gliNtift*b fit..potltv.
E. 0. GOODRICH, EDITOR.
Toffluidigidurday. Dteemberlitin3
Terme of The Reporter.
SR SO per atinuta—if paid within the year 80 etni:s
wilt
X deducted-63u cash paid actually In edema' , f 8 00 trill be
Shallueled. Pic repair sent OsfettVeo year.. unless paid Lac.
Ausitaetwouthes, per square of ten lines. SO cents for the
Stio and IS cents for earl% eubsequent i flatten/M.
rizr ()ewe in the libel"
north side of the Public
illeiave, next door to the Bradford lintel- Entrance he i crern
nassea. Adams' awl Elwell , . taw °Sees.
Meeting of ('ongress•
pie "Clad Cougre;s commenced at Wash
ington, ou Monday last, nearly all the mem
bers being present. The President's Mes
sage, which we publish below, was delivered
on Tuesday, at 12, M.
In the organization of the House, some
difficulty was apprehended from malcontentf,
and at the caucus of democratic members on
Saturday evening. resolutions were introduc
ed, reflecting on the Administration, which
failed by a very decisive vote.
LINN Born was nominated foi Speaker--;
J. W. Foaszr for Clerk—and the remainder
of the' 7 old officers being also re-nominated,
were subsequently re-elected. Of course, the
House not having got into working trim, no
business of importance has been transa ed.
tg.. The length of the - Message excilu es
our usual variety. rh Court, the case . the
Cost. vs. JOHN Usiisost, occupied until ridgy,
the Jury retiring arnoon, and up to the time
of our going to press have not rendered a
verdict.
THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Fellow citizens of the Senate and of the
House of Representatives :
The interest, with which the people of the Re
public anticipate the assembling of Congress, and
the fulfilment on that occasion, of the duty imposed
opty► a nexi,President, is one of the best evidences
of their capacity to realize the hopes of the found
ors Ma political system, at once complex and sym
metrical. While the difletent branches of the Go.
•ernment are, in a certain extent, independent of
each other, the ditties of all alike, have direct refer
ence to thesource of power. Fortunately ,under this
system, no man is'so high, and none so humble in
the scale of public to escape from the
scrutiny, or in be exempt bout the responsibility,
which all nfticial luticitons imply.
Upon the ,ustice and intelligence of :he masses,
in a Government thus organized, is the sole reli-
ance of :he Contederacy, and the only security for
tioneit and earnest devil:inn to its interests, against
the us.urpaitoirt and encroachments of puvrer on one
-hand, and the assaults of personal ambition on the
other.
The interest, of which I have spoken, is inscpa
rable (tom an inquiring, self governingeommunny, ,
but stimulated, doubtless, at the present time, by
the unsettled condition of our relations wi . h several
foreign powers; by the new obligations resulting
from a sudden extension of the field of enterprise;
by the spirit with which that field has been entered,
and the amazing energy wi . h which its resources
for meeting the demands of humanity have beer►
developed.
Although disease, assuming at one time the cha
racteristics of a wide spread arid devastating pesti
lence, has left its sad traces upon some portions of
our -country, we have still the most ebundant cause
for reverent thankfulness to Gal for an accomula
tion of signal mercies showered upon us as a nation.
It is well that a consciousness of rapid advancement
and increasing strength be habitually associated
with an abiding sense of dependence upon HMI
who holds in his hands the destiny of men and of
nations
Recognizing the wisdom of the broad principle
of absolute religious toleration proclaimed in our
fundamental law, and rejoicing in the benign influ
ence which i - has exerted upon our social and po
Ittical condition, I should shrunk hom a Blear duty
did I lad to express my deepest conviction that we
can place no .secure reliance upon any apparent
progress it it be not sustained by national integrity,
ir eating upon the great truths affirmed and illustra•
ted by divine revelation. In the midst of our sor
row for the afflicted and sufferun it has been con
soling to see how promply disaster made true
neighbors of districts and cities separated widely horn
each other, at.d cheering to watch the strength of
that commop bond of biotheshood Which unites all
hearts in all parts of this Union when dangsr threat.
ens from abroad, or calamity impends over us at
home.
Ourdiplomatic relation's with foreign powers have
undergone no essential !change since the adjiiu n
merit of the last Congress. Wah some of them,
questions of a disturbing character are null pen ling,
but there are good reacatis to believe that these may
all be amicably adjused
For some years past,
Great Britain has so con
strued the first article of the Convention of the 2o;h
of April, 1818, in regard to the Fisheries on the
North% astern coast, as to exclude our citizens from
some of the fishing grounds, to which they freely
resorted for nearly a quarter of a century subsequent
to the dale of that treaty. The United Stales have
never acquiesced in this construction, but have al
ways claimed for their fishermen all the rights which
they have so long enjoyed wi hom molestation.—
With a view to remove all difficulties on the sub
jeci—to extend the rights of our fishermen beyond
the limits fixed by the Convention of 1818, and to
regulate trade between the Unfired States and the
British North American Provinces, a negotiation
has been opened, with a fair prospect of a tavoratde
result To protect our fishermen in the enjoyment
of their righter and prevent collision between them
and the British fishermen, I deemed it expedient to
station a naval force in that quarter during the fish
ing season.
Em bar rarsitag questions have also arisen between
the two Governments in regard to Central America
Great Britain has proposed to settle _ them by an
amicable arrangement, and our Minister at London
is instructed to enter into negotiations on that sub
ject.
- A Coturniesion far adjusting the claims of nor ci
tizens against Great Britain, and those of British sub
jects against the U. Stales, organized under the Con
vention of February lam, is now sitting in London
for the transaction of business.
It is in many respects desirable that the boundary
line between the United Statetrartd the British Pro
vinces in the no-thwesi, as designated in ihs, Coo.
eentinn of the 15'h June, Irti6. and especially that
parr which separates the Territory- of Wasington
front the &With possessions on the north, should be
traced and marked. t therefore presenuthe subject
;o pont notice.:
With France nnr relstiOns continue tin - ihilitost
friendly !noting. The extensive commerce between
the .United Stales and that country, `might, it is
concetve3, tic 'relested Trot► tome nnhecetrary re
adeanketr e- te:
Wi b a new to this object, some progress has been
• inoleigitiating a ,tittalt.ol cu
4a
neteu ttgtLult
Independeitly of Or psdat
No•St.i.e tinitotrunt ritationelvitk her,
uneentig of $ f our iftliboithoUXl l lo this lslatide;ol
Cubit and 1111) Ricci.) scribal* to announce thin
a_tniktheltet Conketva ttii ettersits 'have Wee
Intidt;, by utialtorti;ert eipiitttiottb within the Urn.
led States, against cart ut these Columee. S..oukl
auyonutrement. iniutiteated_xidula.9 111
the-nreansurinif-wilrbe vigirroMly
erred to reinm.B at. Several aniloying occurfeneea
have taken place at Havana, or iti th.l vicinity of
the jrlat.d ut Cutta,, Vetwitten, our oilier's* and the
Spatti3ll au-bmities Consiiieting . the proximity of
nut Wand 10 our r•huret.-;-lying, as it does, in; the
nark of 'lade between *tune of our pniteittat titles
r -atitt-Ase,-aaNts.u.tax-s9tPlimr. 2 —Yeldt., , whictaurigt
inrercmo.r. I...rt•rn tidy- ifist-vrifir thertliritrif St awe.,
as them guarded, a reiriitititite-bt occurrence
may well be apprehrudgl Aa nu atiplotnatic in
tro:Louise is allowed betueeit - Ow Consul at Barg
(la and the Captain General of Cuba, ready cape
na•ions cannot be made, Ur prompt rei4st adorned.
where injury has re.suliett All complaint uu the
part dour citizens; under the present arrangement,
must be. in the .fitst,place,,presented to 'his Gov
ernment, anti hen referred to. Spain. ,Spaiii again
retell" it to her ludal authorities in Cuba for invest'
; ration, and postpones art answer till she had bean!
Crain those authorities. TO 1 , 014.1 lbw irritating
and vexatious dele)S l a proposition has been made
to provide for 'a direct appeal for redress to the Cap
tain General by out Consul, in behalf 01 our
injur
ed fellow-citutens. Hitherto, the Girvernment of
Spain has declined to enter itinkany such artamie
meta. This course on her part is deeply regrette ' d;
wi flout &rime art aitgetnent of this kind, the
good understanding between the two countries may
be exposed in occemoual interruption - Our Minis
ter et 31adrid is ituaruc'ed to wurW the proixisitinn,
and to press it again 'upon the consideration of her
Catholic Majesty's GOventniest.
For several years Spam has been calling 'he at
tention 0! Mb. Coverbnient to a el rim for losses. by
some of he r pehiecis, in the en-e tat 'tad ►cbniniei
Amislad. This ctAnn i.. belies-vitro lest on the ob-
!mations impart' by our et 'Ming treaty with that
country. 11 1 1, waa admitted. to our diploma
tic correrpoi d-tiee wi h t e Siniriodi Government,
as early as March, IS-17; and one 01 my predeces
sors, in Id* annual itlei.p.age of that ) ear tecotn•
mended that provimon be made lit its pa) men! ..
in January (aet it .a as again .utmaitted to Corlgreset
by the Executive. I . has 'revived a !al - citable con.
oideration by- Contuates of both bianchea, but a.
yet there hap been no final anion upon it. I con-
reive that Bond faith innitrA its
and I present it to 'sour eatly and favorable calash!
eraiton.
Konta, a Hanaatian by birth, came to
this country in MO, and dri•laied his in'ention, in
doe form of law, to bec3rne a citizen of ihe United
States. After remaining here neitt:y two years he
visited Turkey. While at Smyrna, he was torci
bly seized, taken on board alit Austrian brig of war
then lying in the harbor of that phce, and there
confined in irons, with the avovreil design to lake
him into the dominions of Austria, Our Corlett!
at Smyrna and Legation at Constantinople interpos
ed for his release, but their efforts were ineffectual.
While thus imprisoned, Commander Isiortirsta.
with the United States phip of war St Louis, arriv
ed at Smyrna, and after inquiring into the circum
stances of the case, came to ►he conclusion that
Kosyra was entitled to the protection of this Govern
ment, and took energetic arid prompt measures for
his release. Under an afrangement between the
ageing of the United States and of Austria, he was
transferred to the custody of the French Consu)Ge•
feral at Smyrna. there 10 remain until he should be
disposed of by the mutual agreement of the Consuls
of the reispective Gavernmeida at that place. Pur
suant to that agreement he has been released and
is row in the United States. Tue Emperor of Aus
tria has made the conduct of our officers who took
pan in this transaction a subject of grave complaint.
Regarding Rostra as still his subject, and claiming
a right to seize him within the limits of the Tutkish
Empire, he has demanded of ibis Government ins
consent to the Furielider of the prisoner, a disavow
al of the acts of its agents, and sive-fiction of the
alleged outrage. After a careful consideration of
the case, f came to the conelus!on that Kopgra was
seized witf.out legal au bruin. at Smyrna;
that he
was wrongfully detained on board date Austrian
bin: of war; that, at the time of his set7tire, tie was
clothed with the nationality of the United States :
and that the acts of our officers. wide( the circum•
silences' of the case, were juicifiable, and then con
duct has been fully approved by me, and a compli
ance with the several demands of the Emperor of
Austna hasibeen declined.
For a more full account of this transaction and
my views in regUld to it. I refer to the coriespon
deuce between the Charge il•Aflairs of Austria and
the Secretary of State, which is herewith transmit
ted. The principles and policy, therein maintain
ed on the part of the United S ales, will, when
ever a proper occasion occurs, be applied and en
forced.
The condition of China, at this time ; renders it
probable that some important changes will occur in
that vast Empire. which will lead to a more wire
tarot-fed intercourse with it. The Commissioner to
Mat country, who has been recently appointed ; is
instructed to aVall 114111.eif of an e e cas ie es l a open
and extend our commercial relariono, Hot nrdy with
the Empire of China, but with other Asiatic na
tions.
In 1852, an expedi ion was sent to .1.4, an, under
:he command of Commodore l's3Lev for the pur
pose of Opening c ommercial iritercour.e with 'bat
Want!. Intelligence has beer; received nt lie. arrival
;here ' and of his having made known if/ the Emper
or of Japan the object of his visit ; but it is not yet
ascertained how far the ginperor will he di.posed
to abandon his restrictive policy. arid mh; that
populous country to a commercial intercourse with
the United States.
It has been My earnest desire to maintain friend.
ly intercourse wilt the Governments upon this con.
linen', and in aid them in preserving good under
standing among themselves. 11'i h Mexico, a dl2-
puts has arisen as to the lam boundary true be
tween our territory of New4llexico and the Mexi
can State of Chihuahua. A former Commissioner
of the United States, employed in running that
line pursuant to the treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo,
rattle a serious mistake in determining the ini
tial point pn the Rio Grande; but, inasmuch, as
his decision was clearly a departure from the di•
tections for tracing the boundary cr./veined in that
treaty, and was not concurred in try a surveyor ap
pointed on the part of the United States, whose
concurrence was necessary to give validity to that
decision, this Government is not concluded thereby ;
but that of Mexico takes a &Relent view of the
subject.
There are also other questions of considerable
magnitude pending between the two Republica
Our Minister in Mexico has ample instructions to
adjust them. Negotiations have been opened, but
sufficient progress has not been made therein to
enable me to speak of the probable result. Im
pressed with the importance of maintaining armee
ble relation with that Republic, and yielding with
liberality to all tier just claims, it is teasmiable to
expect that an arrangement mutually satisfactory to
both countries may be concluded, and a lasting
friendship between them confirmed and perpetua
led.
Congress having provided for a full mission to
the States of Central America, a minister was sent
thither in July last. As yet he has had time to ViP.
it only one ot these States, (Nicaragua,) where be
was received in the most_lnendly limiter. It is
hoped that his presence and good offices will have
a benign effect in composing the dissensions which
prevail among them, and in establishing still more.
intimate and fiiendly relations bon ern them re
spectively, and between each et them and the Uni.
ted States.
Considering the vast regions of this continont,and
tht► nOmber ot States which would be made ucces
eible by-the free navigation of the River Amazon,
particular tinemion has been given to this .subjeut.
Brazil, through whose territories it parses into the
ocean, t;.s hitherto petaisfea - in a Policy so res'r;r.
Vie, in reird toificiailiffitilitivei, iiitiotiimer,
iina nearly exclude, foreign commercial intercourse
Vs4th. the btour__a SONS . lie upon its intogarica. and _
1 sipper teanclors. Our minister to thtd employ. le . '
ittsituO(ild to obtain* relaxation of th a ti polkl anti
to osallseffiiMi to induce the Brazili Gov miens;,,
to opelislo coottrisr47vise, under proper safeignardek
this greit natural highwa) for intertUroional , trailiN
gereed`. of,ittriSuulfgAmetican States ate deiplyjni!
fileitted'in 'this attempt to secure the flee navigii•
Lion of the Amazon, and it is reasons' le to expect
_then co-operation in Ille.fittrYOre. As the ed.** ll -..
Wee ofiree-ii'immereitillidercourse among, nationil
ate better understood, more liberal views are gen
erally entertained as tiv - rite comtenri rights - of ullio
the bee use of those means which nature has pio
willed for iwernatietier Fonimunicatirin. ' TO" these
moral, liberal =MI - enlightened views it is hoped
that Brazil will inationtiftei policy, acid remove all
-01111ef:rfallY Mtfie4o. ll l*oe:Al 4 101 TePto_P! elilref..
- whirksraversesi so mitry-Stateisinti tie laige a pail
of the continent' lain happy ro itiftirm you that
the Republic of Pampa): and the Argentine Cori-
Contederation have yielded to the ltber.thpulicyatill
resisted by Brazd, in regard to the navagaole nvera
within their respective territories. Treatise embract
trilf this subject among others have been negotiated
With these Governments, which will be submitted
to the Senate at the prevent session.
A new branch of commerce, important to the ag
nets! urn, interests of the United S aids, ha.. within
a few years past, been opened with Peso Notwith
standing the mexhaustible deposits of guano upon
ilte 1-lattils of that country, considerable difticuldes
are esperienced in obtaining the requisite supply.
M ea.-tiles have been taken to remove these dill
ellI•i-ti and to seen re a more ablitid.itit irripoitation
1.1 the article L'illoritinwely, there has been a seri.
our collision bete - ern our citizen-, a no have resor
ted to ilie Chinclia 'lslands for it, and the Peruvian
Allll.lm , le' , motioned these. Redie-s for the outrag es,
commuted by the latter, wee promptly , derr i aided
by our mitii-ter at Luna This subject is now tin
der conaidetation, and there is reason to believe
-that Pete is disposed to oder adequate indemnity to
the eaurseved parties.
We are thus not only a peace a ith all foreign
rimniries, but, in regard to political attain; are ex
riot t from any cause of serious disquietude in our
domestic relations.
The cunt ore mini, which bare agitated the coon•
try herclolcae, are passing away with ihe causes
wh cfi produced them and the passions which they
hail awakened: or, it any trace of them remainsit
may he reasonably hoped that it will only be per
ceueit itt the zealous rivalry of alf good citizens to
testily their Tepper' lint the tight!' of the Siates,their
devotion to the -Union, and their common deter
mination that each one of the States, its institutions,
tls wellare, and its domestic peace shall be held
alike secure under the sacred scgis oh the Consti
tution,
This new league of amity and of mutual confi
dente and support into which the penple of the Re
public have entered, happily offends inducement and
oppot tomity for the adoption of a more comprehen
sive and unembarrassed line of polity and action,
as to the great material interests of the county,
whether regarded themselves or in connection
with the powers of the civilized world
The United States have continued gradually and
to ezliand, through acquisitions of territory,
which, how much griever some of them may have
been questioned, are now universally seen and ad
mined to bare been wise an policy, just in charge.
ter, and a great element in the adi aricement °four
country, and, with it, of the human race, in freedom,
in prosperity, and in happiness. The thirteen States
have !pawn to be thirty.one, with relations reaching
to Europe on the one side, and on the other to the
distil»t realms of Asia
I am deeply sensible of the immense responsibili
ty which the present magnitude of the Republic,
and the diversity and multiplicity el its interests,
devolves upon me ; the alleviation of which, so tar
a. relltes to the immediate conduct of the public
bu-mess is, first, in my reliance on the wisdom and
patriotism of the two Mouses of Congress; and
secondly, in the directions afforded me by the prin
ciples at public polity, affirmed by our fathers of
the epoch of 1798, sanctioned by tong experience,
anti coo-ecrated anew by the overwhelming voice
of the people of the United Stales.
Recurring to these principles, which constitute
the orearite basis of union, we perceive that, vast
as ilie functions and duties of the Federal Govern•
men', vested in, or entrusted to is, three great tie
p irtments, the legislative, executive, and judicial,
yet the substantive power, the popular force, and
the twee capacities of social and material develop
' ment, exist tit the respective Stares, which, all be
ing, el themselves well constituted republics, as pre
cetleti,.o they alone are cacable of maintaining arid
perpetuating the American Union. The Federal
Government has its appropriate line election in the
specific and limited powers conferred on it by the
Constitution, chiefly as to those things in which the
States have a common interest in their relations to
one another, anti to toreign governments; while
the ereat mass of interests which belong to cultiva
ted men, the ordinary business of life, the springs
of industry, all the diversified personal and domes
tic affairs of society, rest securely upon the general
reserved powers of the people of the several Starer..
There is the effective Democracy of the nation,
and here the vital essence of its being and its great-
Of the practical consequences which flow horn
the nature of the Federal Government, the primary
one is the duty of administering with integrity and
fidelity the high trust reposed in it by the Constou
non. r-prcialiy in the application of the Public
Funds, as drawn by tassel in from the people, and
appropriated to specific objects by Congress. 1-lap
tidy f have no occasion to suggest any radical
changes in the financial policy of the Government
Ours is alrnost, if riot absolutely, the solitary power
of Chris•endom having a surplus revenue, drawn
immediately from imposts on commerce, and there•
force measured by the spontaneous enterprise and
national pro-petity of the country, web such indirect
relations to agriculture, manufactures. and the pro.
ducts of the earth and sea, so as to violate no con.
stitutional doctrine, and vet vigorously promote the
general welfare. Neither as to v.° soutees of the
public treasure, nor as to the manner of keeping
and managing it. does any grave controversy now
prevail. there being a general acquiescence in the
wisdom of the present system
The Report 01 the Secretary of the Treasury will
exhibit in detail, the state of the public finances,
and the condition of the various branches of the
poblice service administered by that department of
the Government.
The revenue of the country, levied almost insen•
Moly to the tax-payer, goes on from year to year,
mei casing beyond either the interests or the pros
pective wants of the Government.
At the close of the fiscal year ending June 30,
1852. there remained in the Treasury a balance of
$14,632.136. The public revenue, for the fiscal
year ending June 30. 1953, amounted to 858,931,-
8651:om customs, and 22,405,709 from public lands
arid other miscellaneous sources, amounting togeth
e r to $61,337,574; while the public expenditures
for the same period, exclusive of payments on ac
count of the public des, amounted to 843.554.262;
leaving a balance ol 832,425,447 of receipts above
expenditures.
This fact, of increasing surplus in the Treasury,
bemire the subject of anxious consideration at a
' very early period of my Administration, and the
path of duty to regard to it seemed to me obvious
and clear—namely: first, to apply the surplus reve
nue to the discharge of the Public Debt. so far as it
could judiciously be done ; and, secondly, to de
vise means for the gradual reduction of the revenue
to the rhandard of the public exigencies.
Of these objects the first has been in the course
of accomplishment in a manner and to a degree
highly satisfactory The amount of the public debt
of all classes was, an the 4th of March, 1653, 869,-
190.37 t payments on account of which have been
made, since that periodoo the amount 01812,703,-
329—leaving unpaid and in the coetinuous course
o(ligrti anon, the sum of 857 486,708. These pay
mdrds, although made at the market price of the
respec.ive classes of eroekscharre been effected rea
dily, and the general advantage of the Treasury,
and have at the same time proved of signal utility
in t l ,e relief they have incident illy afforded to the
-•- tfivil -- - -,i- ai If' -
monernittlfeta eto ttrtn eh cOmmet •
cial pursuits of the country. - -
t in
De. second of r erviotted.objects i that ,
of the mai, iitof eat ', portottcp,Aud. Om sag
gel*, till: the Sky, 1 61 . the3refiffb ST hit 1°
reailoetleadulftiipo Or
.., artieleses , tid too' to
4,
rt tiliee.iiits nhOly attictie' ne tord#4, ontl*Leci
altrimeilas enter ifi eolinuf 1041 alai Attu riot
largely, ekat all ; innituiA in i a evutty,4t , coil.
waled to jour cusidarriiiii eateTtit ciniiiiiiratitiii
~. _.
You will hod in the %pert of the Secretary of
41.7,tr0MX/Allg's kiiltllc.444loooll.C-Illi
eiputif:OT the Met serif-lilievieet-iill
requiremenis of the yublic service, end the., while
IntiPedry ithrtiiiiefirekit-oPierates to the advantage
of the community in maniasy business telatiems.
rieitietetrilty 'apt its - ataell pug.
gestions of improvenr,nuthr the 'settlement ;of, atti-,
I ;erlunts, espeeially atr'tegintle the.taigeosonis•of out
r."tptsling, 1111pre.,detn, „the G9yetententond oth
er nilliisditliMi`hatieti"ictinija
Gls de
tpanment,;rtrtticb arrelimlieated by the iSettetioy ; as
also to the prowess made in the construction of
Marine Hospitals, Cnstom-I-Inuses, endr-of a itew
Mint in California and Assay Office in the.,City of.
New Yolk, lieretotore
, ptovidett fey by Congress;
and also the emiriently successful' proeress of the
Coast Survey, and of the Light-house Board.
Atnong the 'objects meriting your attention will
be important recommendations hum the Secretaries
of War and Navy, I am fully satisfied that the
Navy of the tidied' States IS not in a condition of
strength and efficieeryeemmeasurate vii tithe mag
nit rileof your commercial and other interests ; and
commend to your especial attention the suggestions
ott this eutieet made by the Secretary of the Navy.
I respectfully submit that the Artny, which, under
nor system must always be reg.:tatted with the high.
est Mistiest, as a nucleus around which the volun•
tear hereof the nalion.gather in the hour of danger,
requires augmentation or modification : to adapt it
to the piee.ent extended limits and homier relations
of the country, and the conditions of the Indian
tithes in the Interior of the continent; the necessi
ty of which will appear in the communications of
die Secretary of War and the Interior.
In the administration of the Post Office Depart
ment. for the fiscal year endue; June 30, 1853, the
gross expenditure uas seven million nine hundred
and eighty two thousand seven hundred and fifty.
six dollars; and the gross receipts, during the sante
period, five mullion nine hundted and forty-two
thousand seven hundred and f o rty-four dollais;—
showing that the current revenue tailed to meet the
current expenses of the department by the sum of
'wo million !tiny two thousand and aunty two dol.
lars. The causes which under the present po-ial
system and laws led inevitably to this result, are
fully explained by the Report of the Postmaster
(lateral; one great cause being the enormous rates
the department have been compelled to pay fur
mail service rendered I y railroad companies.
l ite exhibit in the Report of the Postmaster Gen
eral of the income and expenditnre by Tall steam•
era, will be found pecutiatiy interesting and of a
character to demand the immediate action of Con-
gress.
Numerous and flarant frauds upon the Pension
Bureau have been Cr ,, niight to light u i hin the past
year, and, in same instances, met Unit punishment
inflicted ;...but, unfortunately, in•otheis guilty par
ties have escaped, not through the +ism of suffi
cient evidence to warrant a conviction, but In con•
sequence of the provisions of limitation in the ex.
piling laws.
From the nature of the claims, the remoteness
of the tilbutials to pass upon them, and the mode
in which the proof is, of necessity, lurnished, temp.
tations lo crime have been grearly stimulated by
by rho obvious difficulties of detection The d e f e ct s
ii the law upon this subject are so apparent, and so
fatal to the ends of justice, that your early action
relating to it is most desirable.
Poring the last fiscal year, nine mitlio,t , eight
hundred and nineteen thousand, tour hundred and
eleven acres of the public lands have been survey
ed, and ten million three hundred and sixty-Aimee
thousand eight handfed arid ninety-one acres tiro' ,
into mai liet. Ititthin the same period the sales by
public purchase and private entry amounted to one
million eighty three thousand four hundred ninety.
five acres; located un.ter military bounty land wet
rants, six million one hundred and forty two mous
and lour hundred and twenty-seven acres ; located
under other certificates, nine thousand lour loin&
ed and twenty-seven acres; ceded to the Stare as
swamp-lands, sixteen million six hundred and eigh
ty-lour thousand two hundred and fifty three acres;
selected for railroad and other objects. under acts of
Congress, one million four hundred and twenty
seven thousand lour hundred and fifty seven ar•tes.
Total amount of lands disposed oh within the
year, twenty.five million three hundred and lorry.
six thousand nine hundred and rinely-two acres--
which is an increase in quantity sold and located
under land warrants and grams, of twelve million
two hundred and thirty-one thousand eight hundred
and thirty-one thousand eight hundred arid eighteen
acres over the fiscal year imrneilately preceding.
The quantity of land sold during the second and
third quarters of 1852, was three hundred and this
thousand four hundred and fihy•one acres
The amount received therefor was six hundred and
twenty-three thousand six hundred and eighty-sev
en dollars The quantity second and third quarters
of the year 1853, was one million six hundred and
nine-thousand nine hundred and nineteen acres;—
and the amount received therefor, two million two
hundred and twenty six thousand eight hundred
and seventy-six dollars.
The whole number of land warrants issued en
der existing laws, prior to the 30th of September
last, was two hundred and sixty-six thousand nine
hundred and forty-seven. The quantity ofland re
quired to satisfy these outstanding warrants is four
million seven hundred and seventy eight thousand
one hundred and twenty acres.
Warrants have been issued to 30th September
last, under the act of itth February, 3847, calling
fur twelve millions eight hundred and seventy•nme
thousand two hundred and eighty acres ; under
acts of September 28, 1850 : and March 22, 1852,
calling for twelve million five hundred and rive
thousand three hundred and airy acres—making a
total of twenty-five million three hundred and eigh
ty.four thousand six hundred and forty acres.
It is beieved that experience has verified the
wisdom and justice of the present system, with re
gard to the public domain, in most essential panic
ulars.
You will.perceive, from the Report of the Secre
tary of the interior, that opinions, which nave often
been expressed ►n relation to the operation of the
land system, as not being a source of revende to the
Federal Treasury, were erroneom The ner profits
trom the pale of public lands in June 30, 1853,
amounted to the b um of filly-three nnllrcn tan hurl
dred and eighty-nine thousand four hundred and
sixty-five dollars.
I recommend the extension of the land system
over the, Territories of Utah and New-Mexico,
with such modification's as their pecul►ari•ies may
require.
Regarding our public domain as chiefly valu
able to provide homes for the industrious and en
terpitiing, I am not prepared to recommend any
essential change in the land system, except h 3, mod
ifications in favor of the actual settler, and an ex
tension of the preemption principle In certain cases
for reasons and grounds which will be fully devel-
oped in the reports to be laid before you.
Congress, representing the proprietors of the ter
ritorial domain, and charged especially with power
to dispose of !wifely belonging to the United States
has. for a long course of years, beginning with the
administration of Mr. Jefferson, exercised rile pow•
er to construct roads within the Territories; and
there are many and obvious distinctions between
this exercise of power and tbat of making roads
within the States, that the former has never been
considered subject to such objects as apply to the
letter. and such may now be considered the settled
construction of the power of the Federal Govern
ment upon the subject.
Numerous applications have been, and no doubt
will continue to be made for grants for land, in aid
of the consti action of railway*. It is not believed
to be within the intent and meaning of the 'Consti
tution, that he power to dispose of-the public do
main should yie used etheswile than might be ex.
pec , ed from a pru'lent ptoptiecor, atlJ llwefore, that
' d riers, at land to WA , : the'erauttraction ot roads
should be restricted to cases where it would be for
the jgtemitt of she- proprietor, under likiLcirfirgl.-..
staricesjbus 4. t0 elects to the coastructlOn o
these wojks.:aor practical operation sitsuch'
laii•M_Sidvancing the interests'iWt thtr
Stele trOtt . hiekibeWorks are located, and.at this
Alpe tibia interests of alt t*other::
dtites enhauctag,tbe value and promoting thkr
rapid Isla of the public:domain, I rekr - yrui ill 114 -
report of the Secretary of the Interior. A careful
em_m t atianhoweveri showthat this
,experi
rtire-illte Will tic
far form aflording encouragement to a reckless or
itithetimmate extension of the princip:e.
I commend to your 'favorable consideration the I
men of genius of our country, who, by their Ittiferi
pions and discoyertas in aciesice and air, have con
tributed lowly to ihrl'improt ement. of die Due,
yr.ijioat, in merry
,instunceNrcuring for themselves
anythinilite adtkiptate tewertl. Pot'
ieteatioe details upon this subject I refer you-twits
appropriate reports, and especially urge upon your
early attention the apparently slight : but really
im
portant modifications of existing taws therein fug.
gesied. • -
The liberal spirit whichlhas so long marked the
action of Congress in relation to the Donna of Col-,
umbia, will I have uddoubt, continue to be mani
ferted.
The enaction of an nay him for the insane of the
District of Columbia, apd of the Army and Navy
of the United States, has been somewhat retarded;
but full preparation for the reception of patients, be
fore the return of another Winter, is anticipated.
and them is the best reason to believe, from the'
plan and contemplated arrangements which have
been devised, with the large experience tarnished
will in the last few years in relation 'lO the nature
and treatment of diaiase, that it will prove an asy
lum indeed to this most helpless and afflicted class
of sufferers, and stand as a noble monument of
wisdom and mercy.
Under the acts of Congress of August 31, 1852,
of March 3, 1833, designed to secure for the cities
of Washing on and Georgetown an abundant supply
of good and wholesome water, it became my dat )
to examine the export and plans of the engineer
who had charge of the surveys under the act first
named. The best, if not the only plan, calculated
to secure' permanently the object Freight, was that
which contemplates taking the ureter from the
Great Falls of the Potomac, and consequently, I
gave it my approval.
For the pro g ress and present condition of this
important work , and for its demands, so tar as op
propitiations are concerned, I refer you to the report
of the Secretary of War.
The present judicial system of the United States
has now been in operation for so long a period of
time, and has, in its general theory and much of
its details, become so familiar to the country, and
acquired so entirely the public confidence, that it
modified in any respect, a should only be in th• -e
particulars which may adapt it to the increased ea.
tent, population, and legal business of the United
Stares. In this relation, the orgruhiation of the
Courts is now confessedly inadequate to the dmies
to be performed by them; in consequence of which
, he States of Florida, Wisconsin, lowa, Texas and
California, and districts of other States, are in et.
text excluded from the full benefits of the general
system, by the functions of the Circuit Court been:
developed on the District Judges in all these States
or parts of States.
the spirit of the Constitution and a due regard
to justice, require that all the Sates in the Union
should be placed on the same looting in regard to
the judicial tribunals. I therefore commend to
your consideration this important subject, which, in
my jedgment, demands the speedy action of Con•
greys. I will present to you. if deemed desirable,
a plan, which 1 am prepared to recommend, for
the enlargement and modification of the present ju
dicial system
The act of Congress establishing the Smithsoni-
an lustoution provided that the Ptesoleot of the U
S., and other persons therein designated, should
constitute an " establishment'' by that name, and
that the members should hold stated and special
meetings fur the supervision of the affairs of the lit
ionion. The organization not having taken place,
it seems to me proper that it should be effected
without delay. This has been done; and an occa
sion was thereby.preiented for Map' cling the 'con
dition of the Institution, and appreciating. its sue
aeseful progress thus far. and its high promise of
tireat and general usefulness.
I have omitted to ask your favorable considera
ation for 'he estimates of co,ka of a local charac
ter in t wenty-seven of the thirty-one States, smolt l
ing to one million seven hundred and hits-foot
thousand five hundred dollars, because. indspen
(fenny of the grounds which have so mien been
urged against the application of the Federal Reven
ue for works of this character. inequainy with con
sequent injustice is inherent in nature of the propo
moon, and because the plan has proved enisteli
inadequate to the accomplishments of the of jests
sought.
The subject of internal improvements. claiming
alike the interest and good will of all, has 'reveille
less been the subject of mach political &sierra:oral,
and has stood es a deep graven line of divoiri-n be.
tween statesmen ol great ability end pairio ism
The rule of strict construction of alt powers dele
gated by the Stales to the General Government has
arrayed itself, from time to time ag ainst the rapid
progress of expenditures from the National Treas•
ury on works of local character within the States
[ Memorable as an epoch in the history of this sub
ject is the Message of President Jackson of the 27th
of May, 1830, which met the system of internal
improvements in its comparative infancy ; but so
rapid had been its growth, that the projected ap
prop' ialions in that , year hr works of this character
had risen to the alarming amount of more than one
hundred million of dollars
In that message the President admitted the dit
ficulty of bringing back the operations of the Gov.
ernment to the con traction of the Coestaution, set
tip in 1798, and marked it as an admonitory proof
of the necessity of guarding that instrument with
sieepleis vigilance against the authority of prece
dents, which had not the sanction of its most plain
ly defined powers.
Our Government exists under a written compact
between sovereign States, uniting, by specific
jests, and with specific grants to their general agen t.
If, then, in the progress of its administraticrh, there
have been departures horn the terms and intent of
the compact, it is, and will ever be, proper to refer
back to the fixed standard which our fathers left us,
arid to make a stern effort to conform our action to
it. It would seem Mat the fact of a principle hay
ing been resisted from the first by many of the wiri
est and most patriotic men of the Republic, and pol
icy having provoked constant strife, without arriv
ing at a conclusion which can be regarded as satis
factory to its most earnest advocates, should sug
gest the inquiry whether there may not be a plan
likely to be crowned by happier results. Without
perceiving any sound distinction, or intending to as
sert any principle as opposed to improvements
needed for the protection of internal commerce,
which doss not equally apply to improvements up
on the seaboard for the protection of foreign com
merce, 1 submit to you, whether it may not be sale,
ly anticipated that, it the policy were settled against
appropriations by the General Government for local
improvements for the, benefit of commerce, local,-
ties requiring expenditures would not, by modes
and means clearly legitimate anti proper, raise the
fund necessary for such construction as the safety
or other interests of their commerce might re
quire.
If that can be regarded as a system, which, in
the experience of more thin thirty years, has at no
time so commanded the public judgment as to give
it the chhracter ol a settled policy—which, though
it has produced some works ol conceded impor
lance, has been attended with an expenditure quite
disproportionate to their value—and has resulted in
squandering large sums upon objects which - have
ansivrered.no valuable purpose—the interests of all
the States require it tote abandoned, unless hopes
maybe indulged for A k e Ware which find no war
rant for the past.
With an anxious desire for the completion of the
works which are regarded-by all good citizens with
sincere interest, I bave'ileemed it my duty to ;Ask
i l it :d e t res itr i a:7 ool
si-7011,
danbiumbaineandfiiaberni
"---'
itaittililiakiterate' termed • o f a
questionPi h f el, ° ' 9 p a l i til i ek 1 ,. h :
SIP:ail?: h o pe
eiesdnot Cha r ,ma n may ploys i
equai lo ih.
ititt,ipignaosfloiviasinn::::peesb,l ...14
tat s f evii,i4 apd maturing a plan,:whichoipß
a
ed l a !
11 6 I ,,iii rco, may promise rionieih ing t,,,, h ,
I iirogatagfatrife the suspension of die pass el , q
titichertsenapieiliollilme'eartinittieloteaclptitp.erished expectations.
hus i t li Co -P t l ig P t e e l is i s 6l :e g vetal cases. have tinse l , in relic,
to werks for implovements of harbors, wi mil ;
vilire — iiiiiitrinitirafirs - titeright of snit and jade,
lion, and have threatened conflict between the y,
thorny of the Stale and General
jelly . or datn,
se ta l'sgem, necessarily, ` lo carry with it the porre e tt „
proteei and Wet...l ve such come ti 0..,,,„, ilii.
414
may be efletnually done by tidyin g j ,„,, ow .
over the Roil. But no clause of ibe C on ., t , put ::
faded . = which 'to rest the - claim of the thaw
States to exercise jurisdiction over the sod ol a
State, except that 'conferred by the elllblb scen es
of the first article of the.Constituticia. his thou sat,
spitted, whether, in all caaes where constructions an
to4rect by the. General' Government, the eigh t q
mil ottop id g m first be obtained. and legislative p ro ,
Vision be made to cover all such eases.
For the prove,* made in the construction n r
toads within the territories, as provided for is th e
appropriations of the last Congress, I refer you to
the Report of the 'Secretary of War.
There is one subject of a domestic nature, ahlet
from its intrinsic importance,and the many interes t ,
ing questions of future policy which it involves,
cannot fail to receive your early attention. 1 allude
to the means of communication, by which differ ent
parts of the wide expanse of ourcouniry are to be
placed in closer connection, for the purpose both of
defence and commercial intercourse, and more es
pecially such as appertain to the common/cawing(
those great divisions of the Union which he on the
opposite side of the Rocky Mountains,
That the Government has nut been unmindful of
this tererofore, is app 'rent from the aid it has affrrd,
ed,through appropriations for mail facilities and
other purpose. Hut the general subject will now
present itself under aspects more imposing and
more purely national, by reason of the survey or
dered by Congress, and now in the process of COM
plvtton, fur communications by railway across the
Continent, and wholly within the limits of the Unit.
led elates.
Thl power to declare war. to raise and suppon
armies, to provide and maintain a navy, sod to cal:
forth the militia to execute the laws, suppressir,
suerections, and repeal invasions, was conferred ats
on Congress. as means In, provide fur the commoi
defense, and iii protect a territory and a populanaa
now wide spread and vastly multiplied. As lock
dental to and indispensable for the exructse-of this
power. is must sometimes be necessary In construct
military roads and protect. hartxas oi refuge. 'reap.
pr 'pro at ions by Congress for such objects, nos eub d
~,,,emittn can be raised. Happily for our manor,
it, peaceful policy and rapidly-increasisg populsiten
and
d pose u pon US no urgent meessii .t tor preparation,
ble points and a patriotic people ever ready '
and
leavebut few trackless deserts bru te , ai , a , ia.
generally able to protect them. These /wennn
links, the enterprise and energy of our people are
steadily and boldly struggling ,io supply. All esp.
hence affirms that wherever private en uprise sill
avail. it is most wise for the General Guserncoesi
to leave to that and individual onicli:u:ness the lo
cation and execution of all means tit cmmunta
tions.
