iVtlfonl Bnquiici.
BY DAVID OVER.
ICONCLUTVEK.]
In regard to the Tehuantepec route, which
has been recently opened under the most fa
vorable auspices, our treaty with Mexico of tho
30th December 1853, secures to the citizens of
tho United States a right of transit over it for
their persons and merchandise, an<f* stipulates
that neither government shall "mterpose any
obstacle" thereto. It also conccdus to the U.
States tho "the right to transport across the
Isthmus, in closed bags, the mails of the U.
States uot intended for distribution along the
line of the communication ; also, the effects of
the United States government and its citizens
which may be intended for transit, aud uot for
distribution on the isthmus free of csutom
house or other charges by the Mexican govern
ment."
These treaty stipulations with New Grauada
and Mexico, in addition to tho considerations
applicable to the Nicaragua route, seem to re
quire legislation for the purpose of carrying
them into effect.
The injuries which have been inflicted upon
our citizens iu Costa llica and Nicaragua, du
ring the last two or three years, have received
the prompt attention of this government. —
Some of these injuries were of the most ag
gravated character. The transaction at Virgiu
Bay in April, 1856, when a company of un
armed Americans, who were in no way con
nected with any belligerent conduct or party,
were fired upou by the troop 3 of Costa ltica,
and numbers of them killed and wounded, was
brought to the knowledge of Congress by my
predecessor soon after its occurrence, and was
also presented to the government of Costa llica,
for that immediate investigation and redress
which the nature of the caso demanded.
A similar eourso was pursued with reference
to other outrages in these countries, some of
which were hardly less aggravated in thetr
character than the transaction at Virgin Bay.
At the time, however wh:n our present Minis
ter to Nicaragua was appointed, in December.
1857, no redress had been obtained for any of
these wrongs, and no reply even had boeu re
ceived to the demands which had been made by
this government upon that of Costa Rica, more
than a year before. Our Minister was instruc
ted, therefore, to lose no time in expressing to
those governments the deep regret with wliich
the President had witnessed this inattention to
the just claims of the United States, and iu
demanding their prompt and satisfactory ad
justment. Unless this demand shall be com
plied with at an early day, it will ouly remain
for this government to adopt such other meas
ures as m >y bo necessary, in order to obtain for
itself that justice which it has ill vain attempt
ed to secure by peaceful means from the gov
ernments of Nicaragua and Costa llica. \V bile
it has shown, and will continue to show, the
most sincere regard for the rights and iionorof
the-e republics, it cannot permit this regard to
be met by an utter neglect, on their part, of
what is due to the government aud citizens of
the United States.
Against New Granada we have loug-ftend
ing causes of complaint, arising out of the un
satisfied claims of our citizens upon that re
public ; and to these have beeu more recently
added the outrages committed upou our citi
zens at Panama in April, 1856. A treaty for
the adjustment of these difficulties, was con
cluded by the Secretary of State and the Min
ister of New Granada, in September, 1857,
which contained just and acceptable provisions
for that purpose. This treaty was transmitted
to Bogota, and was ratified by the government
of New Granada, but with certain amendments.
It was not, however, returned to this city until
after the close of the last session of tho Senate.
It will be immediately transmitted to that body
for their advico and consent; and should this
be obtained, it will remove all our existing
causes of complaint against New Granada on
the subject of claims.
Questions have arisen botween the two gov
ernments, as to the right of New Granada to
levy a tonnage duty upou the vessels ot the U.
States in its ports of the Isthmus, uud to levy
a passenger tax upon our citizens arriving in
that country, whether with a design to remain
there or to pass from oceau to ocean by the
transit route ; and also a tax upon the mail of
the United States transported over the Panama
railroad. The goverumeut of New Granada
has beeu informed, that the United States
would consider the collection of either of those
taxes, as an act in violation of the treaty be
tween the two countries, and as 6ucli would bo
resisted by the United States. At the same
time, we are prepared to discuss these ques
tions in a spirit of amity ond justice, and with
a sincere desire to adjust them in a satisfactory
inaouer. A negotiation for that purpose has
already been couimenecd. No effort Las re
cently been made '.o collect these taxes, nor is
any anticipated under present circumstances.
