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JAMES MONROE
The Monroe Doctrine
It follows the full text transcript of
President James Monroe's Seventh Annual Message
to Congress, delivered at Washington D.C. — December 2, 1823.
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Fellow-Citizens of
the Senate and House of Representatives: |
Many important
subjects will claim your attention during the
present session, of which I shall endeavor to
give, in aid of your deliberations, a just idea
in this communication. I undertake this duty
with diffidence, from the vast extent of the
interests on which I have to treat and of their
great importance to every portion of our Union.
I enter on it with zeal from a thorough
conviction that there never was a period since
the establishment of our Revolution when,
regarding the condition of the civilized world
and its bearing on us, there was greater
necessity for devotion in the public servants to
their respective duties, or for virtue,
patriotism, and union in our constituents.
Meeting in you a new Congress, I deem it proper
to present this view of public affairs in
greater detail than might otherwise be
necessary. I do it, however, with peculiar
satisfaction, from a knowledge that in this
respect I shall comply more fully with the sound
principles of our Government.
The people being with us exclusively the
sovereign, it is indispensable that full
information be laid before them on all important
subjects, to enable them to exercise that high
power with complete effect. If kept in the dark,
they must be incompetent to it. We are all
liable to error, and those who are engaged in
the management of public affairs are more
subject to excitement and to be led astray by
their particular interests and passions than the
great body of our constituents, who, living at
home in the pursuit of their ordinary
avocations, are calm but deeply interested
spectators of events and of the conduct of those
who are parties to them.
To the people every department of the Government
and every individual in each are responsible,
and the more full their information the better
they can judge of the wisdom of the policy
pursued and of the conduct of each in regard to
it. From their dispassionate judgment much aid
may always be obtained, while their approbation
will form the greatest incentive and most
gratifying reward for virtuous actions, and the
dread of their censure the best security against
the abuse of their confidence. Their interests
in all vital questions are the same, and the
bond, by sentiment as well as by interest, will
be proportionably strengthened as they are
better informed of the real state of public
affairs, especially in difficult conjunctures.
It is by such knowledge that local prejudices
and jealousies are surmounted, and that a
national policy extending its fostering care and
protection to all the great interests of our
Union, is formed and steadily adhered to.
A precise knowledge of our relations with
foreign powers as respects our negotiations and
transactions with each is thought to be
particularly necessary. Equally necessary is it
that we should for a just estimate of our
resources, revenue, and progress in every kind
of improvement connected with the national
prosperity and public defense. It is by
rendering justice to other nations that we may
expect it from them. It is by our ability to
resent injuries and redress wrongs that we may
avoid them.
The commissioners under the 5th article of the
treaty of Ghent, having disagreed in their
opinions respecting that portion of the boundary
between the Territories of the United States and
of Great Britain the establishment of which had
been submitted to them, have made their
respective reports in compliance with that
article, that the same might be referred to the
decision of a friendly power. It being manifest,
however, that it would be difficult, if not
impossible, for any power to perform that office
without great delay and much inconvenience to
itself, a proposal has been made by this
Government, and acceded to by that of Great
Britain, to endeavor to establish that boundary
by amicable negotiation.
It appearing from long experience that no
satisfactory arrangement could be formed of the
commercial intercourse between the United States
and the British colonies in this hemisphere by
legislative acts while each party pursued its
own course without agreement or concert with the
other, a proposal has been made to the British
Government to regulate this commerce by treaty,
as it has been to arrange in like manner the
just claim of the citizens of the United States
inhabiting the States and Territories bordering
on the lakes and rivers which empty into the St.
Lawrence to the navigation of that river to the
ocean. For these and other objects of high
importance to the interests of both parties a
negotiation has been opened with the British
Government which it is hoped will have a
satisfactory result.
The commissioners under the 6th and 7th articles
of the treaty of Ghent having successfully
closed their labors in relation to the 6th, have
proceeded to the discharge of those relating to
the 7th. Their progress in the extensive survey
required for the performance of their duties
justifies the presumption that it will be
completed in the ensuing year.
