Ft Run ten guiles. In tue same section of the law it is further nrov.uVd 44 that no more than five millions ot kud slock shall be issued until the creditors v o. . i i i i. i r.,-f;fi hi tho btdtc holding bonds and other cerlifi- Writes of stock of Texas, for which duties on I; , ,..;.. ' i.i i d,oll fi.ct fi1 wprw were 5criaypicigca, snau uisiuio, t the Treasury of the United btates releases fall ciatms against the United btates.toron cecum oi sain . n i j :.. tortn a.- s.ia ent of ih The form wwv.. j" --' v w j - and ij. roved. It lias been published in all the leading newspapers in the commereial r nil's fu i.iR iiiiiii-ii i:iiis. :i ;iii itfixnis foregojiiji proviso were required to file their y . , a ni n.n f iBxtw n r . r n fir iioifirn . nuMication has been continued from the 25th , . I . . C t !... . i iA. nncoc nu nan ri I Tr.e anthorities of the State of Texas at eonas or ceriiucaics. in suun , i i i.t ...ni-,.t . c- hf rpirmtfpi ir uns nreveiued uie oecre 11 be prescribed by the Secretary hh) . , . inVn. K,iblo. that the titles ma v ! tarv If the In orior f.o.n makig the decen- v.ous y appeared ot : a peaceauie icna racier. f and approved by the Prest- ' " " n,i ,, inhnbitnnts stimnl.i- ! nia anoortionment of representative among and dispose i io cuu.va e me mcuuM, , , o United States." ' " , nj m VrovtmcnU-nden- th, SlAtes, as rcouir.d by the act approved the whites nave recently coaim. fu--- of release thus provided for has " , " tMnnrv rtnrst.i s of IiP. Toeffcct Mav 23,1830. it is lauml, however, that icxs m m.su.ny. a a. -. u. B ihe request of ih Secre ary of the T wajury . fc vnr favorable consideration Hiavc lurui&hed a schedule of ihe public debtao 4 " if lhal State created orior to her admission i ot l'1C SUV,CC K,ii nto the Union, with a copy of the laws un- Agriculture may justly be regarded as Lr which each class was contracted. j the great interest of our people Pour fifth 1 have, from the documents furnished hv the jRti.nr 'A.v detfirn.inP.d the classes of Hums which, in my judgment fall within the hr v;s!ons of the act ofUungtess ol the UUi IjI Sc ;t ;mber, 1S50-. On bc-inc officinllv informed of the arcen- nur? by Texas of the propositinns uontsined h uie aot refercd to. I caused the stocK to Sp j-roj-ated, the five millions which are to be .?sued unconditionally, bearing an in- ererest of five percent, from the first day of i.iuary, 185 1, have been lor some time rca- U io btt deltverel to tbe State of Texas ihe authorities of Texas, up to the pros hut time, have not authorized any one to xcoiv. th s stock, and it remains m the rreniurj Department, subject to the or- icr of Texas. The releases, required by law to be epo-itcd in the Treasurv' not having t)ccn filed thero. the romaiuinfr five mil- fiiou'4iave not been issued. I his last a ft jnoa-jt of the stock will be withheld from I H , , ., ; ..-.w-"- "i"-" . j " . , , lion, and of the most etlectuai means oi pre lob? deivered shall be complied Avtth at.rvinir and rcst.-riir the fcrtilitv of the soil, ti.o creditors ot that orate, unless ;ou:tess br.an oinerwise. airecc uv tn .1 i .1 a l . i ii ' 'I Hill Ul I 111S IH ll . hi uiy last annual message v to wliieh v peetrully refer, I stated briefly the ' ,! il. . J1 1 - . i ' i'!'7.v. wnp.rnver u e mucin iiiiiinrr.ttn t iit sueha diaerimination should be n . . in invar oi Lne iiiaii.iri:ii TiiirAiiirs i ( J n ii i.Ltii ill i i . tir in iiiiiAiiiii iififiii. without csclucing foreign ' . - numerous frds which continue to be j i . . .... e .1 .1 ;J : I iiik-n2 ilhistrution ot theoe frauds wilt be xV'.t1 in the Report cf the Secretary of io i . i-assiiry, showjnj the custom -house vai af; .:: .f2rtic!cs1mnorted under a fcrtLerlsw u"j to specific duties, when there was no i-u iieut to undervaluation, andjute cus m h u--e vaualionsof the same aiticles.nn- er t;." present system of ad valorem duties, o sr"uiv reduced as to leave no doubt of the xi-trnc of the most flagrant abuses under - i i t. i - . i . he p oser.t law, combined with tneJanguisn ng condition of some of the great interests 'tile ountrv, caused by over-importations nd c uisrquent depressed pi ices, and with lit taiiure in obtaining a foreign market for ur increasing surplus ol breadsiuffs and pro- i stout?, has induced me again to recommend mc d'ficntion of the existing tariff. Th report of the Secretory of the Interi r, which accompanies this communication, kill present a condensed Ptatcment of the fper..ti',ns ot that important department ot If.p G'jvernment. f: will beeen that the cash sales of the uidic Iands exceed those of the prcceedmg car, and ihet there is reason to anticipate tti.l further increase, notwithstanding the -jl i c u 1 j luiiuuo iv.iiu.j imi-c ucjtij ifiauc iu lairy of the .States, and the liberal grants to i-. . i i r 4 t r....i.r-,..., ...... r.. . n . . : .i . . .v. - ........... j . - f t' e groiv:ng wealth and prosperity of the ounfiy. Suitable measures have been adopted for nmmpip!nir llp snrvrv nf llio iiuhlic 1hiiHe n Cntifornia and Oregon. Surveying par ies have been organized, and some progress as btn marie in establishing the principal ase and meridian line?. But further legis- aliwti and addui nal ppropntidns will he j ccpsury bef-re t'ie proper subdivisions can c tn-.de. and the general land system cxlen- j el ov.r those remote pails of our territory, j On tlie 3J of March last an act