\; VOEUINTEER —EXTRA. CARLISLE,PA I'IIUKMUAY. NOVEMIIBR r, 1848. PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Ftlhw-Cilizent of the Senate and HomenJ Rt presentativea .■ Under the benignant.providence of Almighty God, t he Representatives of the Stale*.ami of Iho people ore again brought together to deliberate foi the pub lie gratitude of the nation to the sot crcign arbiter of all human events, should be com* mensurate with the boundless blessings which wc. enjoy. • Peace, plenty and contentment reign throughout our borders, and our‘ bclbved country presents a sublime moral spectacle to the world.— The troubled and unsettled'condition of some of the principal European powers, has had a necessary tendency to check and embarrass trade, and to de>> press prices throughout all commercial nations: but notwithstanding these causes the United Slates, with their abundant products, have felt (heir effects less severely than any other country, and all. our great interests, are still prosperous and successful. .. fn reviewing the great events of the past year, ' and contrasting the agilajed and disturbed'slate of oibor countries with our own tranquil condition, wo may congratulate ourselves that we are the moat favored people on the face of the earth.— While the people of other countries are strug gling to establish free institutions, under' which man may govern himself, wo are in the actual en joyment of (hem, a rich inheritance from our fath ers. While enlightened nations of Europe are con vulsed and distracted by civil war or internal strife, we settle all our political controversies by the peace* ful exercise of the rights of freemen, at the .ballot box. . The great republican maxim, so deeply en graven .on the • hearts of our people, that the' Wilt of the majority, constitutionally expressed,shall prevail,’ is obr sure safeguard against.force and violence! -U'U a subject of just pride, (hat our fame and character, as a nation, continue rapidly to ad vance in the estimation of the civilized world. To our. wise and free institutions it -is to bo at tributed, that-whjle other nations have achieved glory at the price of the sufferings and impover ishment of their, people, wo have won our honor . able • position in the, midst of an uninterrupted: prosperity, and of Oh increasing Individual comfort and happiness. : ‘ I am hßppy.toinform you. that our relations with nil nations are friendly and pacific. Advantageous treaties of commerce have been concluded within , the last.four years with Now Grenada, Peru, the two Sicilies, Belgium, Hanover, Oldenburg, and MecklenburgSchworrin. - * - . <- Pursuing our exaptple, the restrictive system of Great Britain, our principal foreign customer, has hocn relaxed. A more liberal commercial pulley has been adopted by other foreign nations, and our trade hay.been greatly enlarged and extended. Our country stands higher in the respect of.llpr world than at any former period.*Tocontinud to oc cupy this proud position, it is only necessary to' preserve peace, and faithfully to adhere to iho great and fundamental principle of our policy of nop-ip- Icrfercnco in the domestic concerns of other nations. Wo recognize in all. nations (he rights which wo enjoy ourselves, to change and reform their political institutions according to their own will and pleasure. Henco we do not look behind existing governments capable of maintaining their own authority. We recognize oil such actual governments, hot only Irom the dictates of true policy,.but from a sacred regard for.lbe.independence of nations. While this is our flcnledtyjlicj.lldocs not follow that wo can oven be indifferent spectators of the pro gress of liberal principles. The government and peo ple of the United Slates hailed with enthusiasm and delight the establishment of (he French Republic, as we now do the efforts in progress to ro-unito the States of Germany, ins confederation, similar in many respects toour own Federal Union If (ho great and enlightened German Stales, occupying as they do a central.and commanding position in Europe, •hall succeed in establishing such a confederated gov- ornment, securing al (he same time to the citizens of , each state local governments adapted to the wants - of each, with unrestrained trade and intercourse with each other, It- will he an important era ip the history of human events. Whilst it will consult* date end strengthen the power of Germany, it must Nsentially promote the cause of peace, commerce, civilization ami constitutional liberty throughout the world. With ifll the governments on this con* linent, our relations, it is believed, are now on a more friendly footing than they have been at any former period. Since the exchange of ratifications of the Treaty of Peacq with Mexico, oor intercourse with the government of that Republic has been bf the moat friendly character. The Envoy .Extraordinary bud *T Minister Plenipotentiary of-the United States to f Mexico, liaa been received and accredited, and a diplomatic Hcprescniative from Mexico, of similar ' mnk, has been received and accredited by this gov* eminent. The amicable relations between the two B countries which had been suspended, have been happily restored—destined, I trust, to.be lung pre ? bprved. The two republics are both situated o>i ibis continent, end with contiguous territories, have every motive of sympathy, and of interest, to bind them together in perpetual amity/ This gratifying condition of our foreign relations nmders it unnecessary for me to call your alien* (ion more specifically to them, It has been my constant aim and (lesiro to culti* v.iic peace and commerce with all nations... Tran* •joility at home, and peaceful relations abroad, con biituto the true, permanent policy of our country. Wnr, the scourge of nations, sometimes .becomes inevitable, but is ilways to be avoided when it can be done consistently witb tho rights and honor of llui nation. One of tho most important results of the war into which we wore recently farced with a neigh boring nation, le.lho demonstration it has «f tho military strength of our country. Ucforc the lato war with Mexico, European ami other foreign powers entertained imperfect ami erroneous views of oiir physical strength as'a nation, and of our ability to prosecute war, and r specialty a war waged out of our own country. Tht y saw that our standing army on the peace estab* liahmonl did not exceed 10,000 men. Accustomed themselves to..maintain in peace large standing'ar* inius for the protection of thrones against tbolr own ' Hubjccls as wolf as against foreign enemies, they ‘ Ini) not conceived that it.was possible for a nation without such, an army, well disciplined, and of long service, to wage war successfully. They bald in low repute our militia,and were far from regard* mg them as an effective force, unleea it might bo fur temporary defensive operations when invaded on our own soil. - The events of the late war with Mexico have not only undeceived thorn, but have removed erroneous impression*which prevailed to Mimo extent even among a portion ofour own conn* trjmvn. • f _. That war has demonstrated that upnn'the hrook inq out of hostilities not anticipated, and fur which -im previous preparation had.been made, a volunteer unny of cltixcn soldiers, equal to veteran 'troupe, and in numbers equal to any emergency, can in n *hort period be brought In the field, and, like ; what would have occurred in any other country, we were nmlt r no necessity of resorting to drubs or con* Moiptirm*. Qn the contrary, >uch wa« the number »!' volunteers who .patriotically tendered eer vice*, that tho chief difficulty ,was In making aelec liana ami determining who ahbuld be djaappolnled and oompellerl to remain at home. Our elllien sol-, diorsaro unlike those drawn from the population of uny other country, They are composed Indiscrim inately of nil professions and pursuit*—of farmera, lawyers, physicians, merchants, manufacturers, me- I'hanlce and laborer!