Western Sun, Volume 1, Number 17, Vincennes, Knox County, 2 December 1807 — Page 2
Ushinrton City, October 27. 1SC7
This dav, a: 1 o'clock, the Prtfldent of
the United States corr xunicated, by Mr Coles, his fecretary, the following Mes-
fage te both houlc ct congrels :
:neveradmitting an armed vtfltl into our I the water, fo material in aid of the dt Tcn-jmong the hi It entitled to attt ntion in 2
harbors or ot maintaining in every harbor Hive works on the land, Ihonld he augnntr Hate ot our fcnantes, anu it is one wmii.,
fuchan armed force as inay conllrain obedi
encc to the laws, and protect the lives and property of our citizens againft their armed
gueits. But theexpenle of fuch a (landing
lorce, and its meonfiftence with ourpnnci
To the senate ar.d house of icereJrftfrej;ples,difpenfe with thofe courtefies which
of the United States
Circumfhncei, fellow citizens, which ferioufly threatened the peace of our country hsvc made it a duty to convene you at an earlier period than ufuaf. The love of pence fe much cherifhed in the bofom of our citi
zens, which has folong guided the proceedings of their public councils, and induced forbearance under fo many wrongs, may not
enfure our continuance in the quiet purluits of induftry. The many injuries and depredation committed on our commerce and navigation upon the high feas for years paR, the fucceflive innovations on thofe principles of public law which hav- been eftablifhed b the reafon and ufaL of nations as the rule of their intercourfe, and the umpire and fecurity of their tights and peace, and all the circumltances which induced the er"Yaordmary million to London, are
alreafcfknown to you. The inductions
given to our miniflers were framed in the
cincereit lpiritot amity ana moderation. They accordingly proceeded, in conformity
therewith, to propofe arrangements which might embrace and fettle all the points in difference between us : which might bring us to a mutual underftanding on our neutral and national rights, and provide for a
commercial intercourfe on conditions of
fome equality. After long and fori tiffs endeavors to effect the purpofes of their million and to obtain arrangements within the limits of their inltrucYious they concluded to fign fuch as could be obtained and to fend them for confideration : candidly declaring to the other negociators at the fame time, that they were acting againlt their inflructions and that their government therefore could not be pledged for ratifica-
tion. borne ot the articles propaiea might have been admitted on a principle of compromifr, but others were too highly disadvantageous ; and no fuflicient provilion was made againfl the principal fource of the irritations and collifions which were conftantly endangering the peace pf the two nations. The queftion therefore whether a treaty fliould be accepted in that form could have admitted but of one decif. ion, even had no declarations xf the other party impaired our confidence in it.- Still anxious not toclofe the door againft friendly anjuflrnent, new modifications wen framed & further concclTions authorifed than could before have been fuppottd ne-
cefiary ; Sc our miniflers were inflructed to refume their nejrocia'lnns of thefe grounds.
On this new reference to amicable difcu-
lion we were repofing in confidence, when
on the twenty. fecond day ot June laity by
a formal order from a Bntifli admiral, the frigate Ch-f '.prake, leaving her port for a diltant Trrvic e, was attacked by one of thofe vends which had been lying in our harbors und?r the indulgences of Iifpi t;rlity ,
was difabled from proceeding, hid feveral r t 1 f .1
ot tier crew kulcu, ana rnir taken awav.