was passed i rev .dinr f,,r the appointment of th-ee com- , 's--'cnrrs to settle pnrale land claims in AMrnia. Tiiree pergons were immediate- , Tippo ntcd, a.11 ef whom, however, declined , ccepting the ofiice, in consequence of the' n otaeyoi the compensation. Others v-re iiromrliv selected, who, for tlie sumo , r -spcu also declined.; anddt was not until t ! sons could be secured. A majority ?d ii-'ruftions were given tp.them in regard ..i '.. ix ''uiies. Their first meeting for lhe . r .fucIiou of bnsinei-s will be h i Id in. Sni J TJiiii-rn on thr; nth t hv of t Iif nrsetit n ii in. 1 have Jiuiiigrt iL proper to refer to these ! f;ctf. not only to explain the causes of the del. y in filling the commission, but to pall your attention to the proprieiy .of incressinf the coicpensaLbn oftheeommissioners. The ofiice is ona of great lubjr and responsibility, f and the compensation should be such as to ! command men of a high order of talents and the n.'.-t tinquosiionnble iritegjiiy. - ' 1' ot i .per dit-ijosni of the mineral lands rni;i is a subject sui rounded by icut'ie. In m Inst nunual meesoge I rt 'otntn. u led the survev and sal ot'ilirm tn o ntiil p irceth.jper such restrictions as would effectually guard against monopol an J speculation. But upon further infdrma- tiri.-.nd in deference, to the opinions of'i persona wmiiiarnviUi the subject, 1 am in clined to change tliKt n-cdinmendation, and to tuivise th it they be permitted to remain. as.at presfent a'cWitnon fibH,' bpeh'lo nhe enterprise and indus'ry of all our citizens, until further experience shall nnve develop- I ..... I . - I- " 1.. 1 l ., clnnlml ' . , , ,, . . ' r ' '"'"Sf l" 'm " 1 .. V- . V. , inconvenience ui iww v.mi( ., t. , o . !,riiniim, ,n Ul" " . ' 1 Z Z "V n 0,1 ine cuuniiy w .jrs?i iuuhuvu ... which mny place the whole tubject , ' . . f ' control of Congress. , i. P:riliflir. ,t iands should, however. , "h'"""' . . ' . tnese ouiecis ll isuesirauie w uie nuee&ury ; I)ri)V!sfon b . mn(c by law for the establish- ; . ofland offices in California and Orenon, . i j . . i. n.nnnMiiir.n ... ...... j s difficulties have occurred in organ- l-Ilir 1! 1 L'l IU U " (I VKI lllllfll La Ul . . ... a AMfAiLU iiiiu uiuii. mill, xv nun iiiuiu unuiu". j . m nil..) Inn ti.11 Ki mnrlil rin till I U IU1UIU WUII1IUUII.U1IUU lll u- lll'ixv- VI" asl annual communication to Con- ! Srs5 1 r recommended the establishment of an : or ,OUi "vts H ujl..uyuu ... , CUilivauoii ui u u ton, mm inu u.yu up - ; wu.c, m-. uy. .... -0. in tnni vocation, juszice anu souna po:icy, j uureuire, ;u ku ltqune uiui mu sovui-uiiuut should use all the means authorized oy the Constitution to promote the interests and welfare of thai important class of our feliow citizens And yet it is a singular fact that, whilst the manufacturing and commercial interests have engaged the attention of Con gress during a largc portion of every session, and our stiluses abound m provisions for u,eif Frwctio:i ?nu encouragcmein,.m.e nu. , "Time thai this reproach jCffiallltjon rfjouid be removed : and I cinw oh- hone that the orescnt Conirress will not close their lahors w.lhout adopting elii cient means to up;ly the omissiens of those tvho pwceded thetn. An Agrintltural Burosn, charged with the "! ofHecling and disseminating cornet mtornution as to Uie best inodoii ot cultiva- and of nrocurms and distrrbutinff ecds and f . n . .1 nltlnl ITiin jeuibie production?, witJi instructKins in regard to the soil, climate,and trcAtment best adapted to their growth, could nt t fa il to be, in the language of Washing ton, in his last annual message to Congress, a ''Vv'rv cheat) inslrunn-iil of immense nation, al benefit." R;r.rding the act of Congress approved 29th September, 1850, granting bounty lands to persons who had been engaged in the military service tfthe country, as a great measure of National justice and munificence, an anxious desire has been felt, by the ofiiA reisin rusted with its immediate execution, to give prompt effect to its provisions. All the means within their control were, there fore, brought into requisition to expedite the adjudication of claims, and I am gratified to be able to state that near one hundred thous and applications Jiave been considered, and! suuui suvusuy iiiuusiiuu wtUMima itsuc.i w.iu- in the short space of nine months. If ade- -1 t 1 . !.,... 3 . . . i ' I niinte nrovisicn be made bvlaw to carrv in'o pifect the recommendations of the Deu irt- ment, it is confidently exported that, before the close of he next fiscal year, all who are entitled to die benefits of "the act will have received their warrai ts. The Secretary of the Interior has sugges ted in his report various ammendments of the laws relating to pensions and bounty lands, for the purpose of more effecually guarding against abuses and faudson the Government, to all of which I invite your particular attcn- j tion. The l.rge accessions to our Indian popu'a- j tiun consequent upon the acquisition of New ! Mexico antJ California, and the extension of, our,seUlements into Utah and Oregon, have j given increased interest and importance to ' our Khlins with the aornginai race. j No material change lias taken place with-j in the last year, m the condition and pros- j pects of the ImPan tribes who reside in the! northwestern Territory and west of the Mis- j sissippi river. We are at peace with all of f there; and