I see much cause to rejoice in the felicity of our situation.

The friendly sentiment which was expressed on the part of the United States in the message of the 9th of May last is still entertained for Spain.

In execution of the law of the last session for the suppression of the slave trade some of our public ships have also been employed on the coast of Africa, where several captures have already been made of vessels engaged in that…

Considerable progress has been made during the present season in examining the coast and its various bays and other inlets.

I can not regard the pressures to which I have adverted otherwise than in the light of mild and instructive admonitions.

The commercial relations between the United States and the British colonies in the West Indies and on this continent have undergone no change.

The late change in the Government of Spain, by the reestablishment of the constitution of 1812, is an event which promises to be favorable to the revolution.

Among these none holds a more important place than the public revenue.

Happy as our situation is, it does not exempt us from solicitude and care for the future.

The question depending between the United States and Great Britain respecting the construction of the first article of the treaty of Ghent has been referred by both Governments to the decision of the Emperor of Russia.

A few prominent facts will place this great interest in a just light before you.

Our military positions have been maintained at Belle Point, on the Arkansas, at Council Bluffs, on the Missouri, at St. Peters, on the Mississippi, and at Green Bay, on the upper Lakes.

On the subject of claims of citizens of the United States for Spanish spoliations upon their property and commerce.

I transmit herewith to the Senate a report from the Secretary of State

together with the returns of causes depending in the courts of the United States

collected conformably to a resolution of the Senate of the 18th of January, 1819

With these remarks I submit it to the wisdom of Congress whether it will not still be advisable to postpone any decision on this subject until the next session.

It appears, however, that the treaty is still unratified and that the minister has no authority to surrender the territory.