I'IIESIDUW'S ME3S.MiE.
Fellow-citizens if Ike St na!e ami
of the Houie of Jleprae/ilatives •
I congratulate you and our common con
stituency upon the favorable auspices under
"which YOU meet for your first session. Our
country is at peace with all the world. Ihe
agitation which, for a time, threatened to
disturb the fraternal relations which makes
us one people, is last subsiding: and it year
of general prosperity and health has crowned
the nation with unusual blessings. None
•can look back to the dangers which are
passed, or forward to the bright prospect
before us, without feeling a thrill ol gratifi
cation, at the same time that he must be im
pressed with a grateful sense of our profound
obligations to a benilicent Providence, whose
paternal care is so manifest in the happiness
of this highly-favored land. *
Since the close of the last Congress, certain
Cubans and other foreigners resident in the
United States, who were inore or le<s con
tented in the previous ima-noii ut l uha,
instead of being dis, enraged by its failure,
have again abus td the hospitality ul this
ecuutrv, of making it the scene of the equip
ment of another military expedition against
that possession of her Catholic majesty, iti
which they were countenanced, aided and
joined by citizens of the United States. On
i .-eiving intelligence that such designs were
. utertaiued, 1 lost no time in issuing such
instructions to the proper officers of the 1 ni
t a States as seemed to be called for by the
oce-u-i 1.1. By the proclamation, a copy of
which is herewith submitted, 1 also warned
those who might be in danger ot heing in
veigled into this scheme of its unlawful char
acter, and of the penalties which they would
; licitr. I'or some time there was reason to
hope that the- measures bad sufficed to pre
vent any such attempt. This hope, however,
proved "to be delusive. Very early in the
morning of the 3d of August, a steamer
• ailed the Pampero departed from New Or
leans for Cuba, having on board upwards of
four hundre I armed men, with evident inten
tion- to make war upon the authorities of the
island. This expedition was set on foot in
palpable violation of the laws of the I'nited
States. Its b a ler was a Spaniard, ami sev
eral of tie- chief officers and some others
engaged in it, were foreigners. The persons
c it. however, were mostly citizens
oi the United States.
Before the ex [.edition sot out, and probably
"before it was organized, a slight insurrec
tionary movement, which appears to have
been soon suppressed, had taken place in the
eastern quarter of Cuba. The importance of
this movement was unfortunately so much
exaggerated in the accounts of it published
in this country, that these adventurers seem
to have been led to believe that the Creole
population of the island not only desired to
throw off the authority of the mother country,
but had resolved upon that step, and had
begun a well-concerted enterprise for effect
ing it. The persons engaged in the expedi
tion were generally young and ill-informed.
The steamer in which they embarked left
New Orleans stealthily and without a clear
ance. After touching at Key West, she pro
ceeded to the coast of Cuba, and, on the night
between the 11th and 12th of August, landed
the persons on hoard at I'laytas, within about
twenty leagues of Havana.
The main body of them proceeded to, and
took possession of, an inland village, six
leagues distant, leaving others to follow in
charge of the baggage, as soon as the means
of transportation could he obtained. The
latter, having taken up their line of march
to connect themselves with the main body,
and having proceeded about four leagues into
the country, were attacked on the morning
of the 13th by a body of Spanish troops, and
a bloody conflict ensued: after which they
retreated to the place of diseinharcatioc,
where about fifty of them obtained boats and
re-embarked therein. They were, however,
intercepted among the keys near the shore
by a Spanish steamer cruising on the coast,
captured and carried to Havana, and, after
being examined before a military court, were
sentenced to bo publicly executed, and the
sentence was carried into effect on the 10th
of August.
On receiving information of what bad oc
curred, Commodore Foxhall A. Darker was
cinstructed to proceed in the steam frigate
Sarauac to Havana, and inquire into the
charges against the persons executed, the
circumstances under which they were taken,
and whatsoever referred to their trial ami
sentence. Copies of the instructions from
the Department of State to him, and of his
letters to that Department, are herewith
submitted.
According to the record of the examination,
the prisoners all admitted the offences charged
against them, of being hostile invaders of the
island. At the time of their trial and execu
tion the main body of the invaders was still
in tiie field, making war upon the Spanish
authorities and Spanish subjects. After the
lapse of sonn* days, being overcome by the
Spanish troops, they dispersed on the 24tii
f August; L>po;:. their leader, was captured
some day ; after, and executed on the Ist of
September. Many of bis remaining followers
were killed, or died of hunger and fatigue,
and the rest were made prisoners. Of these,
none appear to have b<-en tried or executed.
Several of them were pardoned upon applica
tion <>f their friends and others, aud the rest,
about one hundred and sixty in number, were
sent to Spain. Of the final disposition made
of these wo have no official information.
Sii'-h is the melancholy result of this illegal
ami ill fated expedtion. Thus, thoughtless
y-'UUg men have been induced, by false and
fraudulent representations, to violate the law
oi tlcir country, through rash ami unfounded
xpeetatioris of assisting to accomplish politi
cal revolutions in other States, arid have; lost
their Five: in the undertaking. Too seven; a
judgment- can* hardly be passed, by the in
dignant sense of the community, upon those
who, being be',lor informed themselves, have
- ( _'t b'd away the ardor of youth and an ill
■dirceied love of politi.-al lilewtv. The corres
pondence b -tweeu this government, and that
of Spain relating to this transaction b here
with co immi n ie? ted.
Although these alien lev- against the laws
have "lor (cited the protection of their country,
yet the Government may, so far as is consist
ent with its obligations to other countries,
and its fixed pnrp i.se to maintain and enforce
the laws, entertain sympathy for their unof
fending families and friends, as well as a
feeling of compassion for themselves. Ac
cordingly no proper effort has been spared,
to procure the release of such citizens of the
United States, engaged in this unlawful on
t Tpri.-e, as arc now tn confinement in Spain;
hut it is to be hoped that such Interposition
with the government of that country may not
be considered as affording any ground of ex
pectation that the Government of the United
Siates will, hereafter, feel itself under any
obligation of duty to intercede for tlie libera
tion or pardon of such persons as are flagrant
offender!- against the law of nations and the
iaw.-> of the United States. These laws must
be executed. If we desire to maintain our (
respectability unioug the nations of the earth,
it behoves us to enforce steadily and sternly
the neutrality acts passed by Congress, and
to follow, as far as may be, the violation of
those acts with condign punishment.
But what gives a peculiar criminality to
this invasion of Cuba is, that under the lead
of Spanish subjects and with the aid ut citi
zens of the United States, it had its origin,
with many, in motives of cupidity. Money
was advanced by individuals, probably in
considerable amounts, to purchase Cuban
bonds, as they have been called, issued by
Lopez, sold, doubtless, at a very large dis
count, and for the payment of winch the pub
lic lands aiul public property of Cuba, of
whatever kind, and the fiscal resources of the
people and government of that island, from
whatever source to be derived, were pledged,
as well as the good faith of the government
expected to be established. All these means
of payment, it is evident, were only to be
obtained by a process of bloodshed, war. and
revolution. None will deny that those who
set on foot military expeditions against foreign
States by means like these, are far more cul- ,
pable than the ignorant and the necessitous
whom they induce to go forth as the osten- j
sible parties in the proceeding. These origi
nators of the invasion of Cuba seem to have
determined, with coolness and system, upon j
an undertaking which should disgrace their
country, violate its laws, and put to hazard
the lives of ill-informed and deluded men. j
Von will consider whether further legislation
he necessary to prevent the perpetration of j
such offences in the future.
Xu individuals have a right to hazard the
peace ot' the country or to violate its laws
upon vague notions of altering tir reforming
governments in other States. This principle
is not only reasonable in itself, and in ac
cordance with public law. but is engrafted
into the codes of other nations as well as our
own. But while such are the sentiments of
this Government, it may be added that every
independent nation must be presumed to be
able to defend its possessions against unau
thorized individuals banded together to attack
them. The Government of the ITiited States,
at all times since its establishment, lias ab
stained and sought to restrain the citizens of
the country, from entering into controversies
between other powers, and to observe all the
duties of neutrality. At an early period of
the Government, in the administration of
Washington, several laws were passed for
this purpose. The main provisions of these
laws were re-enacted by the act of April 1 18,
by which, amongst other things, it was decla
red that if any person shall, within the terri
tory or jurisdiction of the I'nited .States, be
gin, or set on foot, or provide, or prepare the
means for any military expedition or enter
prise to be carried on from thence against the
territory or dominion of any foreign prince
or State, or of any colony, district, or people
witli whom the I'nited States are at peace,
every person so offending shall he deemed
guilty of a high misdemeanor, and shall he
fined, not exceeding SO ,000, and imprisoned
not more than three years; and this law ha
been executed and enforced, to the full ex
tent of the power of the government, from
that day to this.
In proclaiming and adhering to the doc
trine of neutrality ami non-intervention, the
I'nited States have not followed the 1 ad of
other civilized nations; they have taken the
lead themselves, and have been followed by
others. This was admitted by one of the
most eminent of modern British statesmen,
who said in Parliament, while a minister of
the crown, "that if he wished for a guide in
a system of neutrality, he should take that
laid down by America in the days of \V ash
iugton and the Secretaryship of Jefferson;"
and we see in fact, that the act of Congress
of 1818 was followed, the succeeding year,
by an act of the Parliament of England, sub
stantially the same in its general provisions.
I p to that time there had been no similar
law in England, except certain highly penal
statutes passed in tiie reign of George 11.,
prohibiting English subjects from enlisting
in foreign service, the avowed objects of
which statutes was, that foreign armies, rais
ed for the purpose of restoring the house of
Stuart to the throne, should not be strength
ened by recruits from England herself.
All must see that difficulties may arise in
carrying the laws referred t<> into execution
in a country having 3 or 4,000 miles of sea
coast, with an infinite number of ports, har
bors and small inlets, from some of which
unlawful expeditions may suddenly set forth
without the knowledge of Government,
against the possessions of foreign states.
l-'riendly relations with all, hut entangling
alliances with none, has long been a maxim
with us. Our true mission is not to propa
gate our opinions, or impose upon other conn- ]
tries our form of government, by artifice or |
force; but to teach by example, and show by
our success, moderation and justice, the
blessings of self government, and the advan
tages of free institutions. Let every people
choose for itself, and make and alter its polit- i
icul institutions to suit its own condition and
convenience. But, while we avow and main
tain this neutral policy ourselves, we are anx- j
ions to see the same forbearance 011 the part
of other nations, whose forms of government
arc different from our own. The deep inter- |
est which we feel in the spread of liberal
principles and the establishment of free gov
ernments, and the sympathy with which we
witness every struggle against oppression,
forbid that we should bo indifferent t<> a case
in which the strong arm of a foreign power
is invoked to stifle public sentiment and re
press the spirit of freedom in anv country.
The governments of Great Britain and
France have issued orders to their naval
commanders on the West India station t<>
prevent by force, if necessary, the lauding of .
adventurers from any nation on the island of
Cuba with hostile intent. The copy of a me- .
morandum of a conversation on this subject
between the < barge d'Affaires of her Brittan
nie Majesty and the Acting Secretary of State
and of a subsequent note of the former to the
Department of State, an- herewith submitted,
together with a copy of a note of the Acting
Secretary of State to the Minister of the
French Republic, and of the reply of the lat
ter on the same subject. These papers will
acquaint you with the grounds of this inter
position of the two leading commercial pow
ers of liiirope, and with the apprehensions,
which this Government could not fail to ep
tertain, that such interposition, if carried in
to effect, might lead to abuses in derogation
of the maritime rights of the United States.
1 he maritime rights of the United States arc
founded on'a firm, secure, and well-defined
basis; they stand upon the ground of Nation
al Independence ami public law, and will be
maintained in all their just and full extent.
The principle which this Government has
heretofore solemnly announced it still adheres
to, and will maintain under all circumstances
and at all hazards. That principle is, that
in every regularly documented vessel, the
crew who navigate it, and those on board of
it. will find their protection iu the flag which
,is over them. No American ship can be ul-
lowed to he visited or searched for the pur
pose of ascertaining the character of individ
uals on hoard, nor can there be allowed any
watch by the vessels of any foreign nation
over American vessels on the coasts of the
United States or the seas adjacent thereto.
It will he seen by the last communication
from the British Charge d' Affaires to the
Department of State, that he is authorized to
assure the Secretary of State that every care
will be taken that, in executing the preven
tive measures against the expeditions, which
the United States Government itself has de
nounced as not being entitled to the protec
tion of any government, no interference shall
take place with the lawful commerce of any
nation.
In addition to the correspondence on this
subject, herewith submitted, official informa
tion has been received at the Department of
State, of assurances by the French Govern
ment that, in the orders given to the French
naval forces, they were expressly instructed,
in any operations they might engage in, to
respect the flag of the United States wherever
it might appear, and to commit no act of hos
tility upon any vessel of armament under its
protection.
Ministers and consuls of foreign nations
are the means and agents of communication
between us and those nations, atul it is ol the
utmost importance that, while residing in the
country, they should feel a perfect security
so long as they faithfully discharge their re
spective duties and are guilty of no violation
of our laws. This is the admitted law of na
tions, and no country has a deeper interest
in maintaining it than the I nitcd States.—
Our commerce spreads over every sea and
visits every clime, and our ministers and
consuls are appointed to protect the interests
of that commerce, as well as to guard the
peace of die country and maintain the honor
of its Hag. But how can tlicy discharge these
duties unless they he themselves protected :
and, if protected, it must be by the laws of
the country in which they reside. And what
is dm* to our own public functionaries resi
ding in foreign nations is exactly the measure
of what is due to the functionaries of other
governments residing here. As in war, the
bearers of (lags of truce are sacred, or else
wars would he interminable, so in peace,
embassadors, public ministers and consuls,
charged with friendly national intercourse,
arc objects of especial respect and protection,
each according to the rights belonging to his
rank and station. In view of these impor
tant principles, it is with deep mortification
and regret 1 announce to you that, during the
excitement growing out of the executions at
Havana, the office of her Catholic majesty's
consul at New Orleans was assailed by a
mob, his property destroyeL the Spanish Hag
found in the office carried off and torn in
pieces, and he himself induced to flee for his
personal safety, which he supposed to he in
danger. On receiving intelligence of these
events, I forthwith directed the attorney of
the United States residing at New Orleans
to inquire into the facts and the extent of the
pecuniar}" loss sustained by the consul, with
the intention of laying them before you. that
you might make provision for such indemnity
tit him as a just regard for the honor of the
nation and the respect which is due to a
friendly power might, in your judgment, scent
to require. The correspondence upon this
subject between the Secretary of State and
her Catholic majesty's minister plenipoten
tiary is herewith transmitted.
The occurrence at Xew Orleans has led me
to give my attention to the state of our laws
in regard to foreign ambassadors, ministers
and consuls. 1 think the legislation of the
country is deficient in not providing suffici
ently either for the protection or the punish
ment of consuls. I therefore recommend the
subject to the consideration of Congress.
Your attention is again invited to the ques
tion of reciprocal trade between the United
States and Canada and other British posses
sions near our frontier. Overtures for a con
vention upon this subject have been received
from her l'rittannic Majesty's Minister Plen
ipotentiary, but it seems to be in many re
spects preferable that the matter should be
regulated bv reciprocal legislation. 1 docu
ments are laid before you showing the terms
which the British (lovernnn nt is willing to
•tier, and the measures which it may adopt,
if some arrangement upon this subject shall
not be made.
From the accompanying copy of si note
from the British Legation at Washington,
and the reply of the Department of State
thereto, it will appear that her Britannic
Majesty's government is desirous that it part
of the boundary line between Oregon and the
British possessions should l)f authoritatively
marked out, and that an intention was ex
pressed to apply to Congress for an appro
priation to defrav the expense thereof on the
part of the United States. Your attention to
this subject is accordingly invited, and a
proper appropriation recommended.
A convention for the adjustment of claims
uf < itizen.s of the 4 nited States against Por
tugal lias been concluded, and tin: ratifi. a
tiuiis have been exchanged. The first instal
ment of the amount to be paid by Portugal,
fell due 011 the 110 th of September last, and
has been paid.
The President of the French republic, ac
cording to the provisions of the convention,
has been selected a- arbiter in the case of the
General Armstrong; and has signified that
he accepts the trust and the high satisfaction
he feels in acting as the common friend of two
nations, with which France is united by sen
timents of sincere and lasting amity.
The Turkish Government has expressed its
thanks for the kind reception given to the
Sultan's agent, Amin Hey, on the occasion of
his recent \i--it to the 1 nited States. <hi the
28th of February last, a despan-h was addres
sed by the Seeretary <d' State, to Mr. Marsh,
the American Minister at Constantinople,
instructing him to ask of the Turkish gov
ernment permission for the Hungarians then
imprisoned within the dominions of the Sub
lime l'orte, to remove to this country. On
the P.d of March last both I louses of Congress
passed a resolution requesting the President
to authorize the employment of a public ves
sel to convey to this country Louis Kossuth
and his associates in captivity.
The instruction above referred to was com
plied with, anil the Turkish government hav
ing released Governor Kossuth and his com
panions from prison, on the lOtli ot September
last they embarked on board the Fnited
States steam-frigate Mississippi, which was
selected to carry into effect the resolution of
Congress. Governor Kossuth left the Missis
sippi at Gibraltar, for the purpose of making
a visit to England, and may shortly be ex
pected in New York. By communications
to the Department of State lie has expressed
his grateful acknowledgements for the inter
position of this Government in behalf of him
self and his associates. This country has
been justly regarded as a safe asylum for
those whom political events have exiled from
their own homes in Europe; and it is recom
mended to Congress to consider in what
manner Governor Kossuth and his compan-
ions, brought hither by its authority, shall
be received and treated.
It is earnestly to be hoped that the differ
ences which have for some time past been
pending between the government oi the
French republic and that of the Sandwich
Islands, may be peaceably and durably ad
justed, so as to secure the independence ol
those islands, l.ong before the events which
have of late imparted so much importane to
the possessions of the United States on the
Pacific, we acknowledged the independence
of the Hawaiian government. This govern
ment was first in taking that step, and seve
ral of the leading powers of Europe immedi
ately followed. We were influenced in this
measure by the existing and prospective im
portance of the islands as a place of refuge
and refreshment for our vessels engaged in
the whale fishery, and by the consideration
that they lie in the course of the great trade
which must, at no distant day, be carried on
between the western coast of North America
and Eastern Asia.
We were also influenced by a desire that
those islands should not pass under the con
trol of any other great maritime State, but
should remain in an independent condition,
and so be accessible and useful to the com
merce of all nations. I need not say that
the importance of these considerations has
been greatly enhanced by the sudden and
vast development which the interests of the
United States have attained in California and
Oregon ; and the policy heretofore adopted
in regard to those islands will he steadily
pursued.
It is gratifying not only to those who con
sider the commercial interests of nations, but
also to all who favor the progress of knowl
edge anil the diffusion of religion, to see a
community emerge from a savage state and
attain such a degree of civilization in those
distant seas.
It is much to he deplored that the internal
tranquility of the Mexican republic should
again he seriously disturbed ; for. since the
peace between that republic and the 1 nited
States, it had enjoyed such comparative re
pose that the most favorable anticipations for
the future, might, with a degree of confidence,
have been indulged. These, however, have
been thwarted by the recent outbreak, in the
State of Tatnaulipas, on the right ban!; ol the
Rio Bravo. Having received information
that persons from the United States had taken
part in the insurrection, and apprehending
that their example might he followed by
others, 1 caused orders to be issued for the
purpose of preventing any hostile expeditions
against Mexico from being set on foot in
violation of the laws of the United States. I
likewise issued a proclamation upon the sub
ject, a copy of which is herewith laid before
you. This appeared to be rendered impera
tive by the obligations of treaties and the
genera! duties of good neighborhood.
In my last annual message I informed
Congress that citizens of the United States
had undertaken the connexion of the two
oceans by means of a railroad across the
Isthmus of Ti-hauntepec, under a grant of the
Mexican government to a citizen of that
republic : and that this enterprise would
probably be prosecuted with energy when
ever Mexico should consent to such stipula
tions with the Government of the United
States as should impart a feeling of security
to those who should invest their property in
the enterprise.
A convention between the two governments
for the accomplishment of that end has been ,
ratified by this Government, and only awaits j
the decision of Congress and the Executive of ;
that republic.
Sonic unexpected difficulties and delays j
have arisen in the ratification of that conven-1
tion by M cxieo, but it is to be presumed that i
iter decision will be governed by just and j
enlightened views, as well of the general i
importance of the object, as of her own inter- j
est- and obligations.
In negotiating upon this important subject,
this Government has had in view one, and j
only one, object. That object has been, and
is, the construction or attainment of a pas- i
sage from ocean to ocean, the shortest and i
the lest for travellers and merchandise, and |
equally open to till the world. It lias sought
to obtain no territorial acquisition, nor any j
advantages peculiar to itself; and it would
see, with the greatest regret, that Mexico
should oppose any obstacle to the accomplish
ment- of att enterprise which promises so
much convenience to the whole commercial j
world, and such eminent advantages to Mex
ico herself. Impressed with these sentiments
and these convictions, the Government will ;
continue to exert all proper efforts to bring j
about the necessary arrangement with the j
republic of Mexico for the speedy completion
of the work.
For some months past the republic of Nic
aragua has bee it the theatre of one of those
civil convulsions, from which the cause of
free institutions, and the general prosperity
and social progress of the States of Central
America, have >o often and so severely suf
fered. Until quiet shall have been restored,
and a government apparently stable shall
have been organized, no advance can pru
dently be made in disposing of the questions
pending between the two countries.
1 am happy to announce that an inter-oce
anic communication from the mouth of the
St. John to the Pacific has been so far accom
plished as that passengers have actually
traversed it and merchandise has been trans
ported over it: and when the canal shall have
been completed, according to the original
plan, the means of communication will he
further improved.
It is understood that a considerable part of
the railroad across the Isthmus of Panama
has been completed, and that the mail and
passengers will in future be conveyed thereon.
Whichever of the several routes between
the two oceans may ultimately prove most
eligible for travellers to and from the differ
ent States on the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexi
co and our coast on the Pacific, there is little
reason to doubt that all of them will be use
ful to the public, and will liberally reward
that individual enterprise, by which alone
they have been or are expected to be carried
into effect.
Peace has been concluded between the
contending parties in the island of St. Domin
go, and it is hoped upon a durable basis.
Such is the extent of our commercial rela
tions with that island, that the United States
cannot fail to feel a strong interest iu its
tranquility.
The office of Commissioner to China re
mains unfilled ; several persons have been
appointed, and has been offered to others, all
of whom have declined its acceptance, on the
ground of the inadequacy of the compensa
tion. The annual allowance by law is $6,000,
and there is no provision for any outfit, I
earnestly recommend the consideration of this
subject to Congress. Our commerce with
China is highly important, and is becoming
more and more so, in consequence of the in
creasing intercourse between our ports on
the Pacific coast and Eastern Asia. China
is understood to be a country in which living
is very expensive, and 1 know of no reason
why the American Commissioner sent thither
should not be placed, in regard to compen
sation, on an equal footing with ministers
who represent this country at the courts of
1 Europe.
Bv reference to the lleport of the Secretary
i of the Treasury, it will be seen that the ag
! yregate receipts for the last fiscal year a
-1 mounted to 852,312,9711 88: which, with the
i balance in the Treasury on the first of July,
1850, gave, as the available means for the
i year, the sum of 858,917, ; >24 36.
j " The total expenditures for the same period
' were 848,005,878 08.
! The total imports for the year ending 30th June,
j 1851, were " $ >15,725,055
j Of which there were in specie 4,007,1)01
The exports lor the samo period were 821. ,517,1.>0
j Of which there were of
domestic products 8178,546,555
Foreign goods re-exported 9,738.695
j Specie 29,231,880
Since the Ist Decomltcr last the payments
in cash on account of the public debt, exelu
j sive of interest, have amounted to 87,501,-
450 sii; which, however, includes the sum of
. 83,242,400 paid under the 12th article of the
' treaty with .Mexico, and the further sum of
; 82,501,213 45, being the amount of awards
| to American citizens under the late treaty
with Mexico, for which the issue of stock was
authorized, hut which was paid in cash from
the Treasury.
The public debt on the 20th ultimo, exclu
sive of the stock to be issued to Texas by the
act of Sept., 1850, was 802,500,305 20.
The receipts of the next fiscal year are es
timated at 851,800,000, which, with the pro
bable unappropriated balance in the Treasu
ry on the 30th June next, will give as the
probable available moans for that year, the
sum of 802,258,743 0(1.
j It has been deemed proper, in view of the
! large expenditures consequent upon the ae
! quisition of territory from Mexico, that the
i estimates for the next fiscal year should bo
I laid before Congress in such manner as to
! distinguish the expenditures so required from
the otherwise ordinary demands upon tlie
Treasury.
The total expenditures for the next fiscal
year are estimated at 842,802,20(1 10, of
which there is required for the ordinary pur
poses of the Government, other than those
consequent upon the acquisition of our new
Territories, and deducting payments on ac
count of tite public debt, the sunt of 833,-
343,198 08: and for the purposes connected
directly or indirectly with those Territories,
and in the fulfilment of the obligations of the
Government, contracted in consequence ol
their acquisition, the sum of 8(4,649,101 11.
It the views of the Secretary of the Treas
on- in reference to the expenditures required
for these Territories shall be met by corres
ponding action on the part of Congress, and
appropriations made in accordance therewith,
there will be an estimated unappropriated
balance in the Treasurp on the 30th June,
1852, of 820,300,444 (to, wherewith to meet
that portion of the public debt due on the Ist
•July following, amounting to 80,237,931 35,
as well as any appropriations which may be
made beyond the estimates.
In thus referring to the estimated expendi
tures on account of our newly acquired Ter
ritories, I may express the hope that Congress
will concur with me in the desire that a
liberal course of policy may be pursued to
wards them, and that every obligation, ex
press or implied, entered into in consequence
of their acquisition, shall be fulfilled by the
most liberal appropriations for that purpose.
The values of our domestic exports for the
last fiscal year, as compared with those of the
previous year, exhibit an increase of 848,-
040,322. At first view this condition of our
trade with foreign nations would seem to pre
sent the most flattering hopes of its future
prosperity. An examination of the details
of our exports, however, will show that the
increased value of our exports for the last lis
eal year is to be found in the high price of
cotton which prevailed during the first half
of that year, which price has since declined
about one-half.
The value of our exports of breadstuff's and
provisions, whirh it was supposed the incen
tive of a low tariff* and large importations
from abroad would have greatly augmented,
has fallen from >08.701,021, in I s 17, to 820,-
(151.373 in 1850, ami m 821.948,053 in 1851,
witli a strong probability, amounting almost
to a certainty, of a still further reduction in
the current year.
The aggregate values of rice exported du
ring the last fiscal year, as compared with the
previous year, also exhibit a decrease amount
ing to 8400,917, which, with a decline in the
values of the exports of tobacco for the same
period, make an aggregate decrease in these
two articles of 81.150,751.
The policy which dictated a low rate of du
ties on foreign merchandise, it was thought
by those who promoted and established it, j
would tend to benefit the farming population j
of this country, by increasing the demand j
and raising the price of agricultural products j
in foreign markets.
The foreogoing facts, however, seem to show I
incontestibly that no such result has followed
the adoption of this policy, t>n the contrary,
notwithstanding the repeal of the restrictive
corn laws in England, the foreign demand for
the products of the American farmer has
steadily declined, since the short crops and
consequent famine in a portion of Europe
have been happily replaced by full crops and
comparative abundance of food.
it will be seen, by referring to the com
mercial statistics for the past year, that the
value of our domestic exports has been in- •
creased in the single item of raw cotton by j
84(MlOO,0tM> over the value of that export for j
the year preceding. This is not due to auv .
increased general demand for that article, but
to the short crop of the preceding year,
which created an increased demand and an
augmented price for the crop of last year.—
Should the cotton crop now going forward to
market be only equal in quantity to that of
the year preceding, and be sold at the pres
ent prices, then there would be a falling oft'
in the value of our exports for the present
fiscal year of at least *40,000,000, compared
with the amount exported for the year ending
30th June. 1851.
The production of gold in California for
the past year seems to promise a large supply
ol that metal from that quarter for some time
This large annual increase of the currency
of the currency of the world must he attend
ed with its usual results. These have been
already partially disclosed in the enhance
ment of prices and a rising spirit of speeula
| tion and adventure, tending to overtrading,
as well at home as abroad. Unless some
salutary check shall be given to these tenden
cies, it is to be feared that importations of
foreign goods beyond a healthy demand in
this country will lead to a sudden drain of
the precious metals from us, bringing with it.
as it lias done in former times, the tuns disas
trous consequences to the business and capi
tal of the American people. •
The exports of specie to liquidate our for
eign debt during the past fiscal year have
I been 821,203,979 over the amount of specie
| imported. The export f -j • i>.- during t. ..
i first quarter of the present fiscal year ha\,.
been £14.051,*-". Should specie continue t
be exported at this rate for the remain" thi •
quarters of this year, it will drain from our
metallic currency during the year ending
30th June, 1852, the enormous amount of
SSB,G( 17.30*.
In the present prosperous condition of the
I national finances, it will become the duty of
! Congress to consider the best mode of
I off the public debt. If the present and an
tieipated surplus in the Treasury should nut
he absorbed by appropriations of an extraor
dinary character, this surplus should he em
ployed in such way, or under such restric
i tious, as Congress may enact, in cxtinuish
| ing the outstanding debt of the nation.'
By reference to the act (if Congress appro
j ved 9th Sept., 1850, it will be seen that, in
| consideration of certain concessions bv the
! State of Texas, it is provided that the "Uni
: ted States shall pay to the State of Texas the
i <um of ten millions of dollars, in a stock
hearing 5 per cent, interest, and redeemable
at the end of fourteen years, the interest par
able half yearly, at the Treasury of the I'm
ted States."
In the same section of the law it is fur
ther provided "that no more than five millions
ot said stock shall he issued until the credi
tors of the State holding bonds and other cer
tificates of stock of Texas, for which duties
on imports were specially pledged, shall first
file at the Treasury of the United States re
leases of all claims against the United States,
fur or on account of said bonds or certificates
in such form as shall be prescribed bv the
Secretary of the Treasury, and approved by
j the President of the United States."
J lie form of release thus provided fur hns
been prescribed by the Secretary of the Trea
sury, and approved. It has been published
in all the leading newspapers in the comaier
j eial cities of the United States, and all per
sons holding claims of the kind specified in
the foregoing proviso were required to file
their releases (in the form thus prescribed)in
the Treasury of the United States, on or be
fore the l<t day of October, 1851. Although
this publication has been continued from the
25th day of March, 1851, yet up to the lstot
j October last comparatively few releases had
I been filed by the creditors of Texas.
The authorities of the State of Texas at
i the request of the Secretary of the Treasury,
have furnished a schedule of the public debt
1 of that State created prior to her admission
into the I nion, with a copy of the laws un
der which each class was contracted.
i have, from the documents furnished bv
the State of Texas, determined the classes of
claims which in my judgment fall within the
provisions of the act of Congress of the 'Jth
of September. 1850.
Ou being officially informed of the accept
ance by Texas of the propositions contained
in the act referred to, I caused the stock to
be prepared, and the five millions which are
to be issued unconditionally, bearing an in
terest of five per cent, from the Ist day of
Jauary, 1851, have been for some tiipe ready
to be delivered to the State of Texas. The
authorities of Texas, up to the present time,
have not authorized any one to receive this
stock, and it remains in the Treasury De
partment, subject to the order of Texas"
The releases, required by law to be deposi
ted in the Treasury, not having been filed
there, the remaing five millions have not
been issued. This last amount of the stock
will he withheld from Texas until the condi
tions upon which it is to be delivered shall
he complied with by the creditors of that
State, unless Congress shall otherwise direct
by a modification of the law.
In my last annual message, to which I res
pectfully refer, 1 stated briefly the reasons
which induced me to recommend a modifica
tion of the present tariff' by converting the
ad valorem into a specific duty, wherever the
article imported was of such a character as
to permit it. and that such a discrimination
should he made, in favor of the industrial
pursuits of our own country, as to encourage
home production without excluding foreign
competition.
The numerous frauds which continue to lie
practised upon the revenue, by false invoices
and under valuations, constitute an unan
swerable reason for adopting specific instead
of ad valorem duties in all cases where the
nature of the commodity does not forbid it.
A striking illustration of these frauds will
be exhibited in the Report of the Secretary
of the Treasury, showing the custon house
valuations of articles imported under a for
mer law subject to specific duties, when there
was no inducement to undervaluation, and
the custom-house valuations of the same ar
ticles, under the present system of ad valo
rem duties, so greatly reduced as to leave no
doubt of the existence of the most flagrant
abuses under the existing laws. This prac
tical evasion of the present law, combined
with the languishing condition of some of the
great interests of the country, caused by over
importations and consequent depressed prices,
and with the failure in obtaining a foreign
market for our increasing surplus of bread
stuffs and provisions, has induced me again
to recommend a modification of the existing
tariff.
The report of the Secretary of the interior, which
accompanies this communication, will present a con
densed statement of the operations of that import
ant department of the Government.
It will be seen that the cash sales of the public
lands exceed those of the preceding year, and lhat
there is reason to anticipate a still further increase,
notwithstanding the large donations which have
been made to many of the States, and the liberal
grants to individuals as a reward for military servi
ces. This fact furnishes very gratifying evidence oU
the growing wealth and prosperity ot our country.
Suitable measures have been adopted for commen
cing the survey of the public lands m California and
Oregon. Surveying parties have been organized,
and some progress has been made in establishing the
principal base and meredian lines. But further le
gislation and additional appropriations will be neces
sary before the proper subdivisions can be made and
the general land system extended over those remote
. parts of our territory .
On the 3d of March last an act was passed provi
i ding for the appointment of three commissioners tu
j settle private land claims in California. Three per
sons were immediately appointed, all of whom, how -
I ever, declined accepting the office, in consequence
j of the inadequacy of the compensation. Others were
! promptly selected, who for the same reason, also
; declined; and ii was not until late in the season that
| the services of suitable persons could he secured,
j A. majority of the commissioners convened, in this
; city, on the 10th of September last, when detailed
: instructions were given to them in regard to their
| duties. Their first meeting for the transaction of
business will be held in Ban Francisco on the Bth of
j the present month. I have thought proper to refer
i to these facts, not only to explain the causes of the
| delay in filling the commission, but to call your at
tention to the propriety of increasing the compensa
tion of the commissioners. The office is one of
, great labor and responsibility, and the compensation
should he such as to command men of a high order
of talents and the most unquestionable, integrity.
The proper disposal of the mineral lands olCnli
; forma is a subject surrounded by great difficulties.
In mv last annual message I recommended the sur
vey and sale of thorn in small parcels, under such
restrictions as would effectually guard against mo
[ nopoly and speculation. But upon further 1 n forma-
I tion. and in deference to the opinions of persons fa
miliar with ihe subject, 1 am imbued to change that
I recommendation, and to advise lhat they to permit
; ted to remain, as at present, a common field, open
I to the enterprise and industry of all our ut :cns, utt-