1806. ] 
themfelves, entitled them tothe confidence 
of their fellow-citizens in every part of the 
Union, and muft ftrengthen the general de- 
termination to proteét them efficacioufly un- 
der ail circumftances which may occur. 
Having received information that in ano- 
ther part of the United States, a great num- 
ber of private individuals were combining to- 
gether, arming and organizing themfelves, 
contrary t6 law to carry ona military expedi- 
tion againft the territories of Spain, I thought 
it neceflary, by proclamation, as well as by 
fpecial orders, to take meafures for prevent- 
ing and fuppreffing this enterprize, for feiz- 
ing the veflels, arms, and other means pro- 
vided for it, and for arre(ting and bringing to 
jeftice tts authors and abettors. It was due to 
that good faith, which ought ever to be the 
rule of action in public as well_as in private 
tranfactions; it was due to good order, and 
regular government, that, while the public 
force was acting firi@ly on the d-fenfive, and 
merely to protect our citizens from aggreflion, 
the criminal attempts, of private individuals 
to decide, for their country, the queftion of 
peace or war, by commencing active, and un- 
authorized hoftilities, fhould be promptly 
and efhcacioully fuppreffed. 
Whether it will be neceffary to enlarge our 
regular force, will depend on the refult of our 
negotiations with Spain. But as it is uncer- 
tain when that refult will te known, the 
provifional meafures requifite for that, and to 
meet any preflure intervening in that quarter, 
will be a fubject for your early confideration. 
The pofferiion of both banks of the Mif- 
fiffippi, reducing to a fingle point the de- 
fence of that river, its waters and the coun- 
try adjacent, it becomes highly neceflary: to 
provide, for that point, amore adequate fecu- ’ 
rity.—-Some pofition above its mouth, com- 
manding the pafiage of that river, fhould be 
rendered fufficiently {trong tu cover the armed 
veflels, which may be ftationed there for de- 
(fence 3 and, in conjunétion withthem, to pre- 
fent an infuperable obftacle te any force, at- 
tempting to pafs. The eaten to the 
city of New Orleans,. trom the eaftern quar- 
ter alfo, will require to be examined, and 
more effe€tually guarded. For the internal 
fupport of the country, the encouragement of 
a ftrong fettlement on the weftern fide of the 
Miffidippi, within reach of New Orleans, 
will be worthy the ‘confideration of the Le- 
giflature. 
The gun-boats, authorifed by an aét of the 
laft feflion, are fo advanced, that they will be 
Teady for fervice in the enfuing fpring. Cir- 
cumflances permitted us to allow the time 
neceffary for their more folid conftruction. As 
a much larger number will {till be wanting, to 
place our fea-port towns and, waters in that 
ftate of defence, of which we are competent, 
and they entitled, a fimilar appropriation 
for a further provifion of them, is recom- 
mended for the enfuing year. . 
A turtber appropriation will alfo be necef- 
State of Public Affairs in January. 83 
fary for repairing fortifications already eftab- 
lithed, and the erection of fuch other works 
as may have real efect in obftructing the ap- 
proach of an enemy to our fea-port fowns, oT 
their remaining before them. 
In a country whole conftitution is derived 
from the will of the people direétly exprefled 
by their free fuffrages, where the principal 
executive funétionaries, and thofe of the le- 
giflature are renewed by them at fhort periods, 
where, under the character of jurors, they ex 
ercife in perfon the greate{t portion of the ju-= 
diciary powers, where the Jaws are confe- 
quently fo formed and adminiftred as to bear 
with equal weight and favor on all, reftrain- 
ing no man in the purfuit of honeft induftry, 
and fecuring to every one the property which 
that acquires, it would not be fuppofed that 
any fafeguard could be needed again{t infur- 
reétion or enterprize, on the public peace or 
authority. The laws, however, aware that 
thefe fhould not be trufted to moral refraints 
only, have wifely provided punifhmeats for 
thefe crimes when committed. But would it 
not be falutary to give alfo the means of pre- 
venting thei- commiiion? Where an enter- 
prize is meditated by private individuals 
againft a foreign nation, unanimity with the 
United States, powers of prevention, to a cer- 
tain extent, are given by the laws. Would 
they not be as reafonable as ufeful, where 
the enterprize preparing is againit the United 
States ?—While adverting to this branch of 
law, it is proper to obferve that in enterprizes 
meditated avainft tureign_natons, the ordinary 
procefs of binding to the obfervance of the 
peace and good behaviour, could it be extend- 
ed to acts to be done out of the jurifdiction of 
the United States, would be effectually in 
cafes where the offender is able to keep out of 
fight every indication of his purpofe, which 
could now draw on him the exercife of the 
powers now given by law. 
The ftates on the coaft of Barbary feem ge- 
nerally difpofed at prefent to refpect our peace 
and friendfhip. With Tunis alone fome un- 
certainty remains. Perfuaded that it is our 
iptere{t to maintain our peace with them on 
equal terms or not at ali, | propofe to fend in 
due time, a reinforcement into the Mediter- 
ranean; uniefs previous information {hall 
thew it to be unneceflary. 
We continue to perceive proofs of the 
growing attachment of our Indian neighbours, 
and of their difpofition to place all their in- 
tereits under the patronage of the United 
States. Thefe dilpofitions are infpired py 
their confidence in our juftice, and in the fin- 
cere concern we feel for their welfare. And 
as long as we diicharge thefe hggb and honor- 
able functions with the integrity and good 
faith which alone can entitle us to their cons 
tinuance, we may expeét to reap the juft ree 
ward in their peace and friendthip, 
The expedition of Mefirs. Lewis and Clark 
for exploring the river Miffouri, and the b 
communication from that to tke Pa 
L2 QO 
Sa 
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