].-6erritsn, rablister.
.PRESIDENT BUCHANAN'S
ME. S= S G E
Fellow Pthrene of the Senate arid .Ffouee
of Represenlatioes;—When we compare the
Conthitiottof thwOountry at the . present day
-with what it wits 'one year age,at the meeting
of Congress,-.weluive, much reason for'grati•
tilde to that - 'Almighty Providence, which
bes never failed to:lnterpose for our. relief at
I-he r mit:4 Critiesil periods of our• history. One
'veer ...ago, the. sectional strife"-between the
'North and the on - the dangerous
stiteject of Slavery had again -hecoma so • in
tense as to threaten . the peace and :prepettii . .y
of the Confederacy. The application fur the
admiszion Ksn-as as a Siste into the
/Ji,iOn„ unhappy_ • agirat.on.. and
brought tht;lehole subject unceittore before
Congress.--, It was the de-ire of every patriot
that, such measures of legislation...might •be
adopted as :would remove the cxcitetneiit
from the State and confine it to .the Territory
where it_ legitimattfy belonged. Much has
been done, I -am happy to pay, towards the
accointeltahrnent this olejt:ct, during the
last session of.ta'rtigreits. The Supreme Court
• 'Of-the UttitedStertes.ited previously decided
that all American citizenslinvcan equal right_
tit take i ate - the.territories` Ititelter r is- held
as :property under the laws of any of thie
Strites,and to hold such propriety there under
thegOacrlianhip of the Federal Constitution,
so lolig as tite Territenial condition shall re-
Junin.. This_ now a Welt established posi
tion: and,the proceedings of the last session
werealone wanting to give it practical e ff ect.
'llie'prinerple has been recregnized,,in sutne
forte or other, by en •almost \ unanimous vote
of both beatiehes of Congress, that a. Terri
tors .had a right to -come into the Union.
either as .a free or _..slave_State, according to j
_ the viill of a norktrity cif its people.. The just ;
equallty.of all the 'States has thus been yin
citested, and a fruetful - source , of dangerous
clis, , ension among them , has Ewen retnoetl.
While such Ittrs. beta-the' beieficial tend
; ener of youriegt,litit - e prwreilings outside
of Kati-as, tlieir influence has Bern nowhere
•so happy as Vithin that Terkitory it.-elf.
.L.ft to manage and eowria its own u ifi t trit in
itaown nay, without -the preisure of esternal
influence; the rescAutioniiry Topeka organiza
tion and all re-6.tunee to the territorial wor t
frn rnent eatidtliAed by Corgresa,•bace. been
..,;,;,.fitialtr Ili tandonPa. As a natural con:qequeum
:ttit hue Teiritotv now appears to be, tran
• 'hind pro:pylons, and is - attracting in
crea-M t•low
g .10413 of immigrants to wake it
their happy iiiime. -' z Ati.
The 1 ast imfortunate experipnee of Kansas
—has enforeed the leu•on co often already taught,
thut reQi..tunee 'to !awful authority. under our
fcrin ni..4ririttnment, rxnnot. fug in the end
MSMI!MMIMI3=iI=ES
Tet.rito , y yielded oht. 2 lictice to
the kiws en..refed htr their talidatare, it
:it the. prf , 7lll :?.to'!7.3tpj.
: hive contained
i.frze p•rptilAtiort of incit:trio:tr.
at ewe-rppi.i.nz who hare been (Id
te:Trd from entering- its borders by the exist
eif'-e of civil strife and organized tebellion..
It wart the resistance to rightful authority
•stifi the petsavetiog attempt to eatrildish a
revolutionary ewes nment under the Topeka
'vont - Italie-1r :Which 'erruffed the people of Kan
f.fvto fifrounit the grave error of refusing to
vac, 141 r ieh.gatex to the convention toframe
rcriele.iitation under a law not denied to be
anaiti4l. in its proviion-t. This refusal
.votc_ hftli liven-the
,prolifie ;i:turitie of fill the
evil.. tibia tofre.followfd. In' their hostility:to
the Te,f. - %11(4lial government they disregarded
tare trpineit.}e, - ah:foltitety -es-ential to the
orri kiligof /Jur form ".ol gOvertiment, that a
r.yraj.frity of:tho-e who vote—not the-majori
ty %lip may 'reznain' at hoar., from whatever
rfacsitmicst decide t u be result of an election.
For reason; 6 - fekirtg fq, take advantage of
their own error, they dnied the authority of
the contention thus 'elected to frame a con
trtatith,n.
The convention, riot hs:ar.dinz, pinceed •
ed io"adop_t•a constitution unexceptionable in
its gemefal reatures, lind " providing for -the
'whim - 1,44, m of the slavery que , tion to a rote
of :be people, which, in nay opitrkon, they
were hoiinti to do.unden
art. This was the all-imp ortAr
~iinestion which had alone convulsed the Ter
runty.; and vet the opponents
. .of the lawful
goie.ninelit, persisting in their first error, re
ftsined from exercising th a right to vote,sind
preferred that. shivery sbouhl continue rather
than ttirrender their revolulionary Topeka
.-organization.
A wiser and better spirit seemed to prevail
*efore the first . Monday , of January last when
sit elect:inn was held under -the. constitution..
A. maknity of the peoPl4 then voted for a
•Gorernor -and other State .6fficera,- for
.thenther a congrescl,- -and members of the .
State Legi4sture: 'This election war. warmly
-contested by the tyro- politittal parties in
Kanstaa. -- -and a porter rote was polledthan
at "ithy. previous' -election. Al large majority
of the members of the Legislatute elect be
longed to-it parti whiuh - had previously
ie
fus4 vote. The anti-slavery _party . wete
this placed in the aseetitistut, and the itolitic
.sl poi-sr - of the State yes, in their own hands.
Cungress-adinitted gamma into-the Un
ion-under the LecoriptOn - constitution, the
•Legirdatu re might,
..at its very first sessieti,
4uoinitettetitted the question fo a vote a3f-the
perlpleoifiether they would or. would 'not
Aurisit convention to amend their constito-
Aioit;i4her.on the slavery or any other pies=
-rhoiz intlAtiive adopted all • nettessary means
diulivitag speedy •itfetrt to • the will of the
Imaj o rtner . Thus the Kansas._ question would
titles - Wei iiitriediately and finally settled.
t-,...=•tAlnder..theittrearttnnistanms - s, I submitted to
tones - multi, constitution fthisrframed; with
mill lite officers already elisciedttecessaryto put
Statsigoistrimintiatdoperarioniaccomp
"ittlitr&by a doing recommendation in tax&
: 'of theadmisisien of Kaman al a -State.. In
lini - ,eourseofinv long'•publiet life I.h:wit-Dever.
..toerforraed any Official act which; ..in the' ie.
Itroapisrt, hatattrided me cmoreleartfelt
sails
'A&iott. admission could i have: inflicted
ad ptatitikinjory on any hithan being,whilat
-itesear aid, writhiti a brief period, 'have reatorid.,
r•Meamicegittitias and harmony -to the Union.
• doetsithesssetthe &timely 'question would me
thisinereteeir.ittrally. , settled, according to
„Alm MgallY expressed -will :of a inajority of the I
stxl.popular sovereignif:isould sheet,
rletve - be.en-vindicetatiin vouteittitionat man-
;IWith my deep conVictioria of duty, I could
%an pained no other course; It is true that,
at, an indiridulti, I bad expreeed an opinion,
troth before and during the session of the con
vention, in favor
,of subtnitting. the remaining
clauses orate constitution, as well as that
concerning slavery., to the people. But, !tot
ing in an r4ficial.character, neither tr. ) self
rnor any human authority had the power to
rejtidge 1116
. proceedings if t h e convent i on ,
and declare the constitution which it had
framed a nullity. To have dr ne this woniti
hate been a viOlation , ' { of the Kinsas and Nil.
braska out, which left the people of the Terri
tory "perfectly free, to
: form and regula e
their domestic institutions in their own wire,
AtiljeCi only to the constitution of the United
States. It would , equally have violated' the
great principle of popular sovereignty,. at the
ft/Ululation t.f our inqttutions, to deprive the
people of the power, if they thought proper,
to exercise it, Qf confiding to delegates
elected by theinselve.s[thiliust of framing a
constitution, without requiring them to auh
ject their Constiitiental to the trouble, expen-e
end deky of a veCoWfl 'election. would
have been in opposiiion to . many pre-edenti
in our hiAory, commencing in the very best
age of the repUblie,'Of the adinission of Tetri - -
wri e r, as ;,;ate'
,ititO . the -Union, w ithout: a
previou- vote of the people -apptov t rig their
constitution..
I. is to be ramOnted- that a qu' titian so
in
significant when vie Wed, in its piacticiir ef
fects on the people of Kansas . , whethor,
eided.ime wny or the other,
died such a flame of excitement throughout
the country. Thi. reflection may prove lobe
a lesson of wisdom rind of warning_ for, our
tu•ure guidance. Practically considered, the•
question is sitrply whether the peopleStf that
Tertifory should first ',come into the Mien
and then change amyl provision in their kin
,tituiion not agreeable to themselves, or no
coti-;;;lieh the ivy saline of j..-ct by remaining
out . of te .L7trion and fratnirg another Ct.kl
Vit otiott,in_rtccorditt;ce With their In
either csi•-e the result !Would be precisely the
same. The only differen - ce in point of ,fnct
is, that_ the object would Wive 'teen Mitch
sooner attained, and the pncifinatibn of Kan
sas inure speedily effected, bad tt been ad
mitted as a State do tog the list session of
Ct s rrtgress..'
jy _ .
tecomMendatipo, however for the
iin
mediate admission of Kansas failed to meet
the%approval of Congress. • The'y defied it
wiser to adopt a ditle , ent measure tor- the
settlement of the qua tion. For iny own part.
I should Ts re been wiHing - yield In) assent,
, , . . , .
to almost any consuintional riEVASOrktIO - AC.
44,11 - 11)1bli this'ubjecti 1, therefore,
acqui,sced in w -lint has been called tbeEnz
-11-11 Ctimpiondee, and approved the '"Act
for the ndinis.sten of the State of Eittlfollt in
to the Uniim,"Upo - the terms therein pres
'critied. •
Under the ordinance which accompanied
tecempton constitution, the people e
r,anots . IT n ..i ...4.-...... a.- I 1 .41 ..1..... 1- , —. •;.....-, ....
public lands for i the support .of common
5.e,L0014, wbiuh bad e ver , 'reek previously
grauted to any State upon entering' the din
ion ; and also the alteinate scc-ions of land
for teelve miles on frault aide of two railreads,
p.opo.ed to be con s tructed from the northern
r o the southern boutidary of ;he, State. Con
.gte.l, deeming these claims unreasonable.
provided, by act of May 4, 1858. to which 1
hare jot referieil, for the adinission of the
Slate on nir equal footing with the 'original
Stares, bet, "upon the fundamental condition
precedent 'that a rniijority of the people there•
of. at ameleetion iolibe held for that purpose,
should.- in place of the ve.y large grants of
pitilic lands which
, 4heir had demanded tinder
, he ordininci, aecept such rants-a..g had beard'
made to' ilifitthe.oti and ether nettoltateii.
girder this Set. r.hould a maj airs "4+W:if 114
piirpOsition tittered tbetn, "it shell be, deithed
and held that the people of Kansas do not
desire admission :into the Union with said
constitetioe under the conditions set forth in
rptidproposition : " -In that event the act
situborizeS the people of the Territory to elect
delegates to form a constitutton and State
government for themselves, "whenever, and
rot before, it is aeOertained by a census, duly
and legally trikeM that the populition of
said Terii tory equals or exceeds the ratio of
representation tequired for s member of the
Litonite o ritetoo-.,..d.—.:-,-..0r - tne t..a - nig re.s of
rtie•United Stases.r The delegates thus as
a.sembled "strall-'Lerst determine by a vote
whether it is the . Wish of 11. e people of the
propo,ed State toe admitted into the Union.
, i,
at that time, and, if eo, shall proceed to form
a constitution, an take all necessary steps
for the esteblishttiiit of a State government
inconformity with the federal constitution."
After this constitution shall have been form
ed. Congress, cailrying out, the principles of
populur sovereig ty and non intervention,
hive left tbe"thOcl and mariner of its approv
al or ratilicittion tr ' the peopleofthi proposed
State" to be "prescribed by law," and they
"shall then be adrnitted into the Union; as a
State, wader sues constitution tiros fairly
and legally madel with or without - slavery,
as said coustitutitcn may prescribe."
An election was held throighout Kansas,
-in pursuance of lie -provisioniV of this act, ou
the second - day o {¢' August last, and it result
ed in the rejectio4, by a large majority, of
the proposition Stiburitted to the people by
Congress. Thistret s itg the- case,-they are now
authorized to form anotbei tonatitution, pre
paratory to adOrrnon into the Union, but
riot.tutil their tit raper ; - as ascertained by a
- census, shaltequid or eiceed - the 'alto requir
ed to elect a we:. ber to the flutise - .of Reps
resentativiii. . , . . . ,
DM!1;"31
It is not prob ble, in tbsi' present state: if
-things-that a ird . o,oustitation-vah bw
folly franied d:-presented Congress by
IKaosas. before its population •shall• =have
_rem:lied the deal oared number. Nor is it:
to be - piciPumed liat; after their sad ,esperi
otanee in revititiig thia territorial laws, they will
r etteinpt4,o - -ado t a °mist itntion in express
Iviolation 01 the• visions of an
.aet of tAnt-
I refit. Dating .session of 1858,.tnnch of
the time of Con ere Ant.occupied' on the
-oladmitting.Katisaa'under the -Tor
peke iimstitati ;rAgaiu;nearly
of dirtiest aessioti Wes devoted .4ttee
_
a
tiob 4 its.,,radm+ 'on under .the ' Levongoon,
euarsittition.-', tirely, it is not up reasonahle'l
ro - trquire•the opts of }Unseen> Wait before
making a third attempt, until the number of
-their inbabitan s hrill-: -amount - to nine : thrse i
- thousand four is ndred' and twenty. ---. Quring
this brief periodk eliarmony - - of the States, I
1
to Sian as the g eat business interests-of - the i
Otruntry,dema that the people . f the union i
shill not.for,e - thirdinne - be convulsed. by
another _agitat ob of the. Kansas_ ,queritiou.
By - waiting f a :abort time, and - act- .
ingin obedienc4 to the law;gansasivriilitlide ,
•
KWE 'OURSELVES TO 110 PARTY THAT DOES NOT CARRF
,THE .FLAG. AND KEEP STEP TO-THE ,musgt - OF THE 'UNION."
ontrost, slicatutg; Sette4 C.,llitrzha so,nting, Pit outtr - 10 7 185 g
into the Union without the slighsest itupedis
ment.j
This excellent provision, which . Congress
have epplied to - Kansas, ought to be extend
ed andsendeted applicable to all Territories
widen may hereafter seek admission into the
'Union.
Whilst Con gress postiessee the Undoubted
power of admitting a s t ew State into the U4'
ion, howeveretnirlhmay ire :lie number of its
inhabitants, yet this power ought not,•
opinion, to be exercised before the population
61)111 amount to the ratio required by the act
of the ndinistion of Kansas. lied this been
previously, the rule, the country - would have
escaped All the twits and misfortunes towhich
it has been exposed. by this "E.euses gees-
Ofcourse, it would be unjust to give this
role a , retrospective application, and exclude
a State whit:holt:Ling upon the past practice
of the - government has already funned its con
stit.ution, elected its Legislature and other
Acers, aed is now prepared to enter the
The rule ought to be adopted whether we
• -
cushier its beating upon ther people of the
lerrituries, or upon the people of the existing .
States. Many of the serious dis-ensious
which have. prevailed in : Cengretts and
throughout the country would have been a
refried, had this rule been established at, an
earlifir period of the government
liiimediately upon . the formation of a new
Terintory, people from different States and
hoMiforeign countries rush into it.: fur. the
laudatkkr puipose„of improving their condi.
9914 Their ,first. ditty lo:theniselvei to op
etrood cultivate farms, to construct- roads, litt
es:radish schools, toierectrylatseact religious
worship, aed.to devoie.thets, energies general
Iv ylreelitim,thu,svildernerte and- to hey the
;Ilitindatiertis of a to - Cithing• a nd. prosperous
cututitouwealtl4, Ifost.this„. incipient condi
tion,witts' a poPtilation:pf a few thousand;
they; iirala preniittur`ely enter that Union,
th,est rare ei lk ieswr, by the hoiden of State
taxatinn, end the Mitents-necessary fur. the jai
provement of the Teriitory and the axe*:
meat.of their own interests, ate thus div e rted
•
to vovi different put poses.
The federal government has ever been a
liber i al patent to the Territories, aid .A geOur
oes - tiontribetor to the useful eriterprites_of the
earl settlers. It has paid the expenses of
their i governments rind tegislative assemblies
out of the common tteasury, end thes,reliev
ed therri,from R heavy charge. X . toler these
ci:courstauees nothiugean be Leiter toleulet-
ed to retard their materiel progress than' to
direft than from their useful employments
Pretn4turelv exoiing angry pelitioel owe.
t e sts! among tll;ernselves, fur the benefit of as- I
piritjg leaders. It is surely - no hardship fol
- emttyo governors, senators and members of
Coarse, .wait until the number Of in-
gtessional oistriet. They surely ought not
lobe permitted to rush into the Uuiwr rut!) a
population less than one holler several of the
large Counties in the interior of I•olue of the
gooks. This was the condition of Kansas
when it made application to be admitted
under the Tepeta constitution. Besides, it
reqiiires some lime to render ihe mass of a
popillation collected in a new Territory at all
hurreigeneoes, and to unite them an any
thing lite a fixed policy. Establish the rule,
end;all will looksforward to it and - govern
thettiselves accordingly.
Tut justitss to the people of the several
Shares requires that this rule Arita be est
abliered by Congress. Each State is entitled
twei:senators end at least one repretrenta
ii4iti-Congre;s. Should the people of the
Birkes - fail to elect a 'Vice President, the
poWer devolves upon the Senate to select this
of&e' r from the two hivest candirlates,on
the list. In case of the death of the Presiderit,
the Vice President thus elei•tcd by the Serrate,
becOnaes President of the United States. On
afl q.reetir.ns -of legislation, the Senators from
the•smalle - t Stales of the Union have an
equ;'ll vote with :hose from the largest. The
sam e may be said in regard to the ratification
Nestles, and of Exect:the appointments:
All this has worked l t dret.sta,7 rn practice,
sentrorm - ii in principle with the cha
reeler of a government institubd by sover
eign States. I presume no An3erican - eitizn
would desire the slightest change in the ar
rangement. Solt, is it not unjust and un
wri al to the existing States to invest some
PO t y or fifty thousand people collected in a
Territory attic the atttibutea of sovereignty,
and place them on a equal footing with Vir
gime and New York in the Senate of the
United States
For these 'reasons I earnestly redoinmnd
11)4 passage of a genehtl act which shall pro
iiide that, upon the application of a Territo
rial Lpg6lattireArclating their beli e f th a t the
Territory-contains a number of inhabitants
which, if ins State would entitle them -to
elebt inetither of thingresk, it shall be the
duty of he ?resident to cause the census of
the inhabitants to he taken, and if foUnd
suf
lieien 'their by the, terrns of this act to
authorize them to proceed *in their own way'
to frame a State constitution preparatory to
admission into the Union. I also rennin
friend Hist an tippre'priatiOn tray be made to
enable the Fielident to take the census of the
'peon le of Kansas. .
ThEi p"re,ebt,tondition of the Territory of
Girth, when contrasted with what is was one
Tear ago, is the . tut for congratulation.
It .was then its a . state of open rebellion. and,
cost what it might, the character of the
etirernment required that this. 'rebellion
'should be suppressed-andthe Mmmons corn
pelted to yield obedience to the constitution
and thelaws. In order to accomplish this
obj.ot, as 1 informed you in my last annual
ine.sage, I appointed a beg , Governor instead
alßrighatn Young. and other federal officers
to take the place of those who, - consulting
their personal safety,.bad found it ,necessary
•to withdraw fro - iii the . Territory. . To protect
-these civil officers and . to-_ajd thain;:aa
*Bl , e:cok!sitaitts, in ;he ezestutioo otthe laws
-incase` - - of need, 1
. ordettieti'detiAlVeot,
-to - tir aecompany them to ' The
1-'44:104, 4 4. Orad - Optlait theie measures riow
. '
O the 15th of September, 1851,Gitierjibi
YOung: . .imued
of arilndepentlent - sotiereiki,...intmineing %le
biloree-Of arms tha'entil
of thti - nniteit'Stites'-'tiocipi 'into' On :dvio
inyritori.'of •15) , this he ' required all
il(afetices of tbelepitopylo "hold thetnialiti
In, readiness to Tmaicit at motitiatY,l6 - tice
to repoliiiay :and
-fabltalmcf through
threats. Forts Bridger and. Supply were
vacated and burnt drvn by the ilotortnons to
deprive . our troopa..., i of a shelter after
- their
long and 'fatikuing i _march. Orders were
issued by Daniel Ll. , Wells, styling himself
':Lieutenant, Generp, Nauvoo Leguan," , to
stampede the noire + .of ihe United Slates
troops on their-m - arch . ,to set fire , to the. rains,
to barn the , grass; ittul the.w hole country be.
*foie them and on their flanks, to keep their)
from sleeping by .l ight surprises; and. to
hlot•kade the road felling trees and des=
troying the fords of flyers; ace_ Am...
These orders .were,. promptly and etlectuallr
obeyed. On the 4th of October, 1857. tb
Mo• mons captured rind burned on Green river
three, of our, supply trains; consisting
serenty4ve wagon! loaded Willtiravisiods
and tents of the army, and drove_trulayAier
al hundred anitualsi.
~ This disreinished - the
supply 'Of provilig niaterialli . thaf
j o b us ee was ehli to reduk4s the ration, and
even - with
.this . precaution there Was only ,
sufficient left to sublist the troops until the
let of -June.
Ourlittly aimv behaved admirably in their
encampment at Fort Bridger under these_try•
lug privations.. le. the midAt, of the. menu_
tains, in a dreary . ,, "unsettld and inhospitable
region,
.more thitti a thon.aud miles from
home. they passed the severe and inclement
winter without it 7 tdurinur. they lohlted
forward with cotill„Jrue for the relief from
the country season, and in this they
were not disappojtited...
The SeCrel a ry:of "% . "4"tr 'employed all his
energies to roman' . thim the yienessary stip
plies, and"tO mustetatid . send,slich a military
feline .folUtith it. would render resistance on
the part: of the Itirmons. hnpeles , and thus
terminate the w;r without the- effusion of
blood._ !a this-effort he was efficiently sus
4tined by Cimgret t i,,Tey granted appropria.
twos aufttolent loc - "tier died fi . ;ieucv thus
iteces4rity ! 'et!ea t'ol, and "al.o' 'provided for
raising tworeiriretWita• Of'velunteers, the .
purmandisturbam.es in the Terri
tory of Vtt?it , i;::)iftic protection of'supply and
emigrant eratss:iad the,sepptessionof Indian
",I_lttppilY there
Arai no'adrasion't4 call these regiments into
service. c lf.lbefe':had been, I - should have
felt "serious eintwtriOsintint in selecting then',
so greaLvista . .tlienumber of our brave and
patriotic citizeniq'pximis to sen'e their coun
try in this diatan, and apparently dangerous
Thni it has bee - D, awl - thus . ffitY
it ever - be 1
The wisdom** economy of sending suf
ficient reinforcenients to Utah are established
trot only by thei t etient; but iri the''opitdon of
I 0 . 1...12.5. adul t es - t - a1 ' 41.41.1.0e tti,o'ne !earl wrr fr
itipiiio. are OEte most. et:pride, of, forming - 'a
cop ree.t jaulgtne4 Gen. lohnson. - the con's
manner of thiforces. in addressing the Secre
tary of War from Fort 13ridger,. under date
• , ,,c n ,t4h.r. Ifujs.4l. o . eat:tresses, the,_ oninipn
that "1.111163 A R Mfg*: .1174.10 II Zen. 'WRY, It In
the nature of the country, a protracted z war
on their (the Mormons) 'part is inevitable."