The surveyys before alluded to were designed '4
ascertain the most practi, able and economical r u.t
for a railroad from the Mi-•t,s.pp, to the P.,,nc
Ocean. Parties ate nine to 'he mak :R . n ,
plorationa, where previ oz. ex tit.ination. had ac;
not supplied aufficient dalA, aid where there wt,
!he best reason to hope the bl,ct run ht m•rta
found. The means and b,th I,atitett
is not to be espected that all the accurate knelt.
edge desired Is ill he obtained ; but 0 2 , hoped tin
much and important information will be a..Je!.,.
the stock previou-ly possessed, and that parLit..d
not full reports of the surieyes ill be re
ceived in time fur tranqint,mon ine
Congress.. on or before the trst Monday in Feta-w.f !
nest. as required by the act of a.‘proptlanatt Tie
magnitude id the enterprise c , nte:nlh t harar, , k,
ed, and will thnlbtle••, C‘ , ll(ll,Ue erct,e,a Very en.
•ral interest throueh• , ut the C.rufOry. In t. , ?
its comme - cial. and its I , earings. a L,,, ri
r,ed, great. and :icrea•ing clam, C,1.-; . t7/
The heavy eitt•er ae. the en a: ,lilac. and nn
fatality attending tra.el by either of the
routes, have demonstrated the ativl n t..pe alter
would result from mierillurial c. min uhtra , o t..
such safe and rapid me ins as a railroad
Ply•
These difficulties, shish have teen ehaosatereit
in a period of peace, would ma ) :tlod and td.,
further increased in writ' of unr. 13,:t ltd•
embarrassment, already ei.n iii.trod, and
under new contingencies of be wic.pated. mar
serve strikingly to exhibit the itNuirtauee of sure
a work. neither these nor as r:dolderalk,n, ci
bined tan hove au apprectal le ra'sr. whin's:re,
azainst the ohligatton strictly to adhere 's the Con
stitution, and frithfcilly to execute the poser. It
confers. Within this limit ai,d to the event of I%t
interest of the Government wt , a ed, it wcui,! seem
both expedient and proper, it an ec , mica! ar
t
practicable route shall be found, to aid, by all run
stitutional means, in the construction of a teas
which will unite, by speedy transit the pi pu,aturJ
of the Pacific and Atlantic States. Tog:wird atria
misconception, it should he remarked that, alto'
the power to construct or aid in the constructions(
of a road within the limits-of a territory is r i oters ,
barrassed by that question of jurisdiction saita
would arise within the limits of a :Stale, It is tem
theless. held to he of doubtful power and morettal
doubtful propriety. even within the Itmits of ate
rtiory, for the general Government to ut,deuake a
administer the affairs of a tatlroad, a canil.l .Set
similar construction, and therefore that a• c viec
lion with a work of this character should te !-
dental rather than primary. I will unto ptt
sent, that, full)' appreciating the inagrviu , :: , A:74
subject, and Solicitous that the Miami ,. and
shores of the Republic may be hound together tlia
separable ties of common intere-t. as well as e. a
mon fealty and attachment to the shat:
! disposed, so far as my action is concerned, In folio
the lights of the Constitution, as expounded as
' illustrated by those whose opinions and exposition
constitute the standard of my pendeai faith la n';nd
to the powers of the Government. It is.ltru . 4. l a
nececessary to say that no grandeur of cr.:' , Pr*".
and no present urging inducement prunits.nep , r•
lar favor, will lead me to disregard those 3
to depart from that path much eXpeI,CD , P 1 /t
proved to be safe, and which is now rad.ar
glow of prosperity and legitimate eons-10'04
progress. We can facksfii to wait, bu t we CSD:;0 1
afford to overlook the ark of our sec
It is no part of my purpose to r, I ,, MV SC
any subject. which mar pi oper'ly bo r et'fd a - " t
at rest by the dela), rate liniment of die reek —
But while the present is Wight with pru:a..:•
the fUture full of demand and ,nduceilieLt
' exercise of active intelligence, the pd../ car.
be without useful lessons of arlinoni:xi, aril 1* ,4
lion. If its dangers serve not as beacons,
evidently fail to fulfil the object of a WOO dr , tt•
I When t:,e grave shall have cl,,ed oVer
now endeavoring to meet the obligation..
of
the year ISSOwill be recurred to a: a penis;
with anxious apprehension. A successful ea
just te4nated: Peace brought with it a
mentatidn of thritory. Disturbing qllet:Jr.. /
bearing upon the domestic institutions of ow✓ .
tion of the confederacy, and involving 'lto
tional tights of the States. But, notwithstaar.4
differences of opinion and sentimoid, which
eOtted in regard to details and .pecillc Pr' Y ' v t
the scquterrence of distinguished citiaen‘.
votiOn to the , Union can never te doubted. haste "
renewed vigor to our institutions. 51 , 1 re-: m p
simse of repose and security to the
throughout the confederacy. That this repii;e',.. l .
'suffer no shuck throughout my o ffi cial o rtn,l ,
° vier t o alert it, those uho have placed roe /: 1
may be assured. The wisdom or men, ,ow
what independence cost—who had put 311 at •ar•
upon the issue of a Itevolutionary sttuecle -4i ';
ed of the subject, to which I refer, tp ale spay
ra
consistent with the union of these sittes ,
the march of prosperity and power which '
as what we are. It is a signitiCatil fart, that the adoption of the Coostiumon until , he otficers . !,
soldiers of the Revolution had passi:i'...o