The negotiation which had been long depending
with the French Government on several important
subjects, and particularly for a just indemnity
for losses sustained in the late wars by the
citizens of the United States under
unjustifiable seizures and confiscations of
their property, has not as yet had the desired
effect. As this claim rests on the same
principle with others which have been admitted
by the French Government, it is not perceived on
what just ground it can be rejected. A minister
will be immediately appointed to proceed to
France and resume the negotiation on this and
other subjects which may arise between the two
nations.
At the proposal of the Russian Imperial
Government, made through the minister of the
Emperor residing here, a full power and
instructions have been transmitted to the
minister of the United States at St. Petersburg
to arrange by amicable negotiation the
respective rights and interests of the two
nations on the North West coast of this
continent. A similar proposal had been made by
His Imperial Majesty to the Government of Great
Britain, which has likewise been acceded to. The
Government of the United States has been
desirous by this friendly proceeding of
manifesting the great value which they have
invariably attached to the friendship of the
Emperor and their solicitude to cultivate the
best understanding with his Government. In the
discussions to which this interest has given
rise and in the arrangements by which they may
terminate the occasion has been judged proper
for asserting, as a principle in which the
rights and interests of the United States are
involved, that the American continents, by the
free and independent condition which they have
assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be
considered as subjects for future colonization
by any European powers.
Since the close of the last session of Congress
the commissioners and arbitrators for
ascertaining and determining the amount of
indemnification which may be due to citizens of
the United States under the decision of His
Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Russia, in
conformity to the convention concluded at St.
Petersburg on [1822-07-12], have assembled in
this city, and organized themselves as a board
for the performance of the duties assigned to
them by that treaty. The commission constituted
under the 11th article of the treaty of
[1819-02-22], between the United States and
Spain is also in session here, and as the term
of three years limited by the treaty for the
execution of the trust will expire before the
period of the next regular meeting of Congress,
the attention of the Legislature will be drawn
to the measures which may be necessary to
accomplish the objects for which the commission
was instituted.
In compliance with a resolution of the House of
Representatives adopted at their last session,
instructions have been given to all the
ministers of the United States accredited to the
powers of Europe and America to propose the
proscription of the African slave trade by
classing it under the denomination, and
inflicting on its perpetrators the punishment,
of piracy. Should this proposal be acceded to,
it is not doubted that this odious and criminal
practice will be promptly and entirely
suppressed. It is earnestly hoped that it will
be acceded to, from the firm belief that it is
the most effectual expedient that can be adopted
for the purpose.
At the commencement of the recent war between
France and Spain it was declared by the French
Government that it would grant no commissions to
privateers, and that neither the commerce of
Spain herself nor of neutral nations should be
molested by the naval force of France, except in
the breach of a lawful blockade. This
declaration, which appears to have been
faithfully carried into effect, concurring with
principles proclaimed and cherished by the
United States from the first establishment of
their independence, suggested the hope that the
time had arrived when the proposal for adopting
it as a permanent and invariable rule in all
future maritime wars might meet the favorable
consideration of the great European powers.
Instructions have accordingly been given to our
ministers with France, Russia, and Great Britain
to make those proposals to their respective
Governments, and when the friends of humanity
reflect on the essential amelioration to the
condition of the human race which would result
from the abolition of private war on the sea and
on the great facility by which it might be
accomplished, requiring only the consent of a
few sovereigns, an earnest hope is indulged that
these overtures will meet with an attention
animated by the spirit in which they were made,
and that they will ultimately be successful.
The ministers who were appointed to the
Republics of Colombia and Buenos Ayres during
the last session of Congress proceeded shortly
afterwards to their destinations. Of their
arrival there official intelligence has not yet
been received. The minister appointed to the
Republic of Chile will sail in a few days. An
early appointment will also be made to Mexico. A
minister has been received from Colombia, and
the other Governments have been informed that
ministers, or diplomatic agents of inferior
grade, would be received from each, accordingly
as they might prefer the one or the other.
The minister appointed to Spain proceeded soon
after his appointment for Cadiz, the residence
of the Sovereign to whom he was accredited. In
approaching that port the frigate which conveyed
him was warned off by the commander of the
French squadron by which it was blockaded and
not permitted to enter, although apprised by the
captain of the frigate of the public character
of the person whom he had on board, the landing
of whom was the sole object of his proposed
entry. This act, being considered an
infringement of the rights of ambassadors and of
nations, will form a just cause of complaint to
the Government of France against the officer by
whom it was committed.
