President Madison’s Annual Message, December 5, called attention to such business as he wished to present. Naturally, the revocation of the French Decrees took the first place. The President assumed that the revocation was complete, and that his proclamation was issued in regular course, “as prescribed by law,” the President having no discretion; but he admitted disappointment that the sequestered property had not been restored. “It was particularly anticipated that, as a further evidence of just disposition toward them, restoration would have been immediately made of the property of our citizens, seized under a misapplication of the principle of reprisals, combined with a misconstruction of a law of the United States. This expectation has not been fulfilled.” England had not yet relinquished her illegitimate blockades, and she avowed that the blockade of May, 1806, was comprehended in the subsequent Orders in Council; the withdrawal of that blockade had therefore been required by the President as one of the conditions of renewing intercourse with Great Britain. The state of the Spanish monarchy had produced a change in West Florida, a district “which though of right appertaining to the United States had remained in the possession of Spain, awaiting the result of negotiations for its actual delivery to them.” The Spanish authority being subverted, the President did not delay taking possession; “the legality and necessity of the course pursued assure me of the favorable light in which it will present itself to the Legislature.” If this sketch of foreign affairs lacked perfect candor, the view of domestic concerns gave matter for other doubts. “With the Indian tribes,” said the Message, “the peace and friendship of the United States are found to be so eligible that the general disposition to preserve both continues to gain strength.” The story of Tippecanoe and Tecumthe soon threw new light on this assertion. To Indian friendship domestic prosperity succeeded, and the Message praised the economy and policy of manufactures. “How far it may be expedient to guard the infancy of this improvement in the distribution of labor by regulations of the commercial tariff, is a subject which cannot fail to suggest itself to your patriotic reflections.” A navigation law was also required to place American shipping on a level of competition with foreign vessels. A national university “would contribute not less to strengthen the foundations than to adorn the structure of our free and happy system of government.” Further means for repressing the slave-trade were required. Fortifications, arms, and organization of the militia were to be provided. The Military School at West Point needed enlargement.