With tits empire of Brazil our relations are
of the most friendly character. The produc
tions of the two countries, and especially those
of au agricultural nature, are such as to invito
extensive mutual exebauges. A large quanti
ty of Americau flour is consumed iu Brazil ;
whilst more thau treble the amouut in value of
Brazilian coffee is consumed in the U. States.
Whilst this is the case, a heavy duty has beeu
levied, until very recently, upon the importa
tion of American flour into Brazil, iam grat
ified, however, to be able to inform you that iu
September last this has been reduced from sl,-
82 to about 49 cents per batrel, and the duties
on other articles of our production have been
diminished iu nearly the same proportion.
I regret to state that the government of
Brazil still continues to levy an export duty of
about 11 per ecu:, on coffee, notwithstanding
.this article* is admitted free from duty iu the
U. States. This is a heavy charge upou the
consumers of coffee in our country, as we rnir
A Weekly Paper, Devoted to Literature, Politics, the Arts, Sciences, Agriculture, &c., See— Terms: One Dollar and Fifty Cents in Advance.
chase half of the entire surplus crop of that
article raised io Brazil. Our minister, under
instructions, will reiterate his efforts to have
this export duty removed ; and it is hoped that
the enlightened government of the caiperor
will adopt this wise, just, and equal policy.—
In that event, there is good reason to believo
that the commerce between the two countries
will greatly increase, much to the advantage of
both.
The claims of our citizens against the gov
ernment of Biazil are not, in the aggregate, of
very large amount; but some of those rest upon
plain principles of justice, and their settlement
ought not to bo longer delayed. A renewed
and earnest, aud I trust a successful effort,
will be made by our minister to procure their
final adjustment.
On the 2d of June last, Congress passed a
joint resolution authorizing the President "to
adopt such measures aud use such force as, in
his judgment, may be necessary ami advisable,"
"for the purpose of adjusting the differences
between the U. States and the republic of
Paraguay, in connexion with the attack on the
U. States steamer Water Witch, and with other
measures referred to" in his annual message.
An 1 ou the Pith July following, they made an
appropriation to defray the expenses and com
pensation of a commissioner to that republic,
should the President deem it proper to nuke
such an appointment.
iu compliance with these enactments, 1 have
appointed a commissioner, who has proceeded
to Paraguay, with full powers and instructions
to settle these differences in an amicable and
peaceful manner, if this be practicable. llis
experience aud discretion justify tbe hope, tLat
be may prove successful iu convincing tbo
Paraguayan government, that it is due both to
in nor nnd justice, that they should voluntarily
and promptly make atonement fur tho wrongs
which they hive committed against the United
States, aud indemnify our iujutcd ci izens
whom they have forcibly despoiled of their
property.
Should our commissioner prove unsuccessful,
after a sincere aud earnest effort, to accomplish
tbe object cf his mission, then no alternative
will remain, but tbe employment of force to
obtain "just satisfaction" from Paraguay, lit
view of this contingency, the Secretary of the
Navy, under my direction, has fitted out and
despatched a naval force, to rendezvous near
Buenos Ay res, which, it is believed, will prove
sufficient for the occasion, it is my earnest
that it may not be found ne
cessary to f&sort to this last alternative.
When Congress met in December last, the
busiuess of the country had just L-een crushed,
by one of those periodical rcvuisious, which
are the inevitable consequence of out unsound
aud extravagant system of hank credits aud
inflated currency. Willi all the elements ot
ualioual wealth iu abundance, our manufactu
res were suspeuded, our useful public and pri
vate enterprises were arrested, aud thousands
of laborers were deprived of employment aud
reduced to want. Universal distress pievaiied
among the commercial, manufacturing, and uic
cbauicul classes.
Tbij revulsion was felt the more severely iu
the (J. Stale*, because similar causes had pro
duced the like deplorable affect tlirougbout the
commercial uations of Kurope. All were ex
periencing sad reverses at the saute momcut.
