By a treaty with the British Government, bearing date on the 20th of
October, 1818, the convention regulating the commerce between the
United States and Great Britain, concluded on the 3d of July, 1815,
which was about expiring, was revived and continued for the term of ten
years from the time of its expiration. By that treaty, also, the
differences which had arisen under the treaty of Ghent respecting the
right claimed by the United States for their citizens to take and cure
fish on the coast of His Britannic Majesty's dominions in America, with
other differences on important interests, were adjusted to the
satisfaction of both parties. No agreement has yet been entered into
respecting the commerce between the United States and the British
dominions in the West Indies and on this continent. The restraints
imposed on that commerce by Great Britain, and reciprocated by the
United States on a principle of defense, continue still in force.

The negotiation with France for the regulation of the commercial
relations between the two countries, which in the course of the last
summer had been commenced at Paris, has since been transferred to this
city, and will be pursued on the part of the United States in the
spirit of conciliation, and with an earnest desire that it may
terminate in an arrangement satisfactory to both parties.

Our relations with the Barbary Powers are preserved in the same state
and by the same means that were employed when I came into this office.
As early as 1801 it was found necessary to send a squadron into the
Mediterranean for the protection of our commerce, and no period has
intervened, a short term excepted, when it was thought advisable to
withdraw it. The great interests which the United States have in the
Pacific, in commerce and in the fisheries, have also made it necessary
to maintain a naval force there. In disposing of this force in both