JEMI
,~
.
MEE
".'..-.:F,-,_%zi
.1 .i
EMME
& H. EL .FRAZIER,-EDIT-ORS.'"}
. .
-1 1 - 1 P 'PRESIDE-NrS
-.. ,_I r - MEss-A rs . ~opinl9 v , bet e ore and . during the session .
It Ut.J. of the - Conyention, in ilivor of subinitting the
i ,
.... ,
: .... . . 1 retnetnnt r ,i , elauttea' : Of the Censtitution,;- as
_ -
f . iItow : CITIZOS Cry 'Vint SthATE ..
,i.ND' . .l:iVell'asi that concernitiglavitry,' tii.. the i)en
n ot ik - otr IZEPfiESE'STNTIVES . :'-7W4Cn • He i MC:, 'Put; acting in an Ofileial chafaeier, tei
ire the conditional the country -at the- t then myself nor anYhtiniatitinthority hadjhe
roelp. .
vre - ient day with what.it was= Otto .yoar ago, power to rejudge the - .proceedings fef the
the meeting of Congressf.ve
.have ninch ... o invent: i on, .
: Md . declare: the '
nullity:
' rea son for gratitude .tw that. Almighty Prot which,it hid - framed to lie 't. nullity; .To
c i enc e which has never. failed. to interpose fOr haVe'donethis :would: hive been, a 'viola - ion
our relief at the Most critical , periods of our iof the Kansas and Nebraska not, which :left'
history. One year,:ago the ;sectional Strife the people of the - TerritOri,, "perfectly free
between the Northitail the South on the den: tit form'and 'regulate' th'eir . donieStie institii-.
ii e rons subject,of Slavery - had again ItcoMe lions in their own way, sotneet only .to the
o intense as to threaten' tie: peace and 'per:' Constitution of the Vnited•Stmes," . It wo'd .
pewits' of the Confederiey; - The application . equally have violated-the. oriaiti . principle of
f o r the-admission of li'ansas as a - State into I Popular 'Sovereignty •at ' r- the. foundation of
t i me brion fostered - this Unhappy agitation, I our institutions; to deprive the people of •the
nad.hrought the whole 'subject once more . bc4power, if-they thought. p r oper to exercise it,
fore-Conaress. It was the delire-of,every lof confiding to - elegateS elected by them
patriot,. that r such measures of legislation selyes the trust ; Ofliuming - a Constitution,
taight,beadopted is would remov e th e ex. -, without requiring 11?ein to subjket their eon
iitement from 'the_ States,Nmd -confine .it *.t o s tit u!lits- to the irptible,ex knse• and delay
the Territory where it legitimately belonged. of :t - second 'election: . It'woald Imre been in
`Much has been done; lam happy.to. - say; to•-I opposition to many precedents' in our hist°.
l'tiStd the accomplishment of this object . ,dur-"lzry commencing in the Very best age -of the
the last session of,Congrc!ss. ' - i Repuldir .If, th lint
irg, t h e t as,
• ,sy,ttrN.
The Supreme Court -..0f the .tritithd,States
kd previously- devidea' that all .Artieriean
titizens,have an 'equal
. right,fo take into: . the
Territories whatever is -held as property up
iler the - laws of any of the States, -
,and to
held such property 'there under the gitardian- -
Fhip of tl:e Federal Constitution 'so - 1011z hs
ih Territorial condition shall remain.-
. •
Thi s i s n ow a well-establishrd
tio procerilings or the-iast Session -Ice re
• ‘ , „ ~.„ tp from omen... ... _,
J on ,- ! -- wa ntinc, to 1,.-,i:ive it- practical_ effest. 'Ile : I our hilore guidance. r .I, eactteally considered, i from fortiima-coubtries rush into it, for the
1 the question 'is simply whether . the . people of 1 lendable purpose of iniprov lin , ' their condi
pr:nelple ha:beett recognized. in some ferre
that Territ.ciry should first come into the Un- 1 lion: Then first duty to . I ' ' ' .
er other by an'almost _unanimous Vote of i { I teinseives 14 to
- bath houses of Congress, that -a Territory. I ion and then change any provision in their i open and; cultivate farms, to construct roads,
i i , s a rAtt to come - Into - the .Union - .either •as I Constitution - not a,grecable to themselves. or 1. to establish schools, to erect places of relim
~
,f re , e _ o r slave State; 7 :ticcording to the will of i accomplish the t'ery ttne•Ohject by rent - ain. 1 ions woribip; and to . .devote their energies;
&majority of its fceoPle. The just . 'equality_ i ing out of the Union/ and 't i
-rant.ng another i fienetallvl to reclaini the wilderness and to
. • • ,
iif all the States-tuts --thus • been . - vincitetted,t7 , Constitution in accordance with their' will ? I lay the 'f*Jundations of a flourishing and pros.
In either case -the result. would be precisely
O d it fruitful sourec.of dangerous discussion_ i permits trinonwealth. ' If, in this incipient
„
among them ints'been .reinoved. - , .- • - the same.- The only difference in point of i condition with a itopulatien of a few theyl
- such Iris been the heneficfal tendon- 1 fact i , Ytitat the object would:have b •ninth' • dthey -
been
. s.tti . should prematurely enter the Ut
.,
er of your legislative proceedhigs outside of t snon , sr attained, and the pacifiettion of Kan- i ion, they are oppressed by the hitrden of
'lio- - as. their influence lies nowhere' beer: so i sash - Mire Speedily elected, had it been ad- , State tax' •and
, / I lawn, the IIiCIIITS` necessary for
h4py. as within that Territtn:y ' itsc i lf. Left I milted as a State during , rb I
—0 last session of the improvement of the Territery and the
temanage and control.its own affairs - in its ;Congress. ” ! advanceinent- of their own intereSts are thus
. .
awn way, without:tile Fest:ere of external I My reecimmendation, howeVer, fir - the --alivet ted ..o , l'ff bt t
AC 1 erta purpose.
. _
italeetaT, the revolutionary Topeka'orzthlza. I immediate admission of hansa,s` failed to The tederal Government has ever been a
lien atid 4 111 resistance to the Territorial Gov-. 1 meet the approbatiiip of - Conores.S. They ; liberal 1 T ' '
, :-, parent to the err/tortes. and a gm
eminent established by .COngress . have: - .beeti_l deemed - it wiser.to adopt a' uifferent ineniu t -e . emus contributor to the useful -
enterprises of
~.t. ,
tially abandoned: As a.natural consequcltei.. fie- the settlenient of the questin.. For no theearlykettlers. It has paid the expenses
.Ih:A fineTerritory•noWaPpears to be-.trait- i Own part,. I should have been willing to 3 ield. of their Gocerinnents - and Legislative assern
plihand prospereus„. and is attracting'i in., my assent to almost •any wi:stitution:ll I ! ,ca •
phis
blies cad Of the 'common trea.zurv, - and thus
....e.: - clsing thousands of immizrants to-Make it sure to accoznplish tis object. - I therefore ' relieved thew from a heavy charge. .Tudor
their happy horne.s. , -
The past unfortunate experience of Kansas ; the. Magri...ll Compromise s ,. an 4 approv e d the ' calculated to retard their Material progress !
