SUNIJU11Y AMERICAN AND S H AM OKI N J OUllNAL.
. AIT I
SUNUURY.
KATl'RD.lT, Ii:CICVlBi:n 1!),1.VJ.
f II, to. SlSStU', fcditarbti.l Proprietor. !
To Advistuerv- .T!i circuhitlini of the Sunlvny
America among the Aiffcmit tiiwitt'oiiilit' Siunueliniiiiu
I antezoseded If cqanileii liy any pane palitishcd in Nortli
tin Pennsylvania. , . v
,.i EDITOR'S TATJLK.
, Eutlurss Notices. v
A public anlc of the personal ellect of the late
Rev. J. P. Shin Jul, will be hold t hi late rest
denec, on Thursday, the 15th inst. Soo the
advertisement.
Bairr. Hkxdricks, as Guardian, advertises
some real estate for sale in another column
Read the advertisement.
"i Fob Taa IIolibaTs. Wo refer our readers
to the advertisement of James Bi Fidlcr of Pliilrr
delpbia, for haliJay presents.
Gonitv' Laiit's Hhok. Tim Jan miry number
of this magazine is already on. our table. Wc
have peruse J its pages With pleasure, und it in
Well filled With splendid illustrations, and sound
and intelligent rending matter. The plates of
the title pages are rich' In their dcsiglt, and their
execution Is done to perfection. The colored
fashion plate is a rich affair and goes ahead of
ell competition. A host of patterns ure to tic
found in its pages, ninon whch oroilte "Hunga
rian Circle.' MloiUnSa Mantelet,' 'Victoria,' also
children's dreses, crochet work, embroidery, &c.
The book i edited with spirit, and a determine.
tion cm tho part of Mr. Godey, to please his nu
merous readers. He opens the New' Year with
a splendid book, and we are satisfied, he will tnd
the year as he hue commenced it. For prouftf
this, we refer the reader to lack volumes of the
I.ady'i Book. Persons wishing to subscribe for
this magazine should do so at once, commencing
with the new year 1854. .Terms $3 per annum
Address L. A. Godey, publisher, Philadelphia. '
! GIT The President's Message, by pre
scription right, occupies a large portion of
to-days paper, to the exclusion of other
matter more interesting and quite a use
ful. fltE NEW YEAR 1M4.
On the first ot January next, "Ci.easo.n's
Pictorial" will commence its liili vol
ume, and will appear vastly improved in
all respects, with a superb new heading, '
new type and dress throughout, and wil'
be printed upon the finest paper. As the
proprietor of the '-Pictorial" has purchas
ed the entire good-will of Burnum's New
York '-Illustrated News," and tins merged
that journal in the Pictorial," the public
will reap the advantage of this conccntra
tion of the strength of the two papers upon
one, both in the artistic and literary depart
ments. The same brilliant host of contri
butor and artists will bten-ra 'ed on "(ilea
son's Pictorial" as heretofore, and a large
addition is also made to the corps, both in
talent and number. The nnst liberal ar
rangements have been completed, and such
as will enable the proprietor to produce by
far the finest illustrated journal yet publish,
ed, and much superior to the present issue
ol the paper. The Columns of the "Picto
rial" will constantly be beautified by all
thai can please and instruct in art and na
ture, and its literary department will fully
lus'.ain the high reputation it has so long
enjoyed.
The pages ol Cleason's riclorial" will
contain views ol every populous city in
the known world, of all buildings of note
in the eastern or western hemisphere, of si
the principal ships and steamers of the na
vy and merchant servicr, with fine and ac
curate poi traits of every noted character in
the world, both male and female. Sketches
of beautiful scenery, taken from life, will
also be given, with numerous specimens
from the animal kingdom, the birds of the
bir, and the full of the tea, and will present
in its mechanical execution an rlfgant spe
cimen of art. It will contain fifteen hun
dred and sixty four square inches, giving a
great amount of reading mailer and iIiii'. ra
tions and forming a mammoth weekly
paper or sixteen octavo pages.
Tebms: Three dollars per annum.
Published every Saturday, by
F.CLEASOX,
Corner of Tremout and BromfniJ Streets,
Boston, Macs.
TlHtlTY-TUinD CO JiClimi- 1st j.lon.
Wasiiinuion,' Dc. S.
?intf.. The credentials uf Messis. John
aon, of AiVunsai ; Allen,' uf Rbixla ' t.-lauj J
Jinll, of Teiuae , und Sliilell, nt Louisiana,
wr presented, and the)' wnu all auoiti in
kiid look their seals. ., Mr.. Gavin Rae n'jlive
i. f several bills in furlheranee cf I ho iutereMs
i.f California, Mr. BioilheaJ cave nt.lii e of
Lis intent ion lu Introduce a l-i'l, at an early
day, providing fur the flxtrasaen if ' limiiily
land warrants to aoldieis of the uur'of till
Mr. Dodge, of Iowa, gave notice of his inlen.
t.un le oner a till provum lor tne eiiit.iiMi-
loenl of a territorial government in ruetnas'
ka. On molten, It was ordered tbnt th daily
hour or the mining of'thcFftiaie. be li
u'cluelc, M. Mr. f.eonarJ lntio.li.re l a imsu
Jutiou calling upoii the TiesiJent fur inloiiiia
lion Ulive ie Sandwich fIin1i.' The
leaulutlun lies' ove ,iay uje, ihu' luUs.
flovsev All u'cluck ibe s-.-.f,,,; ' 0f
itfiifWH arrestaj by the Clerk uf tha
ll.M.ae ealling lh taenibeia t Wr; 'l u,
s.ll beine ealled il was ascertained that there
were tU membsns pieseu and dle
gatea. Qu B.tdiuu uf tir.. Olds, ill House
proceeded to vol for Speaker. Th first
ballot being announced, the vote stood as fol
low : r
Linn Boyd, Dom. ;
: Joseph It. Chandlr, Whig,
jj Jams) L. Oir,' Dem. j j
I' Solomon Q. Moved, j I
141
25
!i 4
M 8
Mr. IfoytJ wu declared eleclod Spenkcr of
ill Mouao. Thtt House then, en motion,
proceeded to ballot for Cleik. John W. For
ties teCedvcJ 81 votes, and flicrei being' no'
course, to-elected Claik. All vhi , oilier old.
officer Vrefe;W-titreil.d ii1,u. t hVrWiii m.'
t'lio llousn sliortly af'.cr adjourned.
JL:TTLn r ijoM the cditor, datcd
fqlumbia Jlovaf. , , )
'rhiYntlclphia, J)ec 6, 1S63
S53.
The trip from Siinlmry to tMiihilolnliia is iimcii lci fa.
tigulng tiuco the eomptetioirof lii Mil roact loflhnrtmtiii.
