supplying them either gratuitously or at
a low rate with the most essential neces-
saries of life, have not only increased
their comforts, but cheered their minds
with the conviction that those whom
Providence has blessed with affluence,
possess hearts to sympathize in their ne-
cessities, and a serious inclination to
lighten the pressure of them. To this
cause more than to any other, we are
willing to ascribe that patient endurance
of hardship and privation manifested by
the labouring poor, under their present
trials, notwithstanding all the efforts of
reformers, and revolutionists to drive
them if possible into acts of sedition and
rebellion.

The decided condemnation which we
Customs for

1815

A part of this deficiency is owing to the repeal of the property tax, though arrears of it are still coming in, but the amount, as was to be expected, is diminishing rapidly. In 1815, the produce of the tax was 14,318,5721; in 1816, 11,559,5901.: less by 2,758,9821. than the preceding year. To this must be added the war malt tax, which haying been taken at three millions a year, may, by its repeal, have produced a dimunition of one million and a half or more. But taking it at the first sum, that added to the deficiency in the property tax, produces a total deficiency of 4,258,0821. which deducted from the Total deficiency stated above, viz.

Leaves a total deficiency for the year 1816, of

FRANCE.

63

have always bestowed on the political sophistries of demagogues, and the levelling principles of jacobins, will skreen us from the imputation of any improper motive, in repeating our often expressed conviction of the absolute necessity of the utmost attention to economy on the part of his Majesty's ministers. This necessity is most forcibly illustrated by the official statement of the receipts and expenditure of the public revenue, for the years 1815, and 1816. The revenue of the year ending on the 5th January, 1817, has fallen short of that of the preceding year in every item except the stamps and land-tax, as may be seen in the following general abstract :

rence to the political observer. The less subject it affords for remark the more fortunate will it be not for itself only but for the whole civilized world.

On the 7th of December, M. de Cazes, the minister of police brought forward in the Chamber of Deputies, some new laws respecting the liberty of the subject and the liberty of the press. In his introductory speech he stated that the law of 29th October, 1815, by which the government was empowered to arrest and detain suspected persons, and to seize inflammatory publications, was intended to be only temporary. It was then called for by the turbulence and restlessness of men brought up in scenes £9,083,108 of revolution, but its powers had been 4,258,082 exercised with every possible clemency, every act of indiscreet zeal on the £4,824,126 been repressed b part of insubordinate authorities had as known. The greatest number of persons in custody at any one time throughout all France, had never exceeded 419, and that was only for a few weeks during the troubles at Grenoble, Since that time they had been gradually reduced, till, in

This country to which the eyes of all Europe have for many years past been directed with intense anxiety, begins now to be an object of comparative indiffe

as soon

1817.1

The Message of the American President to Congress.

more than usual, may be necessary, our thankfulness is due to Providence, for what is far more than a compensation, in the remarkable health which has distinguished the present year.

Amidst the advantages which have succeeded the peace of Europe, and that of the United States with Great Britain, in a general invigoration of in lustry among us, and in the extension of our commerce, the value of which is more and more disclosing itself to commercial nations, it is to be regretted that a depression is experienced by particular branches of our manufactures, and by a portion of our navigation. As the first proceeds, in an essential degree, from an excess of imported merchandise, which carries a check in its own tendency, the cause, in its present extent, cannot be of very long duration. The evil will not, however, be viewed by Congress without a recollection, that manufacturing establishments, if suffered to sink too low, or languish too long, may not revive, after the causes shall have ceased; and that, in the vicissitudes of human affairs, situations may recur, in which a dependence on foreign sources, for indispensable supplies, may be among the most serious embarrass ments.

The depressed state of our navigation is to be ascribed, in a material degree, to its exclusion from the colonial ports of the nation most extensively connected with us in com. merce, and from the indirect operation of that exclusion.

Previous to the late Convention at London, between the United States and Great Britain, the relative state of the navigation laws of the two countries, growing out of the Treaty of 1794, had given to the British navigation a material advantage over the American, in the intercourse between the American ports and British ports in Europe. The Convention of London equalized the laws of the two countries, relating to those ports; leaving the intercourse between our ports and the ports of the British Colonies subject as before to the respective regulations of the parties. The British Government enforcing, now, regulations which prohibit a trade between its colonies and the United States in American vessels, whilst they permit a trade in British vessels, the American navigation loses accordingly; and the loss is augmented by the advantage which is given to the British competition over the American, in the navigation between our ports and British ports in Europe, by the circuitous voyages enjoyed by the one, and not enjoyed by the other.

I have the satisfaction to state, generally, that we remain in amity with foreign powers. An occurrence has, indeed, taken place in the Gulf of Mexico, which if sanctioned by the Spanish Government may make an exception as to that power. According to the report of our naval commander on that staNEW MONTHLY MAG.-No. 37.

65

tion, one of our public armed vessels was attacked by an overpowering force under a Spanish commander, and the American flag. with the officers and crew insulted in a manner calling for prompt reparation. This has been demanded. In the mean time, a frigate and smaller vessel of war have been ordered into that Gulf for the protection of cur commerce. It would be improper to omit, that the representative of his Catholic Majesty in the United States lost no time in giving the strongest assurances that no hostile order could have emanated from his Government, and that it will be as ready to do, as to expect, whatever the nature of the case, and the friendly relations of the two countries, shall be found to require.

