The press. (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1857-1880, December 28, 1859, Image 1

IitOREMEWS USSAGI.
- 17 kir •
_O, OW- ttZtittl 0 . , t orate an one, o e
tfluieitttfli*oo " 0 ! ‘"
true deep and heart:felt gratitude is due' to '
tr that
Almighty Power whieb - hasbestoWed upsn us emit
varied andnenteroue bleiteinge throngbintsbe past
year. The `g,texeridliialfleof the eountry'hits been
exeelieet; mig.herreqta beim bean "" 46117 r an '
Welt and peapority'ritailer throughout the' end.
Indeed, notwithstanding oar demerits, we haye
much reason toliellereffroni theisast events in - our
history, that we have enjoyed the special protee
tientaif Vat - Whoa ever - iihee our origin ad
e Hatton . Welniiebeen exposed to many threaten
ing-and alarming ditlietiltle S ourprogrese;_but
oft - eat% .etteoesslye Weal= Cee, in nding olond
hai , been ;dissipated at the moment it 'appeared
ready - to' buret upeteetir 'head; and the danger to
ofirinetitntians has pawed Moray. May we ever be
under the Milne guidance and protection!
Whilst It the duty'Of the President " from
thole time to 'give to Congress information of the
state of the, Uniori," I'shall not refer 'in detail to
the none tad and bloody occurrenCee at Herper's
Pew. Mill, it to proper to, obaerro that these
eveats,lioWever bid and cruel in themselves, de
rive their chief importartots from the apprehension
that they are but symptoms of an incurable dis
ease In the pubilo mind, which may break out in
still more dangerous ontreges. and terminate, at
last, in an open war ;by the Borth to abolish Sla
very in the Swath. inVelt
no suoh 'apprehenekin; they might to afford a EMl
ettiik"Warning to is all to beware of the approach of
danger. Our Union is a stake of lamb Inestimable
value at to demand our Loortstent and vratobful vigi
lance' for CO 'preseivatlon; .In this view, let me
implore my countrymen, North and &oath, to cul
tivate the ancient testings of mutual forbearance
and gotiVistill hiwardi each other, and strive t
• the demon spirit of seatiOniii hatred and strife
.1111 V alive is - the Thin atiVive protects from
the heart of au' old public fundtionary, whose ser
vile,' commenced in the last generation, among the
wise and consereative,,statesseen of that day, uo w
nearly all
. passed away, and whose drat and dear
eit,:earthly, wish' Is ' to leave 'hie -eountry tranquil,
promeroue, netted, and powerful.
Wieught toreileat that' id this age, and espe
eially eountry,,,,thercis an trwesseut flax and
reline of "public amout,- -Qtiestinne which in their
day assumed amost, thriatening stapect, have now
nearly roue ,from the memory of men. --They are
"voloanoea burnt out, and" n the Java and ashes
and squalid isioriai Of old Invidious grow the peace
ful, olive, the .oheering Vine,. and-the austeining
corn," 'Seth, in my opinion, will prove to be the
fate ; of the preempt seetiortel -excitement, shonld
those - wile wisely meek ,to apply the remedy, son
tintfialweys to confine their &torts within the pale
of the Conetitatlen: If this course be pursued,
the meeting agitation on the subject of demesne
slavery, like everything human, will, have its day
and give place to ,other and , lees threatening con
troversies. Public opinion in this country is
Powerful, and when it reaches dangerous excess
14t0/2 any question, the good • sense .of the people
will furnish the corrective anti bring it hack with
in safe limits. Ball, to hasten this suspicious , re
suit, ,at the present orials,,we , ought to remember
that every rational creature- mast be presumed to
intend Use natural eonsermeneee of, his own , teach
fa,- , Those „who a 1180141106 abstract doetrinea
versire of the Constitution and the Union, must
not be surprised should their heated partisans ad
vance one Atop further, antLattemt by violence to
earry those doctrines tato practical abet. In this '
Viaw of the subject it ought never to, be forgotten
that,' bowaver great • may. have. beep . the Ve
nded advantages resulting from the Union to
every portion of our common country; these
would all prove to be as nothing should the time
ever arrive When they cannot be enjoyed without
mucus danger to the personal safety of the people
of fifteen members of - the Confederaey. It. the
peace, of the domestic fireside - throughout these I
States should ever be invaded—if the. mothers of
familles,within this extensive region should not be
able to retire to rest - ,at night without suffering
dreadful' apprehensions of what may be their own
fate and that .of their children before the morn
ing—it would be, vain.to recount to such a people
the political benefits whiehlesult to them from the
Vain. Belf-proservation is the. first Instinct; of
nature; and therefore any atate of moiety in which
the sword is all the time anspendttd over the heeds
of the people must at last become intolerable.
Bat I indulge in no suet gloomy forebodings.' On
the contrary, I dimly believe that the events at
Harperet Ferry, by sousing the people to pause and
rodeos upon the. possible peril to their cherished
Institutions, will he the means, under Providence,
sitalleylng the existing excitement, and prevent
ing future outbreake of a similar character. They
will resolve that the Constitution and the Union
shell not bo endangered by rash commie, knowing
that, should "the diver cord 'be looted or 'the
golden bowl be broken iF * at the fountain,"
human potter could never' t auntie the recettterd
and hostile fragments,
I cordially congratulate you moon the final set
tlement by the Supreme Court of thellinited States
of the qawstion of slavery irethe Territories, which
had premnted an aspect HO tenly.fortnidable at the
commencement of my Administration. Thdlight
has been established at every citisenlit - takelll
property of any kind, including' sktvicaTtlido the
*mamma Territories, belonging equally -totall the
States of the Confederacy, and to have it protected
there under the Federal .Constitution, Neither
Congress nor a Territorial Legislature, nor any he
men Tower, has any authority to annul or impair
ibis vested right. The aupreme 'judicial tribunal
of the country, whioh is a eoordinate branch of
the Govermeaut, has sanctioned and affirmed these
principles of Constitutional law, so Manifestly just
in , themselves, and :so well oebsoleted to promote
*Ns and harmony among the States. It is
a striking- Proof' of the sense • of. ;Melee which
is intermit 'in our people, that' ttitY preperty in
slaves has never been disturbed to my know
ledge, in any of the Territories. Sven through
mat,. the late troubles in Kansas there' has not
been any attempt, as I am credibly idformed, to
interfere, in a stogie luitanee, frith the right of
the master. Had any such attempt been made,
the'judioiary would doubtless have '-afforded an
- adequate remedy. Should they fail to de this
hereafter, it will tb.en be time enough to strengthen
their hands by further legislation. lied it been
deelded that either Congress or' tne Territorial
IsightleAtire nemeses the power .to anitirlor Impair -
the eight to propelty in slaves, the evil , would be
intolerable. - -In the letter' event ; there"tionid bet
straggle for a majority of the members of the
'Legislature at eaoh- successive ale:atop, and the
morel rights of property held wader the Federal
- Constitution won depend for the limo being on
'the result. The agitation would thus be rendered
inoessent whilst the Territorl al 000 d ltion remained,
and its Intern! intineoce would laiCle alive a dim
serous excitement among the people of the several
'States.-
Thus him the status of a Territory, during the
intermediate period froth its drat. settlement until
it shalt Mamma a State, been irrevoolibly fixed by
the final doeision of the Supremo Court. Fortunate
' hula this been for the prosperity of the Territories,
SS well as the tranquillity of the States. - Now, ~
*migrants from, the North end the South, the,
]East and the Went, will meet in the Territories On;
:aeommon platform, having brought with them'
species of property best adapted. In their own
0 ,4,,t„,. •to promote their 'welfare. From natural.
4,6 - e 7 t. ' he
_elavery question will, in each ease, soon,
%itself; and before the Territory hi
'virtually sett.
state into 4 nmea— o the Union
prepared for Mac 4 !"°
or the e th er, will have been,
this decision , one .
fOregone 001301010 D. 1134‘.41"Wnie' ,b ser"ale"
of the new Territory will poi w " r °al
11r0iper t
n
interruption, and Its progress p olit ical
not bo endangered or retarded by
titivat es.„ •kabitanta
When in the'progresa of events the. In.
vaher
of any Territory shell have reached then. .
°required to form a State; they will then prom.
in a regular manner, and In the exercise of tit,.
rights of popular aovereigaty, to form a Constitu
tion preparatory to admission into the Tinton. After
this has been done, to employ the language of the
/Canne-Nebraska act, they "shall be received
inter the Onion with or witbourelsvery, at their
Constitution may prosoribe at the thae of their
admission.” This mod principle has happily
been recognised, in tome form or other, by au al
mon unanimotis vote of both hems of the. last
Qongress.
Alt lawful means at my ootemand bare been em.
played, and shall (Muttons to be employed, to exe
cute the lows goblet the African stave trade. Ar•
.set a mostoareful and rigorous examination of oar,
coasts, and a thormigh Investigation of the sub
ject, we have not been able to discover that any,
slaves have been Imported' law the lioited States',
exempt the oargo by„thelVanderer, numbering be
"Omen three and four hundred. Those engaged in;
Shia unlawful enterprise have :been rlgereusly•
prOseouted; but not with as math cutout as thek
crimes ,have deserted. A number of them are,
still nailer prOsecutlen. •
• One history proves that the fathers of the BO
pnbtia in advance of all other actions, condemned'
the slave trade, It was, notwithstanding,'
deemed expedient by the framers of the Constitu.'
Lion to deprive Congress of the power to prohibit;
" ate migration or importation of touch persons as
any of the Buttes now existing shall think proper,
-tO admit" " prior to the yosr one thousand - eight,
hundred and eight " .
It will be seen that this restribtion on the power
of Congress was confined to suela States only as
,migbtollinit proper to admit the•importation of
geom. " It did not extend to other States or to
the trade carried on abroad. Accordingly, we
SW/ that so early- -ea the 22d lidareb, int, Con;
gresspassed en actin:rain severe penalties and
Munisternente upon citizens and readmits or the
- • irtnited , Statee whmsbou Id engage in this trade be.
Semen foreign nations. The provisions of thin sot
isereextended mid enforced by the act of 10th
May, 1800. _ -
Again: The States then:metros had a clear right
to waive the constitutional privilege'intended for
their benefit, and to prohibit,hy,their own lairs,
;his trade at any time they thought proper previ.
was to 1808. Several of them exercised this right
before, that period, and among them some contain,
ing the `greateat number of slaves. This gave to
. Cougress , the Immediate. power to act in regard to
all such States, because they themselves bad
moved the, conatitettlonal .bartler. Congress ac.
norttingly pasted an set on Nth February, 1803,
, "t0 prevent the importation of certain persons WO
'certain Slifka where,' by the laws thereof, their ad
mission is prohibited "- In this manner the im
portation of African slaves into the United States
, to a great extent, prohibited some year:sin
advance Of 1808..
As the 'year 1008 approached, Congress deter
--tubed .not to suffer this trade to exist "eden for
Jangle day after they had the power to abolish IC
Onlheld of March, 11307; they passed an net to
- take elfeet 4, from and afterthe Ist day ofjannary,
1808'" prohibiting the Importation of African
slaves Into the United States. This was followed
by subsetfuenteete of a similar character, to which
I need not specialty refer.. Such were the pried.:
pies and etch the prmtide of: our aneestora more
than fifty peon ago in regard to the African slave
It did nriCocebr to the 'revered pat - lots who bad
been delegates t 0,,. the Convention, and afterwards
became members of Congress, that In passing these I
laws they had violated the Constitution which they
40 framed with - so much eke and deliberation.
• hey anpposed that to prohibit Congress, in express
Unit!, from oxen:Malaga - specified wirer, before en
'aptiouitod. day,' neeessarily involved the right to
eixereise - thls power after that day bad arrived.
' If thiemere not the ease, the frameraof the Con:
• : - .atittition - hed expended'muCh' labor in vain. fled
issieginad that-Congress would possess no
• -rww-ptehibit the tract.) either before or after
!c• 04,,they would net :bete 'taken so, mach oar, to
twateathli States aphid the exerolee of this power
• before,that period: Nay, more4they would not
”',litielpintbietted ditch veal importance to thieprovie
tel have excluded It front the possllditty of
- future • repeei or amendment, towhich other pot
: , :tions of the Conatitution were exposed ; lt would,
• ,-._ 440D i fiave'beau'whelly unnecessary to enraft on
111131 t article oftite Qlonstitietion, prescri bing the
snide of its own ,future amendment, the proviso,
L'• igi:tinietattment Which ms , be ends prior to
Teet'itieo ,thetessead eight hundred and eight
.33 •4314.11,3irt - any manner efseet the provisloo ie. the
cesstliettoeseestrletto the Stated the right 'to ate
mko-1
•7 - •
-„ , /I, o r , ~ •
Vot ...
,', .
•- ....,
—-. . -. ....• ' N, \ ‘ l A\ 1 1 1/////,''' .'• • • ' .: 44
..,',.,
~.
T.. OX ',' s \.\\ %' I '/. 'II , ' .. f .- : : ' —:
--.. ''''• '- tekt
1.. r., ',
~..">‘ s k \ I I !,//,' ' ,..! • _ . ...6 i %-',-., - 1 :•,•••:••••' •• , • .Ik ll ., • •
id ...
_......
. ..
. ...
. .
, .„ .
~ •, -
.•
. . 6 ,... . -.,„ 4..._,, 2. , , , zi,,, , ,-....:,-;-.,-,-,-, , ,., •J)§i.-.. , : ‘ , .. -- 4 .--.„.AJ., rfc- T!'r.' .. ... f l'T ''':
r-,s"'---"''' • ' .',,,:.. •
7 ..4
._.,-t . ....:,..
: -. , -- ,‘,..-.v
' 1
1 II Lai
•.„,...:, ~
.rie,,
„,„...,,:/„,,,..„,3,.,,..,::.1.d., 044: 4 46-' -- - ----
:., .
.. . .
, .. - ... - -.-...9044 1 , A t 44'). : , ..k- , 2;t 4 " • ll . '
' tli Wigien-' l i'4.;. or , di .•..0-` --...;, 4 . 7 ... ....,...
..-.......,
;1.. •.e XI. „....- •
•- - L.. -' -,,.{c .„,-- •t - -.. ot • , 0,,t4.- - - 4 ,i-
. I..__ . - -.. -.. 4 -- .4, - 1: - -,.;,,.. --- ; ;_ .. ,g t „ .. _
-tr.; t '-.:
, -
...,„.
----- -....- -...--_-,
..... ~...............-: e t-
~....te. --1,.....
."...:" .
_..---...c........, ~...r...w , ...
_,..
alit the importation of African slaves previous to
that 'period.
According to the silver* construotion, the elauee
itself, on which Bo mutt care and discussion bad
been employed by the members of the Convention,
was an absolute nullity from the beginning„ and all
that has einoe been done under Ire, mere usurpa
tion, • •
• It was well and wtee to confer thin power on Con.
geese, because, had it been left to the States, its
efficient exercise would have been imponeible. Iu
that event any one State could have effectually con
tinued the trade, not only for Itself, but for all the
other slue Stacie though never so much agilust
their wilt. And wiry 1 Because African slaves;
When once brought within the limits of any one
State, in ruseerdnnee with its levee,cannot prima
tally he exeinded from any other State where sla
very exists. And even if all the States had Rope
rattly passed taws prohibiting the importation of
slaves, these laws would have felled of effect for
want of a naval force tomiphtre the eleven and to
gaud the (toasts. Such a force no State can employ
in timed peace withoet the commit of Congress.
Those Imes Of Congress, it is believed, have, with
very rare and insignifia a nt exception's, accomplished
their purpose'. For h period of mere than half a I
oentuey there basbeen no perceptible addition to
the number of 'our •dotneetle Slaves. During this
period- their advancement in civilization has for
surpassed that of any other pordou of the African
knee. The light and the blessinga of Christianity
have been extended to them, and both their morel
and physimal condition bas been groativ improved.
Reopen the trade, end it would be dillioult to de
termine whether the effect would be more delete.
rims on the interests of the master or on those of
the native-born due. Of the evils to the master,
the one most to be dreaded would be the introduce
Mon of wild, heathen, and ignorant barberiane•
among the sober. orderly, and, quiet slaves, whose
'ancestors hare beetron the ere for several genera
tions. This might tend to barbarize, demoralize,
and einsperate the whole mass, and prodnee most
deplorable consequitnees.
The effect upon the existing clove would, if pas
table, be still more deplorable. At present he is
treated 'with Medusa and humanity. Ile Is well
fed . , well clothed, and not overworked. His eon.
'dolt ton is incomparably better than that of the coollea
;which modern nations of high civilization have am-
I'plOyed as sabstituto for African slaves. Both
'the philanthropy and the self-interest of themes.
ter have eotebine3" to produce this humane remit.
But let this trade be reopened, and what will be
,the effect? The Caine, to a considerable extent, as
MI It neighboring island—the only apt now on
:earth where the African slave trade is enmity tole
rated : and this in defiance of solemn treaties with
a power abundantly able at any moment to enforce .
ethelf exeMition. There the wtseter, intent upon
ipreaent gain, extorts from the aloe as much labor
:ac hik physical powers are capable of enduring—
knowing that, when death comes to his relief, his
'Wee oast be supplied at a prise reduced to the
'lowest point by -the oompotion of rival African
Dive traders. Should this ever be the cam in our
,country--which I de not deem possible—the pre
sent useful' tharanter of the domestic institution,
•whertin' those too old And ton young to work are
provided for with care and humanity, and those
minable of labor are not overtasked, would un
dergo an unfortunate change. The feeling of re
'elprecal dependence and attachment which now ex
let between master and sieve would he converted
into mutual distrust and heetility.
But we firs obliged es a Christion and moral na. '
tion to consider what would be the effect upon un
happy dfrioa tteelf if -we should reopen the slave
trade. %Ida would give the trade an Impulse and
extension which it baa never had even in its palm
liest days. The numerous victims required to sup.
!lily it would convert the whole slave coot into a
perfect Pandemonium, for which this °minim
would be held responsible in the eyes both of God
`and man. Its petty tribes would then be eon.
Intently engaged in predatory ware against each
other for the mamma of seizing slaves to supply
;the American market. All hopes of Afrloan eivill
;radon would thus ha ended
On the other hand, when a market for African
'snivel lull no longer be furnished in Cabs, and
1 thus all the world be closed against this trade, we
may then Indulge a reasonable hope for the gradual
,lmproveafent of Africa. The chief motive of war
among the tribes will twee whenever there Is no
longer any demand for slaves. The resources of
that fertile but miserable country might then be
developed by the hand of industry and afford gob
jeote for legitimate foreign and donaestio Commerce.
In this manner Christianity and civilization may
gradually penetrate the existing gloom.
The wisdom of the °ours° pursued by this Go
viirnment towards China has been vindicated by
the event. Whilst we sustained a ventral position
in the war waged by Great Britain and France
against the Chinese Empire, our late inhalator, in
*Wier* to 'his inatruotions, judiciously co-ope
rated with the ministers of those Powers in ell
pelieeful measures to secure -by treaty the jaw
eenuselons ' demanded by the interests of foreign
commerce. The result to that satisfactory treaues
have been otineluded with China by the respective
ministers of the United States, Great Britain;
France, and' Russia. Oar "treaty, or general
convention of peace, amity, and oommeroe," with
that empire wee concluded at Tien-tsin on the 18th
June, 1858, and was ratified by the President, by
and with the advice and consent of the Senate, on
the 21st December following.
On the lath Doetinber, 1868, John B. Ward, a
distinguished citizen of Georgia, wee duly commis
sioned as envoy extraordinary and minister pleni
potentiary to, China. Be left the United States for
the piece of his deetinntian on the bth of February,
1862, beiring with him the ratified copy of this
treaty, end arrived at Shanglitie on the 2803 of
May. From thence he proceeded to Peking on the
16th June, but did not arrive in that city until the
27th July. According to the terms of the treaty
the ratifications were to be exchanged on or before
the 18th June, 1859. This was rendered Impossible
by reasons and events beyond his control, not ne
cessary to detail; hut dill it is due to the Chime
authorities at Shanghais to state that they always
assured him no advantage should he taken of the
delay and this pledge baa been faithfully re-'
deemed.
On the arrival of Mr. Ward at Peking he re
quested
an audience of the Leveler to present bie'
letter of credence. This he did not obtain, in eon
sequence of his very. proper Wood to intuit tol
the humiliating ceremonies required by the eti.l
elude of this strange peeple in approaching thoirl
eovereign. Nevertheless f the interviews on tide:
question were conducted in the most friendly spirit;
and with all due regard to his personal feellngai
and the honor of his ountry. When a presents.
tlen to his Majesty wu found to be Impossible,. thel
letter ot oedema from the President was reemveall
with peculiar honors by .ffivellieng, "the Empee
roe's prime minister and the second man in Mei
empire 'to the Emperor himself." The ratilloa i l
dons of the treaty were afterwards, on the 16th o ,
August, exchanged in proper form at Pet-taang.i
As the exchange did not take piece until after thee
day prescribed by the treaty, It is deemed proper,
before, its publication, again to submit it to the
Senate.
It is but simple justioe to the Chinese authorities
, observe, that, throughout the whole trotion)
"' iqepear to have acted in good faith and in al
they
e . Writ towards the United States. It id
tree this
friendly e vela done after their own peculiar,
fashion ; but nought to regard with a lenient eye
eiwiel an empire dating bark for
the ancient duel, 4,, (44. g, this maybe consistent
thousands of Yowl, 4' fiat conduct of our
with our own national .-t 11 reeej,-iiel my entire
minister on the occasion
approbation.
Nirlt of thin
In order to carry out the a
and to give It hill &feet, it use. %Me naaessarY
eonolude two •sepplementat corma... o °,,"the " 0 ,
for the adjustment and satisfaction of wit claims of
our °Rims, and the other to fix the ta'sifl en
ms
ports and exports, and to regulate the' tra.nsi
duties and trade of our merchants with %mai
Elsie duty Wee eatisfeetorily performed by ourqata
minister. Theo conventions bear data at Sha,`lfft
has on the Bdt November, IBM Having buff
ooneidered in the light of binding agreements sub."
eldiary to the principal treaty, WI to be carried
Into execution without delay, they do not preside
for any formal raidileation or exahavge of ratifies:,
trees by the (marketing parties. This was not
deemed necessary by the Chinese, who are already
proceeding in good faith to satisfy the claims of One
citizens, and, it is hoped, to (wry out the other
provisions of the isonveuttens Still I thought it
was proper to submit them to the r estate, by wide
they were ratified on the 3d Mareh.lB69. Th
ratified copies, however, did not reach Shangtme
until after the departure of our soh:deter to Peking,
and those eenventlane could not, Masorete, be ex.•
changed at the !Mae time with the prinalpeetreety;
No doubt la entertained that they will be ro4ed
and exchanged by the Chinese Government, (4441
this be thought advisable ; but, under the Minim. but,
stances presented, I (Mali molder them binding
engagements, from their date on bothparties, an?.
Cease them to Ge published an such for the infer:.
maim and guidance of our merchants trading
with the Chinese Empire.
It affords me molt satisfaction tolnform you that
all our dß:Unities with the It epublie of ParegnetY
have been satisfactorily adjuted. It happily die!
not become necessary to employ the force for this
purpose which Congress had 'placed at my com
mand, under their joint resolution of 24 June, 1868.
On the contrary. the President of that Republic, in
a friendly spirit, seceded promptly to the just and
reasonable-demands of the Government of the
United ,States. Our commissioner arrived at As
eumption, the capital of the Republic, on the 25th
of January, 1869, and left it on the 17th of Febru
ary, having In three weeks ably and successfully
accomplished all the objects of his mission. The
treaties which he has coneluiled will be imme
diately submitted to the Senate.
I In the view that the employment of other than
peaceful mune might become unwary to obtain
"just satisfaction" from Paraguay, a strong navel
forms was concentrated in the waters of the lat
Plats to await contingeneles, whilst our commis
sidnor seconded the rivers to Assamption. The
Bevy Department to entitled to great credit for
the promptnese, effitienty, anti economy with
which thisexpedition was fitted out and conducted.
It aonsisted of nineteen armed vessels, great add
smell, carrying 200 gene and 3,500 non, all under
the command of the veteran and gallant %Ode*.
The entire expenses of the expedition have been
defrayed out of the ordinary appropriations for the
naval service., except the gam of $289,000, applied
to the purchase of seven of the steamers , consti
tuting a part of it, under the authority of the naval
appropriation not of the 3d Mara last. It le be
lieved thfit these steamers aro worth more than
their cost, and they are all nowusefullyand aotive
ly employed In the naval eerviee.
The appearance of so large a force, fitted out in
each a prompt manner, in the far distant waters`of
the La Plata, and the admirable condi:let of the
°Miters and meneemployeil in it, have had a happy
snot in favor of our country throughout ail that
remote.portion of the world.
Our relations with the great Empires of Franco
and Russia, as well as with all other Governments
on the continent of Europe unless we may except
that of Spain, happily continue to he of the most
friendly oharmater.
ru my last animal message I presented a °We'
runt of the unsitiefaetory oondition of our rela
tions with Spain ; and I regret to lay that this bee
not materially improved. Without special refe
rents to other claims, even the Cuban claims,"
the payment of Which has been ably urged by nor
ministers, and in which more than a hundred of
:PAT aitizens are directly Interested, remain unsat•
letikd,notwithetanding both their justioe and their
K-4
amount ($128,035 54) had been recognised and as
certained by the Spanish Government itself.
I again recommend that an appropriation be
made " to be paid to the Spanish Government for
the purpose of distribution among the claimants
in the Audited case." In common with two of my
predecessore, I entertain no doubt that this is re
quired by our treaty with Spain of the 27th Otto.
boy 1705. The failure to discharge this obligation
has been employed by the Cabinet of Madrid as
reason against the settlement of our maims
I noei not repeat the arguments which I urged.
in my last enema message in favor of the equal
tion of Cubs by fair purchase. My opinions on
that measure remain unchanged. .1, therefore,'
again invite the eorious attention of Congress to l
this important subject. Without a recognition of
this pollee , on their part, it will bo almost impossi
ble to Institute negotiations with any reasonable
prospect of euecess.
; Until a recent period there was good FOASOO to
believe that I should be able to announce to you
on the present uneasier' that our diffoultioa with
Greet Britain, arising out of the Clayton and Bul
.wor treaty, had been finally adjusted in SI manner
alike honorable and satisfactory to both portion.
From onuses ' however, which the British Govern.
intent had not anticipated, they have Pet yet com
pleted treaty arrangemente with the Republics of
Honduras and Nioaraugna,in pursuanoe of the
understanding between the two Govern's:mita. It
I is, nevertheless, confidently expected that this good
[.work will ere long be accomplished.
! Whilst indulging in the hope that no other Bub
loot remained which could disturb the good under
standing between the two countries, the question
arising out of the adverse olaimsof the parties to the
:Island of Sari Juan, under the Oregon treaty of
,15th Juno, 1849, suddenly assumed a threatening
prominence. In order to prevent unfortunate eel--
Melons on that remote frontier, tho late Secretary of
State, on the 17th July, 1855, addressed a note to
Mr. Crampton, then British minister tot Washing
!ton, communicating to bins a copy of the instruc
tions which he (Mr. Marcy) had given, on the 14th
:July, to Governor Stevens, of Washington Terri
tory, having a speoial reference to an "appre
hended collated between our citizens and the Brit-
Ash anij els ou the Island of San Juan." To pro
veto field , the Governor was instructed "that the
officers or the Territory should abstain from all
gets on the disputed grounds whiith are calculated
•to provoke any conflicts, so far as it Dan be done
without implying the concession to the authorities '
of Great Britain of an exclusive right over the
'promises. The titlenught be settled before either
party should attempt to exclude the other by foroe,
or exercise oompleie and exclusive sovereign rights
within the fairly-disputed limits."
In acknowledging the motet, on the next day,
of Mr. Marey's note, the 'British minister ex
'pressed his entire concurrence "in the propriety
;of the course, moon/mended to the Governor of
Washington territory by your (Mr. ettarey's)
in
strecrione to that officer," and stating that he bad
t , test no time in transmitting a copy of that loon•
ment to the Governor General of British North
America," and had " earuesay recommended to
his Excellency to take such mei:entree as, to him,
may appear beet calculated to seance, on the peel
'of the British local authorities and the Inhabitants
of the neighborhood of the line in question, the
, exercise or the some spirit of forbearance which is
'inculcated by you (Mr. Marcy) on the authorities
and citizens of the United States."
Thus nutters remained upon the faith of this ar.
• rangement until the oth jetty last. when Gen liars
• ney paid a visit to the Island. Ile found upon it
twenty-five American residents with their families,
and alas an emahlishment of the Hudson's Bay ,
Company for the ptirpose of raising sheep. A
short time before his arrival one of these residents
[ had shot an animal belonging to the company,
vrhifet trespassing upon his premises, for which,
however, he offered to pay -twice its value; but
that was refused. Soon after, " the chief factor of
the company at Victoria, Mr. Niles, son-in-law of
Governor Douglas, canoe to the Island in the British
sloop.of-war Satellite, and threatened to take this
American (Mr. Cutler) by force to Viotoria, to
answer for the trespass he had committed. The
American tetrad Me rifle and told. Mr. Dallas if any
such attempt was made he would kill him on the
[ spot. The affair then endee."
[ Under these cireutnatanoes, the American set.
Hera presented a petition to the General, " through
the United States inspector of custom, Mr. Itubbe,
[to piece a three upon the Island to protest them
from the Indiana as well as the oppressive inlers
ferenee of the authorities of the flutleon Bay Com
pany at Victoria with their rights as American
citizens " The General immediately responded to
this petition, and ordered Captain George E.
Pickett, Ninth infantry, " to establishhis company
on Bellevue, or San Juan Island, on DOM suitable
position near the harbor at the southeastern ex
' tromity." This order was promptly obeyed. and
, a military post was established at the place desig
nated. The force was afterwards increased, so
that by the last return the whole number of troops
then on the island amounted in the aggregate to
six hundred and ninety-one men.
Whilst I do not deem it proper on the prevent
occasion to go further into the subject, and 4 11e0USS
the weight which ought to be attached to the state.
I manta of the British colonial authorities,- contest
ing the accuracy of the information on which the
gallant Goners! acted, it was duo to him that I
should thus present Ida own reasons for issuing the
order to Captain Pickett. From these it is quite
dear his object wee to prevent the British authori
ties on Vancouver's island from exercising juris
t dilation over American reaidente on the Island of
San Juan, as well as to protest them against the
incursions of the Indiana.
Muoh excitement prevailed for some time
throughout that region, and serious danger of col-
Haien between the parties was apprehended. The
[ British bad a large naval force in the vicinity;
and it is but an net of simplejustleo to the admiral
on that Mellon to state that he wisely and dia•
erectly forbore to commit any hostile act, but de
termined to refer the whole affair to his Govern.
went and await their itintruotions. •
This aspect of the matter, in my opinion, de
manded smitten attention. It would have been a
great milamity for both nations had they been pre
cipitated into We of hostility:not on the question of
title to the Wand, bet merely concerning what
should be Its condition during the intervening
period whilst the two Govertunents might be em
ployed in settling the question to Which of them It
belongs. For this reason Lieutenant General Scott
vrasdespatched on the 17th September host to Wash
ington Territory to take immediate rimmed of
the United States fortes on the Pulite (mast should
he deem this ,neeeleary. The main object of Ida
mission was to carry out the spirit of the proems-,
tionary arrangement between the late Score
terry of State and the British minister, and
thus to preserve the peace and prevent collision
between the British and American authorities
[ pending the negotiations between the two 00-
vornments. Entertaining no doubt of tho
of our title, I need Scarcely add that, in
any event, American citizens were to be placed on a
footing as least as favorable as that of ilritioh sub
jecte, it being understood that Ceptein Pleketthr
compauy should remain on the island. It Is Pro'
per to observe that, considering the dietanco from
the scene of action, and in ignora ENO of what might
have transpired on the spot before the General's
arrival, it wee necessary to leave much to hie die
'oration, and I am happy to state the event ha*
proven that this discretion could not have been
intrusted to more competent hands. General
Scott has recently returned from his mission, hey
log suceessfully socomplished its objects, and there
it no hanger r,ny good reason to apprehend a 001-
, ltsina Lettreen the tense of the two countries
duriier toe peraltney of the existing negotiations.
,r,,p g rot to inform you that there hoe been no
i m p a c c izeut to the affairs of Mexico sinoe my last
annua l nin ,41...?, and l' am again obliged to ask the
earnest attentiMi of Congress to the unhappy con
dition of that llepeblfebl.
, The constituent Congress of Neale() ' which ad
journed on the 17th of February, 1857, adopted a
Constitution, and provided for a meter election
, This took plane in the following duly, (1857,) and
ben. Comonfort was chosen President, almost with
(tit opposition, At the same else:inn a new Con•
pees was chosen, whose arm session °miner/Jed
,pn the 18th of September, 11857.) By the Con.
enaction of 107 the Presidential term wee to
heed the let of Deoember, [1851,j and eon- '
thine fop (stir years On that day, General
Comonfort appeattell before the assembled Con
grails in the Oil of lifemleo, took the oath to sup
port the new 'Onelittition, aud was duly inaugu
rated as Presideett. Ytthin amdnaiafterwards ho
kind boon driven from the Anita, and a military
rebellion had assigned the soptsma power of the
llepublio to General Zuloaga. The constitution
provided that in the ablenee of the President his
[ office eticedd devolve upon the Chief Jpetioe of
the Supreme Court, and, Gen. Comonfort having ,
anft the country, this functionary, General Juarez,
proceeded le form, at Guanajuato, a ohnetita
-1101181 Geverneuent. Before this was otiGelllly
itnOYVA;glicf,Vet, at the capital, the Government q£
Zuloaga had Loon recognised by the entire diplo
made oorpe, ineluding the minister of the United
States, as the de Arta Gorernment of Mexico. Tne
oonstitutionel President, nevertheless, maintained
his position with firmness, sod was soon established
with his Cabinet at Vera Crux. Meanwhile, the
Government cf Zuloaga woe earns/34 resisted in
Dim? parts of the Republic , and oven in the capi
tal, r; portion of the army having pronommed
against it, its funetiona were declared terminated,'
Ana an assembly of citizens was invited for the
choice of et new President. This assembly elected
General Mir/anon, but that officer repudiated the
plan under which be was chosen, and Zuloaga was
thus Teetered to his previous position. no assumed
it, however, only to withdraw front it, and Mira•
mon, having become, by his appointment, " Prot&
dent' Substitute," sontinues, with that title, at the
head of the insurgent party.
lumpiest annual massage I eronmunioated to Cons
gem the oirournstaneea muter erbfah the late minim
ter of the United Statao auspended his official rein- I
tions with the Central Government, and withdrew
from the country. It was impossible to maintain'
friendly intercourse with a Government, like that
at the capital, tinder whose usurped authority
wrongs were constantly committed, but never re
dressed. Alad this been en established Govern
ment, with its power of extending, by the consent
of the potpie. over the whole of Mexico, a resort to
hostilities against it would have been quito justifier
hie, and indeed necessary. But the gauntry wits it
prey to civil war; and it was hoped that the aim
oess of the Oonstitutionel President might lead to me
condition of thiega less injurious to the United
States. Title success became so probable that,
In January lust, I employed to Tellable
agent to visit Mexico, and report to me
the Rotted condition end prospects of the
contending parties. in conseanonee of his report,
and from informetion which reached me from other
sources, favorable to the prospects of tho °engine.
tionel esuse, I fait justified in Appointing a new
minister to Mexico, who might embrace the earli
est suitable opportunity of restoring our diplomatic
relations with that Republic, For thin purpose a
distinguished citizen of Maryland was selected,
who-proceeded en his mission on the Bth of Marsh
last, with disoretionary authority to recognise the
Government of President Juarez, if on his Anti
in Mexico lie should find it entitled to such reeogni
then, according to the eatabiishedpreotice of the
United States. On the 7th of April following, Mr.
McLane presented his aretentials to President Jo,'
area, having 110 hesitation "in 'pronouncing the
Government of Jaares to be the only existing
Government of the Itepublio." lie was cordially re
ceived by the authorities at Vera Ortizoind they have
over since manifested the most friendly disposition
liitiCT AZ 1 1 61 11M1 1447"31"
PHILADELPHIA, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1859.
towards the United States, Unhappily, hoverer,
the constitutional GOvernment 11e not been able
o eitAblish ed Ito power over the whole Hopublio.
It is supported by a large majority of the people
and the States, but thero are important parts of
the country where it can before° no obedience,
General liiiratnen maintains himself at the °spite',
and in some of the distant provinces there are
military governors, who pay little respect to the
decrees of either Govornruent. In the meantime,
the excesses which elvrays attend upon civil war,
especially in Mexico, are constantly recurring.
Outrages of the worst description are committed
both upon persons and property. There is sosreely
any form of injury which hes not been suffered
by our citizens in Mexico during the last few
years. We have been nominally at , peace with
that Repuolie ; but. " so far 0.8 the interests of our
commerce, or of our citizens who have visited
the' country no merchants, shipmasters, or in
other capacities, are concerned, we might
'as well have been at war." Life has been insecure,
'property unprotected, and trade impossible
except at a risk of loss which prudent men. Onnnot
ho expected to incur. Important contracts; in
volving large expenditures, , entered into by the
Central Clovernicent, have aeon set, at defiance by
the local Governments. PeaCeful American reel•
dents, occupying their rightfal possessions, have
boon suddenly expelled the country, in defiance of
trentlee ' Ind by the mere force of arbitrary power.
'Even tnn moo of juctlce has not 'been safe from
control, and a recent decree of lifiramon permits
the intervention of Government in all suits whore
either party is a foreigner. Vessels of the United
States hove been seised without law, and a oon•
solar officer who protected against such seizure has
been fined and imprisoned for disrespoot to the
anthorities,• • Military contributions have been
levied in violation of every prinolple of right,
and the AMI:T101041 who resisted the lawless de.
wand has had hie property forcibly taken away,
and has bean himself banished. Prom a oonfliet
of authority In different parte of the country,
tariff duties which have been paid in one piano have
been exacted over again in another place. Largo
numbers of oar citizens have been arrested and
imprisoned •witisout any form of examination or
any opportunity fur a hearing and even when re
leased have only obtained their liberty after much
sttinqing and Nary, and without any hope of re
dress. The wholesale massacre of °rabbi) and his
associates without trial to Sonora as well as the
seistwo and inurder of four sick' Americans who
had taken shelter In the house of an Arnerioan,
upon the soil of the United States, was communi
cated to Congress at its last session. Murders of
a still more atrocious character have been commit.
ted in the very heart of Mexico, under the seam
t ity of Miramon's Government, during the present
year. Some of these were only worthy of a barba
rous age, and, if they had not boon olearly proven,
would have seamed hnposslble In n country which
olaiins to be civilized. Of this description was the
brutal massacre, in April last, by order of Gen.
Mauves, of throe Amerloan physicians, who
were Nosed in the hospital at Tacubaya while
attending upon the sick and the dying of both par
ties, and without trial, as without crime, were
hurried away to speedy execution, Little less
shocking was the recant fate of Ormond Chase, who
was that in Topic, on the 7th of August, by order of
the satue Mexican general, not only -without
trial, but without any conjecture by his friends of
the cause- of his arrest. lie in represented ae a
young loan of good character and intelligence,
who had made numerous friends in Topic by the
courage and humanity which ho had displayed on
several trying occasions, and his death was as un
expeotod an it was shocking to the whole commu
nity. Other outrages might be enumerated, but
these are sufficient to illustrate the wretched state
of the country end the unprotected conditioner the
persons and property or our oltizen3 in bloxioo.
In nil thesis cases our ministers have been eon
stant and faitlifill in their demands for redress, but
both they and this government, which they hove
successively reprosentod, have been wholly power
less to make their demands effective. Their tostt•
. .
tnony in tuba moot, and in reference to the only
remedy which, in their judgments, would meet the
exigency, hoe been both uniform and emphatic.
" Nothing but a manifestation of the power of the
Government of the United States, (wrote our late
minister, In IBA) and of its purpose to loutish
those wrongs, will avail I assureyouthet the uni
verse/ belief here is, that there in nothing to be
apprehended from the Government of the Ur&
tad States, and that Meal Mexican °Metals
eon commit these outra4es upon American etti•
:ens with absolute impunity." "I hope the Preet.
dent" (wrote our present minister in August last')
"will fool nutborised to ask frout.Congress the
Tower to enter Mesta° with the military forces of
the United States, at the call of the oonstitu.
Gone! authorities, in order to Droteot the ciliacn•
and the trostprights of the 'United States. tn•
less such a power Is conferred upon him, neither
the one nor the other will be respected in the eo
'sting state of - anarchy and disorder, end the out.
rages already perpetrated will never be chostiso ;
nod, as t assured you in my e.o. 23, all these crib
must increase until every vestige of order and
government disappears fican the country." I hove
been reluctantly led to the same °pluton, and, In
justice to ray countrymen who have suffered wrongs
from Mexico, and who may atilt suitor them, I feel
bound to announce thin coo •Ittsion to Coogan.
The asso presented, however, Is not merely a CA*9
of individual claims, with 'ugh our just °taints
against Mexico hove reaottrd a very largo amount.
Nor is it inertly the ease of protection to the lives
and properly 01 the fikw Americans who may 1011
remain in Mexico, although the life and property of
every American citizen ought to be sacredly pro
tected in every quarto rof the world; but His a gun.
lion which relates to the future as well at to the
present and the past, and which involves, Indirectly
at least, the whole subject of our duty to Mexico as
a neighboring State. The ozonise of the power
of the (hated States in that country to mires' the
wron, , ,s and protect the rights of our own 001.
sons is none the less to be desired, became ern-
°lent and necessary aid may thus hi , rendered at
the same time to restore peace and order to Menlo
itself. In the accomplishment of this result the
people of the United States must neoosrarily feel a
deep and oarnest interest. Mexico ought to he a
rioh and prosperous end pcisrerful republic. She
possesses an exteasivo territory, a fertile lOU, end
an incalculable store of mineral wealth. She oo•
copies an important position between the Gulf and
the weals for transit routes and for commerce. Is
it possible that such it country as this can he given
up to anarchy and ruin without an effort from any
quarter for its rescue end its safety? Will the
commercial nations of the world, which have so
mans interests connected with It. remain wholly
intliffaront to suckle result? Can the United States,
especially, which ought to share most largely In
its commercial intercourse, allow their immediate
neighbor thus to destroy itself and injure them?
Yet, without support from some quarter, it is
im
possibte to perceive how Mexico can resume bar
position among nations and outer upon n career
which promises any goad results. The aid which
she rcquires, and which the interests of all coin
mereial countries require that she should have, it
belongs to this government to render, not only by
virtue of our neighborhood to Mexico, along whose
territory we have a aoutinitops frontier of nearly a
thousand miles, but by virtue, also, of our esta
blished pelioy, which 10 iaooneistent with the inter
vention of any European Power in the domestic
concerns of that republic.
The wrongs which we have counted from Mexico
arc before the world, and must steeply Impress
every American citizen. A Government which Is
either unable or unwilling to redress such wrong , '
le derelict to its highest duties. The difficulty can.
sista In selecting and Wonting the remedy. We
tenpin vale apply to the ecustifutional Government
at Vera Ores, although it is won disposed to do us
justice, for adequate redress. Whilst its authority
is acknowledged in • all the important ports and
throughout the sea-mote of the Republic, its
power does not exteed to the city of Mezloo and
the States to its vicinity, where nearly ail the re
cent outrages hare been committed on American
citizens. We must penetrate unto the Interior be
fore we can reach the offenders, anti this can only
be done by passing' through the territory in the
occupation of the constitutional Government,
Tito 1110 st soceptaido and least difficult mode
of acoompitehing tho object will be to act in
concert with that ()averment. Their consent
and tttetr aid might, I believe,' be obtained ; but
if not, cur obligation to prefect our own cid.
rens in their lust rigtie, secured by treaty, would
not he the less Imputative For these reasons, I
recommend to 'Congress to pees a laly authorising
the President. under such conditions as they toe:
deans expedient, to employ a eutqcient military
forte to enter Mexico for the purpose of obtaining
fedeumity for the past and security fur the future
troops s or to
8 41 4 xl e a 5 r U°nl
y ot
whether th force I purpcSey refrai r n hol f i ro o l o n ort a 4 n t
volunteers, or both, :1;Intl question may be most
appropriately left tothe decision of Congress. I
would merely observe thatt should volunteers be
selected, such a force could o easily raised in this
country among those who sympathize with the elli•
(firings of our unfortunate fellow-eitisens in Mexi
co, and with the 'untiiippy condition of that Repub.
tic. Such an acceshion to the forces of tho eons+
tuttonal Ooverontant would enable it soon to reach
the city orguliso. and extend its power oyar the
whole itopotht. In that event, there Is no reason
to doubt that the just claims of oar altisens would
be saddled., and adequate redress obtained for the
injuries indicted upon them. ooluditUttonal
Government have ever evinced a strong desire to
do 44 ‘ lustice, and this might be secured in advanee
by a prelixoinasy treaty.
ft may ho said that these Kosaard es will, at least
indireatly, he Mboiisistent with our Wise and settled
policy not to interfere in the domestio concerns of
foreign nations But does not the present case
fairly constitute an exoeption 7 An adjoining Ito
!albite is in a state of anaroby and aontueion from
which elm has proved wholly unable to estrieato
herself. She is entirely destitute of the rower to
maintain pence upon her borders, or to prevent the
incursions of banditti into our territory. In her
fate and in her fortune—in her power to ostahlah
and maintain a settled Poe ornment—we haven for
deeper interest, socially, common:jelly, and pond•
catty, than any other nation. She is now a wreck
upon the ocean, drifting about as she is inloall;:•.1
by dillereut factious. As a good neighbor: bbnil
wo not extend to her a helping hand to SU() 110 T I
IC we do not, it would not ho surprising should
come other nation undertake the task, HMI thus
force us to interfere at lest, under eiremrst,nces of
increased difficulty, for tho maintenance of our es
tablished policy.
I repent the recommendation contained in my
lest annual 1110R4fig0 thst authority may ho given
to the President to establish ono or more temporary
military posts across the Mexican lino in Sonora
and Chihuahua, whore these may be necessary to
protect the lives and property of American and
Mexican citizens against the incursions and depre
dations of the Indians, as welt ex of lawless rovers
on that remote region. The establishment of ono
such post at a point celled Arispe, in Sonora, in it
country now tilinotit depopulated by the hostile in
roads of the Indiana from our side of tho lino,
would, it is believed, hove prevented ninoh injury
and many cruelties during tho post Nilson. A stato
of lawlessness and violoneo prevails on that distant
frontier. Ltfo and property are there wholly Ingo.
oure: The population of Arizona, now numboring
more than ton thousand souls, are pm thirdly desti
tute of government, of laws, or of any regular ad
ministration of justice. ' Murder, rapine, and
ether crimes, are committed with impunity. I,
therefore, again all the attention of Congress to
the nasality Per establishing a Territorial Govern•
meal over Astons.
The treaty with Nicaragua of thelfth February, the Rocky mountains in ease of a war with a naval
7857, to Whieh I referred in my lust annual mos• 1 power suMeiently strong to interrupt alt intercourse
sage, failed to receive the ratification of the Go- I with their by the routes aorom the Isthmus, I one
verntnent of that Nomadic', for reasons which I still more convinced than ever of the vast import.
need not enumerate. A Medlar treaty has been alma of this railroad. I have never doubted the
since concluded between the parties bearing date constitutional competency of Congress to provide
on the 16th Mareb, 7859, which has already been for its oonstruottou, but this exclusively under the
ratified by the Nientraguan Cougress. This will war.making power. Besides, the Censtitution ex.
be immedieteey submitted to the e enate for their measly requires, es an imperative duty, that " the
ratifloation. De provisions cannot, I think, fail to United States shall prolec t each of them (the Sts tee]
bo ameptable to the people of both countries. against Invasion," lemat a loss to conceive bow
Our halms against the Governments of Costa title protection can be afforded to California and
Rica and Nicaragua remain unredeemed, though Oregon agalust such a naval power by any other
they aro pressed in an earnest manner, and not means. I repeat the opinion contained In my last
without hope of success. annual message, that it would be inexpedient for
I doom It to be my duty ones more earnestly to the Gevernment to undertake this great work by
recommend to Congress Um passage of a law, au- agents of its own appointment and under its direct
there: hog the President to employ the naval force and exclusive control. This would Increase the
at his command for the purpme of protecting the patronage of the Executive to a dangerous extent,
lives and property of American citizens parating in and would foster a system of jobbing and mine
transit woes the Panacea, h'icaragtia, and Tehu. tion which no vigilance on the part of Federal offi•
antepeo routes, against hidden and lawless out- elate could prevent. The construction of this
I break, and depredations. I shall not repeat the road ought, therefore, to be Wrested to inoorpo
arguments employed in former reessegen In support rated companies, or other agencies, who would ca
rd' this measure, SuMee it to Ray that the lives of arch° that motive and vigilant supervision over it
I many of our people, rine the security of vast which oan be inspired alone by a sense of (impe
-1 amounts of treasure passiog and meaning over one tate and individual interest. I venture to amen
or More of these routes, between the Atlantis and that the additional east of transporting troops,
preside, may he deeply involved In the action of
a m r u m n 7 iti nc on c
munitions
of
osstb w e a v r a , s a t n l a nte n re " Xn a g rY p ill p res pli to e s o l u o r r po tb s e . '
I I would also again recommend to Congress that
Congress on thin subject,
seteions on the Peelfie roast would he greater in
a :
i t f ; tn o e h Ert
raanno,wta
the par t h r a o n ad t . he A w r4 ho y le at am th e is un r t
nuteority be given to the President to employ the
would,
their
1 navel force to protect Amorioan merchant creeds,
he inedennaiel sr their defence and pro
ton seizure anti confiscation in the pprts of Mexico
their crows and cargoes, against violent and law- ceoregan
teetion.
and the Spanish American States when these coati.. We have yet Bearably recovered from the habits
tries may be in te disturbed and revolutionary eon. of extravagant expenelture, produced by our
dition. The mere knowledge that such an audio- overflowing treasury, during several years prior to
ell had beau conferred, as I have already stated, the commencement of my Administration. The
would of Itself, in a great degree, prevent the evil. financial reverses which we have since experienced
Neither would this require any sr/titans! appro. ought to teach us all to scrutinize our expenditures
petition for the naval service, with the greatest vigilance, and to retitle° them to
The oblef objection urged against the grant of the lowest possible point. Tbo executives depart.
this Authority is, that Congress, by conferring it, molds of the Onvernment have devoted themselves
would violate the Constitution—that it would be a to the atmoreplishinent of this object with considers.'
transfer of the war-snaking, or ' strictly 'peeking, ble success, lie will tipper from their different re.
the wapdeclat hog power to tholexeciatire. If this ports and eatirnatee. To these I invite the eernany,
were well fouuded, it would, of course, be eonelu. of Congress, for the purpose of reducing theta stiff
sire. A very brief examination, however, will lower, if this be practicable, consistent with the
plea, this objection at rest. great public interests of the country. In aid of the
Congress possees the sole and excludes power, polio , of retrenchment I pledge myself to examine
under the Constitution, "to declare war." They closely the bills appropriating lands or money, so
alone can " raise and support armies," and "pro- that it any of these should inadvertently pass both
vide and maintain a navy." But after Congress houses, as must sometimes be the ease,l may afford
shall have declared war, and provided the force them an opportunity for reeenelderation. At the
nommeny to carry it on, the President, as Corn. same time, wo ought never to forgot that true pub.
mender-inahrdef of the Array and Navy, eau alone Ito economy consists, not in withholding the meant
employ this fame its making war against the ens. necessary to aocomplith important national objects
inn. This is the plain language, and historyproves confided to us by the Constitution, but iu taking
that it was the well-known intention of the framers mire that the money appropriated for these par.
of the Constitution, poses shall be faithfully and frugally expended.
It will not be denied that the general "power to It will appear from the report of the Secretary
deedere war" to without limitation, and embraces of the Treasury that it is extremely doubtful, to
within itself not only what serpent on the law of say the least, whether wo shall be able to pus
nations term a public or perfect war, but also an through, the present and the next fife& year with-
Imperfect war—an.l, In chore every species of hoe- , eat providing additional revenue. This can only he
Wily, however confined or limited. Without the accomplished by strictly confining the appropria•
authority of Congress the President cannot fire a hone within tee estimates of she different depart
hared* gun in any CM., except to repel the attacks tnents, without making an allowance for ally addi.
of an enemy. It will oat be doubted that under tlonal expenditures which Congress may think
' this Tower Congress could, if they thought proper, proper, In their discretion, to authorize, and with
er:theorize the President tu employ the fOrCe at his out providing for the redemption of any portion of
command to seize a vessel belonglOg to an Anna. the $20,000,000 of treasury notes which have been
dan ;damn whit-I, heti been illegally and unjustly already issued. In the event of a deficiency,
qaptured in a foreign port and restore it to its which I consider probable, this ought never to be
oweer. But can Congress only act after the feet— supplied by a resort to additional loans. -It would
after the mischief hay been done? Dave they no be a ruinous practice In the days of pease and
power to confer upon the President the authority prosperity to go on increasing the national debt, to
in advance to furnish Instant retirees should web a meet the ordinary expenses of the Government,
ogee afterwards occur? Must they wait until the Tble policy would orippep o ne resou r c es and Impair
rulectief has boon done, and can they apply the our credit in case the exigence of war should ran
minedy only when It is too late? To confer this dor it necessary to borrow money. Should sash a
authority to meet future cases tinder eiretunetan- deficiency occur are I apprehend, I would reoom
des (hardly specified, le ea cloudy within the war• mend that the necessary revenue be raised by an
declaring power as such an authority conferred Increase of our present duties on imports. I need
upon the President by not of Congress after the not repeat the opinions e: reset in my last annual
deed bad been done, In the progress of a groat message as to the best mud., and manner of acoom
'nation many exigencies must arise imperatively pitching this object, nue shalt now merely observe
requiring that Congress should authorize the Pro- that these have eine° undergoes no change.
Admit to not promptly en certain conditions
)Lets The report of the Secretary of the Teeseur7
Mat Or may bet afterwards arise. Oar history bee w i ll n o d , in
t i eten the
operations of that de•
already presented a number of such eases. I shall partrnent of the Government.
referent)! to the latest. '
The receipts into the Treasury from all imas
eluding the loan authorized by the not et
Under the reeolution of June 2d, 1838, "for the during the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1850, in.
eidjustMent of diMeulties with the lleiniblio ot Para.
gua,y," the President Is "authorized te adopt such 14th June, 1858, and the issues of treasury
measures and use such force RS In his judgment notes nuthorized by existing laws, were
may he necessary and advisable in the event of a eighty-ono million six hundred and ninety-two
refuted ofjU'it satisfaction by the Government of thousand four hundred and seventy-ono dollars and
Paraguay- ' " Just satisfaction" for what? For ono cent, ($81,092,471.01) which sum, with the
"the attack on the United Stritea steamer Water balance of six million three hundred end ninety-
Witch," and "other matters referred to in the on- eight thousand three hundred and sixteen dollars
nue message of the President." hare the power and ten cents ($4,308,318.10) remaining in the
le eXpressly greeted open the condition that the treasury at the commencement of that fisted year.
Government of Paraguay shall refese to render made en aggregate for the service of the year of
this t•jest setiefectioti." In this and other (limiter eighty•eight million ninety thousand Leven bun
°WS Congress here conferred upon the President Bred and eightpsoven dollars and sloven cents
power In edvance to t tophy the army and navy ($38,090,787 11),
op-% the happening of centingent future events.