There is a rsst difi'urouc between starling at t o'clock
st night in thf ilnge, or in the nimiiiiifl sfier urooKfat in
the mini. The time, th'nigh only shortened four hours to
Piatsvitle, SppearsontyhiitraeKin. ' 'Those who travel on
the (iiiupika will obtccve tint isiring th' st UveIVs
mth, grcnt and iinporUnl changes have bceu enVcucd in
the cojl region lhroa(ih which the ti'.rnpike panes. The
trsvellei will lio mtoninhcd to finJ thnt wh ile villages have
s, rang up lu that time. At Mount CartneT a uonitr of
new tui!ilt-ig!:BreuinriigreMofoistni.tiMi. Afewmllcs
frthcr ituwii, tho Locum Mountain Coal & Iron Compauy
and others, have sixty or seventy homes under way. Iic
I Hum, ngnin, but a c rt ili'taacc, commence Ihe lin
proveiucnts at the cjllcrici uear AsliUnid. Upwsrds of
aevcuiy. buildings are hc-e being creelod, The Locust
Mountain cal is of super! r quality, and is admirably
adspted t J the smelting bf iion and other purposes. A vein
h is bi'Pn opened forty seven feet In thickness. This vein
is siijiposud by same to be identical with tho lrlsHmv.'tb
vein in the Schuylkill region, which, however,.. is. wily
twenty eight feet thick. It in ripp-uud'hy c unpctenl jud
ges, flml h1 the coal In the Svliuvlkill n-ion, above water
kivol, will be axliaustnt; in fire or six yean. AYhen th. t
time arrives, Ihe coal west of tho Uiornl Mountain will he
icso; led ti. To reach this, and to open propnriy thasu vast
niiiies uf weitlth, the Droad M-Miit.iiii will have to be tuu
iicleil a piojeot thuf has often been talked of. It will be a
8lo.i id.L w wk, and will coil ovei a uilllbuof dollars'
That it will pay, even for cil purposes al.aic, is no longer
n qucthu ol' doubt, bat only of time. AYlieii completed, it
will open a grand thoroughfare for the tiado and travul
f.om tliutfufquchamia, by easy grades, ivliicb al 'lie, in a
few years, would justify the audemkiug. As I bava al
ready intimated, the great niinnig operations in Schuylkill
coauty will be, as they Bee nowj principally below water
level. ..-!!. ... '
Mr. Magiiuii' discovery of the numiuoth rein, unlor
Uyini' tho other formations, at a great depth, has added
vastly to the mineral wealth of tho Schuylkill region. On
tho property of Henry C. Carey at 8t.' Clnlr, a large per
petidicuiat sliaft lias been Sauk! nt en penseof615,0fl0.
At a depth of 4U0 feet they struck a six foot vein of umk
nud then passing through 21 feet of slate, they come on to
the rttauunoth vein, which proved to he it feet thick.
Overlying tliese Veins, Is a strata of solid rock, 00 feel in
thickness.
ThcNorth Ameiican Coal Compniiv, abnit a niilo rlis.
tint, has discovered the autiie veins, by boiiug, on tbolr
projH-ity, ill about the same depth. ,
The prop-wed subscription to the Sonbury .V Krie roil
risi hy the City councils is again under coiisidciotion
There is now hers a.'CommiUco of geutleracu from Krici
urginr; the importance of iiiioiediatc acliov upou this sub
ject. (
ThcC min ils urc to ineet'on Thursday, when Ihe matte,
will be acted ou. The lesult, I think, will be 1'uroraUe,
although there is now a stronger ontside presoure against
the project limn previously, when the resolution was pas
sed, but which was saspende I on acc mat of the dulicuhy
botween the I'resident aud tho Councils. The riesidenti
Mr. l'sllou, liaving since resigned, and the directors having
siguilicd their willingness to follow Uis example, as soou
as tho (Jouaeib tuoy sec fit to uppomt theb: saeeesors. 1
think they tire equitably, if not legally, boundlo repeal the
resjfiitiou stispeiiding the subscription.'' Our friends from
Eric say that immediate uctiou issii impoiUnt iliat loo.
gcr delay will endanger llio whole enterprise. In the mean
time, tha Company engaged in completing the M'illuins
port & Khnira, and the Cattavvissa rail toads, have enga
ged to eudoise the bonds of Ihe Suubury & Kne, for f 700
000, for the purpose of completing the road from Miltou to
Wiliuimspoit. ou condition that they ora to bsva a lease of
that portion of the road, for 20 years, the contractors Luid
ing tliemsciecs to finish the road by the first of July next.
The ct'iiliact can be annulled, liowevei, at any lime, Ly
the Suubury 4 lliiu Comiatiy, on certain stipulated con
ditions being complied with, c-hould the City uubs.-ripliou
be iimkIc, lliu propotiitiju will fail of course.
The mo:iey market is still tight, though much easier
than n few weeks since. The news from liurone is onx-
on!y looked for. l'roni present appearances, there is a
prospect that Uuglaud ant Ft auee may engage in the chu
tist, and if s i, a general wai in Europe is more tlaiii pro
bata.
FIEST AHKUAL MESSAGE
l'HEMUUM' Ol' Till: l.MI LD sl'AI Ls. .
Eead before Congress, Dceeialer 6, 1S53.
Fellow-cilnens of the Senate '' "' " '
und oj tkt House of lief ret cntut'.ves :
The hitureet with which Ihe people uf ihu
Republic anticipate the assembling ol Cim
yiess, und tha tulrilinent, un tlial occasion, of
the duty imposed upon a Mew PieMJent, is
one. til llio best evidences ol their capacity to
realize ihe hopes uf Ihe lounduis ul a politi
cal pys'.eii!, ul tmeo complex und syuuneili.
cal. Wlnld ihe different bruiithcs ol the
(,'ovoinnienl .jne, lu a ceiliim extent, inde
pendent ut c.ichulher, the dulies uf all, alike,
liave iluect leletence to I ho source ui power.
Keiluuutely, umler this system, tin tn.in is so
hili, und iioite) ao humble, in the praln of
publiu siutiuii, at In escape I rum llietciuiiny,
ur Id be exempt fioni thu responsibility,
which ail d.'Houl functions imply.
I'pon ih jnatiee utul iiiteltictice' cif the
niusses, in u government llius i guitiseil,' is
lli solo icliitiice uf Ihe conlvdeiaey, ami iba
only r-ucuiity ,lui boneslaud earnesl dcvulirui
tu lis inturols, nouinat Ihe iistiipaiiona and
enciouchrtieiil cf power uti the uno hand,
und tho nssiiulls of personal uinlnlton on the
other. ' ,
The iniercHt of which I have spoken, is
iuepriiblo fiumiin in q ut i i uy , elf-overniiio
comrnuiuly, but stiiniil.ili;d, duubllcss, at the
present Hun', by ihe unsclllud eundiiinii ul
our rebtious with several fore ion puweis;
by the new ublialiuus, lenulling fiom it
sud.leu exleusioii ul the field uf enterprise ;
by Ihe spirit wnli v. huh that lie Id bus been
eulereil, and lbs umazitn energy wilh
which i s resoiuces fur meeting the demands
0i" uunmnily have been develuped. ;
Alihnuyli thaease, assuininji at one lime
tha eh irauteristics uf a u ide-.-pieud and de.
vaittalins petilence, baa left US sad traces
upon some puilion uf our country, we have
snll the must aUitidanl cause lor reveienl
thaiikluhtes to Uod fur an accumulalinii of
signal mercies shuweied urxin us a a uatioit.
It is well tliol a coiiscioustiess of rapid ad.
VHtieeirieul and iituiraiin; aWetilh be liabil
ually iissocialed with an ubidiiit; aeuse of
depeiideiicis ujion Him who liolds in his
hands the Jeslmy uf man aud of iiulions.
