THE ADDRESSES AND MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES, INAUGURAL. ANNUAL, AND SPECIAL, FROM 1789 TO 1846: WITH A MEMOIR OF EACH OF THE PRESIDENTS, AND A HISTORY OF THEIR ADMINISTRATIONS; ALSO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, AND A SELECTION OF COMPILED FROM OFFICIAL SOURCES, BY EDWIN WILLIAMS. IN TWO VOLUMES, VOL. I. NEW YORK: PUBLISHED BY EDWARD WALKER, 114 FULTON STREET. 1846. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1846, BY EDWARD WALKER, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Southern District of New York. STEREOTYPED BY REDFIELD & SAVAGE, 13 Chambers Street, N. Y. C. A. ALVORD, PRINTER, CORNER OF JOHN AND DUTCH STREETS. INTRODUCTION. In the compilation of the work which is contained in these volumes, we are confident that we have performed an acceptable service to the American public. Former editions of the presidents' messages have been imperfect and incomplete in many respects; particularly in having been taken, in some instances, from incorrect copies, and abounding in typographical errors; also in the omission of numerous important special messages. These defects we have now endeavored to remedy; in the first place, by a careful comparison of the copies in these pages, with official documents; and, secondly, by diligent research, to supply the special messages and inaugural addresses omitted in former compilations. It is hoped that this collection will be found to contain every address and message of all our presidents, from Washington to the present chief magistrate, which may be deemed important to elucidate the political history of this country, or to satisfy any reference that may be made by inquirers. The copious index, which is inserted at the end. of the second volume, is a new feature of this compilation, that former editions have wanted; and, of course, their value for reference has been greatly impaired, by that omission. The communications of the executive of this great republic to the national legislature, and the expositions of his policy and principles to his fellow-citizens, on entering upon the duties of his high office, must always be of interest to every intelligent and patriotic American. To most of these productions of statesmen who have been elevated by the voice of their countrymen to the chief magistracy of the nation, we may point with satisfaction, as containing lessons of political wisdom which will endure through all time. In this respect they will compare favorably with similar productions in the annals of any other nation. To render these writings of the American presidents more valuable and complete, as a continued national history, from the adoption of our constitution to the present time, we have accompanied them with a brief memoir of each president, and a history of the events of his administration. The latter sketches include an account of the most important transactions of Congress, at every session since the year 1789, and a de |