In calling you together, fellow citizens, at an earlier day than was contemplated by the act of the last session of Congress, I have not been insensible to the personal inconveniences necessarily resulting from an unexpected change in your arrangements, but matters of great public concernment have rendered this call necessary, and the interests you feel in these will supersede in your minds all private considerations. Congress witnessed at their late session the extraordinary agitation produced in the public mind by the suspension of our right of deposit at the port of New Orleans, no assignment of another place having been made according to treaty. They were sensible that the continuance of that privation would be more injurious to our nation than any consequences which could flow from any mode of redress, but reposing just confidence in the good faith of the Government whose officer had committed the wrong, friendly and reasonable representations were resorted to, and the right of deposit was restored. Previous, however, to this period we had not been unaware of the danger to which our peace would be perpetually exposed whilst so important a key to the commerce of the Western country remained under foreign power. Difficulties, too, were presenting themselves as to the navigation of other streams which, arising within our territories, pass through those adjacent. Propositions had therefore been authorized for obtaining on fair conditions the sovereignty of New Orleans and of other possessions in that quarter interesting to our quiet to such extent as was deemed practicable, and the provisional appropriation of $2M to be applied and accounted for by the President of the United States, intended as part of the price, was considered as conveying the sanction of Congress to the acquisition proposed. The enlightened Government of France saw with just discernment the importance to both nations of such liberal arrangements as might best and permanently promote the peace, friendship, and interests of both, and the property and sovereignty of all Louisiana which had been restored to them have on certain conditions been transferred to the United States by instruments bearing date the 30th of April last. When these shall have received the constitutional sanction of the Senate, they will without delay be communicated to the Representatives also for the exercise of their functions as to those conditions which are within the powers vested by the Constitution in Congress. Whilst the property and sovereignty of the Mississippi and its waters secure an independent outlet for the produce of the Western States and an uncontrolled navigation through their whole course, free from collision with other powers and the dangers to our peace from that source, the fertility of the country, its climate and extent, promise in due season important aids to our Treasury, an ample provision for our posterity, and a wide spread for the blessings of freedom and equal laws. With the wisdom of Congress it will rest to take those ulterior measures which may be necessary for the immediate occupation and temporary government of the country; for its incorporation into our Union; for rendering the change of government a blessing to our newly adopted brethren; for securing to them the rights of conscience and of property; for confirming to the Indian inhabitants their occupancy and self-government, establishing friendly and commercial relations with them, and for ascertaining the geography of the country acquired. Such materials, for your information, relative to its affairs in general as the short space of time has permitted me to collect will be laid before you when the subject shall be in a state for your consideration. Another important acquisition of territory has also been made since the last session of Congress. The friendly tribe of Kaskaskia Indians, with which we have never had a difference, reduced by the wars and wants of savage life to a few individuals unable to defend themselves against the neighboring tribes, has transferred its country to the United States, reserving only for its members what is sufficient to maintain them in an agricultural way. The considerations stipulated are that we shall extend to them our patronage and protection and give them certain annual aids in money, in implements of agriculture, and other articles of their choice. This country, among the most fertile within our limits, extending along the Mississippi from the mouth of the Illinois to and up to the Ohio, though not so necessary as a barrier since the acquisition of the other bank, may yet be well worthy of being laid open to immediate settlement, as its inhabitants may descend with rapidity in support of the lower country should future circumstances expose that to foreign enterprise. As the stipulations in this treaty involve matters with the competence of both Houses only, it will be laid before Congress as soon as the Senate shall have advised its ratification. With many of the other Indian tribes improvements in agriculture and household manufacture are advancing, and with all our peace and friendship are established on grounds much firmer than heretofore. The measure adopted of establishing trading houses among them and of furnishing them necessaries in exchange for their commodities at such moderate prices as leave no gain, but cover us from loss, has the most conciliatory and useful effect on them, and is that which will best secure their peace and good will. The small vessels authorized by Congress with a view to the Mediterranean service have been sent into that sea, and will be able more effectually to confine the Tripoline cruisers within their harbors and supersede the necessity of convoy to our commerce in that quarter. They will sensibly lessen the expenses of that service the ensuing year. A further knowledge of the ground in the northeastern and northwestern angles of the United States has evinced that the boundaries established by the treaty of Paris between the British territories and ours in those parts were too imperfectly described to be susceptible of execution. It has therefore been thought worthy of attention for preserving and cherishing the harmony and useful intercourse subsisting between the two nations to remove by timely arrangements what unfavorable incidents might otherwise render a ground of future misunderstanding. A convention has therefore been entered into which provides for a practicable demarcation of those limits to the satisfaction of both parties. An account of the receipts and expenditures of the year ending the 30th of September last, with the estimates for the service of the ensuing year, will be laid before you by the Secretary of the Treasury so soon as the