On this outr2ge no commentaries are necefiary. Its character has been pronounced by the indignant voice of our citizen;
with an cmphafis and unanimity never ex
ceedd. I immediately by pi oclamation. in'rrdi&erl our harbors and waters to al! Britifh armed vellels, forbade intercourfe
with them, and uncertain how far hofiili tiers
were intended, and the town cf Norfolk inietd being threatened with immediate attack, a fuffictent force was ordered for the protection of that yltcc, and fin h other preparations commenced and purlued as the
profpect rendered proper. An armed vcflVI of the United States was difpmhed with inftiudtions to our minilters at London, to call on that government fjr the fatiifaclion and fecurity required by the outrage, A very Ihort ii.terval amjht now to bring the anfwer which fliall he communicated to you as foin as received : then alio, or as foon after as the public iutrrefls (hull br found to admit, the uuiatifird treaty an-j proceedings relative to it (hull be made know n to you; The aggrcflinr, thus begun, has been continued on the part of the Uritifli com. inaudf-n, by remaining within our waters in defiance of the authority ot the country, by habitual violations of the jut if diction, k t length by puttiu.r to death one of the perf'itn wh'm ih-v had forcibly taken from
on board the Or faprake. Thefe aggrava
would neceiTarily call for it, and leave us
equally free to exclude the navy, as we are the army of a foreign power from entering our limits. To former violations of maritime rights, another is nmvr added of very extenfivc effect. The government of that nation has
iffued an order interdicting all trade by neutrals between ports not in amity witk them. And being now at war with nearly every natiou on the Atlantic and' Mediterranean feas, our veffels are required to facrafice their cargoes at the firft port they
touch or to return home without the benefit!
of going to any other market. Under this
new law of the ocean, our trade on the
Mediterranean has been fwept away by
ieizures and condemnations, and that in o
therfeas is threatened with the fame fate. Our differences with Spain remain ftil!
ft unfcttled ; no meafure having been taken
on her part, tince my latt communications
to congrels, to bring them to a clofe. Rut under a (late of things' which may favor
reconhderation, uiey have been recently prcfied, & an expectation is entertained that they may now loon be brought to an ifiue of fome fort. With ti;t ir fubjecls on our borders, no new collifions have taken place ; nor feem immediately to be apprehended. To our former grounds of com
plaint has been added a very ferious one,
as you will fee by the decree, a copy of
which is now communicated. Whether
this decree which profefiVrs to be conformable to that of the French government' of Nov. 21, 1806, heretofore communicated
to Gongrefs, will alio be conformed to that
in its conflrudtion and application in rela
tion to the United States, had not been
afecrtained at the date of our laft commu
nications Thefe however gave reafon to expect fnch a conformity. Whith the other nations ef Europe our harmony has been uninterrupted, and commerceand friendly intercourfe have been
ted in this or anv other form, is left to the: whether we hfcve peace or war, wiilprovicc
wifdomuflhe Lei;iflaU!ic. For the pur-Jferuiity where it is dir; Whether what pofe of manning ihefe velltls, in ludden atjfl.all remain of this, with the future furpluftacksen our harbors, it is a matter for ccn-jes, nuy be ufefully applied to purpofes a!lideration whether the lean-en of the U.jready authorifed, or more ufefully toother? States may not juilly be fomied into a fpc- requiring new authorities, or how otherwile cial militia, to be called on for tours cf dnty they fliall be difpofrd of, are queflions callin defcnce'of the harbors where they Hull ing for the notice of Congrefs ; ur.lcfs inhappen to be ; the ordinary militia of thejdecu they fliall be fujrcrcetied by a change in place furniihing that portion which maylour public relations row awaiting the de-
confilt of lancii'ment. termination of others. hatevcr he that
The moment our peace was threatened, (determination it is a great confolation that
1
maintained on their ufual footincr
Our peace with the feveral Hates on the coaltsof Barbary appears as firm as at any former period, and as liktly to continue as that of any other nation. Among our Indian neighbors in the north wellern quarter, fome fermentation was obferved foon after the late occurences threatcuing the continuance of our peace. Meffages were faid to be interchanged, and to
kens to be palling which ufually denote a
Hate cf rettlefinefs among them, and the
character of the agitators pointed to the fources of excitement. Meafures were immediately t.'ken for providing againlt
that danger : inftrucYions were given to
require explanations, and, with alTurances of our continued friendlhip, to admouifh the tribes to remain quiet at home, taking no part in q jsrrels not belonging to them. As far as we are yet informed the tribes in
our vicinity, who are moll advanced in the purfuits of iucJuflry, and fincerely difpofed to adht re to their friendlhip with us, and to their peace with ail others. While thofe more remote do not prHVnt appear.Mires futficientiy quiet to juitify the intermillion of military . precaution on 0111 part. The great tribes on our fouth weflern quarter, much advanced b-yond the others m agriculture aid houlehold arts, appeal trarquil and identifying thrir vitws with ours in proportion to their advancement. With the whole of thtle pt-oule, in cvcr quarter, 1 fliall continur to in idc.tte peac and fi ieudfliip with ail t!. ir irighber?, and prrfevcriMicr in thol'c occupations and purfuits which will befl promote their own well being. The appropriations of the l.ifl fcflion, foi the def-nce of our fea port towns and harbors, wi re made under c-xpecation that a continuance of our peace would permit us to pr cred in that wc tk according to our convenience. It has been thought bcttir
