and Baton Rouge are to receive considerable reinforce

ments.

A governour-general for the province of Taxus has arrived at St. Antonio: he is a brigadier-general, and said to possess military talents.

A fort is erected on Trinity river, and about two hundred men (the greater part cavalry) are there stationed.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, JANUARY 3, 1806.

MR. JOHN RANDOLPH, from the committee to whom were referred the message and communication from the President of the United States, of the 6th December last, together with the documents accompanying the same, made a report thereupon, as followeth :

THE Committee have beheld, with just indignation, the hostile spirit manifested by the court of Madrid towards the government of the United States, in withholding the ratification of its convention with us, although signed by its own minister, under the eye of his sovereign, unless with alterations of its terms, affecting claims of the United States, which, by the express conditions of the instrument itself, were reserved for future discussion; in piratical depredations upon our fair commerce; in obstructing the navigation of the Mobile; in refusing to come to any fair and amicable adjustment of the boundaries of Louisiana; and in a daring violation, by persons acting under the authority of Spain, and, no doubt, apprized of her sentiments and views, of our undisputed limits, which she hadsolemnly recognised by treaty.

To a government having interests distinct from those of its people, and disregarding its welfare, here is ample cause for a formal declaration of war, on the part of the United States, and such, did they obey the impulse of their feelings alone, is the course which the committee would not hesitate to recommend; but to a government identified with its citizens, too far removed from the powerful na

tions of the earth for its safety to be endangered by their hostility, peace must always be desirable, so long as it is compatible with the honour and interest of the community.

Whilst the United States continue burdened with a debt which annually absorbs two thirds of their revenue, and duties upon imports constitute the only source from which that revenue can be raised, without resorting to systems of taxation not more ruinous and oppressive than they are uncertain and precarious, the best interests of the union cry aloud for peace. When that debt shall have been discharged, and the resources of the nation thereby liberated, then may we rationally expect to raise, even in time of war, the supplies which our frugal institutions require, without recurring to the hateful and destructive expedient of loans; then, and not till then, may we bid defiance to the world. The present moment is peculiarly auspicious for this great and desirable work. Now, if ever, the national debt is to be paid by such financial arrangements as will accelerate its extinction, by reaping the rich harvest of neutrality, and thus providing for that diminution of revenue which experience teaches us to expect on the general pacification of Europe. And the committee indulge a hope, that in the changed aspect of affairs in that quarter, Spain will find motives for a just fulfilment of her stipulations with us, and an amicable settlement of limits, upon terms not more beneficial to the United States than advantageous to herself; securing to her an ample barrier on the side of Mexico, and to us the countries watered by the Mississippi, and to the eastward of it. But whilst the committee perceive, in the general uproar of Europe, a state of things peculiarly favourable to the peaceable pursuit of our best interests, they are neither insensible to the indignity which has been offered on the part of Spain, nor unwilling to repel similar outrage. On the subject of self-defence, when the territory of the United States is insulted, there can be but one opinion, whatever differences may exist on the question whether that protection, which a vessel finds in our harbours, shall be extended to her by the nation, in the Indian or Chinese seas?

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE SENATE, JANUARY 10, 1806.

In compliance with the request of the Senate, expressed in their resolution of December 27, I now lay before them such documents and papers (there being no other information in my possession) as relate to complaints by the government of France against the commerce carried on by the citizens of the United States to the French island of St. Domingo. TH: JEFFERSON.

Jan. 10, 1806.

From General Turreau to the Secretary of State.

OCTOBER 14, 1805.

THE undersigned, minister plenipotentiary of his imperial and royal majesty to his excellency the President of the United States of America, has testified in his conversation with the Secretary of State his just discontent with the commercial relations, which many citizens of different states of the Union maintain with the rebels of every colour, who have momentarily withdrawn the colony of St. Domingo from the legal authority.

The principles injuriously affected by such a commerce, or rather by such a system of robbery (brigandage) are so evident, so generally acknowledged, and adopted not only by all nations, who have a colonial system to defend, but even by those who have none; and moreover even by every wise people, to whatsoever political aggregation they may belong; that the statesman, if he has not lost every idea of justice, of humanity, and of publick law, can no more contest their wisdom, than their existence. And certainly the undersigned, in finding himself called by his duty, as well as by his inclination, in the bosom of a friendly people, and near the respectable chief who directs its government

certainly the undersigned ought not to have expected, that his first political relations would have for their object a complaint so serious, an infraction so manifest of law, the most sacred, and the best observed by every nation under the dominion of civilization.

But it was not enough for some citizens of the United States to convey munitions of every kind to the rebels of St. Domingo, to that race of African slaves, the reproach, and the refuse of nature; it was moreover necessary to ensure the success of this ignoble and criminal traffick by the use of force. The vessels destined to protect it are constructed, loaded, armed, in all the ports of the Union, under the eyes of the American people, of its particular authority, and of the federal government itself; and this government, which has taken for the basis of its political career the most scrupulous equity, and the most impartial neutrality, does not forbid it.

Without doubt, and notwithstanding the profound consideration, with which the minister plenipotentiary of the French empire is penetrated for the government of the Union, he might enlarge still farther upon the reflections suggested by such a state of things, a circumstance so important, so unexpected. But it would be equally as afflicting for him to dwell upon it, to state its consequences, as it would be for the government to hear them.

The Secretary of State, who perfectly knows the justice of the principles, and the legitimacy of the rights, referred to in this note, will be of opinion, that neither are susceptible of discussion; because a principle universally assented to, a right generally established, is never discussed, or at least is discussed in vain. The only way open forthe redress of these complaints, is to put an end to the tolerance which produces them, and which daily aggravates these consequences.

Moreover this note, founded upon facts not less evident than the principles which they infract, does not permit the undersigned to doubt that the government of the United * VOL. I. 46

States will take the most prompt, as well as the most effectual prohibitory measures, in order to put an end to its cause; and he seizes with eagerness this occasion of renewing to the Secretary of State the assurance of his high consideration. (Signed) TURREAU.

Faithfully translated,

. J. WAGNER,

Chief Clerk Department State.

General Turreau, Minister Plenipotentiary of his Imperial and Royal Majesty, to Mr. Madison, Secretary of State.

SIR,

WASHINGTON, JAN. 3, 1806.

FORMAL orders of my government oblige me to insist upon the contents of my official note, of the 14th of Oc tober last, relative to the commerce, which some inhabitants of the United States maintain with the rebels of St. Domingo.

Not receiving any answer to that note, I had room to hope, that the government of the Union would take prompt and effectual measures to put an end to the causes which produced it; but your silence towards me, especially in relation to St. Domingo, and that of your government toward Congress, impose upon me the duty of recalling to your recollection the said official note, and of renewing to you my complaints upon the tolerance given to an abuse, as shocking, as contrary to the law of nations, as it is to the treaties of peace and friendship existing between France and the United States.

I will not recur, sir, to the different circumstances which have attended the commerce with the revolted part of St. Domingo; to the scandalous publicity given to its shameful success; to the rewards and encomiums prostituted upon the crews of armed vessels, whose destination is > to protect the voyages, to carry munitions of every kind to the rebels, and thus to nourish rebellion and robbery.

You ought not to be surprised, sir, that I call anew the