receipts of the last quarter shall be returned from the more distant States. It is already ascertained that the amount paid into the Treasury for that year has been between $11M and $12M, and that the revenue accrued during the same term exceeds the sum counted on as sufficient for our current expenses and to extinguish the public debt within the period heretofore proposed. The amount of debt paid for the same year is about $3.1M exclusive of interest, and making, with the payment of the preceding year, a discharge of more than $8.5M of the principal of that debt, besides the accruing interest; and there remain in the Treasury nearly $6M. Of these, $880K have been reserved for payment of the first installment due under the British convention of 1802 January 08, and $2 millions are what have been before mentioned as placed by Congress under the power and accountability of the President toward the price of New Orleans and other territories acquired, which, remaining untouched, are still applicable to that object and go in diminution of the sum to be funded for it. Should the acquisition of Louisiana be constitutionally confirmed and carried into effect, a sum of nearly $13M will then be added to our public debt, most of which is payable after 15 years, before which term the present existing debts will all be discharged by the established operation of the sinking fund. When we contemplate the ordinary annual augmentation of impost from increasing population and wealth, the augmentation of the same revenue by its extension to the new acquisition, and the economies which may still be introduced into our public expenditures, I can not but hope that Congress in reviewing their resources will find means to meet the intermediate interest of this additional debt without recurring to new taxes, and applying to this object only the ordinary progression of our revenue. Its extraordinary increase in times of foreign war will be the proper and sufficient fund for any measures of safety or precaution which that state of things may render necessary in our neutral position. Remittances for the installments of our foreign debt having been found practicable without loss, it has not been thought expedient to use the power given by a former act of Congress of continuing them by reloans, and of redeeming instead thereof equal sums of domestic debt, although no difficulty was found in obtaining that accommodation. The sum of $50K appropriated by Congress for providing gun boats remains unexpended. The favorable and peaceable turn of affairs on the Mississippi rendered an immediate execution of that law unnecessary, and time was desirable in order that the institution of that branch of our force might begin on models the most approved by experience. The same issue of events dispensed with a resort to the appropriation of $1.5M, contemplated for purposes which were effected by happier means. We have seen with sincere concern the flames of war lighted up again in Europe, and nations with which we have the most friendly and useful relations engaged in mutual destruction. While we regret the miseries in which we see others involved, let us bow with gratitude to that kind Providence which, inspiring with wisdom and moderation our late legislative councils while placed under the urgency of the greatest wrongs guarded us from hastily entering into the sanguinity contest and left us only to look on and pity its ravages. These will be heaviest on those immediately engaged. Yet the nations pursuing peace will not be exempt from all evil. In the course of this conflict let it be our endeavor, as it is our interest and desire, Congress will consider whether the existing laws enable us efficaciously to maintain this course with our citizens in all places and with others while within the limits of our jurisdiction, and will give them the new modifications necessary for these objects. Some contraventions of right have already taken place, both within our jurisdictional limits and on the high seas. The friendly disposition of the Governments from whose agents they have proceeded, as well as their wisdom and regard for justice, leave us in reasonable expectation that they will be rectified and prevented in future, and that no act will be countenanced by them which threatens to disturb our friendly intercourse. Separated by a wide ocean from the nations of Europe and from the political interests which entangle them together, with productions and wants which render our commerce and friendship useful to them and theirs to us, it can not be the interest of any to assail us, nor ours to disturb them. We should be most unwise, indeed, were we to cast away the singular blessings of the position in which nature has placed us, the opportunity she has endowed us with of pursuing, at a distance from foreign contentions, the paths of industry, peace, and happiness, of cultivating general friendship, and of bringing collisions of interest to the umpirage of reason rather than of force. How desirable, then, must it be in a Government like ours to see its citizens adopt individually the views, the interests, and the conduct which their country should pursue, divesting themselves of those passions and partialities which tend to lessen useful friendships and to embarrass and embroil us in the calamitous scenes of Europe. Confident, fellow citizens, that you will duly estimate the importance of neutral dispositions toward the observance of neutral conduct, that you will be sensible how much it is our duty to look on the bloody arena spread before us with commiseration indeed, but with no other wish than to see it closed, I am persuaded you will cordially cherish these dispositions in all discussions among yourselves and in all communications with your constituents; and I anticipate with satisfaction the measures of wisdom which the great interests now committed to you will give you an opportunity of providing, and myself that of approving and carrying into execution with the fidelity I owe to my country.
