.lu E.S S A G E~~. piuim Tna . President of the United Slates, to both houses 07 boNnnEsa, at the COMMENCE MENT or THE 7XBST SESSION-07 THE TWENTY-SIXTH 00S0BES3. Fellow CXttTfns rf the Semis' • ' - aniJloute of Htprcttnlalicat I rogrot that I cannot oh this occasion congrat ulate you that.the,past year has been one of unal loj'cd prosperity. The ravages of fire and disease have painfully afflicted otherwise flotirishiug por tions of our country; and' serious embarrassments yot derange the trade of many of 1 our pities. But, notwithstanding these adverse circumstances, that general prosperity which baa been heretofore so bountifully bestowed upon us by tho Author of all good, still continues to call forjour warmest grati tude- Especially havo wo roson to rejoice in tho exuberant harvests which have lavishly recompen sed well directed industry, and given to it that sure reward which is vimly sought in visional}' speculations. 1 cannot indeed view, without pe culiar satisfaction, tlto evidences afforded by tho past season of tho benefits that sprinv from tho steady devotion of the husbandman to Ins honora ble pursuit. No means of individual comfort is more certain, and no source of national prosperity is so sure. Nothing can compensate a people for a dependence upon others for tho bread they eat; and that cheerful abundance on which, the happi ness of every one so much depends, is to ho look ' od for nowhere with such sure reliance as in the industry of the agriculturalist and the bounties of tho earth. ' ' With foreign countries our relations exhibit tho same favorable aspect which was presented in my last annual message, & afford .continued proof of the wisdom of the pacific, just and forbearing policy adopted by the first administration of tho federal government, and pursued by its,successors. Tho extraordinary" powers vested in mo by an net of Congress, for tho defence of the country in an e raorgency, considered so far probable ns to require that the executive should possess ample means to meet it, have net beta exerted. ■ They have, there fore, boon attended with no other .result than to in crease, by the corifidenoo thus reposed in mo, by obligations to maintain, with religious - exactness the cardinal principles that govern our intercourse with other nations.- - Happily in our pending ques tions with Great Britain, out of which this unusu al grant of authority, arose, nothing, has occurred 'to require its exertion; and as it is about to return to- the legislature, I trust that no .future necessity may call for its exercise by them, or its delegation to another department ,of the government. For the settlement of our northeastern boundary, the proposition promised by Great Britain for a commission for exploration and survey, has been received; and a counter project, including also a provision for the certain and final adjustment of tho limits in dispute, is now before the British Govemrnent for its consideration. A jiist regard'. ■' £ >A'.'lV-Aulicato'etata of theiqunstiqn, amlj h proper respect for tho natural impatience of tho Slate of Maine, not loss than a conviction that the negooi liop has been already protracted lonnor than is pru dent on tho part of cither Government, havo led 1 mo to believe thatthd present .favorable moment should on no account be sufforedTo pass without putting tho question for over at rest, I feel confi dent that tho Government of.her Britanio 'Majesty •will take the same view of this subject, as I am persuaded it is governed by desires equally strong •mid sincere for. tho omioablo termination of tho ■controversy. To the intrinsic difficulties of questions of hmm dary lines, especially .those in regions unoccupied, end blit partially known, is to bo added in our country tho embarrassments- necessarily arising out of our Constitution, by which the General Go vernment is made tho organ of negotiating, and.de ciding upon tho particular interests of the States on whoso frontiers these lines are to bo traced To avoid another controversy in which a State Government .might rightfully, claim' to -have her wishes consulted, previously to tho conclusion' of conventional arrangements concerning her rights of jurisdiction or territory, I havo thought it ne cessary to call the attention of the Government of Great Britain to another portion of our contermin ous dominion; of which tho division still remains to be adjusted. I refer, to the ' line from tho en trance of Lake Superior to tho most northwestern point of tho Lake of the Woods, stipulations for the settlement of which are to bo found in the ecv enth article of tho treaty of Ghent. The commis sioners appointed under that article by the two governments haying differed in their opinions, made separate reports, according to tho stipula tions, upon the points of disagreement, and these differences arc now to bo submitted to the. arbitra tion of Some friendly sovereign or State. The dis puted points should be settled, and the lino desig nated,'before the territorial government, of which it is one of tho boundaries, takes its'place in the Union as a State; and I rely upon the cordial co operation of the British Government to effect that object. There is every reason to believe that disturban ces like those which lately agitated Ihe-noighbor mg British provinces will not again prove the sources of border contention, or interpose obstacles to the continuance of that gooij understanding which it.is the mutual interest of Great Britain and the United States to preserve and maintain. -Within the proviiicesthemselves'tranquility is Tostorec), and on our frontier that misguided sym pathy in favor of what was presumed to bo a gen eral effort in behalf of popular rights, and which in some instances misled n Tow of* our more inex perienced citizens, has subsided into a rational .‘conviction strongly opposed to all intermeddling with the internal affairs of our neighbors. The , people, of the United States fed. as it is hoped they always will, a warm solicitude for the suc cess of ail who are sincerely-endeavoring to im prove the politicaKcondition 4 of mankind. -This generous feeling they cherish towards the most distant nations; and it Was-natural therefore, that it.should bo awakened with more'than common wannth in behalf of their immedia e nnighbors.— But it docs hot belong to their character, as a com munity, to seek the gratification of lhdse feelings —in acts'which violate their duty~as citizens, .en danger the peace of their country, and tend to bring upon it the.stain of a violated faith towards for eign nations. If, zealous ito confer benefits on o . tuera, they appear for a moment to Ipse sight of the permanent obligations imposed upon them os citizens, they are seldom long misled.' From, all the information I receive, confirmed to some ex tent, by persona) observation; I am satisfied . that ..no one can now hope to engagoin such enterprises - without encountering public indignatioii;lh addh lion to the severest penalties of the taw. v; ' Recent informallpn'dlso leadb Die id'honfe tliat emigrant? r have sought refuge within onr boundaries; are dis- ' posed .to.become peaceable residents,land to'ab- -i Clair; from all at temptn to endanger the peace of that i ; connity which has afforded them an asylum. On ' sa reyiew of tho occurrences on both sides; of the line, it is satisfactory to reflect, that in almost ev , cry complaint against our country, the offence inay.' .he traced-to emigrants from the provinces who ....have.sought refugc'here.- .In thafew-instaticcs in- . which they were aided by citizens of. the United ■ States, the acts of these misguided men were not ' iu direct contravention of the laws arid - well ' , known- wishes of their own government, but mot "with thn decided disapprobation of the people of ■ Slie United .Staten, : . ; - I tho nppearano'’ of c different Epirit.among'hnr TiHjesty’a siibjoetsla' the Cana* v.-h’ch havn-becn ■ go frequently th-r-re, and tbs disregard' of too r rights" ‘ ••• wKitih *me been nrau&atofl.cn :s.amc. onciiginnS ■ h v,-*, X”?vTrrsorry, to say, .boon applauded ; ami en .. : -- v - • by th -* people, and-eyQn.by.eomc ofth'd • ‘ ;..ij ■'l.. .■"! authorities jot the. .province n.-k -■ ? i;i ICfahadaJTcfttinataiy, baw'not* ■ r::r. ;*iu'icd tae samo feeling, arid hayc-probably. I prevented excesses Hint must have been fatal to the peace of tbo two countries. I Took forward axiously to a period when nil the transactions which have grown out of this condi-* tion of our affairs, and which have been made the subjects of complaint and remonstrance by the two governments respectively, shall bo fully ex amined, and tile proper satisfaction given Whore it is duo from either side. ' •; Nothing has occurred to disturb the harmony of our intercourse with Belgium, Denmark, France, Naples, Portugal;: Prussia, Russia and Sweden. The internal state of Spain has sensibly imprqved, and a wolf grounded hopo exists that a return of peace will restore ihd people of that coun try theit former prosperity, and enable the Gov ernment to fulfil,.all ita obligations at home and a broad. The Government of. Portugal, I have tho satisfaction to state,,has paid in full the eleventh and last instalment/ dud to our. citizens for tho, claims embraced in tho settlement niado with it ori the third of March, 1837. . . ' I lay before you treaties of commerce negotiated witli the kings of Sardinia,and of the Netherlands, the ratifications of which havebeen exchanged since the adjournment of Congress. Tbo liberal principles of llicso treaties will recommend thorn to. your approbation. That with Sardinia is the first treaty of commerce formed by that kingdom, and it will, I trust, answer the expectations of tho present sovereign, by aiding tho development of tbo resources of bis country, and stimulating tlio enterprise of Ids people. That with the Nether lands happily terminates a long existing subject of dispute, and removes from,our future commer cial iiiterecurae, all apprehension of embarrass ment. Tho king uf the Netherlands