mercial treaty. The ill health of the Minister last year, charged with making a proposition for that arrangement, did not permit him to remain at St. Petersburgh; and the attention of that Government, during the whole of the period since his departure, having been occupied by the war in which it was engaged, we have been assured that nothing could have been effected by his presence. A Minister will soon be nominated, as well to effect this important object, as to keep up the relations of amity and good understanding of which we have received so many assurances and proofs from his Imperial Majesty, and the Emperor, his predecessor.

The Treaty with Austria is opening to us an important trade with the hereditary dominions of the Emperor, the value of which has been hitherto little known, and, of course, not sufficiently appreciated. While our commerce finds an entrance into the South of Germany by means of this Treaty, those we have formed with the Hanseatic Towns and Prussia, and others now in negotiation, will open that vast country to the enterprising spirit of our merchants, on the north: a country abounding in all the materials for a mutually beneficial commerce, filled with enlightened and industrious inhabitants, holding an important place in the politics of Europe, and to which we owe so many valuable citizens. The ratification of the Treaty with the Porte was sent to be exchanged by the gentleman appointed our Charge d'Affaires to that Court. Some difficulties occurred on his

arrival; but at the date of his last official despatch, he supposed they had been obviated, and that there was every prospect of the exchange being speedily effected.

This finishes the connected view I have thought it proper to give of our political and commercial relations in Europe. Every effort in my power will be continued to strengthen and extend them by treaties founded on principles of the most perfect reciprocity of interest, neither asking nor conceding any exclusive advantage, but liberating, as far as it lies in my power, the activity and industry of our fellow citizens from the shackles which foreign restrictions may impose.

To China and the East Indies our commerce continues in its usual extent and with increased facilities, which the credit and capital of our merchants afford by substituting bills for payment in specie. A daring outrage having been committed in those seas by the plunder of one of our merchantmen engaged in the pepper trade at a port in Sumatra, and the piratical perpetrators belonging to tribes in such a state of society that the usual course of proceedings between civilized nations could not be pursued, I forthwith despatched a frigate with orders to require immediate satisfaction for the injury, and indemnity to the sufferers.

Few changes have taken place in our connexions with the independent States of America since my last communication to Congress. The ratification of a Commercial Treaty with the United Republics of Mexico, has been for

some time under deliberation in their Congress, but was still undecided at the date of our last despatches. The unhappy civil commotions that have prevailed there were undoubtedly the cause of the delay; but as the Government is now said to be tranquillized, we may hope soon to receive the ratification of the treaty, and an arrangement for the demarcation of the boundaries between us. In the mean time an important trade has been opened, with mutual benefit, from St. Louis, in the state of Missouri, by caravans, to the interior provinces of Mexico. This commerce is protected in its progress through the Indian countries by the troops of the United States, which have been permitted to escort the carivans beyond our boundaries to the settled part of the Mexican Territory.

From Central America, I have received assurances of the most friendly kind, and a gratifying application for our good offices to remove a supposed indisposition towards that Government in a neighboring State: this application was immediately and successfully complied with. They gave us also the pleasing intelligence that differences which had prevailed in their internal affairs, had been peaceably adjusted. Our treaty with this Republic continues to be faithfully observed, and promises a great and beneficial commerce between the two countries: a commerce of the great est importance, if the magnificent project of a ship canal through the dominions of that State, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean,

now in serious contemplation, shall be executed.

I have great satisfaction in communicating the success which has attended the exertions of our Minister in Colombia, to procure a very considerable reduction in the duties on our flour in that Republic. Indemnity also has been stipulated for injuries received by our merchants from illegal seizures; and renewed assurances are given that the treaty between the two countries shall be faithfully observed.

Chili and Peru seem to be still threatened with civil commotions; and until they shall be settled, disorders may naturally be apprehended, requiring the constant presence of

Naval force in the

Pacific Ocean, to protect our fisheries and guard our commerce.

The disturbances that took place in the Empire of Brazil, previously to, and immediately consequent upon, the abdication of the late Emperor, necessarily suspended any effectual application for the redress of some past injuries suffered by our citizens from that Government, while they have been the cause of others, in which all foreigners seem to have participated. Instructions have been given to our Minister there, to press for indemnity due for losses occasioned by these irregularities and to take care that our fellow citizens shall enjoy all the privileges stipulated in their favor, by the treaty lately made between the two powers, all which, the good intelligence that prevails between our Minister at Rio Janeiro and the Regency, gives us the best reason to expect.

