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immediate use, an agent was sent to England to obtain $5,000,000 in specie, on account of the bank.

The second session of the fourteenth Congress was commenced on the 2d of December, and the next day the president sent in his eighth and last annual message. It is a long and interesting document, and abounds in evidences of the earnest patriotism of the man who, for eight years past, had been called upon to administer the government of our beloved country. He adverts, in the opening of his message, to some unfavorable circumstances, as the partial failure of the crops, the depression of the manufactures of the country, the languishing of navigation, etc. For eign affairs were generally in a 1816. quiet condition, and the Indian tribes were gradually improving in progress towards civilization. The organization of the militia, the establishment of a uniform system of weights and measures, the erection of a national university, an amendment of the law in relation to criminal trials, the prevention of the African slave trade, and a proposal to remodify the federal judiciary, and to add another department to the executive branch of government, were all touched upon in succession.

In respect to the finances, the president expressed his gratification to find, that even within the short period which had elapsed since the return of peace, the revenue had far exceeded all the current demands upon the treasury; so the treasury; so that an ample fund for the extinction of the debt was afforded, even though, through the vicissitudes of commerce, any diminution should occur in its fu

ture annual product. Exclusive of loans and treasury notes, it was calculated that the actual receipts, including the balance in hand at the commencement of the year, amounted to about $47,000,000. The total of actual payments was about $38,000,000; so that there was a surplus of some $9,000,000. The condition of the national currency was pointed out as the main source of the difficulties which obstructed the operations of the treasury. Yet there was hope in that quarter; for the Bank of the United States had been organized under most favorable auspices, and could scarcely fail to be a most im portant auxiliary. The floating debt, it was expected, would soon be entire ly discharged. The funded debt had been estimated at a sum not exceed ing $110,000,000. The ordinary annual expenses were reckoned at under $20,000,000; and the permanent revenue, from all sources, at about $25,000,000. For other favorable circumstances connected with the financial position of affairs, reference was made to the statement of the secretary of the treasury.

Conscious that his term of office was now nearly closed, the president alludes, in grateful language, to the confidence reposed in him by his country; eulogizes the Constitution by which our liberties are secured; and, reading in the character of the American people 1816. their devotion to true liberty, and their determination to support "a government whose conduct, within and without, shall bespeak the most noble of all ambitions-that of promoting peace on earth and good will to man.”

CH. L.]

CALHOUN ON INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

he concludes his message by saying; "these contemplations, sweetening the remnant of my days, will animate my prayers for the happiness of my beloved country, and a perpetuity of the institutions under which it is enjoyed."

Congress, sincerely anxious to discharge the weighty duties imposed upon them, seconded the views of the president, and entered zealously upon their work. One act of great moment was passed, as it provided for the paying off of the national debt by annual instalments of $10,000,000. For the debt, in fact, exceeded $120,000,000, and neither could Mr. Madison, nor could any one who had borne a part in the management of affairs when it was contracted, properly leave office without making some provision for its ultimate extinction. But it appears to have been chiefly by the exertions of William Lowndes, chairman of the committee of ways and means, that this act was carried successfully through Congress.

The subject of internal improvements again gave rise to animated debates in Congress. On motion of John C. Calhoun, in December, 1816, a resolution was proposed, directing the appointment of a committee to inquire into the desirableness of setting apart the bonus and net annual profits in the form of dividends, of the national bank, as a permanent fund for internal improve ments. This being adopted by the House, there resulted, on the 23d, a bill constructed for the purpose of securing that end. It was fully considered in a committee of the whole, early in February, 1817, and slightly amend

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ed, mainly by the influence of Mr. Pickering. In the Senate, after it had passed the House, it was further amended, and the amendment was accepted by the House. It passed finally on the 8th of February.

Mr. Calhoun's view of the question was large and clear, and expressed in his most masterly manner. The value of a well-arranged system of internal communications by road and water; the magnitude of some of the most desirable works of both kinds; the facility with which private and state enterprise could harmonize with, and supplement the undertakings of Congress; the addition to the sum of national wealth made by increasing the accessibility of the ports and markets for the producers; the additional tax-paying power of the country in consequence; the tendency to promote the stability of the Union;—were all urged as preliminary considerations to the discussion of the constitutionality of the proposal. And its entire accordance with the charter of our Union, interpreted by "plain good sense," he stoutly and intelligently maintained; urging the purchase of Louisiana, and the construction of the Cumberland road, as precedents for the views he advocated.* Henry Clay's speech in favor of the bill repeated Calhoun's arguments, and urged others which produced their effect upon the House.

The president, however, on the last day of his official career, returned the

* For Calhoun's speech on this topic, see "American Eloquence," by Frank Moore, vol. ii., pp. 479–82.

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bill to Congress, with his objections to which he had been entrusted for the its becoming a law, principally on the preceding eight eventful years. ground that there was no ex- Of his ability and character, press power granted by the the reader has had abundant opporConstitution to make roads and canals.tunity of judging from what we have An attempt was made to pass the bill by the constitutional two-thirds vote, but it failed, and the bill was consequently lost.

The navigation laws were revised during this short session, and made more conformable to the protective policy which was now in favor in the United States. Acts were passed regulating the territories of the United States, confirming to them the privilege of sending each a delegate to Congress, to take part in the debates of the House, but not to vote; fixing the peace establishment of the marine corps at eight hundred men, including officers; providing for the relief of persons imprisoned for debt; determining the erection of the territory of Alabama; for punishing crimes committed in the Indian lands; and for other important national objects. On the 11th of December, 1816, Indiana, having formed a constitution in conformity to the act of Congress, was admitted into the Union. An act was also passed at this session, authorizing the inhabitants of the western part of Mississippi to form a constitution, preparatory to admission into the Union as a state.