The actual condition of the public finances more
than realizes the favorable anticipations that
were entertained of it at the opening of the
last session of Congress. On the first of
January there was a balance in the Treasury of
$4,237,427.55. From that time to the 30th of
September the receipts amounted to upward of
$16.1M, and the expenditures to $11.4M. During
the 4th quarter of the year it is estimated that
the receipts will at least equal the
expenditures, and that there will remain in the
Treasury on the first day of January next a
surplus of nearly $9M.
On [1825-01-01], a large amount of the war debt
and a part of the Revolutionary debt become
redeemable. Additional portions of the former
will continue to become redeemable annually
until the year 1835. it is believed, however,
that if the United States remain at peace the
whole of that debt may be redeemed by the
ordinary revenue of those years during that
period under the provision of the act of
[1817-03-03], creating the sinking fund, and in
that case the only part of the debt that will
remain after the year 1835 will be the $7M of 5%
stock subscribed to the Bank of the United
States, and the 3% Revolutionary debt, amounting
to $13,296,099.06, both of which are redeemable
at the pleasure of the Government.
The state of the Army in its organization and
discipline has been gradually improving for
several years, and has now attained a high
degree of perfection. The military disbursements
have been regularly made and the accounts
regularly and promptly rendered for settlement.
The supplies of various descriptions have been
of good quality, and regularly issued at all of
the posts. A system of economy and
accountability has been introduced into every
branch of the service which admits of little
additional improvement. This desirable state has
been attained by the act reorganizing the staff
of the Army, passed on [1818-04-14].
The moneys appropriated for fortifications have
been regularly and economically applied, and all
the works advanced as rapidly as the amount
appropriated would admit. Three important works
will be completed in the course of this year --
that is, Fort Washington, Fort Delaware, and the
fort at the Rigolets, in Louisiana.
The Board of Engineers and the Topographical
Corps have been in constant and active service
in surveying the coast and projecting the works
necessary for its defense.
The Military Academy has attained a degree of
perfection in its discipline and instruction
equal, as is believed, to any institution of its
kind in any country.
The money appropriated for the use of the
Ordnance Department has been regularly and
economically applied. The fabrication of arms at
the national armories and by contract with the
Department has been gradually improving in
quality and cheapness. It is believed that their
quality is now such as to admit of but little
improvement.
The completion of the fortifications renders it
necessary that there should be a suitable
appropriation for the purpose of fabricating the
cannon and carriages necessary for those works.
Under the appropriation of $5,000 for exploring
the Western waters for the location of a site
for a Western armory, a commission was
constituted, consisting of Colonel McRee,
Colonel Lee, and Captain Talcott, who have been
engaged in exploring the country. They have not
yet reported the result of their labors, but it
is believed that they will be prepared to do it
at an early part of the session of Congress.
During the month of June last General Ashley and
his party, who were trading under a license from
the Government, were attacked by the Ricarees
while peaceably trading with the Indians at
their request. Several of the party were killed
and wounded and their property taken or
destroyed.
Colonel Leavenworth, who commanded Fort
Atkinson, at the Council Bluffs, the most
western post, apprehending that the hostile
spirit of the Ricarees would extend to other
tribes in that quarter, and that thereby the
lives of the traders on the Missouri and the
peace of the frontier would be endangered, took
immediate measures to check the evil.
With a detachment of the regiment stationed at
the Bluffs he successfully attacked the Ricaree
village, and it is hoped that such an impression
has been made on them as well as on the other
tribes on the Missouri as will prevent a
recurrence of future hostility.
The report of the Secretary of War, which is
herewith transmitted, will exhibit in greater
detail the condition of the Department in its
various branches, and the progress which has
been made in its administration during the three
first quarters of the year.
I transmit a return of the militia of the
several States according to the last reports
which have been made by the proper officers in
each to the Department of War. by reference to
this return it will be seen that it is not
complete, although great exertions have been
made to make it so. As the defense and even the
liberties of the country must depend in times of
imminent danger on the militia, it is of the
highest importance that it be well organized,
armed, and disciplined throughout the Union.
