154] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1817. 



the other, and more particularly 

 by the equipment of privateers, 

 which have annoyed our com- 

 merce, and by smuggling. These 

 establishments, if ever sanctioned 

 by any authority whatever, which 

 is not believed, have abused their 

 trust, and forfeited all claim to 

 consideration. A just regard for 

 the rights and interests of the 

 United States required that they 

 should be suppressed : and orders 

 have accordingly issued to that 

 effect. The imperious considera- 

 tions which produced this mea- 

 sure will be explained to the par- 

 ties whom it may, in any degree, 

 concern. 



" To obtain correct informa- 

 tion on every subject in which the 

 United States are interested ; to 

 inspire just sentiments, in all per- 

 sons in authority, on either side, 

 of our friendly disposition, so far 

 as it may comport with an impar- 

 tial neutrality ; and to secure pro- 

 per respect to our commerce in 

 every port, and from every flag ; 

 it has been thought proper to 

 send a ship of war, with three- 

 distinguished citizens, along the 

 southern coast, with instruction 

 to touch at such ports as they may 

 lind most expedient for these pur- 

 poses. With the existing authori- 

 ties, with those in the possession 

 of, and exercising the sovereignty, 

 must the communication be held : 

 from them alone can redress for 

 past injuries, comn)itted by per- 

 sons acting under them, be ob- 

 tained : by them alone ain the 

 commission of the like in future 

 be prevented. 



" Our I'elations M'ith the other 

 powers of Europe have expe- 

 rienced no mateiial change since 

 the last session. In our inter- 



course with each, due attention 

 continues to be paid to the pro- 

 tection of our commerce, and to 

 every other object in which the 

 United States are interested. A 

 strong hope is entertained, that, 

 by adhering to the maxims of a 

 just, a candid, and friendly poli- 

 cy, we may long preserve amica- 

 ble relations with all the powers 

 of Europe, on conditions advan- 

 tageous and honourable to our 

 country. 



" With the Barbary States and 

 the Indian tribes our pacific rela- 

 tions have been preserved. 



" In calling your attention to 

 the internal concerns of our coun- 

 try, the view which they exhibit 

 is peculiarly gratifying. The pay- 

 ments, which have been made into 

 the treasury, show the very pro- 

 ductive state of the public reve- 

 nue. After satisfying the appro- 

 priations made by law for the 

 support of the civil Government, 

 and of the military and naval esta- 

 blishments, embracing suitable 

 provision for fortifications and for 

 the gradual increase of the navy, 

 paying the interest of the public 

 debt, and extinguishing more than 

 18,000,000 of the principal, with- 

 in the present year, it is esti- 

 mated that a balance of more than 

 6,000,000 of dollars will remain 

 in the treasury on the 1st day of 

 January, applicable to the current 

 service of the ensuing year. 



" The payments into the trea- 

 sury during the year IS 18, on ac- 

 count of imposts and tonnage, 

 resulting principally from duties 

 which have acciued in the present 

 year, may be fairly estimated at 

 20,000,000 of dollars; internal 

 revenues at 2,500,000 ; public 

 lauds at 1,, 500,000 ; bank di- 

 vidends 



