. "..J.-..... .
An uppropriatlAidr 'ij!l'.oo,oo°''.l)"virig to I tiXas. By the terms . of the contrail'
been pruned., nt the, last , se - isien for the .hy,which that State, was toli.pitted into the
' aurehliVe of A .'suitable site; end, felt the...Unit:in, she retained the ownership of al
'' ' ' t lands within her limits. Tia
. nrectidg Ilif(liShing; And'fitting uponf, an the is, neon .
Asyl t reiet the
,lestme of,' theo Distrio; or - government of that State, it is understood
pu.i . ndvunce, lays iC I f ' ..., -. , '
/ e 1
ColturpO, and ole '4fetty and Navy of lies assigned no portion of her terr i itery to l.l
the ti n it e i,i4tates,,the,prepor muse res have the Inditins.i.bnt:ns fest,ns befsep etc . : .
been edppteti t9ct!e,F.Y., thls I)eneficellt tritti COpntici , hn '
pose inlo,,:tiffeett- •
~ ,
By iftp)a`tT* , hil•Vices from the Mexican .rminifeelly , 'intl§!. titA. o 69 . : 1 '''lll -e 6
ICM to
Boundir , Y•CortuniSsion it appears that the irritate the Indians, but to coi l lip;
BUP/6; ar , the' river Gila ; .from its,cOnflu;' , reSell to plunder for subsistetidt_a_l_so.
• . en ee.ivithAli'd,COlorado - te ita.aupOV.sed hl'• dePrives this government o . l ,i t a
, t ':', li n ic u l e i `t,' o e
tcrsection with the western' title' cif New 'and coritel
, ever . them,. q is ii be i,s vc r eit
MeXicci has . beeffilleeiripletaill'..!The purvey durable pb r ucre , can..ovel us ...
t therefore,
of ther lido G'randelitesalsobeenknished.to thorn and the whites ;
- own interests,
the point irgteedietr :by the ComnrisslenerS. that a due
..regayd,,
.P A r s of humanity and .
as "the poittetbe!be, it's4 . 4,llio sntithe'in epart from Consieterat
A nt State to assign a'
1 ,14 4.-indaFvast domainfor the'
boundary of .N.e.w. Mexico?? toa puint.one justice
of the small run t ,
huntlfesi nod thirty tßilp holow F,rtgll o snaall portion . , , of4 cy
Pass, Vviii'll' iSabotitlwo-thirds
,q,the d is- ' orevisional , °9 siin , lier. borders; subject,
timed Clow , ilte cet.l4 of :the river . to its:pante urtFrioef. . ~ •••• . . .
(),, riCISUIp Attu eventeat
v, ,ii,o. , ~ , , , , , , I
i.
Mouth • , • •. • - . I)l ) Course , t. l n' 1 hldf I t d '
-ie,We • •.: .• . It , i. , 6 , ~. . T.ls iqt,,P l, l •4 1 . 0 ,, 0 MI §,
Tire tippr , priatieer wlrich was,, made at jurisviettok p c okv, treaty stipulations
th"l4.l,B,bsssl°l-I,?r:clygress for the Comet- die fulfly
0, and' our duty i .to the - Indians
tlatioriAT 'tlio , sei'vey is subject: to theffii- with Mi 3 ,, „volt it is ceared,, f becorne a
lowin,,r , Rre in 'vl i fc!L ~i • t d -1 9m5r soriou3 embarrassmeot to . :,he
"PACNTV,That no ~part of this , aepro- .sobjs ruiu. It is hoped, howeverolut
priatfeiti sltao:.he•used pr,,expencled until t it 'o,feh• aodjustprovision by Texas, may
shalt be rust e, sausflacteilly to appear icy,.
7 rt this evil:
`Me Prir.istld.itOr ihe United Stated that the IN .
.it.. (. I , ~
Southern Boundary of New Mexico is, nynade at the two last sessions of Congress.
c-stabliAheg.by the,commissioner and s. The cause of this, omission is, probably, to,
firyur , pe 4 (he United States t , fiirther 12 §, be found in a growing belief that the sys
of the fd4yrs ealled'Paso' thati,ih s i'i§ teen of fortifications adopted in l81.c.; and
laid' .doWii in Disturneil's neap,' V 1
' aeretofore acted on, requires revision.
„tj , Ito
ridded c(We treaty.' ~ , A/ I tVet, The subject certainly-deserves fall,and
Itly l 4tention was,
.drawn toll; of the; careful invesligation ; but it should not be
fly a l report; from.. thp Pep (nets (*nets
e ? 8 t"! delayed longer than can be ,aveided. In
I•ntenor, Irliicli reviewed ' decision ' the mean time there arc certain works
fire pOi:,,PA,(I
.Submitted / cit.-, which have been' commenced—some of;
the etT h ttp l a . i%'hether, lilappropriation I theta nearly completed•- , —designed to pro
tunistancesopy part Opended fertile tect cur principal seaports from Boston to
could
,belawlelly. used work. Alter °jNew Orleans, and a few other important
furtikr, pro;seetien Aire subject, I . ca nie,, points. In avail() the necessity of these
earefo'r,qpitsid9rat), it emild out, and so', Nvorks, it is believed that little difference
43'11.1)9,91911c,in5!e11, f`tia(DePartment.—
~', of opinion exists attiring military men. 1
ittfoiried the Viately,iviedyy him to i therefore, recommend that the uppropria.