I:a ien ft . ireed the lessee Sil . o r toi a l re kly - , ":Act for the adniissiou 'of th e State of Kam , than to di yertshen from their tisefill employ.
taou, that resislanec . to lawful authol•it3;, - i sus into -the -t - I ri o n," up,p.th e •t e rni s 'therein rittlits bY prom turelys_exciting rotary twilit? ,
t:
ender our form of giivernment, cannot fail I liri-'eribed - - ,- ' - • , ta i eittitets annmg themselves, for the bete-
, ia - the lift] to prove disaStrons to itti authors. I Uaterthe ordinance which accompanied ,
; tit- of aspiring leaders: lt is surelY no hard-
Ilai the people, of the.-Territory-yielded olif.- I, the Lecompton i i
Cot:st.tut.on, „the people of ship,for ituthrYo Povernora, Senators, and
iiiinee to the lawS'enacted by their Legila. 1 ft:' , lll'sas had elainta - d dotthie the quantuy . Of ! -Menthe r. 4 of Qungress, to wait until the cumin
were, it ;y-nald at the present, inument have 1 public: lands.- tut thc , ,,,stipriort of
.cernitron her of inhabitants-shell "equal-.those of it sin
-tint' Ia • ' i ' f - 1 el.ioo;s v•lt' . .h Ikd eVer . beenPros' t I
r, : • ate, ~ large,add Lentil population o in- I-- -..,: •"- • . • lous.y i gle CoNinctss.ional District- The , : sorely
dustrions and enterprising, citizens, who have I granted' tunny State tipcmf: entering the Ut t . I ought .not to .tie permitted: to rush into di'?
deco deterred from' enteritn , ats borders. by . .l ion; and ills, , the alternate sections of 1a0 , 3 I c:nimi, titita. tin i n I: Von 1,......-•.: thsv ~..„1.,..1( ...
.._ -,- ' - ....-. ,111,4 ~.1 ,1", ~i ...vat a ~:1, i ... ; ; %eri i‘ u ,-. 0 .3 • .41.4 1 !nut les in INA Interior
Oa. existtltiee. of eiVit F t- - x.. ••••• , 3 •••••%-y g -• , •-••-4 - -,• } 4 . -- "*-- . - • • , .. • .
Lviiioll. • l roads,•proposed to be constructed front th :! of some Of the States. This was the , comn
i
northern to - _the southern botiodarv. a:AD - rot:l.i ti o n o f
,Kansas when it made application to
the ea - stern to the western but:inlay yof the )be admitted under the Topeka • C'Otisfitution.
State. - Corgrtss, deeming these eldnits itn• I Besides. It requires some time to render flit •
reasontight,• provided, by the art ot-May 4th, i tuass o'.' a population collected in-a lieu -Ter
- IS;>t . i, to which I have just referred, for the ! ritorr attall hoologotwoms, and to unitethem_i
-/oltitil•slott - of ihit State on an equal tooting ! ,-, 11 ;we tltitT like :t fixed poliey. Esteldi.h
With the original S.ates,.but " upon tile :fun. i the rule, iaand all will look forward to it and
dEfi - i;rtfitl ( - 4;ittli - titeedent' tit't a m.ijori- ! govern them t. , e Ives a c e .t.rditigly.
tv - of the peoplit-thereo(at tin . election -to he i But jitioiet , to this-people of the several
land for that purpose, shiaild, in place ot the : States requires that this rule should lie es
'very latte grants of - public lands which they i mblislied by. Congress. Eatth State, is real
-4uirl ; dentatided under the ordinance, accent tled to Mr: S.f.llftiftrs and at li-ert One Itepre
such grants as had been made to Minnesota ; sentative; in C o ngress. Should\ he people of
and, other new States .. Under this aa,s.Jlo . :l i the States fad to elect a Vint-President, the :
-a 'majority reject : the propoSiti% oll'ered power chivolves dp, l n the Itteselect
then . „ - '.` its shall be deemed a nd hekt, that the ! this oftieer from the two highest 2 - ettididates
pei ,i,4, of K ,Fl l ib ms. do not' oesir e ntl;n6,sion ; on the lit. - In case of the' death of 1 htt Pres.
i into the Union with-said .Constitution tinder i ;dont, the Vice-President thus elected by the
the conditions se,t, forth in 'said pio .
position' '' i Sixn.n..., ihoe o mes President of the United
In that event the act anthori7,es . the people of.; St a t e s, On all questions of legislation, the
the Territory to.eleet • delegates toi f o rm a i Sony ors friun the strtalle-t States of the Un-
Constitirnott and State O t irertimeja fur them . - "inn have:an equal Now with those from tln•
, •
s elv e s. " wheneveromd not before, ii is as- i I:4ri f ,e-t. ; The same may be sail_ in regard to ,
1- et•rtainv.d bv a censu s duly and its tai;• :lile rat4i . ratitm of tt-eaties, and of the Excel-
en, that • the popthation of s'aid . ,Territory . i : rive appointments. All this has worked ad-
equals Or exceeds the ratio of representation mirably in practice, • while it confUrrns in I
reqUired for a Member of the Iluttse of 1 : 47p• 1 prineipiU with the character of a government ,
rer , entatives of the Congress of the United : instituted by Stvereig,it States. I presume 'i
Stiti ,, s - :" . The delegate, thus assembled •` shall r , iii American citizen would desire the slight
first determir - Mby a vote whethts it is the ; .-.4 change in the arran;_tertietit. Still,' is .it t
Wish of the people of the propesed . State ti' . not unju . t imtLunequal to the-existing States 1
-he'admitted nub the rriinn at that time, and, i to invt!s. some 40,000 or 50,000 people cot .
if so ; shall profeed to form a constitutiOn, 1 I,: e t e d in:, Territory- wjth the. attributes of t
„lid all nee:ssary steps ' lc) r the t , t.';lli,li- i sovereignty, and place them on ail equal
1 meet of a StateiGOverninent la einsfinittity ). f•oting With Virginia and New York in the
with Federal -- Dift4t i t tit ion." After this t B,.n:at e of tiii. United States?
l
.
1 ConstitutiOn shall pace been formed,,Cott'-i I For these n•aotts-1 earnestly 'recommeni
1-gress, carrying out the In inciples of Popular . the passage of a general net which shall' pro-
I Sovereignty and nen.intervention„ have left I vide that, upon. the application of a Territo-
I `.‘ the mode and manner of its • approval or i rial legislaturi., declaring their belief that
i !
ratification by the people .of the proposed , the Teerit , Jry . contains a number of inhabit-
State" to bc-"Prescribed by law," -and titer ' • •which,t ' • St: .e'w I ,l d them
i a-la,, la /r 1 A it. ~,. tals until_:
i " s hall thin be.adinitted'intO the Union as , a , to elect n member of , Corigress, it that! be the
State titider such Constitution thus fairly:and i duty of :the President to cause a census of
I legally made, with' Or without -Slavery, \;' :' - the inhabitants to. be taken, andrif,found sa
said Constitution maYpreser•tbe."' -. ' .- i tieiekf, then, by the tern'. of this at:qui am.