In calling you together, fellow citizens, at an earlier day than was contemplated by the act of the last session of Congress, I have not been insensible to the personal inconveniences necessarily resulting from an unexpected change in your arrangements, but matters of great public concernment have rendered this call necessary, and the interests you feel in these will supersede in your minds all private considerations. Congress witnessed at their late session the extraordinary agitation produced in the public mind by the suspension of our right of deposit at the port of New Orleans, no assignment of another place having been made according to treaty. They were sensible that the continuance of that privation would be more injurious to our nation than any consequences which could flow from any mode of redress, but reposing just confidence in the good faith of the Government whose officer had committed the wrong, friendly and reasonable representations were resorted to, and the right of deposit was restored. Previous, however, to this period we had not been unaware of the danger to which our peace would be perpetually exposed whilst so important a key to the commerce of the Western country remained under foreign power. Difficulties, too, were presenting themselves as to the navigation of other streams which, arising within our territories, pass through those adjacent. Propositions had therefore been authorized for obtaining on fair conditions the sovereignty of New Orleans and of other possessions in that quarter interesting to our quiet to such extent as was deemed practicable, and the provisional appropriation of $2M to be applied and accounted for by the President of the United States, intended as part of the price, was considered as conveying the sanction of Congress to the acquisition proposed. The enlightened Government of France saw with just discernment the importance to both nations of such liberal arrangements as might best and permanently promote the peace, friendship, and interests of both, and the property and sovereignty of all Louisiana which had been restored to them have on certain conditions been transferred to the United States by instruments bearing date the 30th of April last. When these shall have received the constitutional sanction of the Senate, they will without delay be communicated to the Representatives also for the exercise of their functions as to those conditions which are within the powers vested by the Constitution in Congress. Whilst the property and sovereignty of the Mississippi and its waters secure an independent outlet for the produce of the Western States and an uncontrolled navigation through their whole course, free from collision with other powers and the dangers to our peace from that source, the fertility of the country, its climate and extent, promise in due season important aids to our Treasury, an ample provision for our posterity, and a wide spread for the blessings of freedom and equal laws. With the wisdom of Congress it will rest to take those ulterior measures which may be necessary for the immediate occupation and temporary government of the country; for its incorporation into our Union; for rendering the change of government a blessing to our newly adopted brethren; for securing to them the rights of conscience and of property; for confirming to the Indian inhabitants their occupancy and self-government, establishing friendly and commercial relations with them, and for ascertaining the geography of the country acquired. Such materials, for your information, relative to its affairs in general as the short space of time has permitted me to collect will be laid before you when the subject shall be in a state for your consideration. Another important acquisition of territory has also been made since the last session of Congress. The friendly tribe of Kaskaskia Indians, with which we have never had a difference, reduced by the wars and wants of savage life to a few individuals unable to defend themselves against the neighboring tribes, has transferred its country to the United States, reserving only for its members what is sufficient to maintain them in an agricultural way. The considerations stipulated are that we shall extend to them our patronage and protection and give them certain annual aids in money, in implements of agriculture, and other articles of their choice. This country, among the most fertile within our limits, extending along the Mississippi from the mouth of the Illinois to and up to the Ohio, though not so necessary as a barrier since the acquisition of the other bank, may yet be well worthy of being laid open to immediate settlement, as its inhabitants may descend with rapidity in support of the lower country should future circumstances expose that to foreign enterprise. As the stipulations in this treaty involve matters with the competence of both Houses only, it will be laid before Congress as soon as the Senate shall have advised its ratification. With many of the other Indian tribes improvements in agriculture and household manufacture are advancing, and with all our peace and friendship are established on grounds much firmer than heretofore. The measure adopted of establishing trading houses among them and of furnishing them necessaries in exchange for their commodities at such moderate prices as leave no gain, but cover us from loss, has the most conciliatory and useful effect on them, and is that which will best secure their peace and good will. The small vessels authorized by Congress with a view to the Mediterranean service have been sent into that sea, and will be able more effectually to confine the Tripoline cruisers within their harbors and supersede the necessity of convoy to our commerce in that quarter. They will sensibly lessen the expenses of that service the ensuing year. A further knowledge of the ground in the northeastern and northwestern angles of the United States has evinced that the boundaries established by the treaty of Paris between the British territories and ours in those parts were too imperfectly described to be susceptible of execution. It has therefore been thought worthy of attention for preserving and cherishing the harmony and useful intercourse subsisting between the two nations to remove by timely arrangements what unfavorable incidents might otherwise render a ground of future misunderstanding. A convention has therefore been entered into which provides for a practicable demarcation of those limits to the satisfaction of both parties. An account of the receipts and expenditures of the year ending the 30th of September last, with the estimates for the service of the ensuing year, will be laid before you by the Secretary of the Treasury so soon as the receipts of the last quarter shall be returned from the more distant States. It is already ascertained that the amount paid into the Treasury for that year has been between $11M and $12M, and that the revenue accrued during the same term exceeds the sum counted on as sufficient for our current expenses and to extinguish the public debt within the period heretofore proposed. The amount of debt paid for the same year is about $3.1M exclusive of interest, and making, with the payment of the preceding year, a discharge of more than $8.5M of the principal of that debt, besides the accruing interest; and there remain in the Treasury nearly $6M. Of these, $880K have been reserved for payment of the first installment due under the