K'tOKniini tlig v,ihjiu vf . lbtt broad
rinciple of absolute religious iu(uratjun piu-
Biiinicii in our inihianiHnlal law, una rcjoi
v.ing i:i the1 benign indtu'tico which it has
j -XBft(i ,lrntt lM, ,ei:iB ant ,,0,ijoa eomlii-
; tion. I UoulJ xtnitik liom a ulear duly, did
I fail U etpiesi my deepest conviclwii,. Ih.kl
uitcan piacu no secure reliuuce upon any
ii p.iieni prosresa, if il be not sustained by
n-iliona! nileaiiiy, resiing upon the ureal
liuth hMrrnert hnrj illustraled by divine rv
I'Uijon. : lit iIih midst of nor sonowi for the
aifiiclej and mTeiinp, it has Uen fnn43
lo sne how promplly ditasler imiJe true,
mfhboia uf 'tlilrio s and ciiies separated
idlv fro rl each other, and chea riiiff !n
Lwairb lb strenifib ef that common bond of
Dan. r U bivn U beai l, in all
from L'h' '',"0" Vheu danger I Urea lens
at uJia?'i vr,.ca.lanr,iii impetidaevar v
.'i . "I
Our diplomatic relnlions wilh foreign pow
ers have undergone no essential cliane since
tne atljourninenl ol the Inst Congress' Wilh
soma of ihein, qtiesiions of a tliMurbing char
acter are still pending, but theie are good
reasons lo believe that these may all be am
ioabiy adjusu-d
Foraome yean past, Great Britain tins ao
construed the first article of the convention
of the 20i h nf April, 1818, in regard to the
fisheries on the ninth eastern coaM, aa to ex
clude our citizens liom some of the fishing
grrytiuiluio whidh Jb,ey tely tesnried tor
neatly a (limrier of a ceulury stibsetiueiit tu
lhe-UHl ethattrealv.- Tha United. Slates
hsve never aeuuiosced in this construction.
but' fihy Hlwa'yi clhlmcd fof ihrir fishermen
all the rights which Itiey had so long enjoy
ed w i lioul hioli'SlHitoii. , ; Wilh a' view 14
remove all dilliciilties on the. subject, lo
extend the rtht of -otir rishennetr -beysmd
Ihe limils fixed by. the ciinveUlinn of ill 18,
and lu truulale initio between the Unileil
Slates and Ins BiitUh North Ainerioan ptov
inees, a negulMtitni has bt'eu1 upehed, w ilh a
fair propei:t of a fitveruble result. Tip:(i
led our lishui men in ihu enjo) nicill of llirjr
ill-fits, and prevent cullfiuii b'el een I hem
and Briiish rishcimeit, I deemed it expedient
to station a nrvul luiueiu that quurler during
the lishjn season. . .,, ,. ., , .
Embarrassing questions have also arisen
between the governments in rey'iirtf lo Cmi
tial Ameiieii. Great Brilain has projiRe(t lo
sclllo I hem by an amicable arrangement, anil
our mihifle.r al London i iiioirui'teil lo enter
into negotialjona on that subject. , ;i
A commission tor adj islu jr the claims of
our ciiizcns naninat Great Britain; and ihnse
of British subjects aoainst the-Uuiled Sinles,
organized under ihe convention of the 8ih of
Fubruaty last,, is now silling it) London tor
llio trnti;iclioii of business.
Il is in rnai.y to.ipects di'sitable that tho
boundary line between the United Slales and
the UiilUh pioviuces in ihu northwest, as
dffijjnalfd in ihe convention of the 13th of
June, 13-1 G, utul especially that pail, which
teparatea Ihe territory of Washington from
the Brilih possessions on thn notlh, should
be traced and niaiked. 1 Ihereloro present
llio sulijfct lo your nulico. . ,
Willi France our relations continue on tho
tnost friendly fuotit.jf. Thn extensive com
merce between the ITuitcd States and that
country mihl, il ii conceived, be released
from some utinetM-ss.-iiy resli id ions, to the
mutual advaulauH of both pa Mies. Willi a
view lo Ibis otijHct, some progress has been
made in neftolialiug a lieuly of commerce
and navigation
liulepeiideiilly of our valuable trade wilh
Spain, we havo impoititnt pulitieal relaliuns
wilh her, Blowing out of nnr nei hborhood
lo Ihe inlands of Ctba and Porto Kien. I inn
liapny to uiiiiuuiiee ih.it f-incrt the last Con
it'ess no allcrnpiH have been made, by unau
thorized i Apeiliiioos within ihe United Slates,
auiust eilher ol those colonics. Should nuy
rnuverni'til be manifested w ttliiti tntr limils.
all the means nl my rumnmiid will btt vijjur-
nitsly exerted lu lepiess it. Several annoy
ins occurrences have taken place nl Havana,
or in the vicinjly uf. I lit i,Und(uf, Cuba, be
tween our yltizcn am) the Spanish Hiilhoii
ties. Consideriua thn proximiiy id that inland
to our (-Utiles, lini, na it dnc., in Ihe linck
of tia.lu belweeu some of our principal ciiies
and Ihu suspicious vigilance wilh which
foreign ihleicniirne, particnl.uly that with
I lie United Stales, is there guarded, it lepeti
lion of such occurrences may well be appre
hended. As no diplomatic intercoms is
allowed between our Consul al Havana und
tho Cnpluiii-Geneial of Cuba, ready explana
tions cannot be miuli!, or prompt redress
afforded, ,w bom injury has lestilled. All
complaint on lint pail of our citizens, umler
the present arrangement, must be, in the fiist
place, iiesenled lo litis t'ovei nmetit, and Ihen
releired le Spain. Spain neain refers it to
her local auihoriiiws in Cuba fur investiga
tion, and postwiiics un nntwer till alio bus
heaid from those uutliutiiirs To avoid
these irrataiing and vexatious delays, a piu
posiliou has been made fur a diiecl appeal
lor led res lo Ihe Captuiii-Geueial by out
Consul, in boh. ill of uur injuied leiluw citi
zens. IJitheiio the Cieiiiiiion! ol Spain hs
declined to cnler inln any such tiiianyonicul
This C'Uise tin ber patl i deeply rci'rrtled ;
for, without smne arrangement of this kind,
the stood iimloislamlioy tn-twceu Ihe two
counliies may be exposed lo occasional in
lennplioii. Uur Minister nl Madiid is in
airucied lo renew the pnipnsjiion, and lo
piess it aijain uon ihu coiisnleialiuii uf her
Cat hoi io Majesty a uvrinnient.
Fur several yeaia Spain has been railing
tlio iilieiiliou uf this goverunienl lo a claim
for tnssen, by somo of her suiiji-en, in ihe
case nf Ihe schooner Amistud. This claim is
believed lo tesl ou Ihu obligations imposed
by our existing treaty wilh that country.
Its jiislire was admitted in uur diplomatic
correspondence w ith Ihe Spanish uavernnieut,
aa early as March, 1817; and one of my
pifdcccssois, in his annual message nf thai
year, recommended that pioviojuu huuld be
made fur ils payment.' In January last it
was again submitted lii Cuugicss'by the K
eculivtf. .' It has it-reived n Invo'hlrt con
sideraliou by rumuiillm-a of both blanches,
bu us yet iheie has been no final action
upon il. I cunci ivu lhat foud lauh icquiies
ii prompt adjostmenl, and I piescnl it lo
your rail)" and favorable) consideraltoti '
M a 1 1 in Koszltt, a llunarinii by biilh, came
lo Ibis cmi 1. 1 ry in lhjo, und deulaie.l his in
teuliou,. in due fiirm uf law, to become a
cili.eu uf Ihe Uuiled Stales. After remaining
here nearly two yeais, hi) yi-i'e-l 'I'm key
While at Smyrna, h was foicibly seized,
taken on boaid an Ann nan Liijof war, Ihen
lying in the bailor ol, I lust place, and there
roMliued in irons, with tho avowed ilesiju la
lake him into ihu dominions uf Austria
Our Cuustil at Smyrna and legation at Con
stantinople interposed fur his le lease, but
I aeir cliotia weiu tuelloi lua1. While thus
iinpiisoni'd, Cummauder Inoroliam, wilh the
Uoiled Stales ship of v-nr St. l.nins, airived
ul Sinyrun, titid, lifter inrpiiiiiii; into the cir
cumsiancrs of the case, cams lo the conclu
sion Ibal Koszia was enlillcil lu the pro'eo
lion of this government, nud look eueielic
and prompt measures foi bis twlease. Under
an arrauoeineiil between Ihe u?ouls uf the
United Stales and of Austria, be was trans
ferred ! the custody of the Fiench consul
general, al Smyrna, there to remain until he
should be disposed of by the mutual agree
ment uf Ihe consuls uf I he lespeciive (jovrrn
meuls al that place. Puisuanl lu I bat
agreement be lias been released and is now
on bia way lo the United S'aies. The Km
prior of Auslria lias made ihe conduct of our
utDoei w ho look pail in Ibis liansaclinn a
subject ol crave co-iiplauil. Regarding
Koszta as still bis subject, and claiming a
riubt.tu arize bint wiiUiu ihe limits uf the
1'uikish rniput, ;h". h : b'iiiiuded cf Ik is
kiovernmenl ils consent lo the surrender of
Ihe piisoner, a disavowal of ihe acts of its
areola, n, sulislailiou fur the allied eitt
.rae Afler a careful ronsi.loiaiioii of ihu
case, I caune (o Ihe conclusion thai ICoszla
w'assoized a iim( liijmUuili.xii y al Smyrna ;
lhal ho was wiiiuufnlly deiaii rd mi buimi of
ibe Austrian bii of war ; ih itul iho limu
uf Ihe seizure tin was eloihed w ith the na
tionality uf Ihe United Slates; and thai the
arts of uar plhoin, under ihe vbruaisiaures
of Ihe case, were justifiable, and their con.
duct ha been fully approved'by me, a'h'd a
compliance wilh the several duamls of the
Emperor of 'Austria; hsa been tlrcliiied.' : ' '
, For a more full atfcotnVl af this Iratiiaciion
ana) my aiusra m teaid to il, refer lo the
correspondence between ihu rhaige d'atlaiie
of Auslria aud ihe Secielary of Stale, w hich
rs heiewilh transmitted. The principles and
policy, iherein maintained on Ihe parl of ihe
United Stales, will, sshnaves a proper occa
sion uccura, be applied aad enuieed. u t
The condition uf China, at ibis time, ran
ders it probable lhat some important changet
win ocour in lhat vast empire. Whicn
will lead to a more unrestricted intercourse
wilh it. The commissioner te that country,
who has been recently appointed, is instruc
ted lo avail himself of all occasions to open
and extend otir commercial relations, not only
wilh the empire of China, but wilh other
Asiatic) nations.:
In 1853 an expedition was sent to Japan,
under Ihe rommnnd of Commodore) I'orrjr,
for Ihe purpose of opening commercial intei-
course with thai island. Intelligence) has
been trcrived of his arrival there, and of his
navmar matte Known tr Ihe Emperor ot Ja
pan the subject r liia visit; bill it is not ye I
ascertained how far Ihu Emperor will bo
disposed to abandon his rreliiclive policy,
ami open that populous country to a commer
cial intercourse with Ihe United Slates.
It has been mv earnest desire' to maintain
friendly irtlercoiifiw ' with (ha (nvrrnmenls
upon lin,) continent, and to mil them in pre
setting iftiotl iimlcrstamlinir. among them
selves. .Wilh Mexico,. atltsnuCd haa arisetl
as lo the line boundary line between uiir ter
ritory of New Mexico and Ihe Mexican Stale
nt Chihuahua. A 7ormer Coir.misiuner of
tho United States, employed in running lhal
lin puistir.nt to tho Ireuty of Gnadalntipe Hi
dalpy, imntle a serious! mistake in determin
ing the initial point on Ihu Rio Grande; but,
inasmuch as hisdecision wuscleaily a depar
ture liom ihe directions fur tracing the
boundary contained in that treaty, and was
not cuticnrrcii m Dy the surveyor appointed
on the pnit of the United Slales, whose con
rurrauce was necessary lo give validity lo
that decision, this government is not conclu
ded thereby, but that of Mexico lake a dif
ferent view uf Ihe subject.
Their uro also other tpicstions of consider
able magnitude pending between the two
republics Our minister in Mexico, hns am
ple instructions to adjust thcot. Negotiation
hnve been opened, but ntlicient progress ha
not been made therein to ettablo inn lo speak
of llio piobab'.e result. Impressed with the
im poil a nee of maintaining nmicnble relations
wilh that republic, nud of yielding wilh lib
er.ilily to all her just claims, il is reasonable
lo expect lhal an utraiigemrtil mutually sal
islnclery lo both count lie may be conclu
ded, and a lusting fiieudship between them
confirmed arid peipetuated.
Congress having provided fur a fu'i mis
sion tu the Stale of Central Amciica, a miri
isler was sent thither in July last. As Jet he
has had lime lo visit only nno of theso slales.
(Nicaragqua,) wheie he was received in Iho
most friendly manner II is hoped that his
presence and good offices will have a be
uiyn effects in composing ihe dissensions
which pievnil among thorn, and in establish
ing still more intimate und fiioudly (elation
between Iheni respectively, nud between
each of thi'in and ihe United Slates.
Considering Ihu va-d regions of this con
liuuiil nud ihe iiuinbei uf Slales which wnubl
be made accessible by t lie life navigation of
Hid liver Amuon, particular attention has
been given lo this subject. Brazil, through
w host t em Hums it passaea i'nto the o.'tan,
has hilherlo peisiitcd in a pulley so irstric
live, in irgartl lo Jbo use uf Ibis river, a lo
olisliucl, and nearly, exclti le, .luieign cunl
metcial intercourse wiihthn Slate which I m
upon its tributaries and upper bianchr.
Cur mil. isler So filial rouniiy-is inatvuclt-d
lo ubtuin u.-relaxa-iuii.uf: I tin I policy, nud lo
lists his ellmls in induce the Brazilian goveru
nieni tu open 'lu common use, under proper
safeguard, thi yreat utituial highway fur
international trade. Several of the South
Ameiican Slates are deeply iuleiested in
this attempt In secutn the Iree nuvigaliuu of
the Amazon, and il is leasouublo lu expect
iheir co-operulioti in thn iiteasiin:.
As Ihe advantages of Irto comtnerciul in
tercouiao arnont; uHiion ate better under
stood, more libcial view s are uenerally enler
laiued as lu Ihe common rights of all lo Ihe
free use or lliose means which ualure h.ls
provided fur international communication
Tu lliese more lilmral a:nl enlighlencd views,
it is hoped that Biail will confoun her poli
cy, ami remove all unnecessary rest ricl ion
upon the free use of a nver which traveises
so many Slates, iml so laice a part of ihe
continent. 1 am happy to infoiin you that
iho republic uf I'aiauay and the Argentine
conledeiulioii have yielded 10 ihe libcial pol
icy s'ill resisted by liinzil, in regard lo the
navigable livera w lihiu iheir respertive lei
tiloiii's. Tieaiiea embracing this s;.tjit
among olhcis, have been negotiated wi ll
these government, which will be submitted
lo the Senate al the present session
A new branch of commerce, iinpmtnut lo
the agricultural iuteiesl ul the United Slales,
hasw iihina 'few years past, been opened
with l'eiu. Notwithstanding the inexhausti
ble deposits uf guano upon the islands uf lhal
touuliy, consideiablo dilliciilties are experi
enced in obtaining Ihe rerpiisile supply.
Measures have been taken lo iinov these
difficulties, nod lo serine a more abundant
impoitaliuu of the unnie. Uriloitun.ilely;
Iheie hat been a serious collision between
our cilij4ei, w tin have reiored lo the Chin
oha islands, for il, and ihe Peruvian anlhuri.
lie stationed theie. Ko.lu'ss for tho uutra
ges, coininitied ly the loiter, was pmiT,,,i:,,y
diMnanded by inn minister ut Lima. Th s
utijcl is now under rtiusnluia'ioii. and there
is leasuu to belie vir lh.il lVui dispusett 1 1
olfcr udetpiale indemnities lo the ugotievrd
parlies.
.Wo ure thus not nnly at- peaCo with all for
eign counliies, bul in leuaid iu political af
faiis a re exempt fruin any rjiusu ul setioua
dis'jtiieluda i: our domestic: relaliuns.
The controversies which have agitated the
con ii 1 1 y herelo'uie are passing away wilh
tho causes which produced I hum, and iho
passaiuis which they bad awakened ; or, if
any liiu-o ef them lemaiu, it may be leaouti
ably Imped that.tt will only be peiceived in
the zealous rtvaliy of good citizens .i testify
iheir. lespeet for the rich's ol the Slates,
lin n drvotioH tu the I'uiun, and Iheir com
mon d-ietuiniaiion that, each une of the
Sti.t 's, its iiistiitiiious, i wilL.ro audits do
mes ic peace shall be held alike secure under
the sacred cegia of the constitution.
This new lengi of amity and of mutual
couliilrtiCK and support, lulu w hich the ueo
pie of the republic have entered, happily af
ioid inducement aud nppoi liiuiiy fur the
adoptiun of a more compiehensive and un
embarrassed lino uf policy and anion, aa lo
the great maleiinl interests uf Ihe country,
whether regaide,', in themselves or in con
nection with the powers of Ihu civilized
world
The United Slates have continued graiiu
ally and sieadily to expand, Ibiouuh acqui
sitions of twiriloiy, which, how much soever
some of them may have been questioned,
atesiow universally area and admitted to
have beaa wise in policy, jn.t in character,
and, wiih it, of the human iace, in freedom,
in prosperity and in happiness. Thathiileeu
Siales have grown to be thirty-one, with
relation leaching lo Europe on the) one aide
ami en the ulhar lo Ihe distant realm el
SI4,
lam tlerply sensible of the immense re-
sptnisibilil y whi.ch lto pi'esem niao,,iindH,uf
the tepubiic, aiid tha diversity und mul'li
plioitr of lis interest, devolve npon ma-;
the alievisiion of which, so far at (elates to
the itnmediute cuiiducl of Ihe public busi
ness is, !i:l, in my reliance nu the wisdom
and pali iotttm of ih'etwu House oT Con
g res; aad aecondly in Ihe flirecliotta af
furjcj rate by I tie pnmiiplea of poWre paliuv
affirmed by our fathers pl'.tbe epta-h of t79S,
sanctioned by lonj experience, and coneeera
led anew by ihe overwhelming voice pf the
people of the United Siateaw '
Recurring to iheae principles, which con
stitute Ihe organic baaiaol union, we per
ceive lhal, vast a are the function and the
Julias nf the federal irovernnient, vested in.
Jur entrusled to, its three great depailuienlt,
tha legislative, executive, and judicial, yet
the substantive power, the popular lotce
and Ihe laige capacities for social and ma
terial developnrenl, exist in thn respeciive
States, w hich, all being of themselves well
constituted republics, as they preceded, so
they alone are capable of maintaining and
perpeluatiitg ihe Ameiican Union; V,
lhefedeial government ha ila appropri
ate line ol action in the specific and limned
power cunfurreil on il by the Constitution,
chiefly as to those things in whiuii.th. Slates;
have a cummon interesl in their relations' Id
one another, and to. foreign .governments;
while the great mass of interests which be
lotig lo militated men, lheoidinary business
of life, the spring of industry, all the diver
sified personal and domestic o Hairs of socie
ty, tesl securely upon the general reserved
poweis of Ihe people of Ihe eeveial Slnle.--There
is the clfeciive tlemoctacy of the na
lina. and thbro ihe vitul essence of ila being
ami its greatness.. ''
Ol the piaciinul consequences which flow
fiom ihe naluie of the Federal Government,
the piimaty one is the duly of udministei ing
with inlegrily and fidelity Iho histh t rust re
posed in il by the conslilulinu. especially in
the application of Iho public fund, as drawn
by taxation front the people, nnd appreci
ated lo specific object by Congtess. Hap
pily I havo no occasion lo anggest any nidi
cal changt in Iho financial . policy ef tho
government. i , ,.
On i almost, if not abtulntely, Ihe soli
tary power of Christendom, having a ampin
revenue, drawn immediately from import
on commerce, and therefore measured by
the spontaneous enterprise aud national pros
perity of Ihe country, w ith such indirect rn
laliou to agriculture, manufactures and the
product of Ihe earth aud sea, as lo violate
no constitutional doctrine, and yet vigorously
promote the g-noial welfare. Neither as to
Ihe sources of the public treasure, nor as to
Ihe manner of keeping and managius il due
any grave controversy now prevoil, ihere be
inj a general acquiescence in Ihu w isdom of
lb piesent system.
The report of the Secretary ol the Tiea
stiry will exhibit, in detail, the slate of the
public finances, and the condition of the va
rious branches of thn public service adminis
tered by lhat department of the Government.
The revenue of the country, levied almost
insensibly lo ihu lux-payer, goes fiom year
lo year incieasing beyond either the interest
or the prospective- wants of Iho Government.
At the close of ihe fiscal year ending June,
H5-2. Ihere remained in Ilia treasury a bal
tttiCH of $ll,G:J2t:!6 Tho public, revenue
fur tho ImcuI year ending June 30, 1353,
nrnoniili',1 to fo8,D3l 86.") irom customs, and Ip
82, 105 703 from public lands ami other mis
cellaneous tonnes, amounting loymher lo
Sfil 337.574, whilu Ihe publiu expenditure
for Ihe ainn piMio.l, exclusive of paymeuls
on account of the public debt, . amounted Ii;
843.054,262 ; leaving a balance of 334,425,-'
447 ot icceipt above expenditure.
This fac.l, of increasing surplus in thettpa
sury, bi'cumu the subject uf anxious C"itid
ennioii at a veiy caily jieiiod of my adiuiu
isliation, and Ihe path of duly in repaid lu il
seemed to me ubvinu a.id clear, namely;
first, lo apply the su-plii revenue to thu dis
charge ot the public debt so far n it could
ju Jinoiisly tie dune; and secondly, lo devise
means lor the gradual reduction ol ihe ieve
tine, lu the standard ol tha public exigencies:
Of these objects, lie hist lias t een in Ihe
course of accomplishment, in a tntnner and
to a degiee highly satisfacloty. The. amount
of the publiu debt, of nil classes, w as, on tho
fourth ol Mjtich, 1R.53, sixty-nine million one
hundred and ninety thousand und Ihiity-sev-en
dollar ; payments on account of which
have been made since that peiiod to Ihe
amount ol twelve million seven hundred aud
three thousand three hundred aud twenty
nine dollars, leaving unpaid, and in the con
Urinous course ef liquidation, the sutn of filly
six million tout hnndied iiu.l eighty-six thou
sand seven hundred and eihl dollars. These
payments, ultlinuoli mado al ihemaikel price
uf ihe lespeciive das-ses ulV.ucks, have been
ed'ecled readily, ami lo ihe eneial advan
tage nf the Ireasuiy, and have at the same
lime proved of signal utility in ihe telirf ihey
have inc.ideiilally allunled lo Ihe money mar
ket and lu the indtistiial and cornnimctal pur
suits of the country.
The secund ul ihe above mentioned ob
jects, lhal ol iho reduction of Ihe tariff, is of
great importance, ami Ihe plan suggested by
the Secretary ol ihe Treasury, which i lu
reduce tfth duties on certain article, aud to
add lo thefieelisl many arlitie new taxed,
especially i nch as enter into manufiiclures,
and aie hot hugely, or at al! produced in ihe
cuunity, is commended to yuur candid and
caielul coiisi.lciaiion.
Von will lin, I in i lie report of the Secrelary
of llio Treaui v, als , ab indaiit pioof uf the
entire adequacy uf the present fiscal system
lo meet all lint reqnitemenls of the public
service, and that, while properly administer
ed, il updates tu ihe advantage of the com
niiiuil) in ordinary business relation.
1 lespecllully ask your al teuliou tu sundry
suj jeslious ol impiovemrul in llu settle
meiil ol accounls, especially us regards Ilia
larue sums of outstanding arrears due lu Ihe
government, and of other reforms in the ad
ministrative notion of his department, which
are indicated by Ihe Sccielnry ; as also lo
thu j ruoicss made in the constiucliuii uf ma
line hnspilals, custom houses, and of a new
mint in (.'aliloi nia and assay office in Iho
city of New Yutk, heretofore piovided for by
Congress; and ulsu lo the eminently success
ful progress of the Coast Suivey, and ul the
Light-house Board.
Among ihe object meiiliug your atten
tion will bd jmpoilaut lecumiueiidalion from
ihe Secielaiiv of War and Navy. 1 am hil
ly satisfied lhal )h navy of the United Stale
is not in a coudillun of slrenyth and elficien
cy commensurate with ihe magnitude of out
commercial and ether iuteres1; aud com
inerid lo year especial attention ihe inoues
lions ou lliis subject, made by the Secietary
of Ihe Navy. I respectfully lubmit lhat Ibe
army, which, under our lyitem, must always
be regarded with Ihe highest iuteicst, as a
nucleus aiound w hich Ihe volunteer furcetof
Ihe nation gather in the hour of danger, re.
quire augmentation, or modification, to
adapt it lo thu pieseul extended limil aud
frontier relation uf Ihe country, and the con
dition of the Indian liibe in the interior of
the continent ; the necessity of which will ap
pear in the communication of lbs Secretaries
of War and the Interior.
In the administration of the Posl-Office De
partment for Ihe fiscal year ending June 30,
18A3, Ihe gros expendiiuie wa seven mil
lion nine hundred aud eighly lwo thousand
even hundred aud 6fty-ix dollar; aud the
gross receipts, during ihe same period, five
Million tliie huadred and foriy-lwo thousand
teven hundred end thirty-four dollar; show
ing that the current revenue failed lq meet
ihe ceiront expenses of Ihe department hy '
Ihe sum of Is million foly-lwo thousand
and Ibiity-lwo ilulhti. The caase' which;
under Ihe iiirsenl postal yleu and law,
led ineyilably .lu ihi result are fully explain,
ed by Ihe report of the Polmalir General ;
one gi eat cause being ihe etiortnoii tales ihe
'department has been compelled lo pay for
aiaitservioe rendered by railroad companions,
i The exhibit in the report of ihe tuslmas-tor-General
of Ihe income and expenditure
by mail steamer will be found peculiarly in
tereijn(r, aud of a chniauier lo' demand Ihe
iinmediale auliou of CungreM.
- Numerous and flagrant fiaud upon the
Pension Bureau have been brought lo light
within the last year, and, ia some instance,
merited punishment inflicted ; bur, unfoi In
nately, in other, guilly parties have escaped,
not through the waul of auffiuieut evidence
lo wananl a conviction, bul in consequence
of ihe provision ut limltatiun in ihe existing
laws. ,. 1
From the nature of these claim, tha re
motaness of ihe tribunals lo pass upon them,
and ihe mode in which th) proof is, of neces
sity, furnished, tempisiiot, to crime have
been greatly cumulated by ihn obvious dilfi
cullie nf deticclion. Tlie defecls in Ihe law
upon this uhject are so appnrettl, and sn fa
lal to the end of justice, lhal your eatlac
lion relating lo il le mod desirable.
Pining thu last fiscal year, 0 8 19.41 1 acre
of the public lands have been sntveyc !, and
10,303,891 ai-ie bronf, iliiti ticket. iVilh
In the miiis tierieil, iho sale by pufilto pur
chae and ptivale entry amnnnieil to I.0S3,
495 acre;., located tinder . military bounty
land warrants, 6,1 12 SCO acres; Irtcatrd under
other certificates, 9,427 acres; reded to the
Stairs as swamp hinds, 16 084,253 acres; se
lected fur ruilioad aud other objects, mulct
acta ui emigres, 1,4X7,497 seres. -
Total amount of land disnoseil of within
Ihe fiscal year, '25,348 l32 acres . hk h is
an iiicrriise in quauliiy sold, and located un
der land WHira- Is and grunts, nf '12 231,818
acre over (he fiscal year immrdinlely pre
ceding. The quantity of land sold dining
Ihe 2d and 3.1 quarleis of 1852, wits 334 451
acip. Thn amount leceived thrrrfor, was
623,CS7 dollai The quauliiy sold ihe 2d
nnd 3d qmtrleis of lh- year 1H53. was 1,60'J,
9 19 acres : and the umuuul tcccived there
for, 2.226 876 dollar
The whole number of hind wai rants issued
under existing laws piior lo the, 30ih of Sep
tember last , was 206,042 ; of w hich Itu-re
were outstanding, al that date, fiG.947.- The
quantity of laud lequired to snlisl'y these out
standing warrants, is 4,778. 120 acre.
Wa-rnts have been issued lo 30. h of Sep
tember last, tinder ihe ant of llih Fsbiiiiry,
1847, calling fur 12 879,280 neies J under acts
ol September 2S, 1R50, and March 22, 1852,
calling for 1 2 505,300 acre ; making a total
or 25,381 640 acres, ,
Il is believed lhal experience hns verified
the wisdom and justice of thu present system,
w ith regard to the public domain, in mot-l
essential particular.
You will perceivp, fiom Ihe rrpoit of the
Secretary ol the loteiior, lhat opinions, which
have often been expressed in irlalion lo the
operation of llio land system, as not beii g a
source of levettuo to the le.l era I treasury,
were rrtonrons. Tho uell piofils fiom the
sale of Ihe public lands in June 30. 1S53.
amriuiiled lo tin; sum uf 53, 28'.), 405 dollar
I lecominetid tha extension of the laud
system over Iho Terrilorii-s of Ulaham! New
.Mexico, w ith such modifications as thrir pe
culiaiitie may lequire.
Keg irding our publiu domain a chiefly
valuahlo lo provide home for ihe industiintis
an. I enterprising, I am not piepared lo recom
mend any css-juti.il change in Ihe land ss
lum, except by modification in favor of Ihe
actual settler, ami an extension of the pre
emption principle in cei lain caes, for reasons,
aud on giounds, which will bu fully devel
oped in Ihe icport lo be laid be'ete ymi
Cong rees, representing 1 ihe pfi piielors of
the leriit.irial domain, and -rhaiged especial
ly with power lo dispo-u of tciillniy belutiy
ing to ll.e Uinled States, has, for a long couise
ol yeais, beginning with the iidminieliuliuu
of Mr. Jefluisnn. exciciscd the powci lo con
sliucl roads withiii the loi riioi ies ;. and llicie
tire to nuny and obviott dislinciion belweeu
this exercise of power and lhal td making
loads v it kin the Slales, lhat i lie foimer has
never been considered subject lu such ubjec
tious its apply tu the l.illci, and such may
now b cunsidi red thu se'.llcd cous'ruclinn ol
the power of the fedctal government upon
the subject.
Nnirrvroii application have born made,
and no (loubl w ill coniiuue lo be. made for
uranlt of land in ai.l of the construction of
railways. Il is not believed lo be within ihe
inleiit and meaning of the constitution, that
Iho power In dispose uf Ihe public domain,
should be used o'heiwiso than miglil he ex
pected fiom it prudent piopiielor, nud there
lore, lhat yranls uM.tmt lo ai.l m Ihe eons' rue
lion uf roads should bo restricted In cases,
where il would be fr the iuttfivst uf a pro
prietor, under iike ciicnmsiuucns, thus to
eoMlnbuto lo ihe coiislincliuri ol these uoiks
Forthopiaclic.il upeiation of soch gram
Ihns lar, i:i advancing Ihe iulercsl of the
Slates in w hich ihxnuik aie lurutcd, and al
ihu same lime Ihe sub-lauti.il iuleiests ol all
Ihe olhr Stall's, by enhancing Ihe value and
pioiiioliiig -the rapid sale of llie. public, do
main, I reler yon to the report of Iho Secio
tary of thu li ictior. A careful c.'.iitniuutiuii,
huaever, will show -lh.it this expeiienra is
the testill ol a ji.sl : ilisciimiuatiuu, and will
be far liom allordino tMienuinemeul tu a
reckless or iudi jcilmiuule rateiiliuu of Ihu
principle. .
1 cnmniend lo jour farnrablo coi.sidera
lion Ihe men of srniu of our counliv, who.
by their inventions aud discovnie in sci
otic and art, have nonli ibnteil largely tu the
irnprovetiiuiils cf ihe age, withutii, in many
instances, seeming for Ihemwlve anything
like an adequate rew aul. . Koi many inter
eslino delails upon this subj-ct I refer you lu
Ihe appropriate report, and especially nroa
upon early allrnlir.ii Ihe apparently sliofil,
but really impoiluiit, modification uf exis
linp laws heiein su'oesied.
The liberal spirit w hich has so long mar.
ked Ihe anion of Cuusies in inlalioM lo die
District of Columbia will, I havo no dutibl,
continue In be manifested.
The erection of an asylum for ihe insane
of ihe District nf Columbia, ami of Iho army
and navy of ihn United Slates, has been
somewhat retarded by the ureal demand for
material ami labur during the pisl cummer;
but full piepai.ilion for Ihu reception . of pi
t tents, before the reluin cf another winter, is
anticipated ; and there is ihe best reason to
believe, from Ihe plan and coolemplaled ar
rangement which Iiiivm lieen devised, willi
the large, experience furnished within the
last few years in relation to the nature and
treatment of the disease, thai il will piovean
asylum iu.leed lo this most helpless and af
Dieted class nf suite mis, and siaud as a noble
monument nf wisdom and mercy.
Under Ihe acts of Couurrs of August 31,
1852, and of March 3. 1853, designed la se
cure fur iho ciliesof Washington and George
town an abundant supply of good and whole
some water, il became my duly to examine
Ihe report and plan of the eugineer who had
charge of ihe surveys under llio ucl first
named. The best, if not the only plan, cal
ciihtled to secure permanently the object
sought, was that w hich contemplate inking
the water frein the Great Fail uf the Polo,
mar, and consequently, 1 jjjve il my ap.
pioval.
For ihe progress and present condition of
Ihi important work, and for il demand, o
far a appropriation are concerned, 1 refer
you to Ihe report of the Secretary of War.
The preaidout judicial ylm of the United
Slate ha now been in cpeialion for o long
a period of lime, and ha, in ji (jencial the,
ory and much of il ilriaiU, became to
familjar la the country, am acquired so eu
lirely the public confidence, that if modified
in any fepecl, it should only be ' i'ri'' ihoie'i
particular winch may adapt It (o the increas
ed exlenl, population, and burnt basins f
Iho United Slalr. In thia lelitlion. ike. o.
gauizalioa of Ihe courla ic uow. ronfcedly.
ioaiiuua.e io tne (iuiiv- irt t perlornied by
them ; in coneqneiceof which, ih Stale
of Florida, Wicconsin. Iowa. Texas, and Cali
furnia, and distriet of other Slates, are in ef
fect cxci'uded fiom Ihe full benefit of Ihe
general system, by the funrtiona of the cir
cuit court being devolved en ihe district
Ju.lgee in all those Slate, or parlc of Slate
The spirit of the constitution and a doe re.
pard lo jnclire require lhal all Iba Statu of
the Union should be placed on the came tool
ing in regard to the judicial liibui.a!
therefore commend lo tout consideration Ihi
imporlcut cnbjsol, which, in mv judgment
demand ihe speedy aulion ef Coogresa
will pieccnl tu yoo, if deemed desirable, a
plan, which lam prepared to tecommen
loi the enlargement and modification of
present judical system, I
. Tho id ef Congfes.. establishing t
Siriiihsntnan lnslilutioB provided that I
President of ! the United Slates, and oth
person therein dcsigflhted, should constitt
an "eslubludimenl" by that name, and th
Ihe member should held staled and speci
meeting fur Ihe supervision of the affairs
the Institution. The organization nut ha
ing in Wen' place,' jt seemed lo me proper lb
il should be effected without delay Th
haa been done; and an occasion was herel
ptHsented for inspecting the condition uf tl
Inalituliun, and apptecialing il succeisl
progress thu far, aud its high promise
great and general usefulness; i : - 7 1.'
1 have omitted to ask your favorable Co
suleialiou for Ihe eslimalee of works of ft I
cal character iu 26 of Ihe 31 Stales, amuuu
ing fry 1.751 50b dollars, because, Indepai
ilcnily of the grounds w hich , have o ufi
been uiged against tho application of the fei
eral revenue lor woik el Ihi character, it
equality with consequent injustice is inln
rent in Iho naluie ol the proposition, and bt
cause Ihe plan has proved entirely inadeqnal
lo ihe accomplishment of thn object souylti
Tho subject of internal impiovement'
claiming alike the interval aud good wi
of all, ha neveifheless, been the lasi
of much political discussion, and has :oi i
a a deep giaven line of. divition bclwiei
slatesmeii of eminent ability i n I )ft
triolism. The tule of strict crnstiuu'.ioi
of all powetc delegaled by Ihe Slates u
the general government hns anayed ilsel!
fiom lime lo lime, againal iho rapid ptu
gir of expenditure liom ihe nat ora I eas
ury on the wOiksuf a local chaactst w thii
the Slales. Memorable a an rjoch in ll.e
history of this subject it Iho message of I es
ident Jacksuli, ol tho 27.h ol May, 1830,
w hich met the system of internal improve
ment in il ccrripniative infancy; but ro
rapid had been ils growth, lhal Ihe projected
appropriations in lhal year for woik of this
chniactei had risen to the alarming amotu t
of more ihau onu hundred millions of dollars.
In lhal message the Picsider.l admitted
the difficulty of briugiag back the operations
of the government lo the construction of tho
constitution el tip in 1793, and niaiked it as
un admonitory proof of the nece;ily of guard
ing lhat iiisliunicnl wilh sleepless vii'anct:
gaitibt the authority' of precedenls, w hich
had not the sanction uf it most plainly dj
fined powers
Our government exist under a written
compact between sovereign Slates, uniln g
fur specifiu object, and wilh specific grants
to their general agent. If, then, in the pio.
gress of it adminislialioii, there have bven
departure from lite teims' und intent of the
compact, il is, and will ever be, proper tors
fur back to the lived andard winch our la
thers left us, and to make a stent elluit lu
conform our action lo it. -
It would seem that tho fact of' a principle
having been resisted fiom Ihe first by many
ul thu wisest and most pstiiutic tncii of th-.;
republic, and a policy having piuvuked con
stant bliile, without arriving at a cotiiiiisimr
which can be rrgaideu a saii'sfactuiy to ils
most earnest advocates, should enygcsl tho
inquiiy w hether there may not be a plan
likely lu bo crowned by happier results.-
Wilhuut pcicei vjuji any sound disliueliuii, or
iuloiidtiig lo assert any prineiplj so oppose.l
lo impiuvements needed (or the p oiccitoii i-f
iiileinal commerre, which due not equally
apply lo impiuveineiii upuu theccahoaid lo.
Iho pioteclmn of forriji, conitiieice, I submit
to J on, w hether il may liol be cufvly antici
pated lhal, if the policy were once seiilc.l
uoainst appropiii.liou by ihe geuetnl got
eiiiment lur loi-.il impiovemeul lor I tie beu
elil ol commerce, loculiiies requiring expeu
diitiies would not, by modes and means
cleuily legitimate and pioper, taise the fund
necessMiy for such construcliousas Ihe safely
ur utber interests uf their commerce nibhi
reijune.
Il ihut can be regarded a a sy stem, which,
in tho experience of mere than thirty jeai.i
I has ul no time so commanded the p'ub'.io
. juHgiiieul as lu gwe it the character ol a
jaellicd policy, which, Chough it ha produ
, ced home w uiku! conceded importance has
ben ititended wilh an rxpendiluie quilu
I dispiopoitionate lu their value, aud ha re
l suited in squaudei ing large turn upon ob
! jei-.ls w liicb have answered no valuable pur
j pose, ihe inteics; of all the Slate requiru
' II lo bo abandoned, unless hones may ba
imii.l-td iur llic iuluru which find u wananl
In iho past.
Willi ail anxious desire for Ihe completion
of tho woik which aie tegaidcd by all
good citizen with sincere interest, 1 have
deemed it my duly lo iisk al juur baud a.
deliberate lecunsideiulion of ihe quetiiwti,
will) a hnpeth.it, unimaled by a desire In
piumute Ihe pcruiane-.il aud substantial In
tel cs;s ul ihe counlry, juur wuuum may
piuve equal lo the tusk ol devising and ma
iming a plan, which, applied lu ihi nbjcel,
may piomise somcihitig belter than cunsiam
slnle, the suspension ul Ihe powei of local
enleiprise, iliu exciling ut valu hope, ami
I ha disappointment ut cheiishrd exptulaliuu.
lu ex(ieuling the appiopitaliona made by
Ihe last Cungiess, sevural case have arisen
in lelaliuu lu wuik Iur the impiovrmci.t of
haibur, which involve questions m ihn
nyhl of soil and jnitsdiclion, and have ihrcii-lent-d
cuntlicl ttU'. een Iho auihoiily of thti
Siai'c and tjenctal ttovurmeiil Iho ligln
lu cuuslruot a bieukwalcr, jelly er dam,
would seem, iiccesauly, tu tuny Wilh il thu
power to piulecl and preserve Lch roustiuc
liuns. Tin cau unlv bu elleclually done by
having jurudicliuti over the aud. But mi
clause ol ihe Constitution ia found on which
io rest thu claim ul ihu United Slales lo ex
eiciise jurisdiction over the tuil of a Stair,
except lhal conletied by the eighth ecla,,i'
ul the first article ol the Cuiitiiulin. it is
then, submitted, whether, in all caee where
cutigiruction are tu be erected by Ihe gen
eral government, ihe tight ul uil thould nut
Inst be obtained, and legislative provision be
made lo cover ail such cases.
' Fur the progress made iu the const ruetitm
uf road wuht.1 Ihe territone, a piovided
for in Ihe appropriation of the last Cotigie,
rafer you lo Ihe report of the Srcrelaiy ot
War.
There i one ubjecl of a domenic nature,
which, trutn it intriuiio impoituuce, ami the
many interesting qneitton of future policy
which il involve, cannot fail to receive your
early alleuliuii. I allude lo the mean ef
communication, by which different part o
iv,s sipoiso oi enr country aie lobe
placed iu cluser connexion for purpose both
of defence and commeicial inieicoerae, and
moie especially uch a appertam ta iho
eomniuiiicatiun of those grcal divisions of ifte
i iiioii, wttice it on Ilia oppotue side of tba
Rocky Mountain.
, That the covernmenl bn not ln llninin.l.
ful of Hue heielofore, i apptrcol irom the
iu it itHsanoraea through appropriation for
mail faciiilie and other puipoc. Bul the
general subject will now prci,t jtcelf under
aspect mora imposing Ua more purely na
tional by reason of the survey order.! h
Congress, and now in the pieces or comple
tion, far communication by lailway acios
ueo cuoi.ti.ni, ana wnujly wilUlu the limit
uf the United Stair
. The power to declare war,' raise and sup
port armies, lo provide and maintain a navy,
and lo call forth lh nnlHia le execute the
laws, (uppres insurrection, aud repel n vi
sions, waccoateried upoa Cengrecc, ac means
N provide fur Ihe common defence, and lo
protect a territory and a ' population now
widnsptead and vastly miiliiplied. As inci
dental to and indespoaaible fur the eacicio
of tbia power, it ruu.l cumeiimec be oce
ry t constiucl nillllary road and protect
barbnr of tefuge. Te appiapi wtioirc
CongrcM for such object, uo sound objecti""