An: cleciiiirc was:held - throughout 'Kansas; 1 f
t horize. them_ to proceed "in their own way"
1 ; 1 tairsl*.im'ee of iheVith'ilioils td this et.et;on.; to ratn4 a State:Constitution .preparatory to
i the Second .day of August lasi, and it resulk i. aelq i is,io iuto the !.:,tlion,' I also recomen
fed in the - rejeetiou', - by a. large Majority, ' oli that au appropriation may be made to enable
f the proposition suinnittet to the people by . the. Istleitident to tithe a census of the ,co ,le
I Congress:' This bitt , *• the etse, - they sire nnw ,of Kansas. ' . . . ,
1
~i..
'autheitrizedlo form another Constitution, peer I The present condition of 'the Territory of
'paratorY toddiniasidti halo • the' Union;. but titah,•when. - „contrasted with .what•it . was ono
f not. until their : number,. its by a ,'.year lign, is a sathject for congratulation. •It
1 c . eastri, shalteqUal or - exceed the ratio • rO.- i was theio in a state of open reneram,und,cost
f ' d . I • ' 't . the Mouse: of I shat it might, the charaCte.r id. the. G/oVera,
game to e ect a mem cc o
Re; - ;rtatives. : 7 . ', - i ' -
prese : • meet required that This- rebellion should be
14 isnot Pr6bable, in - flip:present state of , itippresised, andtbe. lni
b-aons .compelled to
I the case; that a third* 'Ccinstilut, 4 on - can be "yield obedience to-the
,Constitution and the
I •
1. lawfully framed,and. presented . .to Congress haws.. ht order t(1 accomplish this-object ; .as
-
I by Kansas, before its populaticin 'shall : Live i 1 infortned you in my last-annual: message, I
i reached that desi&itted number.:
..I'sior is .it I appointed a new-Go - vernor instead of, 13rig=
I ~
*.ers to
to he presumed. that,'acterlth.or iftil.exPCTi-,i hatti ).tfung, and:other
__Federal Otte. .
• 'enee in rvsisting . the'•TerritoriallaWs., they ii i take thO place of those who s .consulting their.
will attempt:to fidoPt• - a - - . .'Ponatitittioif-iti cox-:,personal safety; had found it necessary- to -
ess violation:Of - the proisiotei:Of an Vei: of 1 withdraw- froth "the .Territory.: . To: pro s tecit..
I CA':tilt, reFs. ...-' Durititi7the'.: .:.ets.ion, of . ]B5G,;# these civil oftitiers, and Wald thenaitfatiposse.
[moat of - the tithe of -Congies' was oeettPit'fd. I ccinairegs, in the execution of the 'laws; -.il l-: 1 16 n tili!. iiita: s thin 'Of 'admit/log". Kintstt's - hati r er i ease.ofueed, rordered a detaeliment-: of ;the.
! the i rOpekti COnslittilieh..' Agniti;..tiearlithe, artily to necentploy them to 1,;(ah: ' : , The lie. ,
} W hole of" the last-'sensiOn.was 41evOte.4 to - .the cessit;itor. adoptingthese . iPeasures,ist._:now
! epte . 'QtioLrlif its' adinission. under, the,' .LCeueipi lemon4tratett,,.-• ~ .:., ••_
.. •-•-.: tt , .-: - t
} ton Constitution,. Surely It.;ii;not: UnrctiSon.:l_ citt.the 15th SeptenWs, -„1807-,.:-.Gov . ernor.
:title to require'iffe'.l;:teople of - Mini:as tO wail;'. Yotinglistsoed,.his!.proolaittution, in the.' , .'.*tyle
fitio - re: making' ailiirdntlettipfititflil:the mini. ' ofMr independent .sovvreigoi al t:noticing his
her - tif theirleihibitatitS.'shatl'ealOontto Pitie..:putp4 to . rOitt by: bree of:',itritis: the tin'n'y
tir.threetiltOttisand - four 4 litindr4• • did . '.tWettty'j r,l 0 0 ,1 1 E1 1 044 S . L 4 t t •. s .1 1 . (i cips into, 'our -own
During s-1
ti:c din Thi•i tt lry 0 (761);.,..b - y-1hi4... require'd ~ a ll '
State 4, as well.is - thegr,entinisineSSinterests ilic•forizett io the,:,Territory,:-.,t0,."4i01d Ahem.
of - the etninrry; dereands that'Jbe-r.Peopleof.i s.Jvpi -itt,:•readirte ,, s: to fitareli-tat.,:itt-.lli, blllerli.'S i
,the' , UniOn'shaliiOt , forfiv-ihiot time •he e'ecti) - - 't notlee s k - O- retie! any _and all. ; ,,ine.h....:l,uy i
xio . p a l
vied 1; 1 611011iii.'41tatligi on .: the Kama ' andes . fili4isieil' martial - law frina: its d a te• .
it was the resistince.tori4tful
r.
rd
.
r,d the persevering attempts to estabrtsh u
rc.volutioaary-government under the Topeka
Con,:titution t which crised. the people of
Kansas to COllllllit . the grave error of reins- -
in 2 to vote for delegates In- the C.mvention -,
to traine,a'Castitution under a la-w • not .'de
nied t 6 be fair and-just-in its Proyisions.-
Tliii refusal to irote has: been the, prolifie
, ouree of all the evils whieli have followed,
fathe>'hostility to the Territotiar Govern
:rd•pt, they disregarded the 'principle absf,,,
• Lady essential to the working 'of 'our form
prernment; that a majority-of these.•who
rote-snot the nutj•irity who,ntay remain at ,
I:Nme; from y. hater eftus:e—must
he result: ofan eleti.sn. For, this reason.
king •to halt e advantage-of" their own er
%r, they denied the authority of the Conven :
thus eleeted tit fratite a Constitution. •
The G3iiVenti , :n, notwit6tandir4z, prOcecd•
adopt -a Constitution. tmexecptionable
its gPfieral features,- and providing for the
. .
~.v.,;ni,w;on of the Slavery lu?s,tien to t vote
11 the renp!e, which ; in mY
bound todo iinch-r the Kansas add. 'Ne,.
I .ras:3.aet.. Tliig ‘r.ls the sill-itnpart...nit
which had alone convulsed the - Territo-
.