The public expenditures during the fiscal year
end thie Ines: eel minly is embrated within the ending 3etb June 1559, amountedto eighty-three
power to tIOOIRIR wen million seven Initialed and fifty-one thousand five
Noe, if this c eulitiooal and coidingoet power hundred and eleven dollars and fifty.eevon cents
0601 Ls' ocruetitallonally conferred upon the Prete- ($83,751,51157.) Of this sum seventeen million
dent in the euee of PareguaY, why seen it not be four hundred and five thousand IA1%1111111(40.1 and
eunferred for the purpose of protecting the Hose eighty-five dollars and forty-four cents 117,405,-
and pmperty of Amerieen citizens in the event 285.4 II were applied to the payment of interest on
that they racy be violently end unlawfully at- tho pall° debt and tho redemption of the issues of
tacked ie, passing over the transit routes to and treasury notes. The expenditures for all other
from eeliteenie. or Bandied by
denyizure of their branches of the public service during that fiscal
year were therefore siety.sixmillion throe hundred
re/reels in a foreign port ? To this power is
to render the navy, in a great degree, useless for anti forty-slx thougand two hundred and e twenty.
the protection of the lives end property of Arnold- six dollars and thirteen cents 160,346,220.134
can elegant in countries whore neither protection The balance remaining In the Treasury on the
nor redress con be otherwise obtained.
let July, 1859, being the commencement of the pro-
Tim Thirt s pfiftb Congress terminated on the 3cl sent fiscal year, was fair million three hundred and
of March, 1859 i ;etagere having passed the "act thirty-ntne thousand two hundred and
S eventy -flee
making appeopriations fee the ' , MICA of the Post dollars and fifty-four mints 14,339,275.54 )
-01esesDepartment derlog the fiscal year ending The receipts NM the Treesury during the. first
the 30th Juno, 1860." This act also contained an Tarter of the present fiscal year, commeneing
appropriation "to supply dencienclee In the rev,- illy Ist, 1859, were twenty million six hundred
anti eighteen Gemmed eight hundred and sixty.
nue of the Post office Deputtnent for the year end.
arcs the 90111 of June, 1859." I believe this is the five da tes and e i g h ty-f i ve „ no, (t 20,018,883 85.)
Of this amount three million eight hundred and
first instance sines the origin of the Federal GO
verninent, now more than seventy years ago, when twentpono thousand three hundred dollars 43,-
any Congress went out of existents(' without baying 821,300) wee received on remount of the lean and
premed all the general appropriation bills compel. the issue of treaeury notes—the amount of sixteen
ry to (may on the Government until the regular million seven hundred and ninety-seven thousand
period for the meeting of a new Congress five hundred and sixty-five dollars and eighty-flee
This event *imposed GU the Exeentlye a grave cents 0G5,797,585 85) having been received daring
responsibility. It presented a °brae or evils. the quarter from the ordinary sources of public
Ned thie omission of duty °unreal at the first revenue. The estimated receipts for the re
lemion of the last Congress, the remedy would whiling three-sorters of the present fiesai
have been plain. I might have then instantly re- year to 90th of Juno, 1800, are My million doer
called than to complete their work—and this with- hundred and twenty.ex thousand four hundred
out expense to the Ooverninent. But on the 4th doll ars ine0,424,4e0 e Of thee aino „ nt, i t I s pit a
of March lard there were fifteen of the thirty. mated Ova million seven hundred and my.
three States which bad not elected any repeesenta- six thousand fear hundred dollars ($5,750,400) will
fives to the present Congress. lied Congress been be received for treasury notes which may be re
called togetlier immediately, these States would issued under the fifth section of the actor 3d March
have been virtienty disfranchised, If an Inter- last, and ono million ono hundred and seventy
mediate period had been selected, several of the thousand dollars ($1,170,000) on account of the
States would have been oteupelled to hold extra Man authorized by the reel of June 14, 1838, ma-
Amiens of their Legislatures, at great boomer king six million nine hundred and twenty-six
Menne And espouse, to provide for elections at an thousand four hundred dollars ($0 926.400) !rem
earlier day (bun that previously fixed by law. In these extraordinary heaves, and tray-three million
Gm regular course, ten of these States would not fire hundred thousand dollars ($11,500,00) from
elect until after the beginning of August, and Ave the ordinary weaves of the public revenue—ma•
of these ten cot until Octeher and November, king an aggregate with the balance in the 'lreti-
On the other hand, when I mime to examine fury on the lstJuly, 1859, of seventy-flve million ,
carefully the ootidition of the Post OSlo Dopnrt- three hundred and eighty.foer thousand five hen-
meat, I did not meet no many or as great diffieul- dyed and forty-one dollars and eighty-nine cents
ties as I had apprehended. sad the bill which ($75,381,5419)) for the estimated means of the m
ailed been ,oetillued te appropriations for the fiscal sent fiscal year ending 35th Juno, 1860.
year ending on the 30th JUile nail, there would The expenditures during the first quarter of the
have been )30 mown of pressing importatese for the present fiscal year were twenty million seven thou-
Gall et au wee, swim,. Nothing would become land one hundred and seventy-four dollars and '
duo on eentraots Obese with ralirmiti companies
only excepted) for carrying rho mail an the fret seventy-six coals, 120,007,174 70.) Four million
slx hundred and elety-four thousand three hundred I
quarter of the present erret year, commencing en and helped.: dollars and seventy-six cents (01,604,-
e tat of July, until the first of Deeember—sless 308 76) of this stun were applied to the payment of
than one week before the meeting of the present luterest on the public debt and the redemption of
Congress. The eemein is that the mail contractors
for this the current year did not oompleto their the Issues of treasury notes, nod the remainder,
being fifteen million three hundred and forty-two
first quarter's miles until the 30th September thousand eight hundred and eight dollars, ($15,-
last; and by the terms of their contracts piety e4e,808,) were applied to ordinary expenditures
days more are allowed far the settlement of their
accounts beibre the deponent (mold be called (luring the quarter. The estimated expendituree
during the remaining three quarters, to June 30,
upon for pnytnent. 1880, are forty million nine hundred and ninety.
The great difficulty And the groat hardship eon• five thousand five hundred and fifty-eight dollars
stated it, the &hero to provide for the payment of and twenty-three cents, ($40,905,558 23.) Of
the sloth:deuce in thu tiscet peer ending the 90th which SUM two Milton eight hundred and
June, 1859. The department hod mitered into eighty-his thonsand six hundred And twenty-one
eentatets, to elettlicuce to (misfit% [nova, for Gleam dollars and thirty-four rents ($2,890,621 31) are
vice of that &eel year, and the contraltors wore estimated for the interest on the public , debt. The
fairly entitled to their compensation as it became ascertained and estimated expenditures for the fis.
due. The stencieney es stems in the bill amounted cal year ending 30th June, 1800, on account of the
to 83,838,72 e, Lot, atter a careful sottletnentpublic debt, are, accordingly, seven million Lye
Of all these nosettnte, it hag been ascertained hundred and fifty thousand nine hundred and
that it Amounts to $4,290,00e. With the'scanty eighty-eight delimit and ten cents, ($7,550,988.10 l)
maths at his commend the Postmaster' General and for the ordinary expenditures of the Govern.
has manned to pay Out portion of tide (la- amid etty-three minim) four hundred and fifty-one
the pest these year, ending en the 3let Dooomber i eighty-nine cents, ($53 451,744.89,) making an ag-
Morley which foceurred In the first two quarters of 1 thousteelemeop hundred and forty-four Ware and
last. :fa the menthe° the contreetore Glens. regato of sixty-one million two thousand seven
caves, ender these trying circumstances, Tiara be- hundred and thirty-two dollars apd 4nety.nine
hayed in a manner worthy ot all commendation. cords, ($e1,002,732 SO, ) leaving an estimated
They had ono amerce In the midst of their balance in the Treasury on the 90th Juno. 1860, of
einbarraermente. After the amount due to °Rob fourteen million thr e e h un d re d and eighty-one
of there had been emertained, and finally settled thousand eight hundred and eight dollars end
wording to law, this became a specific debtor re- forty coats, ($11,381,803.40 )
cord against the Unitedelletes, which enabled The estimated receipts during this next fool
them to borrow money on this unqueStionnille se- year ending 30th June, 1851, aro sixty-six million
eerily. Stile they were obliged to pay interest In two hundred and twentptlve thousand dollars,
consequence of the default cf Congress, and on 1500,225,000,) which, with the balance estimated,
every panoiple of justice ought to receive interest as before stated, as remaining in the Treasury on
mange from the dote when awarrant would Lave service of the next feral yesr of eighty million six
front the Government. Tbia interest shank) coca- the 30th June, 1860, will make an aggregate for the
tseued for the payment of the principal had au ap- hundred and six thousand eight hundred anti tight
propriation beau made for this purpose. Caker• doll/ire and forty cents ($80,606.808.40.)
Mod up to l't Peoelnhse, it Will not exceed $98, 6 60, , The estimated expenditures during the next fis.
s sum not to be three into account when troptrasted cal year ending set! June, 1881, aro sixty-six mil
with the great di/Poultice stud embarrassments of a hop seven hundred and fourteen thousand nine
our
and the States, withal wield have resulted from 1 cents 166,714,928.10). Of this amount, three mil
public and private, oharactor, both to the people hundred and twenty eight dollars endieventy.nine
„
'
eenvenlng end holding a special session of Con- I lion three bundred and eighty-six tbeeisanci t six
gross. hundred and twenty.ono dollars and thirty
four
a day as may bo practicable, to interest on the publics debt ; leaving the sum ofl
For thee° reasons I recommend the passage of a emits (83,880,621.34) will be required to pay the
bill, at ea early
pwrido for the payment of the amount, with in 1 sixty-three million three hundred and twenty-eight
Wrest, due to these lastenentioned centraeierst an , thousand three hundred and woven dollars and
well as to reek° the rt et esea re appropriations fur 1
forty-five cents (Btl3 628,307.46) for the estimated I
the Hendee of the Post idles 'Reprints:et fur tilos ordinary expoodituree during the fiscal year end ,
current fiscal you. leg 20th June, 1851. Upon theta estimates a
Congress by re- f June, 1881, of thirteen million eight hundred and
The failure to impedes Post °Mee bill necessarily Indentse will ho left act the Treasury on the filth
($l3 pi 879 0).
to carry on the Claremont, may not only er. 1 nine dollars and elety- cue cents , ~ ,
nieety-one thousand eight hundred and
.; ta l' i l il a g tl l'o r' p L a t ; l Z t a l;e 'l g " , ' ele ' rt al l :rw r olOrin lion hill's Ite,:t6- i
seventy
spryrest its col ion, but no i el, t even destroy its existence. But this balance, as well as that animated to ro
les army, leo bevy, thOWlickry, to chart, every 1 mein In the Treasury OR the let of July,lBeo, will
form the); functions if (Jong' cos refuse the motteyl bylaw to carry into effect certain Indian treaties
department of the Gograteent, eon no lenger per. lie reduced by such appropriations as shall bo made
the tieeescity of electing Se:weeny; or the Interior, to the amount of nye
necessary fur their support. It this Canine to i del IN: the prevent
tench the country l eseel year, asked for by the
a trill ettieerese in suffielent time to crohle the , hundred and tbirtpnine thousand three bemired
President to convene them in toy emergency, even ' and fifty dollar/0539,360,i and upon the estimates
immediately liner the all Congress has expired, ; of the Postmaster General, for the Betties of hie
it will has a been productive of great good„ department the last fiscal year, ending 30th June,
or domestic, which ell vations must expect to en- I ninety-six thousand and nine dollars, 14,290,009,1
In a time of eielden mill elarming (lamer, foreign : 18311, amounting to four million two hundred and
together with the farther cetimate of that °Meer for I
the servitor, of the pros.ent WO/11 year, ending 30th I
Congress without delay. lf, un e in ° i u t l i i t t u u t r it i t n es ti nty r p b r e og rt r a e lt " e'd th i ' ll e iL or t y he r4 l l Zlt f lg " a r f 1
der 3U,II , IiSQUiII• June, 1850, being five million five hundred end
ounces, the President shoted find himself Its the I twenty-six thousand three ,hundred tied twenty
condition in which he was placed et the close of four &Alma, 155,526,321.) making an aggregate of
the lost Congress with nearly half Get t tette of ten million three hundred anti sixtymeo thousand
010,351,6834
eta hitndred end eighty. three dollars,
eland to Congress to carry into tfre•. tie
•• • )lest. 'ed by the proper departments, the butane° at the I
q th u in en V oetr io t n ni ' g le h s t ta l t r u o "t d ° i o s t Aß i t t rol r s e . " -i n , th t t lltl•li t r l,' :: l e ,: -.17: ShoAill theme appropriations be made as request- 1
sloes of the Oonslitution on tble soleese and to 1 Treasury on fhe 30th Juno, 1561, will not, it Is
ears a law appointing some day erre no to the 4th estimated, exceed three minion five hundred acid
inreti in each year of odd number for the electiett thirty thousend one hundred and ninety-8i dollars
of Itopresentenves throughout all the 'Mates. They . AM eletpone emits, ($3,530,190.01 )
have already appointed a day for the eleetion of
electors for erestdont and Vie's President, and this ries of War, of tbe Navy, of the Interior, and of
Measure has been approved by the country. i the Postmaster Genteel. Obey ,soh contain value
on wool) again express a moot decided opinion inl able information and important recommendationsfavor of the construction of a Pacific, railroad, for well worthy of the eerlous consideration of pan
tile reasons Metal ha toy two lost annual messagee. greSe,
When I reflect upon what would be the defence.) It will appear from the report of the Secretary
ems eondition of our States and Territories west of of War that tits army expenditures have been lAA.
teriaUy reduced by a system of rigid economy,
which, in hie opinion, offers every guarantee that
the reduction will be permanent. The estimates
of the department for the next have been reduced
nearly two millions of dollars below the estimates
for the present scat year, and halt a million of
dollars below the amount granted for this year at
the last session of Congress.
The expenditures of y ea r , et Odle* Department
during the past final ending on the 30th
June, 1859, exelatifre of payments for mail seivices
specially provided for by Congress out of the gene
ral Treasury, amounted to $14,045,493.33, and its
receipts to $1,0138,48101: showing a deficiency to
be supplied from the Treasury of $8,936,009.24,
against $5,235.817.15 for the year ending 30th
June. 1858. The increased cost of transportation
growing nut of the expansion of the service re
quired by Congress explains this rapid augmenta
tion of the expenditures. It is gratifying, how
ever, to observe an increase of receipts for the year
ending on the 30th June,lBs9, equal to $481,601.21,
compared with those in the year ending on 30th
Juno, 1858.
It is estimated that the deecleney for the current
fiscal year will be $5,998,424 $l, bat that, for the
year ending 30th June, 1851, it will not ex?eed
$1,312,473.90, should Congrees adopt the riloaauree
of reform proposed and urged by the P ,,, tritaiter
General. Since the month of 3tareh retrench
ments bare been made let the expenditure., amount
ing, to $1,820,471 annually, which, however, did
not take effect until after the commencement cf
the present Gstal year. The period seems to ha re
arrived for detorrulaing the question whether this
department shall become a permanent and ever-
Increating charge upon the Treasury, or shall be
permitted to resume the self-sustaining policy
which had so long controlled its administration.
The coarse of legislation noon:mended by the
Postmaster General for the relief of the department
from its present embarrassment+, and for restoring
It to its original independenc), is deserving of your
early and earnest consideration.
to eonolustoo, I would again commend to the
just liberality of Congress the toes] interest, of the
Distriet of Colombia. Surely the oily bearing the
name of Washington, and destined, I trust, for
egos to be the capital clear united, free, and pros
porous Confederacy, bee strong claims on our fa
vocable regard.
JAMES IWORANSN
Weenixarox Csyr, December 18, 1839.
AI3BTRAOT OF-TIIE
REPORT OF HE SECRETARY OF WAR,
This document °eminences as follows:
,• The authorised strength of the army la 18.1 AS
men, all edit. On the Mat of July, the date of the
last complete returne, the actual lumber reached
17,4e3. Of this number there are not more than
about 11,000 men available for notice service In the
Held. Tide little three hes been eng tged. with its
usual. activity end Oleic: my, dodo the date of my
last report, in the diselaarge of its ardeoue end/out
iifarleua duties, being required to men about 130
pormenent garrisons, posts, and tempt, imattered,
over an area of three reillioaa of eqttere mile(
Under these circumstances it has been obviously
impossible to grin that ample and perfect protec
tion to our whole frontier which our citizens have
a right to expect, and which it is the duty of Cloy
ernment to afford. Indian depredations have hen
committed on our southern and Mextean border,
which no yet have been uncluietised for the want of
men. I hope to make such an alteration in the
disposition of the troops next season as will pre. ,
vent any repetition of those outrages in future on
that Iron tie r. ' '
It then proceeds to comment upon the nanny du
ties imposed upon the United States troops, etatea
that the war with the Cotuariehes and. Mewls' la
stilt unfinished, aud recommends that the enlist
ment of Men for the renunted deep*, foe a period of
eix maths, beginning to Mey, should be autho
rised by Congress! This enactment, it is atippesed,
would secure the aid. of the "beat young men of
the frontier" to check the Inearsions of hostile In.
diens.
It then especially urges upon the attention of
Congress former recommendations in regard to the
stair corps, and of the engineer and ordnance do
penmen; and a provision for a retired list into
which disabled and learnt °Meets could be trans
ferred. It also recommends that the enlistment of
teamsters be authorised.
The experiments made with camels have beep
very ratisfactory, and the purchase of a full supply
is strongly recommended
The increase of the coffee ration of the army is
recommended ; and the printing of the reports of
Colonel Deleaeld and Major Mordecai, of their
observations on the military spieler of Europe, to
urged.
The following notice is made of a new system of
military signals :
" Assistent Surgeon Albert J. Myer, of the
medical corps of the army, having submitted to
this department a system of military signals for
the purpose of eummunicating intelligence or or
ders between distant points on land, a board was
convened In March teat to examine into Its merits.
The board reported favorably to the adoption of this
plan for the noes of the army. A series of experi•
manta with the field signal's, instituted under spe
cial inatructiona from this department, have de
veloped restate which promise to be of value to the
service. With an equipment simple, strong, weigh
ing but sixteen pounds, and so compact as to be re.
pidlyee tried from place to place by a collier mount
ed or on foot, which requires for its WO but a sin
gle man, oommuniektion has been kept up and
massive transmitted by day and at night a Ms
lance of Moen miles. Messages have been sent
five 1111103 without any apparatus especially pro
vided fur the purpose."
In regard to the military academy at West Point
the report Cates that the adoption of a Ave instead
of the four years' term of Whiten, bee proved ad
ventageone, end that some modifieetlen in the pro
gramme of instrinCen being needed, so as not to
crowd the course too much, the Secretary is de-
Toting lite attention to that sob jeo.
Iu regard to the expenditures of the department
the report nays that, although the estimates made
lag year were reduced to a low point, Congress
made an arbitrary reduction of nearly two millions
of dollata, end nays:
" I have conformed the estimates for the ensalug
year to the standard of the last Congressional ap
proprietione, and have, therefore, reduced them
very mierly two millions of dollara below those lute
witted last year, and half a million below the ac
tual
apprepriellena made at the last see:aorta Con
gress.
" In the year IS2S, Congress increased the nee
merieul strength of the army by adding to It four
regiments, two of which were cavalry. In the
year 18e7, the pay of the army was increased alma
thirty per cent. Prom these two causes the neces
eery expenditures for the•army were target . ), aug
mented, This increase arose from a necessity that
still continues and was decreed by Congress itself
In addition to these reasons for larger army ex
penses, the rise in the price of every article of con
sumption required for its !upper: has also tended
to swell this aggregate sum for the maintenance of
our army. Neither the strength of the army nor
the expenditures for Its support and operations
have been enlarged in proportion to the growth of
the population, the extension of the frontiers re
gutting deferee, or the cost of most articles of
military supplies.
•, tee are 1 , , a at proper conclusions on this ques
tion of exnendlturee, they must be compared with
the service rendered; red, in this slew, a comps.
risen with any previous time may be ootedently
challenged. The present army has work to do
which might employ usefully and actively five
limes its numerical force; it does that work ef
fectively, and at a cost certainly not incommensu
rate with its value and benefit to the country. The
whole coat of the army proper for its entice support
and maintenance tenches the sum of 1a13,093,725,
72) tbirteen millionl ninety-eight thousand seven
hundred and twenty-Ave dollars and Seventy-two
cents. With the help of such legislation as is
belted for, the above sum would be materially re
duced.
" Large sums are neoesserily and =avoidably
expended every year for objects it is impossible to
foresee or estimate for. During the pest year, the
extra expenses incurred for the sappression of In.
dian hostilities in Weshieston and Oregon amennt
ed to two hundred and ninety eight thousand,
five hundred and thirty-nine dollars and
eleven coots beyond what would have occurred but
for these ware. Newry expenses are likewise in
curred for escorts to parties maimed in service not
portaitsing to the legitimate dirtiest of the army,
Tirorte upon imme amounted last year to over savor
ty thousand dollars; no it will be teen that the ex.
pm:Attire of over three hundred and seven
ty thousand dollars was imeosed upon the War De
partment the these °blots width could not be fore-
SOUL"
The report under the bead of " Ordnance, Arm',
and Equipment'," expresses the opinion that to
abridge the manufacture of arms is a measure of
very doubtful economy. Models of wrought-iron
sea-react and garrison gun-carriages have been
adopted, anti iron wilt housed in their manufacture
hereafter.
The following remarks aro made in regard to
breech-loading arms:
" Under the appropriations heretofore made by
Centered% to encourage experiments in breeeh•
loading arms, very important resultshave been ar
rived at. The ingenuity and invention displayed
upon the subject are truly surprising. and it Is
risking little to say that the arm has been nearly,
if not entirely, perfected by several of these plans.
, Them acme oommend themselves very strongly for
their great range and accuracy of fire at long dis
tances; for the rapidity with which they tan be
fired; and their exemption from injury by exposure
to letris;-continued rains. With the best breech
/email/a arm. one skilful men would be equal to
two, probably throe, armed with the ordinary
mussie.loadiug gun. True policy requires that
atolls should be taken to introduce these arms grad
ually Into our service, anti to this end preparations
ought to be made for their manufacture in the pub
lie arsenals!'
The propriety of further provision to secure our
seaports,
partionlarly New York, in the event of a
foreign invasion, is alluded to, and the plan of
Lieut. Morton commended.
The remainder of the report we publish in full,
asfullows;
pATMENT OF Yot , mentnß.
There are large claims before the Government for
pay alleged to he tine to volunteer troops (NOW out
at various times eld different places for the sup
previon )f Indian hostilities. It is due alike to
the °lain:tante and to the Government that these
claims aborthi be settled, by payment alien they
are just, and a final rejeotion wben they are not,
Tho notion of Congress is necessary before such an
adjustment can take place.
axm,onariows Ann irRVETS.
A report is prcaooted from the officer in charge
of the Mitoo of explorations and 'surveys, exhibit
ing the operatione that have been oonduated under
this aloe during the past year.
The military rood from Fort Walla-Walk to
Fort Benton, for which a special appropria.ion won
made, has e.een commenced, and nearly two hun
dred and sixty u ilea of it completed. bileamboats
eau navigate the Oregon river to FortWalla-Walla,
and the Missouri riser to Port Benton, Una alfora
ini, excepting for the distance of six hundred miles,
a lino of steamboat communication between the At
lantic and Pacilto, acmes the widest
_portion of our
• poosemioni. Without ooasideriag theNeilitieswhiob
the toestruction of* road over Th e fate f ul goe gre w,
to would *ford to emigrants treverelog that peat
thou of the continent, to a military point of tli
hOf very greet imports...ea,. Amy the man
powerful of our Indian tribes are these which be
habit the regions at either end of the propesed line.
To keep these radius in subjection, to have the
means of transporting troops and material
and at null cost from one section to the ethli=,
to build up communities On the upper waters of the
Oregon and Mintouti. strong enough to dispense
with military protection, arri to forelah soppiest to
&column marching over, are otjects that render
the work a measure of wood economy, If oat of
necessity itself. A further appropriation for its
completion h now necessary . Pullable informa
tion has been recently furnished to the department
of the existence of great mineral wealth ha the
mountains through which a portion of the road
DMUS.
The experiment of etching artesian wells upon
the public lands hues been further prosecuted, but
atilt without attaining the dulled results, and the
appropriation (or the object having become exhum
ed, it was directed that the work should be 1191.
pooled The details of the experiments are set
forth in the aceorapanylog repo r t,. I t may b e
1 eonaidered now as demensmated that to trial water
from subterranean streams to oeerlow the serfage*
of the great western Ig/1111 it, for any teammate
amount of expenditure, impracticable.
An expedited m was orgimissid during the put sea
son to explore the country in the vicinity of the San
Jame river of New Mexico, line to search fora rue
ticable route through that regien, between Beaten
and the southern settlements of Cub. This duty
bas been completed, but the reecho have lot yet
been hit Were the depar'=lnt„
A ucond expedition use sent into the Tenitory
of Sehraaka to explore certain tributaries cor the
Yellow Stone. the soureee of that river. and of the
Mietouri. A portion of Ns labors has been accome
pitched, end the operations will be resumed in the
ensuing spring.
A lug, amount of geograptdeal and onentille
information has been added, at smell cost, through
the labors of the different field partite, te oar
kaawie lee of the resources of the rogiorie VIM ot
the Mississippi. Coitaiderahla tracts of enootary
yet remain unknown, and the economy of oontlmei
tag dime explorations is evident, when Its eon
sidered that they open the country to travel; de
velop ire mineral and agrieetteral wealth; shorten.
and atLrd new information concerning emigrant
route, and designate ttose portions of the wild
territory thee are sciseeptible of settlement. Very
great benefits to the whole eountre would ha de
rived, beyond all doubt, by furnishing from the
tate ef explorations and srarveys a moderate sap
ply of geological maps of the Crated Butes and
Territories. An opportunity now presents iteell by
which the preparation of • complete geologioat
mop by some cf the ablest meta of mimes la Arai
rice con be secured at • very reueaable rate of
compeuestion. So similar expenditure would tie
cult in anything like an oral benefit to the *tune
try at large.
Experience has demonstrated that, to Insure the
moat clialiare and economical performance et the
clutieg coneeereed with recontioieeneea surreys, and
0 9p!c, rations, a company of enlisted men, of a shel
ter orgaehatien to that of the uppers and miners,
should be added to the corps of topographical en
&rem These men would be under the command
and instruction of the doers of that corps, Ltd
would fureish to parties in the field, with • great
saving o, public money, thoroughly trained assis
tants in place of islet periencei employee& I
would recommend that such a company, not to ex
ceed fifty in number, should be established by law
I weld reapectfully invite your attention to the
report of Lieutenant Michler, who, ander stage
writ iif tho War Department, we, engaged neon
the survey of an inter-oceanic ship camel near the
Julio:is : f Darien. Tit the Atrato end Tralnlo
ricers tithes his return from the scene of his field
operations, considerable prove= had been made in
the rola:non of observations end preparing the
mape until the want of ineano compelled hue to
ecopetel progress and discharge the computers =id
draughtsmen. The valuable information procured
by Lointeuant Miller thoeld no: be left in its en
finieheil condition ha the archives of the bureau, to
preveet which a small appropriation will be re
quired.
The wagon road upon the tblrty-ffith parallel,
reaching from Port Smith, Arkansas, to the Colo
rado or the West, is completed as for as the ap
propriation would do It. It fe now sore:lent foe
any travel of troops, military supplies, or emi
grants. This route abounds in grass and water.
offering very great advantages et this time for travel,
which will be still farther enhanced when the poets
contemplated than hare been added to thou al
ready on the line.
Affairs in the Territory of Utah remain Teo
much as ct the date of my last annual report-
The army U Inactive, and etaad. In the suited,
of a Illetlxeing forte towards a conquered and sul
len people. lam satis fi ed dud preeerveldoa
of right and jastiee, through the ; a ny
jarispnuience known or recogni kjt
of the United States, is imposaible - end.
tory. It is governed, praetieallyir - . .
which is in total disregard of
the he
tution of the land. The laws o the -Mormon
church and the will of the hierarehy ase alone
potential there. Beyond a mere outward show of
acquielicence in Federal Authority, they ars so
irrrspoarible to it as any foreign nation.
There is, in the present Attitude of affsfra,
scarcely any neveasity fur the presence of troops in
Utah, and they will be otherwise, dispoeed of
in the coming St3SOl). There are no complaints
of In-lien hos:ilitiea towards the Mormon people
All other Territories and peephs ul on. our vast
frontiers stiffer from Indian depredations, bat the
Mormon people enjoy an immunity from all their
outrage!. tor the protection of thee people
against Indians, there is to necessity foe the
presence of a tingle soldier. Murders and robberies
of the most etre:low character have beeline:le
tinted in the Territory upon emigrants from the
States journeying towards the Pacifie, and in
some of the most shocking instanter by white men
disguised as Indians. The general impression, so
far as I have been able to ascertain it s
amongst
there having opportunity to know, is that three
murders are the work of the llormon people them
sanetioned, if not directed., by the authority
of the Mormon church
I cannot commend in terms too high the wise
prniltLee and rlEter-like coadact of the general
commanding the army in L o tah. The discipline of
hie command is admirable, and its efficiency II om.
surpame t. Much has been done thruegh the
army [Sad< r cam:luta of General Johnston towards
hunt-veins the roads in L'tah, and to giro laths
public a toiler knowledge of the condition and re
sources of the Territory. Captain J. IL Simpson,
of the topographical engineers, has, during the
past semen, explored and opened two new routes
from Comp Floyd to California, either of which to
about 25 tulles shorter than the old emlgvant
mate by the Ivey of the diembobit river, and far
bettor ter grate, wood, and water. Over both thee*
router he emsdastod a party of rtzty-f re man and a
train of foarteen wagons, and. since his return to
Camp Floyd. many emigrants with large heads of
tattle hare passed over the route by which be re
turued. which is the better of the two. Itineraries
fur both have been furnished to the public. through
the press in California and 12 tab. lbe ratio; in
time of travel by these roads to emigrants for
California In about fifteen days, and for the mails
about four. The eating in stock aml draught
cattle on there routes over those formerly
owing to pure water and abundant grass. is ettions•
ted at twenty-five per cent. Captain Simnson has
also, under the instructions of tientral Johnston,
found a new wagon road pass (rem the valley of
! the lir, at Salt Lake, by the way of the Timtana.
gun Inver valley and Des Cherries fork of the Uinta
river, into • the valley of Green riser. whicla will
shorten the route pursued by Culorel Loriog from
Camp Floyd to Conte Fe probably as much ea
eighty miles ; end should a practicable pass be
' (elan I through the Rocky moancetrs, by Ins way
• of White river, through the middle put between
r i the hssdwsters of the Arkansas and tbe"Cachs La
Pon,lre, a tributary of the Platte. a wagon road
will be obtained through the Pike's Peak gai re
gion, which will he considerably shorter to tho
tat t hammy we now have.
01;11 ?SIAN PRONntit.
More than the usual amoeba of disturbance bas
acurrea dating the past rummer upon Dearly the
whole line of our Texan frontier. Brent Maier
General Twig; then the COMMacier of that de
partment. dr.ring the etrly spring, issued orders for
the abandonment of fort Brown, and th e etwentra
lion of the troops at other Feints upon the frontier
higher up the Rio Grande. Doubtless that OE.-
car supposed that 110 dabber was likely to fol
low (rote withdrawing the tracts from a point
opposite toll large nod tisuri,hing.3lexi,.!an town ate
time when we were at pence with that country
But these well-grounded expectations were disap
pointed. The banditti wn:en abound in that part
of Mourn rnartered their forces. crossed the riser,
and, after plundering :erne ranchos in the neigh
btu-hood, threatened to sezk and barn the :071! of
Brownsville 'immediately upon receirmit, Ins
form tt,,n of the danger wh:eb tbreatenea the
inhabitants, a force sufficient for their prolootion
was sent to their defence There is every rose n
to believe that tranquility is restored to tact quar
ter cf the State.
The condition of things along the whole extent
of our 3felican boundary, some sixteen hundred
miles in length, demands imperatively that Con
gress should adopt a policy which shall give pesos
and security to our eitirecs, and render punish
ment for Ctilllol committed upon them by Mexican
banditti and savages residing within Mexiwn
territory prompt and certain. The chaotis canal
tion of the Mexioan Government throu3hont the
northern provinces renders every hole of rho re
storation of order by public authority utterly Train
Indeed, the local Governments, if they deserve the
Dame, encourage andperpetrate many of these
wrongs Oar territory has been entered by there,
our citizens have been rubbed and murdered,
whilst the perpetrators of the crimes pass across
the borders, and claim Immunity from pursuit and
chastisement by our troops, under the treaty aticu•
lotions of peace between the two Confederacies.
These treaty stipulations, so far as they pro-
tect our Citizens in the territories of Mexico,
a re eontemned and despised. Our people, either
resident or transient in their territories, are
imprisoned, robbed, and banished, without even
the form of trial, and with no more authority
than the arbitrary order of some potty usurp
er who may bold temporarily a local command
This condition of things is no less hurtful to Mexi
can interests than to our own Their settlements
. . .
have rapidly receded before the incursions of the
Indian tribal, which. from the anarehy that pre
vails, they are unable to repel; and in soma pletea
desert.) many hundred milts in extent here been
created by the ravage; out of mttlements once ptvi
pawn% happy, and secure. Theze AVSEIV , abc , al.3.
In climate, soil , and minerli wept tit unrurps,”4 by
any on the continent; and into of affording
homo f ,, r a thriltv and peaceful populati.)n, consti
tute a harbor and n biding place tor mirages and
banditti n here theylire sezurly. and fron rhento
they d4sue at will t ravage our country and mu:-
der our people. Any eetion of erairrcss which
would remedy this state of thingi would be a great
benefit to the .Mexican pe-Ille and a blessing to out
own.
FIARPER'S reEtRY
The recent conspiracy and effort at itsarree.ion
and plunder attempted at Harper's Ferry consti
tutes altogether out of the most surprising en 1
startling cpisodets in the history of our country.
fanatical man, stimulated to recdtle., , ness and des
peration by the constant teaelnn3s and intemperate
appeals of wild and treasonable enthusiasts, tante
atrained by the Constitution and tans or the lent.
by the precepts of religion, by the appeals of htt
tosoitY or of mercy, formed a conspiracy to make a
sadden dement upon the people of Harper'; Perry.
to tob the arsenal, plunder the public. property, .3114
stir up servile insurrection. The plan devised and
the made of executing it were such as to promise
'every hope of success The conspiretere rented
farm in the State of Mlrylend, within a fen milts
of Harper's Ferry. where they retasine4 for .ma
apparently . fAlorriag peaceful, probably
useful pursuits; dertr4 which time they to-A (let
thel meaty to conciliate the kind feelings of the
1 -,,,re:a of the edit...eat Country, and particularly
theca ci the village of Harper's Ferry. They be•
came perfects!) , familiar with all the des of the
',lgoe, streets, houses, arsenals, end workshop& Co
that its omstomplated Maui might to 41410 $