The report of the Secretary of War shews the
progress made during the three first quarters of
the present year by the application of the fund
appropriated for arming the militia. Much
difficulty is found in distributing the arms
according to the act of Congress providing for
it from the failure of the proper departments in
many of the States to make regular returns. The
act of [1820-05-12] provides that the system of
tactics and regulations of the various corps of
the Regular Army shall be extended to the
militia. This act has been very imperfectly
executed from the want of uniformity in the
organization of the militia, proceeding from the
defects of the system itself, and especially in
its application to that main arm of the public
defense. It is thought that this important
subject in all its branches merits the attention
of Congress.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy, which
is now communicated, furnishes an account of the
administration of that Department for the three
first quarters of the present year, with the
progress made in augmenting the Navy, and the
manner in which the vessels in commission have
been employed.
The usual force has been maintained in the
Mediterranean Sea, the Pacific Ocean, and along
the Atlantic coast, and has afforded the
necessary protection to our commerce in those
seas.
In the West Indies and the Gulf of Mexico our
naval force has been augmented by the addition
of several small vessels provided for by the
"act authorizing an additional naval force for
the suppression of piracy", passed by Congress
at their last session. That armament has been
eminently successful in the accomplishment of
its object. The piracies by which our commerce
in the neighborhood of the island of Cuba had
been afflicted have been repressed and the
confidence of our merchants in a great measure
restored.
The patriotic zeal and enterprise of Commodore
Porter, to whom the command of the expedition
was confided, has been fully seconded by the
officers and men under his command. And in
reflecting with high satisfaction on the
honorable manner in which they have sustained
the reputation of their country and its Navy,
the sentiment is alloyed only by a concern that
in the fulfillment of that arduous service the
diseases incident to the season and to the
climate in which it was discharged have deprived
the nation of many useful lives, and among them
of several officers of great promise.
In the month of August a very malignant fever
made its appearance at Thompsons Island, which
threatened the destruction of our station there.
Many perished, and the commanding officer was
severely attacked. Uncertain as to his fate and
knowing that most of the medical officers had
been rendered incapable of discharging their
duties, it was thought expedient to send to that
post an officer of rank and experience, with
several skilled surgeons, to ascertain the
origin of the fever and the probability of its
recurrence there in future seasons; to furnish
every assistance to those who were suffering,
and, if practicable, to avoid the necessity of
abandoning so important a station. Commodore
Rodgers, with a promptitude which did him honor,
cheerfully accepted that trust, and has
discharged it in the manner anticipated from his
skill and patriotism. Before his arrival
Commodore Porter, with the greater part of the
squadron, had removed from the island and
returned to the United States in consequence of
the prevailing sickness. Much useful information
has, however, been obtained as to the state of
the island and great relief afforded to those
who had been necessarily left there.
Although our expedition, cooperating with an
invigorated administration of the government of
the island of Cuba, and with the corresponding
active exertions of a British naval force in the
same seas, have almost entirely destroyed the
unlicensed piracies from that island, the
success of our exertions has not been equally
effectual to suppress the same crime, under
other pretenses and colors, in the neighboring
island of Porto Rico. They have been committed
there under the abusive issue of Spanish
commissions.
At an early period of the present year
remonstrances were made to the governor of that
island, by an agent who was sent for the
purpose, against those outrages on the peaceful
commerce of the United States, of which many had
occurred. That officer, professing his own want
of authority to make satisfaction for our just
complaints, answered only by a reference of them
to the Government of Spain. The minister of the
United States to that court was specially
instructed to urge the necessity of immediate
and effectual interposition of that Government,
directing restitution and indemnity for wrongs
already committed and interdicting the
repetition of them. The minister, as has been
seen, was debarred access to the Spanish
Government, and in the mean time several new
cases of flagrant outrage have occurred, and
citizens of the United States in the island of
Porto Rico have suffered, and others been
threatened with assassination for asserting
their unquestionable rights even before the
lawful tribunals of the country.
The usual orders have been given to all our
public ships to seize American vessels in the
slave trade and bring them in for adjudication,
and I have the gratification to state that not
one so employed has been discovered, and there
is good reason to believe that our flag is now
seldom, if at all, disgraced by that traffic.