—and this not only among the officers, but tho private soldiers In (he ranks,. Our citizen anWiets are unlike ihoae of any other coun try in other respects. They are armed, ahfl hove been accustomed from their youth up to handle and • neo fire nrms, and a largo proportion of them, es pecially In the western and more' newly aetlbul States, nro expert marksmen. They aie men who Uavo a copulation-to molntaln at home,- by tiiuii good conduct In the field—they Me Intelligent, and lhaia It an Individuality of chataclerwhleh la found df*ln tha rank* of nu other army. In battle, each pri vate man, as well at every officer, fights not only for bis country, but for glory and distinction among (lie Mlow-cltisena whan ha shall return to civil Ufa. ,The war with Mexico has demomtrated, not obly the ability of'tho govommontto organize a hum* orone army, upon - a sudden call, but also to provide it! with ail tho munitions and necessary supplies with despatch, convenience am! case,.to direct, its operations with efficiency, Tho strength of our iiißiituliona has not only been displayed In tho valor and skill of. our troops engaged in active scr vico in tho Held, hut in (ho organization of those executive -branches which'were charged with the general direction and'CQndUct ; pf .lho.,wor, while ton groat praise cannot be bestowed upon the offi cers and men who fought the battle* It would dp unjust to withhold ’from those'officers necessarily stationed dt hbmej who were. charged with tho duty of furnishing the army In proportion, and at pro-, per places, with all tho munitions of, war and other supplies so necesssiy tn make U efficient, Ihe commendation'to which they arc entitled, and tho credit due to this class of our officers, is the great cat «hon it is considered that no army in ancient or modern limes, was ever bolter appointed or pro vided, than pur army, in Mexico; operating in an onoiny’a country, end removed two thousand miles from tho seat of (hr Fodcrol government, iis different corps spread over a vast extent of territory, hundreds, and oven thousands of milcsaparl from cach other, nothing.short of the untiring vigilance and extra ordinary energy of these officers could have enabled them to provide the.army at all points, and in pro per season, with all that was required far tho most efficient service.. ■ It is but an act of justice to declare.tbal the offi cers in charge of the several Executive bureaus, all under the immediate eye end supervision of the Se cretary of War, performed their respective-duties, with abi|ity, energy and efficiency. They, have reaped less of the glory of the war, not having been personally exposed to its perils in battle, than (heir companions in arras; but without their furecaslo, efficient .aid and co-operation,- those in the Held would not have been provided with the ample means they possessed of obtaining for themselves and (heir country the unfading honors which (hey have won for both. ..1 • ‘ . .When all these facta are considered, It may come ,to be a matter of so. much amazement abroad, (tow it happened that our, noble army in Mexico, regu- - lars end volunteer*, were victorious upon every battle Held, however fearful (bp odds against them. . The war with Mexico has thus fully developed the capacity of republican 1 government* to proao cote, successfully, a just and necessary foreign war, with all the vigor usualjy attributed to more arbi trary forma of government. It has been usual for. writers on public law to impute to' republics a want of that unity and concentration of purpose, and vigor of execution, which are'generally admitted to belong to the monarchial end aristocratic forms. This feature of popular government has, been supposed to,display itself, (note,, particularly, in, the conduct of a war carried on in an enetny’s lerri lory. ... The war with Mexico has developed raost alfik- Ingly.anil conspicuously another feature jn our in stitutions—it is, that without coat to the govern ment, or danger to our liberties, we have ■om of our society of freemen, available in a just and necessary war, virtually a standing army of armed citizen soldiers, such as fought the battles of Mexico. ... But our military strength does not consist alone . in capacity for splendid'ami successful operations on land—the Navy is an important arm of the na tional defence.' If tho services of the navy were not so brilliant as those'of the army in the late 'war with Mexico, it was because they had no ene my to meet on their own element; while the army bad opportunity pf performing more conspicuous ser vices,.the navy largely participated in the conduct of the war. Both branchosof the service performed their whole duty'to the country. For the able and gallant Services of the officers and men of the navy, acting independently as well as in co-operation with our troops, in the conquest of the Californias, the cap ture of Vera Cruz, and the seiz -re and occupation of other important positions on the gulf and Paci fic coast, the highest'praise is due. Tfleir vigilance, energy and skill rendered the more effective service in excluding munitions of war and other supplies from tbo,enemy, while they secured a safe entrance for abundant supplies for their own army. Our expended commerce was no where interrupted; and for this imnpnity from the evils of war, the coun try Is indebted to the navy. High pfaiee is duo to the officers of the several executive bureaus,: navy yards, and stations con nected with the service, sll under the irainediatf direction of theSecretary-pfahe Navy, for the In- 1 - dustry, foresight arid energy with which ovejy* thing was direefetj and furnished to glyeefficlency to that bfflncirbf'thejervlco. Thesanrnvigllana existed in directing,the 'operations of jap-navy ns of the army. _ conCert-tißtimgbSUnd of purpose between lfiS%feadi 'of* the two arms ol the service, by the orders which were from time lu time issued. Our vessels of war on (be Pacific and Gulf of Mexico were stationed in jiroper’lime and in proper positions, to co-opcrato effectually with the army. By this moans the combined pow er was brought-to bear successfully on. the enemy. The great results which have been developed and brought to light by this war, will be of im measurable importance in (he further progross of ouc country. They will tend powerfully to preserve us from foreign collisions, and to enable us (o pur kue uninterruptedly our cherished. policy of peace with "sl( nations, entangling alliances