GENERAL HISTORY. 



[179 



venture to attack our peaceable 

 inliabitants. A strong hope is 

 entertained that this measure will 

 likewise be productive of much 

 good to the tribes themselves, 

 especially in promoting the great 

 object of their civilization. Ex- 

 perience has clearly demonstrated, 

 that independent savage eommu- 

 nities cannot long exist within 

 the limits of a civilized popula- 

 tion. The progress of the latter 

 has, almost invariably, terminated 

 in the extinction of the former, 

 especially of the tribes belonging 

 to our portion of this hemisphere, 

 among whom, loftiness of senti- 

 ment, and gallantry in action, 

 have been conspicuous. To civi- 

 lize them, and even to prevent 

 tlieir extinction, it seems to be 

 indispensable that their indepen- 

 dence, as communities, should 

 cease, and that the control of the 

 United States over them should 

 be complete and undisputed. 

 Tlie hunter state will then be 

 more easily abandoned, and re- 

 course will be had to the acqui- 

 sition and culture of land, and to 

 other pursuits tending to dissolve 

 the ties which connect them 

 together ds a savage community, 

 and to give a new character to 

 every individual. I present this 

 subject to the consideration of 

 Congress, on the presumption 

 that it may be found expedient 

 and practicable to adopt some be- 

 nevolent provisions, having these 

 objects in view, relative to the 

 tribes within our settlements. 



It has been necessary, during 

 the present year, to maintain a 

 strong naval force in tlie Medi- 

 terranean, and in the Gulf of 

 Mexico, and to send some public 

 ' ships along the southern coast, 



and to the Pacific Ocean. By 

 these means, amicable relations 

 with the Barbary powers have 

 been preserved, our commerce 

 has been protected, and our 

 rights respected. The augmen- 

 tation of our navy is advancing 

 vnth a steady progress towards 

 the limit contemplated by law. 



I communicate with great 

 satisfaction the accession of 

 another state, Illinois, to our 

 Union ; because I perceive, from 

 the proof afforded by the addi- 

 tions already made, the regular 

 progress and sure consummation 

 of a policy, of which history 

 affords no example, and at which 

 the good e&ect cannot be too 

 highly estimated. By extending 

 our government, on the princi- 

 ples of our constitution, over the 

 vast territory within our limits, 

 on the Lakes and the Mississippi, 

 and its numerous streams, new 

 life and vigour are infused into 

 every part of our system. By 

 increasing the number of the 

 states, the confidence of the state 

 governments in their own security 

 is increased, and their jealousy of 

 the national government pro- 

 portionably diminished. The im- 

 practicability of one consolidated 

 government for this great and 

 growing nation will be more 

 apparent, and will be universally 

 admitted. Incapable of exercising 

 local authority, except for gene- 

 ral purposes, the general govern- 

 ment will no longer be dreaded. 

 In those cases of a local nature, 

 and for all the great purposes for 

 which it was instituted, its autho- 

 rity will be cherished. Each 

 government will acquire new 

 force, and a greater freedom of 

 action, within its proper sphere. 



[n2] Other 