it will be a source of pleasure lo vou to learn that they are gradually advancing j in civilization and the pursuits of social life. Along the .Mexican frontier, and in Cali- ' forma, and Orejon,ihere have been occasion al manifestations of ui.friendly feeling, and some depredations committed. J am satisfied, however, that they result more from the destitute and starving condition of the In dians than from any settled hostility towards the whites. As the settlements of Jour citi zens progress towards them, the game upon which th?y mainly rely tor subsistence is driven off or dwtroved, and the only alterna- j tive left them is starvation or plunder. It becomes us to consider, in view of this condition of things, whether justice and humanity, as. well as an elighteneil ccononi', do not require, that instead of seeking to punieh them foroflVnces which are the result of our own policy towards them, we should not profide for their immediate wants and tncourage them lo engage in agriculture,and to rely on their labor, instead ofthe chase, for lhe meens of support. Various important treaties have been ne- gotiated with uiirerentnbes during the year, bv which their title to lame and valuable tracts of country has been extinguished, all to the Senate for ratification. The jo'nt commission under the treaty of Ciundaloupe Hidalsro bus been act vely en- gsged in running and marking the boundary fine between fhe United sates and Mexico, It was settled in the last annual renortot the iipcwtsrvr nf die lrffii-irfr that thn intitml po:m on ine raemc anu tne point ot junction ol the hila Willi the Colorado river had been determined, and intervening line, about one j hundred 'and Hfiy miles in length, run and junarked by temporary monuments. S.nce ' that time a monument of marble has been erected -at the initial point and permanent landmarks of iron have been placed ntsuitable distances along the line. J'he initial point on the Rio Grande has also been fixed by the coiuissioners at latitude ! 82 dog. 22 nun. and at the date ofthe last j.communication the survey of" .the line had uiade thence westward about one bundled and fifty miles to the neighborhood of the copper mines. The commission on our part was ot first Qrani'.ed on a scale which proved to he un- wieldly and attended witlv unnecessary ex pen'svr 1 Order&'have, therefore, bean isued for the reduction of the number of pTsons : v 7 i' - 1 ... ..ni.if.riiinwiitrc cnni rr run iifvtr:in ii'imiic'i emnUvcd.withiiiithe smallest limits, consis tent yith the safety of-those engaged in the service, and in the prou.pt and c-lScieutcxe-c tion of ther important duties. Returns liave been received from all the officers ennraged in tuhmg the contus in the -Stales and Territories, except California. 'I he superintendent employed to make the 1 enumeration m that State has nor yet maue ! his full report, fiom causes, as he alleges,- : beyond his Phis failure is much to contra! time will then be lost in makinc the n.-ces- sary apportionme nt, and in transmitting "th certificates required by 1 tw 'fhe .Superintended of tbe .Seventh Cen sus is diligently employed, under the di rcction of the Secretary of the Interior, in classifying and arranging, in tabular from, all the statistical lntormationuerivc-cl trom the returns of the marshals, and it is be lieved that when the vork .shall be com pleted it will" exhibit a more perfect view of the papulation, wealth, occupa tion, and social conditio of a great coun try, than has ever betn presented to the world. The value of such & work, as the basis of enlightened legislation, can hardly be over-estimated; and I earnestly hope .that Congress will lose no time in making the appropriations necessary to complete the classifications, and to publish the re sults in a style worthy of the subject and of our national character. 1 he want ot numtoruwee bill, prescri bing the compensation to be allowed (lis trict attorneys, ckrkc, marshals and com missioners in civil and criminal cases, is the cause of much vexation, injustice and complaint. I would recommend a thorough revi-ion of the laws on the whole subject and tne adoption ot a tantt ol fees which, as far as practicable, should be ur.ifoi m. and prescribe a specific compensation for every service which the officer may be re quired to perform. This subject will be fully presented in the report of the Secre tary of the Interior. In my last annual message I gavebriefly my reasons for believing that you possescd the coustitctional power to improve the harbors of our grtat lakes and ceacoast, and the navigation of our piincipal rivers .'