Ordelrvvre,•,,rted ;,suryeyor to intilqi, / tions necessary to prosecute them be mode.
theeosnints!sitioris,c , n.the,i) , : :earintent,.. ~l iuvita your atteutionto the remarks on
fity fOrtkriot be paid;„,aecl to ,clisco , n 7 -
A/ this subjeet, , and on others connected'with
--- 19 they iritioes,on the,soiither* line ol,! this Department, in the accompanying re-
Op,
s , lint as the • Pepartment had, port of the Secretary of War.
Ne .I,,ilferrnation es to, theArnotnit ofi, Measures have been talten to carry into
iftti : ffid . ,i - cortyy Winer) remained un- I effect the law of the last session making
O.AP itke}roads of tac t commission-:
:provision for rho improvement of certain
,:s,LlF,lip,y9r , it was Jeri oisoroiboaryi rivers and harbors ; and' it. is believed that
,! • pril l to ,tonticue the surVeydewn the'arrunoemonts made • for that purpose
' I!,ll9,,Q,rande As car satire means lit their' Willoombine efficiency with economy.— i
'"4l)sll.)vi?,lAld eatdile them, , or at once, to'
net was
Owing to the advanced season when the
eisban -the Coniission, , A special nibs- l t . p assed, little has yet beep done in
I
f!elsooFAtto.wpt? , arrived from the,officcr. regard to many of , the works •beyond ma
k charg /of the.eurSY en ; the,rtyer, ,With king the necessary ; ; preparations. With
the i?xfo r trat*iiati c tliat the f,oCils sohject to' respect ton few of the improvements, the
iris 1954 weree;;ltanstpd ? and that
,tho l ,serns, already appropriated wilt suffice, to i
" ifi ctrsP ll 4 c4e! . enWloYrit! in tii 99r,yi0e,icom(ilete them, but,most of them will re
tvere_dest,itute rilke of the means, of .pros-lquire additional appropriations. I trust
ecup.ng,thre, work., and yr returning to •their 1 that these appropriations will be Made,
floralq, • i .) ~ , , , land that this,wise and beneficent policy, so
The : ,olijeet Of4e proyieo was doubtless / auspiciously resumed, will be confined.
lo• Ltlr.it. the, survey- ol' n the souther:nand Great care should be taken, however,
tt stern lines of' New Mexico, in regard tol to commence no work which is not of suf.
whie.ti, di f fferent opinions,baveheon eXpres-Ificient• importance to the commerce .of the
igedijOrit, is,.hardly ,to,he suppoeed that /country. to be, viewed ill national in its
they' 4
~ IFfi bp , !XIV , objecticp . 4,1' thatpart of' character. But. works which have been
ihe . eie l; m,ihif,h.exterids along the channel commenced should not be discontinued
of)0, ; Kip. Grand; , - But the terms:or the until ,completed, as otherwise the sums ex
i ittw pre se broadas, to forhid..the use of: ended will-, in most casea,,be lost.
ackpart,ef the money for the oresepytion 1 The report from the Navy Department'
of thol s4ork, or even 'for the pap - tient ? , fo•, i will inform you of the
.prosperous condi,
the officers and agents, of the,arrearagesition of the branch of the public, service
of pnylllieh,nrepstly due to them. , , I . committed to its charge. It presents to
rearnestly invite ye4 r ,P r Pr fl P t qtqPiiPlllyettr .consideration many topics and KT•
.
ler the sullittet, pod recommend a trietlifiea .7 gestiene of. w hich .1 ask your approval. It .
Lien of ni
the ters'Of . the,previso,sp : ns,toi . exhibiteart , uousoal ,•degree of activity in
enable the,yepartment to use as much of the operatioos, ;of the Department during
the appropriation as will be necessary to the poet year. ~The preparations for the
discharge the existing obligatimis of, i thei,4aptin expedition,. to which I liave,already
Government, and to ..conpplete the,,surrpy i alluded;.' the .arrangements made for the 1
of the Rio. Grande tp,its flout . h.„ 1 . „ , 2xplorption , and survey of the China Seas,'
It will also . he proper to make-further the , Northern Pacific, and Bearing's
i f
provision by law for.,tbe fulfifment of, our Straits : the incipient measures taken to ,
treaty with Mexico fer, rtinniog,and map! wards a reconnuisance of the continent of
king the residue of- the boundary line be-; Africa. eastward of Liberia ; the prepar
tween, the two epuotries., . ~., ~ - lotion for nu early examination of the trib
gerrniporito.huyite your oaf : Li - cute rotten- I entries, of the river La. Plata, which a w
hen to theoptere l sts of,, the pisttict of Cokicent decree elf the provisional chief of the
Ornbut,.iNhicli,arc,e,onfided ~by the Conan- ',Argentine. ,Confederation has ; opened to
intioe O t .yoprpcculp4 care.,,,, . , ~ .„ ;• navtgation ; all these enterprises, and the
rig; OW' irtilAslires ":biell,s.CPl ll , ! 1 ?; 11- ic- ',meting. by , which they are proposed to be
of 9 gipte4 iprpor4we to,its , prosperity ,ficciaroplished,' . have commanded my full
are i theyitroduetion of a copious sopely, of, 'approbation, and have,' no doubt, will be
water ,int the city., of Ay:ashiogiorr,;and, produotiveouf most usefuLresults; ~ • --,;,
, fiuiVist'fPc.t°9 r?( 811 40 1 ,S lqidgq§,ifFSessi. Two officers of the .Nnyy were hereto
ib9aVSPl794c2Pi TeßisiFe those. which were, fore:instructed to eNplore,thelivhele extent
dev[Tßy i etl : by high gate; , tin ,the, early, part or the Lirtrz.ou •rive r,;_from, the confines , of,
et - the present year.,., -~,,, „ 1, Peru: to its, mouth. • -.Tim , return•of One ofi
Atta t AitOl t iro,sißilif4) c.ciPg.N4§ 9 An ap ! - them: has vpltutod , in,the pos . session of . the
premtiett,, , ,,affntitte u todefray, the ex - pen- Governenent en interesting, rand valuable.'