This he considered" necessary, to terminate
the ;war "speedily and .more economicsll.;
than if attempted by insuffkient means," .
In the mean tithe it was my anxious desire
that the Mormons should yield obedience to
the constitution and the laws, without render
ing its necessary to resort to -military force.
To aid in accompliAitig this otject, I deem
edit advisable in April last to, dispatch two
distinguished cititens of the.tnifted States,
Messrs. Powell and MeCtr,lfochJ to Utah.-
They bole with them a proclatiottion address
ed by myself to the inhabitants of Utah,dated
on the sixth day of that montb,warning them
of their true Condition, and how hopeless it
was on their part to persist in rebellion against
the United States, and t ffering all those who
should-submit to the laws, a fall pardon for
their past
_seditious and treasons. At the
-erne time I assured those who.shonld persist
in rebellion against the United Staten, that
they must expect no forther.lenitV . , but look
tube rigerously dealt with :recording to their
d e serts. The irAtriii tons to these agents.
as well earl copy of the proclamations, and
t hat. .eport's are herewith submitted. It will
Ibe seen by their report-of the 3d Of July la't,
that they have fully confi.med the opinion
expre-sed by General Johnson in the previous
October, as to the hettssitrof sending r'-ins
forcetnentt to Utah.. In thins they state that
they are "Minty iniprearsed With the belief
that the pretence of the
,arrny here and the
large additional force that had been ordered
to this Territory, were the Chief inducements
that cau'.ed the Mormons to abandon the idea
of resisting the authority of the United
States. A less decisive policy Would prob
ably have re‘fulted in a long, bloody and ex
pen-itl orittk. n -
, , .
There get:oh:ire - en - cOnducted themselves to
my entire - satisfaction, and rendered useful
service in executing the humane intentions of
the goveroment. - -• ,
It also affords - me great satisfaction to
state that Governor•Cuinming has performed
his duty in tin able and senciliatory manner,
and with the hAppiest effect. I cannot,infthis
connection, efrain from mentionng the val
uable services of Cel. Thrones L. Kann, who,
kern motives of pure -benevolence, and with
out any official character or \ peeuniary corn
pensation, visited' Utah dunog the -last in
clement winter, for the purpose of contribut
ing to the pacification of the Territory.
'I .tiria happy to inform yon that the Gov
-ernor and otVar 'civil _officers of Utah,
are now Peifortning their appropriate rune
, tiona without r'esist'ance. The ' authority
of the cimstitutiori and, te . laws his been
fully restores , and Peace' preiails thioughout
'the Territory. .
_,
A - portion . of tho . trincipi sent to titali ate
now encamped in - Cedar Valley, .foitriotir
miles soathwe.t 'of-Salt Lake City ; and r the
rernaindni - littvdheen • ordered - to - Oregon to
.•
suppress' Indian hostilities.. :.. - 1 :
_, .
• 'll6 thatch' of the , arniiicrSalt . talre city,
thrtingh•the Indian Territtiry;has:had a pi 4 .-
eiftil, effect in restraining the hostlleleelirig
against the .I.Tnited, Suites,— !liinlf 4 t.sikisted
enrol the indiantOn tbat retioril'attifiri'sill'
curing emigrants to tle -FiOltieltitilidist
their depreditiens, Tht '' 4ilfr-Atin'' - 14- The
means of itlit - hl ishing ' milli tiferit r aiti iiiidllir&
• ....
tnopnr settlements, idoiltbl'lntite.. • • - •
'-_ I freponimend.diat the heneflts' of gni 'land
laws'aadlsie-iimptibin 'systetri be, extended to
the'peOPleof-Utakty.' tliti,ettablishment of a
land 45ffice iri'tblit Territory. -', . • ' "1 .-- ''
... ',.
4 , I inivirikealion, alio, to Congratulate yen
on therritult of our negotiations with China.
You • were' lifdimed ' by' thy thist',isitinual
message that ciar'Ministerhed been instucted
to occupy a neutral fiesitinti in the-hostilities
conducted bt -•Grtast pii.ain 'Slid France
-,------,--• -- -
against, Canton.. Ire was;however, at ' the
same time directed to co•operate-mirtilially
With the British and French. Minister, iit.ali
peaceful mertittrea to seem: by treaty theist;
just . concessiuns to foreign, nointnexce, Which
the nations of the worldliad a - right to de•
friend., It was itriponsible' for fin e to:proceed
further . tken this on:itiy - own,elOritrity, with
out nstirping the vier makin g power, which,
under the s conatitu Lion, helot* eieluistvely. to
Besides, after; a oareful' exa'nainetionot the
nature 04 extent of our grievenees, I did not
believe they were of such'' pressing and ag.
graeated . r.l . 'its - cter, as would have justified
Congress -i n declaring sitar against the Chinese
-Empire; without first Melting another earnest
attempt to adjust, theft by peaceful negotia
tion. 1 was the more inelined . 'to this opin
ion, because of the severe chnstisiment which
'had then but recently been inflicted upon the,
Chinese by our squadron, in the capture and
destruction 0(46 Barrier forts, to avenge an
alleged insult to our flag.
''the event has proved the wisdom of our
neutrality. Our minister hits executed his in
struciiiin with eminent skill 'and ability. In
conjunction with the Rtne•iin plenipotentiary,
he has peacefully hat effectually co operated
with the English' and French plenipotentia
ries ; and, .each of, the four powers has con
cluded 'it separate treaty with China - , of a
highly satisfactory character. The. Beaty
concluded byour own plenipotentiary well
immediately be submited to tne Senate.
