Bradford reporter. (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, December 17, 1857, Image 2

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E. O. GOODRICH, EDITOR.
TOAVANDA :
Cijarsban fUormnn, O.ccmbcr 17,1837.
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for its soft delivery.
SENATOR DOUGLAS'S SPEECH.
In the Senate on the 9th inst., Senator
DorGLis took the earliest opportunity to de
fine his position in regard to the Leeompton
Constitution. We shall not this week attempt
to publish any portion of his speech, as the
President's Message occupies all our space, but
•we will in our next, lay before our readers so
much of it as will enablo them to correctly es
timate the attitude he assumes, and the argu
ments nsed to sustain his position.
Mr. DOUGLAS takes bold and high grounds
against the adoption by Congress of the Lc
eompton Constitution. He lays much stress
on the fact, which our readers will not fail to
observe, that the Presideut in his Message,
first indulges in an argument why tho Consti
tution should bo submitted in all its parts to
the action of the people, ami makes no recom
mendation that Kansas shall be admitted as a
State with the swindle concocted at Leeoinp
ton. Still the message leaves the conclusion
on the reader's mind that the President recog
nizes the binding force and validity of the CAL
HOUN Constitution, while unofficially, it is well
known that he has determined to make adher
ence to his policy of admitting Kansas with
that Constitution, a tost ot party fealty.
Mr. D. also argues that an enabling act of
Congress can alone confer the necessary au
thority for the assembling of a Convention to
form a Constitution, and he consequently does
not regard the Leeompton Constitution as any
more valid than that made at Topeka, and en
dorses the position assumed by Mr. GROW, in
his speech of March 4 th, 1850, that the
people of a Territory, while they cannot legal
ly meet in Convention to form a Constitution,
yet have an undoubted right to meet and pre
pare a Constitution and present it to Congress
as a petition and memorial.
lie indulges in a powerful argument against
the injustice and unfairness of the Leeompton
Constitution itself, and particularly the mode
in which it is submitted to the vote of the peo
ple. The leading idea in Mr. DOI;GT.AS'S speech
is that the Democratic party stand upon the
dortriceof " popular sovereignty " —that pled
ges have been made to the country that the
doctrine shall be freely and fairly carried out
—that he has repeatedly pledged his honor
that the people of Kansas should have tho
opportunity to pass upon any Constitution
made for them—and he regards the Leeomp
ton Constitution as plainly violating the doc
trines of the party and own repeated pledge,
under these circumstances, he feels it his duty
to take a position of antagonism to tho Ad
ministration.
Such arc the leading points of bis speech,
which are enunciated with great foree and
clearness, and boldly and defiantly maintained.
If we had greater confidence in his honesty,
we should have more admiration for the at
titude he now voluutarily assumes. However,
if he shall maintain to the end, the stand he
h&a taken we will give him all the credit he de
•erves. Already the excommunication of the
party has been proclaimed ; the Southern mem
bers have determined not to recoginzc him as
a Democrat, while the organs at Washington
are deliberately " reading him ont of the par
ty." There can be no question that Mr.
DOUGLAS' position will alienate all his South
ern supporters and friends. What is the
cause of this unexpected desertion of one of
the ablest and hitherto most reliable champions.
Has he, with FORXEY and others, become
restive under the dictation of their Southern
masters ? and determined to assert their man
liness and independence ? Or has he be
gan to realize that the South, while they are
willing to asc Northern men to effect their
ends, are the first to cast them off, when they
have thereby become odious at the North ?
There is no question that a bold pol itical
stroke is the mainspring of this relnctance to
do the behests of Slavery. Able, bold and
energetic men, are engaged in playing the
game. But we welcome it, as we welcome
every manifestation that the Southern yoke
is beginning to gall the necks of Northern
men, and Northern arrogance and dictation is
becoming intolerant.
19* In Coogress, Mr. GROW has already
given notice of his intention to introduce a
Homestead bill. Our Congressman is bent
mpon aeenring free homes for all, ami he cer
tainly carries with hiin in this laudable endea
vor, the best wishes of his constituents for his
success.
•9* JOHN PASSMORE lias been appointed by
the Governor, Associate Judge for this Coun
ty, to 6opply the vacancy occasioned by the
resignation of Hon. Aaron Chubbuek.
19" The Banks of New York, Albany and
Boston, resumed specie payments oa Monday
TUEUTAH EXPEDITION*. —Further intelligence ]
from the Utah expedition states that on the 3d
of November Col. COOK'S command was one
hundred and fifty miles west of Fort Laramie,
proceeding as fast as possible towards the
Winter quarters fixed upon by Colonel John
sou, on the Honey Fork of Green Itirer. A
rumor prevailed that Brigham Young, intend.
e.l to lightj the troops this Winter, while there
was a chance for an equal. 01* rather for an un
equal conflict, and that before reinforcements
could be scut out in the Spring, he would des
troy all the Mormon possessions, in Utah
and proceed to some other locality.
Dispatches have been received at the War
Department from Col. Johnson, of the Utah
expedition, dated South Fass, Oct. 18, convey
ing intelligence of the same tenor us that re
ceived byway of St. Louis. The greatest ex
ertions were being made to form a junction
of the different branches of the expedition, pri
or to going into Winter quarters, but serious
delay was experienced from the snow and cold.
Col. MAGKAW, of the South Pass Wagon-
Road Expedition, has tendered a number of
men, fifteen good teams of mules and wagons,
which had been eccepted, and would be of great
service in the emergency. Several of the sup
ply trains were yet behind, with provisonrf and
clothing, of which the advance were greatly in
need.
S*£T Of all the papers in Kansas, Democratic
and Pro-Slavery, but one sustains the action of
the Lccoinpton Convention und advocates it
being sanctioned by Congress. Even tin
Ivickapoo Pioneer, a zealous Pro-Slavery pa
per, declares that the refusal of the Convention
suomit the whole Constitution to a popular
vote, has greatly injured the prospects of the
Pro-Slavery Party, and united nearly the
whole population in opposition to it.
A call has been issued also for a Democrat i<
Convention to he held on the 24th inst, for the
purpose of petitoning to Congress to pass an
enabling act, under which a new Constitution
may be formed and submitted to the popular
vote.
Now that the President has substantially
repudiated the Democratic principle of Popu
lar Sovereignty, the wishes* and sentiments of
the people of Kansas may have little weight
with him. The great body of the party, how
ever, may take a different view of the subject.
Latest advices from Kansas inform us
that Gen. CALIMUV, Provisional Governor by
grace of the Leeompton Constitutional Con
vention, has issued two proclamations—one
specifying the manner of holding the election
on the 21-t instant, for submitting the Slavery
clause of the Constitution to the people, and
the other providing for the election of State
officers on the first Monday in January. It
is understood that Secretary STANTON* had is
sued a proclamation calling a special session
of the Legislature, which was to meet on the
Tth iiintuut. At a mass Convention of the
Free-State men at Leavenworth on the 27ih
nit., it was unanimously resolved to put the
Topeka Government in motion, and stand or
fall by it, in case Secretary STANTON* should
decline to convene the Legislature.
B*s?- At a recent meeting of the Trustees
of tlie Susquehanna Collegiate Institute in To
wanda, it was reported that the Presbytery of
Susquehanna at its recent meeting in Canton,
gave a pledge that if the citizens of Towauda
raise oue-hulf of the amount necessary to pay
off all the indebtedness of the Institute, the
other half shall be raised by other friends of
the Institute, within a year.
The Trustees express their gratification at
this announcement, and would earnestly urge
all the friends of the Institute to take the ear
liest practicable measures to accomplish so de
sirable an object.
[Kor the Reporter ]
MR. EDITOR :—We are quite sure we ex
press the sentiments of a/l, who had the plea
sure of listening to the lecture of DR. TURNER,
on Monday erening, when we express the high
gratification it afforded us.
While it contained abundant foo l for tho't,
there was incense offered to no sentiments that
were not elevated and ennobling ; provoca
cations to no feelings, that were not refined
and chaste—countenance to, or exhibition of,
no habits or manners that were not praise
worthy and amicable, and such as we should
wish old and young to cultivate. Give us
more such lectures. X.
J6£D"*The Third Lecture of the Course was
delivered in the Court House, on Monday even
ing last, by Dr. CHARLES M. TERSER. His
subject—" The British i t India, n was ably
handled, and the Lecture Due of great interest
and value.
The Fourth Lecture will be delivered on
Monday evening next, by Rev. S. F. COLT.
Subject—" Books end their uses."
THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY. —We are indebted
to the publishers for the second number of the
Atlantic Monthly, a magazine devoted to
Literatnre, Art and Politics, established by
by Messrs. Phillips, Simpson & Co., of Boston.
This work has been projected and established
to supply a great want in the literature of ( he
nation. We have plenty of periodicals for
supplying the taste of the people for wood-cuts
and the lighter literature, including stale jokes
and extracts from Punch, but not one which
aims to be what Blackwood is to the literary
world of England. The Atlantic in a great
measure is intended to supply the wants of
sound, polished literature. Its list of contribu
tors is a sufficient guarantee that its iuterest
aDd ability will be lept op.
It is pretty well authenticated that the '
Administration had a secret agent in Kansas,
during the session of the Lecompton Conven
tion, to counteract the efforts of Governor
WAI.RER in behalf of a full submission of the
Constitution to the people of the Territory.
Gentlemen recently arrived from there say
that the Governor had secured a clear majori
ty of the Convention in favor of the submis
sion, when MARTRX arrived, and, by his semi
ofikial representations as the attorney of the
President, influenced the course finally resolv
ed upon —or, rather, induced the Calhoun Par
ty in convention to present to the Elmore Par
ty the alternative of a submittal of the Sla
very clause alone, or the submittal of no part
of the instrument.
Air. SEWARD is reported in the Senate, upon
the confirmation of DKVVKK, to have repre
hended this introduction of Japanese espoin
age, with much severity and justice. It is,
however, but a part of that tendency towards
centralization which is fast m iking an Admin
istration more potent than the popular will,
and invests the President with more arbitrary
power than is wielded by the Czar of Russia.
It is becoming a serious and alarming ques
tion, how long the outward semblance of de
ference to public opinion will continue under
the rapid strides towards despotism we arc
making. Already tho National Administra
tion h becoming powerful enough to commit
with impunity the boldest acts of aggression
upon the rights of the people, conscious that
patronage and place are sufficient to control
the machinery of party, and thus stifle and
subdue popuiar indignation. When the go
vcrnment shall become in fact an autocracy,
all power being consolidated and centralized
at Washington, the triumph of the Slave
propaganda will be secure, because they will
be enabled to direct the operations of the Go
vernment. It is to accomplish this end, that
the Constitution is misconstrued, ancient tra
ditions set at nought, solemn compromises vio
lated, the judicial ermine sullied, and the doe
trine of State rights openly repudiated. I low
much progress has been made during the last
ten years, can be discerned by the most ob
tuse or careless.
F. I*. STANTON*, Territorial Secretary of
Kansas, and in the absence of Gov. WAI.KER,
acting Governor, having yielded to the ear
nest request of the citizens of that Territory,
and issued a proclamation convening the Ter
ritorial Legislature, lately elected, the Presi
dent, on the receipt of a telegraphic dispatch
announcing the fact, returned him, and appoint
ed JANFS W. DENVER Secretary in his place.
The latter was confirmed in Executive session
of the Senate, by a strict party vote. One
account, however, states that DOIGI.AS and
li RODERICK voted against the confirmation.
Under the proclamation issued by Stanton,
the Territorial Legislature is now in session,
and Mr. DENVER has no authority to prorogue
them. What they intend to do, is not clear
ly known ; probably, however, they will pass
a law submitting the entire Lecoinpton Coo
stituMon to a vote of the people, to sho*v how
tremendous is the feeling in the Territory
against it.
