158] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1817. 



It is not contained in any of the 

 specified powers granted to Con- 

 gress ; nor can I consider it in- 

 cidental to, or a necessary mean, 

 viewed on the most liberal scale, 

 for carrying into effect any of 

 the powers which are specifically 

 granted. In communicating this 

 result, I cannot resist the obli- 

 gation which I feel to suggest to 

 Congress the propriety of recom- 

 mending to tlie States the adoption 

 of an amendment to the consti- 

 tution, which shall give to Con- 

 gress the right in question. In 

 cases of doubtful construction, 

 especially of such vital interest, it 

 comports with the nature and 

 origin of our institutions, and will 

 contribute much to preserve them, 

 to apply to our constituents for an 

 explicit grant of the power. We 

 may confidently rely, that if it ap- 

 pears to their satisfaction that the 

 power is necessary, it will always 

 be granted. In this case I am 

 happy to observe that experience 

 has afforded the most ample proof 

 of its utility, and that the benign 

 spirit of conciliation and har- 

 mony which now manifests itself 

 throughout our Union, promises 

 to such a recommendation the 

 most prompt and favourable re- 

 sult. I think proper to suggest 

 also, in case tliis measure is 

 adopted, that it be recommended 

 to the States to include in the 

 amendment sought, a right in 

 Congress to institute, likewise, 

 seminaries of learning, for the 

 all-important purpose of diffusing 

 knowledge among our fellow- 

 citizens througliout tlie United 

 States. 



" Ovu' manufactories will re- 

 quire the continued attention of 

 Congress. The capital employed 



in them is considerable, and the 

 knowledge acquired in the ma- 

 chinery and fabric of all the most 

 useful manufactures is of great 

 value. Their preservation, which 

 depends on due encouragement, 

 is connected with the high inte- 

 rests of the nation. 



" Although the progress of the 

 public buildings has been as fa- 

 vourable as circumstances have 

 permitted, it is to be regretted 

 that the Capitol is not yet in a 

 state to receive you. There is 

 good cause to presume that the 

 two wings, the only parts as yet 

 commenced, will be prepared for 

 that purpose at the next session. 

 The time seems now to have ar- 

 rived when this subject may be 

 deemed worthy the attention of 

 Congress, on a scale adequate to 

 national purposes. The comple- 

 tion of tlie middle building will 

 be necessary to tlie convenient ac- 

 commodation of Congress, of the 

 Committees, and various offices 

 belonging to it. It is evident that 

 the other public buildings are al- 

 together insufficient for the ac- 

 commodation of the several execu- 

 tive departments, some of which 

 are nmch crowded, and even sub- 

 jected to the necessity of obtaining 

 it in private buildings, at some 

 distance from the head of the 

 department, and with inconve- 

 nience to the management of the 

 public business. Most nations 

 have taken an interest and a pride 

 in the improvement and ornament 

 of their metropolis, and none were 

 more conspicuous in that respect 

 than the ancient repubHcs. The 

 policy which dictated the estab- 

 lishment of a permanent residence 

 for the national government, and 

 the spii'it in which it was com- 

 menced 



