Although measures have been taken to counteract these infractions of our rights, to prevent Indian hostilities, and to preserve their attachment to the United States, it is my duty to observe, that, to give a better effect to these measures, and to obviate the consequences of a repetition of such practices, a law, providing adequate punishment for such offences, may be necessary.
The Commissioners appointed under the fifth article of the Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation, between the United States and Great Britain, to ascertain the river, which was truly intended, under the name of the St. Croix, mentioned in the Treaty of Peace, met at Passamaquoddy Bay in October, 1796, and viewed the mouths of the rivers in question, and the adjacent shores and islands; and being of opinion, that actual surveys of both rivers to their sources, were necessary, gave the agents of the two nations instructions for that purpose, and adjourned to meet at Boston in August; they met; but the surveys, requiring more time than had been supposed, and not being then completed, the Commissioners again adjourned to meet at Providence, in the State of Rhode Island, in June next, when we may expect a final examination and decision.
The Commissioners appointed in pursuance of the sixth article of the treaty, met at Philadelphia in May last, to examine the claims of British subjects, for debts contracted before the peace, and still remaining due to them, from citizens or inhabitants of the United States. Various causes have hitherto prevented any determinations; but the business is now resumed, and doubtless will be prosecuted without interruption.
Several decisions on the claims of the citizens of the United States, for losses, and damages, sustained by reason of irregular and illegal captures, or condemnations, of their vessels or other property, have been made by the Commissioners in London, conformably to the seventh article of the treaty; the sums awarded by the Commissioners have been paid by the British Government; a considerable number of other claims, where costs and damages, and not captured property, were the only objects in question, have been decided by arbitration, and the sums awarded to the citizens of the United States have also been paid.
The Commissioners appointed agreeably to the 21st article of our Treaty with Spain, met at Philadelphia in the summer past, to examine and decide on the claims of our citizens for losses they have sustained in consequence of their vessels and cargoes having been taken by the subjects of His Catholic Majesty, during the late war between Spain and France; their sittings have been interrupted, but are now resumed.
The United States being obligated to make compensation for the losses and damages sustained by British subjects, upon the award of the Commissioners acting under the sixth article of the Treaty with Great Britain, and for the losses and damages sustained by British subjects, by reason of the capture of their vessels and merchandise, taken within the limits and jurisdiction of the United States, and brought into their ports, or taken by vessels originally armed in ports of the United States, upon the awards of the Commissioners acting under the seventh article of the same treaty, it is necessary that provision be made for fulfilling these obligations.
The numerous captures of American vessels by cruisers of the French Republic, and of some by those of Spain, have occasioned considerable expenses, in making and supporting the claims of our citizens before their tribunals. The sums required for this purpose have, in divers instances, been disbursed by the Consuls of the United States; by means of the same captures, great numbers of our seamen have been thrown ashore in foreign countries, destitute of all means of subsistence, and the sick, in particular, have been exposed to grievous suffering.
The Consuls have, in these cases also, advanced moneys for their relief; for these advances they reasonably expect reimbursements from the United States. The Consular act relative to seamen requires revision and amendment; the provisions for their support in foreign countries, and for their return, are found to be inadequate, and ineffectual. Another provision seems necessary to be added to the Consular act; some foreign vessels have been discovered sailing under the flag of the United States, and with forged papers. It seldom happens that the Consuls can detect this deception, because they have no authority to demand an inspection of the registers and sea letters.
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:
It is my duty to recommend to your serious consideration those objects which, by the constitution, are placed particularly within your sphere—the national debt and taxes.