The United States owe to the world a great example, and, by means thereof, to the cause of liberty and humanity a generous support.  They have so far succeeded to the satisfaction of the virtuous and enlightened of every country.  There is no reason to doubt that their whole movement will be regulated by a sacred regard to principle, all our institutions being founded on that basis.  The ability to support our own cause under any trial to which it may be exposed is the great point on which the public solicitude rests.  It has been often charged against free governments that they have neither the foresight nor the virtue to provide at the proper season for great emergencies; that their course is improvident and expensive; that war will always find them unprepared, and, whatever may be its calamities, that its terrible warnings will be disregarded and forgotten as soon as peace returns.  I have full confidence that this charge so far as relates to the United States will be shewn to be utterly destitute of truth.

JAMES MONROE.

SPECIAL MESSAGES.

DECEMBER 4, 1822.

To the Senate of the United States: 

The convention between the United States and France, concluded at Washington on the 24th day of June last, is now transmitted to the Senate for their advice and consent with regard to its ratification, together with the documents relating to the negotiation, which may serve to elucidate the deliberations of the Senate concerning its objects and the purposes to which it was adapted.

JAMES MONROE.

DECEMBER 4, 1822.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I transmit herewith to the Senate, for their constitutional consideration and decision thereon, a convention between the United States and Great Britain, concluded at St. Petersburg on the 12th day of July last, under the mediation of His Imperial Majesty of all the Russias, together with the documents appertaining thereto, and which may elucidate the motives for its negotiation and the objects for the accomplishment of which it is intended.

JAMES MONROE.

WASHINGTON, December 6, 1822.

To the House of Representatives of the United States: 

In compliance with the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 7th of May last, requiring that a plan for the peace establishment of the Navy of the United States and also of the Marine Corps should be communicated to that House at the present session, I transmit a report of the Secretary of the Navy, containing a plan which has been prepared for the proposed establishment.

JAMES MONROE.

WASHINGTON, December 7, 1822.

To the Senate of the United States: