1 »vws rti'. - > jU *.. b . brattos . ... TvjkTTT . .iiSE£: MESSAGE. > ihe Senate .’ andnfihc House' 1 of Hepresenfalives: ,/ called, In the midst of tbblaat session of'Oohgress, by a painful dispensation'of to .the responsible station which i no# bold, 1 contented myself with such cummunlcailons to tho Legislature as the exigency of the moment seemed to requite. Thecountry was #os ebroddddln mourning for the loss of us venera ted Chief Magistrate, and all hearts wore penetrated wilb;BHe£<>Neilher the time nor the occasion ap peafea’HoViequiro or to justify, on my part, any cdheralVewrresßlon of political opinions, or. any Shouncemenl of the principles which would gov efftdßtf-lhstho discharge of iho dunes to the per fomence of which I hod been so unexpectedly .welled I .'' 1 trust, therefore, that it.may not ha '''-dWH Inappropriate if 1 avail myself of this opr prttiMly of Iho reassembling of Congress to ; rasiff known my sentiments' in a-generol manner, ‘ iriregard to llu; policy which ought to be pursued by the government both in its intercourse with foreignpations and in its management and admtn istralionol internal aQuirs -1 Naiiohs, like individuals in a slalo of nature, aro. equal and independent, possessing certgin righls. apd owing certain duties to each other, arising,from their necessary .and unavoidable re-, lations 1 -which tights and duties there is no com mon human authority to protect and enforce.— Still, they are rights and duties, binding in.mor oienia conscience, and in honor, although there is no.tcMnar.io which an injured parly can appeal baL;(|io, disinterested judgment of mankind, and ‘ ulVimately, the arbitrament of tlie sword. . Among tho acknowledged rights of nations is that (Which'.each possesses of establishing that form pf,government which it may deem most opn duoivpto tjie;happiness and prosperity of its own citizens; of changing that,form ascircumstances may require ;'and ol managing its internal affairs according'to its own will, i'he people of the United Slates claim this right for themselves; and'theyiteddily concede it to others. . Hence li becnmestmri imperative duly not to interfere in lire govt/i'nblent'or internal policy of other nations: and;-ahHW4h we niay sympathize with the un- tho oppressed everywhere' in ’-thdif .*tWgSlhb i Tor freedom, out principles forbid us "(Vam' taking any part in such foreign contests. 'We ipake no wars to promote or to prevent sac pMsionjVto thrones, to maintain any theory of a bailanSo'pf power, or to suppress the actual gov ernment- which any country chooses to establish for, il'sclf- We instigate no revolutions, nor suffer any hostile’ military expeditions to bo fitted, out in the United Slates to invade the territory or provinces of a friendly nation. The great law of morality ought to have a national as well as a personal and individual application. We should ■ petit,wards other nations as we wish them to act towards us; and jnslice and conscience should - 'form lire rule of conduct between governments In gteid Of mere power, self-interest, or the desire of ■ ■ ! aggrandizement* To maintain n slricl neutrality r"'. c |g„ wars, to cultivate friendly relations, to Iroente every noble and generous act, and to no punctually and scrupulously every treaty alion—llieso ore the ilotieo which, we owe ler States, and by the performance of which est entitle ouraelves-to like treatment from ; or if that in any case bo refused, wo’can :e our own tights with justice and a clear our domestic policy the constitution will bp aide; and in questions ol_ doubt I shall inoif ..isforiu interpretation to thejndicial decisions of that which was established to expound It. and , .l-e'iS'the usage of the government, sanctioned by -.iovilibbhquiesceneo of thecountry." I regard nil its "-jpftWißions as equally binding. In all its parls it ■ ' ■ fa llie will of Ilia people, expressed in the most .olomn form, amf the donslituled authorities a-( -V& ‘but.agents to parry that will into effect; Every ■Si : power which it has granted is to bo exercised for 1 'S tha publio good; but no pielenee of utility, no " k bobest.conviction even of what might be expedi ”«nV«»n justify the assumption of any power not . iotinted. The powers conferred upon tlie govern menl. and their distribution, lo.ihe several denari -1 mpnig.arc as clearly espreased in.that -sacred in- Swfsi tlie impeffeciion of humah language wliTStow; and 1 deem it my first duly not to anastioitits-wisdom, add to ita provisions, evade fie requirements, or nullify its commands. ■ Uponkyou, fellow-citizens, as iho represcnla tiveebT’dhe Stales and the, people, is wisely da volvotl’tho iegislaiivo power. I ahull comply with my doty In laying before you, from lima to time, any information calculated to enable you to diachurge your lii g 1 1 add responsible trust lor the benefit of our common constiiucnls. My. opinions will bo frankly expressed upon ifialwlßß-übJecia of legislation; and if:(which tVdnWwicipaio) any act should pass the two ■idMM'qr.Coi'grcss which should appear to me nnconstliuliona", or an cnCtoachmenl on the Just nowcu of Other departments, or with provisions haS)ll> »WP>cd, and likely lit produce consequen ces inklSv* <> nll unforaeen, i should not shrink •from the dirty of returning it In you, with my rea sons, mt/jllior further consideration. Duyond ll.e ,* duo performance of these constitutional obliga tions, bothilny respect for the legislature and my * tense of propriety will restrain me from any at- ICinpt to control or iiilluenco your proceedings. ' », .With you Is tho power, the honor, and tho respon -\'f■slSilily Of 1,10 legialiilion of tho country. , ; Th'egovernin' r.L of lire Uullod Slates is n.iimi .; ‘ladAVermi'i'nl. It is confined to lire exercise of expressly granted, and suoli Olliers os BS3m»/S| nooaseary for carrying those powers Into SfKwMM »nd it is ol all liinpa on especial duty to " an y infringement on the juat rights Over tho objects and subjects'in- Congress its legislative authority Is Bn. f; .tJKWSMii'' But hero that authority ceases; and SrA'dfflHWa’UzMt who truly loves lire constitution, and ii ' .'dailireV the coniinoonco of its existence and its |* : bi«MPgB, will resolutely and .firmly resist any if, 'lottfwtuico in those domestic {ilfalre whlph the cOMllWtipn hns oloarly nnd unequivocally left to ihe exolualvo authority of the, Stale# ; and every “ ‘ § u6h JllUeft will also deprecate useless Irritation >, . 