It is a source of great satisfaction that we are
always enabled to recur to the conduct of our
Navy with price and commendation. As a means of
national defense it enjoys the public
confidence, and is steadily assuming additional
importance. It is submitted whether a more
efficient and equally economical organization of
it might not in several respects be effected. It
is supposed that higher grades than now exist by
law would be useful. They would afford
well-merited rewards to those who have long and
faithfully served their country, present the
best incentives to good conduct, and the best
means of insuring a proper discipline; destroy
the inequality in that respect between military
and naval services, and relieve our officers
from many inconveniences and mortifications
which occur when our vessels meet those of other
nations, ours being the only service in which
such grades do not exist.
A report of the Postmaster-General, which
accompanies this communication, will shew the
present state of the Post-Office Department and
its general operations for some years past.
There is established by law 88,600 miles of post
roads, on which the mail is now transported
85,700 miles, and contracts have been made for
its transportation on all the established
routes, with one or 2 exceptions. There are
5,240 post offices in the Union, and as many
post masters. The gross amount of postage which
accrued from [1822-07-01] to [1823-07-01] was
$1,114,345.12. During the same period the
expenditures of the Post-Office Department
amounted to $1,169,885.51 and consisted of the
following items, viz.
-
Compensation
to post masters, $353,995.98;
-
incidental
expenses, $30,866.37;
-
transportation
of the mail, $784,600.08;
-
payments into
the Treasury, $423.08.
-
On the first
of July last there was due to the Department
from post masters $135,245.28;
-
from late post
masters and contractors, $256,749.31;
making a total
amount of balances due to the Department of
$391,994.59.
These balances embrace all delinquencies of post
masters and contractors which have taken place
since the organization of the Department. There
was due by the Department to contractors on the
first of July last $26,548.64.
The transportation of the mail within five years
past has been greatly extended, and the
expenditures of the Department proportionably
increased. Although the postage which has
accrued within the last three years has fallen
short of the expenditures $262,821.46, it
appears that collections have been made from the
outstanding balances to meet the principal part
of the current demands.
It is estimated that not more than $250,000 of
the above balances can be collected, and that a
considerable part of this sum can only be
realized by a resort to legal process. Some
improvements in the receipts for postage is
expected. A prompt attention to the collection
of moneys received by post masters, it is
believed, will enable the Department to continue
its operations without aid from the Treasury,
unless the expenditures shall be increased by
the establishment of new mail routes.
A revision of some parts of the post office law
may be necessary; and it is submitted whether it
would not be proper to provide for the
appointment of post masters, where the
compensation exceeds a certain amount, by
nomination to the Senate, as other officers of
the General Government are appointed.
Having communicated my views to Congress at the
commencement of the last session respecting the
encouragement which ought to be given to our
manufactures and the principle on which it
should be founded, I have only to add that those
views remain unchanged, and that the present
state of those countries with which we have the
most immediate political relations and greatest
commercial intercourse tends to confirm them.
Under this impression I recommend a review of
the tariff for the purpose of affording such
additional protection to those articles which we
are prepared to manufacture, or which are more
immediately connected with the defense and
independence of the country.
The actual state of the public accounts
furnishes additional evidence of the efficiency
of the present system of accountability in
relation to the public expenditure. Of the
moneys drawn from the Treasury since
[1817-03-04], the sum remaining unaccounted for
on the 30th of September last is more than $1.5M
less than on the 30th of September preceding;
and during the same period a reduction of nearly
$1M has been made in the amount of the unsettled
accounts for moneys advanced previously to
[1817-03-04]. It will be obvious that in
proportion as the mass of accounts of the latter
description is diminished by settlement the
difficulty of settling the residue is increased
from the consideration that in many instances it
can be obtained only by legal process. For more
precise details on this subject I refer to a
report from the first Comptroller of the
Treasury.
The sum which was appropriated at the last
session for the repairs of the Cumberland road
has been applied with good effect to that
object. A final report has not been received
from the agent who was appointed to superintend
it. As soon as it is received it shall be
communicated to Congress.