British convention of 1802 January 08, and $2 millions are what have been before mentioned as placed by Congress under the power and accountability of the President toward the price of New Orleans and other territories acquired, which, remaining untouched, are still applicable to that object and go in diminution of the sum to be funded for it. Should the acquisition of Louisiana be constitutionally confirmed and carried into effect, a sum of nearly $13M will then be added to our public debt, most of which is payable after 15 years, before which term the present existing debts will all be discharged by the established operation of the sinking fund. When we contemplate the ordinary annual augmentation of impost from increasing population and wealth, the augmentation of the same revenue by its extension to the new acquisition, and the economies which may still be introduced into our public expenditures, I can not but hope that Congress in reviewing their resources will find means to meet the intermediate interest of this additional debt without recurring to new taxes, and applying to this object only the ordinary progression of our revenue. Its extraordinary increase in times of foreign war will be the proper and sufficient fund for any measures of safety or precaution which that state of things may render necessary in our neutral position. Remittances for the installments of our foreign debt having been found practicable without loss, it has not been thought expedient to use the power given by a former act of Congress of continuing them by reloans, and of redeeming instead thereof equal sums of domestic debt, although no difficulty was found in obtaining that accommodation. The sum of $50K appropriated by Congress for providing gun boats remains unexpended. The favorable and peaceable turn of affairs on the Mississippi rendered an immediate execution of that law unnecessary, and time was desirable in order that the institution of that branch of our force might begin on models the most approved by experience. The same issue of events dispensed with a resort to the appropriation of $1.5M, contemplated for purposes which were effected by happier means. We have seen with sincere concern the flames of war lighted up again in Europe, and nations with which we have the most friendly and useful relations engaged in mutual destruction. While we regret the miseries in which we see others involved, let us bow with gratitude to that kind Providence which, inspiring with wisdom and moderation our late legislative councils while placed under the urgency of the greatest wrongs guarded us from hastily entering into the sanguinity contest and left us only to look on and pity its ravages. These will be heaviest on those immediately engaged. Yet the nations pursuing peace will not be exempt from all evil. In the course of this conflict let it be our endeavor, as it is our interest and desire, Congress will consider whether the existing laws enable us efficaciously to maintain this course with our citizens in all places and with others while within the limits of our jurisdiction, and will give them the new modifications necessary for these objects. Some contraventions of right have already taken place, both within our jurisdictional limits and on the high seas. The friendly disposition of the Governments from whose agents they have proceeded, as well as their wisdom and regard for justice, leave us in reasonable expectation that they will be rectified and prevented in future, and that no act will be countenanced by them which threatens to disturb our friendly intercourse. Separated by a wide ocean from the nations of Europe and from the political interests which entangle them together, with productions and wants which render our commerce and friendship useful to them and theirs to us, it can not be the interest of any to assail us, nor ours to disturb them. We should be most unwise, indeed, were we to cast away the singular blessings of the position in which nature has placed us, the opportunity she has endowed us with of pursuing, at a distance from foreign contentions, the paths of industry, peace, and happiness, of cultivating general friendship, and of bringing collisions of interest to the umpirage of reason rather than of force. How desirable, then, must it be in a Government like ours to see its citizens adopt individually the views, the interests, and the conduct which their country should pursue, divesting themselves of those passions and partialities which tend to lessen useful friendships and to embarrass and embroil us in the calamitous scenes of Europe. Confident, fellow citizens, that you will duly estimate the importance of neutral dispositions toward the observance of neutral conduct, that you will be sensible how much it is our duty to look on the bloody arena spread before us with commiseration indeed, but with no other wish than to see it closed, I am persuaded you will cordially cherish these dispositions in all discussions among yourselves and in all communications with your constituents; and I anticipate with satisfaction the measures of wisdom which the great interests now committed to you will give you an opportunity of providing, and myself that of approving and carrying into execution with the fidelity I owe to my country.
in calling you together fellow citizens at an earlier day than was contemplated by the act of the last session of congress i have not been insensible to the personal inconveniences necessarily resulting from an unexpected change in your arrangements but matters of great public concernment have rendered this call necessary and the interests you feel in these will supersede in your minds all private considerations congress witnessed at their late session the extraordinary agitation produced in the public mind by the suspension of our right of deposit at the port of new orleans no assignment of another place having been made according to treaty they were sensible that the continuance of that privation would be more injurious to our nation than any consequences which could flow from any mode of redress but reposing just confidence in the good faith of the government whose officer had committed the wrong friendly and reasonable representations were resorted to and the right of deposit was restored previous however to this period we had not been unaware of the danger to which our peace would be perpetually exposed whilst so important a key to the commerce of the western country remained under foreign power difficulties too were presenting themselves as to the navigation of other streams which arising within our territories pass through those adjacent propositions had therefore been authorized for obtaining on fair conditions the sovereignty of new