I am happy. to announce the', through
the energetic yet conciliatory efforts
. of our
Consul General in Janne, a - new treaty has
be'en coneludedovith that empire, which may
'be expecied materially to augment our wide
and.intercourse in that quarter and remove
from our cOuettymeh the disabilities which
have hitherto been imposed upon the exer
cise of their religion. The treaty shall be
summitied to the Senate for approval without
delay.,
It is my earliest desire that every miaun
derstanditig with the government of Great,
Britain should be amicably adjusted. It has
been the misfortune - of both Countrtes, almost
over since the period of the revolution, to have
b‘-en annoyed by a, succession 'of it ritating
and dangerous questions, threatening their
friendly relation-. This has partially pre
vented thelull 'development
.or those feelings
of mutual' friendship between the people of
thritwo countries; so nattioll in themselves.
and so enedriciie' to.their common interest.
Any iserioui‘interru'ption of the . corninerce be
tween the United Sloes and Great,Britain
would' be equally injurious to both-. In face
....,,,lISICTIOLM illiMo - 1124 . 2,7C1141H111111 aspLk. &WA:
.1 the earth whitth could do' each other so
much good or eio much harm.
. I
Entertaining these sentiments, I atlt grati
fied to inform you that the long pending
Peraii.e e u r fo v be tu t e we t e ja,-..s ib otu tw ul - s•Ponetro e n ni ltn i o n
starch,, has been amicably adjusted. The
claim on the part of Great Britian, forcibly
to 'visit American vessels on the high sets in
time of peace, could not be sustained under
the laws of nations, and it has been over
ruled-by her own most eminent jurists. This
qeestion was retiently brought to an issue by
the repeatA mita of British crusiera in bostd
tog met .enrchting our met-Chant_ vessels in
the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent: seas. These
acts were the more injurious .and. annoying
as these waters are traversed by a large por
t:on of the'conireerce of theited States,
and their free and unrestricted ‘l"<ts i essential
to the coastwise :trade
. betwee • different
States of the Union. -Such vexatious inter
ruptions could no, = fmil to exeitt the feelings
of the country and to require; the interposi
tion of the government. Remonstrances
were addle-sett . to the British lgoveniment
egainst: these violations of oar right's of sov
ereignty, and a' navel tome' lvaS at the same
time ordered to- the "Cuban elvers, seith di,
rectiona .. to 'Protectt all ve-eels of the United
Mates on the high. Peas frorn search or de.
tendon by ve-sels of war bf. airy tuition."
:these measures reeeived iFfe untjualifled and
even entliusiasertaPprubi:tioit of the Ameri
can people. .Most 'fortimatelv, however, no
collision took ,place, and the British govern-
Meet Proitipily avowed its 'reeognitien of the
principles of tate tuitional law upon this sub
ject, as laid down by the United Stites, in
the Cote of the Serretary of State to the Brit
ish Minister . at Washinom„ of April 10th,
1858, Which secure the vessels the United
States upon the - high seas from visitation or
search in time or peace, under any circum
stances wherever. The claim has been aban
cloned in a manner reflecting honor upon the
British government, and evincing a just re
gard -for the law of nations, and cannot fail
tostrengthen the amicable relatiocs, between
the two countries..
The British government, at the same time
proposed to the, United States that some
mode should be adopted, by mutasl arrange
ment between the two countries, of a champ:
ter which may be fuun I effective- withotit. heT
ing offensive, for verifying the -'nnticittility of
ve,sels suspected en good grounds of cairsi ng
false colors. They hate, also invited. the Uni
ted States to take the initiatiie, and propose
measures for this purpose. ,Whilst declining
to assume so.grave a responsibility, the See
"retary of•State_hai informed , the-British
_gov
ernment that vie are ready t o reprise :thy ploy°.
sals whirfi they -may feel disposed to offer,
having this object in view, and to consider
ip are amicable spirit. A strong opinion is,
hosiever, elm wised, that the occasional abuse
of the flag of any nation is as *veil far leis to
he deprecated than would be the establish
ment of any regulations which might be itt
coitipatiblei With • the freedom' of -the seas.
This government has yet - received ^no com
thunication specifying the manner in which
-the British government Would • propose to
carry out their suggestien;, and I am inclin
<id-to believe - Abet no plan which can
,be
Sised . oriirbe free from grave embarrassments.
Still Ir' shall form no dpititled opinion -on the
'subject'untii- I shall have carefully and in the
best:spirit eiatidned ally' Proposals which
they rosy thick - proper to-Make: • • •
Hor4tury tiorry.-thae I Cannot Also inform
vii+tlsar.{tlib bompliaaticini between Great
Britaiot-stnd4b4 United Buttes, arising out of
the Clayton and, Bulwer treaty of April, 1850,
base been Ilnallradjusted: -
• At the cbmatenotrinent of your last session,
I bad reason to hopethavemancipating themi
Belies from ftirthet unaitaifinediscussions;the
two governments would pkoceed to settle the
Central ‘••.A-roerioitn,'questiot3 in- it prietitist
Inannero . diketheCorable--and:satisfaiitory.•to
both`; and-'this' hope' I have not yet `MAD
donoct. In m* last annual massage, I lasted
that overtures had been made by the British
government for this , purpose, in a friendly
spirit; . which I cordially 'reciprocated. Their
proposal, was, to withdraw those questions
from direct negotiation between the two gov
ernments; but to accomplish the same object,
by a negotiation between the'British govern- '
went and each of Central .American re=
publics whose territorial interests are imme
diately Involved. :The Settlement was to be
made in accordance, with the general tenor
of the interpretation placed upon the Clayton)
and Balwer „treaty by. tie Ainited States,
with cettaio moditleations. As negotiations
are still pending upon', thiti Wigs, it- would
not be , proper for me now to communicate
their present condition. A..final settlement
of ther.e questions is greatly .to, be desired, as
this would wipeout the last remaining subject
of dispute the two countries.
- Our relations with the great.empires of
Prance and ttussiit, as with all other govern
ments 'on the continent of 'Europe, except - that
of *tin, continue to lie of the most s friendly
character. , • .
With Spain our relations remain in an nti
patisfro;tory condition. In my message of
December last I informed vou that our Envoy
Ex r aw din ary irnd Minister Plenipotentiary
to Madrid had a-Iced:for his recall; and it
was my purpose to send out knew. Minister
to that court, with special inAructions on all
questions pending between the two govern
tnents, and with a _determination to have
them speedily and aniinably adjusted, if that
were possible. 'lbis purpose has been hitherto
defeated by causes which I need not enumer
ate. .