I deemed it endifpenfible to fee lire a great
er provilion ot thole articles of miiitaiy flores with which our magazines were not
fufficiently furniflied. To have awaited a
previous and fpecial fancYion by law would
have loll occaiions which might not be retrieved. I did nothefitate therefore to authorife engagements for fuch fupplements to otmexiiiing flock as would render it ad
it will become knr.wn at a moment when the fupreme council of the nation is afTemf led at-its poH, ard ready to give the aids of itswifdom and authority to whatever courfc the good of our ccuntiy fhall then call us to purfue. Matters of minor importance will be the fubjecls of future communications ; and nothing fliall be wanting vn My part which
eqtnteto the emergencies threatening us;tmay give inlotuirftion 11 dilp-atch to the pio
ceedmes of ihe ler;ilnture m the rxernl'e of their high duties, and at a lrcment fo interefiirg to the gcr.crr.l wclfnrr. TH : JKIFE11SON. Tuefday, Oct. 27, 14J07.
to apply the furm then given towards th' left ncre of New York, Oiarlcftoti ai d NVv Orleans, rhii riv, as mofl open and mcfl likely full to nted protection ; and to h ave pi cts le U immediately in danger to the prouliuns of the prcfent fcflion. '1 hr gun bonis too already provided have
on a llkr Iirilifiii r. hrrti r hit -fiv xtti'nrt tn
l I J .... ... v. . , New York,' New Orleans and tbc Chela
tion xicccir.it ily lead to the policy cither uf jpcikc. Whether cur uiwvcLlc fcrcc cn
and I truft that the leiriflature feelina: the
fame anxiety for the fafety of our countiy, fo materially advanced by this precaution, w ill approve when done what they would have fecn fo important to be done, il then alTembled. Expenses, alio unprovided for arofe ut of the neceffity of calling all our gun-boats into actual fervice for ihe defence of our harbors, of all which accounts will be laid before you. Whether a regular army is to be raifed, and to what extent, muft depend on the information fo fhortly expected. In the mean time I have called 011 the flates for quotas of militia, to be in readinefs for prefeut defence ; and have moreover encouraged the acceptance of Volunteers, and I am happy to inform you that thefe have offered themfelves with great alacrity in every part ol the union. They are ordered to be organized, and ready at a moments warning, to proceed on any fervice to which they m-y be called, and every preparation within the executive powers has been made to enfure us the benefit cf early exertions I informed Congrefs. at their bft feflion, of the enterprizes agamfl the public peace, which were believed to be in preparation by Aaron Burr, and his afiociates, of the meafures taken ro defeat them, and to bring the offenders to juftice. Their enterprizes were happily defeated, by the patriotic exertions
of the militia, whenever called into action,
by the fidelity of the army, and the energy
of the commander in chief, in promptly ar
ranging the difficulties presenting them felves on the Sabine, repairing to meet tholkirifing on the Miffiflippi, and diffipating before their explofion, plots; engendering there ; I fliall think it my duty to lay before you the pioceedings, and the evi
dence publicly exhibited on the arraignment of the principal offenders before the aiflridt court of Virginia. You will be rnabled to judge whether the defect was in the teftimony, in the law, or in the adminillration of the law ; and wherever it fliall be found, the Legiflature alone can apply or originate the remedy. Ths framers of our conditution certainly fuppofed they had guarded, as well their government againfl deflruction by treafon, as their citizens againfl oppreflion, under pretence of it ; and if thefe ends are not attained, it is of importance to enquire by what means more elTecHially, they may be fecured. The accounts of the receipt of revenue, during the year ending on the thirtieth day of September lafl, being not yet made up, a correct flatemcnt will hereafter be tranlmitted from the treafury. In the mean time it is afcertaincd that the receipts have amounted to near fixteen millions of dollars ; which with the five millions and a half in the rrafury, at the beginning of the year, have enabled us, after meeting the current demand and interefl incuired, to pay more than the fc ur millions of the principal oi our fundrd debt. Thefe payments, with thofe of the picceeding five years, have ex tinguifhed of the fundrd debt, twenty five millions and a half cf dollars, being the whole which could be piid or punhafed within the limit of the Ijw, and of our contrafts, and have lrft us in the ticafury eight millions and a half of dolhri. A portion of this Ann may be coufidered s a commencement of iccutnulaticT of the
furplus of revenue, which after paying the mfialrnent of debt, as they fliall become piyahle, will remain without any fpecific -bj-ct. It may paitly indeed be applied towards completing the defence of the expo I'm! poinu of anr country, on fuch a fcale at fhaJl be adapted to our pi intipk-s and cir-
cumfUucu. This object is dcubtlcf a.