orleans and of other possessions in that quarter interesting to our quiet to such extent as was deemed practicable and the provisional appropriation of 2m to be applied and accounted for by the president of the united states intended as part of the price was considered as conveying the sanction of congress to the acquisition proposed the enlightened government of france saw with just discernment the importance to both nations of such liberal arrangements as might best and permanently promote the peace friendship and interests of both and the property and sovereignty of all louisiana which had been restored to them have on certain conditions been transferred to the united states by instruments bearing date the 30th of april last when these shall have received the constitutional sanction of the senate they will without delay be communicated to the representatives also for the exercise of their functions as to those conditions which are within the powers vested by the constitution in congress whilst the property and sovereignty of the mississippi and its waters secure an independent outlet for the produce of the western states and an uncontrolled navigation through their whole course free from collision with other powers and the dangers to our peace from that source the fertility of the country its climate and extent promise in due season important aids to our treasury an ample provision for our posterity and a wide spread for the blessings of freedom and equal laws with the wisdom of congress it will rest to take those ulterior measures which may be necessary for the immediate occupation and temporary government of the country for its incorporation into our union for rendering the change of government a blessing to our newly adopted brethren for securing to them the rights of conscience and of property for confirming to the indian inhabitants their occupancy and establishing friendly and commercial relations with them and for ascertaining the geography of the country acquired such materials for your information relative to its affairs in general as the short space of time has permitted me to collect will be laid before you when the subject shall be in a state for your consideration another important acquisition of territory has also been made since the last session of congress the friendly tribe of kaskaskia indians with which we have never had a difference reduced by the wars and wants of savage life to a few individuals unable to defend themselves against the neighboring tribes has transferred its country to the united states reserving only for its members what is sufficient to maintain them in an agricultural way the considerations stipulated are that we shall extend to them our patronage and protection and give them certain annual aids in money in implements of agriculture and other articles of their choice this country among the most fertile within our limits extending along the mississippi from the mouth of the illinois to and up to the ohio though not so necessary as a barrier since the acquisition of the other bank may yet be well worthy of being laid open to immediate settlement as its inhabitants may descend with rapidity in support of the lower country should future circumstances expose that to foreign enterprise as the stipulations in this treaty involve matters with the competence of both houses only it will be laid before congress as soon as the senate shall have advised its ratification with many of the other indian tribes improvements in agriculture and household manufacture are advancing and with all our peace and friendship are established on grounds much firmer than heretofore the measure adopted of establishing trading houses among them and of furnishing them necessaries in exchange for their commodities at such moderate prices as leave no gain but cover us from loss has the most conciliatory and useful effect on them and is that which will best secure their peace and good will the small vessels authorized by congress with a view to the mediterranean service have been sent into that sea and will be able more effectually to confine the tripoline cruisers within their harbors and supersede the necessity of convoy to our commerce in that quarter they will sensibly lessen the expenses of that service the ensuing year a further knowledge of the ground in the northeastern and northwestern angles of the united states has evinced that the boundaries established by the treaty of paris between the british territories and ours in those parts were too imperfectly described to be susceptible of execution it has therefore been thought worthy of attention for preserving and cherishing the harmony and useful intercourse subsisting between the two nations to remove by timely arrangements what unfavorable incidents might otherwise render a ground of future misunderstanding a convention has therefore been entered into which provides for a practicable demarcation of those limits to the satisfaction of both parties an account of the receipts and expenditures of the year ending the 30th of september last with the estimates for the service of the ensuing year will be laid before you by the secretary of the treasury so soon as the receipts of the last quarter shall be returned from the more distant states it is already ascertained that the amount paid into the treasury for that year has been between 11m and 12m and that the revenue accrued during the same term exceeds the sum counted on as sufficient for our current expenses and to extinguish the public debt within the period heretofore proposed the amount of debt paid for the same year is about exclusive of interest and making with the payment of the preceding year a discharge of more than of the principal of that debt besides the accruing interest and there remain in the treasury nearly 6m of these 880k have been reserved for payment of the first installment due under the british convention of 1802 january 08 and 2 millions are what have been before mentioned as placed by congress under the power and accountability of the president toward the price of new orleans and other territories acquired which remaining untouched are still applicable to that object and go in diminution of the sum to be funded for it should the acquisition of louisiana be constitutionally confirmed and carried into effect a sum of nearly 13m will then be added to our public debt most of which is payable after 15 years before which term the present existing debts will all be discharged by the established operation of the sinking fund when we contemplate the ordinary annual augmentation of impost from increasing population and wealth the augmentation of the same revenue by its extension to the new acquisition and the economies which may still