with none.” Occupying as we do, a more commanding posi tion among nations than at any former period, our duties and uur responsibilities to ourselves and pos terity are correspondingly increased. This will be the more obvious, when we consider the vast addi tions which have been recently made to our tom tonal possessions, and their groat Importance and value. Within lon than four jjcar# the annexation or Texes to the Unionhat been consummated, all conflicting title to the Oregon territory'south of (he 49th degree of North Latitude, being oil that was insisted on by any of my predecessors, baa ,been adjusted, arid' New Mexico and Upper California have several territories'; according to a report, carefully compared by .the Comtnis&tuner of the General I and Office, from the most authentic information in hU possession,'and which ta herewith transmit ted, contains one million ono hundred and ntnely- Ihreo thousand and sixty-one square miles, or seven hundred and sixty-three millions four hundred end fifty-nine thousand and folly acres, while the area of the remaining twenty Slates and the temtbry nut yet organized into States east of (he Rocky rMoun tains, contains fifty -nine thousand five hundred and thirteen square miles, or thirteen hun dred end eighteen millions ono hundred and twen ty-six thousand and, fifty-eight acres. These esti mates show that the territories recently acquired, and over which our exclusive jurisdiction and do minion have extend'd, consiituto a country mote than half os large w all that which was held hy the United States before tbeir acquisition. If Oto gon bo excluded from the cslimole, there will still remoin within (ho limits of Texas, Now Mexico arid California, eight hundred and fifty-one thou sand five hundred and ninety-eight square miles, or hundred end forty-five millions twelve thou sand seven hundred (sit'd twenty acres, being an ad dition equal to mote than one third of all (be ter ritory owned by tha United Stales before, their ac quisitioo, and Including Oregon, nearly as great an extent of territory at the whole of Europe. Russia only excepted. The Mississippi, so latsly the fron tier of our country, is now only its centre, with the addition of (he lata acquisitions. “The United Steles are now eatimaled to be nearly as large na the whole of Europe. It ia estimated by the Su perintendent of Coast Survey, in the accompanying report, thet the extent Of the ees-coast on tha Gtdf of Mexico is upwards of four hundred mites l of the const of Upper Califurnla, on the Pacific, of nine hun dred and seventy miles, and of Oregon, Including the straits of Fuca, of eix hundred and fifty milea. mak ing the whole extent of aca-coast on the Pacific, one thousand six hundred end twenty ndW, 'ami the wfiolo extent on both the Pacific end the 6’ulf of Mexico ia tvvu thousand and twenty miles. The length of (he coast on the Atlantic, from the north ern limits of the United States, around (he Cspi's of Florida to the: Sabine, on the eastern boundary of Texas, Is estimated to be three thousand one hundred mites; so that the addition of soa-const, loci jding Oregon, la very nearly two-thirds aa much us all wo possessed before; and excluding Oregon,: it an addition of one thousand tbrco.bundred and; seventy miles, being nearly equal toono-hslf of Ino extent of l(io coast which wa possessed bofota these ecqulstU-ma- Wo have now three great maritime fronts on the Atlantic, the Gulf of. Mexico and the Pacific, ranking in the whole an extent of sea-coast exceeding five thousand miles.. This Is the extent of the sea-coast of the United Slates, not Including hays, sounds, and small irregularities of the mein shore and of the sea Islands. If these be included the length of tbs shore line of ’coast as estimated by (he Superintendent of, tbo Coast Survey, in his ro port, would be thirty-three thousand and sixty-three miles. , It would be difficult these Immense •nidilions to our territoriarpostfeseloiis. Texas, ly-, mgcoiniauoua to the weatern boundary, of LouM* una, embracing, within Its limits, a part of the m- 1 vigable tributary waters of the Mississippi, and extensive sea const, could not long have remained •in the hands of « foreign‘ power, without *>dan-’ Hiring Iha peuce qf our 'south-western’ frontier,' Her,products In tho vicinity of the tributaries of ha Mississippi roust have aougbt a market through; these atraame, running Into and through oar terrl* . n^w-v idry; end the danger of IrriUti&ri tod collision' of inlnwt, between Texee, ae « foreign Slate, ■ owl ourselves, would have been imioinent,‘whiio the em* • barrassmcnla in the common interests between them must have been’constant and unavoidable. ' Had Texas fallen into tho hands, or under the Influence and control of a strong maritime or military for eign power,’as she might have done, these dodgers would have:been still, greater, 'They hove been avoided by her voluntary and peaceful annexation to Ihef United Stales. ■ -Texas, from her position,’ .was a natural and almost indispensable part of. our territories. Fortunately,'sho has been restored to our country, and now. constitutes one of tho States of - our confederacy, upon an equal fooling, with the’ original States, The salubrity of climate—the fertility of soil, peculiarly, adapted to the produc tion of some of our moat valuahle atoplo commodi ties, and her commercial advantages, must soon make her ono of our most populous States.’ Now Mexico, though situated in the interior, and without a sea coast, is known to contain much fertile Jam) and abounds in rich,mines of the pre- cious metal, and to be capable of sustaining a large population- From its position ibis (he intermedi ate, and connecting territory between our soldo- rpenls add our possessions (n Texas and (hose bn the Pacific coast. Upper California, irrespective of the vast miner al wealth recently developed there, holds at this day, in point of value and Importance, to the rest of the Union, the same relation that Louisiana did when that fine territory was acquired from Prance, forty-five years ago. Ex tending.nearly ten degrees, of latitude along the Pacific, and omhracjng tho only safe and commodious harbors on'lbat coast for many hundred miles r wiih a lempcrate climateand extensive’interior of fertile land* It Isecarcoly pos sible to estimate Its wealth until it shall be brought under the government nf our laws, and its resources, fully developed. From its position it must command the rich commerce of China, of Asia,of tho islands of the Pacific. of. Western Mexico, nf Central America, the youth American States, and of the Bussian pos sessions bordering on that ocean.' A great emporium will, doubtless, speedily arise bn the California coast, which may he : deatined to rival, in importance, New Orleans itself. The depot of the vast com merce which must exist on the. Pacific will proba bly be at some point-on the-bay of>B»n Francisco, and will occupy the same -.relation tithe-whole Western coast of that Ocean as New Orleans does to the valley of .the Mississippi and, the Gulf i. Mexico. To thisdepot our nuraeroue whale ships will resort with (heir cargoes to trade;.refit end nil lain .supplies. This or itself will largely contribute to build op a