While it is deeply lamented that so many valuable lives have been lost in the action which took place on the 7th ultimo, Congress will see with satisfaction the dauntless spirit and fortitude victoriously displayed by every description of…

I communicate to Congress copies of a correspondence between the envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of Great Britain and the Secretary of State relative to the aggression committed by a British ship of war on the United…

by which it will be seen that that subject of difference between the two countries is terminated by an offer of reparation, which has been acceded to.

The unfriendly spirit of those disclosures indemnity and redress for other wrongs have continued to be withheld.

A prohibition is equally called for against the acceptance by our citizens of special licenses to be used in a trade with the United States.

To secure greater respect to our mercantile flag.

I can not close this communication without expressing my deep sense of the crisis in which you are assembled.

Our other foreign relations remain without unfavorable changes.

The practice of smuggling, which is odious everywhere, and particularly criminal in free governments.

We should not be left in unnecessary dependence on external supplies.

It was hoped that the successive confirmations of the extinction of the French decrees would have induced the Government of Great Britain to repeal its orders in council.

An enlarged philanthropy and an enlightened forecast concur in imposing on the national councils an obligation to take a deep interest in their destinies.

In republican government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates.

In a society under the forms of which the stronger faction can readily unite and oppress the weaker, anarchy may as truly be said to reign as in a state of nature.

If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.

Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.

Wherever the real power in a Government lies, there is the danger of oppression.

It is in vain to say that enlightened statesmen will be able to adjust these clashing interests, and render them all subservient to the public good. Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm.