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bill to Congress, with his objections to its becoming a law, principally on the ground that there was no ex1817. press power granted by the Constitution to make roads and canals. 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

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which he had been entrusted for tho preceding eight eventful years. Of his ability and character, the reader has had abundant opportunity of judging from what we have 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 CongressAbolition 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 inves tigation-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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graced the scene by his presence, and the judges of the supreme court, foreign ministers, and other dignitaries, were there as spectators and witnesses of the pledges which the new president was about to give of his devotion to his country's interests and welfare. His Inaugural address was unusually long; and we regret that our limits do not admit of quoting it in full. It is a calm, clear, and earnest exposition of the principles on which

"It is particularly gratifying to me, to enter on the discharge of these duties, 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.

"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 illus trious 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

Ch. 11.]

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THE PRESIDENT'S TOUR.

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forces where they would be able to act, in case of need, speedily and effectively. Nor was he less moved to undertake this journey, by his desire to become acquainted with the people and learn their wants, to ascertain how the machinery of government, remote from the central power, performed its functions, and to inform himself in regard to the resources of the country, and the means necessary to develope them. He also intimated publicly, that a regard to the economical expenditure of the national funds, appropriated by Congress to the construction of the coast defences, induced him to make this tour.

at Paris, took the place left vacant by Mr. Dallas's death. Crowninshield was continued at the head of the navy department, and Meigs as postmaster-general. The office of secretary of war was offered to governor Shelby of Kentucky; but he considered himself too old for its duties, and no appointment was made till the end of the year, when Calhoun accepted it. The attorney-generalship was held by Mr. Rush until December, when William Wirt was appointed as his successor. In these, as well as other appointments, Mr. Monroe had an eye to the republican character and principles of the persons chosen to office. The federalists, of course, had nothing to hope for from the new president; and, notwithstanding General Jackson's letter to Mr. Monroe, urging him to put aside all party feeling and party considerations, and to select men for their character, integrity, and fitness, no matter what might be their political sentiments, he was too astute, and too well aware of the inexpediency of such schemes to make the attempt. His answer to Jack-Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, and son's letter is quite worthy of perusal returned to Washington on the in this connection. 18th of September, having been absent three months and a half, and having performed a journey of more than two thousand miles. Every where, the president was received with demonstrations of respect and cordiality, and there can be no doubt, we think, that his tour was a wise and judicious movement with reference to the great objects to which he had so recently pledged his Vows in the capitol.

Soon after his inauguration, the president determined to make a tour of inspection and observation through the eastern, middle, and western states. He was desirous of becoming acquainted with the strength of the various fortified places along the Atlantic coast; of removing such works as were constructed in improper situations; of selecting new points for the erection of strong and sufficient batteries against invasion; and of posting the regular

Mr. Monroe passed through Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, the chief towns in Connecticut, and Rhode Is land, and reached Boston on the 2d of July. Thence, traversing a large part of Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, he turned his face westward, and inspecting the works on Lake Ontario, he proceeded to Detroit by way of Lake Erie. From Detroit he travelled through parts of Michigan,

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The fifteenth Congress commenced its first session at the usual time, in the

beginning of December. The republicans were decidedly in the majority, there being only a few of the more distinguished federalists left, such as Rufus King, and Harison Gray Otis, in the Senate, and Timothy Pitkin, Henry Shaw, and John Sergeant, in the House. Henry Clay was elected speaker by a hundred and forty-four votes out of a hundred and fifty; and John Galliard was chosen president of the Senate, pro tempore.

$2,750,000, exclusive of the balance ex pected to be in the treasury at the beginning of the year. The financial prospects of the country were, consequently, considered as full of encourage ment and promise for the future.

The president went on to make suitable mention of the militia, the army and navy, the Indians, and the public lands. In respect to "internal improvements," he said: "Disregarding early impressions, I have bestowed on the Mr. Monroe's first annual message subject all the deliberation which its was sent in on the 2d of December. great importance and a just sense of It began with congratulations upon the my duty required, and the re- 1817. general condition of the country, and sult is a settled conviction in spoke of the various steps which had my mind, that Congress do not possess been taken in regard to arrangements the right. It is not contained in any with the British government, naval ar- of the specified powers granted to Conmaments on the lakes, the north-eastern gress; nor can I consider it incident to, boundary, the fisheries, the relations or a necessary means, viewed on the with Spain, etc. The internal concerns most liberal scale, for carrying into ef of the country were represented as pe- fect any of the powers which are speciculiarly gratifying. "After satisfying fically granted." Mr. Monroe, therefore, | the appropriations made by law for the suggested an amendment to the Consupport of the civil government, and of stitution; in which he thought might the military and naval establishments, be included the right of Congress to embracing suitable provision for forti- institute "seminaries of learning," as fications and for the gradual increase one very important branch of such of the navy, paying the interest of the "improvements." public debt, and extinguishing more than $18,000,000 of the principal, with in the present year, it is estimated that a balance of more than $6,000,000 will remain in the treasury on the 1st day of January next, applicable to the current expenses of the ensuing year." The receipts for the next year were estimated at $24,500,000 and the outgoings at nearly $22,000,000; so that there would be an excess of revenue beyond expenditure amounting to nearly

Manufactures and machinery, the public buildings at Washington, and "the surviving officers and soldiers of our revolutionary army," all received their due share of attention; and the message concluded with a paragraph on the subject of taxation:-"It appearing in a satisfactory manner, that the revenue arising from imposts and tonnage, and from the public lands, will be fully adequate to the support of the civil government, of the present military

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