I should have placed Buenos Ayres in the list of South Amercan powers in respect to which nothing of importance affecting us was to be communicated: but for occurrences which have lately taken place at the Falkland Islands, in which the name of that republic has been used to cover with a show of authority, acts injurious to our commerce, and to the property and liberty of our fellow-citizens. In the course of the present year, one of our vessels engaged in the pursuit of a trade which we have always enjoyed without molestation, has been captured by a band acting, as they pretend, under the authority of the Government of Buenos Ayres. I have therefore given orders for the despatch of an armed vessel, to join our squadron in those seas, and aid in affording all lawful protection to our trade which shall be necessary; and shall without delay send a Minister to inquire into the nature of the circumstances, and also o the claim, if any, that is set up by that Government to those Islands. In the mean time I submit the case to the consideration of Congress, to the end that they may clothe the Executive with such authority and means as they may deem necessary for providing a force adequate to the complete protection of our fellow citizens fishing and trading in those seas.

This rapid sketch of our foreign relations it is hoped, fellow citizens, may be of some use in so much of your legislation as may bear on that important subject; while it affords to the country at

large a source of high gratification in the contemplation of our political and commercial connexion with the rest of the world. At peace with all having subjects of future difference with few, and those susceptible of easy adjustment- extending our commerce gradually on all sides, and on none by any but the most liberal and mutually beneficial means, we may, by the blessing of Providence, hope for all that national prosperity which can be derived from an intercourse with foreign nations, guided by those eternal principles of justice and reciprocal good will, which are binding as well upon States, as the individuals of whom they are composed.

I have great satisfaction in making this statement of our affairs, because the course of our national policy enables me to do it without any indiscreet exposure of what in other governments is usually concealed from the people. Having none but a straight forward open course to pursue guided by a single principle, that will bear the strongest lightwe have happily no political combinations to form, no alliances to entangle us, no complicated interests to consult; and in subjecting all we have done to the consideration of our citizens, and to the inspection of the world, we give no advantage to other nations, and lay ourselves open to noi njury.

It may not be improper to add, that to preserve this state of things, and give confidence to the world in the integrity of our designs, all our consular and diplomatic agents are strictly en

joined to examine well every cause of complaint preferred by our citizens; and, while they urge with proper earnestness those that are well founded, to countenance none that are unreasonable or unjust, and to enjoin on our merchants and navigators the strictest obedience to the laws of the countries to which they resort, and a course of conduct in their dealings that may support the character of our nation, and render us respected abroad.

Connected with this subject, I must recommend a revisal of our consular laws. Defects and omissions have been discovered in their operation that ought to be remedied and supplied. For your further information on this subject I have directed a report to be made by the Secretary of State, which I shall hereafter submit to your consideration.

The internal peace and security of our confederated States is the next principal object of the General Government. Time and experience have proved that the abode of the native Indian within their limits is dangerous to their peace, and injurious to himself. In accordance with my recommendation at a former session of Congress, an appropriation of half a million of dollars was made to aid the voluntary removal of the various tribes beyond the limits of the States. At the last session, I had the happiness to announce that the Chickasaws and Choctaws had accepted the generous offer of the Government, and agreed to remove beyond the Mississippi river, by which the

whole of the State of Mississippi and the western part of Alabama will be freed from Indian ocupan

cy, and opened to a civilized population. The treaties with these tribes are in a course of execution, and their removal, it is hoped, will be completed in the course of 1832.

At the request of the authorities of Georgia, the registration of Cherokee Indians for emigration has been resumed, and it is confidently expected that one half, if not two thirds of that tribe, will follow the wise example of their more westerly brethren. Those who prefer remaining at their present homes will hereafter be governed by the laws of Georgia, as all her citizens are, and cease to be the objects of peculiar care on the part of the General Government.

During the present year, the attention of the Government has been particularly directed to those tribes in the powerful and growing State of Ohio, where considerable tracts of the finest lands were still occupied by the aboriginal proprietors. Treaties, either absolute or conditional, have been made, extinguishing the whole Indian title to the reservations in that State; and the time is not distant, it is hoped, when Ohio will be no longer embarrassed with the Indian population. The same measure will be extended to Indiana, as soon as there is reason to anticipate

success.

It is confidently believed that perseverance for a few years in the present policy of the Government, will extinguish the Indian title to