city, which would soon become the centre of s great and rapidly increasing commerce. Situated on a .safe harbor, sufficiently capacious for all the navies,ns well as the.marine of the world, and convenient to excellent timber for ship building, owned by the United Slates, it must become'our great Western naval depot.' ' - , It was known - that .mines', of the . precious metals existed to.k considerable extent in Califor nia at the time of its acquisition. Recent discove- I riea render it'probable that these mines ere more ex tensive and valuable than'was anticipated.; The I accounts of the abundance'of gold in that territory, are of such an extraordinary character as.would scarcely command belief, were they not corroborated by the authentic reports of- officers in the public service, who have visited the mineral districts and derived the facte which they detail from personal observation, • Reluctant to credit the report* in general circulation, os lo the quantities of gold, the officer commanding our forces In California visited the mineral district in. July last, for the purpose of obtaining accurate information on the subject, and hi* report to the war department of the result of bis examination, and the facta obtained on. the spot. U herewith laid before Congress. ' When ho'visited the country there wore about four thousand persons engaged in collecting gold. There is every reason to believe that the number of persons’So employed has since been augmented. The explorations al ready made warrant lbe belief that the supply is v®ry large, and that gold is found.at various places in an extensive district of country. t . . Information received from officers of the navy, and other sources, though not so full minu'c, confirm tbo accounts of (bo commander of olir military fonjo in California. It appears, also, from these reports, that mines of quicksilver arc found m the vicinity of the gold region. One of them is. now being worked, and it believed to be among the most productive In the world. .. The effects produced by. the discovery of these ■ rich mineral deposits, and (ho success which has attended the labors of thoee who have resorted to -eion, in California. Among other signal advantages which would re sult from such an would be (hat of raising the gold to its par value in that territory. A branch iniot.of the United States at the great commercial depot, of the west coast, would convert into our own coin not only (he gold derived from oqr own rich.mines, but also the bullion and specie which our commerce may bring from the whole west coast of central and fctauth America. The west coast of America, and the adjacent in terior, embrace the richest and the best mines of Mexico, New Grenada, Central America, Chili, and Peru. The bullion and specie drawn from these countries, and those especially from western Mexico and Pern, to on amount in value of many millionaof dollars, are now annually diverted and carried by the ships*of Great Britain, to her own ports, to be re-coined or used to suttain her National Bank, and thus contribute to increase her ability to command ao much of the commerce of the world. If a branch mint be established at the great commercial point upon that const, o vast amount of bullion and spe cie would flow thither, to be received and pass thence to Now Orleans, New York, and other At lantic cities. The amount of. our constitutional currency would bo greatly increased, whilst jta cir culation .abroad, would be promoted. It is well known to our merchants trading to China ond the west const of. America, that great inconvenience and loss are experienced from tbo fact that our coins are not current at their par value in those countries. , The powers of Europe, far removed from the west coast of America by the Atlantic ocean which Intervenes, arid by a tedious and dangerous navi gation around the southern cape of (he continent of America, can never successfully compete with the United Stales, In the rich and extensive commerce' which Is opened to Us at eo much leas cost by (he acquisition of California. The vast importance and commercial advantages of California, liavo heretofore remained undevelop ed by tlio government of the country of which it constituted a part. Now that this fine province is a part of our country, afi the elates of the Union, some mote immediately and directly than others, are , deeply interested in the speedy development of Its wealth and resource’s,' No section of our coun try is more interested, or lyill bo mofe benefited. | than the comimrcial, navigating and manufacturing interests of the‘Eastern fitstca. Our planting and farming interests in every part of the Union will be greatly benefitted by It. At our commerce and navigation are enlarged and extended/ our ex ports of agricultural products and of nianufaclurca Will bo incrcaaed; and In the now markets thus opened they cannoi fail to command renumerating and profitable prices. The squisition of California and Now Mexico, the settlement of the Oregon boundary, ond thn annexation of Texas extending to the Rio Grande, are results which, combined, are of greater conse quence, and will add more to the strenath and wealth of the nation (ban any which have preceded them since the adoption of (he constitution. But to effect theta great..rwuil«,.not only Call-, ferula, but New Mexico mud be brought under the control of regularly organised governments. The existing condition of California and of that part of New Mexico lying west of the Rio Oraride, and without the limits of Texas, imperiously demand that Congress should at its session organize territo rial governments pver them. Upon (be exchange of ratifications of (ha (maty of peace wlih Mexico, on the 80(h of May last, the temporary governments which bid been estab lished pver New Mexico, had ceased lo exist — 1 Impressed .with the necessity of establishing ter ritoriat government! over them, [recommended the' subject lq the favorable consideration ol Congrats,, in my message communicating (ha ratified treaty of peace la July lint, and Invoked their action at' that aeeelon... Oongroaa adjourned.without making any provision for.their government. Tbo, Iqbtbl-i tents by the transfer of their country had becthne lihlitled’to tjte bonefiu of &ur laws'and Constifu :ti(»ri, ari admitted as Staled into the Un(oo. From ' the lido of population no* flowing into them, It Is highly probable that this will soon occur. Considering the several Slate! and tho citizens of the several Hiatus are equals, and enUt|«a to equal rights under the Constitution, if this were an origi nal question, it rpiglit well be Insisted on (hat the principle of non-interference is (ho true doctrine, and that Congress could out, in (ho absence of any l express grant of puwer.ipjorfrro with (heir relative' rights Upon a groat emergency, however, and under menacing dangers ip (ho Union, (he Missouri Compromise line, in rospbet to slavery, was adopts od. The same line woe (xtended further west lm the acquisition of Texas.), After at\ acquiescence of, nearly thirty years in the principle of comproi mise, recognised and established hy these acts, and to avoid like danger to i))s Union which might foN ,Jpvj» if It were' now disregarded. (have heretofore expressed the opinion tbM that fine of oompromlie 4oo!8 bo exiehded-on thoparalleiof tbiMyfttx d6* gfeea thirty, minutee from the Western boundary of v»hertf,‘U!'ndw* terminate*,'to.itbo. Pacific - Ocean.' This is the .middle ground of compromise .jjhon which tho different sections of tho Union may. n [eet as they have heretofore met. 4f this be done id is confidently believed a Igrgc majority of tho pc<> ■ plo of everymcction of the country, however widely their obstruct' opinions on tho subject »f slavery may 1 differ*, would cheerfully and patriotically acquiesce id it> and peace and harmony would agnin fill our. borders. •' ’ < • - ~ , ? Tho restriction north of the line wgs only yielded id in the case of Missouri and Texas, upon a prln* | clple of compromiso. madd necessary for the sake of preserving tho harmony, and, possibly, the exls*' Unco of thu Union. • ■ • ■ ■’ 1 - ;It w gs upon these consideration* that, at the close.of your lasi session, I. gavo iny sanction to .the principle of the Missouri Compromise line; by' opproving and signing the bill to establish the ter*- ritorial government of Oregon.' From a sincere desire to preserve (he. harmony of the Union, ami in deference for the acts of my I fell constrained to yield my acquiescence to the extent: -to which they had gone in compromising this deli* cote and’ dangerous question. But if -Congress -shell now reverse the decisiqn.'by whichtbo. Mis souri-Compromise was e/Tecled, and shall propose' ,to extend the rcstrictirniover. the whole territory south, as wcll.as noilhtof.thfe parallel of ihirlyrsix degrees and thirty minutes, It .will erase to be a compromise, and must be regarded ua an original - question. , If Congress, instead of ohserving.lho course of non-interference, leaving , the adopt on of ihcii do* meslic;.institutions .to the people who may inhabit .ihc&e territories, or if instead of extending (ho Missouri compromise line to the Pacific, shall refuse lo submit the legs! and constitutional questions which may urine Ip the dreision of tho judicial hi* bunais, as was proposed i» u bill which passed the' Senate at your laal session, an adjustment maybe effected in (his mode. > If the whole subject l»o re ferred to the judiciary, nil parts of tho Union should cheerfully acquiesce in'the final decision of tho - tribunal, created by, the constitution for tUn. settle ment of all questions which- may arise under tho constitution, .treaties and.laws of .the United Slates. Congress-id earnestly invoked fur the sake of the Union, its harmony; and, ouf continued pros* 'pertly as n nation, to' adjust at its .present sesaion; tbis, the only dangerous question.wljicbfics In our path. If not in aome'dbc of tho raodes.suggeatod, in some other which may be satisfactory* In anticipation of the establishment of regular governments over the'acquired territories, d Joint, cp.mmission of officers of tbo army and navy has' been'ordered to proceed to tho coost of, California and Oregon, fur the purpose of making a recon* noissance.and a report as to the proper sights for the-erection'of fortifications, or other, defensive works on land, and of'suitable situations for naval stations. Tho information expected from a.sricn tific and skilful examination of the whole face of the coflat, will bo-eminently useful to Congress when they come to consider the propriety of mak ing appropriations for theso great national objects. Proper defences oh (and will b«i necessary for the security and pro'cclion of our possession's. and the establishment ol navy yards end docks for the re*, pair and construction of vessels, will be important alike to our navy and commercial murine. With* out awrh establishments every vessel whother-uf the novy or of the.merchant service, requiring re* , pair, .must at great,expense come around Cope- Horn to one.of our Atlantic yards for that purpose. With such establishments vessels jt is (relieved may. be built or repaired as cheaply, in Californians upon' the Atlantic coast. They would give employment to many of qur enterprising shipbuilders and mo chanics, and greatly facilitate and enlarge our com* laorce in the. Pacific. , .. . . - ' .An it is ascertaiued.lhnt mires of gold, silver, cop* pet and quicksilver exist In New Mexico and Califor nia,and that nearly all the lands when* they are found belong to the United Slates, it in deemed important l» the.public lutervst, that provision be made for a geo logical and imneralogioal examination ofiheso regions Measures -should be adopted to pieservo the mineral lands, especially, such as contain the precious metals, for tlio use of the United Slates, or if brought Into inaiket, to separate them from die farming lauds, and dispose of them in such manner as io secure a large return,of money to the Treasury, and at the same time lead (o l)ie development ot their-wealth by individual proprietors and purehusora. To do this, it will be necessary to provide for an immediate survey and lo cation of the lots, if Congress should deem it proper to dispose of (he mineral lands] they should be sold in ‘ small quantities at a fixed minimum price. I recoin- , mend (bat a Surveyor General's office be authorized | to be established in New Mexico and California! and provision made for.surveying and bringing the publio 1 lands into market at ihe. earliest practicable peri&l. | In disposing of theso lands I ircommend (list (he rixht. j of peremption be secured, and liberal grants made to I the early.emigrants win. have settled or may upon them. . It will be iraportanl io extend our revenue taws user these territories, am) especially over California at an early period. There isttlieady a considerable commerce with Californio, and until ports of entry shall bo established end collectors appointed, no revenue can.,be received. > 1 - Il lhfsd end other necessary end proper meas ures be adopted for the development of the wealth and resources of Now Mexico and California, and regular territorial governments bo established, such will probably be tho rapid enlargement of our com* merco and navigation, and such tha addition to tlio national wealth, that (ho present generation may live to w liners thn controlling of the monetary power of the world, transferred from London, and other I'uroirt’un emporiums, to I be city of New York. Tliu apprehensions which were entertained.by eomo of our statesmen in the earlier periods of (he government, that our system was incapable'of Qu isling with sufficient energy end success over large ly extended territorial, limits, and that if this were attempted it would , fall to pieces by its own weak ness, have been .disappointed by oar experience.— By l the. division of power between the Stoles and Federal'government, the luttt-r is found to operate with as much.energy in (fie extremes as in the cen tre. It is as efficient.in the remotest of the thirty States which now compose tho Union, as it was in the thirteen,platen which formed our Constitution. Indeed, it may well be doubted.whclher, if our pre sent population bad been ccnfined within the limits of the original thirteen States,.the tendencies to centralization*and consolidation; would, not have been such os to have encroached, upon the essentia! reserved rights of the Stales, and thus to have made tho Federal government a widely, different one, practically, from what it is in theory, and was Intended (o be by its framers. So far from enter-' laining apprehensions of the safety of our system by tho extension of territory, the belief Is confident*' |y entertained that each new Btalo gives strength ami additional guarantee for tho preservation of the UoioA-iUelf. .* la pursuance of tho provisions of the fifteenth article of the treaty of peace, friendship, limits and, I settlement with, the Republic of Mexico, and of I the act of July (he twenty-ninth, one thousand | eight hundred and forty-eight, claims of our cill ' sens which had been already liquidated and decided against the Mexican Republic, amounting, with the Interest (hcieof, to two millions twcnly-threo thousand eight hundred and ihirty-two dollars and fifty-oho cents, have been liquidated and paid.— : There remains to be paid of these claims seventy* ■ four thousand one hundred and ninety-two dollars 1 and twenty-six cents. Congress, at iu last session, having made no provision for executing (he fifteenth article of the , treaty, by which the United Stales assume to make ' satisfaction for the unliquidated claims of our cill-’ ?ena against Mexico, to “an amount not exceed- | ing three and one quarter millions dollars," tl.e sub ject is again recommended to your favorable con- I sideratlon. The exchange of ratifications of the treaty with Mexico, took place on the 18th of May, 1818 Within one year after that lime tho co nmlssiuner and surveyor, which each government stipulates to. appoint, ere required lo meet }• at the port of Ban Diego, and proceed to run and mark the said boun dary in its whole course to (he mouth of the Rio Bravo Del Norte." It will be seen from (his provi sion that the period within which a commissioner and surveyor of tho respective governments are to meet el San Diego, wli explio on the 30th of May 1840. Congress at the close of its last session, made an appropriation for “ the expenses of run ning and marking the boundary line" between the two country's, but did not fix too amount of salary which should be paid to the commissioner and sur* veyor to be appointed on the pert of ,the United States. It is desirable that (be amount of compart satioh which they shall receive should be prescribed hy law and not loft as at-present lo Executive dis cretion. ' ’ \ " Meneuteawere adopted 1 *! thde*rite*t practicable period to organize the “Territorial Government of Oregon,” n* authorized hy (he act of the fourteenth of Auguai teat. The Governor and Marehell of the territory, accompanied by a email military «*•. corl, left the'frontier of 1 Missouri, in September lea», and look the eouthem route by the way op Santa Po and (be river'Gila to California, with tho intention of proceeding thence In-one of our veiaela-ofrwer to their ileitination. Tho Governor wee fully advised of the great importance of hie early arrival in the country, and it la confidently! believed bo may reach Oregon Jn the latter part of the prevent month or early in tho next. The other' officers for, the territory have proceeded hy aea. ‘ In the month of May last I communicated infer*, matlon to Coogreaa, that an Indian war had broken out In Oregon, and recommended that authority bo given loralee an adequate nutaber'orvoluuteeri, io proceed,iwUhoui delay, to' the *»»ittanee of our feilowicltfcen* In that lerrflory.9, be authority to raise such a force not facing been granted by (Jon gross, as soon as their services could bo dispensed nhh.in Mexico, orders were .issued to the regiment •of.mounted riflemen to proceed to Jefferson Bar racks, In Missouri, and to prepare to march to Ore gon os soon, as the .necessity provision. could bo made. Bhortly .befofeit was ready to march it wos arrQßfetl by the provision of ,tho, act passed Jjy.Con gress, tm the Just day of the session, which direct cd oil the iion-commlssioned,officers, musicians and 1 privates of that reglment, who haihbeenjn service lo be discharged, Thoeffectof this provision was .to disband, the rank and file of the regiment, and before their places could he. filled % by recruits, the season had so far advanced that, it was impractica- ble for it to proceed .until the opening of the next sjinngv.. V .•> . ... . In the month of October las|, the accompanying -communication was received from the governor, ,of the temporary,government of Oregon, giving rinforinatioii of the continuance of the Indian dis- and. of the destitution and defenceless condiUon of, the Inhabitants.. Orders were immo. dialoly transmitted to the commander of our squad ron in the- Pacific to despatch to their assistance u part of the naval forces oil that station, to furnish them, with ( arms-and ammunition, and to con tinue to give them such aid and protection as the navy could afford, until the army could roach (he country.... .. It ta thb policy of humanity, and one which has always Itcen-pursued by the United Slates, to cul tivate Ihe goud will of the aboriginal tribes of this continent, and to restrain them from making war, and indulging in excesses, by mild means, rather than by force. That this could have been done with (ho Iribcs'in Oregon, had. that territory been brought under (ho government of our laws at an period.: and had suitable measures been adopted by Congress, such as now exist in our in tercourse with the other Indian tribes within our limits, cannot be doubted. . Indeed, the immediate and only cause of the existing hostility of the In* dians of Oregon is represented to have been the long delay of the United Stabs, in making to them | some trifling compensation, in such articles as they j wanted, for (he country now occupied by our emi- I grants, which the Indiana, claim, end over which they formerly roamed..... This compensation had been , promised . In them by the temporary govern ment established in Oregon, but its fulfillment had been postponed from lime to lime for nearly two years, whilst those whu.made It.had.boen anxious ly waiting for Congress to establish a Territorial Government over the country. The Indiana be came at length mistrustful of their good faith, end sought redress by plunder end massacre, which finally; led to the present difficulties.' A .few thou sand dollars, in suitable presents, os « compensation for the country which had tieen taken.possession of by our citizens, would have satisfied the Indian#, and have prevented the war. A small amount, properly expended, it is confidently believed, would soon restore quiet. In this Indian war, our fel low-citizens of Oregon have been compelled to lake (he field in their own defence—have performed valuable, military services, mid been subjected to expenses which have fallen heavily upon them. Justice demands, that proviston'should bo made by Congrcsß, tq compensate them for their aetvices, and. to.refund to Hem the necessary expenses which they have incurred... , I repeal (he reeorarqcndation made to Congress, that provision bo made for the appointment of a , suitable number of Indian aaenis to reside among the tribes of Oregon, and. that a small aunt bo ap propriated to enable these agents to cultivate.friend* ly relations with them. If this be. done, the pres-, ence of a small military force will be all that is ne cessary in keep them in.check and preserve peace. 