.nd recommended that appropriations should be made lor completing such works as had already been commenced, and for commencing such others as'might seem to the wisdom of Congress to be of public and general importance. Without repeating the reasons then urged, I deem it my duty again to call your attention to this impor tant subject. The wf.rks on many ot the harbors were left in an unfinished state, and consequently exposed to the action of the elements, which is fast destroying them. Great numbers of lives and vast amounts of propei y are annually lost for want of safe and conenient harbors on the lakes. None but those who have been exposed to that dangerous navigation can fully apprc cicte the importance ol this subject. The whole norrhwest app-als to ycu for relief and I trust their appeal wi'l receive due consideration at our hands. The same in in a measuie in regard to some of the huibors and ii. lets on the sea co .st. The unobstructed navigation of our lanre ... r. t . i ... jivcis is oi irjuai importance, wur settle meats are now extending to the sources o of the great rivers which empty into, and form a part of the Mississippi, and the value ot the publis lands in those regions would be greatly ehuanced by freeing the navigation of those waters from obstiution In view, therefore, of this great interest, I "deem it my duty again to urge upon Con gress to hmke such appropriations for these impro ements as the may deem necessary. I he survey o: the Delta ol the Mississippi, with, a view to the prevention ot the ovei flows that have proved so disasterous to that region of the country, have been nearly completed, and the reports thereof are now in course of preparation, and will shortly belaid before you. The protection of our south-western frontier, and of tec adjacent Mexican States against tbe Indian tribes within bur border, has claimed my earnest and constant attention Congress having failed, at the lt session lo adopt my recommendation additional regiment of mounted men specially adapted to that service should 'be raised, all that remained to be 5one w'as to niake lhe best "so ol the means & n,' disposal. Accordingly, all tbe troops anapier io uiai service- mat could properly or spared lrom other quarters have been concentrated on that lrotitier, and officers of high reputation selected to command them. A new anangenient of the military poets lias also ben made, whereby the troops are brought nearer to the Mexican frontier and to the tribes they are intended to o erawe bufhcient time lias not vet claused to realize an tne oneiits ttiat are expected to i.juu Hum uji.;v, .I. x u uc 'ii l ii i, - ui i i nave, evety reason to hope that thty will efTect . n.. i. !..!.: 1-. ,,. uuny uutcu. iiiuir uiuruuuing cxptuiiions The nature ol the country, which furnishes little for the support ot any army and abounds in places of refuge and conceal ment, is remarkably well adapted to this predatory warfare; and we can scarcely hope that any military force, combined with the greatest vigilance, can entirely sup press it. By the treaty of Gaudalupe Hidalgo we are bound to protect tbe territory of Mex ico against the incursions of tbe savage tribes within our border "with equal dili gence and energy" as if the same were made within otu territory or aeainst our citizens. I have endeavored to comply, as far as possible, with the provision of the treaty. Orders have been given to the officers commanding on that front i r to consider the Mexican teiritory and its in habitants as equally with our ovn entitled to their protection; and to make all tbeir plans anil arrangements with a view to thcr attamn.ent ol this object. Instructions have also been given to tbe Indian commis sioners and agents among these tribes, in all treaties, to make the clauses des gued for the protection of our own citizens, apply also to those of Mexico. 1 have no reason to doubt that thcse.iustnictione lfavj been fully carried into efiect. Nevertheless, it is probable that, in spite of all our efTorts, some of the neighboi ing States of Mexico may have suffered, as our own have, from depredations by the Indians To the difficulties of .defending our own territory, as above mention d, are superad ded, in defending that o. iViexico, those that arise from its remote was, from the fact that .we baveino right to station -our troops within ben liu.tit, and that .there is no efficient military force on tlie Mexican -.1 j I . L 1 side to co-operate with bur own. So long as this .shall continue to be the case, the number hncl actjvity of our troops will ras thcr increase than diminish the evil, as the Indians will naturally .turn towards that country where they encounter the least reaistance. Yet these tro-ps are necessary to subdue thcni, and to compel them to make and observe treatits Until this shall have been done, neither country wll 1 enjoy any security from their attacks. 1 he Indians in L.antorn!af wno nau pre- ' were drawn from the Pacific, the mil tat) forte now stationed there is considered en tirely inadequate to its defence. It cannoc be increased, however, without an increase of the army ; and I again recommend that measure as. indispensable to the protection of tlsc frontier. invite youattention to the suggestions on this subject, and on others connected with his Department, in the report of the Secretary of War. The appropriations for the support of the army during the current fiscal year ending 30th June next, were leduced far below the estimate submitted by tbe De partment. The consequence of this reduc tion is a considerable deficiencv, to which I invite your eaily attention. The expenditures of that department, for the year ending 30th June last, were ?9,- OGO.i'Gs' 5S. The estimates for the year commmencing 1st July next and ending June 30, 1853, are $7,898,775 83; showing a reduction of 1,161,492 75. The Board of Commissioners, to whom the management of the affairs of the Milita ry Asylum created by the act of 3d Match last was entrusted, have selected a site for the establishment of an Aslum in the vK cinity of this city, which has been approved by me, subject to the production of a satis