has nlso, in further illustration of his character for justice and for his desire to remove every cause of dissatis faction, made compensation for on American ves sel captured in 1800, by a French privateer, and carried into Curacoa, where the proceeds were ap propriated to the use of tho colony, then, and for a short time after under tho dominion of-Holland. The dcatirof the late S.ultanlias produced no alteration in nut - 'relations with Turkey. Our newly appointed Minister Resident lias reached Constantinople, and 1 have received assurances from the present Ruler, that the obligations of our treaty, and those of friend ship, will be fulfiled by himself in (lie same spirit that’ucluated his illustrious father., 1 regret to be.obliged tqdnlbrm you that no convention for the settlement of the claims of-our citizens upon Mexico.lias..yet.been ratified'by'lhe Government of that country. The first convention formed fur that purpose was not presented by the President of Mex ico for the approbation of its Congress, from a belief that the King of Prussia, the arbi tratorrin .case, of disagreement in the joint commission to be appointed by the U. States and Mexico, would not consent to take up on himself that friendly office. - Although not''entirely satisfied with the course ‘pursued by Mexico,' 1 fei t no hesita- tion in receiving, in the most conciliatory spirit, the,explanation (hey offered, and also cheerfully consented to a new convention, in order to arrange the .payment proposed to be made to our citizens in a manner which, while equally just to (hem, was deemed Iqss onerous- and inconvenient to the Mcxicair Government. Relying confidently upon (he intentions of that Government. Sir. Ellis was directed to repair to Mexico, and diplomatic inter course has been resumed between (he two countries. The new convention has, he in forms us,- been recently suhmitlcd by the President of (hat Republic to its Congress, under circumstances which promise a speedy ratification; a result which I cannot allow myself to doubt. .. .. • Instructions havti. been given to the-com missioner of thc-U. States, under our Coa venlion with Texas for the demarcation of the line which separates ns from that Repub lic. The commissioners of both governments met in New Orleans in August last. The joint commission was organized, and ad journed to convene at the same place on (he 12th of October. It is presumed to be now in the performance of its duties. The new goveriUTHmt of,Texas has shown its desire to cultivate 1 friendly relations with us, by a prompt reparation for injuries com plained of in the cases of two vessels of the U. States. With Central America a convention has been concluded, for the renewahof its former treaty with the U. States. This was not ra tified before the departure of our late Charge d’A(fairs from that country, and the copy of it brought by him, was not received before the adjournment of tjie Seriate, at tlie last sessions—ln the mean while, (he period lim ited fur the exchange of ratifications having expired; I deemed it expedient, in conse quence of the death of the Charge d’Affiiircs, to send a special agent to Central America, loclDSctheTiffairxofnm-nii-sroirtlaTeVahd to arrange with the Government an exten sion of tho lime for the ‘exchange of ratifica tions. .; J The commission, created by the States which formerly composed the Republic of Columbia, for adjusting the claims against that Government has, by a very unexpected construction, of the treaty under which it acts, decided that no provision was made for those claims of citizens of the U. States, -which- arose -from- cnplures-by Columbian privateers, and were .adjudged against the claimants in . the judicial tribunals.. This decision will compelthe U. States.to.apply to'.the seyeraUGoyecnmeiltsformerly.united for redress. With all these—New Grcne da, Venezuela and Ecuador—a perfectly good understanding exists. Our treaty with, Venezuela is faithfully carried into execu tion; and (hat country, in the enjovinent of tranquility, is,gradually advancing to pros perity under.the guidance ofitspresent dis tinguished President, General Ihiez.; ’.With Ecuador, a liberal; commercial -.convention has‘lately been-concluded, which will be transmitted .to the Senate at an early day.: '• With the. great American empire of Bra zil. our relations continue- unchanged, as does our friendly intercourse:with the other governments of South tine; Republic, anil.the Republics of Uruguay, Chili, Herb and Bolivia. The dissolution of the Peru-Bolivian Confederation may occa sion' some temporary inconvenience-to' our citizens .in,tliat-qunrter,. v but-the.obligations on the new governments which have arisen bat of that confederation to observe its' treaty stipulations,' will ; no doubt be soon underr atood,.n m i. it i 8 presumed thatnOindispnsi tibn.will exist:to fulfil those which it con tracted "with (heU.