4 m onff the several members of the Union, and^all k- &!!»dboK and crimination lending |o ollenolo one ' •iSrtltof‘lho country from another. T Ire beauty '• '"fir-Ollr governmoul consists, and its sofely ond ZrabllllV must consist, in avoiding mutual collla toot and'encroacluncnls, and in the regular, eepo {aw aellon qf oil, whiio each is revolving in ita f |ia » raiu)o >* l,lo ,lu 'y i P rel ldeM retake earo that Iho laws he fcilhfu Iv i lb a government like onto,- In which all'lavra are -passed by a majority ol the represent, miivea of the-heoplo, and iln ao rcprosonlalives are I .OISQ for awh Short periods that any Injurious ~r obnoxious iaw can very soon-he repealed. It would'appear 1 unlihely that any great numbers !t.0!,1d bo found ready to resist ilia exeoulion of E*. But it ...utl ho homo in mind that the >■- Jo', try la extensive; that there may ha local in reWsthit prejudices rendering « law ndieup in one ft;.' 1 'which'is not so in another; and that the : &*tlose anti inconsiderate misled by their paa * * ! r their iutsgiuations. may ha induoed'mad. «,| such lows as they dta-ipprova,.. hueh t ihould recollect tltat, wit tout law. ihere no real praclicsl llherly; ihat wbari Uw’-la Sf.Ufl'ior foot, tyranny rules, whpiher li lV' - -V appears In the form of a military despotism or of popular;violence, I ‘The law is iheonly suro pro tection of the weak, and the only efficient restraint ujVori thh strong. When Impartially and faithful ly administered, hone is beneath iis.ptoU'ction and nbhp aboVe its control. You, geiuletncn.’and the country, may be assured that, to the utmost of tny ability, and to. tho extent 'of the vested In me, 1 shafi at all (imos in alt placed take care that the laws shall be faithfully executed. In the dis charge of this duty, solemnly.; imposed upon nw by. the constitution and by thy oath of office, I shall, shrink from no; responsibility,.and shall' en deavor to meet events as they may arise, with firmness as well as with prudence and discre tion. . • The appointing power is one of tho most deli cate with which the Executive is invested, I re gard, it as a sabred trust, to be exercised with the sole view of advancing the prosperity and happi ness of.the people t It shall be my 'efibrt to ele vate the standard of official employment,;by se lecting foi* places of Importance Individuals fitted for'lhe posts to which they are assigned by their known integrity, talents and virtues. In so ex tensive a country, with so great a population, an I where; few persons, appointed to office can b known to the appointing power, 'mistakes wil sometimes unavoidably happen, and unforiunatb appoinimentB.be made, notwithstanding the great est care. Ip such cases the "power of removal may be properly exercised; and neglect of duty or malfeasance in'office will be no.more, tolerated In individuals appointed.by, myself than in those appointed by others;.- ; 1 am .happy in being able to sa; that no unfavor able change in our foreign, relations, has taken place sinoe the message at tlie opening of the last session of Congress. 1 We ore at peace with ail nations ; and we enjoy in an 1 eminent degree the blessings of that peace, in a prosperous and grow ing commerce; and in all ihe furms of amicable national intercourse. The Unexampled growth of the country;, the preeehl amonnl of Its and the ample means bf fiblf-proteclion, assure for it the respect of all nations'; while it Is trusted that its character for Justice and-a regard to the rights of oiher States will cause that respect lo be readily and cheerfully paid. . . A convention was negotiated between tho Uni ted Slates and Great Britain, in April laßt. fqr.fa-’ cilitating and protecting thb Construction of aabTp. canal between the Atlantic and Pacific ocenns; and for other-purposes.* This instrument has since been ratified by thb contracting parties, the exchange of ratifications has been eftVcied, and proclamation (horeof has been dbly made. In addition to'the stipulations contained in this convention, two other objects remain to be accom plished.between the contracting powers:. . First, the dQftignation tmd establishment of if free portal each end of the canal; . Second, an agreement fixing the distance from the shore within which belligerent maritime oper ations shall not be carried on, ' On these points therfe is little doubt that fhe two govorhinenis'Witl comb in an understanding. The company of ciuzend of ihe United Slates who have acquired from the. State of Nicaragua the privilege orconfilrueurig a ship-canal between ihe.two oceans, through the territory of that.Slale, have made, progress in thefr preliminary nfrangu mehts» r The treaty heliH’een the' United States and Great of,the 19th of April last, above referred • 10, being noiv ,fn operation, it Is to be hoped that the guarantees which It offufd will be sufficient to secure the completion of the work with all practical expedition. U is obvious that this result would be indefinitely postponed,'lf any other than peaceful tbeasftros, for ihe purpose of harmonizing conflicting claims to territory in that quarter; should be adopted. It will consequently he my endeavor to cause any further negotiations on the pari of thief government which may bo re quisite for this p'urpose, id be so conducted as to bring them to a speedy and successful close. some unavoidable delay has occurred, arising from distance and difficulty of inieroouree between this government and that, of Nicaragua; but, intelligence ha? been fedeived of .the appointment of an Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipo tentiary oV that government to reside at Washing ton, whosatorriva) may soon be i expecled, # ji is hoped that no rflnhet Impediment’s will be expe rienced in the prompt transaction of business be tween the two governments, CiliXußß of the. United Staled ha*e Onderiolten (he connexion 6f the two oceahd \if rneohß'of n railway across lhaiSfhtnbS or'l'elmuhlepec, Under grants of tho Mex|can.goveinment to a citizen of that republic. .-It is understood that a thorough survey or the course of the comihdmCnflon Is in preparation, and there is ,reason l6,expoci that it will ho prosecuted with characteristic ener gy, especially #hen that government shall havo consented to such stipniaiiond With tlin ! govern ment of the United States ns may be necessary to Impart a feelfftg of security to (hose who may em bark their properly in the enterprise, - -Negotia tions are pending for thO acdompirahment of that object; and. a hope is confidently entertained that, when tho government of Mexico, shall befcome duly sensible of the advantages which that coun try cannot fail to deriv4‘ from fhe Work, and’ learn that the government of the United States desires the right of sovereignty of Mexico In the islhmud shall remain unimpaired, tho stipulations referred to.will be agreed to with alacrity. By the last advices from Mexico, ?t Wouf«f njU pear, hoWnver, that the government entertains strong objections to some , of tho stipulations which Die parlies concerned in the project of the railroad deem necessary for their protection and security. Further consideration, it Is to he hoped, or some modification of terms, may yol reconcile the difference.existing between the two govern ments in this respect. , . , Fresh instructions have recently been given to the minister uf (he United ,States in Mexico, who Is prosecuting the subject with promptitude and Although Iho^negotiation* with Portugal, for tho pnymont > f claim* ofoUison* of the United Slates again*} that gpvernment, have not yet resulted in a formal treaty, yol‘a made by iho-govorn rheni of Portugal for.'the' final, adjustment and‘.pay ment of thnao olaimi, ha* recently boon aocoplod on the part of the' ‘United Slate*. It gives mo pleasure to *ny (tint Mr. Clay; to whom the ncgotldtion on tiio part,oflho United State* had been Intrusted, discharged Iho duties of hi* appointment. With ability nnd discretion, acting always within tho instructions oftila government,-: <«■ s. • ; It Is expected that a regular convention will be immodiatofy negotiated for carrying, (he agreement between (he two governments into effect. The commissioner appointed under the Act of Congress for .carrying into effect the convention with Brazil of the ftftli of January, 1849,' hns entered upon tho performance of the duties Imposed upon him by that act. It is Imped (hut tltoso diulus may be completed wilhlu tho tlmo which It ‘prescribes. The documents, however, which the imperial government, by the third arliolo of tho convention, siipolnlcs 10 furnish to iho government of (he United dutos, Imyo not yot boon received. As it is preauiupd Hint Ihoap documents will bo essentia) fur l|tu correct disposition of tho claims. It may bpcmno necessary for ('ongress to extend the period limited for tho duration of (lie poiiimMon. Bum'siipuiated by tho/mirth nr tldte of tho'convenllbn tu be paid to this government, bss been received, . .•- > . oulleollon in the porlk'ofthe United discriminating duties upon the vessels of Chill and their Qargoos has been luspobdcd, pursuant loathe ‘OCR COUNTRY —MAY IT ALWAYS OK RIGHT—BUT RIQHTOR WRONG , OUR COUNTRY** CAULISLE, PA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1850. provisions of the act of Congress of the 24th of Muy,; 1898. It is to bo hoped 'that this menshro will -im part a : fresh impulse to llto commerce between tho‘ two countries, which, of late; and especially since our| acquisitipn.orCuliforniaj haej to llto mutual advanl lago of tho parties, beon inuclt-augmented.• • Peruvian guano has beconrtb Bit desirable dH erllclb to tho agricultural iotcrchlof llio United Sutce, that Uis the duty.of the government to' employ all the means properly in its power for the purpose of cous ing'tliot article - to be imported into the country at a reasonable price. Nothing will bo omitted on my part - towards accomplishing this desirable,end. I am pdrsuudcd that; In removing any restraints on (ids traffic, (ho Peruvian government will promote its own best interests, while it will afford a proof ofa friendly disposition towards this cdunliy, wliich will bo duly appreciated. . The treaty between. tho United Stales and his Majesty the King of (ho Hawaiian Islands; which has recently been made public, will, it is believed, have a beneficial effect upon tho'relations between tho two countries., ; Tlio. relations bolwccn those parts of.lho Island of! Sl.Doinlngb,,which were formerly colonics ofSpoln I and France, respectively, ure sllll irt an unsettled condition. The proximity .of. tliat.ialundlo the' U. Stales, and.the. delicuto.qucßtions involved in the ox* isting controversy Uieffe, renddr it desirable that it should fao permanently and speedily adjusted. The interests of humanity and of, general feotrfmferco also demand Uiisj iriliinulluna uT tlib fiairio Seni timent have been received From other government!*, It is hoped that some plan may soon be devised la effect the object in .a manner likely to give genera! < satisfaction.. The. government of the United Slates - will not fail; by l|)0 of all pfdpbr Friendly offieepj to do'all In iispowbr to put nn end'to the destructive war which has raged between the differ* uni parts of tho'lsland, and to secure to.them belli the benefits of commerce., 1 fcfbr you to 'the report of the Secretary 6f Ihe Treustiry fora detailed 1 (ttalodicnt of the finnnfebs. The total receipts inlo the tfeasury fur tho year ending 30lh of Juno last, were Forty-seven million foftr hundred and twenty.ono thoutnnd seven Jimi dred and forty-eight dollars dtid ninety ceutsi ($47,- 421,748 90) , , , The total expenditures during the same period Were forly-thrce million two, thousand one hundred and sixly-cight dollars and ninety cents, ($43,003,. Ite 90.) ~ . ... , •- . , • '••-The public debt has been .reduced; the last anVunl*report Frorti the Treasury Department, four ninety.five thousand IW6 hundred and stventy eix dollufa arid seventy-nine cents, ($43.5, 2T<5 ? 79;) 'i’Bylhb 19th section of tho act of Q8(li January, 1847, the proceeds of the sales of tho-public l >nd« were pledged )br. the Interest and nnncijmi of the public debt. The great aihount of (hose lands squ scqiienlty granted by Congress for military bounties; will, it is believed, very nearly supply (he public de mand for several years to come, end but little roll, once can,* therefor?, be placed on that hitherto fruit Ail soar Co of rortntfe. . , .Aside from Iho permanent annual expenditures, which have necessarily largely increased, a p'orthm of the public debt, ninonnling (o night million sovmi ty five thousand.ninu hundred and eighty-six dn'lars and fifly nino cents,' ($8,075,986 59) must ho pro videdTor within tho next two fiscal years. It is most desirable that these accruing doinuiids should bo met without resorting to new loans. ' All experience lur demonstrated tht» wisdom and policy of raising a largo portion of revenue lor the support of government from duties-on goods import i ed< The power lo lay these duties is unquestionable, and.its Chief, object, of course,* |s to replenish the, treasury; '. But.if, (n doing (his, «tn incidents I sdvah (age may be gained by encouraging Ihe iudustiy'o our own citizens, it is our duly to.aVail ourselves of that advantages A duly laid tfpbff an article which Cannot be pro. dn'cod in this country—such as tea or coffee— adds to the Cast of tho article, and Ss chiefly or wholly paid by the consumer. Rut a duly laid upon nn nr (tele which may he produced hero, stimulates the Skill and induStfy qfotfr, owdcounlry lo produce tin iamo article, which fs brought into the’market in competition with tho foreign article, and the Importer is thus compelled to reduoo hia price In that ,at which the domestic article can bo sold, thereby, throwing pnrloflhi duty upon tho pro'dufccf oft ho foreign ar ticle.' Thb'tiontrnusncd ofthf» process creates ihe skill and invites the onpital which finally enables us to produce (ho article, much cheaper than it could hitvo been procured front abroad, thereby benefiting both the producer and (ho consumer at home. The consequence of this is, that thA.iirtisnn nnd tho ngri duUurallst are'brought together, each affords a rcade market' (or* the produce of tho other, and the whole country becomes prosperous;* and. the ability to pro .ditto every ncees«a‘ry of life renders us independent in wnr as well ns in peace. A higii tariff can neve? be pbririnnbnt. • ft will pause dissatisfaction,and will tyb changed. It ex cludes Compblition J , and thereby invites tho invest, moot of Capital in iniimiftcturcs to such excess, that when changed U brings distress, bankruptcy, and ruin upon nil who have beep misled by its faithless pidtedlinn. What tho manufacturer wants are uni funnily and permanency, that lie may feci a confi donee that ho is not to bo ruined by sudden changes. ■ But to make a tariff uniform and, permanent, it is .not only necessary that tho law shoiildnol bealtered, ihul that the duly should tint fluctuate... Tereffnet •llils/all duties should bo specific. whereverjljoalature ' of the article Ts sit'dh admit of it, Ad vifiorpm duties fluctuate with the price, and offir strong (omi£ taliuus to fraud and perjury, specific.duties, oaths .contrary, are equal and uniform .in id) poHs/oml nr all limes, and offer a strong inducement to tiio )m* porlor’ta bring the best article, ns lie pays no more duly upon that than upon one of inferior quality. I therefore strongly recommend a modification of the* present tariff/which has prostrated snmo of our most important and necessary manufactures, and (hut specific duties be imposed sufficient lo.raise tho re qultulo revenue, making such discrimination in favor of the industrial pursuits of our own country ns to encourage home production, without excluding for, clgn competition. Il ls also Important lli'jt on unfor tunate provision hi the present tariff, which imposes a.much higher duly upon.raw materia) that enters! into our manufactures than upon - the manufactured urtic|o, should hi remedied. '/ V,., The pnpefs accompanying (ho tfopbrt ortho Score, lory of the Treasury, will disclose fraud# a ttempted ppon tho revenue in variety "nd nmount so great* us (O Justify the conclusion’Umt U is impossible, under any system ofud valorem duties ii-vied upon (ho for eign post or value of the article, lo secure nn honest observance and nn effectual ndmloistraliaii of the taws. The ffuitdiilenl ilevlcos to evade the law, which have boon detected by the vigilance of Ihd appraisers, leave no room to doubt that similar impositions, not discovered, (o a largo amount, have hoqn succsssfully practised since the enactment pf the law,now In (Wee, This slate of things has already,had a preju dieful influence upon those engaged In foreign com meroo. It has a tendency lo.drlvdtho hpnqsl trader from Ihe business of Importing, and to throw that Important branch of employment Into the hands of unscrupulous and dUhpnost men, who arc alike re gardens oflnw and the obligations ofan oath. By these meant the plain intentions of Congress, as ex pressed in the lriw,Hredaily defeated. Every motive lof policy apd duty,.therefore, impels mo to ask the I earnest attention of Congress to this subject.' If I Congress should deem it unwise to attempt any Im 1 portsnl changes in the system of levying duties at | this sessinn, it will, boomne indispensable to (lie pro-' tdolihn oft lie revenue Unit such remedies a*' in Iho am nt of Congress, may mliiguto the evils cum ted of should at once ho applied. At liufofo elated, apooiftn duties would, in my opi nion, tifTnrd tho ninti perlhet remedy for this evil | 1 but. If you fclionlil not concur in thin view, then, ae a partial remedy,.! h'cg leave rfaapobtflilly lb recommend that, instead hf-taking the Invoice of tho article •hrqad.M a mesne' of determining, lie.value hero— the cnrreqfpbe* of whip!) Invoice it Itiq.inariy.opees Impoiiilhlo lo verity—ltio lawWeo changed aa lo«e* quire a lioiilo valuation or appraisal, to bp rbgulatod in such manner fts to give} as fiir as practicable, uni* lonnity In ilio several ports?. i Thoro Ueinif nn mini in Californio, Inm informed that the laborers in (ho mines arc compelled to dis pose ortheir gold dust at a large discount., This ap* pears to mo to bo a heavy aud unjust jng upon U(o labor of those employed in extracting’this precious metal; and £ doubt not. you will bo disposed, at the earliest period possible, to relievo them from it by the eilabllshineht ol a mint. In dio moan lime,'as'an cfls.tycr s oflioo is established there,'l would, respect* fully submit,for your consideration Ilia propriety or authorizing'gold buHion,which has been essayed and stamped, to bo received in payment of govofn.mont dues. .1 cannot conccivo that tlto ircaallry would suffer, any ,ipss by such a provision} .Will at onco raise bullion to its par value! end thereby sayo (if I am rightly informed) many millions ofddllars' to the laborers,’ whi ? cJ) are now paid in brokerage lq convert this precious trieldl into available fuodsli This discount upon their hard earnings is a licavy lax, .and every effort should bo made by U(o government to relieve tbetai frorfi so’ great a burden. -More thaii/lhree'fourlhs of our population oro.nn* gaged in (ho cultivation ofthesoil.. The oommercidl, raaoufaoturing and navigating interests are all, to a great' 'extent, dependent oh'the’ agricultural. It Is, therefore; (he most important Interest ofthe nation; i and has a Just'claim to. the fostering caroand ( pro, teclioh of the government, so lur as.they can bo ex. tended consistently with Clio provisions of tho cun* etittilion. As this cannot bo doiie, by tho ordinary modes of legislation,-1 respectfully recommend'(he establishment of an agricultural bureau, lo bu charged ■with the duty of giving •Ibkhha.Jcading brunch of industry (ho erfbourugcm’enl;|tybic|) it so well do* Served In view of the iiifttnhid minent j resources of otlr country, provision should also be made for the employmentofa oothpotoiit mineralogist and chomish who shuuld-bc required, under tho direction oV the head l of tho bureau, to colluol specimens of the Vn. rious tfiinofal* of our country,'and to ascertain, by careftil analyses, Uielr .'respectivo' elements and pro* periled, ond.their adapluttuu to dselul purposes, lie should also be required Id examine and rc|jqrt upon thu qdalitlcs (if diffetenl soils,'add the m anures best calculated to Impr.ovu Iboir productiveness. By pub* lishing. thn resell!# of such expcrlmenls, will* suitable explanations; and by. (lie collceliun and distribution of rare scuds and plants, with Instructions 'us lo the Ircstsyslom of cultivation, much 'may bo, done to promote this preal national interest. •> Incompliance wfl(j tjio act ul'Congrcss, passed no the S3d ol May, 1650, providing, itnong oilier tilings, lor taking (lie seventh census, a superintendent was appointed, anil all other measures adopted which .’were to insure the-prompt and i.iilltTurperfoYmancc of I hat duty. The.ippropr(alion already mWdf Wilt,’ It is believed, 1 be. sufficient to de* ■my the wh’old expense of the lurlher le* gislutlon may bu necessary in regard to the compen sation of some of the marshals of the Territories. It will al<b bo <pr.upcr ttf fnake provision by law, at an oarly day, for the publication of such abstracts 6f the returns ns (he public Interests luayrequire. (t The unprebemed growfh ofour Territories on the Pacific io wealth mid.population, and the consequent increase of iheir social and commercial relations with Inc Atlantic Slates, seem to render it the duiy ol tho government ip u'se ul) its conaUtuiinn.il power to ini* prove tlie means of intercourse with .them.’ .. Thu importance of opening “ a linu ofcomindntcntion, tliq host mid tnoii expeditious ol' which the'nature of lliu country wfli^mU,*!.between the; valley qj the Mis sissippt lmil tf»o Pacific,’ was brought tuyour notice i»y iny'prcdeceßßor, in his annual'message; and us the reasons which he presented in favor of the men. -uro, still yxial in full, forces J beg lea VO (o call your ittentinn 16 (hem, lift'd to repeat (lie recommendations then made by liihi. > ' The uncertainty whiefi‘6xidls In regard to the va lidity of land (i:‘|es in California, Is a siihjoM winch demands yo’ifr early consideration. L irgo bodifts ut land in that Slate are claimed under grants said to mve been made hy authority of the Spanish urtd Mexican governments. Many ul these havu not been porioclcd, other* huvu been revoked, ofid some uru bo lieved hi bo fraudulent. But until they shall have been judicially investigated,they will continue lo retard the 4(1111011101)1 and improvement nf tho Country;; 1, there, lore, rotjircifiilly recommend ilnit provision bo. made l by law fur Ilia appointment of commissioners to cX amino all such claims, Will) a vlcW lo their (Inal ad. justinofiu ’ i l.alsn beg leave lo call your attention (o the ;prn. j prioly nf extending, nt an early day, our system ol 1 Und laws.'wilh such modifications as may be necet. -ary, over lbs Statu bfCdHiurrilii and the Territories 1 ol' Ni-w Mexico. ' The mineral hinds ol California will, ofeuun-o, form an exception to any ! goncrat dystciii which may bo adopted. Various j methods of disposing of them hnvb been suggested. 1 I was at Hr*) inclined to favor the system ol leasiiig, a* it seemed lo promise the largest revenue to tin* .govcrninenl,’and to afford the best acourity against monopuliesfbul further rcllc6ifon t 'and our experience in leasing the .lend mines and nulling lands upon credit, have brought my niindlo tho cmieluajon tliui there would bo great difficulty in collecting (be rents, j and llitU (ho fclullim of debtor and creditor between I .(ho citizens and tho government would bo attended j ivilh many mischievous.consequences. I lliorofoio ■recommend (hut. instead of retaining the minora I lands under (hj permanent control ofltio government, they be divided Into small parcels, and sold, under i ,such restrictions, to qlianlily and lime/as will Insure the bdsi price, and guard most effectually against combUstions of capitalists to obtain mono polios. ■ » ■ • Tlionrihexo|ion of Texas and the acquisition of Caftiornia and Now Mexico, have given increased, importance to our Indian reinllunti. The various tribes brought undut nur jurisdiction by tlu'so on lurgcmcntu ol our boundaries afo estimated (o om br .co a population of uuu hundred and twenty-four ihuuHiiul. Texas and Now' Mexico aro surrounded by power ful irtlios of Indians, who are a source of constant terror and anuuyancu to the inhabitants. j Separating into small pcdulury band*, and always mounted, lb y overrun live