factory title. The Report of tlieSecrolary of tlie Navy will exhibit the coniiition of the piihlic service under the supervision of that department. Our naval force afloat during the present year has been actively and tisetully employed in giving protection to our widely-extended and incrcain commerce and interests in the various quarters of the globe, and our Has bs everywhere afforded Ihe security and received the respect inspired by the justice and lib erality of our intercourse, and the dignity and. power of the nation. The expedition commanded by Lioutenant Do Haven, despatched in search of the Uritish commander. Sir John Franklin ar.d his companions in the Arcticscas.icturiicd to Now Vork in the month of Octob -r, alter haii g un dergone great peril and sulTur ng from an unknown and dangcrou navigation and the rigors of a northern cli mate, without any satisfactory information of the ob jects of their search, but with new contributions to sci ence and navigation from the unfrequented polar regions. The ofliccis and men of the expedition, having been all volunteers for this service, and having so conducted it as to meet the entire approbation or the Government, it is suggested, as an act of grace and generosity, that the same allowances of e.itra pay and emoluments ho exten ded to them that were made to the oillcers and men of like rating i:i the late cxpljring expedition to. the South eas 1 earnestly i ecoimnead to your attention the necessity ; of reorganizing the Naval establishment, apportioning; and fixing the number of officers in cachgrade, providing j some mode of promotion to the higlicr-grades of the na- : vy. having reference to merit and capacity, rather than seniority or date of entry into the services, and for retir- J ing from tbe effective list upon reduced pay those who may he incompetent to the peiformnuce of active dutv. , between officers of the army and navy, in the various urc to provide any substitute, when curporal punishment was abolished f-r olfenccs in the navy, has occasioned the convening of numerous courts-martiai upon the ar - rival of vessels i:i nort. and is believed to have had an injurious efiect upon the discipline and cftirioncy of the service. To moderate punishment lrom one grade to another, is among the humane reforms of the age; but to abolish one ot severity, which applied so generally to ofllences on ship-board, and provide nothing in its stead, is to suppose a progress of improvement in every indi vidual among seamen which is not assumed by the Leg islature in reject to any othcrclass of men- It is hon ed that Congress, in the ample opportunity alforded by cu uiai utwsress, in ine ampic oppuriuiiiiy aoorueu uv the present session, win thoroughly investigate this !:ipnJ.if sistcnt with humanity and the personal rights of indi-; yiduals, and at thesame tunc shall ensure the most en- ersetic and efficient performance of dutv and the suppres- sion oicrime in oursii.ps oi wai. 7 he stone dock in the navy yard at New Vork which was ten years in process of construction.has been so far nnisiieo as to be surrendered up to the authorities of the yard. The dry dock at Philadelphia is reported as com-1 pleted.and is expected soon to be tested and delivered , over to the atrents ofthe Government. That at Ports- ' mouth. Xcw Hampshire, is also nearly ready for dclive-i ry : and a contract has been concluded, asrecnbly to th-j ' actof Congress at its last session, for a floating Ecrtion- ! nl dock on the Day of San Francisco. I invite your at-' tontion to the recommendation of the Department touch- ! ing the establishment of a navy yard in ccnjunction with ; this dock on the Pacific. Such a station is highly neces- I saryto the convenience and effectiveness of our fleet in that ocean, which must be expected to increase with the growth ofconmercc and the rapid extension of our ; w nan: nsiieries over us waters. clat s of acting midshipmen was received at the com- tij titi. uxwi--? ti ww iiiuiiui r iwuut;iu it lair me iP has been attached to the institution, to atibVdVhc amplest means for regular instruction in seamanship, as well as for cruises (hiring the vacations of three or four mouths in cich year. J he advantages or science in nautical aflairs have rar ely been more strikingly illustrated than in the fact sta ted in the report of the Navy Department, that by means oi me winu anil current charts, projected and prepared bv Lieutenant Maury, the Saperintcndant of the jVava'l Observatory, the passage from the i Atlantic to the 1'acif- ic ports of our country has been shortened by about for- ty days. The estimates for the support of the Navy ami Mar- i ne estimates for the support of the favy and Mar ine Corps the cnuiu& fiscal year will be found to be ir will he found lo be the current vear beincr S5,b5G,172 lj, the estimates fo. The estimates for special objects under the control of this Department amount to S2.084.220 89, against S2.210.0S0 for the present year, the increase being oc casioned by the additional maiUervice on the Pacific coast and the construction of the dock in California, authorized at the last session of Congress, and some slight additions undcrthc head of improvements and repairs in navy yards, building ami machinery. Ideem it of much importance to a iust economy, and. a correct understanding of naval expenditures, that there should be an entire separation