sea of the surveys neeessa.ry,.fpr, .deterrnin- account of the character and , resources - of:
nig the licst,means of affording,an Wail- i a country abounding ini-the:materials , of
'Ong supply of good Rnd,. win:despot(' mater.,' , commeree, had whichflf opened lobe in-
Sow, progrem has been made in the,tair• I dutitey.ofithe worldovill prove:nninotinus-,
sey, and as 'soon as it
,is i comple,tedithp, rp- - 1 table fondle! . wealth. The, repoil -of thi4
• • soft willk„)?idbeflirc you.. ~ , ~ , , . exploration will, he , :communicated to, you
' Purther..apprepriations will also be rm.'
;, A
as soon as it is completed. . i .. '
tessary for grading / tied payjng the, streets mong uther.,•,.stibjectS• offerodi-to , ,yotir
I
told ,ilVlll,..pod enclosing ;and ,e'rnhel- notice, by the-Seereturyof the Navy; I.su-',
tithing the puhlic.,grounds,within the city Ilea for special commenclation,..in,view of
ocll l 9;as l kip,gtern : „. ,- ~, . 1., ;,;;,.- -. . ; 1 -. 1 iks: :connexion mith ' ,thepinterests ofahe, na,
i s l orrKill)„o,,,olijeets,,.tegether . .,Vyti..the plan,fiebraitted;byi bitn for the es.
• ivA, , lffeAaritah ll.-.o leinstitutiens,of, the ,pi§.), thblishment °file , permaneot •• cerps;of son.
trtzt f „tqa,tti, faverAlile remtsrd, .... , • .. . . ,; ; Menottntl;tlte.stlggestions:lierhas presented I
, . .
....r.Frif149,1941,h11-,119.ep made, to, prOteet .for the re-organizationiaf • the Navel Ann,-.1
nt !A_ ealk4r3ili!l94l l4 . t fir ttIP Adickinit?g,44l . ,detny.. , 0 ..1.;(;o; iI. : i , , • - , ;',,.; ~ ' i
1 (19,,,W41911,.. Arena I th.P.4,tcarliOSl 9 „Or,thalin , , ,An reference to 'the. first of these' Linker!
dillw t iligs 7 .4,f,,eliout, ~1,1,09 Q,, men, ,of Occasion to say .? that ll..think it.wilßgreittly,
ivtl,IPM Mr.q3y,.ja ecimposOd, : pearly,g,9,p(t o iTprpv.e the .efficiielley,Of:the'-service, , and
are, Tr . rtym:l ,Ift the .defence °tithe tie#lp that 1 regard.itos.stillnere entitled.to fa
. .
Ago ,Rry,ito,r,y,,,Oncluditig TOxas,) and: .v,tir tbr,itiul, , salOtary:influence it must , exert
of e i rants proceeding. thereto. I art?-.9ort the,:nnvartliseipline, now greatly dis.
gtfthqn 4!?-1 s 1 1 Y+ Og .4 1 9Pe. efforts, haye,becn 1 tutbed liy the ' increasing ispirit Oinsuber t :
6 111 1 - , Aug fe,e 6 .10 1 . : . .,w - gb,th,..,,,,,ti0,,,, a inationi. resulting” from ,our present sys
. .
. bl ,R O IYM.P9II 4"lo l) ,T94 l 4ingliliforola ancL , terrii.:•iThe plan proposecliforthenrouni ,
(41fs h ata ..'neeasignal. i tleptedatioriseo a tion of 'the seamen, furnishes a judicious
pOrpoc,, elf, i thc„4..ie„Grande,,iotving,,,jt, i s , S u bstitut e r h i
,or ,1.0 . law: of September;llBso,
„ . • ' btllieXgq,o9, 4'0:444 ri?"' 5ate.,9/0g 41"1. 1 4bolishing :corporeal ipunishment,.andiant-:
de f fi l ititgr the keypads . ,oc.tbejudien t s,haye i. isfeeturily, , Oustains thepolicy' of , that act;
hew. 0n.9/1 1 YrireP'4994•Nii 1.e.. ,:-.)i „If,. anderiecinclitioan , wellitulapted.to maintain
.
. y ri iimrtmcp, p, i p t ,# T y rAi i i h q w 9 ypr,,,,ciro,tht,,tkutliority bf;.. : Comrpattd, undithe 'order
ty,kpmr4hc,py,ct,,facs4t. t ft.rp ~brcottghk AO) :,4nd ,security. Cof tour ships. ;,' It ii believed.
to
j tit e 94 c q k isto n ,o 4 l,,ip p y,i 4 bl;y,, oc citr,trri,spthnt. any change! which 'proposes perms.
er
wpirr o pt.,4 g l ogt, g t4 ll)§l9 9 At A ktfrimil ,pently:tp4ispluisd :with, this mode; of pun.:
--•• • '" . fits,i ll :4Y9-"eli k etlll lYflsOtullitrt.PnOiett9 ftf ) isimetitii Ithould I bewpreceded by a system
;,. • tlrir„ er,c)P.R.' 'Kilt fl.;e2iCiuSlNP.neeepatiOo.:,ol;eoliptirneitt*hich shallsupply. the 'navy
1 1
„ .. ; , ,
'.:-,, . ' 6 I)%misioptorAerp. v if i t Aligqqll•PPeursfiTiolictiganletrof the most meritariOuselties;
N ., ..• . ,
, . . however, in the applielktho 41 ~i mpoAry,ivnose good deportmeht atul..pride,nrehttJ
EME=I
- = -.-r......
~
il racterillaY preclude all.occasion for a ro
i.
rsor t o penalties an harsh or degrading
,
C rw tre. The safety of a ship and lierA
t. i
r tINV is•often dependent upon' immediate)
bediei r e to a command, and the aut,,ho 4 :-.
...
lty to eliforce it muot be equally readyi,
TheAr.r4t era .refractory'sparin i in dao,l) .
Luot - 40S; nOI;only depriVels t he Ship Ofin
disPepsple oidi l ibut!JmPotes a ilecassiiy
or double sq . i,Viee,bnOthers,.whose fidelitil
to' their duties may be relied upon in such I
an emergency, The exildsure to this in-1
' creased and aduous labor, since the pass
age _oftho,nci,or i lBso, has already ; fled, to
'a most ' observable and injdriouS 'c:`vent, the
eflect of preventing the enlistment of the
'best seamen in the navy., ,The plan now .
suggested is designed' to prothete a cOndi
. Lion, otservice ha. which. this_objection. will s
'no? longer exist, : ,The cletails : of this, plan
' may he,es,tabli,shel grent,part, if,notal-, 1
together,, by
t the ' Excctiti ye, under the, an-.
ti/oily : of extstinglaWs; ,Imt I. have : tl\o't
jit.proper, in accogarice,with,the St l igges r ,
non' pl the ,ed,re.tric l of 'the Navy',lto.stibr
'mit it,to yourapprOval.
Tito, establishoient of a corps of qppren- 1
tires for : the navy, or, bpys to be enlisted
: until they hecome of. age, and to be em
: plpyed antrer'sech regulations as ffislNTavy
Department may devise, as prope'sed in
the report, 1 cordially approve, and com
mend to, yout, consideration ; and I also
concur in Cie suggestion that this system, i
for the early training . of seamen, may be,
most usefulk engrafted upon the service,
of our merchant marine.
The other 'imposition Of t the report to
which I have referred—the :reorgainiza
non of the Naval Academy—l recommend
to your
~attention as a project worthy of
your,encourtigement . and support. The .
valuable services.already rendered liv this
institution entitle it to the continuance of :
your fostering ctiiT.
Your attention is respectfully called to
the report pf the .Postmaster General,"for
the detailed operations .of his Department
during the lust fiscal year, from which it
will be seeri k that the receipts from postuges
for that time were less, by $1,431,690,
than lot the preceding fiscal year, being i
a decrease of about 23 percent. I
This diminution is attributable to the re-
Auction in the rates of postage made by the
act of. March 3, 1851, which reduction'
took.effect at the commencement of the
last fiscal year. •
Although in its operation during the last
year the act referred to has-tiot fulfilled
the prediction of its friends by increasing
the correspondence of the country in pro
portion to-tlio reduction of postage, I should
nevertheless question the policy of return
ing to, higher rates. Experience warrant?
theexpectation that, as the.community be
comes accustomed to. ,cheap postage, per
respondence will increase. ft is believed
that, from this cause, and from the rapid
growth of thb country in population' and
business, the . receipts of the department
must ultimately exceed its:expenses, and
that the country may safely, rely 'upon the
oontinottoto or the present 'cheap rate of
postage. ,
: In former messages I have, among:wil
-1 or things, respectfully recommended to the
Iconsidvralion of 'Congress the propriety .
Viand necessity of further legislation for the
'protection and punishment of foreign con'- ,
sul,s 'residing intlia Unit&l Stdtes ; tore
' vivo with certain 'modificatiOns . the act of
10th March, iB3B, to restrai n unlawful
military expeditiolis against the inhabitants
cf cenferniihou States or territories; for
the preservatien and' .protedtien from mu-
I tilatibh oi:theft of the papers, records, and'
archives of the nation ;`-foe Etuthoriting the
surplus revenue to be applied to th 3 pay
ment of the pudic debt in advance of the
tirrie when it will become duo; for the es•
tablishment of land offices, for the sale of
the public lands in Californiaaridllie.Ter
ritory of Ore b ,i , on; for the cen4i~iietion of
a read, fro the Mississippi plley. to the
Pacific ocean; f 0 the cstablistini6nt cf a '
bureau of agriculture far the promotion of
that interest, perhaps the must important
in tho'centitry; for:the' pieventiou of frauds 1
upon the Government in apOications for
pensionS and bounty lands; for the estab
lishment of a uniform fee bill, prescribing
a specific',compensation for every service .
requireirOf 'clerkS, district attorneys, and
- rrairShals; for antherizing fin addltienal.
regiment of mounted men, for the defence
I of our frontiers against thelndiahs, and for
I fulfilling our trentfstitainitinns With Mex.
lice to' defend her 'eitiien's eghiiist . the' Indi
ren§"witietinal 'diligence and energy as
our owh '' for determining the relative'
Tank between the naval and civil crfficers,
in net. public ships, and between. the offi-'
cerS'of the Army and Navy tn the various .
grades 6f,each ;* for reorganizing the naval
'establishment' by fixic, , * the number of offi
! eel's in each grtrde, and o.cvding' for a re-!,
tired list up'on reduced . pay of therseltinfiti
for active duty'; fort the appiiintinelit of a
comtnis4ion to 'revise the public statutes of
the United ,Strites, by arranging them - in
order, ' isupPlyink' decienbies,Pcorrecting
incongruities, sirnplifyinu b their language;
and repoitingthoin to eotigres's forite fe-
I nul tidiidn'; and for the 'eStablishment.de a
cf;itniniSsion to adjudictite' and fettle pri
!veto 'claims against the'pilled States. I
t dm' not aware, however, l 'that any of these
stthjects' have been, finally tidted tipen I)3r
Congress, • Without r4eating the reasons
for legi3latibn on these . slibj6cts, •which
have becir assigned` in former fnessageg, I
respectfully recommend them again to
yourifavorablo consideration. i ' '• ''
A think itidue to the 'severer , Executive
Departinents Id' tills 'Government to bear
testimony to thol'effiCiendy ' , and integrity
with which they arc conductedp With' all
the 'careful surerintdadenc'e which it is pos.
sible. for thd Headdlof. these DepartMents
to IncerciAc/itill'the 'due administration and
guardianship ofhthe r public tootteiy -mast
very , niuchidepond'on the vigilanecfrintel
ligencei andl;fidelity of tho'intbotdinato'bri.
ficomand olorlisp and OBpetitilly on those
entrusted , ;with tlio , settlement .and adjast-
I tilleVcir clainis , and , Ocaountsi (Unit grit.
!ified'to. ixditiviai thorthokr havo:tonerally
performed their duties faithfully and well
They are appointed to guard the approach
es to the public Treasury, and they occu
py pOsitions that expose them to all the
teirvtatiOns and eeductiort.., which thatu,'
Pi it) . r of peculators 'and fraudulent claim:
aat ,can prompt 160) tc4fnploy, It will
l)& hilt a wise prautieit td protect the.Oro
ilrinent against 'that sbarce of eliSeliief
end corruption, as Air as it can 'be "done,
by the enactment of all proper legalpen-
alties. The laws, in this respect, arc slip
posed to be defective, and I therefore deem
it my duty to, pall, yuur,attentien to i the
subjOet, 'and to rucommbtid' that'provlsiod
be made by law for the punishment not
on.lymCiliese-who shall, accept bribes, but
eke or" thOSe who shtill either promise,
give i .or offer to give to any of those °fn.
e,era or ,clerks a bribe so: „toward touching
or xolating to any matter of their official
,actien.or ;duty. . . ' ,., '/
1 , It-has been the• uniform policy of this,
Poierninent fram its foundation to the pre-.
sent tiny Ito abstain, 'from all' interference
I in the domestic affairs of other nations.—,
The eorisequence has been, that while the
nations of Europe have been engaged in
&saluting wars, our country has. pursued ,
its peateful course to unexampled prosper.
1 ity and happiness. The. wars in which
we have been compelled to engage, in de
fence ()fim rights and honor of the.coun-
try, have been fortunately of short dura
tion.
'During the terrific contest of nation
against nation, which succeeded the French
revolution, we were enabled by the wis
dom and firmness.of President Washing ,
ton to maintain ottr neutrality. :: While oth
er nations were drawn into this wide
sweeping whirlpool, we sat quiet and un
moved upon our own shores. While the
flower of their numerous armies was wast
ed by disease or perished by hundreds of
thousands upon• the battle-field, the youth
of this favored land were permitted to en-
joy the blessings of peace beneath the pa
terns', roof. While the States of Europe
incurred enonnous debts, under the bur
den of which theirsubjects still groan, and
which roust absorb no small part of the
product of the honest industry of those
countries for generations to come, , the U
nited States have once been ennabled to
exhibit the proud spectacle of ft nation free
.'from public debt; and, if permitted to put. ,
sue our prosperous way for a few years
longer in peace, we may do the same again.
But it is now said by some that this pol
icy must be changed. Europe is no long
er separated from us by a voyage of months;
but stearnnavigation has brought her with'..
in a few days' sale of our shores. We
see more of hor movements, and take a
deeper interest in her controversies. Al
though no one proposes that we should
join. the fraternity of potentates who have
for ages lavished the blood and treasure
Of their subjects in maintaining "the bal. l
once of power" yet it is said that . we ou't
to interfere between contending sovereigns
' and their subjects, for the purpose of over
throwing the monarchies of Europe and
establishing in their place republican in.
stitutions. It is alleged that we have here
tofore pursued a different course from a
sense of our weakness, but that now our
conscious strength dictates's change of pol
icy, and that it is consequently 'our duty
I to mingle in these contests and aid those
who are struggling for liberty.
This is a most deductive b - ut dangerous
appeal to . th© genorods sympathies of free
men. Enjoying rts we do the blessings of,
a free government, there is no man who
has an. American' heart that would not re
joice to see these blessings extended to all
other nations. We cannot witness the
ptruggle between the oppressed and his
oppressor anywhere without the deepest
sympathy for the former, and the most
unxiotis desire fur his triumph. Never
theless, is it prudent or is• it wise to involve
ourselves in these forei g n wars : Is it in
deed true that we have heretofore refrain
ed from doing so merely from a degrading
motive of conscious weakness ? For the
honor of the patriots-who have gone before
us, I cannot admit it. Men of the Revo
lution, who drew the sword against the op-%,
prossions of the mother count ry,and pledg
ed to Heaven "their lives, their fortunes,
land their seared honor" to maintain their
freedom, could never have been' lactuated
by 136' unworthy a motive. 'They knew
no weakness or fear where right or duty
pointed the way, and it is'a Irbel upon their
lair three for us, while we enjoy hies-
SitigSlThr which they so nobly fought and
bled; to insinuate it. The truth• is, that
;the Course' which they pursued was dicta
ted by . a stern sense of international jus
tice, by 'a statesman-like prudence and far
'seeing wisdom, looking not 'merely to the
pretient necessities, 'but to the permanent
safety and
. interest 'Of 'the counWy., They
Ittreiv that' the . weirld; is governed less' by
syriipoby ththi reason and' - force';
that it was not possible for this govern
ment to become a "propagandist", of free
principle's without' arrayingagpinst it the,
combined' powers bf Eurcitia ;"find that the'
result mere likely 'nite overthrOW;
of republican' liberty. here, than its estab.'
lishment them . Hister'Y has been written
in vain' for those 'who can doubt this. --= 1
France littd7lo SOoner'eStablishedn repuh-
Hain 'go,lertniOntthan
fested!rt fieltirb• to three it. blessings on' till'
the World. Her OWn 'hieforian informs us
that, hearing of some petty acts of tyranny
neighboring''' princi ality,' "The'
timid COnvention dedlaredthat
'shb would
ntrord it/deer and fraternity ie . illnatintie
‘ 'tviShed' to' Vecover their' liberty
1 4 Oe'gatie it id . Charge exectitiie'
!iiiiwer Ordera I te" the . generalosr
1. the•Freitch;iiiiiiies to aid ell 'elniens whO,
tnight have. Ida' 'or ..Shenld' be' oppressed
'in' thel.Catrib 'Hare'' wrOith6
.fhleentitep ~ whfnh' fed 'tO her stibseline4nnig!
fortinte4:"'. S sone Intiticr: herself,
ed 'war Withinll the, rest' of
lege' than' tett years"hbr:..icsigititnent Wits'
changed rNotiblie icy' an, 000 4
foreign . po'Weri resitiMil•htir explid - OfhtititYi
aria 'find
repose in the unquestioned ascendancy of
monarchical, principles. Let us learn wis
dom; from her example. Let us remem
ber that revolutions do not always estab-
lish freedom. Our own frea, institutions
mit% not the offspring, of our RevOlutit - m.
They :existed Wore. ',Thpy ,Ore planted
to tho free 'Oa rte're':or selkovernment
under which the E4,lish coloaceszrew up;
and ontilbvOlution only, freed us from-did
dominion of n foreign power, whose gov
ernment was at variance wilh those . insti.
tutions. But European nations have had
no, such training for, self-government, and
evory effort to estiiblish it by Ailoo4 revo
lutions has been, and must,, without that
preparation, continue to be, a
. failure.,.—.
,
Liberty, unregulated by law,degenerates
' to anarchy, which soon becomes the'
mast horrid of all despotisms. Our, policy
is wisely to govern, ourselves, andAttle i reby
sqt such an, example. of, nationtil jUstice,l
prosperity, and`true glory, as shall teach
to all nations the blessings,,of self-govern-,
meat, and
.the unparalleled enterprise and ,
success of a free people. ,
We live.in an age of progress, and ours
is emphatically
,a country of progress.—,-,
Within 'the last half century the number]
of States in this Union has, nearly doubled,i
the populatien has nearly quadrupled, and i
our boundaries have beep extended from'
the Nlississippi to the Pacific. OUr terri-1
tory is chequered over with railroads and?
.furrewed witlveanals. 'I he inventive tal
ent of out country is excited to the high
est pitch, and the, numerous , applications
for patents for, valuable improvements dis
tinguish this age and this people from all
others. The genius of one American has
enabled our commerce to move against
wind and tide, and that of another has
annihilated distance in the transmission of
intelligence. The whole country is full
of enterprise. Our common schools are
diffusing intelligence among the people
and our industry is fast. accumulating the
comforts and luxuries of life. This is in
port owing to our peculiar position, to' our
fertile soil, and comparatively spaise pop
ulation ; but much of it is also owing to
the popular institutions under which we
live, to the freedom which every man feels
to engage in any useful pursuir,aecording
to his taste or inclination, and to the en-
the confidence that his persoa and proper.
ty will be protected by laws. But what
ever may be the cause of this unparalleled
growth in, population, intelligence, and
wealth, one thing is clear, that the ,Gov
ernment must keep pace with the progress!
of the people. ' It must participate in their
spirit of enterprise, and while it exacts
obedience . to the laws, and restraints all
unauthorized invasions of the rigfits , of,
neighboring States, it should foster and
protect home industry, and lend its power
ful strength to the improvement of such
means of intercommunication as aro nec
essary to•promoto our internal commerce
and strengthen the tics which bind us to.
gether as a people.
It is not strange, however much it may
be regretted, that such un exurberanco of
enterprise should, cause
.sumo individuals
to mistake change for progress, and the
invasion of the rights of others for nations
al prowess and glory. The former are
constantly cgitating for some change in
the organic law, or urging: new and un
tried theories of human rights. The latter 1 1
are ever ready to engage in any wild cru
sade against a neighboring people, regard
less of the justice of the enterprise, and
without looking at the fatal consequences
to ourselves and to the cause of popular
government. Such expeditions, however,
are often stimulated by mercenary individ
uals, Nvho.expect to share the plunder of
profit to the enterprise without exposing
themselves to danger, and arc led on by
some irresponsible foreigner, who abuses
the hospitality of our Government by se-
(hieing the young •and ignorant to join in
his scheme of personal ambition or re
venge, under the false and delusive pre•
tence of extending the area of freedom.—
These repreheasible aggressions but re
tard the progress of our nation and tar
nish its fair .litme. They should, there
fore, receive the indignant frowns of ev
ery good citizen who sincerely loves his
country and takes a pride in its prosperity
and honor.
Our ConstitutiorOhoug4 not perfect, is
doubtless the best that ever was formed.—
Therefore let every proposition to change
it be well weighed, and if found beneficipl,'
. ,
cau4onsly adopted l Every patriot will re
joice to see its adthority so exerted as to
advance the prosPerity and honor of the
nation, ,whilst he will watch with jealousy
any,attempt to mutilate this charter of our
libertteS, or pervert its powers to acts of
aggression or injustice. Thus shall con
servatism, and progress blend, their har
moniousaction in, preserving the fOrm dad'
spirit of the Constitution, and at ihe ;same
time carry 'forward tha great improve
ments of the epuptry with a rapidity, and
energy, which freemen only can display.
Iu closing Allis, my last tiandal:co,mmu•
nieation, permit me, fellow:eitiiens, to con
gratulate you on, the prosperous condition
of our beloved .Fottntry. Abroad, its rela
tions with all foreign poWers are friendlY;
its ri g hts tan re s pected, and its high place
iri the family of L mitiOn's cheerfully
, rccofr.'
nised. 'At home, we enjoy,' au amount of
haPpines4, 'Public end privaio,'whieb has
prciblitilY neve' , cotton to the lot of any pea=
pie!' 'besides affording to'our owrie4iiens'
a d • edree of uiosperity; of Which 'on so
1 ' ' f ' - '' I I rk r other ' '
ar i ge,a sea e ., , pow 9 no instance,
our country is annually affording a roft,ige.
'
and a home thirialtitddes, altdgether With
out example, from the. Old I WO'rld:
' We Pwo these blessings under Heaven
to Ilia . haPpY, consiitution" end 'Govern,l
meat' which•vTe bequeathed to ;is by our
fhtberS, • and which it is, our sacred duty, '
o' trab.srpit In oil' theW,lntegrlt.V to our
children..'.We roust 4,Consider it 'u rea l
4,stincqnn,arid,piivilege. to hai,ie,been hO..'
eti by tile' , peopie to bear, a part ih th ad=
rninistratl49, — or 601 A. a dovailinea
0464 . by, 41 tisesoe4teedispasittio is'
.‘
\As 'hi g hest 'that at a season .5r erina 'l3.
ment and Maim, I entered:Upen avd.u.
ous duties with extreme diffidence. 'claim tr
only ti have dischUrge'd them to the beseof
an bumble ability, with asingle eye to the
public good ; and it is with devout grati
tudle, in retiring, frotn(otfice, that ,1,. leav e
tote country in a state of , peace and ,pios,
IVIILLARP FIL,LIVIOAP,
wASIIINGITON, Pee. 6, 1E352: ,
CON
Washington, Dec. 10, 1852.
The Senate is not, in nesPlon to-day,
int4ina,,yestertiny aajmumed over 4 601
Monday,
HousE.—The house met at 12 O'clock
Jonrnal reaicand approvett; , „"
On motion.of Mr: Houston, of Alabama,
the House went into Committee or tht .
Whole on the state orthe Union.
',Mr. Stewart 'Of Michigan' thibhair.