be introduced into our public expenditures i can not but hope that congress in reviewing their resources will find means to meet the intermediate interest of this additional debt without recurring to new taxes and applying to this object only the ordinary progression of our revenue its extraordinary increase in times of foreign war will be the proper and sufficient fund for any measures of safety or precaution which that state of things may render necessary in our neutral position remittances for the installments of our foreign debt having been found practicable without loss it has not been thought expedient to use the power given by a former act of congress of continuing them by reloans and of redeeming instead thereof equal sums of domestic debt although no difficulty was found in obtaining that accommodation the sum of 50k appropriated by congress for providing gun boats remains unexpended the favorable and peaceable turn of affairs on the mississippi rendered an immediate execution of that law unnecessary and time was desirable in order that the institution of that branch of our force might begin on models the most approved by experience the same issue of events dispensed with a resort to the appropriation of contemplated for purposes which were effected by happier means we have seen with sincere concern the flames of war lighted up again in europe and nations with which we have the most friendly and useful relations engaged in mutual destruction while we regret the miseries in which we see others involved let us bow with gratitude to that kind providence which inspiring with wisdom and moderation our late legislative councils while placed under the urgency of the greatest wrongs guarded us from hastily entering into the sanguinity contest and left us only to look on and pity its ravages these will be heaviest on those immediately engaged yet the nations pursuing peace will not be exempt from all evil in the course of this conflict let it be our endeavor as it is our interest and desire congress will consider whether the existing laws enable us efficaciously to maintain this course with our citizens in all places and with others while within the limits of our jurisdiction and will give them the new modifications necessary for these objects some contraventions of right have already taken place both within our jurisdictional limits and on the high seas the friendly disposition of the governments from whose agents they have proceeded as well as their wisdom and regard for justice leave us in reasonable expectation that they will be rectified and prevented in future and that no act will be countenanced by them which threatens to disturb our friendly intercourse separated by a wide ocean from the nations of europe and from the political interests which entangle them together with productions and wants which render our commerce and friendship useful to them and theirs to us it can not be the interest of any to assail us nor ours to disturb them we should be most unwise indeed were we to cast away the singular blessings of the position in which nature has placed us the opportunity she has endowed us with of pursuing at a distance from foreign contentions the paths of industry peace and happiness of cultivating general friendship and of bringing collisions of interest to the umpirage of reason rather than of force how desirable then must it be in a government like ours to see its citizens adopt individually the views the interests and the conduct which their country should pursue divesting themselves of those passions and partialities which tend to lessen useful friendships and to embarrass and embroil us in the calamitous scenes of europe confident fellow citizens that you will duly estimate the importance of neutral dispositions toward the observance of neutral conduct that you will be sensible how much it is our duty to look on the bloody arena spread before us with commiseration indeed but with no other wish than to see it closed i am persuaded you will cordially cherish these dispositions in all discussions among yourselves and in all communications with your constituents and i anticipate with satisfaction the measures of wisdom which the great interests now committed to you will give you an opportunity of providing and myself that of approving and carrying into execution with the fidelity i owe to my country
calling together fellow citizens earlier day contemplated act last session congress insensible personal inconveniences necessarily resulting unexpected change arrangements matters great public concernment rendered call necessary interests feel supersede minds private considerations congress witnessed late session extraordinary agitation produced public mind suspension right deposit port new orleans assignment another place made according treaty sensible continuance privation would injurious nation consequences could flow mode redress reposing confidence good faith government whose officer committed wrong friendly reasonable representations resorted right deposit restored previous however period unaware danger peace would perpetually exposed whilst important key commerce western country remained foreign power difficulties presenting navigation streams arising within territories pass adjacent propositions therefore authorized obtaining fair conditions sovereignty new orleans possessions quarter interesting quiet extent deemed practicable provisional appropriation 2m applied accounted president united states intended part price considered conveying sanction congress acquisition proposed enlightened government france saw discernment importance nations liberal arrangements might best permanently promote peace friendship interests property sovereignty louisiana restored certain conditions transferred united states instruments bearing date 30th april last shall received constitutional sanction senate without delay communicated representatives also exercise functions conditions within powers vested constitution congress whilst property sovereignty mississippi waters secure independent outlet produce western states uncontrolled navigation whole course free collision powers dangers peace source fertility country climate extent promise due season important aids treasury ample provision posterity wide spread blessings freedom equal laws wisdom congress rest take ulterior measures may necessary immediate occupation temporary government country incorporation union rendering change government blessing newly adopted brethren securing rights conscience property confirming indian inhabitants occupancy establishing friendly commercial relations ascertaining geography country acquired materials information relative affairs general short space time permitted collect laid