country, devastating farms,’ destroying crops, driving off whole herds of Cuttle, and occa sionally murdering s ,the inhabitants, or carrying them into captivity. Tito groat' roads loading into (he country ard Infested with thom| whereby travelling Is rendered extremely dangerous, and immigration, is almost entirely afrehled, . Thu Mixienn (rpniier, whioli, by (Hu t fill article ofllibire-ily ul’O'unflulnpv Hidalgo, we aro bound to protect against the Indians within onr border, Is expound to these Incursions equally with our own.' The military lore© stationed in that country (although forming a large proportion of (ho army) is represented as entirely inadequate to our awn protection ontf the fpriilmpnl of our treaty sllpulatinna with Mexico.' The principal dclinioncy is in aaVitlryi'arrd 1 recommenrHlMlCoiiftresitshould, nl as.early a period us practicable, p'roktdu for the raising of one or more legimcpts of mounted men. For further suggos'iohs on this subject, and others connected with our domesticinterests and the defence of our frontier, I refer you to the report of the See retary of the Interior and of the Secretary of War, I commend also to, your favorable ronsjder »lloD (he suggestion coqUjnod In the last mentioned re, 1 port, and in the letter of the General. lo the establishment of an akyldin for Iho relief of i dls ibled and destitute soldiers. This subject appeals i so strongly to your sympathies, thul It would be an- i perflnmts in me to say.any thing more than handy i to express my cordial approbation of. (ho proposed! j Object. • , , I Thu navy continues to give protection ip our oom* | mer'eo and other national interests in Jho different , quarters of the globe, and, will) the exception of a | single simmer on the northern I ikn*. the vessels in . commission are <ll«trlt»dted In six different squadrons, I The report of (l)0 head of that department will j 'exhibit Iho services of llwse sphudrons, and of the 1 •awful vessels employed in. each during the pssl 1 your, 'ti ls n source of gratification that, while (hey ' ’havebeen oonslanlly prepared for any hostile omer- 1 1 genoy, they have everywhere met with Iho ruspoel i ‘and courtesy dtloasWell to the dignity ss to'lhtf; peaceful dispositions and just purposes of the nation. Thu two brigantines accepted by the govern ment from a generous Citizen of New York, and placed tinder the corriniand.ofan officer of the na vy, to proceed to iho Arctic , seas in cjueot qf lhp Jjrhldh .eomttidndeh Sif John Franklin,. and his companions; in cotqpjiance with the act of Con gress approved ih May last) had, Wheh last heard lnto a high northern latitude; but J the success of this noble and humane enterprise is yet uncertain. , , 1 Inviip' your attention to the view of onr pres*! enl naval establishment and-resources presented! in the report of the Secretary of the Nuvy,nnd the suggestions therein made for its improvement* to gether jvlth thanayal policy reepmmepded for the security of our Pacific coast', and the protection and extension of our commerce with Eastern Asia; Otic .facilities for a larger participation In the updo of the East, bj means of our recent settlements on the. shores of the Pacific, are too obvious to be overlooked or disregarded* . The questions in relation to rank in the army and navy, and relative rank between officers of the two branches of the.service, presented to the Kx cutive by certain resolutions of the House of Re presentatives at tho last session of Congress, have been submitted lo a board of.officers in-each branch of ilie service, and their report may bcexpectcdat an early.day.. . I also earnestly recornmrriid the enoe.tmcnl of n law authorizing officers of ilic army a"d- navy fo tin retired from (he service when incbmppteni for it<r vigorous ami active duties, lakingcure to make suitable provision for;those who have faithfully served their country, and. awarding distinctions, by retaining in appropriate commands tlmse who have been particularly'conspicuous for gallantry anq good conduct. While the obligatio .of llit* country to maintain and.hohor {hoBf. who, to the exclusion of other have devoted them* Selves to iis arduous service, is acknowledged, this. obUga<|on should not be permitted to interfere with-the efficiency of. the service Itself. I am. gratified In being eble to state that the es timates of expenditure for the navy in the ensuing year tiro less.hy more than one million of dollars than those of the present, excepting the appropri ation which, may become necessary for.iho con struction of a dock on the coast of - tho\ Pacific, propositions for whirh.are now being considered, and oh which* a special report may bo expected imriy in your present tmssiom , T ois nn eVideht justness In the suggestion >f h<; ante report, that nppropriaiihns-far (ha na val service prdpef Should be separaledTrom those far fixed and pefmanDnt objects—such as building ■locks ahd nafy-yahjdVand the fixtures attac r# <nd from mp extraordinary objects under th c * •f the department, w hich, however important, are not essentially nav&). . . A revision «f the code for the goveffimenl of ihe navy-seems to require tlmimmodiate consideration pf Congress. I is. system of crimes and punish ‘iiHuts had undergone no change for halfacentury, until (he. last session, though its defects have been often and ably pointed out; apd the.abolition of ft 'particular species of corporeal punishment, which I then look place, without providing any substitute, lias left the service in a state of defectiveness which cnlla for prdmp.t correction* I thocefore recommend .that ihs whnlo. subject be rovised without delay, and suqh a system established ft the enforcement of ,discipline os shall be at onto humane effectual. J > •* The accompanying report of Ihe Postmaster (Jenoral presents a satisfactory view of the opera tion® and 6on(ftiion of that department. . At the close of the lust fiscal year, the length of ihe inland mail-routes in .the.united Stales (i"' 1 embracing the aervicVjn Oregon and California) wart one hundred nnd seventy-eight thousand six hundred and sovenly-two miles 1 ) the annual trans portation thefeon fofty-slr hundred und fortyione thousand loiir hundred and twenty ihrce milesj nhd Ufa'annual cost of such transpor tation two,n)iUion.Beyen hundred and twenty-four thousand faur hundredland iwonty-six dollars. The oT.thq qnnhal .transportation over that of ijin preceding ypar vrqs, three million nine hundred drtd 1 ninety-seven thousand three hundred and fifty-four niilesi and <the increase in cost wus ;hh*e hundred and forty-two thousand four himdftd and forty dollars. . 