Many patriotic and enlightened citizens who have
made the subject an object of particular
investigation have suggested an improvement of
still greater importance. They are of the
opinion that the waters of the Chesapeake and
Ohio may be connected together by one continued
canal, and at an expense far short of the value
and importance of the object to be obtained. If
this could be accomplished it is impossible to
calculate the beneficial consequences which
would result from it.
A great portion of the produce of the very
fertile country through which it would pass
would find a market through that channel. Troops
might be moved with great facility in war, with
cannon and every kind of munition, and in either
direction. Connecting the Atlantic with the
Western country in a line passing through the
seat of the National Government, it would
contribute essentially to strengthen the bond of
union itself.
Believing as I do that Congress possess the
right to appropriate money for such a national
object (the jurisdiction remaining to the States
through which the canal would pass), I submit it
to your consideration whether it may not be
advisable to authorize by an adequate
appropriation the employment of a suitable
number of the officers of the Corps of Engineers
to examine the unexplored ground during the next
season and to report their opinion thereon. It
will likewise be proper to extend their
examination to the several routes through which
the waters of the Ohio may be connected by
canals with those of Lake Erie.
As the Cumberland road will require annual
repairs, and Congress have not thought it
expedient to recommend to the States an
amendment to the Constitution for the purpose of
vesting in the United States a power to adopt
and execute a system of internal improvement, it
is also submitted to your consideration whether
it may not be expedient to authorize the
Executive to enter into an arrangement with the
several States through which the road passes to
establish tolls, each within its limits, for the
purpose of defraying the expense of future
repairs and of providing also by suitable
penalties for its protection against future
injuries.
The act of Congress of [1822-05-07],
appropriated the sum of $22,700 for the purpose
of erecting two piers as a shelter for vessels
from ice near Cape Henlopen, Delaware Bay. To
effect the object of the act the officers of the
Board of Engineers, with Commodore Bainbridge,
were directed to prepare plans and estimates of
piers sufficient to answer the purpose intended
by the act. It appears by their report, which
accompanies the documents from the War
Department, that the appropriation is not
adequate to the purpose intended; and as the
piers would be of great service both to the
navigation of the Delaware Bay and the
protection of vessels on the adjacent parts of
the coast, I submit for the consideration of
Congress whether additional and sufficient
appropriations should not be made.
The Board of Engineers were also directed to
examine and survey the entrance of the harbor of
the port of Presquille, in PA, in order to make
an estimate of the expense of removing the
obstructions to the entrance, with a plan of the
best mode of effecting the same, under the
appropriation for that purpose by act of
Congress passed 3rd of March last. The report of
the Board accompanies the papers from the War
Department, and is submitted for the
consideration of Congress.
A strong hope has been long entertained, founded
on the heroic struggle of the Greeks, that they
would succeed in their contest and resume their
equal station among the nations of the earth. It
is believed that the whole civilized world take
a deep interest in their welfare. Although no
power has declared in their favor, yet none
according to our information, has taken part
against them. Their cause and their name have
protected them from dangers which might ere this
have overwhelmed any other people. The ordinary
calculations of interest and of acquisition with
a view to aggrandizement, which mingles so much
in the transactions of nations, seem to have had
no effect in regard to them. From the facts
which have come to our knowledge there is good
cause to believe that their enemy has lost
forever all dominion over them; that Greece will
become again an independent nation. That she may
obtain that rank is the object of our most
ardent wishes.
It was stated at the commencement of the last
session that a great effort was then making in
Spain and Portugal to improve the condition of
the people of those countries, and that it
appeared to be conducted with extraordinary
moderation. It need scarcely be remarked that
the result has been so far very different from
what was then anticipated. Of events in that
quarter of the globe, with which we have so much
intercourse and from which we derive our origin,
we have always been anxious and interested
spectators.
The citizens of the United States cherish
sentiments the most friendly in favor of the
liberty and happiness of their fellow men on
that side of the Atlantic. In the wars of the
European powers in matters relating to
themselves we have never taken any part, nor
does it comport with our policy so to do.
It is only when our rights are invaded or
seriously menaced that we resent injuries or
make preparation for our defense. With the
movements in this hemisphere we are of necessity
more immediately connected, and by causes which
must be obvious to all enlightened and impartial
observers.