7 . :Cj L:id yet the opponents' of the ;ay. int
i'.: ,, y2rament; perAstingiti . their firSt error,-
r•trained frOm exerehang their right to .vote,
preferred tliat Slavery • sl ould .eontinne ,
n:h e r tinnt .sui.render revolutionar'y,
. _ .
cganrz.ation,,
wiser and better spirit .wetted to pre=
v:111 b,f re the - first Aloaday of Jantriry last,
. when an electibn was held'under'the
A •majority. of the people their voted ,
f`r a Governor and other: State ofii*si for a
Mend,er of 'Congress and 'toot lJtrs• Of the.
`tats Legilet are.; 'Th4s elation
Iv contested
,by, the taro polities] fatties :in
t3nsas. and'a creator - vote gas polled tin:ll
st any previous=eleetion. - A large; 'majority
the meMbers of the elect 'be
:-rged to that party- which -had - prfiotldy
rr - fet•eet to -tote: - The.Aitti Shvery - party
~e re thus peed in the' S...Oendirif,' mail the
Power Of the - State 'ills . .in
stn hand g Had-Congress ted Kansas
mto the Unirut - under the' LeeOropton
I . lltiou, the Leghslature "might, : at its-Vreiy
!,rst nession,- have submitted the s ‘ uestilut . to
v‘ee. of the-people, Whether they Would : fir
said not haVe.a. Convention to ant6id their
Cts:it ut i on, ei her - On 11:e:Slavery";er . aity
per question;' and have adOpted ail necea.sa
means far giiin s dy
.c-ffeet toilhe will
bf ;he majority, -.ThliS•the Kinsas
h4vi3- `been. immediately . - an'd iiralh
•••• • .. - . . -
-
ender these eire.umstimee - Y I submitted to
tig(ess the - Constitutiott thus framed,' With.
the offiCersalreaily- nree , sary to
_;,:tt the Staie.dOverament into - operation,-A6-'
• e . gar.anied- . V. , strong • reeOnimendLitioll,
t , ilr of tlitt'aitimi . 4iori-oUliansas as a Stat 0. •
!lie course of my loit public'llre I ~. 4*- r P'
Li.ver perfoitned any. 'aut . -Which; IA -. the
rttrr,--peet, has-afforded -,A10:-.:-More heartfelt
-Itsudniission could
no possible injury _on guy '.hiiinan bring;"
it would,-within a - brief period`, have
n:stored - pi.toe . to Kansas ime - barmOny - 'to
Union. m that event the - Sltitit
tint would ere -this-luiie - -been fuiAlly settled,
a:20)1,314 kxprei;Aed • will '-of
t , .atprity - o f,ib e vo . ters; popular • cover.eignty would thus havelieuWyindietited in - - 4 1 t
wn.titutional,manner;-. • _
With My deep et)dilitilitids - Of . dtity, I could
~:are pars-fled do other - true
that, as an lidividnali
• -zit - - •
. •
•. - •
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. : . .
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. .
t - iepultlie, the'adtoiS:,ion of Territories as
States into the Union, • without `a previous
vote of the people approving their C'ons.tita
not% •
. •
It is 11 - 4
-be lamented that a question so in=
signitie.ant *hen viewed in its *practical' . ef
fells on the p6ople of Kansas, whether deci
ded One Way or the
:tidier, shank] have .kin
tiled such a flame of eichensent throughout
•
16,oltztry. "This'retiection may prove to
.
be n les:':on of wiidom- and of warning for
• _.
)oranan,RD ii _
&O-aigKVT @LAVERV amp W-1201AC29
a 'FREE
qiieoion . By waiting, fora short time, and
'acting in obedience to law. Kansas . vrill glide
into the 7 nion without• the slightcsl inipetli
mem. 1 - .' . . ,
This e7cellent. pro Vision.. which Congress
' have oPillit'd toKtinsas., otwilt tribe - extended
and renered- applicable. •to. all Territories
which in y hereafter seek adunission' into the
ri l
Union. 1 , • - -
. .
. While: Omgress pro-ses.es the undoubted
power o I • adittittim , ' it nets. State into the
tioion,l l wever Small may .he the . number.
41 . f its inlialiittmts, yet this pOwer might not.
in my (.oiilion, to be iserri=ed before the,
pollination rdiall amount to the ratio required
by t. 114. act for the admission of Kanster..- -
had thishrenpi•eviously the rule, the coun
try woad .have keaped all the' . evils and
misfortunes to which it-has been exposed by
"the liansh . s question.. .
Of course, it 'Would be unjust to give this
rule h retrospective application, and • exclude
a State *bleb, acting, upon the past practice
'of the Gbv - critinent, has already formed its,
•Constittnion, elected its Legislature and oth
er ollicev; and is now•prepared to cutter .the.
1 colon. 1
- The 1.419 ought to be adopted, whether we
[consider litsbearing. on the people of the Ter
ritories or upon thn people of the. existing.
iSt 10 "; Arany of the serions - Ais , :ensions
which.ha 'e prevailed in Congas. and through
mit the ebtmtry would have been avoided
khad this tide been established at an earlkr
iperioil (Al the Government.
Immediately upon thieformation of n'new
Territor3l, peoplf from 'ifrerent States and
.I‘IONyROSF, ;- - .TI-IIJR:SpA. 7 , DECI.i-7;44;W:=1851:.
. . . . ,
. = .
1 thmagbriut the Terriktry. - These privet} to I same time 'ffireeteil, to corop4rate cordially
be no idielbreats ° Forts Bridget'. and Sup- , With the British . and.Fretich Ministers, in all
- 1 ply were vactite,d' and - hiffnt down by the 1 peacefullll Nts,vres.to secure by treaty those
I Mormons, - to depriVe Our troops iif :a . ,:helter ' just concessions toforeign commerce witch
after theirlong'andlittimiimi march. Orders the nations of the world had a right to de-
I were issued =by -Daniel .- ' It „Wells; styling nand, lt "wine iinpOssible=lbr me to proceed
bit - Itself ‘i Liebtenant ' General, IlativOr; I -further thvoi this on My oWo-authority'With
) gion," to stampedethrr animals of the Ifnited I out nsurpingtheWar.making power, which,
States troop.: on their maroh; to ‘ set fire- to Under the Constitution, belongs . exclusively
their:traies, to burn the:grass and the witch to. Congress: -... . -.. . -
.
country before them-and On their thinks, to Besides, after a.Careful examination of the
keep . them froin'sleeping , by night surpri , es, nature nod extent, of our grievances, I did
and to blockade thneoad . .by i'e!ling Ives and t not belieVe they - . were orsueh 4 pressing, and
...
destroy;ng the fords of rivers, &e. . Avarmlitid character as, would have . -.justified
These orders - werr )t-ctitibi ly and efrectiial- COngress in
. declaring..war . against
. th.a . Chi
1 • v-obeyed v On - the4th October, LW, the - tit.* Wapire s Withouti.firat. making, another
Mormons captured"and burned on , Green" earnekattempt to-adjust, - them by, peaceful
Myer three- of our supply trains, con!istin! , negotiation. I was the, more inclined to this.i
of seventy-Re wagons !mad Wit'h 'provis- opinion because of the severe chastisement
inns and trait`;for the - army, end' carried, which had been but recently inflicted upon
away Several hundred animals. This (limit,. i the. Chinese by par squadrOn in the
,capture
f s i ,, hed- the supply of provisions so materially and destruction of the Barrier forts, to avenge
that. Gen:-Johnson Was obliged to reduce the an alleged insult to our flag. ..
ration, and even with this precaution there I The event has proved the wisdom of_ our
was only suffieient. left to subsist the troops neutrality. Our Minister has i.xecuted- - his
I. until the Ist of June. - ''l instructions with eminent skill and abilityfln
Our little army behaved admirably in their corijunetion with the Russi'ui
eneamptnent -at Fort Bridger under these ry, he has peacefully, but effectually, co-ope•
trying privations. ,lii the. 'midst of the rated with the Etiglish and French Plenipo-
Mountains,in a-dreary, unsettled and Mhos- tentiaries; and each of the four Powers - has
pitahle region, more than a thousand miles I. concluded a separate treaty with China of a
from home: they passed the severe and in. I highly satisfactory character. Tho' treaty
clement Winter without a murmur. They I concluded by our, own Plenipotentiary will
I(;oked"forward With confidence for relief imhietliateiy be submitted . to7the Senate.
front their country in due, season, and in this ' lam happy to announce that,_ through the
they were-not disappointed. energetic yet conciliatory efforts of our Con . -
• The Secretary of-War employed all his cut General in Japan, a new tresty:has been
I energies to forward-them the necessary sup- concluded with that Empire, which' may be
plies, and to truster and send such a military expected materially to augment. our trade
force to Utah as would render. resistance on and intercourse in that quarter, and remove
the part of the Mormons hopeless, and • thtis I from our countrymen the disabilities which
terminate the war without the effusion of have heretofore been imposed upon the ex
blood: sin his efforts he was efficiently- -sus- ercise of their religion. The treaty-. shall be
mined by Congress. They granted 'appro.. I submitted to the Senate for approval without
priations sufficient to cover the deficiency delay. - . •
thus necessarily created, and also provided It is my earnest desire that every misun
for raking tWo rrgimentA of-volimteer,i, " fir derstanding with the Government of Great
the purpose of quelling
,ffisterbances in the Britain should he amicably and speedily ad-
Territory2Of Utah, forthe protection of sun- jested. It has been the no4ortune of both
ply nod emigrant tiains, end the suppression i countries, almost ever since the period of the
of Indian hostilities on the frontiers' Ilap- revolution, to have been annoyed by a. sue
ptiv. there was no occasion to-call these reg- cession of irritating and dangerous questions,
iments
_into service., If there had been. I threatening their friendly relations. This
should have felt serious einbarrassment in se- I has partially prevented the 'full development
lecting them. so great was the number of our of those feelings Of mutual friendship between
brave and patriotic citizens anxious to serve the people of the two countries so natural in
their country in this gistaitt. nftkappu-ently- themselves , and so conducive to their coin
dangerous expedition. i Tims_ithas been, and mini Interett. Any serious interruption . of
thus may it ever- be f the commerce between the United States and
The wisdom and economY of sending, sufri- Great Britain would be equally, injurious to
eient re•enforeement to Utah-are established, both. -In fact, nu two nations have- ever ex
not only by the event-, but in the opinion of fisted on,the face of the eartli-which could do
tho,e who,: fronitheir position and oppritu
niika: aro the 4not.capaMe of funning a cor
rect. judgment..., -Gen. Johnson, - the Cons.
mender of.the forces, in addressing the Sec
retary of . War trom Fort Bridger, under dire
of October. IS,' 1557, expresSes the opinion,
thlt " unlesa 11' large free is sent here, front
the netnre of the cent:lt:N . ', is pr`otracted w,:r
on-their [the. Moriunns'l l *t
the war, "speedily and more cerMencicalty
then if attempted . by insntlieient meatte
In the mean time it W:ls my anxious desire
that the Mormrnst should yield obedience to
it or i.on and the laws, Without ren
dering it necessary to resort to military force.
To a id In accomplishing this object, I deemed
it advisable in April last to dispatch two dis
tinguished citizens of the 'United States,
Messrs. Powell and - McCulloch, to truth:—
They bore _with them a preclatnatitin address=
ed by myself to to inhabitants of Utah, did
'et] on the sixth Jeeily of that • month, warning
them of their trite ef,ndition. and how 'brie
~ less it was on-their part to persist in rebel
' lien teminst the United - Stales. and offering
those-who shoold enbinit to the laws a
full pardon for their ;past seditious and tree
, sons. At the seme time, I assured those
who Sh artd persist in rebellion against the
United States. that they mnst expect no far
ther lenity, but look to be rigorously dealt
with according to their deserts. The instroe,
lions to These ngents, newell as a copy of the
proclamation; and- their reports; are herewith
submitted. - It will he seen by their report
of the :id of July last, that they have fully
confirmed the (pinion expressed by General
Johnston in the previous net,nber, as' to the
necessity of sending re-entiireements to Utah:
I'm the they state that they " are firmly im
pressed with the belief that, the .presence of
the erne: hers. and thelatem A edditional force
that had' beret ordered to the Territory; were
the chief inducements that: caused , the Mor
mons to abanden the idea of resisting the ri.
thority of the "United. States. A less_ deci
sive policy- vvould-probably have resulted in .
et long, bloody, timid expensive war." •
These gentletnen conducted themselves to
my entire satisfaction, and rendered useful
services in exhorting the hut:nine intentions
of the Government. -.
It also affords me great satisfaction to.state
that. Gov. Cumming.has perfohned his duty
.in an able and conediatory--mminer, and
the happiest effect. I eatmote in this-cornice;
•tion,, refrain from tnentioning the valuable
services of C01...Th05.1.,;- Kane,. who,' frOm
'lnative_4 of pure benekdience, and without
any oftie s iatcharacter or tiectin;ary compensa
tion, visited Utah during the last inclement
Winter; for the purpose - of contribufing, to
the pacificatioa of the Te'rriberY.
I am happy to intinen you - that - the Gover
nor 'and other eivil•officers of Utah -are 'now
.performing their appropriate functions With- -
out, riisiStenee;: The authority:of the Consti
tution and the lawilies been fully restored,
and peace prevails throughout the- Territory:
A portion,of the troops-sent to'Utah are
now_ encamped in:. Cedar's Valley,.. forty- fOur
miles south-west of Salt bike Cilv; and' the ,
remainder have beenordered to Oregon to
suppress Indian hostilities, -
The mari..h - of the artny to Salt -Lake City,
.-through the Indian-Territory,: hag' had 11 - pow
erful effect in_ restraining the hostile feelings
-ttainst ! the - United :: . Statex which 'existed
among the Indians in• that region_ i f ' Hand-in. re
' ciring , -rPit
iher - - West
_ . itgainst
their deprtelations.This'wili -Aso' be Ale .
means of .eStablihing;militarrphati and'pro - -:
-nutting settlements plot xthwroute.
mom:mend that- the benefits of nor land
laws zuSi : pre-eairtioti . sy4teir(bc'eittended tip
the'people of.Utatt, by the-stablishtientotit .
Lrind-Offieerotary:;
h a l ve o tr a i i f ion,..alan,;tiw - rOngratulitte• voii
oti the,result of our beikotiationsivith China:
You were ir;_es)rined k y Arty- : last' annUld
;» , !Fsage. that our' Minister hail been in4truet:
e 4 tomccupy a neutral . Piailtion in thehostili 7
tiOPol:lg,etles;Lktp,gre*Brititill and , France
against Cutoff:. He PAveyo . rost Abe
I=S=3=EMZ=IIM=M
=
EMI
each other So mach good or so much harm..
Entertaining these sentimentA, 1 am grati
lied to inform you that-the long-Rending con
troversy between the two Governments, in
relation to the question of visitation and
search, has been afnicaldy mijolsted. Tao
claim on the part of Great Britain forcibly
to visit Americau.,vessels,on the high seas in
fj •,c'pe:lL-C, Ct;4l4 not be Zsultzoinc - d uncles.
ii-y. 'fief.:l,vini.:iisf,": - dnitika i jiYlSMerr'i...l
question was recently brought to-an issue by
the repeated acts of British cruisers in board
ing and searching our merchant vessels in the
Gulf of Mexico and the adjacent,seni. These
act' were the more injurious and annoying
as these waters aro traversed.by a large por.
lion c'Jf the commerce and navigation of the
United. States, and their free and unrestrict
ed use . is essential to the security of the 'coast
wise trade betweea different States of the Un
ion: Such vexatious interruptions could not
fiiil. to excite the feelings of the country - , nod
to require the interposition of the4Govtirn-.
meat. Remonstrances were addressed to
i the - British Government against, these -viola
, dons of our rights of sovereignty, and a na
val force was at the same time ordered to
the Cuban waters, with directiont . to pre;
vessels of the United States on . the
Thigh 'l
h- ' s l eas from search or detention by the
vessels of,War of anv other nation' Thee
Measures receiyed•the unqualified and even
enthusiastic, npprobatioq of the American
people. - Most fortunately, however ' no
.col
lision took :plate, and Pie . British 'Govern
ment proMptly avowed itS•recognition of the
principles of internal law upon this , subject,
as maid, down by the GoYernment of the Unit.
e;!States 'in the irtc of the Secretary of:
State tothel British 'Minister-4 Washington,
of April 10, 185 S, l'Ofiei secure the' vesels
of the United Staten upon the high seas from
visitation and_fearch in time of peace, tinder'
-any circumstances whatever,: The claim has
been abandoned ili.if manner reflecting honor
on the British Government, and c hieing. a
just regard for the law of nations, and cannot
fail. to strengthen the anticable.relationt be
tween the two countries, . :- . .
The British Government, at the,same time,
' proposed to the. United, States that. some
!wide - should be adopted, by mutual arrange
! rnent between the two countries, of a (thane
! ter'which May be found' effective without be
ing=ofTensive, for Verifying, the nationality
. - of
vessels Suspected on grind grognds of„.carrr
nut; false .eolors. They haze also invited the -
United States to take the . initiative„ and pro-.
pose,tneasurei for this,purpase. While , de
clining t: atSfuno:responsibility,
so grave" a
Ihe 'Se:et - 664 Of S tate_ has.informed the. Bri
tish ,Governulent• that we i`are • ready- to receive
any proPosrtS Which they Mayi . fevl disposed
to offer, laVilig this' Obket in. vier, 'and, to
confider - then in `an. amicable spirit., .; A
strong, opinion is, :110 . 1;ireVer, expressed, that
the tiecasional abuse of the flag of any nation
is an evil far lesto be deprecated than would
be the establishincint of anyregiihitions w hich
mightbelincoMpatibleWith'. the freelloiri.'of
the seas. • This Gevernifierit has yet received
, .
--. ••• . . . • .. • ..-•
too coiwntinicatton'spectrying the,.manner ;. .in.
which the
: British Goternrrient wouldPrOpose .
to carry . otit s theirsiiggeoion; and 71 am ; bi-.
dined to behOye that no plan Which can . _be
deilled, will bii'll* . frin • grave ,embarrass- : ments, t3tili, l'Aall fbrin.ne'deCided'.'epin.
ion '!;)n ' the subject until;!, Oa haVe carefully
I and in the best spirit eiamined any proposals
which - they may: think . PrOper, to . ,inake.:.• , „,
I'Llit'fridy,"SOrrY . l.can not :iWo . . it fornf you.
thai the'eninplicatiOnS'betWeen Great'Britain.
and 'the : '-Uilited'Statet ari,sing: mit Of.the Clay !
I ton and Bar‘FOr Treaty': of Npril;'.itio,, have
been finally ataatedi .. i: - :
.A t :the coninibleernorit of your larat aoasion,
. I hail:foun toltiiipit,ihat, ornanelpating them.,
l• selves fromn ', farther - ,u P availing, discussions,
the two .oOvnitirnenti would 00*d:to sep7
tle the - CenititiAmerlemi qeeett,hilas in it..prle
tical In . Stiar i 'ttliitO . hOnarable and _,satisfacto..
ry to - -Viethrand'thiS boiinj jiii;io,;nat
. li4
hbandiMed . ...lii;i4 lilt' Annual Message,'' I
dated that overtures had been made by the
.-1,„
Effign
.~7tt-~t~~, i~a -..
REM
SS H. H. F_RAZIER, PUBLigHER-VOL; 4-"N0_000.
• • • • . • —• , •
Governinert - for thi n s purpose in
friendly spirit, which I cordiaUy reciprocated.
Their. propoial was,. to. withdraw these (pies
; thins from direekreCopition betweep the two
Government 4 , but to: .necomplish the same.
object hy. a negotiation 'between .the. British
Government and each of the Central Ameri.
I can Republics whose territorial interests are
immediately{ involved„' The settlereent was
he, niade,in accordance' :with the
.general
I tenor of the interpretation: .phiced upon the
'Clayton and lialwer Treaty by : the United.
I Stares, with certitin Modifications: As nego.
nations aro still pending upon,- this basis, it
would not be proper for tne now to commit.
nivate.:theie. present :condition. A .tinut 'set=
.1 tlenientrof these questions is _greatly..te be
11:0 red, as this ,wou Id wipeout: the last re.=
c is o n t i l i t i l i t i r n i g es s . uect s of dispute between' Ite. two
- -
Our relations with tiro .
great :Empkeit. of
France and 'Russia; as well with all other
r-Government-, :on the ..Contiaent tot' Europe,'
I except that of Spain, continue to lie of the
most friendly character. . •
t With Spain our relations remaln in - an tin
t
satisfactory condition., In -my .massage of
' December last,'[ informed you that our En
voy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipoten
, tiary 'to Madrid had asked for his recall ; and it
. was RlirpbSe4o,sena out a new minister
I to that court, with special' instructias.on all
I questions pending.hetween the two dovern
ments, and with a
,determination 'to have t
speedily-and ainicably adjusted, if.thst .were
possible. This.. purpose has_ been hitherto
defeated by eanSe3 which I need not creamer
' ate.. . ,
The mission to Spain .ha 4 been intrusted
t o A distinguished. citizen of 'Kentucky,- who
- will-proceed to Madrid-- without &Ink,- and
make imother-and a final attempt to obtain
justice from that:Government. .. • •.. •'
Spanish officials, under the direct:control
of the. Captain. General of Cuba, have insulted
out national flag, and,- in repeated instances,
have from time to time inflicted; injuries.' on
the persons and pi.opthy i of - our citizens.—
These lutve given birth tol numerous -claims
-against the Spanish goveriinient, the- merits
of which have been ably dscussed. for a se
ries-ofyearA, by our-successive diplomatic
representatives. Not withstanding ibis; we
'have not arrived-at a practical result in any
:single instance, unless we may except .the
case of-the Black Warrieri - under• the lute Ad
, ministration ; and that presented an outrage
, of such asharacter as would have justified an
immediate-resort to war. All our attempts
to obtain redress !rave been baffled and , de
feated. The frequent and oft recurring, chug
es in the Spanish Ministry have been em
ployed as reasons for delay. We have been
compelled to wait, again and-again, .intil the
new minister shall have had time to investi
inite the justice•of vur demands. . • '-. - •
Even what-have been- 'denominated ." the
Cuban Clahns" in which more than a Inind
yed. of _our citizens are directly intekestod,
haVe furnished no exception. These • claim's
were for the refunding of 'duties mijustly ex-
MI faUrhun..American..ness , sk agdlitN - int - fear .
1814. The principles upon which they rest
are so manifestly equitable and just that, at;
ter a period of nearly ten years,An. - 1854,1,
they %were recognized by the Span6h Govern-
Mot. - Proceedings were afterwards institut
ed to ascertain their amount,. and- this was
finally fixed, according, to, ,their-: own state-
ment (with which we_are satisfied;) at the
1
sum of *128,635 54. Just at the :moment,
after a•delay. of fourteen yearsoehe we had
`reasnn to expect that, this sum wonld\
be re
paid with interest, we have received a prop°. ,
sal offering to-refund one-third of that amount,
($4g;878 414 . - but without -•.interest, if .i.e
would accept this in full satisfaction. - The
offer is• also accompanied -by a -declaration
that this indemnification is not.founded• on'
;ray reason of strict justice, but is made as a.
special favor. . .'• . ' . : - . • ,
.One alleged eause•Of procrastination. in the.
examination .and adjUstment of •otiw& claims
arisealroman obstacle which it is the _duty
of the :Spanish-- Government to remove:—:
While the Captain:General of Celia isinvest
ed with general despotic authority_ in the goy;
ernment of that island, the power iswithheld
from him to examine and redress- wrongs
committed by officials underilia•egintrOl, .on
citizens of the 'United :States4.. - Inatead:•of
making our ..complaiots directly' , .to. him -at -
Havanna, we -are obliged CO present'' them
through our ABMs* . at Madrid. These .are
then referred ,back to the :CaPtain-General
fur information ; .Wild Much time is thus mm-:
snined -in- prelintinaiy investigations and Or
: reSponderce : between Madrid and Cuba,. be.;
fore the Spanish Government will consent to
proceed to negotiation. Many 10 - the tin
, culties,bctweep the two Governments would,
be ohviated, and a log ..train -.q negotiationl
avOlek - if,the Captain-General Wereinveiinxi
, with. authoilry -to settle questa* ofeasy.-so
lotion molt& spot, where all . the facts:are •
fresh and could he km - tinily and eatisfacteri--
,ly ascertained, . We. have:. hitherto in :.vain
. urged upon - the Spanish Government to con
fer this, power upon the Captain-General; and
our Minister to Spain, will again be. instruct=
'ed to urge-this subjeCt- .nn, their .notice.. In
this respect; we occupy ri.different .pOsition
trot the pnivers:.of : Europe. - ~ , Cuba• is.'-al.
,most-wit Inn, sight, of , our: shoreis,.;:out...eorns ,
mercy with it-is far greater.than that-of - joy,
other:nation including S.`;:tin itself , and...oar
citizens are in habits of daily and . - CXtended:
.perotitil inte-ica . urse:with every...part - of:, the
' island..ilt is, r -therefore; -- a:great '; greivanee
that, wh en:any. diffieulty. occurs, -no I:natter
.how, 'unimportant,. which Might --be -•-.refitl ily ~
settled. at the moment, we should- he: obliged .
to resort to Mtaiiil, especially when the - very
- first step. to be taken_ thereis.,,torefer- it hack .
le Cuba... ,- ~ • . . , .
~; . .
- The truth IS, that:Cub:On' itS:C*illk Co.'
Jonial condition; is a constant source - of injury
,and annoyance to .the,Anteriviii- people.. -•, - :Ii:
is• the ,only: - : spot in theeiribaed ;world.- where
.
, the,African•slaVe!trade ja.. - toleialed fiiiiii4,, we
are, bound by treaty'•with.. Gree—Britain ••10,
. maintain- a naval, (brew on the coast . .of:Africa
at - rimeli7expense both of --li fi f: stid'. .:
treasure,
solelY tor :: oo.purpose: of . ; •arresting.sliii,ers
bound, to that, island...- The ; late. Serious:4loi:
culties between the United
.States and Great.
Britain respecting the-right .01 : _aeatilynnw SO ---
lisppilYterminnted,,equld , never have- arisen
.it Cuba.hed.not.afrorded A , market fa , slities.
,11. k. lark iti , tlns . .mariteV:alialt remain—open,..
there cart-,be no hope. for thecivilization al
benighted, Africa:, :While - the : demand . (or .
Z.laVes . cotnette:M Wm; wars will 4 waged: anoint:th prn, : iindrbarinirottachlekAnikfrl:
ea, for the purpose ntseizing vohjecla toz
ply *ls and... la, such a coliditioa of .
MESE
, ez
4- 41.• 9t
- 4 . 0 VVA.'
ME
,- - ,
it ii imporible that.the light of civilization '
I and religion can
_ever penetrate:lll'mi dark
.
• It has .been wade known to "the world' by -
my predecessors,that the United Stites have,
on several occasions, endeavored toacquire
Cuba from - Spain by Innorable negotiation.
If this were accomplished the last relict of the
I
African slavetrade would instantly ditiakieer.
! We would not, if wescould; acquire:: Cabe in
any. other manner: Th is ii due to our- nation: -
lal character. Alt the 'territory . --which -we -
`have acquired since the "origin of the Govern
rnent; has been by fair purchase frOni , Franae,
Spain aid Mexico i or by the free and Yellin- . ,
tart' act of the independent Stete of Texes, in .
blending her destinies with our . Orti.--- This '
course we shall' ever pursue, unless. circum
-1 stances should occur which we- do nat. now
„..
anticipate, .readering a deparbere - frcun it •
elearly justifiable, under the imperative' and
overruling law of self-pre4ervation.. - . ;-•
The island of Cuba, from its, geographical .. i
position; .com mends the, mouth Plebe Minis- .
sippi,and the immense and annually increasing ,
trade, foreign and coast-wise, from the val. ~. •
ley of that noble river, now ernbracing half
the, sovereign States of thil . Union:' With that
island.under the Atiminion of. a•-distant for. •
eion power, this trade, of vital- importaneeto
e
. these States, is exposed to the,danger =of be. -
. ing, destroyed in time of war, and hints hith. _
erto been subjected - to perpetual injury' and
annoyance in time.-of peace. Our relations
with Spain, which ought to be of -the most
friendly diameter, must always. be placid in
jeopardy while the existino Coloniarfitiverm -
'anent over the island shall-remain'in its pros,
eat condition. .--.- ...-;-- ~- "• :
..;.: -.. •
While.the possession 'of the island, would
he of vast importance of the ;United States, -
1 its value to Spain is comparatively ,unim
' portant. Such' was the•relative situation of
parties when the areat Napoleon transferred
Louisiana -to the -United States. Jealous, as
he ever was, of the national
_honor 'and inter
ests of France, no person throughout, the
World has iinpated blame to him , fur accept
ing a pecuniary equivalent for this cession.
The publicity which has been given their '
former negotiations upon this subject; and the
large appropriation which may be , required
'to eircut the purpose, renders l it expedient be
fore making another attempt to renew the
negotiation,
that-I should lay the whole - sub- - •
ject before Congress. ..This is especillit nee. -
essaV; as it may be4mme indiepensible to
succss that I be intretsted With:the meant; of
making an advance td- the Spanish Govern
ment immediately after the signing 01 the '
treaty, without awaiting the ratifteatiort of; it ..
loi the Senate. I ant encouraged- to , make •
_.
this suggestion by _ example of Mr.. Jefferson,
previous to the.purchase of Louisiana from _.
France, and by that of Mr. Polk, in view= of
the hequisition of. territory from Mexico.. I
refer the whole subject to Congress, and corn.' ,
mend it to their careful consideration. -
I repeat the recominendation- made id my
message of December last;.in faior of an ap. -
propflatlon fii t... 1.. - riri to the Swinish GOO.
,ItlYitieir tnA,i...tha...oti rpm° of . dis t ribution
Presitient s l4k first Made a' similar mann:
mendation in December, 1847, and it'was re.
peat efilby my immediate'. piedecessor:in De.
comber; 1853; 1 entertain ea doubt' that
indemnity is fairlydee'to these claimants un
der our treaty with Spain of the27'th Of Oc. -
tuber, 1795;- and while derminding juitiee we- .
ought to do justice. - :An appyopriation made
fur this purpose; could - not fail- to' exerte fa
vorable influence- on our negetiatina with'
Spain:- ' ,
~ • ''.
Our position in 'relatiOn to the i 1
dePetid.
eat States south onus on the ..continlent, and ''.
especially 'those within the limits df North
America, is of,. a peculiar-character.:'' - The
northern boundary- of Mexico , .e coincident
with our owe southern boundary; froMocian
to ocean ; and 'ise ' must - - - tecessarily biel fk,
deep interest in: all , that concerns the *ell-be
ing and fate of se near:a neighbor; -)'Pe have
always cheris'hed therkindest wishes- for the
success of that - republic, - and • have indulged ,
the hope that it mightet last,' afterallits ed.' .
als, enjoy peace and prosperitjr Mader 'a
-free .
, and. stable. government.-- We -have' never
, hitherto interfered, directly or indirecely,witir .
its internal affairs, and ft is a dt,ity !Which we
w
oe' to ourselves to protect . the integrityof
' i 6 territorjf ,against the .bostile - interference'
'of ally other power.
, '.Our gertraphical posi- -
Lion—our direct - in - all that concerns`
Mexico,. and our well settled - poliefin'regiiid:
to the : orth American continent;renderthie
an indispenstible,duty. •' ''
_... ..., . '---.- ', '-
II Afexieo has been in a constant atite of row
'olution, almost' ever since - it achieved itsin.-
dependenee. -One 'billowy : leader ' r e
'eften: -
other his usurped' the ' government 'in rapid -
incmssion, And the inrionserinstitutioneftern
time to time - ,:adepted have been set at naught - .
almoSt as soon as; they were rift:lobbed.= '.
The successive. Governimmts have effort:Ted no ,• .
adequate protection, either to Mexican 'citi- .
zees or foreign' residents, against-lawless:Yin; -
lenee , IleretOftire; A'seizurelpf the, Capital -
by a military chieftain has been genefall,3 fel
lowed by at !mat-the nominal of .
~
the cuentry ednie rule for a brief peried, 'hft :
not su al the . present crisis of Mexican affairs:, • -
A -,ei vil ..yearhaSbeen. - raging for,
,ritattie -time .
throughout the Republle,.-between the central ..
Govern men t at, the City of Mexico, Which has
endeavored 'to Subvert the .Constitution„ last ,
framed. by. military . power, . and those who -
'maintain` the authority of that Coaititutien.
The antagonist parties each hold : possession
-of : different States of...the .11epnblici end the _
fertunes of war • areecnistantli . changing.; --
Meanwhile, ;-tire.: moat 4 reprehensible-ineatis
have been employed by both parties to extort - .
Money. front.foreigners as well its.tisth.erk to ~.
carry on, this s
ruinuucoitiost. - - jhetruth . is , 1:,
that,this.fine - .countryi blossect -with a probo
toe, soil and benign climate, has been redinied
by,eivil_dissension too condition of alleciat
1 hopeless anarchy and ` imbecility; ' : lt 'wield -.''
I be vain for this.' Government - to attempt: to
enforce payment in money of„.„,the'elaimer of
American citizens' now' - amounting -, tesniore''
than ten r milliori dollarsJ against Mes:c l N:. blthi ‘,,
eause - she is destitute of all pecuniary : m oans '
to- sitisfyAhem demands. , '" . " ' ":- '' •
Our late minister-waa furnished with One.
pie powers:: andS.inseructions for the adjust:
cat of Alt pending questiemsasrith the - Cent.'
. tral,Govectiment of Mexico; and heperffireit-2
ed his duty witlizeal and , ability. Tbeolalmi
of our. citizens; isoine - of them - wising out Of
the 'etiolation of an express provision 'of Abe
..,4n
treaty, cii.Goadalupe Hidalgo, attd otharrfrout -.
gross injuries to persons as vtell'sopreperty,..
have remained •uniedreitae4 sand= iiirn nano•
ticoil. Reiniinstranoea egatasiAtiooipleitinot
online been addressed wltholakiSOl icithitt'
;~~ ;;
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