The posture of our affairs with Algiers, at the present moment, is not known. The Dey, drawing pretexts from circumstances for which the United States were not answerable, addressed a letter to this Government, declaring the Treaty last concluded with him to have been annulled by our violation of it; and presenting, as the alternative, war, or a renewal of the former treaty, which stipulated, among other things, an annual tribute. The answer, with an explicit declaration that the United States preferred war to tribute, required his recognition and observance of the Treaty last made, which abolishes tribute and the slavery of our captured citizens. The result of the answer has not been received. Should he renew his warfare on our commerce, we rely on the protection it will find in our naval force actually in the Mediterranean.

With the other Barbary states, our affairs have undergone no change.

The Indian tribes within our limits ap pear also disposed to remain at peace. From several of them purchases of lands have been made, particularly favourable to the wishes and security of our frontier settlements; as well as to the general interests of the nation. In some instances, the titles, though not supported by due proof, and clashing those of one tribe with the claims of another, have been extinguished by double purchases; the benevolent policy of the United States preferring the augmented expense to the hazard of doing injustice; or to the enforcement of justice, against a feeble and untutored people, by means involving or threatening an effusion of blood. I am happy to add, that the tranquillity which has been restored among the tribes themselves, as well as between them and our own population, will favour the resumption of the work of civilisation, which had made an encouraging pro gress among some tribes; and that the facility is increasing for extending that divided and individual ownership which exists now in moveable property only, to the soil itself; and of thus establishing, in the culture and improvement of it, the true foundation for a transit from the habits of the VOL. VII.

K

66

Incidents, &c. in London and Middlesex.

savage, to the arts and comforts of social life:

The United States having been the first to abolish within the extent of their authority, the transportation of the natives of Africa into slavery, by prohibiting the introduction of slaves, and by punishing their citizens participating in the traffic, cannot but be gratified at the progress made by concurrent efforts of other nations, towards a general suppression of so great an evil.

They must feel, at the same time, the greater solicitude to give the fullest efficacy to their own regulations. With that view, the interposition of Congress appears to be required, by the violations and evasions, which, it is suggested, are chargeable on unworthy citizens, who mingle in the slave trade under foreign flags, and with foreign ports, and by collusive importations of slaves into the United States through adjoining ports and territories. I present the subject to Congress, with a full assurance of their disposition to apply all the remedy which can be afforded by an amendment of the law. The regulations which were intended to guard against abuses of a kindred character, in the trade between the several States, ought also to be rendered more effectual for their humane object.

In directing the legislative attention to the state of the finances, it is a subject of great gratification to find, that, even within the short period which has elapsed since the return of peace, the revenue has far exceeded all the current demands upon the treasury; and that, under any probable diminution of its future annual product, which the vicissitudes of commerce may occasion, it will afford an ample fund for the effectual and early extinguishment of the public debt. It has been estimated, that during the year 1816, the actual receipts of revenue at the treasury, including the balance at the commencement of the year, and excluding the proceeds of loans and treasury notes, will

[Feb. 1,

amount to about the sum of forty-seven millions of dollars; that during the saine year the aetual payments at the treasury, includ. ing the payment of the arrears of the war department, as well as the payment of a considerable excess, beyond the annual appropriation, will amount to about the sum of thirtyeight millions of dollars; and that, consequently, at the close of the year, there will be a surplus in the treasury of about the sum of nine millions of dollars.

The operations of the treasury continue to be obstructed by difficulties arising from the condition of the national currency; but they have, nevertheless, been effectual, to a beneficial extent, in the reduction of the public debt, and the establishment of the public credit. The floating debt of treasury notes and temporary loans will soon be entirely discharged. The aggregate of the funded debt, composed of debts incurred during the wars of 1776 and of 1812, has been estimated, with reference to the first of January next, at a sum not exceeding one hundred and ten millions of dollars. The ordinary annual expenses of the government, for the maintenance of all its institutions, civil, military, and naval, have been estimated at a sum less than twenty millions of dollars; and the permanent revenue to be derived from all the existing sources, has been estimated at a sum of about twenty-five millions of dollars.

The period of my retiring from the publie service being at little distance, I shall find no occasion more proper than the present for expressing to my fellow citizens my deep sense of the continued confidence and kind support which I have received from them. My grateful recollection of these distinguished marks of their favourable regard can never cease; and with the consciousness that if I have not served my country with greater ability, I have served it with a sincere devotion, will accompany me as a source of unfailing gratification.

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

With Biographical Accounts of Distinguished Characters.

that, as it was dark, it might have been done in the scuffle which took place between 1960 them, and not wilfully; but he is detained to be tried on charges of riot and conspiracy." Promotions and Appointments.] Lord COMBERMERE to be governor of the Island of Barba:loes.

Lieut. Col. JOHN BURNETT, 8th Bengal native infantry, and Lieut. Col. JOSEPH 1720 O'HALLORAN, 11th Bengal native infantry, 1308 to be Companions of the Order of the Bath. Mr. CURTIS, to be Aurist to the Prince Regent.

The Waterloo subscription-fund now ap proaches very near to 500,000l. an evidence of national spirit and gratitude worthy of the occasion. Out of this sum, annuities to the amount of more than 18,000l. have been Member returned to Parliament.] The voted to widows, children, and to privates Hon. HENRY BEAUCHAMP LYGON, for Worwho have suffered the loss of limbs; and up-cester, vice Earl Beauchamp. wards of 140,000l. given in donations, including sums voted to our allies.