-States.v. . The financial operations Of the government (luring the' present year, have, I ani happy to very.succeasf.iK -The difficulties under, which, the ■Trcns'iiry depaVtmenli has labory.d. from khOwri'rtlcfccts inMhimigtihs laws relative to the safe kec)sing of the pubr, M moneys, aggravated, by the'suspehsrori'of specie, payments -by .several ibf.- tho hahkk holding public depoßits, or indebted tb. pub •lie officer.-) lur miles received in juryment uf public dues,'.have been surmounted,to a very , gratifying extent. Thclargccurrentcxpen ditures have been punctually met, aiiil the faith of (lie-government in all its pecuniary concerns has been scrupulously maintained. ~ The nineteen millions of Treasury notes, authorized by the act of/Congrcss of 1837, ami the modifications thereof, with a-view to the indulgence of.-merchants on their duty bonds, and of the deposite banks in tlio pay ment of'public moneys held by ,them, have been so puncluallya cdeemed ns.to leave less than the original ten millions outstanding at any oho time, and the whole, amount'unre deemed now falls short of "three millions."—' Of these the chief portion is notdue (ill next year, and the whole would have been already extinguished, could the Treasury have real-; ized the payments due to it from the hanks. If those due from (hem during the next year shall be punctually made, w and if Congress shall keep the appropriations within the es timates, there'is every reason to believe that all the outstanding Treasury notes can' be redeemed, anil the ordinary expenses dor frayed, without imposing oh the people any additional burden, either of loans or increas ed taxes. To avoid this, ami keep the expenditures within' reasonable.bounds, is a duty second only in importance to (he preservation of our national character,and (he protection of our citizens in their civil and political rights.'- The creation, in time of peace, of a debt likely to become permanent, is an evil for which there is no equivalent. The rapidity with which many of the States are apparent ly approaching to this, cqnditionadinonishes us of our own duties, in a,manner too. im pressive to be disregarded. One, not the important, is to keep (he Federal Gov ernment always in a condition to discharge, witlrease. and vigor, its highest,functions, should their exercise be required by any sudden conjuncture of public affairs—a con dition to which we are always exposed, and -which- may,occur when it is least expected. To this end, it is indispensable that its fi nances should be untrammelled, and its re sources, as far as practicable, utiipcmnbered. No circumstance could present greater ob stacles to the accomplishment of these vital ly important objects, than the creation of an onerous national debt. Our own experience, and also that of other nations, have demon strated the unavoidable and fearful rapidity with which a public debt is increased, .when the Government has once surrendered itself to the'ruimms practice of.supplying its sup-, posed necessities by new loans. The strug gle, therefore, on our part, to be successful, must be made at-the threshold. To make our efforts effective, severe economy, is ne cessary, This is tm; surest provision for the national welfare;'aqjl it is, at the same time, the best preservative of the. principles on Tvliicliqur institutions rest. Simplicity and economy in. the affairs of State, have never failed to chasten and invigorate republican principles, while these have been as surely subverted by national prodigality, under whatever specious pretexts!t may have been introduced or fostered. These considerations cannot be lost upot a people-who have never been inattentive t( the effects of their policy upon the institu tions they have created for themselves; but at the present moment their force is augment ed by-the necessity which a decreasing reve nuc must impose. The chock lately given to importations of articles subject to duties, the derangements in the'operations of inter nal trade, and especially, the reduction grad ually taking place in our tariff of duties, all tend materially to lessen our receipts; indeed it is probable that the diminution resulting from the last cause alone will not fall short of five millions of dollars in the year 1842, as (he final reduction of all duties to twenty per cent, then takes effect. The whole re venue then accruing from the customs and from the sales of public lands; if not more, will undoubtedly be wanted to defray the necessary expenses of (he Government un der the most‘prudent administration of its affairs. These are circumstances that im pose the necessity of rigid economy and re quire its prompt and constant exercise.— ■With the Legislature rests the power and duty of so adjusting (he public expenditure as to promote this end. By the provisions of the constitution it is only in consequence of appropriations made by law that money can be drawn from the Treasury: no instance has occurred since the establishment of (he ‘Government in wdiiclriiie-Executive, (hough a component part of.the legislative power, lias interposed an objection to an appropria tion bill on (he sole ground of its extrava- His duty in this respect has. been considered lulfiUeci''by requesting such ap propriations only as the public service may be reasonably expected to require. In. the present earnest direction.of public, mind to wards this subject, both the Executive" and the Legislature have evidence of. the, strict responsibility to which.