STATE PAPERS. 
our frontiers. In this review; you 
will doubtless allow due weight to 
the considerations, that the ques- 
tions between us and certain fo- 
reign powers, are not yet finally 
adjusted; that the war in Europe 
is not terminated; and that our 
western posts, when recovered, will 
demard provision, for garrisoning 
and securing them. A statement 
of our present military force will 
be laid before you by the depart- 
ment of war. 
With the review of our army 
establishment is naturally connected 
that of the militia. It will meric 
inquiry, what imperfections in 
the existing plan, further experi- 
ence may have, unfolded. The 
subject is of so much moment, in 
my estimation, as to excite a con- 
stant solicitude, that the considera- 
tion of it may be renewed until 
the greatest attainable perfection, 
shall be accomplished. Time is 
wearing away some advantages for 
forwarding the object, while none 
better deserves the persevering at. 
tention of the public councils. * 
While we indulge the satisfac- 
tion which the actual condition of 
our western borders so well autho- 
rizes, it is necessary that we should 
not lose sight of an important truth, 
which continually receives new 
confirmations; namely, that the 
provisions heretofore made, with a 
view to the protection of the In- 
dians from the violence of the law- 
less part of the frontier inhabitants, 
are insufficient. It is demonstrated, 
that these violences can now be 
perpetrated with impunity. And 
it can need no argument to prove, 
that unless the murdering of Indi. 
ans can be restrained by bringing 
the murderers to condign punish- 
ment, all the exertions of the go- 
303 
vernment to prevent destructive res 
taliations by the indians, will prove 
fruitless, and all our present agree. 
able prospects illusory. The fre., 
quent destru«tion of innocent woz 
men and childreny who are chiefly 
‘the vidtims of retaliation, must 
continve to shock humanity ; and 
an enormGus expence to drain. the 
treasury of the union. 
To enforce upon: the Indians 
the observance of justice, it is in. 
dispensable that there shall be.com. 
petent means of rendering justice to 
them. If these means can be de. 
vised by the wisdom of congress, 
and especially if there can be added 
an adequate provision for supply - 
ing the necessities of the Indians, 
on reasonable terms, (a measure, 
the mention of which I the more : 
readily repeat, as in all the con. 
ferences they urge it with solici. 
tude), I should not hesitate to 
entertain a strong hope ef render- 
ing our tranguillity permanent, f 
add, with pleasure, that the proba. 
bility-even of their civilization is 
not diminished by the experiments 
which have been thus far made | 
under the auspices of government. 
The accomplishment of this work, 
if practicable, will refle& undecay « 
ing lustre on our national charaer, 
and administer the most grateful 
consolations that virtuous minde 
can know. 
Gentlemen of the house of re. 
presentatives, 
The state of our revenue, with 
the sums that have been borrowed 
and reimbursed, pursuant to the 
different acts of congress, will be 
submitted from the proper depart. 
ments ; together with an estimate 
of the appropriations necessary to 
be 
