Chapter 46: James Monroe’s Second Term

Just before the commencement of the last term the United States had concluded a war with a very powerful nation…Provision was (then) made for the construction of fortifications at proper points through the whole extent of our coast and…augmentation  of our naval force…It need scarcely be remarked that these measures have not been  resorted to in a spirit of hostility to other powers They have been dictated by a love of  peace, of economy, and an earnest desire to save the lives of our fellow-citizens from that  destruction and our country from that devastation which are inseparable from war when  it finds us unprepared for it. It is believed, and experience has shown, that such a preparation is the best expedient that can be resorted to prevent war. 
The conduct of the Government in what relates to foreign powers is always an object of the highest importance to the nation. Its agriculture, commerce, manufactures, fisheries, revenue, in short, its peace, may all be affected by it. Attention is therefore due to this  subject.

The war between Spain and the colonies in South America, which had commenced many years before, was then the only conflict that remained unsettled Our attitude has  therefore been that of neutrality between them, which has been maintained by the  Government with the strictest impartiality. Should the war be continued, the United  States, regarding its occurrences, will always have it in their power to adopt such  measures respecting it as their honor and interest may require. Great confidence is  entertained that the late treaty with Spain, which has been ratified by both the parties, and the ratifications whereof have been exchanged, has placed the relations of the two countries on a basis of permanent friendship. 
But to the acquisition of Florida too much importance cannot be attached. It secures to the United States a territory …whose importance is…of the highest interests of the Union. It opens to several of the neighboring States a free passage to the ocean…by several  rivers…It secures us against all future annoyance from powerful Indian tribes. It gives us  several excellent harbors in the Gulf of Mexico for ships of war of the largest size. It  covers the Mississippi and other great waters within our extended limits, and thereby  enables the United States to afford complete protection to the vast and very valuable  productions of our whole Western country…

By a treaty…on the 20th of October, 1818, the convention regulating the commerce between the United States and Great Britain…was revived and continued for the term of ten years from the time of its expiration. The negotiation with France for the regulation of the commercial relations…will be pursued on the part of the United States…with an earnest desire that it may terminate in an arrangement satisfactory to both parties.

The situation of the United States in regard to…resources…revenue, and the facility with which it is raised affords a most gratifying spectacle. The payment of nearly $67,000,000 of the public debt, with the great progress made in measures of defense and in other improvements of various kinds since the late war, are conclusive proofs of this  extraordinary prosperity, especially when…these expenditures have been defrayed  without a…direct tax and…in a manner not to be felt. 
Under the present depression of prices, affecting all the productions of the country…  revenue has considerably diminished, the effect of which has been to compel Congress…to resort to loans or internal taxes to supply the deficiency. On the  presumption that this depression and the deficiency in the revenue arising from it would  be temporary, loans were authorized for the demands of the last and present year. 
I am satisfied that internal duties and excises, with corresponding imposts on foreign articles of the same kind, would, without imposing any serious burdens on the people, enhance the price of produce, promote our manufactures, and augment the revenue, at the same time that they made it more secure and permanent.

If we turn our attention, fellow-citizens…to our country…we have every reason to anticipate the happiest results In this great nation there is but one order, that of the people. By steadily pursuing this course in this spirit there is every reason to believe that our system will soon attain…such a degree of order and harmony as to command the admiration and respect of the civilized world. 
Twenty-five years ago the river Mississippi was shut up and our Western brethren had no outlet for their commerce The United States now enjoy the complete and uninterrupted sovereignty over the whole territory from St. Croix to the Sabine. New States, settled from among ourselves in this and in other parts, have been admitted into our Union in equal  participation in the national sovereignty with the original States. We now, fellow citizens, comprise within our limits the dimensions and faculties of a great power under a  Government possessing all the energies of any government ever known to the Old World,  with an utter incapacity to oppress the people. 
With full confidence and with a firm reliance on the protection of Almighty God, I shall forthwith commence the duties of the high trust to which you have called me.