1 recommend th't similar provision be made > V * B regards tho tribes inhabiting northern Texas. New Mexico, California, and the extensive region' lying between our settlements in MlwotlVi.and these pbs sessions, as the moat .effectual mean* of preserving peace upon our borders,and within (ho recently ac quired territories. The &cictary of the Treasury will present in hie annual report, a highly satisfactory statement of the condition of the finances. The imports fur tho fiscal'year, ending bn the 30th of Juno .last, wore of.i(ic yajjic.bf qne hun dred and fifty-four million nine hundred and sev enty-seven lliourand eight hundred and seventy-six dollars, of which (ho amount exported waa521,128.- 010, leaving $1113,849,606, in the country for do me«ilc*u-HC. , 'The value of the exports fur the tamo period, ia one hundred and fifty-four million thirty-two thou sand one hunUretTand thirty.ono dollars, consist ing of amounting to ono hun dred and tblrmWo million nine hundred and four ittnUsinvl one Imndtvd oml tw«nty-one>doU«v*aa4 twenty-ono million ono hundred and iwenly-oight thouaami eight hundred and ten dollars of foreign. The receipts into the Treasury for (lie same pe riod, exclusive of .loans, amounted to $35,435,766 69. of which there was derived from customs s3l.* 757,096*,Trent sales of public laud $3,328,042 56; from miscellaneous and incidental sources $351,- 037 07. It will be perceived that the revenue from cus toms for.lho Us; fiscal year, exceeded $760,070 90 tho.estlmate of the Secretary of the Treasury in hit last annual report, end that the aggregate receipts i during ibe iamb period from customs, claims and ! miscellaneous sources, also exceeded (hoestimate by j (he sum of $536,750 59, indicating however, a very near approach in the estimate to the actual re suit. The expenditures of iho Ilscol year ending 30i Juno lasi, including these for the war and exclusive of payments of principal and interest for the public debt, were g 42.811.970 03. Il is estimated that the receipts Into the treasury for the fiscal year ending on the 80th of June, 1849, including the balance tn the treasury on the let of July lasi, will amount to the sum pf $67,048,969 90 of which $38,000,000, U is estimated, will be derived from customs, $3,000,000 from the sales of the public lands, $1,800,000 from miscellaneous and incidental sources, including the premium upon the loan; and the amount paid and to bo paid into (he treasury on account of military contributions in Mexico, and thesalesof arms,and vessels and othor public property rendered unnecessary for the use of the government, by the termination of the war, $80,095,435 SO from loans, already negotiated, in* eluding treasury notes funded, which together with the balance in the treasury on the let of July last, made the sum estimated. The expenditure* for the same period, including ihe necessary payment on account of the principal end interest of the public debt, and the principal and interval of the first instalment due to Mexico, on (he thirtieth of May next, and other oxpendi* tores growing out of the war, to be paid during the present year, will amount, including the re-imburse* menta of treasury notes, to the sum of $64,105,* 276 00, leaving an estimated balance in the Irensu* ty, oh the Ist of July, 1849, of $8,853,094 84. The Secretary of the. Treasury will present, as required by law, (lie estimate of the receipts end ox(«nditurra for the next fiscal year. The expen* dilutee, as estimated for that year, are tbirly-thrco millions two hundred'and thirteen thousand one hundred and fifly-two dollars and seventy three cents,’ including tbiee millions seven hundred and ninelymine thousand one hundred and two dollars and eighteen cents for the interest en the public debt, and three millions five hundred and forty thousand dollars for the principal and Interest due to Mexico on. the 80th of May, 1651; leaving the sum of iwenty.flve millions eight hundred and ee* ventyrfuur thousand and fifty dollars and lblny*fiva cents, which it is believed will be ample for the or* dinary pence expenditures. The operations of the Tariff act of 1846 have been such, during the past year, as fully (o meet (be public expectation, and to confirm the opinion heretofore expressed of the wisdom of the change In our revenue system, which was effected by ue. The receipts under it received into the Treasury I for the first fiscal year after its enactment exceeded, by the sum of $5,044,403 00, the amount collect* ed during the last fiscal year under the Tariff act of 1848. ending the 30th of June, 1846, the total revenue realised from the commencement of its ope* on'the Ul of December, 1840, until the close of the last quarter, on (be 80»b of September last, being twenty-two month", wee $56,064,663 79, being a much larger sum than was ever before re ceived from duties during any equal period under the Tori if acta of 1884- , aB- , 38 and ; 48. Whilst by the repeal of highly protective and prohibitory duties the revenue has b«-en increased, the (axis on our people have beer; diminished. They have been relieved from the heavy amounts with which they were burdened under former laws In the.farm of increased prices, or bounties paid to favored cissies’ and pursuits. Tbs predictions which were made that (he tarilf act! of 1646 would reduce (he amount of rsvenus below that collected under the art of '842, and would pros* irate (ho business, and destroy lbs prosperity of (be country, lave not been verified, with'an 'increased and increasing revenue, the Bnaiivsa are in a highly (ImitSsbing condition. Agriculture, Commerce and Navigation are prosperous, (be prise of manufactured labrics and of other products are much leas injuriously affected, than was to have been anticipated from the unprecedented revolutions, which during Ibb last and the present year, overwhelmed the industry and para lysed (be credit and commerce of so many great and enlightened nations of Europe., - , Severe commercial revolution* abroad bevp al* ways, heretofore, operated to denrota and often b> affect disastrously almost every branch of Ameri can industry. The, temporary depression, oft our ro£nu^^^sil“ , “fM 1 ’ i 5 t * l6 of'foreign' - ji'fir IcSB BOvert) ! haii has prevailed on ' ailSpfe’ .. ' [ . 'lviab«llcyd iniurinus to domestic indu.lry, and rendermg ao , uncertain iho reward, of labor, ami it l* behoved. baa largely contributed to preserve the whole conn- • I,v from a serious commercisl revulsion such o. open occurred under the bank drposlto ayatcnV. In ' (tie yetr lB47.ihero was a revulsion in Iho bust-, ne« of Great Britain, of great extent and tntonsi- , iv which was followed by failures in ibiil kingdom . unprecedented in number ami amount of losses.. This is believed to bodio first instance when such disastrous bankruptcies occurred, and in a country with which we have such extensive trade and com merce:’ Wo remain but little affected m our money ' market, and our business and industry were ami* prosperous and progressive. During the pieaent year nearly the whole con-' tinent of Europa has been convulsed by civil war, ind revolutions attended by numeroua bankrupt! 'cies unprecedented In their public securities and’ Almost universal paralyse of commerce and indus try, and yet although our trade and the prices of obr produce most have been somewhat unfavorably' affected by these causes, wo have escaped a revul sion our money market is comparatively easy, ami public ond private credit have advanced and »m - that we have bocn saved from their effect by the salutary operation of the constitutional'treasury; It is certain that if the tvfrenly*foor millions of specie imported Hilo the country during the fiscal year; ending on the 30lh' of June, 1847, had gone, into the banks as to a greet extent it must have done, it would in the absence of this system have been' made thtflresls’ of : augmented‘ bank paper issues probably to am antdtmt not less than sixty «r seventy million* of dollars, producing as an inevitable consequence or an inflated cdrrcficy; extravagant prices for a time, ’ and wildVpeculation which must have been followed on. the reflux to Europe the succeding year, of so mbch of that specie by tbe prostration of the bust oft* of. the country, tho suspension of the banks, dod most extensive bankruptcies, and occuring as thla would have done, at a period when the country wrt’engag'ed in a foreign war, when considerable loans of specie were; required for distant ’disburse ments,'and when the banks, the fiscal agerils of the government, and the depositories of its money were suspended, the public credit must have sunk, ohd many millions of dollars, as was the case during -the war of 1813, must have beensacr.ficed In dis counts upon liian* and upon iho depreciated-paper currency which the government would have been compelled to use. # Under Iho operations of the constitutional Irra-' •ury. nol a dollar has been lost by the depreciation . of the currency* The loans required to prosecute the,war with Mexico were negodated bythe Seo rctary of the Treasury, above paf.'rtslixing a, large premium to the government. The resinmlng ef .fectvOf the’syklem.upon the tendencies’!© excessive papej issues by hanks, has saved from heavy losses; and thousands of our business meii from bankruptcy and ruin. The wisdom of the system has lnj;m tested by tho experience of the ' hsl tup years, and It is the dldato of sound policy that'll should remain undisturbed. The modifica tions in some of the details of this measure, in: volvjng none of its essential principles, heretofore recommended, are again presented to your favors* bio consideration. In my message of (be Oili of Jnly last, transmitting to Congress the ratified treaty of peace with -Mexico, I recommended the adoption of measures ; for; tb*- speedy payment of the public debt, lit reiterating (bat recommendation,! refer you to the considerations presented in (list message in its support. The public debt,'including that nnUiorijrd to be negolUied in ptiretiance of existing laws, and including treasury notes, amounted at that time to S 65 t 778,400 41 • ■ >■ • Funded stock of the. United Pistes, amountliig.ti about half a million of dollars, has been purchased ay authorised by law since that period, and the public debt has thus been reduced, (he detail* of which'will be" presented in the annual -report of the Secretary qf tho Treasury. ■ ’ » The estimates of expenditures for tbe nest fiscal year, submitted by tbe Secretary of the^Treasury, It' Is believed, will be ample for all necessary pur poses. If (be appropriations made'by Congress •ball hot exceed the amount estimated, tbe means in the Ireosuiy will be sufficient to defray all tbe expense* of the government to pay off tire next'’ instalment of $3,000,000 to Mexico, which will fall due on tho 30th of May next, and still a con siderable surplus will remain, which should be ap plied to the further purchase of the public stuck and reduction of the debt. Should enlarged ap propriations be made, the necessary consequence will bo, to postpone the payment of lhe'debt.~ ■ Though our debt os compared with that of moyt other nations is small, It ia nur true policy end in harmony with the gemuvof our inatitutiona, that we should present to the World the rare spectacle of a great Republic, possessing vast resources and wealth, wholly exempt front public indebtedness. 'This would tdd still more to our strength and give to ua a alill more commanding position among tho nations of the earth. ' The public expenditure* should be cconnnrical .and bo confined to such necessary objects sa are clearly .within the power of Congress. All such as are not absolutely demanded should bo postponed, and the psyment of the public «K l>t at the earliest practicable period should be a cardinal principle of our public policy. ' For the reason assigned in my lost annual uiea- Mge, f repeal the recommendation that a branch of (he Mint of the Untied BtsU-a be established at the city of New York. , Tbo importance of ibis mas aura ia greatly increased by the acquisition of the rich minea of the precious metals in New Mexico and California, and especially in tho latter. I 1 repeal tha recommendation heretofore made in favor of tbe graduation and reduction of the price I of such of the public lands aa have been long offer> | td In the market, and havo remained unsold, and in favor of extending the rights of pre-emption to* I actual settlers on the unsurveyod.aa will &a bn Iho •urvryod land. ' Tho condition and onerationa of the army and | the state of other branches of (be public service, I under the supervision of the War Department, are 1 all aatUfactorily presented in tho accompanying rc- I port of tho Secretary of War. ’ j ’ On Ihe return nf peace our forces were withdrawn ! fiom Mexico, and the volunteers and that portion of the regular army engaged for tho war were disbanded. Orders have been issued for stationing the forces of our permanent establishment, at various posUiona in our extended country, whero tronps may be re quired. Owing to the remoteness of some oI these positions, tha detachments have not yet reached their doaUnatlnn. Notwithstanding tho extension of the limltaof our country, and tho forces required in tho new territories, it is confidently believed (hat our present military establishment (a sufficient for ali exJgonciaa, so long as our peaocfQl relairons rsmain undisturbed. Of tha amount of military contributions coUeclt J in Mexico, the sum of $70«,680 was applied u> wards the payment of iho first Instalment duo un der the treaty with Mexico. Tho further sum of 4346,300 30 his beecn paid {ntu the treasury, arid unexpended balances silt! remain In the hands ofthp disbursing officers, and those who wera'engaged in the collection of those moneys. ‘ Afivr tho procla mation.of peace, no funfiir disbursements, were mado of ony um xpended rooneya arising' from thla houici*. Tho balances on hand were directed to bo paid into the treasury, and individual claims of iholund remoln until Congress abatl dutborito their sculement end payment. These clalmV ate nut considcfablc In number and atnount.’;^-^'' I recomaiond to your fsvprable considjiraUQn tfio •uggetUons of the Secretary, pf Wgr,ent) fhfßeo rotary of tha Navy, In regard to legUigUM pn thU subject. ’ f , ' • aawßMi