On the 3d of March, the fourteenth Congress reached its termination. On the same day also, James Madison, not unwillingly, laid down the office with

narrated respecting his administration That he was a man of undoubted patriotism, and sincerely devoted to the best interests of his country, cannot be questioned; but it is not to be denied, on the other hand, that he was not a man of genius or commanding talent, and was hardly at all adapted to the taking the helm of state in the stormy period of war and its attendant trials and commotions. Though censured with being deficient in energy; though no hero; though disposed to yield too much to others on various occasions; though far better fitted for the duties of peace than of war; yet his adminis tration was, to a great extent, successful, and clearly met the approbation of the majority of the people. He enjoyed a large share of the confidence of Americans in the day when he presided over the destinies of our country, and that confidence in his wisdom, integrity, and patriotism has not been diminished by the lapse of time, or the searching investigation to which his life and career have been subjected.*

* The reader who wishes to see what eloquent words have been uttered by an appreciative mind, respecting the fourth president of the United States, may consult to advantage the Eulogy delivered by John Quincy Adams, before the two Houses of Congress, in 1836, soon after Mr. Madison's death.

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The fifth president enters upon his administration - His Inaugural address - Mr. Monroe's cabinet - Political principles of his administration - The president's tour through the eastern, middle, and western states- First session of the fifteenth Congress - The message of the president — Abstract of its contents - Debates in Congress― Abolition of internal taxes-State of the country-Tariff arrangements -Internal improvements — Discussion of the subject — Measures proposed — Amelia Island and Galveston — M’Gregor and Aury, and their proceedings-Expelled by the United States forces - Mississippi admitted into the Union-Treaties with the Indians -The Seminole war-General Gaines's orders-General Jackson in command-Marches into Florida - Arɔuthnot and Ambrister - Their trial and execution—Jackson marches to Pensacola - The Spanish authority abolished - Excitement in consequence of Jackson's course-Congress again in session - The president's message -The Bank of the United States complained of — Committee of inquiry appointed — Result of their investigation-Speculations and frauds - New president and directors appointed - Return of confidence - Action in Congress respecting General Jackson and the Seminole war— - Debates and result- Illinois admitted into the Union-Question on admission of Alabama and Missouri-Former admitted, latter not- - Calhoun's report on roads, canals, etc. - Treaty with Spain, and cession of Florida to the United States - Claims for indemnity on European governments - Pressed, but evaded and refused.

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the discharge of the duties of his posi tion. A paragraph or two, in conclusion, may not inaptly be quoted.

It was on the 4th day of March, | the new president meant to proceed in 1817, that James Monroe, with a large concourse of friends and fellow-citizens, proceeded to the capitol, and went through the imposing ceremony of inauguration, as the fifth president of the United States. Mr. Madison

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"It is particularly gratifying to me, to enter on the discharge of these du ties, at a time when the United States are blessed with peace. It is a state most consistent with their prosperity and happiness. It will be my sincere desire to preserve it, so far as depends on the executive, on just principles with all nations, claiming nothing unreasonable of any, and rendering to each what is its due.

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Equally gratifying is it, to witness the increased harmony of opinion which pervades our Union. Discord does not belong to our system. Union is recom

mended, as well by the free and benign principles of our government, extending its blessings to every individual, as by the other eminent advantages attending it. The American people have encountered together great dangers, and sustained severe trials with success. They constitute one great family with a common interest. Experience has enlightened us on some questions of essential importance to the country. The progress has been slow, dictated by a just reflection, and faithful regard to every interest connected with it. To promote this harmony, in accord with the principles of our republican government, and in a manner to give them the most complete effect, and to advance in all other respects the best interests of our Union, will be the object of my constant and zealous exertions.

"Never did a government commence under auspices so favorable, nor ever was success so complete. If we look to the history of other nations, ancient and modern, we find no example of a growth so rapid, so gigantic; of a people so prosperous and happy. In contemplating what we have still to perform, the heart of every citizen must expand with joy when he reflects how near our government has approached to perfection; that in respect to it we have no essential improvement to make; that the great object is to preserve it in the essential principles and features which characterize it, and that is to be done by preserving the virtue and enlightening the minds of the people; and, as a security against foreign dangers, to adopt such arrangements as are indispensable to the support of our

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independence, our rights, and liberties. If we persevere in the career in which we have advanced so far, and in the path already traced, we cannot fail, by the favor of a gracious Providence, to attain the high destiny which seems to await us.

"In the administration of the illustrious men who have preceded me in this high station, with some of whom I have been connected by the closest ties from early life, examples are presented, which will always be found highly instructive, and useful to their successors.

"From these I shall endeavor to derive all the advantages which they may afford. Of my immediate predecessor, under whom so important a portion of this great and successful experiment has been made, I shall be pardoned for expressing my earnest wishes that he may long enjoy, in his retirement, the affections of a grateful country, the best reward of exalted talents, and the most faithful and meritorious services. Relying on the aid to be derived from the other departments of the government, I enter on the trust to which I have been called by the suffrages of my fellow-citizens, with my fervent prayers to the Almighty, that He will be graciously pleased to continue to us that protection, which He has already so conspicuously displayed in our favor."

The president then took the oath of office, and immediately sent in to the Senate the names of the gentlemen whom he had selected as his cabinet. John Quincy Adams, recalled from his post at London, was made secretary of state. William H. Crawford, who had formerly represented the United States

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