.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