-4hey will be held; and while lam conscious of my own anx ious efforts to perform,_wi(h fidelity, .this portion of my public; functionsrit is n"6atis iactidurto nie tp be able to; count on . a "cor dial co-operation from you,— At the time I entered upon my present duties, our ordinary disbursements—-without including.those on account of the public debt, the post office and (he trust funds in charge of (he Government—had been large ly increased by appropriations for.the remo val of the Indians, for repelling Indian hos tilities, and for other less? urgent expenses which gre.w.-out of no overflowing Treasury. Independent.of lhe redemption.of thc public debt and trusts,, the gross jexpenditures of seventeen and eighteen millions in !834and 1-835,hade by these, causes, swelled to twen ly-nine millions in XB36;andthe appropri ations for:XB3“,. made the,4th of March, caused' the to the [Very large amount :of thirty-three mil lions. v We were ’ enabled during the ’yean 18G8, not withstanding,, the. continuance of our Indian embarmssments somewhat to re duco this amount; and that of the present year, 1839; will not.in all probability exceed twenty-six; millions.or sismijlions less than it was last. year.: With adetermiuationso far.aadependson me to continuethis reduef (ion, rbave directed, the estimates for 1.840 to bd subjeqted to thesevorest sofutiriy, and iff be limiteiVlo the absolute requirements olf the.public service. ■ Theywill befound lesg than: the expenditures of: i 839: by oyer-‘five of dollars;. ■ : . . I : :iThe;precautiortiry measures which willbe recommended fay (he Secretary ofiheTroa stpty6teH<wthfully:the f jpubile : c,rcdif under .the fluctuations and contingencies to which bur receipts and expenditures are cx fioscd, and especially in a commercial crisis ike the.,present, are comfnendcd to your early attention. J / , On a former occasion your attention was invited to various considerations in support of a pre-emption law in behalf of the settlers on Ihcpublic lands; and also bf a law grad uating the prices for such lands asiiad long bcenon the market unsold, in consequence oftheir.inferior quality. The .execution.of the net which was passed on the first subject has been attended with the happiest conse quences, in quieting titles, and securing im provements to the industrious; and it liasal so to a very gratifying extent, been exempt from the frauds which were practiced under previous pre-emption laws. It has at the same limei as was anticipated' contributed liberally during (he present year to the re ceipts of The passage of a graduation law, with (he guards before recommended, would also, I am persuaded, add considerably to the rev enue for several years, and prove in other respects just and beneficial. Your early consideration of the subject is, therefore, once more earnestly requested. The present condition of. tlie defences of, our’principal seaports and navy yards, ns represented by the accompanying reports of the Secretary of War, calls for J)tc early and serious attention of Congress; and as con necting itself intimately with this subject, I cannot recommend too strongly to your con sideration the plan submitted by that officer for the organization of the militia of the U. States. , ,_v ' . .... . . In conformity with the expressed wishes of Congress, an attempt was made in the spring to terminate the Florida war by nego tiation. It is to be regretted that these hu mane intentions should have been frustrated, and that the effort to bring these unhappy difficulties to ti satisfactory conclusion should have failed. But, after entering into solemn engagements with the Commanding General; the Indians, without any provocation recom menced their acts of-treachery and murder. The removal iff hostilities in that Territory renders it necessary that I should recom mend to yoQr favorable consideration the plan which will be submitted to ybu by the Secretary of War, in order to enable that department to conduct them to a successful issue. Having had an opportunity of personally inspecting a portion of the troops during the last 'Summer, it gives me pleasure /to, bear testimoiiy to'’the success of the effort to im prove their disciplind, by keeping (hem to gether in as large bodies as the nature of our servicc.will permit. I recommend, therefore, that commodious and penmiVient barracks be constructed at the several posts designated by the Secretary of War. Notwithstanding the-high state of their discipline and excel lent police, the evils resulting to the service from' the deficiency of company officers, were very.apparent, and 1 recommend that the staff officers be permanently separated from the line. - The navy has been usefully and honorably employed in protecting the rights and prop erty of our citizens, whenever the condition of affairs seemed to require its presence.