The present crisis in Europe is favorable for pressing such a settlement, and not a moment should be lost in availing ourselves of it.

I have thought it my duty to await their authority for using force in any degree which could be avoided.

To their wisdom, then, I look for the course I am to pursue, and will pursue with sincere zeal that which they shall approve.

Before this convention was returned to Spain with our ratification the transfer of Louisiana by France to the United States took place, an event as unexpected as disagreeable to Spain.

Then high offense was manifested at the act of Congress establishing a collection district on the Mobile, although by an authentic declaration immediately made it was expressly confined to our acknowledged limits.

She was prompt and decided in her declarations that our demands on Spain for French spoliations carried into Spanish ports were included in the settlement between the United States and France.

It was first manifested by her protest against the right of France to alienate Louisiana to us, which, however, was soon retracted and the right confirmed.

To them I communicate every fact material for their information and the documents necessary to enable them to judge for themselves.

From that moment she seemed to change her conduct and dispositions toward us.

An immediate prohibition of the exportation of arms and ammunition is also submitted to your determination.

Although the health laws of the States should be found to need no present revisal by Congress, yet commerce claims that their attention be ever awake to them.

These payments, with those which had been made in 3 years and a half preceding, have extinguished of the funded debt nearly $18M of principal.

On this first occasion of addressing Congress since, by the choice of my constituents, I have entered on a second term of administration, I embrace the opportunity to give this public assurance that I will exert my best endeavors to…

Reason revolts at such inconsistency, and the neutral having equal right with the belligerent to decide the question.

Other details necessary for your full information of the state of things between this country and that shall be the subject of another communication.

Providence in His goodness gave it an early termination on this occasion and lessened the number of victims which have usually fallen before it.

I can not, then, but earnestly recommend to your early consideration the expediency of so modifying our militia system.

In taking a view of the state of our country we in the first place notice the late affliction of two of our cities under the fatal fever which in latter times has occasionally visited our shores.