitory effect ôtil the 1st day of the year 1808 yet the intervening period is not too long to prevent by timely notice expeditions which can not be completed before that day the receipts at the treasury during the year ending on the 30th day of september last have amounted to near 15m which have enabled us after meeting the current demands to pay of the american claims in part of the price of louisiana to pay of the funded debt upward of 3m of principal and nearly 4m of interest and in addition to reimburse in the course of the present month near 2m of stock these payments and reimbursements of the funded debt with those which had been made in the 4 years and a half preceding will at the close of the present year have extinguished upward of 23m of principal the duties composing the mediterranean fund will cease by law at the end of the present session considering however that they are levied chiefly on luxuries and that we have an impost on salt a necessary of life the free use of which otherwise is so important i recommend to your consideration the suppression of the duties on salt and the continuation of the mediterranean fund instead thereof for a short time after which that also will become unnecessary for any purpose now within contemplation when both of these branches of revenue shall in this way be relinquished there will still ere long be an accumulation of moneys in the treasury beyond the installments of public debt which we are permitted by contract to pay they can not then without a modification assented to by the public creditors be applied to the extinguishment of this debt and the complete liberation of our revenues the most desirable of all objects nor if our peace continues will they be wanting for any other existing purpose the question therefore now comes forward to what other objects shall these surpluses be appropriated and the whole surplus of impost after the entire discharge of the public debt and during those intervals when the purposes of war shall not call for them shall we suppress the impost and give that advantage to foreign over domestic manufactures on a few articles of more general and necessary use the suppression in due season will doubtless be right but the great mass of the articles on which impost is paid are foreign luxuries purchased by those only who are rich enough to afford themselves the use of them their patriotism would certainly prefer its continuance and application to the great purposes of the public education roads rivers canals and such other objects of public improvement as it may be thought proper to add to the constitutional enumeration of federal powers by these operations new channels of communications will be opened between the states the lines of separation will disappear their interests will be identified and their union cemented by new and indissoluble ties education is here placed among the articles of public care not that it would be proposed to take its ordinary branches out of the hands of private enterprise which manages so much better all the concerns to which it is equal but a public institution can alone supply those sciences which though rarely called for are yet necessary to complete the circle all the parts of which contribute to the improvement of the country and some of them to its preservation the subject is now proposed for the consideration of congress because if approved by the time the state legislatures shall have deliberated on this extension of the federal trusts and the laws shall be passed and other arrangements made for their execution the necessary funds will be on hand and without employment i suppose an amendment to the constitution by consent of the states necessary because the objects now recommended are not among those enumerated in the constitution and to which it permits the public moneys to be applied the present consideration of a national establishment for education particularly is rendered proper by this circumstance also that if congress approving the proposition shall yet think it more eligible to found it on a donation of lands they have it now in their power to endow it with those which will be among the earliest to produce the necessary income this foundation would have the advantage of being independent of war which may suspend other improvements by requiring for its own purposes the resources destined for them this fellow citizens is the state of the public interests at the present moment and according to the information now possessed but such is the situation of the nations of europe and such too the predicament is which we stand with some of them that we can not rely with certainty on the present aspect of our affairs that may change from moment to moment during the course of your session or after you shall have separated our duty is therefore to act upon things as they are and to make a reasonable provision for whatever they may be were armies to be raised whenever a speck of war is visible in our horizon we never should have been without them our resources would have been exhausted on dangers which have never happened instead of being reserved for what is really to take place a steady perhaps a quickened pace in preparation for the defense of our sea port towns and waters an early settlement of the most exposed and vulnerable parts of our country a militia so organized that its effective portions can be called to any point in the union or volunteers instead of them to serve a sufficient time are means which may always be ready yet never preying on our resources until actually called into use they will maintain the public interests while a more permanent force shall be in course of preparation but much will depend on the promptitude with which these means can be brought into activity if war be forced upon us in spite of our long and vain appeals to the justice of nations rapid and vigorous movements in its outset will go far toward securing us in its course and issue and toward throwing its burthens on those who render necessary the resort from reason to force the result of our negotiations or such incidents in their course as may enable us to infer their probable issue such further movements also on our western frontiers as may shew whether war is to be pressed there while negotiation is protracted elsewhere shall be communicated to you from time to time as they become known to me with whatever other information i possess or may receive which may aid your deliberations on the great national interests committed to your charge
would given fellow citizens great satisfaction announce moment meeting difficulties foreign relations existing time last separation amicably justly terminated lost time taking measures likely bring termination special missions charged powers instructions event failure could leave imputation either moderation forbearance delays since taken place negotiations british government appear proceeded causes forbid expectation course session may enabled lay final issue negotiations settling differences spain nothing taken place date last dispatches enables us pronounce western side mississippi advanced considerable force took post settlement bayou pierre red river village originally settled france held long held louisiana delivered spain part louisiana small insulated distant observed moment redelivery france united states continued guard half dozen men stationed proposition however lately made commander chief assume sabine river temporary line separation troops two nations issue negotiations shall known referred spanish commandant superior mean time withdrawn force western side sabine river correspondence subject communicated exhibit particularly present state things quarter nature country requires indispensably unusual proportion force employed cavalry mounted infantry order therefore commanding officer might enabled act effect authorized call governors orleans mississippi corps 500 volunteer cavalry temporary arrangement proposed may perhaps render unnecessary inform great pleasure promptitude inhabitants territories tendered services defense country done honor entitled confidence fellow citizens every part union must strengthen general determination protect efficaciously circumstances may occur received information another part united states great number private individuals combining together arming organizing contrary law carry military expedition territories spain thought necessary proclamation well special orders take measures preventing suppressing enterprise seizing vessels arms means provided arresting bringing justice authors abettors due good faith ought ever rule action public well private transactions due good order regular government public force acting strictly defensive merely protect citizens aggression criminal attempts private individuals decide country question peace war commencing active unauthorized hostilities promptly efficaciously suppressed whether necessary enlarge regular forces depend result negotiations spain uncertain result known provisional measures requisite meet pressure intervening quarter subject early consideration possession banks mississippi reducing single point defense river waters country adjacent becomes highly necessary provide point adequate security position mouth commanding passage river rendered sufficiently strong cover armed vessels may stationed defense conjunction present insuperable obstacle force attempting pass approaches city new orleans eastern quarter also require examined effectually guarded internal support country encouragement strong settlement western side mississippi within reach new orleans worthy consideration legislature gun boats authorized act last session advanced ready service ensuing spring circumstances permitted us allow time necessary solid construction much larger number still wanting place sea port towns waters state defense competent entitled similar appropriation provision recommended ensuing year appropriation also necessary repairing fortifications already established erection works may real effect obstructing approach enemy sea port towns remaining country whose constitution derived people directly expressed free suffrages principal executive functionaries legislature renewed short periods character jurors exercise person greatest portion judiciary powers laws consequently formed administered bear equal weight favor restraining man pursuits honest industry securing everyone property acquires would supposed could needed insurrection enterprise public peace authority laws however aware trusted moral restraints wisely provided punishment crimes committed would salutary give also means preventing commission enterprise meditated private individuals foreign nation amity united states powers prevention certain extent given laws would reasonable useful enterprise preparing united states adverting branch law proper observe enterprises meditated foreign nations ordinary process binding observance peace good behavior could extended acts done jurisdiction united states would effectual cases offender able keep sight every indication purpose could draw exercise powers given law states coast barbary seem generally disposed present respect peace friendship tunis alone uncertainty remains persuaded interest maintain peace equal terms propose send due time reenforcement mediterranean unless previous information shall show necessary continue receive proofs growing attachment indian neighbors dispositions place interests patronage united states dispositions inspired confidence justice sincere concern feel welfare long discharge high honorable functions integrity good faith alone entitle us continuance may expect reap reward peace friendship expedition lewis clarke exploring river missouri best communication pacific ocean success could expected traced missouri nearly source descended columbia pacific ocean ascertained accuracy geography interesting communication across continent learnt character country commerce inhabitants justice say lewis clarke brave companions arduous service deserved well country attempt explore red river direction freeman though conducted zeal prudence meriting entire approbation equally successful proceeding 600 miles nearly far french settlements extended country possession geographers obliged return without completing work useful additions also made knowledge mississippi lieutenant pike ascended source whose journal map giving details journey shortly ready communication houses congress lewis clarke freeman require time digested prepared important surveys addition possessed furnish materials commencing accurate map mississippi western waters principal rivers however remain still explored toward authorization congress moderate appropriations requisite congratulate fellow citizens approach period may interpose authority constitutionally withdraw citizens united states participation violations human rights long continued unoffending inhabitants africa morality reputation best country long eager proscribe although law may pass take prohibitory effect ôtil 1st day year 1808 yet intervening period long prevent timely notice expeditions completed day receipts treasury year ending 30th day september last amounted near 15m enabled us meeting current demands pay american claims part price louisiana pay funded debt upward 3m principal nearly 4m interest addition reimburse course present month near 2m stock payments reimbursements funded debt made 4 years half preceding close present year extinguished upward 23m principal duties composing mediterranean fund cease law end present session considering however levied chiefly luxuries impost salt necessary life free use otherwise important recommend consideration suppression duties salt continuation mediterranean fund instead thereof short time also become unnecessary purpose within contemplation branches revenue shall way relinquished still ere long accumulation moneys treasury beyond installments public debt permitted contract pay without modification assented public creditors applied extinguishment debt complete liberation revenues desirable objects peace continues wanting existing purpose question therefore comes forward objects shall surpluses appropriated whole surplus impost entire discharge public debt intervals purposes war shall call shall suppress impost give advantage foreign domestic manufactures articles general necessary use suppression due season doubtless right great mass articles impost paid foreign luxuries purchased rich enough afford use patriotism would certainly prefer continuance application great purposes public education roads rivers canals objects public improvement may thought proper add constitutional enumeration federal powers operations new channels communications opened states lines separation disappear interests identified union cemented new indissoluble ties education placed among articles public care would proposed take ordinary branches hands private enterprise manages much better concerns equal public institution alone supply sciences though rarely called yet necessary complete circle parts contribute improvement country preservation subject proposed consideration congress approved time state legislatures shall deliberated extension federal trusts laws shall passed arrangements made execution necessary funds hand without employment suppose amendment constitution consent states necessary objects recommended among enumerated constitution permits public moneys applied present consideration national establishment education particularly rendered proper circumstance also congress approving proposition shall yet think eligible found donation lands power endow among earliest produce necessary income foundation would advantage independent war may suspend improvements requiring purposes resources destined fellow citizens state public interests present moment according information possessed situation nations europe predicament stand rely certainty present aspect affairs may change moment moment course session shall separated duty therefore act upon things make reasonable provision whatever may armies raised whenever speck war visible horizon never without resources would exhausted dangers never happened instead reserved really take place steady perhaps quickened pace preparation defense sea port towns waters early settlement exposed vulnerable parts country militia organized effective portions called point union volunteers instead serve sufficient time means may always ready yet never preying resources actually called use maintain public interests permanent force shall course preparation much depend promptitude means brought activity war forced upon us spite long vain appeals justice nations rapid vigorous movements outset go far toward securing us course issue toward throwing burthens render necessary resort reason force result negotiations incidents course may enable us infer probable issue movements also western frontiers may shew whether war pressed negotiation protracted elsewhere shall communicated time time become known whatever information possess may receive may aid deliberations great national interests committed charge
would give fellow citizen great satisfaction announce moment meeting difficulty foreign relation exist time last separation amicably justly terminate lost time take measure likely bring termination special mission charge power instruction event failure could leave imputation either moderation forbearance delay since take place negotiation british government appear proceed cause forbid expectation course session may enable lay final issue negotiation settle difference spain nothing take place date last dispatch enable u pronounce western side mississippi advance considerable force take post settlement bayou pierre red river village originally settle france hold long hold louisiana deliver spain part louisiana small insulated distant observe moment redelivery france united state continue guard half dozen men station proposition however lately make commander chief assume sabine river temporary line separation troop two nation issue negotiation shall know referred spanish commandant superior mean time withdrawn force western side sabine river correspondence subject communicated exhibit particularly present state thing quarter nature country require indispensably unusual proportion force employ cavalry mount infantry order therefore command officer might enable act effect authorize call governor orleans mississippi corp 500 volunteer cavalry temporary arrangement propose may perhaps render unnecessary inform great pleasure promptitude inhabitant territory tender service defense country do honor entitle confidence fellow citizen every part union must strengthen general determination protect efficaciously circumstance may occur receive information another part united state great number private individual combine together arm organize contrary law carry military expedition territory spain thought necessary proclamation well special order take measure prevent suppress enterprise seize vessel arm mean provide arrest bring justice author abettor due good faith ought ever rule action public well private transaction due good order regular government public force act strictly defensive merely protect citizen aggression criminal attempt private individual decide country question peace war commence active unauthorized hostility promptly efficaciously suppress whether necessary enlarge regular force depend result negotiation spain uncertain result know provisional measure requisite meet pressure intervene quarter subject early consideration possession bank mississippi reduce single point defense river water country adjacent become highly necessary provide point adequate security position mouth commanding passage river render sufficiently strong cover arm vessel may station defense conjunction present insuperable obstacle force attempt pas approach city new orleans eastern quarter also require examine effectually guard internal support country encouragement strong settlement western side mississippi within reach new orleans worthy consideration legislature gun boat authorize act last session advance ready service ensue spring circumstance permit u allow time necessary solid construction much large number still want place sea port town water state defense competent entitle similar appropriation provision recommend ensue year appropriation also necessary repair fortification already establish erection work may real effect obstruct approach enemy sea port town remain country whose constitution derive people directly express free suffrage principal executive functionary legislature renew short period character juror exercise person great portion judiciary power law consequently form administer bear equal weight favor restrain man pursuits honest industry secure everyone property acquires would suppose could need insurrection enterprise public peace authority law however aware trusted moral restraint wisely provide punishment crime commit would salutary give also mean prevent commission enterprise meditated private individual foreign nation amity united state power prevention certain extent give law would reasonable useful enterprise preparing united state advert branch law proper observe enterprise meditate foreign nation ordinary process bind observance peace good behavior could extend act do jurisdiction united state would effectual case offender able keep sight every indication purpose could draw exercise power give law state coast barbary seem generally dispose present respect peace friendship tunis alone uncertainty remain persuaded interest maintain peace equal term propose send due time reenforcement mediterranean unless previous information shall show necessary continue receive proof grow attachment indian neighbor disposition place interest patronage united state disposition inspire confidence justice sincere concern feel welfare long discharge high honorable function integrity good faith alone entitle u continuance may expect reap reward peace friendship expedition lewis clarke explore river missouri best communication pacific ocean success could expect trace missouri nearly source descend columbia pacific ocean ascertain accuracy geography interest communication across continent learnt character country commerce inhabitant justice say lewis clarke brave companion arduous service deserve well country attempt explore red river direction freeman though conducted zeal prudence merit entire approbation equally successful proceed 600 mile nearly far french settlement extend country possession geographer oblige return without complete work useful addition also make knowledge mississippi lieutenant pike ascend source whose journal map give detail journey shortly ready communication house congress lewis clarke freeman require time digest prepared important survey addition possess furnish material commence accurate map mississippi western water principal river however remain still explore toward authorization congress moderate appropriation requisite congratulate fellow citizen approach period may interpose authority constitutionally withdraw citizen united state participation violation human right long continue unoffending inhabitant africa morality reputation best country long eager proscribe although law may pass take prohibitory effect ôtil 1st day year 1808 yet intervene period long prevent timely notice expedition complete day receipt treasury year end 30th day september last amounted near 15m enable u meet current demand pay american claim part price louisiana pay fund debt upward 3m principal nearly 4m interest addition reimburse course present month near 2m stock payment reimbursement fund debt make 4 year half precede close present year extinguish upward 23m principal duty compose mediterranean fund cease law end present session consider however levy chiefly luxury impost salt necessary life free use otherwise important recommend consideration suppression duty salt continuation mediterranean fund instead thereof short time also become unnecessary purpose within contemplation branch revenue shall way relinquish still ere long accumulation money treasury beyond installment public debt permit contract pay without modification assent public creditor apply extinguishment debt complete liberation revenue desirable object peace continue want exist purpose question therefore come forward object shall surplus appropriate whole surplus impost entire discharge public debt interval purpose war shall call shall suppress impost give advantage foreign domestic manufacture article general necessary use suppression due season doubtless right great mass article impost pay foreign luxury purchase rich enough afford use patriotism would certainly prefer continuance application great purpose public education roads river canal object public improvement may think proper add constitutional enumeration federal power operation new channel communication open state line separation disappear interest identify union cement new indissoluble tie education place among article public care would propose take ordinary branch hand private enterprise manage much good concern equal public institution alone supply science though rarely call yet necessary complete circle part contribute improvement country preservation subject propose consideration congress approve time state legislature shall deliberate extension federal trust law shall pass arrangement make execution necessary fund hand without employment suppose amendment constitution consent state necessary object recommend among enumerated constitution permit public money apply present consideration national establishment education particularly render proper circumstance also congress approve proposition shall yet think eligible find donation land power endow among early produce necessary income foundation would advantage independent war may suspend improvement require purpose resource destine fellow citizen state public interest present moment accord information possess situation nation europe predicament stand rely certainty present aspect affair may change moment moment course session shall separate duty therefore act upon thing make reasonable provision whatever may army raise whenever speck war visible horizon never without resource would exhaust danger never happen instead reserve really take place steady perhaps quicken pace preparation defense sea port town water early settlement expose vulnerable part country militia organize effective portion call point union volunteer instead serve sufficient time mean may always ready yet never prey resource actually call use maintain public interest permanent force shall course preparation much depend promptitude mean brought activity war force upon u spite long vain appeal justice nation rapid vigorous movement outset go far toward secure u course issue toward throw burthen render necessary resort reason force result negotiation incident course may enable u infer probable issue movement also western frontier may shew whether war press negotiation protract elsewhere shall communicate time time become know whatever information possess may receive may aid deliberation great national interest commit charge