The mission to Spain has been entrusted
Co a distinguished citizen of Kentucky, who
will proceed to Madrid without further delay,
and snake another and final atteraptto obtain
ju.tice firm that grriernment.
Spanish officials, under the direct control
of the Captain General of Cuba, have insulted
our national flag, and, in repeated instances,
have from time to :tittle itiflieted injuries on
the persona and propertY of our citizens. These
have given birth to numerous claims against
the Spani4 government, the merits a which
have been ablydiscus-ed fora series - of years,
by our at i titeasise diplomatic representatives.
Notwithstanding this, wa s have not arrived at
a practical result in any single instance, un
less we except the case of the 131acle Wariur
ander the late AdMinistration; and that pre
-
Netted AO outrage of such a character as, would
have•justified an immediate resort to War.
All our attempts to obtain redress have been
battled, and defeated: The frequent and oft=
reeurriugchanges in the .Spanish ministry,
haie been erup4oyed as a reason for delay.
We haYS been compelled to• wait. again and
again, until the new minister shall have had
time to investigate the justine of our demands.
- Even .what have been denominated " the
Cuba in.which mote than a hundred
furnished no exneirten:."TtlreilliTe'....ted,.hacv,e
the refunding of dUties ' njus!ly exarted o r i
American Vessels at different. Custom Houses
in Cuba, ao Tong ago ' as the year 1844. The
principles , upon which they rest are so mani
festly equitable and just, that after a period
of nearly ten years, in 1854, they were re
cognized by the Spalsish government. Pro-.
ceedings were afterwards instituted to nicer
fain thoir amount, and this finally fixed ac
cording to their own statement (with which
we ale satisfied). at ttio suns of one, hundred
and twenty eight thousand six hundred and
thirty five dollars - and fifty-four tents. . Ju-t
at this moment, after, a deity of
.fourteen
yearn, when we had reasoti s to expect this snro
would be repaid with intereSi, we hnve re
&iived a proposal ofering to refund one-third
that amount, (forty-two thousand eight, htin
dred and seventy-eight dollars and forty
cerirs,) bur withi ut interest,if we Would ac
cept this in, Jul! satisfaction. The offer hr,
also, accompanied by a,declaration that this
indensnife•ation is not landed on any reason
of "strictjustiee; 'but- is made as a special
favor. -••- . - •
One alleged cause for - procrastination inrthe
examination and adjustment of our claim+
arises from an obstiteki which it is the duly
of the Spaftiiii . goverdment to remote. Whilst
the - CaptaimGeneral •of Cuba is invested
with general 'despotic authority the . d'ov
eminent of that island, the power is withheld
from him `.to examine and redress intone
committed by officials under his control on
citizens of the United States; Instead" o f
Making our complaints directly to him at
Havana we are obliged 'to present .them
through our Minister at Madrid... These are
then referred back to the Captain General for
information, and much time is thus consumed
in preliminary inveNtigaitons , anti corrOpon
deuce between Madrid and Cuba, before the
Spanish internment arill•consent to proceed
to negottation.. Many of the difficlt:ion be•
tweet, the two governments Would be obviated.
and a long train of negetintion avoided, if the
li Captain, General wve, invested with authority
to settle questions of easy solution on the
spot,, when all the facts are fresh and could
be promptly and satisfaCtorily ascertained.
We hate • hitherto In vain urged upon - the
Spanish - gliverement- to confer this potter
upon the Captain-General and our Minister to
Spain wilt again be instructed to urge this
subject upon their nonce. In this we occupy
a dttferent - position from the' powers of ,Et
rope. Cuba is iltur4t our
shores ; our nommerce with it is far greater
'than, that-of any- other nation, including
Spain itself; and out citizens are in habits of
daily and extended personal intercourse with
every part of the iSlanrl. It is, therefore, a
great grievance that; when any' diffienlty oc
curs, no matter box/ unimportant, which
might be readily veiled at the moment; we
should be, obliged to, resort to Madrid, espe
cially, when the very-first
_step to be harken
there is to. refer.it back to Cube. -"
The truth is, that Cubs, in its existing
colonial 'condition, is a tonstant source of in
iury and annoyance to the American people.
It is the Only spOt in die civilized world
where .the African slave trade is tolerated,;
and - we are bound .by; treaty, with, Great
Britain to maintains naval force on the coast
of Africa, at :much expense_ both of lifesaud
treasure, relely-foribe- purpose of= arresting,
slaves bound to that:4l4oi The late serious
difficulties - between the" United States- and
Greet Britain respecting the right of searob;
now so happily terntirlatedi eetild never. have
arisen if Cub* had a t`afforded a market for
.slaves; As longacthis market shall remain
open; there be cm hope for the civilization
orbanighted , Afriestv4Whilat fhademand for
slaves - shalt 'eontintrein 'Cuba;'Wars will be
wagetl among" the pet/ and barlitirtins chiefs
tiohimt IL lin
in Africa, for the:purkose
to supply this trade. In at
twain,, it is impossible that
ilivition and religion can etro
dark ahodeg. . ,
• It has been mal3e Imotti-the world by
my predecessors, that the , tilted States . intv
on several occasions, ende vOred to acquir .
Oahe 'by bonorable'negotia tun. If thia wet'
accomplished the last rel c of the Ataxia
4%4; tiade would inbtantl3 disappear. Ir
would not, if we - could, accuire Cuba in an
other manner. This is due, to our, natioWA
character. L- All the territory which.we hair
acquired since the origin of the goreintnin
has been by fair purchase front l'rancit, , §pai
and Mexico, or by the tree and volUntary:a
of the independent State of ern', in Islendin
her destinies with our own This course w
shall ever pursue, unless'Cir Mostances shM4
lcoccur, which we do not it tv 'antiCipate tea,
dering a departure from.it clearly iustifiab ti lel
under the law of pelf preservation.