Senator MASON is reported to have said in
the course of the debate upon DENVER'S con-
firmation, that the moment WAI.KER turned
his steps towards Kansas he would be remov
ed. Reports from Washington state that the
Government has been telegraphing all over
the country after Walker, but in vain—they
cannot ascertain his whereabouts. It is sur
mised that by this time he is in Kansas, and
DF.NVER will find himself when he arrives an
inferior—where he will be careful to keep out
of the way of dispatches until he shall harcar
raDged matters to his satisfaction.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT CANTON.— A correspon
dent sends ns the particulars of a destructive
fire which occurred at Canton village on Mon
day evening, 7th inst. It originated in the
Hall over Mauley's store, which had been oc
cupied by a singing school during the evening,
and was discovered about 11 o'clock, destroy
ing tho store and dwelling house of F. (i. Mau
ley, which were insured for $2,400 ; a small
building directly North ; the Warn of the Cen
tral House, owned by Kii.gsbery, Newman &
Morrell ; and the Canton House, a fine tavern,
owned by Lee & Harding, and occupied by
Mrs. Spalding, widow of the late A. E. Spald
ing. The tavern was valued at about SO,OOO,
upon which there was no insurance. The fur
niture was mostly removed. The store of
Mix A Hooper and Vaiidine were in great
danger, and the buildings and stock considera
bly injured. Total loss about $15,000.
Mrs. Spalding having fortunately saved a
portion of her furniture from the conflagration,
has taken the Keystone House, near the de
pot, where the travelling public will be accom
modated.
ftafThc Virginia Legislature on Thursday
re-elected the Hon. R. M. T. Hunter, to the
United States Senate, by an almost unamin
ous vote.
SST The proceedings of Court, are necessari
ly deferred until next week, when they will
be published in full.
The President has nominated the Hon. Na
than Clifford, of Maine, as Associate Justice
of the Supreme Court of the United States, to
fdl the vacancy occasioned by the resignation
of Judge Curtis. The Senate has not yet act
ed on the nomination.
ASF* The nomination of Col. William A.
Richardson as Governor of Nebraska, in place
of Mark W. Izard, resigued, was on Thursday
con&i'rocd by the Seoate.
1 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
FROM FOL'RFH I'AOE.
A large majority of the convention were in
favor of establishing slavery in Kansas. They
accordingly inserted an article in the constitu
tion for this purpose similar in form to these
which had been adopted by other Territorial
'conventions. In the schedule, however, pro
' viding for the transition from a territorial to a
State government, the c|uestiou has been fairly
1 and explicitly referred to the people, whether
, tliev will have a constitution " with or without
I slavery.'' it declares that, before the consti
-5 tution"adopted by the convention " shall be
i sent to Congress for admission into the Union
' as a State," an election shall be held to decide
I this question, at which all the white male iu
i habitants of the Territory above the ago of
:21 are entitled to vote. They arc to vote by
; ballot ; and "the b.-rllots east at said election
! shall be endorsed 'constitution with slavery,'
' and "constitution with no slavery." If there
j be a majority in favor of the "constitution
j with slavery," titer, it is to be transmitted to
Congress bv the ['resident of the Convention
iin its original form. If, on the contrary, there
: shall be a majority in favor of the " eonstitn-
I tion with no slavery," " then the article pro
j viding for slavery shall be stricken from the
i constitution by the president of this eonven
i tion and it is expressly declared that "no
slavery shall exist in the State of Kansas, cx
j eept that the right of property in slaves now
i in the Territory shall in no manner be inter
! fered with and in that event it is made his
duty to have the constitution thus ratified
i transmitted to the Congress of the United
i States for the admission the State into the
Union.
At this flection every citizen v.ill have an
opportunity of expressing his opinion by his
vote u whether Kansas shall be received into
the Union with or without slavery," and thus
this exciting question may he peacefully set
tled in the very mode required by the organic
law. The election will be held under legiti
mate authority, and if any portion of the in
habitants shall refuse to vote, a fair opportu
nity to do so having been presented, this will
be their own voluntary net, and they aione will
be responsible for the consequences.
Whether Kansas shall be a free or slave-
State must eventually,under someauthority.be
decided by an election ; and the question can
never be more clearly or distinctly presented
to the people that it is at the present moment.
Should this opportunity be rejected, she may
be involved for years to domestic discord, and
possibly in civil war, before she can again make
up the issue now so fortunately tendered, ami
again reach the point she has already attain
ed.
Kansas has for some years occupied too
much of the public attention. It ;s high time
this should be directed to far more important
objects. When once admitted into the Union,
with or without slavery, the excitement beyond
her own limits will speedily pass away, and
she will then for the first time be left, as she
ought to have been long since, to manage her
own affairs in her own way. If her constitu
tion on the subject, be displeasing toamajori
ty of the people, no human power can prevent
them from changing it within a brief period.—
Under these circumstances it may well be
questioned whether tiie peace and quiet of the
whole country are not of greater importance
than the mere temporary triumph of either of
the political parties in Kansas.
Should the constitution without slavery he
adopted bv the votes of the ninjoiity, the
rights of property in slaves now in the Terri
tory are reserved. The number of these is
very small; but if it were greater the provi
sion would be equally just and reasonable.—
These slaves were brought into the Territory
under the constitution of the I' nit id States,
and are now the property of their masters.
This point has at length been finally decid
ed by the highest judicial tribunal of the coun
try—and this upon the plain principle that
when a confederacy of sovereign States acquire
a new territory at their joint expense, both
equality and justice demand that the citizens
of one and all of them shall have the right to
take into it whatever is recognised as- proper
ty by the common constitution. To have
summarily confiscated the property in slaves
already in the territory. would have been
an act of injustice, and contrary to the prac
tice of the older States of the Union which
have abolished slavery.
A territorial government was established
for Utah by act of Congress approved tlie 9th
of September, I and the Con<titutio.i and
laws of the United States were thorehv ex
tended over it "so far as the same, or any
provisions thereof, may be applicable." This
act provided for tin- appointment bv the Presi
dent, by and with the advice and consent of
the Senate, of a Governor, who was to be ex
officio superintendent of Indian affairs, a Sec
retary, three .Judges of the Supreme Court, a
Marshal, and a District Attorney. Snbse
qu< nt acts provided for the appointment of the
offi-ers necessary to extend onr land and our
Indian system over the Territory. Drigham
Young was appointed the first Governor on
the 20th of September, 1850, and lias held the
office ever since. Whilst Gov. Young has
been both Governor and Superintendent of In
dian Affairs throughout this period, he has
Docii at the same time the head of the church
called the Latter Day Saints, and professes
to govern its members and dispose of their
property by direct inspiration and authority
from the Almighty. His power has been,
therefore, absolute over both Church and
State.
The people of Utah, almost exclusively, be
long to tliis Church, and believing wit.li a fan
tioal spirit that lie is governor of the Territory
by divine appointment, they obey his commands
as if these were direct revelations from Hea
ven. If, therefore, lie chooses that his ov
ernment shall come into collision with the gov
ernment of the United States, the members of
the Mormon church will yield implicit obe
dience to his will.
Unfortunately, existing facts leave bat little
doubt that such is his determination. With
out entering upon a minute history of occur
rences, it is sufficient to say that the officers of
the United States judicial and executive, wiih
the single exception of two Indian agents, have
found it necessary for their own j>ersona! safety
to withdraw from the Territory, and there no
longer remains any government in Utah, but
the despotism of Brigham Young. This be
ing the condition of affairs in the Territory,
I could not mistake the paths of duty. As
chief Executive Magistrate I was bound to
restore the supremacy of the constitution and
laws within its limits. In order to effect this
purpose, I appointed a new Governor and
other federal officers for Utah, and sent with
tbem a military forte for their protection, and
aid as tipfssc comitotus, In case of need, in the
execution of the laws.
With the religious opinions of the Mormons,
us iong a? they remained mere opinions, how
ever deplorable in themselves and revolting to
the moral and religious sentiments of all Christ
endom, I had no right to interfere. Actions
alone, when in violation of the constitution and
laws of the United States, become the legiti
mate subjects for the jurisdiction of the civil
magistrate. My instructions to Governor
Gumming have therefore been framed in strict
accordance with these principles. At their
date a hopp was indulged that no necessity
might exist for employing the military in fe
stering and maintaining the authority of the
law ; but this hope has now vanished. Gov.
Young has by proclamation, declared his de
termination to maintain his power by force,
and has already committed acts of hostility
against the United States. Unless he should
retrace his steps tiie Territory of Utah will lie
in an open rebellion. He has committed these
acts of hostility notwithstanding Major Van
Vliet, nn officer of the army, sent to Utah by
the commanding general to purchase provisions
for the troops, had given him the strongest
assurances of the peaceful intentions of the
government, and that the troops would onlv
be employed as a posse ormit'itus when called
only by the civil authority to aid in the execu
tion of the laws.
There is reason to believe that Gov. Young
ha- long contemplated this result. He knows
that the continuance of his despotic power
depends upon the exclusion of all settlers from
the Territory except those who will acknowl
edge his divine mission and implicitly obey his
will ; and that an enlightened public opinion
there would soon prostrate institutions at war
with the laws both of God and man. He lias,
therefore for several years, in order to main
tain his independence, industriously employed
in collecting and fabricating arms and muni
tion-; of war, and in disciplining the Mormons
for military service. As Superintendent of
Indian Affairs, he has had an opportunity of
tampering with the Indian tribes, and exciting
their hostile feelings against the United States.
This, according to our information, he has
accomplished in regard to some of these tribes,
while others have remained true to their alle
giance, and have communicated his intrigues
to our Indian Agents. He has laid in a store
of provisions for three years, which, in case of
necessity, as lie informed Major Van Vliet,
he will conceal, " and take them to the moun
tains, and bid defiance to all the powers of the
government/'
A great part of ail this may be idle boast
ing ; but yet no wise government will lightly
estimate the efforts which may be inspired by
such phrensied fanaticism as exists among the
Mormons of I."tali. This is the first rebellion
which has existed in our Territories : and hu
manity itself requires that wc should put it
down in such a manner that it shall he the
last. To trill".- with it would be to encourage
it and to render it formidable. We ought to
go there with such an imposing force as to
convince these deluded people that resistance
wonld J bc in vain, and thus spare the effusion
of blood We can in this manner best con
vince that we are their friends, and not their
enemies. In order to accomplish this object
it v. ill be necessary, according to the estimate
of the War Department, to raise four addition
al regiments, and this I earnestly recommend
to Congress. At the present moment of de
pression in the revenues of the country, I am
sorry tn be obliged to recommend snch a mea
sure ; but 1 feci confident of the support of
Congress, cost what it may, in suppressing the
insurrection and in restoring and maintaining
the sovereignty of the constitution and iaws
over the Territory of Utah.
I recommend to Congress tlic establishment
of a territorial government over Arizona, in
corpora ting with it such portions of New Mexi
co a< they may deem expedient. I need scarce
ly adduce arguments in support of tins recom
mendation. We are hound to protect the
lives and property of our citizens inhabiting
Arizona, and these are now without efficient
protection. Their present number is already
considerable, and is rapid I v increasing, not
witnstanding the disadvantages under which
they labor. Pcsides, the proposed Territory
is believed to lie rich in mineral and agricultu
ral resources, especially in silver and copper.
The mails of the United States to Califorira
are now carried over it throughout its whole
extent, and this route is known to be the near
est, and believed to be the best to the Pacific.
Long experience lias deeply convinced me
that a strict construction of the powers grant
ed to Congress is the only true, as well as the
only safe, theory of the constitution. Whilst
this principle shall guide my public conduct,
I consider it clear that under the war-making
power Congress may appropriate money for
the construction of a military road through
the Territories of the United States, when
this is absolutely necessary for the defence of
any of the States against foreign Invasion.—
Ihe constitution has conferred upon Congress
power to " declare war." " to raise and sup
port armies," " to provide and maintain a na
vy," and to call forth the militia to " repel in
vasion* " Ttiesc high foreign powers necessa
rily involve important and responsible public
duties, and among them there is none so sa
cred and so imperative as that of preserving
our soil from the invasion ola foreign eneuiv.
The constitution has, therefore, left nothing
on this point to construction, but expressly
requires that " the United States shall protect
each of them .the State.-' against invasion."
Now, it a military road over our own Territo
ries be indispensably necessary to enable us to
meet and repel the invader, it follows as a nec
essary consequence not only that we possess
the power, but it is our imperative duty to con
struct such a road. It would be an absurdity
to invist a government with the unlimited po
wer to make and conduct war, and at the same
time deny to it the only means of reaching
and defeating the enemy at the frontier.—
Without such a road it is quite evident we
camio,t " protect " California and our Pacific
possessions " against invasion." Wc cannot
by any other means transport men and muni
tions of war from the Atlantic States in suffi
cient time successfully to defend those remote
and distant portions of the republic.
Experience has proved that the routes across
the Isthmus of Central America arc at best
but a very uncertain and unreliable mode of
communication. Put even if this were not the
ease, they would at once be closed against us
in the event of a war with a naval power so
much stronger than nur own as to enable it to
blockade the ports at cither end of the routes.
After all, therefore, we can only rely upon a
military road through our own territories ;
and ever since the origin of the government
Congress has been in the practice of appro
priating money from the public treasury for
the construction of such roads.
The difficulties and theexj enseof conitract
iug a military railroad to conneVt our At;~T
and Pacific States, have been greatly t . '
gerated. The distance on the Arizona r^ ? '
near the 32d parallel of north latitude ?
tween the western boundary of Texas on' •
liio Grande, and the eastern boundary
California on the Colorado, from the
piorationa now within our knowledge,
exceed four luindred and seventy miles*,
the fuce of the country is, in the main fa/,,'
ble. For obvious reason? the govern
ought not to undertake the work itself"]' 1
means of its own agents. This ought t'.j •*
committed to other agencies, whir-irCon-, /
might assist by grants of land or money
both, upon such term? and conditions as't/
may deem most beneficial for the country
Provision might thus be made not onlv for J
safe, rapid, and economical transportation J
troops and munitions of war, but al-o 0 f •
public mails. The commercial inter, .' 1
the whole country, both East and West n,
be greatly promoted by such a road- aM
above all, it would be a )>owerfiil nddi'tior
bond of nuion And although advantages '<
this kind, whether postal, commercial, or -
Ifticol, cannot' confer constitutional power \-
they may furnish auxiliary arguments infoi,"
of expediting a work which, in my judgn,?
is clearly embraced within the war inuki"
power.
For these reasons I commend to the frier*].
!y consideration of Congress the subject of/
Pacific railroad, without finally commit/
myself to any particular route.
The report of the Secretary of the Treas.
rv will furnish a rlctailvd .statement of theco.
dition of the public finances and of the reside
tive branches of the public service devoid
upon that department of the government. B:
this report it appears that the amount of rerl
nue received from all sources into the treason
during the fiscal year ending the 30th of Ju>
I2T, was sixty eight million six hundred a
thirty one thousand five hundred and thirt.*'
dollars and sixty-seven cents, ($68,6315]";
67,) which amount, with the balance of i 1
teen million nine hundred and one thoiM,
three hundred and twenty five dollars and for
ty five cents,
the trea-ury at the commencement of the vea*
made an aggregate for the service of tiieV;
of eighty-eight million five hundred and tl.
ty-two thousand eight hundred and thirty-:, :,
dollars and twelve cents. ($88,532,839 12
The public expenditures for the fiscal m-.
ending 30th June, 1857, amounted to sever;:
million eight hundred and twenty-two thoi
sand seven hnndred and twenty-four dollar
and eighty-five cents, ($70,822,724 85. jj
which five million nine hundred and forty-thru
thousand eight hundred and ninety-six doiiarj
and ninety-one cents ($5,943,896 91 we:-
applied to the redemption of the public debt
including interest and premium, leaving in tL
trcasury at the commencement of the pre*:•
year on the first July. 1557, seventeen mi]" -
seven hundred and ten thousand one liuudrrl
ami fourteen dollars and twenty-seven cei/-
($17,710,114 27 }
Tim receipts into the treasury for the
quarter of the present fiscal year, commeiiciitf
first July, 1857, were twenty million uinebnt
drcd and twenty nine thousand eight huudrec
and nineteen dollars and eighty-or.e cen:-
(20.929,819 81,)" and the estimated receipt
of the remaining three quarters to the SO: 1
June, I*sß, are thirty-six miliiou seven i o;.
dred fifty thousand dollars, '536,750,000,
making, with the balance before stated, ani;
gregatc of seventy-five million three Lundr"
and eighty-nine thousand nine hundred a.i
thirty-four dollars ami eight cents, [575,359,-
934 08,) for the service of the present fisca.
year.
The actual expenditures during the f."-
qnarter of the present fiscal year uere twentj
ttirre million seven hundred ami fourteen then
sand five hundred and twenty-eight dollar* a.:
thirty-seven cents, '523,714,528 37, of wi
tnree million eight hundred ami ninety-five
thousand two hundred and thirlv two do! v
and thirty nine cents, ($3,895,232 39, wc
applied to the redemption of the public dti>;
including interest and premium. The pro's
bie expenditures of the remaining three qu-'-
tors to June 30t\ 1858, arc fifty one m.l :■
two hundred and forty-eight thousand £r
hundred and thirty dollars and four cc;t<
($51,.>48,530 04.) including iutorest on tii'
public debt, making an aggregate of scvetry
four million tunc hundred and sixty-three t! .r
sand fifty-eight dollars and forty-one cc'*.
(•4,963,058 41, leaving an estimated hub 5
in the treasury at the close of the present £•
cal year of four hundred and twentv-sis tl
sand eight hundred and seventy five doilue
and sixty-seven cents, ($426,875* 67.)
The amount of the public debt at the cos
menccment of the present fiscal year was tvr:
ty-nine miilion sixty thousand three hnt.-lreJ
and egltty-six dollars and ninety cents, $-•'
060,380 90.)
Thc amount redeemed since the Ist of J:
ly was three million eight hundred andnin
five thousand two hundred and tliirtv-tvro '.>•
lars and thirty-nine cents, ($3,89."y2d2 3C' -
leaving a balance unredeemed at this time <K
twenty five million one hundred and fifty-fa"
dollars and fifty-one cents, ($25,165,1. "> 4 51.
The amount of estimated expenditures .Of
the remaining three quarters of the prose
fiscal year will, iical! probability, be increa-W
from the causes set forth in the*report of t>
Secretary. ]lis suggestion, therefore, t. s'-
authoritv should be given to supply any to
porary deficiency by the issue of a
amount of treasury notes, is approved and I
accordingly recommend the passage of su<£;
law.
As stated in the report of the SecreUrj.
the tariff of March 3. 1357, lias been in ope
ration for so short a period of time, and n- -
dor circumstances so unfavorable to a just of
velopment of its results as a revenue IIUMS'IK
that I should regard it as inexpedient, at icJ= :
for the present, to undertake its revision.
I transmit herewith the reports made to#
by the Secretaries of War and of the Xa?
of the Interior and of the Post master Gene
ral They nil contain valuable and import A l- '
information and suggestions, which I eouinict"
to the favorable consideration of Congress.
1 have already recommended the raising &
four additional regiments, and the report of
the Secretary of War presents strong reason'
proving this increase of the army, tinder ei
i*ting circnmstanecs, to be indispensable.
I would call the special attention of Co
gross to the recommendation of the Secrete?
of the Navy in favor of the construction of'j 3
small war steamers of light draught.
some years the government has been obliged
on many occasions to hire such steamers
individuals to supply its pressiug wants. *V
the present moment wc have no armed v C: *!
in the navy which cau penetrate the rivers *
China. We have but lew which can enters?
of the harbors south of Norfolk, aJtboagbiß*
oy nrillions of foreign uud domestic