'flie number of post offices in (he United States on jhe first day of July last was eighteen thousand four hundred nnd seventeen— bnlng an Increase pfl sixteen hundred and sevemy during theprcceding year* , , , Tho grd e revenues of the department for the fWcnl yi’iir ending June'3o, lBy<b amounted loivo million fiv£ hundred am) filly-two thousand nine hundred and seventy-quo dollars and for cents, including ilio annual appropriation of two hundred thousand dollars for thu franked mutter ot tho departments, and excluding the foreign post ages collected fpr find payubloto the Units!) gov. ornniont, r l’ho expendllpres for the same pctlodwefo five mlilion two hundred and twelve thousand nine hundred and fifty-three dol Iris and forty-three conts—leaving a balance of revenue over expendi tures of three hundred and forty thousand and eighteen dollars nnd five cents* I am happy to find that the fiscal condition of the Department is such aa to justify the Postmas ter Utmuml in recommending the reduction \ our inland letter postage to three coots tho single let ter, when prepaid, and fiyo roots when not pre. p\ld, i-lu also recommends that tho prepaid rate shall bo reduced to two cents, whenever the revenues of .tho Department, after tho reduction, shall exceed"its expenditure by more thaj» five per > cent, for two consecutive years; that tlio postage ui*nn Californlpand other letters sent by nurbeeao strainers shall be rhuuh fodt'tced; and that the rates : ot postage oh.rtowspbpers, pamphlets, periodicals, 1 and oihei 1 shall bo modified, npd 1 some reduction thereon made. Vi( , , > ft cannot bn doubled" that tho proposed reduotl %is 1 will, for the present, diminish thu revenues (■ iiel depiirtmcnt. It is belipvnd that the deficie«7, after the surplus already pccuinnliiied*shall no ex fiaustnd,- may he almost Wholly met cither by abolishing the existing privileges of sending freq matter through (he matld, nr by. paying out of the treasury to ■ tlio Post Olfino Department a..shut * quivalenl to ;lhe postage of. which it is ilepriyeu hy such privileges. Thelsai is supposed tq, lie the preforiiiifo mode, and will, if m»t entirely, so nearly supply that deficiency as to make any fur. liter appropriation.that may he found neocgsnry.so inconsiderable ns to form'no obstacle to the propo. ned redumrons, . • !. I phtertain no doubt of IheatUhoriiy of (Torigress to m.te for (Coding objects in that class of public wnrft«cmnpr(»fpgw(iiil are ysOally called Works nf interim! improvement.' This an- thorjty I, suppose to bo derived chiefly from the power of regulating commerce with foreign na tions and among the States- and the power nf lay ing and collecting imposts. Where commerce is' to be carried on, and impostscnllected.therotmißt he ports and harbors, os \vell as wharveg and eus lom*hnU&p?. If ships, laden with valuable car goes, approach tho shore, or sail along tho const, light-houses are necessary at suitable points for! the protection of life and property.•’ Other laciU ties and sfci)r)Uea for commerce and navigation are hardly tens important; and tlmao clauses of tho constitution, therefore,; to which I hyvoysferred [have redelfod,from tho orjgiin of tho ghvorniucnlj ATnobPEkißßWl^ a liberal and beneficjal. cop3lruQli.on, -.Not; oply bare lighi-KollOes» buoys,and beacons been ©slab*, lished, arid floating lights maintained', but harbors" Hare been cleared and improved, ptbra constructed, ' afill evep breakwaters for the safety of shipping*.' and sea-walls to protect harbors from being filled 1 up and rendered useless by the action of the ocean* ( haye- been erected .at. very great expense.' And | this construction of the constitution appears the more reasonable from the consideration‘that if I these works, of’SUolr.evident Importanceand util-, 1 ity, are hoi to jbo.Qcoomplished by Congress, they’ cannot be accomplished at all*. Bythe adoption: of the constitution,jthe.seyeral Stales voluntarily: parted with the .power of collecting duties of!!ra-2 posts In their own pons; and it is. not tq expec ted that they should ralqe . money by iniernal tax ation, direct or. indirect, for the benefit of mat cpru- mercei tho revenues derived. from which.do..n6l #( blthefln whole oMn pari, go into thdr'own 1 suriesi. Nor do I porceivoanydiirefence between* Ihe powet ofCotigress to. make appropriations for ’ objects ofthlb klhd on the ocean and the power to' i make appropriations for similar, objects on lake* • and rivers, wherever they are large enough ,Iq beat « on their waters an,extensive traffibi The magnl i Hcent Mississippi and its irihutarlos, andihevast lakes of the North and Northwest, appear to rna to fall within the exercise'of the notyer. nsi' jhSlljr and as clearly as the ocean nnd the Gulf of Mpxlm co.' It is a mistake to regard ‘expenditures, judi*? ciously made for theao objects as expenditures fof 9 local.purposes. Tho silo of iho,work V( . is necessarily local; but (ta utilityls'general., elilp.canal orpund the falls of St. Wary,’ of iesft than a mile In length, though local inilsednstfbe’-* lion, would yc,t bn national in its nurposo ahditis benefits,it would remove the .bply obstruction to a navigation, of more than.a thousand miles, affecting several plates, nfc.tvcll as our cotnrpeicial relations* 1 with Canada. So, too, the breakwater at the mouth* of the Delaware is erected, hot for the exclusivities ndU of bordering on. tho bay-and .river of, thqt namS, but, for-that of the whole coastwise navi gation of n lhb tJnilcd Stales, and, to a considerable Oxtehitmlso, of foreign commerce. If a fjT l»« , t&dt r on (bo bnr’at -tho entrance of a southern port for want*; oF;sdlUi;h)nt deptb of water, it is very likely to-bo;,*, nortjnjyh ship*, bnd if a steamboat bo sunk in any^part of tho' MtepibHippi, on account of its cldmtjel not hovV ing been properly cleared of ohslructloha; ilW|ny , ho’ a boat belonging to cither of eight dr ten' Statcs.