subject shall state consideration another important acquisition territory also made since last session congress friendly tribe kaskaskia indians never difference reduced wars wants savage life individuals unable defend neighboring tribes transferred country united states reserving members sufficient maintain agricultural way considerations stipulated shall extend patronage protection give certain annual aids money implements agriculture articles choice country among fertile within limits extending along mississippi mouth illinois ohio though necessary barrier since acquisition bank may yet well worthy laid open immediate settlement inhabitants may descend rapidity support lower country future circumstances expose foreign enterprise stipulations treaty involve matters competence houses laid congress soon senate shall advised ratification many indian tribes improvements agriculture household manufacture advancing peace friendship established grounds much firmer heretofore measure adopted establishing trading houses among furnishing necessaries exchange commodities moderate prices leave gain cover us loss conciliatory useful effect best secure peace good small vessels authorized congress view mediterranean service sent sea able effectually confine tripoline cruisers within harbors supersede necessity convoy commerce quarter sensibly lessen expenses service ensuing year knowledge ground northeastern northwestern angles united states evinced boundaries established treaty paris british territories parts imperfectly described susceptible execution therefore thought worthy attention preserving cherishing harmony useful intercourse subsisting two nations remove timely arrangements unfavorable incidents might otherwise render ground future misunderstanding convention therefore entered provides practicable demarcation limits satisfaction parties account receipts expenditures year ending 30th september last estimates service ensuing year laid secretary treasury soon receipts last quarter shall returned distant states already ascertained amount paid treasury year 11m 12m revenue accrued term exceeds sum counted sufficient current expenses extinguish public debt within period heretofore proposed amount debt paid year exclusive interest making payment preceding year discharge principal debt besides accruing interest remain treasury nearly 6m 880k reserved payment first installment due british convention 1802 january 08 2 millions mentioned placed congress power accountability president toward price new orleans territories acquired remaining untouched still applicable object go diminution sum funded acquisition louisiana constitutionally confirmed carried effect sum nearly 13m added public debt payable 15 years term present existing debts discharged established operation sinking fund contemplate ordinary annual augmentation impost increasing population wealth augmentation revenue extension new acquisition economies may still introduced public expenditures hope congress reviewing resources find means meet intermediate interest additional debt without recurring new taxes applying object ordinary progression revenue extraordinary increase times foreign war proper sufficient fund measures safety precaution state things may render necessary neutral position remittances installments foreign debt found practicable without loss thought expedient use power given former act congress continuing reloans redeeming instead thereof equal sums domestic debt although difficulty found obtaining accommodation sum 50k appropriated congress providing gun boats remains unexpended favorable peaceable turn affairs mississippi rendered immediate execution law unnecessary time desirable order institution branch force might begin models approved experience issue events dispensed resort appropriation contemplated purposes effected happier means seen sincere concern flames war lighted europe nations friendly useful relations engaged mutual destruction regret miseries see others involved let us bow gratitude kind providence inspiring wisdom moderation late legislative councils placed urgency greatest wrongs guarded us hastily entering sanguinity contest left us look pity ravages heaviest immediately engaged yet nations pursuing peace exempt evil course conflict let endeavor interest desire congress consider whether existing laws enable us efficaciously maintain course citizens places others within limits jurisdiction give new modifications necessary objects contraventions right already taken place within jurisdictional limits high seas friendly disposition governments whose agents proceeded well wisdom regard justice leave us reasonable expectation rectified prevented future act countenanced threatens disturb friendly intercourse separated wide ocean nations europe political interests entangle together productions wants render commerce friendship useful us interest assail us disturb unwise indeed cast away singular blessings position nature placed us opportunity endowed us pursuing distance foreign contentions paths industry peace happiness cultivating general friendship bringing collisions interest umpirage reason rather force desirable must government like see citizens adopt individually views interests conduct country pursue divesting passions partialities tend lessen useful friendships embarrass embroil us calamitous scenes europe confident fellow citizens duly estimate importance neutral dispositions toward observance neutral conduct sensible much duty look bloody arena spread us commiseration indeed wish see closed persuaded cordially cherish dispositions discussions among communications constituents anticipate satisfaction measures wisdom great interests committed give opportunity providing approving carrying execution fidelity owe country
call together fellow citizen earlier day contemplate act last session congress insensible personal inconvenience necessarily result unexpected change arrangement matter great public concernment render call necessary interest feel supersede mind private consideration congress witness late session extraordinary agitation produce public mind suspension right deposit port new orleans assignment another place make accord treaty sensible continuance privation would injurious nation consequence could flow mode redress repose confidence good faith government whose officer commit wrong friendly reasonable representation resort right deposit restore previous however period unaware danger peace would perpetually expose whilst important key commerce western country remain foreign power difficulty present navigation stream arise within territory pass adjacent proposition therefore authorize obtain fair condition sovereignty new orleans possession quarter interest quiet extent deem practicable provisional appropriation 2m apply accounted president united state intend part price consider convey sanction congress acquisition propose enlightened government france saw discernment importance nation liberal arrangement might best permanently promote peace friendship interest property sovereignty louisiana restore certain condition transfer united state instrument bear date 30th april last shall receive constitutional sanction senate without delay communicate representative also exercise function condition within power vest constitution congress whilst property sovereignty mississippi water secure independent outlet produce western state uncontrolled navigation whole course free collision power danger peace source fertility country climate extent promise due season important aid treasury ample provision posterity wide spread blessing freedom equal law wisdom congress rest take ulterior measure may necessary immediate occupation temporary government country incorporation union render change government bless newly adopt brother secure right conscience property confirm indian inhabitant occupancy establish friendly commercial relation ascertain geography country acquire material information relative affair general short space time permit collect laid subject shall state consideration another important acquisition territory also make since last session congress friendly tribe kaskaskia indians never difference reduce war want savage life individual unable defend neighbor tribe transfer country united state reserve member sufficient maintain agricultural way consideration stipulate shall extend patronage protection give certain annual aid money implement agriculture article choice country among fertile within limit extend along mississippi mouth illinois ohio though necessary barrier since acquisition bank may yet well worthy lay open immediate settlement inhabitant may descend rapidity support low country future circumstance expose foreign enterprise stipulation treaty involve matter competence house lay congress soon senate shall advise ratification many indian tribe improvement agriculture household manufacture advance peace friendship establish ground much firm heretofore measure adopt establish trading house among furnish necessary exchange commodity moderate price leave gain cover u loss conciliatory useful effect best secure peace good small vessel authorize congress view mediterranean service send sea able effectually confine tripoline cruiser within harbor supersede necessity convoy commerce quarter sensibly lessen expense service ensue year knowledge ground northeastern northwestern angle united state evince boundary establish treaty paris british territory part imperfectly describe susceptible execution therefore think worthy attention preserve cherish harmony useful intercourse subsist two nation remove timely arrangement unfavorable incident might otherwise render ground future misunderstand convention therefore enter provide practicable demarcation limit satisfaction party account receipt expenditure year end 30th september last estimate service ensue year lay secretary treasury soon receipt last quarter shall return distant state already ascertain amount pay treasury year 11m 12m revenue accrue term exceed sum count sufficient current expense extinguish public debt within period heretofore propose amount debt pay year exclusive interest make payment precede year discharge principal debt besides accrue interest remain treasury nearly 6m 880k reserved payment first installment due british convention 1802 january 08 2 million mention place congress power accountability president toward price new orleans territory acquire remain untouched still applicable object go diminution sum funded acquisition louisiana constitutionally confirm carried effect sum nearly 13m added public debt payable 15 year term present exist debt discharge establish operation sink fund contemplate ordinary annual augmentation impost increase population wealth augmentation revenue extension new acquisition economy may still introduce public expenditure hope congress review resource find means meet intermediate interest additional debt without recur new tax apply object ordinary progression revenue extraordinary increase time foreign war proper sufficient fund measure safety precaution state thing may render necessary neutral position remittance installments foreign debt find practicable without loss thought expedient use power give former act congress continue reloans redeem instead thereof equal sum domestic debt although difficulty find obtain accommodation sum 50k appropriated congress provide gun boat remain unexpended favorable peaceable turn affair mississippi render immediate execution law unnecessary time desirable order institution branch force might begin model approve experience issue event dispense resort appropriation contemplate purpose effect happy mean see sincere concern flame war light europe nation friendly useful relation engage mutual destruction regret misery see others involve let u bow gratitude kind providence inspiring wisdom moderation late legislative council place urgency great wrong guard u hastily enter sanguinity contest leave u look pity ravage heaviest immediately engage yet nation pursue peace exempt evil course conflict let endeavor interest desire congress consider whether exist law enable u efficaciously maintain course citizen place others within limit jurisdiction give new modification necessary object contravention right already take place within jurisdictional limit high sea friendly disposition government whose agent proceed well wisdom regard justice leave u reasonable expectation rectify prevented future act countenance threatens disturb friendly intercourse separate wide ocean nation europe political interest entangle together production want render commerce friendship useful u interest assail u disturb unwise indeed cast away singular blessing position nature place u opportunity endow u pursue distance foreign contention path industry peace happiness cultivate general friendship bring collision interest umpirage reason rather force desirable must government like see citizen adopt individually views interest conduct country pursue divest passion partiality tend lessen useful friendship embarrass embroil u calamitous scene europe confident fellow citizen duly estimate importance neutral disposition toward observance neutral conduct sensible much duty look bloody arena spread u commiseration indeed wish see close persuade cordially cherish disposition discussion among communication constituent anticipate satisfaction measure wisdom great interest commit give opportunity provide approve carry execution fidelity owe country