Mr. Houston Mesta the clistotraiy ;
elution, referring the different subject9Oft
Op. President's message to-the opfiropriatei .
co,mmittiee. • • ,!;
, Mr. ,Brooks, of New York, moved am
amendment so. as to 'refer. that portion re..
kiting - 40 the Tariff and, question ofßeven.i r.
:tie to 'a special committee, :with power ,to.
Send for persons and papers; and.report
by bill or otherwise.
Mr. Brooks , proceeded to speak in sup
port of the amendmen4 The. Committee
or Ways and Means had too much before
it to give the Tariff proper consideration. .
They had enough to do to get throligh ,
with the appropription bills. Something,'
must be done. His constituents felt.un
easy at seeing twenty millions of , surplus . ,
i n the Treasury.
Thisfund.was constantly increasing.—
The Sub• Treasury was at best w miserly
hoarding up of useless gold. He would
vote for extravagant internal improve
ments, and double the army and navy,
rather than that this accumulation of mon.
ey should continue. It was affecting in.
juriouslv the currency and commerce of
the country. It would not do for Con—
gress to pass a law to go unto - the market ,
and buy the public debt with the surplus
funds. Such a course would raise the
Government stocks twenty per cent. Ba
it' that be the policy of the House let it-his
' known as early 'as possible. The question
was an important one, and most be met by
the Whigs and the opposition'. The'
Whigs of the country must see that if the
i surplus in the Treasury' be not reduced,
when it becomes forty millions-their would
be no power to control the tariff, and such ,
a surplus might indeed effect a general,
l
sweeping away of all tariffs. Among hie
1 tariff propositions, was one for the repeal
H of the duty on iron, and for more specificand
less ad valorem. duties. If the Democratic
party would not meet this' question they
must take the responsibility.- A' change
was in every way desirable to prevent.ex
travagant and wasteful expenditures of the
public moneys.
Mr, Bayly, of Va., replied 'at sores'
length, opposing any action , now. He
thoughtit good policy to pay off the publib
debt with the existing surplus 'and the' itc ,
cumulating revenues. The stocks. , were
worth as much to the Government when
the Treasury is replete as to any body
else.
Messrs. Lockhart and Jones moved
amendments referrirrg the subject to a se
lect committee of seven, with Instructions , '
to report a bill to reduce the tariff to tt. '
strictly revenue standard.
Mr. Woodward, of South Carolina, fol
lowed itr a genera/ speech on the tariff
question, advocating radical free trade.—
le was afraid that the present tariff would
create a commercial revolution by the sur-
plus revenues.
Mr. Brinvn, of Mississippi, asked if a
further valuation would not increase im•
portations, and' thus create a revulsion.
The subject was further debated at some
length ; when without taking tho question.
The House, on motion, adjourned unlit
Monday.
HIGHLY lEPORTANT FROM CALIFORNIA,
Two Weeks Later—Destructive PilttiSflertl
mento City iu bins—Over $2,000.000 in
Gold on the Way.
New
.Orleans, Dec. o.—The Steamship
Philadelphia has arrived here; with Cali'.
,fornia dates :
,to the 10th alt.; . beino tiivo'.
weelcS Inter than ' preitious4dvices.;- . -=
The news is of a Vary' important chi.:
"
"Fhb city Of Sati Francisco and *ilia.
vine hatl bden visited with very disastrons
fires. A large arndant of property was
destroyed.
A terrible "onflagratibii haditaken place
at'SaeramentO City. 'Botbre the'3"fife itfa;t
sabdued, hearty the 'whole city Waslaidin
ashes.
The returns of•the eldetion'in'Cafifornia,"
show that tho majority for Gen Pieteo
b about fifteen thousatia. '
'The steamship Minas' left for '
York with about two and a quar
ter of gold on freight;, and iii the hands or
passongeri.'
The Cievelano : Irpr; iild sayt thtitiheii
fearful November' tetitpeSt whicli . Swe t
overthe chain of Western' laliea lion t
sorrow and descilation io many alien'irt '.
The total number eflives lost will 'frt`biblY`
exceed sixty ; ghost efthein Ann* a I
gulphed in the sur g ing waves 'iOn Luke
Bile' one vesSel 'is ' , known ''to have Bono
doWn, and` not one stni4Vdi to tell:the sad
tale of the' ship Wreck ;''said 4'pro'iellei l frill
frnighted,', l and carrying twenty-five or
thirty 'teranns, has strewithe shorn with.
fragments of het' Wreck ;' - '39i notilivink'
soul survive's' to relate the cause and,niitif- .
ndi of her going' down. ''' ' ' ' ' ' ' yr ' '''
~I I 1 .
Under the head of "A tiey,:r f tbin i g bn the
Ohio," thd l 'Cineinnati . 'Gaziee say4l' dial
• •,,, 0
I gennine fresh shell, oysters, willillloP o
, 'I l e
and sand of Perth Amboy,' still oho ill to,,
them, and the. salt 'and fr,agiant.Vvid4ool
- froiti,Aoim fire sold in th4: f ci ez li t ,
. , a ,.., ,1; no
,onlyl i ~. . L,,,,, 4,44 y. .1i
' 1 1 3 1 7 v
o ' r r . . '"e r , , e , ! ft , ° ., 91 . a ...Y °, 91 ,"1 9 ... ) .". ' 7 ' .JYt,