The portion actually completed has rendered the situation of the persons confined much more comfortable and secure than it has been heretofore.

I now lay before Congress the annual account of the fund established for defraying the contingent charges of Government.

A single article of $1,440, paid for bringing home 72 seamen discharged in foreign ports from vessels sold abroad, is the only expenditure from that fund.

Indeed, it would be the most proper and acceptable form in which the annuity could be paid which we propose to give them for the cession.

I inclose a report of the Secretary of War, stating the trading houses established in the Indian territories.

In leading them thus to agriculture, to manufactures, and civilization; in bringing together their and our sentiments, and in preparing them ultimately to participate in the benefits of our Government, I trust and believe we are acting for…

These springs are said to possess the advantage of being accompanied with a bed of coal.

Duty has required me to submit these views to the judgment of the Legislature, but as their disclosure might embarrass and defeat their effect, they are committed to the special confidence of the two Houses.

In the strengthening and gratifying of these wants I see the only prospect of planting on the Mississippi itself the means of its own safety.

We consequently undersell private traders, foreign and domestic, drive them from the competition, and thus, with the good will of the Indians, rid ourselves of a description of men who are constantly endeavoring to excite in the Indian…

For these purposes a small appropriation would be necessary to meet the first expenses, after which they should support themselves and repay those advances.

The Spanish Government listened to our proposition with an honorable readiness and agreed to a convention, which I now submit for your advice and consent.

It does not go to the satisfaction of all our claims, but the express reservation of our right to press the validity of the residue has been made the ground of further instructions to our minister.

The spoliations and irregularities committed on our commerce during the late war by subjects of Spain or by others deemed within her responsibility having called for attention.

But as the possession of these provinces is still in Spain, and the course of events may retard or prevent the cession to France being carried into effect, to secure our object it will be expedient to address equal powers to the Government…

While my confidence in our minister plenipotentiary at Paris is entire and undiminished, I still think that these objects might be promoted by joining with him a person sent from hence directly, carrying with him the feelings and…

Should any others in consequence of this be made during the session of Congress, they shall be immediately communicated.

They are, as you will perceive, but a small proportion of the whole.

Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government * * * whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights.

Persuaded that it is our interest to maintain our peace with them on equal terms or not at all, I propose to send in due time a reenforcement into the Mediterranean unless previous information shall show it to be unnecessary.

Lewis and Clarke and their brave companions have by this arduous service deserved well of their country.

Shall we suppress the impost and give that advantage to foreign over domestic manufactures?

Their patriotism would certainly prefer its continuance and application to the great purposes of the public education, roads, rivers, canals, and such other objects of public improvement as it may be thought proper to add to the…

By these operations new channels of communications will be opened between the States, the lines of separation will disappear, their interests will be identified, and their union cemented by new and indissoluble ties.

This foundation would have the advantage of being independent of war, which may suspend other improvements by requiring for its own purposes the resources destined for them.