Uur manufacturers everywhere buffered se
verely, not because of the recent reduction iu
the tariff of duties on imports, but because
there was no druuaud at auy price for their
productions. The people were obliged to re
strict themselves, iu their purchases, to articles
of prime necessity. In the general prostration
of business, the iron manufacturers in different
States probably suffered more than auy otber
class, and much destitution was the inevitable
consequence, among the great number of work
men who hid been employed iu this useful
brauch of our industry. There could be uo
supply where there was uo demand. To pre
scut au example, there could he no dcuuud for
tail road iruu, after our maguiliceut system nt
railroads, extending its benefits to every por
tion of the Union, bad been brought to a dead
pause. The same cousequtuces Lave resuiteu
from similar causes to many otber branches of
useful manufactures. It is self-cvideut that
where there is uo ability to purchase manufac
tured article--, these caunot be sold, aud con
sequently must coase to be produced.
No government, aud especially a government
t>f such limited powers us that of the U. States,
could have prevented the late revulsion. The
whole commercial world seemed for years to
have been rushing to this catastrophe. The
same ruinous consequences would have follow
ed in the U. States, whether the duties upon
foreigu'imports had icmaitied as they were un
der the tariff of 1846, or had been raised to a
much higher standard. The tariff of 1857 had
uo agency iu the result. The general causes
existing throughout the world, could uot have
bceu controlled by the legislatiou of auy par
ticular couutry.
The periodical revolutions which havo txist
cd in our past history, must contiuue to return
at intervals, so long an our present unbounded
system of biuk credits shall prevail. They
will, however, probably be less severe in the
future ; because it is not to be expected, at
least for many years to ceiue, that the com
mercial nations of Europe, with whose interests
cur own are so materially involved, will exposo
themselves to similar calamities. But this
subject was treated so much at large in my last
annual message that 1 shall not pursue it fur
ther. Still, I respectfully renew the recom
mendation, iu favor of the pussage of a uniform
bankrupt law,applicable to banking institutions.
This is all the power over the subject which, i
believe, the federal got eminent possesses. —
Such a law would mitigato, though it might not
prevent the evil. The iustinet of self-preser
vation might produce a wholesome restraint
upon their banking business, if they knew iu
BEDFORD. PA., FRIDAY. DECEMBER 24, 1858.
advance, that a suspension of specie payments
would inevitably produce their civil death.
But the effects of tho revulsion are now
slowly but surely passing away. Tbe energy
and enterprise of our own unbounded resource®,
will, witbin the period of another year, restore
a state of wholesome industry aud trsde.—
Capital has again accumulated in our large
citios. The rate of interest is there very low.
Confidence is gradually reviving, and so soon
as it is discovered that this capital can be pro
fitably employed iu comntcroial and manufactu
ring enterprises, and in the construction of
railroads and other works of publio aud private
improvement, prosperity will again smile
throughout the land. It 13 vaiu, however, y>
disguise the fact from ourselves, that a specu
lative inflation of our curreucy, without a cor
responding inflation in other countries whose
manufactures couie into conipotion witli our owc
must ever produce disastrous results to our do,
uiestio manufactures. No tariff, short of abso
lute prohibition, can prevent these evil con
sequences.
In connexion with this subject, it is proper
to refer to our financial condition. The same
causes which have produced pecuniary distress
throughout the country, have so reduced the
amount of imports from foreign countries, that
the revenue has proved inadequate to meet the
necessary expenses of the government. To
supply the deficiency, Congress, by tbe act of
the 23d of December, 1857, authorized the
issue of 5520,000,000 of treasury notes; and
this proving inadequate, they authorized, by
the act of June 14th, 1858, a loan of $20,-
000,000 "to be applied to the p.iyuieut of ap
propriations made by law "
No statesman would advise, that wo should
go on increasing the national debt to meet tbe
ordinary expenses of the government. This
would bo a most ruinous policy. In case of
war, our credit must be our chief resource, at
least for the first year,and this would be great
ly- impaired by having contracted a large debt
in time of peace. It is our true policy, to iu.
crcaie our revenue so ns to equal our expendi
tures. It would be ruinous to continu\to bor
row. Besides, it miy be proper to obseive,
that the incidental protection, thus afforded by
a revenue tariff, would at the present moment,
to some cxteut, increase the confidence of the
manufacturing interests, and give a fresh im
pulse to our reviving business. To this, sure
ly, no person will object.
In regard to the mode of assessing and col
lecting duties under a strtcYly revenue taritt*
1 have long entertained and ofteu expressed the
opinion, that sound policy requires this should
be done by specific duties, iu cases to which
these can be properly applied. They are w ell
adapted to commodities which arc usually sold
by weight or measure, and wLicb, from their
uature, are of equal or of nearly equal vuluc.
Such, for example, are the articles of iron of
different classes, raw sugar, and foreign wines
and spirits.
In my deliberate judgmeut, specific duties are
the best, if not the only means of securing the
revenue against false and fraudulent invoices,
and such has been the practice adopted for this
purpose by other commercial nations. Besides,
specific duties would affurd to the Auurican
manufacturer the incidental advantages to
which he is fairly entitled under a revenue
tariff. The prcseut system is a sliding scale to
his disadvantage. Under it, when piices are
high aud busiuess prosperous, the duties rise in
amount when he least requires '.heir aid. On
the contrary, when prices fall, and he is strug
gling against adver.-ity, the duties are diminish
ed in the same proportion, greatly to his inju
ry-
Neither would there he danger that a higher
rate of duty thau that intended by Congress,
could be levied in the form of specific duties.
It weuld be easy to ascertain the average val
ue of auy imported article for a series of years;
and instead'rf subjecting it to an ad valorem
duty at a certain rate per centum, to substitute
in its place an equivalent specific duty.
Hy such an arrangement the consumer would
not be injured, it is true, be might have to
pay a little more daty on a given article in one
year; but if HO, he would pay a little less iu
auother, and in a series of years these would
counterbalau -e each other, and amount to the
same thing, so far ns his interest is concerned.
This iuconvciiieoce would bo irifliug, when con
trasted with the additional security thus afford
ed against frauds upon the revenue, in which
every consumer is directly interested.
1 have thrown out these suggestions as the
fruit of my own ol scrvatiou, to which Congress,
iu their better judgment, will give such weight
as they may justly deserve.
•fcjThe report of the Secretary of the Treasury
will explain in detail the operations of that de
partment of the government. The receipts
into the treasury from all sources during the
fiscal year eudiug 30th Jane, 1858, including
the treasury notes authorized by the act of
December 23d, 1857, were seventy million two
huudred aud seveuiy-tliree tiiousaud eight hun
dred rind sixty-nine dollars uud tifty-uiuo
cents, (§70,273,809 59,) which amount, with
the balance of seventeen million seven hnudred
and ten thousand one huudred and four'.eou
dollars aud tweuty-soven cents, (17,710,114-
27) remaiuing iu the treasury at the com
mencement of the year, made an aggregate for
the service of the year of eighty-seven million
uiue hundred and eighty-three thousand nine
hundred and eighty-three dollars aud eighty
six cents, (§87,983,983 86,)
The public expenditures during the fisca 1
year ending June 30, 1858, amounted to
eighty-oue million five hundred and eighty
live thousand six hundred and sixty-seven dol
lars aud seventy-six cents, (§81,585,G07 70,)
of which nine million six hundred and eighty
four thousand five hundred arid thirty-seven
dollars and uißety-riiue cents, (§9,084,537 99)
were applied to the payment of the public debt,
and the redemption of treasury notes with the 1
interest thereon, leaving in the treasury on Ju a
Jy 1, 1858, being the commencement of the
'present fhoal year, six million three hundred
and ninety-eight thousand three hundred and
sixteen dollars and ten cents, ($6,398,316 10.)