i ima n m Hihim inm mm tmmm
W
INDIANA TERRITORY,
HERE AS a writ of foreign attachment has ilTued out of the ge
neral court for the faid Territory dircclcd to 1 1". f 1 1 r 1 IT i- f tT f nr rAimi irvinf flu.
I ,n, I- - J i 1 r V
f"ds, rights and credits of Jofeph Hahd,at
tae lint ot Daniel omith, in a plea of treip;.fs on the cafe, by virtue ef which writ the fheriff hath attached fundry mc nies, goods and chattels cf the faid Jofrph Baird Now notice is hereby given, that unlefs the ftid Jofrph Baird mail appear. by himfelf or attorney, to give fpecial bail, to anfwer the faid fuit, judgment will be entered agninft him by default, and the faid eflate fo attached, will bs fold for the fttisfaetinn of all creditors who fhr.1l appear to be jnflly entitled to a demand thereon, and fliall apply' for that purpofe. HENRY HURST, fc. G. C. JOHN JOHNSON Attny. for pltff. Dated the 25th Oct. I8o7. INDIANA TERRITORY, set. Edmund Clark, plaintiff, vs. Jofiah Stephcns: defendant On Foreign Attachment, WHEREAS a writ of foreign attachment hath iiTued out of the court of Common Pleas, of faid county, againfl the lands and tenements, goods, chattels and' eft-Its riglrts1 and credits, of the IV. id Joliah Stephens, at the fuit of the faid Edmund Clark, in air action of debt, for three thnuTtml dollars ; by virtue of which writ, the flieriff of faid comity hath attached fundry property of faid defendant. Notice is hereby given, that unlefs the faid defendant, Jofnh Stephens, fliall, by himfelf, or his attorney, appear and give fperial bail, to anfwer faid fuit, judgment will be entered againfl him hy default, and the property fo attached, be fold for the fatisfaction of all creditors who fliall appear to be juflly entitled to a demand thereon, and fliall apply for that purpofe. Ttflr. SAMt.. G1VATILUEY, C.C.P. WARDEN POPE, Atty. for pkff, Nov. 2 1, I80T. INDIANA TERRITORY, Randolph County, Bryand Morrifont towit, foreign attach vs Imeiit at March term James Ilaggan, J 1805,
in tiie above cale notice is hereby given to the defendant, that unlefs he be and appear before the court of common pleas next to be holden at Kafoafkia, in and for the county of Randolph on the third Monday in December next and fliall hy himfcR or attorney then and there enter fpecial bail in the faid action for the Ami of two hundred and twenty.five dollars, and receive a declarotion and plcid to the fame, that judgment will be rendered againfl him ar.d the goods, chattlci, lands i.d tenements 111 thii cafe attached, will be fold to fatisfy his debts agreeably to hw. Sep. U 1807. ROBERT MORRISON, c. u. c. K. KOB1SON, Attorney for plff.