The political system of the allied powers is
essentially different in this respect from that
of America. This difference proceeds from that
which exists in their respective Governments;
and to the defense of our own, which has been
achieved by the loss of so much blood and
treasure, and matured by the wisdom of their
most enlightened citizens, and under which we
have enjoyed unexampled felicity, this whole
nation is devoted.
We owe it, therefore, to candor and to the
amicable relations existing between the United
States and those powers to declare that we
should consider any attempt on their part to
extend their system to any portion of this
hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety.
With the existing colonies or dependencies of
any European power we have not interfered and
shall not interfere, but with the Governments
who have declared their independence and
maintained it, and whose independence we have,
on great consideration and on just principles,
acknowledged, we could not view any
interposition for the purpose of oppressing
them, or controlling in any other manner their
destiny, by any European power in any other
light than as the manifestation of an unfriendly
disposition toward the United States.
In the war between those new Governments and
Spain we declared our neutrality at the time of
their recognition, and to this we have adhered,
and shall continue to adhere, provided no change
shall occur which, in the judgment of the
competent authorities of this Government, shall
make a corresponding change on the part of the
United States indispensable to their security.
The late events in Spain and Portugal shew that
Europe is still unsettled. Of this important
fact no stronger proof can be adduced than that
the allied powers should have thought it proper,
on any principle satisfactory to themselves, to
have interposed by force in the internal
concerns of Spain. To what extent such
interposition may be carried, on the same
principle, is a question in which all
independent powers whose governments differ from
theirs are interested, even those most remote,
and surely none more so than the United States.
Our policy in regard to Europe, which was
adopted at an early stage of the wars which have
so long agitated that quarter of the globe,
nevertheless remains the same, which is, not to
interfere in the internal concerns of any of its
powers; to consider the government de facto as
the legitimate government for us; to cultivate
friendly relations with it, and to preserve
those relations by a frank, firm, and manly
policy, meeting in all instances the just claims
of every power, submitting to injuries from
none.
But in regard to those continents circumstances
are eminently and conspicuously different. It is
impossible that the allied powers should extend
their political system to any portion of either
continent without endangering our peace and
happiness; nor can anyone believe that our
southern brethren, if left to themselves, would
adopt it of their own accord. It is equally
impossible, therefore, that we should behold
such interposition in any form with
indifference. If we look to the comparative
strength and resources of Spain and those new
Governments, and their distance from each other,
it must be obvious that she can never subdue
them. It is still the true policy of the United
States to leave the parties to themselves, in
the hope that other powers will pursue the same
course.
If we compare the present condition of our Union
with its actual state at the close of our
Revolution, the history of the world furnishes
no example of a progress in improvement in all
the important circumstances which constitute the
happiness of a nation which bears any
resemblance to it. At the first epoch our
population did not exceed 3,000,000. by the last
census it amounted to about 10,000,000, and,
what is more extraordinary, it is almost
altogether native, for the immigration from
other countries has been inconsiderable.
At the first epoch half the territory within our
acknowledged limits was uninhabited and a
wilderness. Since then new territory has been
acquired of vast extent, comprising within it
many rivers, particularly the Mississippi, the
navigation of which to the ocean was of the
highest importance to the original States. Over
this territory our population has expanded in
every direction, and new States have been
established almost equal in number to those
which formed the first bond of our Union. This
expansion of our population and accession of new
States to our Union have had the happiest effect
on all its highest interests.
That it has eminently augmented our resources
and added to our strength and respectability as
a power is admitted by all, but it is not in
these important circumstances only that this
happy effect is felt. It is manifest that by
enlarging the basis of our system and increasing
the number of States the system itself has been
greatly strengthened in both its branches.
Consolidation and disunion have thereby been
rendered equally impracticable.
Each Government, confiding in its own strength,
has less to apprehend from the other, and in
consequence each, enjoying a greater freedom of
action, is rendered more efficient for all the
purposes for which it was instituted.
It is unnecessary to treat here of the vast
improvement made in the system itself by the
adoption of this Constitution and of its happy
effect in elevating the character and in
protecting the rights of the nation as well as
individuals. To what, then, do we owe these
blessings? It is known to all that we derive
them from the excellence of our institutions.
Ought we not, then, to adopt every measure which
may be necessary to perpetuate them?
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