-vyo may add, as aoipowhal rbmaikablo, that among all* itye. ihirty-ono Slates, there is none that la npt«' ; greater or less extent, bounded on the ocean, or the. Gulf of Mexico, or one of (he grcat'Taket, or-eohie navigable riter.' . :‘i In fulfillingour constitutional duties, jyioW'cJti-, tens, on this subject, as in carrying Into, «U other powers conferred by the constitution.,'we should,* consider ourselves as. deliberating «p4acting frfr‘botf' and the some country, and bear; constinlly. iriHiniod that pur regard and our duty arS duehot to,a partis cular part only, but to the whole. . , tl ~ t . I therefore recommend that appropriationsbe made a for completing such works as have b6en already be*.* gun, and fot commencing, such others' as may seen** to the wisdom of Congress to bo of public arfd gene ral impotence. .... ‘ : Tb'o difficulties and delays incident In the seuTb^ 1 ment of private claims by Congress amount m many ' cases to a denial of justice Thorp is reason' prcfiend that many unfurtunaUj,ci;cdilorß pf.jbp ornmqnt have, thereby been unavoidably rolnecT,—-, Congress has so iouoh business of a public ctfarad.' (etj.ffiaf ilds.lippossUdo it should give roOctyliUen-* (ion to mere prfvats c/ufm«;’ and their accumulation is now,so great, thsl many d -imants must, despair, of ever being aide (o obtain a bearing. may well bo doubted whether Congress, from Ihejftture of tyk: organization, is, properly constituted (6 decide upcVi such cftscs/ it id impossible that each member should, examine tho merits of claim on which ho 1$ ’ compelled to vote; and it is preposterous tO-nsk 4 judge to decide a case which ho (ms never heard;-*-!* Such decisions may, and frequently roust, do injut* r li.ee either to the chiimont or the governmoAl;,ond>l pefcciye no better remedy for this growing evil thshj the establishment of some tribunal to adjudicate Vp* ’ on such cluima. I keg leave,therefore, moat respect fully to recommend (hot provision bo fndile'hy'Uw* for the appointment of acqmimssiuQ to settle all pri** vote claims against tho United Stales; and,as an ear. parte hearing must in all contested.eases ho very un- 5 satisfactory, I .also recommend tho appointment of'a solicitor, whoso duty ft shall bo to represent ihe-gbv-* ernment before , such' commission, and protect Ml* against a|l illegal,fraudulent,or unjust cJaims whlch* l inay lip presented for their adjudication,! , This District, which hqs neither voles nbr vole .your (folihcratfunSi’looks to you for protection arid aid; and 1 commend all its wants to your favorable* consideration, with a full confidence that :jmi'will; meet them not ouly with Justice, but wjtli liberality,' It should bo borno in mind (l|n( jn thlg oily, jqid out; by Washington, and consecrated by Ida name, Is culod (lie Cspilol of our nation, Uio emblem Union, and the syiphpi of our greatness, Ifdro, also, ‘ are situated all tho public buildings necessary Ibr tho* use of the government, and ,all these aro exempt fr-pm « taxation, ‘ft, should, 1 bo the prido of Americans to, render (his pU6o attractive id the people of (he whole' republic,- and convenient and safe for the transaction* lof the public bufljtics's and the preservation of tho < public records., 'fho govcfmpcnt should, lb^r«fure t « [hear a liberal proportion .ofthe burdens of al| sary and useful. Improvements. And l as' lt nothTn|f r could contributu more to the health, comfoMj.shtr saioly oftlic c|(y,und tho security of tlio public build* ings and iecord H i than pn abumlqnl supply of-poro.. water,- I respectfully fccoihmuud that you make such provisions tor obtaining the sumo as in youPwisdutu you may deem proper. ti > The v<;t p.isscd nhy'odr last flesslori, mbkjpg certain > propositions to Texas for settling the ilispulcd bniind. ( ary between (hat Stale and (he Terrliory : of Now Mexico, whs immediately,on its passage, transmitted J , by express to , the, governor of Texas, to bo .laid by him buforq the general assembly, for lit agreonj e d^ 4 - thereto.' |li receipt was duly achnowlcdgod. bijit np 4 oQlciul information has, jtef beon or (|/q ac* l lion of Iho general assembly thereon i ll may, ho#** . yur, be very toon expected, as, by tho terms of thn. propositions submitted, they were to hqv« beqp, acted' upon mi or before tho Aral day of the present monll^ It was hardly to have been fexpecled lli.it those* 4 rief of measure* passed at your test sesiionVwfth th&* view of honliiig.llio sectional dilVerenoos which liad' sprung from tho tlawry and Urriioriul qoesdona, should al'opqq have roslixed tboir beneficent purpdfe, , All inv\\tal, concession in the nature, of.A w oojnpio«? mibo.miibt necessarily bo unwelcome to men of ex*. ' (rmne opinions; and,'though wlthnbt such cuncesslbnt our oonsliidtiun onuld not have’ been ,forme,d,'atia cannot tie permanently sustained, yct.wo hfcvwvpeftf them made thosubjf-cl of bitter controversy, sections oi t|io republic. U required inanytnuaiht of ditcq»Bion,ut|d deliberotlon to secure tlia qoncur*' renpo of, a majority of C wtgrtat in’llioirftvqr, »’||i would be slr.ngo U thyy r*UWed I whhim* ) mudiaie approbation by ipopte and States prHmJHlft and heated by the exciting cpnlrovetalu* of their rt. preaentaifves. 1 bclievu tbofo measures In Wo born required by the circumstances nnd condition pf fh*. country. 1 believe limy wqre ncoMsmirv tosltevss* jwnl\ca and Huiinosilica that were rapidly alfcniuln# on V seoiioii of tho country tromauoihci,tind dCstroA mg those fraternal eemimenta wbfrh arc the sirhnii csl supports of the oimbtltatioiV. They-worc a'doptedT in the spirit ofi oohclir»llon, and for the ndfpbfrof j concilhilton. I UpM a great majority of w\w (follow Citizens sympathize in that-spirit and th«t I purpose, and in the main approve; and aW jin all respects to sustain tliise enuotmenta;''l dsi^? r not douht that the American pmp)c, bound, totalhaei by kindred blood and common tra^ii(one,siMi,p/*^}yjfl Ih paramount regard for Iho ibe/r |atlipr^ v aod tlmr they are ready to, tobuke ' * [C’ortfllijrtZ e». f / I ouWA : Papi\y- 1 ,: -* -.1 i 5 •i. 1 'V NO. 27. > -■■'■■l-
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