— With the exception of one instance, where an outrage, accompanied by murder, was com mitted-on a vessel of the United States while engaged in a lawful commci'ce, nothing is known to have occurred to impede or.inmost the enterprise citizens on that element where it is so signally displayed.. On learn ing this daring act of piracy Commodore Reed proceeded immediately to the spot, and receiving no satisfaction, cither in the sur render of the murderers, or the restoration of‘the plundered property, inflicted severe and merited chastisement on the barbarians. It will be sceii, by tbe report of the Sec retary' of the Navy, respecting (he disposi tion of our ships of war,-that it has been deemed necessary to station a competent fore,e on the coast of Africa, to prevent a fraudulent use of our flag by foreigners. . , Recent experience has shown that the pro visions in our existing laws which relate Jo the sale and transfer of American vessels, while abroad are extremely defective. Ad vantage,has been taken,of these defects, to give to vessels wholly belonging to foreign ers, and navigating the ocean an apparent American ownership.. This character has been so well simulated as to afford them com parative security in prosecuting the slave trade, a traffic emphatically denounced in our statutes, regarded with abhorrence by our citizens, ami of which the effectual sup pression i« nowhere .more sincerely desired than in (he United, States. These circum stances make it propeito t’ccommchd to your early attention a careful revision of these lawp so that, without impeding the freedom and facilities of our navigation, or impairing an important branch of our industry connected with it, the integrity and honor of our flag' may be. carefully preserved. ’lnformation derived from our Consul at Havana, showing* the necessity of this, was comniunicatcd to a Committee of the Senate, near the close of last session, but-too late, as if appeared, to be acted up!m. It will be brought'fo your notice by the proper department, with ad ditional communications from other sources.. The latest accounts from-the Exploring Expedition represent it as proceeding suc cessfully in its objects, and promising results no less useful to trade, and navigation than to science. - y.. The extent of post roads cpvered’by mail service ori.the’.lstL.nf July last, was*about 133,999 miles, and the rate of annual trans portation upon them 34,496,878 miles. The number of post offices on that day was 12, 759, and on the 6th ultimo 13,028. Tlie revenue of the postofficc for the year ending’ with the SOth of June Inst, was. four millions four hundred and seventy-six thousnnd six bundled and thirty eight dollars, exhibiting an increase over the .preceding year of.two’ hundred andJurly-. dn'e thousand five hundred and. sixty dollars. Tlie. chgagcments and liabilities of the dc-’ partment for the same period, arc-four mil-, lions Bix hundred and twenty four thousand one hundred and. seventeen dollars.’ ; The cjtchss of liabilities' over thc'revenue for, the -lftst3wo years, has Jieeh met out of the Burplus'tvhich hndpreviouslyaccumuln ted. The •caslkspn hand, on ! ,the 30lh. ult.j wasabout 8296,701 SS. and the .currfentin* come : of the’department varies very ’ little from the rate ofcOrreht expenditures. Most of the mail semce'euspemled last yearhas been restored, anTilfiost of the new routes 'ehtabliBbed::b^ih%^:hf.)6^^dSB;T)av«i; gone'into operation at an annual cost of . not less’ tlmn $136,963., Notwithstanding the pecuniary difficulties of 'the countiy, the revenue of fhedepartment. appears to be in creasing; and‘unless it shall seriously fcjicckcd by thcrccetit suspension of payment by so, many banks, it will be able not only to maintain the present mail service, but in a short time to extend it. It is gratifying to witness the promptitude and fidelity with which the. agents of the department in 1 gen eral perform their public duties. Some difficulties have arisen in relation to contracts for the transportation of the mails by rail-road and steamboat companies. It appeals that, the maximum of compensation provided by Congress for the transportation of mails upon rail-roads, is not.sufficient to induce some of the companies toepnvey them jit such hours ns arc required for the accom modations of tlie public. Ills one of (he most important dutics'of the General Government to provide and maintain for the use of the people of the Sta tes’the best practicable mail establishment. To arrive, at that cnd.it is indispensable that the Post Office Depart ment shall be enabled to control the hours at which the mails shall be carried over rail roads as if now docs over all other roads.