The island of Cuba, tram its geographica
position, commands-the in nth of the,Mbuti
sippi, and its immense - end annually' intreas
inn trade, foreign and co stwi-e, from th
1
vaTley of, that noble riv r, now enibracin
half the sovereign States o the Union. Wit
that under the dominion o a,distant foreig
power, this trade ; of vital i port-ance to tl.
States, is exposed:to the d nger of being de
stroyrd in tim m of war, a it, Las hither - '
been subjected to perpetu. 1 - injury and a l t
noyance in time of' peace. Our relations aft
Spain, which ought to be o the moat friend
character, must always he laced in jeopardy,
whilst the existing,colonia government ow
the island shall retain in its present condi•
Lion.
Whit t'he Ponsessien o
be of vust importance - to t
itssv,alue to• Spain is, con
portant. Such was the r
the parties, when the grea
(erred Lcuisana to the Mr
ous, as he ever was, of
and interests of France, nel
die world, has imputed bla
capting a pecuniary equival
, The puhlieity whietr.ba
former negotiations upon
the large appropriation
quired to effect the purpose
before making another att
negotiation, that I should
ject before Congress. '
necessary, as it .may beciin
' success, that rshould be
' means of making an adva
government immediately
the treaty, without awaits
of it by the Senate. I
make this stiggestion, by '
Jefferson, previous, to tile
, inns, from France,"ancl by
in view of, the acquisition
Mexico. I - refer the who
zress, and commend it t
I ./lltno.._
I repest,the recortiroCGl atiort made in .
message of Decetnin;r , last in- favor •of-an a
propriation "to-be paid t the Spanish
eminent for the purp of distribution
along the,claimants in t ie. Amistad ca '
Prssideat - Poll first mae a similar reed .;
meodatton in 'December, 847, and' it w s
repeated be my immed ate predecessor a
'December, 1853. I ante lain no doubt th t
indemnity is fairly . cl,ie, o these c laim s to
under our treaty .Kith Sp in ,on the 27th f
0ct0ber,,1795; and whils disitilandirijusti er
:L i
we ought to do jostiee. An . appropriati n
promptly made for this purpose; conld not
fail to exert a favorable ntinenee on our te
-gotrition with' Spain. .
Onr position in relation to tbs . indepe.d
ent States south uf.cs on this continent. a d
especially'those •within the limits of No tit
America, i.e of , a, peen! ar character. ha
northern boutidary of Msicti - is , coincid.nt
with cur own' eonthern,b undarj , from o ~ a
to ocean ; and we m st necessarily fee a
deep 'interest in all th t concerns the w.. 11.
1 :,
being and the fate of so ear a neighbor. a
have,always cherished th
,kindest wishes , or
the success of that itePub ic,and have ind al ..ee
the hope that it ought at last; after all -it
trials, enjoy .peace and !prosprity .uncle I
free, and stable government. 'We have ne a
hitherto interftired, directly.-.or-- indirec I'
with ita ittertnl, affairls, and it is a d 't
whicit we owe to ourselves; to protect the '
tegrity of its territory ?against the - hos i
interference. of arty other' power. Our - 1
graphical position—our direct "interest in.
that concerns Mexico,' and- our
.-weill-seft
pulley in, regard to the North Jtroerie
continent, renders it an indispensable dutY
Mexicci has been in a Iktate of donstant
toltition, almost ever since it achiered_iut
dependence. One military leader after'
other has usurped the government in rtt
succession, and the varie u s constitutions f
tithe to time adopted ba.-eteen set at nan
almost 113_6900 as they were proclaimed.
suctiessive governinents sire afforded on
'rate protection, either to . Mexiierin citi
or foreign residents *gal st lawless viol°
Heretofore, a seizure of he oaPiral by a
tary chieftain has bee goitenillY folio
by at least • the nomi al submission - of
country to his rule for a' brief pettier], but
so at the present crisis of' Mexican affairs.
civil 'war hati been raging tor, some..
chmonghout the Republic, .betiyeen the est
government at the city 10fMeiico, which
endue cored to subvert' the eonstitutiOn'
framed by. military - power,.-anti thoise
maiutain the.authortty of that - itonstittit
The antagonistic parties ear t h 'Nei& ;. - -
of different States of .th „limpublui, and
fortunes• of war arc, onstantly chang
Meanwhile,. the; moat reprolteasible int
have been employed by both partieir to er
money: ficitn•foreitiers-, reiwell se native
l e
carryon " this ruinous contest: The trot is,,
thattiiii fine
,country, tresseti with a: nu•
rive soil, and I( benign climate,. bait been - re.
duced by • Orli dissentron. tote Candid ;of
almost hopeless.tmaroby - and' imbecility. "'lt
would be rain for thegoyernment to att pt
to enforce payment lreineney of the - claims .
of American citizeas,l now ainountlar 'to
mote thin ten million dollars,against Misioo;
becansta she isdestitute i l of ail poptinlitrytileatiii
to satisfy these demands:. - .-' ".-
Our late minister Wi4 furnished . with a phi_
powers and instruction for thendjustme t or
all-pending rioestions with thaoantral go erns: .
meat of Me 41133 - and he - performed ilk tity's
with zeal and ability.' -The. claims o our
Milieus,. soine of them arising out ofth ,vio: -
lotion of an' express' *revision of the .- taiy
of Qua diltipsi Eltdalguotad other,. ' &Mit' row.
i
'ojtiria to per*orts.as-ta as property. -
btr
4' B a s ing '
a
I b diti
,tt a con o o o
the light of oi!
-r . penetrate-th
the island wool ,
be United'State •
iparatively, uni. •
;Wive situation .f
Napoleon tra
;Jed States, - aea
he national . ,hop.
Persob thrutigh6
me to bitsi, for
eat for this nessio
been gireti to t
Pro subject;
which maybe g.,
renderitexpedien ,
-tript.tO renew tie
lay 01; whole su .
1 his is especial)i
e indispensable.
ntragted ulth t .
rice to the Spani
fter the signiug..f
•
og: the ratifies&
m encouraged o
be example of M .
p - arehase of Loui •-
that of Mr. Pol
of territory fro
• , Atilject. tri. Co
. their careful col:
ran
ed
!au
lon
the
ng.
una
j , to