of the ap propriations for the support of the naval service pro per from those for permanent improvements at navv yards and stations, and from ocean ste"am mail service atid other special objects assigned to the supervision of litis Department The report ofthe Postmaster General, herewith com municated, presents an interesting view ofthe progress, operations, and condition of his department. .At the close of the last fiscal year, the length of mail routes within the United States wrts 100.2'JO miles ; the annual transportation thereon 53,272,252 miles; and the annual cost of such transportation $3,421,751. The length of the foreign mail routes Is estimated at 18,349 Iniles ; and the annual transportation thereon at 015,205 miles. The annual cost of this servico is $1, 472,187, of which 448,9.37 is paid by the Post Office De partment, and 51,023,250 is paid through the Kavy De partment. The annual transportation within the United States, (excluding the service in California anil Oregon, which is now. for the first time, reported and embraced in the tabular statements of the Department) exceeds that of the preceding year 6,162,S55 miles, at an increased cost of $547,1 10. The whole number of post offices in the United States, on the 30th day of June last, v, as 19,790. There were 1,093 post offices established, and 250 discontin ued, during the year. The gross revenues ol the Department for the fiscal year, including the appropriations for the franUcd mat ter of Congress, of the Departments, and officers of Government, and excluding the foreign postages, col lected for and pajable to the Uritish post office, amoun ted to $0,727,600 78. The expenditures for the same period, (excluding $20,599,49, paid tinder an award of the Auditor, in nur- suance of a resolution of the last Connrcss. for mail service on me unio anu Mississippi rivers in 1S32 and. foieign postages collected for and paynble to that of fice) amounted lo $6,024,500 79; leaving a balance of revenue oyer the proper expenditures of the vear of law, anu me amount nam to tin iintisi: nnst nlfinr. fhi- The receints for noslnpp?; dnrlnr Hip vnnr (nvnln.i;... the foreign postages collected for and paynble to the uwua.i jjuaiuiuce) amounted io !50,3.i5,747 Sl.beimran increase of 3997.01 n 79. or iH.fi5.inn liKe receipts for the preceding year. Tlie reduction of -nosiaim. mww n.t i. last, did not lake cifeet until th .n.m.,-..V V.V the present . fiscal vear. The Recount. tv.r fi.i firt quarter, under jhe operation of the reduced ratoSJt will not be settled before January next ; imd no reliable es ltmatc of the receipts for the pwent vear can yet be As a measure of economy as well as of efficiency n the 0j aw have been introduced into bills. V.'ilh ami ol ths service, the provision last mentioned is-e:ni- . . , ,. .,, nci.tiy win thy of your consideration. i the title or general subject of which Iney The determination of the questions of relative rank K.,n :,,i,s ni. nri rrmnnvinn nr r.-lntlnn In between the sea officers and civil officers of the navv. and I nae ml,e 01 n0 Connexion 01 lLiailon. in I'heXaval Academy at Annapolis, under a revised and j extension Ol the UapitOl, according to SUCll m,.,,i . I,t npilfifitioii i nnw iiimpil n., improved system of regulations, now affords opportuni-j nI, , e . i t ,k p ,: 5 nuil.licatioil is HOW aimeu, n. tiesofeducation ami instruction to the papiisquite equal, j Plau as 'nigiii tie approved uv tne i rest- so much af,ainst particular laws as beins oSKleSeS I d ! nppropriaied one hund red ihcai- J inconsistnit wilh lhc Constitt:tion,asagains made, it is bciievcd. however, that ther wilt -faiifar s inn oi I usu ui uic i . ;- caues now on hand is, however, so large that no furth rnn4Hnn rmm tlm tre.isurv. in aid of the reve nues of the Department, is required for the current fis cal year: but an additional appropriation for the year ending June 30, 1853, will probably be founi necessary when the leceipts of the fust two quarters of the fiscal year arc fulJy ascertained. In his last annual report the Postmaster General lecommended a reduction of pos. tnge fo rates which he deemed as low aa could be prudently adopted, unless Con gress was prepared to appropriate form the support of the Deparltn?nt,a sum moie limn equivalent to the mail services performed by il for lhe Government. The recommen dations of ihe Postmaster General, in re spect to letter postage, except on letters from and to California and Oiegon, were sub stantially adopted by the last Congress. Ue now recommends adherence to the present letter rates, and advises against a . ... - . . -r ine ptiuiic siaiuieb ui mu uimuu ouo have now been accumulating for more than sixty years, and, interspersed with private acts, are scattered through numer ous volumes, and, from the cost of lhe whole, have become almost inaccessible to the great mass of the community. They also exhibit much of lhe incongruity and imperfection of has!y legislalio 1. As it seems to be generally conceded that there is no "common law" of the United States to supply the defects of their legislation, it h most important f hat that legislation should be at perfect as possible, defining every power intended to be con ferred,e very crime intended to Ijg made punishable, and pre scribing the punishment to be inflicted. In addition to some particular cases spoken of more at length, the whole criminal cude is now lamentably defective. Some often ces are imperfectly described, and others are entirely oini'tcd: so that flagrant crimes may be committed with impunity. The scale of punnishment is not in all cases graduated according to the degree and ra lure of the oflence, and is often rendered more unequal by the different modes of im prisonment, or penitentiary confinement, in the different Stales. Manv laws of a permanent character have been introduced into appropriation bills, and it is often difficult lo determine , , , i i i whether the particular ClflUSC expires Will) ,t p emnnrar vn ct of which it is n nart cr inoicmpor.irjnciolwuit.ii ills, a p.lli, ei continues ill force. It has also frcquen'lv , . i happened that enactments and provisions this mode of legislation so many enact- ( metltS have been heaped Upon each Other, I qnJ n0nn with liul ibtlf rnrxidpi-ri? ion tli.-it . ?na '?" w "at mile coi.siuei auon, m.u in many instances, it is difficult to search out and determine what is lhe law. The Government ofthe United States is emphatically a government of written laws. The statues should, therefore, as far as practicable, not-only be made, acces- . ., , ,, . . , . , ' siDte to all, but be expressed in language so plain and simple as to be understood by all, and arranged in such method as to t r.t,K;,r.i Mn j g'v e perspicuity io evc.y suujeci. many 0 tneStates have revised their public acts ! , , t 1 r j t i wilb great and manifest benelil ; and 1 rnrpnmmpnil thnt nrnvninn !ip m-inVliv hw ' eccommend that provision oe mdoe 0) law for the appointment of a commission to re- 1 ... . .i rr . l o. . MSG the public Statutes Ol tlie U nitetl states, armnmnrr fhon-i in r.-!or oimnlrimr ft..fit ".""p"'o ..r,jo ClCIlCies, correcting incongruities, Simpll- r..:., .!...: i l .: ,i . 'J ,uo lauLuiu auu icjiuiuii uii-hi iu Congress for its action. a r n - I on.t C All act 01 UOUgrCSS approved oUUl Cp- lcmber. 1850. contained a nroiision for the ' ' ' i i i i t i i t . . r sana dollars io uo expcnueu uuuer ms Ui- rccuon, uy sucii nrctiiteci as lie stiouiu ap- further reduction unW justthed by Hie reve- j aicgej offenders, so far as they could bo nue or the Department. ! identified, and are still pending. I have He also recommends that the rales of J reardej it os rny duty, in these cases, to postage on printed matter be so revised as , e M ad , jn my p0wer to the on to render them more simple, and more un.-1 rorceraess, ofllie jawSj anfj 1 shall continue form in their operation upon nil classes of: lo dos(J vyherever an(j whenever their exc. printed matter. I submit the rccommeu-; cu,jf)as ,je resi3led dalions of the report to your (avorab.c con- j The acl 0rConres3 for tJie relurn 0f s deration. fugitives from labor is one required and point to execute tne same, un examining ; actjvey nl worj5 lo rell( lJSUder this Uui the various plans which had been submit- OIlj wlicl isour d.erlslicrf inheritance from trd by difRrent architects, in pursuance of! oar revolutionary fathers., an advertisment by a committee of lhe ln mv last annual message 1 stated that Senate, no one was found to be entirely , I considers! the scries of measure, wbii-h satisfactory, and it was therefore deemed j .i ,- , . . . advisable lo combine and adept the advan- taijes of several a.. lb..tU..j iu i,uuuu.j...oi.oU ..o , rml soitiemc-nt m principle nntl subatani-i totnaKo such an addition as would nflord j ofthedaugeious and exciting subjects v, hu h ample and convenient halls Tor the del.ber- they embraced ; and I r. commended a.I ations ofthe two louses of Congress, with hereuce lo the adjustment estabhshtd bv siifiicicnt accommodations for spectators, lhoso niensurcS unU time and experience and suitable apartments for the committees shoijjd demonstrate the necessity of furth -and officers of the two branches ofthe Lc- 1 er jCgisa,on to guard against evasion or gislatnre. It wa-3 also desirable not to mar abuse I was not illdllced ,0 make thn the harmony and beauty of lhe present . rcc0mmendation because 1 thought those structure, which, as a specimen of architec-: measures perfect, for no human legislation lure, is so universally admired, keeping j cnn be fecL Wide difleronecs and jar t hese olyects in view, 1 concluded to make ring opinions can onlv be reconcibd bv the addition by wings, detached from the yielding something on" ull sides, and this p.u.u uuiiuiiis, yet comiecicu wim u i y corridors. J Ins mode ol enlargement wil leave the present Capitol uninjured, und land afford great advantages for vendition and the admission of light, and will enable the work to progress without interrupting the deliberations of Congress. To carrv this plan iulo efiect I have appointed an experi enced and competent architect. The cor ner stone was laid on the4lh day of July last, with suitable ceremonies, since which lime the work has advanced with commen dable rapidity, and Ihe foundation of both wings arc now nearly complete. I again commend lo your faithful re gard the interestsof the District cf Columbia, and deem it only necessary to remind 3'ou, that although its inhabitants hnvo no Voice in the choice of rerfresentalives in Congress, they are not the less entitled to a just and liberal consideration in your legislation. My opinions on this subject were more ful ly expressed in my last annual communi cation. Other subjects were brought to the atten tion of Cohgjress in my last annual messngq, to which 1 vuld rhspeclfully roTer. Hut there wusrie of more tljtuiordmnjy intep. est to which 1 Mgnin invito you special . attention. 1 allude fo' thc recommendation for the appointment of a commission to settle private claims against ihe United States. Justice to individuals as well as to the government, imperatively demands that some morn convenient" and expeditions j modethan an appeal to Congress should be sdopted. It is deeply to be regretted that in sev eral instances officers of the Government, ia attempting to execute the law for the return of fugitives from labor, Ime been openly recsisled,and their efTorts frustrated and defeated by lawless and violent mobs ; that in one case such resistance resulted in the death of an estimable citizen, and in others serious injury ensued lo those offi cers and to individuals who were using their endeavors to sustain the laws. Pro cncnlinns hnvff bepn instituted against i!ir ' jvi-mi-'"" w n u u ( demanded bv the expressed words of the Constitution. The Constitution declares, "That no per son held to service or labor in one State, under the laws thereof, escaping into anoth er, shall; in const quence of any law ir regulation therein, be discharged from sudi service or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such st'rvi'-tr qv labor may be due." This coiisitutimal provision is equally obligatory upon the. Legislative, the Executive; and Judiei ! Departments ofthe Government, and upon every citizen of the United States. Congress "however, must, from necessi ty, first act upon the subject, by prcsciiuing the proceedings necessary lo ascertain that the person is a fugitive, and the means to be used for his restoration to the climate. This was done by an act passed during the first term of President Washington, which was amended by that enacted by the la-t Congress, and it now remains for iho Ex ecutive and Judicial Departments to take care that these laws be faithfully executed. This injunction of lhe Const ilution is as peremptory and r.s binding as any other ; it stands exactly on the same foundation as thai clause which provides for the re turn of fugitives from justice, or that which declares that no bill of attainder or ex jjoU facto law shall be passed, or that which provides for an equality of taxation, a'.--cordinn to the census, or the clause th claiing that all duties shall be uniform throughout the United Stales, or the im porlanl provision that ihe trial of all cri:n s shall be by jury. These several artich s and clauses of the Constitution, ail realms on the same authority, must stand or l;u together. Some objections have been uim- I , . ., i . r r . ! ed arnmst the details of the act for the re turn of fugitives from labor ; but it is wor thy of remark that the main opposition is aimed at the Constitution itself," and pro' cceds from persons and classes ef pe"rs"ii.-, many of whom declare their wish to see ihn! Constitution overturned. Thev avow j jiei, bostilitv to anv law which shall gif rnU nm! nrrtirAl Plyrc, to ,us renuirem, t.t ; ofihQ Constitution. Fortttnatelv, the num- . - ' j uerof these persons is comparativelv small, 1 nnri hpfipvrd to be d-iilv diminishing but UUieiu io uc o.ut uuii!iiibiiiii, uiu the is-uo which thev nroscnt is one which ' i i j .t , !RVOives the suptcmacv and even the ex- ' unrn of llip f '.irislilii'lion 1 lsltnce os Hie UoriSIIlUUOn. Cases have heretofore arisen in V. hi. !i 1 - i , , , .i i- .. , IBdlVIUaaiS ntlVC oeilieu tlie Ollltimg auilior- ' ,Iv 0f ..c.s of ConresS and CVtfn St'l't'S ; -. . ...1 . ' ' have proposed to llllllllV SUCMl acts, Upon thp (rronnd tint llp ropsliluti-.n ws lh grOUUU lliat IIIL COI.SlllUll l! tls Ul supreme la.VV of jfie 1111(3, Olid thai thoC . J r n . ... .1 . tiuis ui uii"icw iv iu"iiaui. iu iihil iiisui. tbo Constiiutioii it-elf' and il is nut to Lt? dis-iiisaci that a spirit exists and has bun ' li-u lPP11 adouted at tbe nrevions srsi,,n I 11 u l,u-,J 'tooiucu ai ine picviuua stssion, J in rercreilce tf) ti,e iX lVLium mov.ing out of J the territojial and slavery questions, as a , resut ha(j reached after an nnjjrv conflict of many months, in which one part ofiho country was arrayed against another, and violent convulsion seemed so imminent. Looking at the interests of the whole coun try, I ft It it to be my duty to seize upon this compromise as the best that could be obtained amid conflicting interests, and to insist upon it as a final settlement, to bo adhered to by all who value the peace and, welfare of the country. A year has now elapsed since that recommendation was made. To thai recommendation I still ad here, and I congratulate you and the coun try upon the general acquiescence in thes" measures of pence, which has been exhibited in all parts ofthe Republic. And notonh is there 'his general acquiescence in theso measuresjbiil the spirit of conciliation which has been manifested in regard to them in parts of .the country; has removed doubts and uncertainties in the rr.indsofthusands of good men concerning the durability of our-popular institutions, and given renewed assurance that our Liberty anil our Union, may subsist together for the benefit ol this and nil succeeding 'generations. L .fc t :i: i M ILL.-VR D- FILLMORE. Washi.vgto, December", 1 851 1
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