' The receipts into the treasury, during the
first quarter of tho present fiscal year, com
meaning the Ist July, 1858, including one
hulf of the loan of twenty millions of dollars,
with the premium upon upon it, authorised by
the act of 14th June, 1858, were twenty-five
million two huudred and thirty thousand eight
hundred and seventy-nine dollars and forty-six
| cents, ($25,230,879 46) aod the estimated re
! ceipts for the remaining three quarters to the
30th June, 1859, from ordinary sources, are
thirty-iight million five hundred thousand dol.
lars, (39,500,000,) making, with the balance
before stated, an aggregate of seventy-million
one hundred and twenty-nine thousand one
hundred amd ninety-five dollars and fifty-six
cents, (70,129,195 56.)
/"Tue expenditures, during the first quarte'reo?*'
the present fiscal year, were twenty-one mil
lion seven hundred and eight thousand one
hundred and ninety-eight dollars and fifty one
cents, ($21,708,198 51,) of which one million
and teu thousand one hundred aud forty-two
dollars and thirty-seven cents ($1,010,142 27)
were applied to the payment of the public debt
and the redemption of treasury notes and the
interest thereon. The estimated expenditures,
duriug the remaining three quarters to 30th
June, 1859, are fifty-two million three hundred
and fifty seven thousand six hundred and
ninety-eight dollars and forty eight cents, (52,-
357,698 48,) making an aggregate of seventy
four million sixty-five thousand eight hundred
and ninety six dollars, and ninety-nine cents,
($74,065,896 99,) being an exeess of expendi
ture, beyond the estimated receipts iuto the
treasury from ordinary sources, during the fis
cal year to the 30th June, 1859 of three mil
lion nine hundred and thirty six thousand seven .
hundred undone dollars and forty three centg, <
|s3, 937,701 means ate
placed by law within the command of the Se
cretary of the Treasury, by the reissne of
treasury notes redeemed, aud by negotiating ■.
the balance of tho loan authorized by the act
of 14th June, 1858, to the extent of eleven
millions of dollars, which, if realized during
tho present fiseal year, will leave a Ssnboct; ia
the treasury, on the first day of July, 1859,
of seven million sixty three thousand two hun
dred and ninety eight .dollars aod fifty seven
- "
f The estimated receipts during the next fiscal
year ending 30th June, 1860, are sixty two
millions ofqpllsrs, ($62,000,000,) which, with
the above estimated balance of seven million
sixty three thousand two hundred anil ninety
eight dollars seven cents, (7,063,298-
57 )nnke an aggregate for the service of the
nxt fiscal year, of\sixty riiue/itiillion sixty
three thousand two hundred jnd ninety eight,
dollars aud fifty seven\cente, ($69,063,298-
57.) The estimated expenditures during the
next fiscal year June, 1860, are
j seveuty three millioif one hundred and thirty
nine thousand ouej.uudred forty seven
dollars and forty six cents, (73*139, 147 46,)
which leave a xfeficit of estimated means, com
pared with the estimated expenditures for that
year, commencing on the Ist of Juty, 1859, of
four mjltion aud seventy five thousand eight
bunded aud forty tight dollars aud eighty nine ,
cents, $(4,075,848 89.
*■"'"ls addition to this sum, the Postmaster Oeu
eral will require from the treasury, for the
service of the Post Office Department, three
million eight huudred and thirty eight thou
sand seven hundred and twenty eight dollars
($3,838,728,) as explained in the report of the
Secretary of the Treasury, which will increase
the estimated deficit on the 30th Juue, 1860,
to seven million nine hundred and fourteen
thousand five hundred and seventy six dollars
and eighty nine cents, ($7,914,576 89 ) To
provide for the payment of this estimated de
ficiency, which will be increased by sueh ap
propriations as may be made by Congress, esti
mated for in tho report of the Treasury De
partment, as well to provide for the gradual
redemption, from year to year, of the outstand
ing treasury notes, the Secretary of the '1 reas
ury recommends sueh a revision of the present
tariff as will raise the required amount. After
what I have already said, 1 need scarcely add
, that I concur iu the opinion expressed in his
report—that the public debt should Dot be in
creased bv an additional loau, and would there
' fore strongly urge upon Congress the duty of
1 making, at their present session, the necessary
provision for meeting these liabilities.
The public debt on tho Ist July, 1858, the
couimenceiucut of the present fiscal year, was
$25,155,977 66.
Duriog the first quarter of tho present year,
' the sum of $lO, 000 000 has been negotiated
of the loan authorized by the act of 14th June
1858—makiug the present outstanding public
debt, exclusive of treasury notes, $35,155,977-
66. There was on tho Ist July, 185b, of
treasury notes issued by authority of the act
of December '23, 1857, unredeemed, the sum
of $19,754,800— making the amount of actu
al indebtedness, at that date, $54,910,171 66. ;
To this will bo added $10,000,000 during the
preaeut fiscal year—this being the reuraiuiug I
half of the loan of $20,000,000 uot yet nego
tiated.
The rapiJ increase of tlie public debt, and
; the necessity which exists for a modification
of the tariff, to meet even the ordinary ex
penses of the government, ought to admouish
us all, iu our respective spheres of duty, to the
| practice of rigid economy. The objcc's of ex
penditure should be Hunted iD number, as far
as'tlus may be practicable, aud the appropria
tions necessary to carry them into effect, ought
to be disbursed under the strictest accounta
bility. Enlightened economy does not consist i
in the refusal to appropriate money for consti- ,
' tutional purposes, essential to the defeuee, pre
jgress and prosperity of the republic, but in tak
ing caro that none of this money shall be wast
ed by mismanagement, in its application to the
objects designated by law.
Comparisons between the annual expenditure
at the present time, and what it was ten or
twenty years ago, are altogether fallacious.—
The rapid increase of our country in extent
and population, renders a corresponding in
crease of expenditure, to some extent, unavoid
able. This is constantly creating new objects
of expenditure, and augmenting the afflouut
required for the old. The true questions, then
are, have these objects been unnecessarily mul
tiplied? or, has tbo amount expended upon any
or aJI of tbem, been larger than comports
with due economy ? ID accordance with these
principles, the heads of the different executive
departments of the government have been in
structed to reduce their estimates for the next
fiscal year to the lowest standard coosistent
with the efficiency of the service, and this du-
they have performed in a spirit of just
economy.
The estimates ef the Treasury, War, Navy
and Interior Departments, have each been in
some degree reduced-; and unless a sudden and
unforeseen emergency should arise, it is not an
ticipated that a deficiency will exist in either
within the present or the next fiscal year. The
Post-office Department is placed to a peculiar
position, different from tho other departments,
and to this 1 shall hereafter refer.
I iuvito Congress to institute a rigid scrutiny
to ascertain whether the expanses in all the de
partments cannot be still further reduced; and
1 promise them all the aid in my power in pur
suing the investigation.
1 transmit herewith the'reports made to nte
by the Secretaries of War, of the Navy, of the
Intel ior, aud of tbo Postmaster General. They
each contain valuable information and import
ant recommendations, to which I invite the at
tention of Congress.
In my last annual message, 1 took occasion to
recommend the immediate construction of ten
small stoamers, of light draught, for the purpose
of increasing tho efficiency of t{ie navy, Con
gress responded to the recommendation, by au
thorizing the construction of eight of tbem.—
The progress which has been made in executing
this authority, is stated iu the report of tbc
Secretary of the Navy. I ooucur with him in
(be opinion, that a greater uumber of this class
of vessels is nece.-sary, for the purpose of pro
tecting in a more efficient manner the perso'us
and property of Amort—u citizens c* :be high
-seas, and in foreign countries,as well as in guard- !
ing more effectually our owu coasts. I accord
ingly recommend the passage of an act for this
purpose.
Tbo suggestions contained in tbc report of
the Secretary of tbc Interior, especially those
in regard to tbc disposition of the public do
main, tbe peusion and bounty land system, the
policy towards tbe Indians, and the amendment
of our patent laws, are worthy of tbe serious
consideration of UoDgress.
The Post Office Department occupies a posi
tion very differeut from that of tbe other de
partments. For uiauy years it was the policy
of the government to render this a self-sustain
ing department; and if this cannot now be ac
complish :d, in tbe present condition of tbe coun
try, we ought to make as near an approach to
it as may be practicable.
The Postmaster General is placed in a most
embarrassiug position by tbe existing laws. He
is obliged to carry these into effect. He has
no other alternative. He finds, however, that
this cannot be done without heavy demands on
the truasury over and above what be recoives
for postage; and these have been progressively
increasing from year to year until they amount
ed for the last fiscal year eudiug on tbe 30?h
Juue, 1853, to more than four millions aud a
half of dollars; whilst it is estimated that for
tbe present fiscal year they will amount to §6,-
290,000. Tbe sums are exclusive of the an
nual appropriation of §700,000 for "compen
sation for tbe mail service performed tor the
two houses of Cougress and the other depart
ments aud officers of the governmeut in the
transportation of free matter."
The cause of these large deficits is mainly
attributable to the rucieased expense of trans
porting the mails. Iu 1852 tbe sum paid for
this service was but a fraction above the four
millions and a quarter. Since that year it has
annually increased until iu 1858 it has reached
more than eight millions aud a quarter, aud for
the service of 1859, it is estimated that it will
amount to more than ten millions of dollars.
The receipts of tbo Post Office Department
can be made to approach or to equal its expen
diture, only by means of the legislation of Con
gress. In applying any remedy, care should
he takeu that the people shall not be deprived
of the advantages, which they are fairly enti
tled to eujoy from the Post Office Depariincut.
The priucipul remedies recommended to the con
sideration of Congress by the Postmaster-Gen
eral, are to restore the former rate of postage
upon single letters to five cents; to substitute
for the franking privilege the delivery to those
now entitled to enjoy it, of post office stamps
for their correspondence, and to direct the de
partment, in making contracts for the transpor
tation of the mail, to centime itself to the pay
ment of the sum necessary for this single pur
pose, without rcquitiug it to he transported iu
post coaches or carriages of any particular de
scription. Under the present system, the ex
pense to the government is greatly increased,
by requiring that the mail shall be curried in
such vehicles as w<ll accommodate passengers.
This will bo done without pay from the depart
ment,over all roads where the travel will remu
mcrate the contractors.
These recommendations deserve the grave con
sideration of Congress.
I would again call your attcutiou to the con
struction of a Pacific railroad. Time aed re
flection ruve but served to confirm me in the
truth and justice of the observations which 1
VOL. 31, NO. 52.
made ou this subject, fn toy last annual mes
sage, to which I beg most respectfully to re
fer.
It is freely admitted that it would be inex
pedient for this government to exercise the pow
er of constructing the Pacific railroad by its
own immediate agents. Such a policy would
increase the patronage of the executive to *
dangerous extent, and introduce a system of
jobbing and corruption, which no vigilance on
the part of federal officials, could either pre
vent or detect. This cau only be done by tlio
keen eye, and the active and careful supervis
ion of individual and private interest.
The construction of the road ought, there
fore, to be committed to companies incorporated
by the States, or other ageuoies whose pecuni
ary interests would be directly involved* Coa
grcss might then assist them in the worlr by
grants of land or of mousy, or both, nuder snob
conditions and restriction as would secure the
transportation of troops and munitions of war
free from any charge, and that of the U. States
mail at a fair and reasonable price.
The progress of events since the commence
ment of your last session, has shown how soon
difficulties disappear before a firm and deter
mined resotioD. At that time, such a road was
deemed by wise and patriotic men to be a vis
ionary project. The great distance to be over
come, and the intervening mountains and des
erts in the way, were obstacles which, in the
opinion of uiauy, could not be surmounted.—
Now, after the lapse of but a 6icgle year, tbeso
obstacles, it has been discovered, are far less
formidable than tbey were supposed to be; and
mail stages, with passengers, now pass and re
pass regularly, twice IU each week, by a com
mon wagon road between San Francisco and*
St. Louis and Memphis, in less than twenty-five
days. The service has been as regularly per
formed, as it was, in former years, between N.
York and this city.
Whilst disclaiming all authority to appropri
ate moucy for the construction of this road, ex
cept that derived from the war-making power
of the constitution, there are important collate
ral considerations urging us to undertake the
work as speedily as possible.
The first and most momentous of these is,
that such a road would be a powerful bond of
union betweeu the States east and west of the
Hooky mountains. This is so seU-evideut as to
require no illustration.
But again, iu a commercial point of view,
1 consider this the great question of the day.
With the eastern ftoot f our republic stretch
ing along the Atlantic, and its western from
along the Pacific, if all the parts should be
united by a safe, easy, aad rapid intercommuni
cation, we must necessarily command a very
large proportion of the trade both of Europo
and Asia.
Our recent treaties with China and Japan
will open these rich aud populous empires to our
, commerce: and the history of the world proves
' that the nation which has gained possession of
j the trade with Eastern Asia, has alwaja be
-1 come wealthy and powerful. The peculiar gc
ographical position of California aud our Pa
citic possessions invites American capital and
enterprise into this fruitful field. To reap the
rich harvest, however, it is an indispensable
prerequisite, that we shall first have a railroad
to couvey and circulate its products throughout
every portion of the Uuiou. Besides, such a
railroad through our temperate latitude, which
would Dot be impeded by the frosts and snows
of winter, nor by the tropical heats of summer,
would attract to itself much of the travel and
the trade of all natrons passing between Europe
and Asia.
On the 21st of August last, Lieut. J. N.
Maffit, of the U. S. brig Dolphin, captured the
slaver 'Echo,' (formerly the Putnam of New
Orleans,) near Kay Verde, on the coast of Cuba,
with more thau three hundred African negroes
on board. The prize, under the command of
Lieut. Bradford of the United States navy,
arrived at Charleston on the 27th August;
wheu the negroes, three hundred aud six in
number, were delivered into tbe custody of the
U. S. marshal for tbe district ol South Caro
liua. They were placed iu Castle Pincknoy, aud
afterwards iu Fort Sumpter, for safe-keeping,
aud were detained there until tbe 19th Septem
ber, when the survivors, two hundred and seven- a
ty-one in number, weic delivered on board the
U- S. steamer Niagara, to bo transported to the
coast of Africa, under the charge of the agent
of the U. States, pursuant to the provisions of
the 3d March, 181£, 'in addition to tbe aots
prohibiting the slave trade.' Uudei the 2d seo
tiou of this act, tbe President is 'authorized to
make such regulations and arrangements as be
may deem expedient for the safo-keeping, sup
port, and removal beyond the limit of the U.
States, of all such negroes, uiulattocs or per
sons of color, captured by vessels of the U.
States, as inay be delivered to the marshal of
the district into which tbey are brought; 'aud
to appoint a proper persou or persons residing
upou the coast of Africa, us agent or ageuts
for receiving the negroes, mulattoes or persons
of color, delivered from on board vessels seized
iu the prosecution of the slave trade by com
manders of the U. S. armed vessels.'
A doubt immediately arose as to the true con
strue! ion of this act. It is quite clear from its
terms that the President was authorized to pro
vide M'or the safe-kecpiug, support, and remo
val' of these negroes up till the time of their
delivery to the agent on the coast of Africa;
but uo express provision was made for their
proteciion and support after they bad-reached'
ihe place of their destination. Still, an agent
was to be appointed to receive thcui iu Africa:
and it could not have been supposed that Cou
gress intended he .-huuid desert them at the
momeut they were received, mid turn them loose
ou that iuhospitablc coast to perish for want of
food, or to become again tie victims of tbe
slave trade. Had this been the intention of
Congress, tbe employment of au agent to re
(Continued on four'h page.)