—, Should serious inoonveniencies arise from the inadequacy of the compensation now provi ded by law, or from unreasonable demands by any of the rail road companies, the sub ject is of such general importance as to,re quire the prompt attention of Congress. In relation to steamboat lines, the most efficient remedy is obvious, and has been suggested by file Post Master General.- The War and Navy Departments already employ steamboats in their service, and although it is by no mctfns desirable that.the Government should undertake the transportation of pas sengers or freight as a business there can be no reasonable objection to running boats, temporily, whenever it may be necessary to put down attempts at extortion, to be dis continued as soon, as ’reasonable contracts can be obtained. ' The suggestions of the Postmaster General relative to the inadequacy Of the legal allow ance to witnesses in cases of prosecutions for mail depredations, merit your serious con sideration. The safety of the mails requires that such prosecutions shall be efficient, and justice to the citizen whose time is required to be given to the public, demands not only that his expenses shall be paid, but that he shall receive a reasonablc^compensation. The‘reports from the Wpr, Navy, and Post-office departments wilbaccoriipany this communication, and one from the Treasury' lepartnient, will be presented to Congress in' a lew days. For various details in respect to matters in charge of these departments, 1 would re fer you tp. those important Oocumenls, satis fiedithat you will find in them many valuable suggestions, which will be found well desef ving the attention of the legislature. . From a report made in Uecember of last year by the Secretary of State to the Senate showing the trial docket of each of (he cir cuit courts and the number of miles each judge has to travel in the performance of his duties, a great inequality appears in the a mount of labor assigned to each judge. The number of terms to beheld in each of the courts composing the ninth circuit, the ilis. (antes between the places at which they sit, and from (hence to the'seut of government, arcaepresenled to be such as to render it im possible for the judge of that circuit to per form, in a mariner corresponding with the public exigencies, his term and circuit duties. A revision, therefore, of the present arrange ments of the circuits seems to be called lor and is recommended to vour notice. l.tliitik it proper to call your attention to the power assumed by Territoii.il Legisla tures to authorize the issue of bonds by cor porate companies on the (guarantee of the Territory. Congress passed a law in providing that no act of a Tetritorinl Legis lature incorporating-banks should have the force of law until approved by Congress, but acts of very exceptionable character previ ously passed by the Legislature of Florida, were suffered to remain in force, by virtue of which bonds may be issued to a very large amount by those institutions, tipon the faith of the Territory. A resolution intending to be a joint one passed the Senate at the same session, expressing the sense of Congress that the laws in question ought not to be ■permitted to remain in force unless amended .in_miany-.matcrial_r.espetts,_hut-it-fai 1 ed—i n (he House of Representatives fur want- of time, and the desired amendments have not been made. The interests involved arc of great importance,jnd the subject deserves your early and careful attention. . (Remainder ncxl-wcrk.) ■ . The New Brunswick (U; Canada.) Times, of the So(h ult. says, that the British ininis - ter, Mr. Fox, _l‘Jiad- received instructions to s notify the American.Covertinie'nt, (hat if A-- * tnerican citizens (brigands) attempted g re petition of, their interference. in- Canadinti matters, this winter, that the British Govern-- ment would view such attempts in the light of a declaration of war, and would act ac cordingly.” . If this be true, the menacingattitudc which has thus been assumed by the British Gov ernment, is, it must.be apparent"to 'pvery one, both impolitic and unwise. Wei hall hoped’ that the agitation of-lhis subject was at an endj or, at least, that (hose who were, the aggressors in the first instance, would be the; last again to re-kindlc a flatne which has alrcadycomc nigh involving bnth countrics in bloody combat. Prudence, reason, and good sense, shmildlinye dictated thiscourse. A renewal oftheCanadian difficulties is un wished for by the greiit mass of ofeither country, as there is every reason to believe, that they would lead to results which would terhiinafe unhappily and unprofitahly fo both parties. We will not be premature inouropinion.butshall keep our. readers in formed oTevery thing which transpires iri relation to the subject. ' We trust, however, no further serious difficulties will growout of this much vexed question. :; '■ follbwing extract of a letter, dated Albany, Dcc.l 3, appeared in the 'New York Express, of Saturday last. , Ifnotunfound ed in truth, we may look for more exciting news in n(few daysf > . \ "Unpleasant rumors of on outbreak on the Canadian side of tho line arc cnrrent inlhis °jiy-' It is said that pnL Worth left this c, ty .this niorbing, fur.lhe Nn’rth-Westcrn frontier, arid that the : rath6red*outbfeafc bn .tfe: .cabsVorhis audden departure. _ I rive it to you as I hea r it, without vouching {nr its correctness.’’. Slate Capital Gazette'., AMERICAN VOLUNTEER. CARLISLE: TlUssdav, DECEMBER 31. I»3». t ' • : OUR WIjACI. " • 's' ‘■Nniv rnr flag is flung to the wild Wind,tree, I.l*ll l flout uVr our 'father land, Ami ti ic guard of itssnodcss fame slialt.be; ■ . C oluiublu's r/ibsen hand!" ’ FOR PKKSimiNT IN IS4O MARTIN VAN BUUEN. AND AN 7 INDEPENDENT TREASURY, STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING; The Democratic Republican Standing Commit tee v of Cumberland county, arc requested to meet at the public house of Mr, JohnComman, in tbo Borough of Carlisle, on Monday the 13th driiin liary, 18*10, at 2 o’clock, P. M., on business con nected with the ensuing Presidential election. A general attendance is desirable* •TWO OF THE COMMITTEE. December 2*l, 1839. N. B.—The following named gentlemen com pose the Standing Committee, viz: - ■ -Jacob-BauchmaSv} ~: Jaron. W. Eby, > Carlisle, /William Gould, j ‘Jacob DoRRiiEiMF.n, Mecbamesburg, Michael Kost,. Silver Spring, John Stough, Newton, EewirJlykr, Allen, . Hyot Craig, Shippensburg township, illiam B. Cummins, Shippensburg borough, - , Robert Giffin, North Middleton, . Abraham Bhetz, East Pcnrisborougb, 4 David "Wherry, Hopewell, John Waggoner, 'Newville, ' ■ John Stuart, South Middleton. Solojjon P, Gorgar, New Cumberland,. MiciiAßt.MiMii.Kß, Monroe,' • Hugh Kyle, Dickinson,, Isaac CnatSTLiED, Mifilin, • John Snyder, Son., Frankford, . J. B. Duncan, Southampton.,' N. J. Kamsby Woods, West Pennslmrongb. Don’t forget the approaching courts—kind patrons. 'Wo are sorely pinched for Dionry and must have it nolmis vblcns. We again anticipate our regular day. of puh!icafion‘-to make roorii for the New Year. W (“.wish the pleasures of the season to all our patrons—we mean (hose who have not entirely, forgotten us. May they have good, sleighs, good horses, and an abundance of cash in their pockets to pay all their hills. CONGRESS Our Congressional news last wcct was down to Thursday the 19ih—at which time the House of Representatives was still discussing the New Jersey question. The following letter from our attentive-represen tative, Mr. Itamscy, .will present in a nut shell (he proceedings ofFriday and Saturday: “Washington, Saturday Evening,? Dec. 21,1839. S Messrs. Sanderson <5- Cornmun. ' “The House of Representatives is at length organized. On yesterday, the proposition " to administer the oath to the New Jersey federal claimants under “the broad seal” was negatived by a vote of 11G to; 112. “To-day ihc House proceedeil to the elec tion of Clerk and Sergeant at Arms, after a protracted debate, on a'resolution offered by the federalists to vote by ballot instead of the viva voce; this has lost by a large majo rity, and the naincs of the members being called, it appeared, that, for the office of Clerk Hugh A. Garland (Dem.) had 118 votes Mi St Clair Clarke (red.) 105 " Richard C.Mason (Con.) 76 “ For Sergeant at Arms Roderick Dorsey (Denr.) had 14 J votes William Jones (Fed.) 76 “ “The House then directed the Clerk to inform Ihc Senate of their organization. •‘■J'lie'first business on'Monday, will he the appointment of a Committee to wait on the President in conjuiictinn witji a similar Commiltc'e from the Senate, and, as a mat ter of course, the usual annual message will be immediately, transmitted to both houses. “Messrs. Rlair and Rives will, it is gene rally believed,' be elected Printers to the House.' ' “We are in the midst of a violent snbw stoi in, which bids fair to block’up the.roads anil interrupt the regular transniissiuii.uf the mails... ■ ... ;! ■ : Yours, &C.-’ The above brings the proceedings down to Saturday evening, the. 21st. On Mon day the 2Sd, on motion of Mr, Ramsey, a committee was appointed to. wait on the Pre sident in conjunction with a similar commit tee from the. Senate. The House committee consistid of Messrs.: Ramsey and Everett, that from the Senate of Messrs.'Wright and Allen. After the committee was appointed, the House proceeded to the election of u DnDrKecper.whichrcsultedasfollows: Joseph Follansbee ISO votes Jesse .E. Dow ■ ; ,75 John Houston u •• ‘After which, on motion of Mr. Craig, John W. Hunter was appointed Assistant Door- Keeper, and W. J. M’Cormick. Pbstmaster of the House. . ’.r~;• . - .The Speaker announced the nest business in order to be'the election of a .Printer for the House,; This brought on, a Violent and stormy dobate.which ; lasted until the hour of adjournment,: , . ..J ; : ’ 9 n Tuesdaj IheMessSgo was,read inboih jectotPrinfcrwas.rcsuihedin/lheHouse, and another'day- paaaed Withput an election; The (federalists appear, to bo exceedingly anxious; to defeat the editors-of the Glohe. nnd are unscrupUlous with regard to the means vtliey! We hope they may'notaaccfei^;^:‘/ - v
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers