,a"S MESSAG.
the Senate nd IIovi cf
Vll :
ct to tht commar-d cf tbe con
..e now become my duty "to givt
information of the State of the
reeomuiend to their consideration
.res" as I judge to be "necessary
g auu
, and above ell, oor thanks ere due
oty God for the numerous benefits
. baa bestowed upon thii peeplu;
nltml prayers continue to ascend to
t lie would continue to bless our
vpublic iu time to come He has
' in time past,
adjonrometilof tie last Congress
bate enjoyed nn-.nniisuel do.
''10 ea'rtb has yielded her
id has bouulifully tewar-usbundman.-.
Our great
Jed hinh prices, aud, op
Hod, our manufacturing,
nanicfll occupations have
.a' of the eeneral nrosDerity.
glased all the elenionta of uiaUv
. ' 1 . , 1 1 L .
.1 in ncu euuuoancB,, miu jvt, uvv
Jing all these advantages, our coun
ila monetary Interests. 1 at tue presvn
.lent in deplorable condition, ...
In the midst of unsurpassed plenty in oil
the productions of agriculture and in all the
I'lenieuls'of national wealth, we find oar manu
factures suspended, our public. Works retarded
our private enterprise of different kinds aban.
boned, and thousands of useful laborers
thrown out of employment and reduced to
want. The revenue of the government, which
is chiefly derived from duties on imports from
abroad, has been creally reduced, whilst the
appropriations made by Congress at its last
session fof tho current fiscal year are very
large In amount.
Uader theso circumstances a loan may be
lequirod before the close of yeur present set
siou ; but this, although deeply to be regret
tod, would prove to be only a slight misfor
tune, when compared with the sufl'ering and
distress prevailing among the people. . With
this the government cannot full deeply to
sympathize, though it may be without tbo
nower to extend relief.
It is our duty to inquire what has produced
such nufortuoate results, and whether tf'oir
recurrence can be prevented T in all our for
itier revulsions the blame might have been
fairly attributed to a variety of co-operating
causes; but not so on the present occasion.
It is apparent that our existing .misfortunes
have proceeded solely from out extravagant
and vicious svstem or paper- currency ana
bank credits, exciting tue people to wild spo.
dilations and cambling in slocks.
These revulsions must continue to recur at
successive intervals so long as tbo amount of
the paper currency end banic loans ana dis
counts of the country, shall be left to the dis
tion of fourteen hundred irresponsible bank-
in 1? irstitutioos. which from the very law of
their nature will consult the interest of their
stockholders rather than the public welfure. ,
The framers or the constitution, when they
gave to Congress the power "to coin money
and to regulate the value thereof," and. pro
hibited the Slutes from coining money, emit
ting bills of credit, or makiug . anything but
gold and silver coin a tender in payment of
debts, supposed tbey had protected the peo
ple agaiust the evils of an excessive aud irre
deemable paper currency." They are not re
sponsible Tor the existing anomaly that a go
vernment endowed with a so veieicn attribute.
ofcoinin? nionev and rctrulatiDir the value
thereof should have no power to prevent oth
ers from driving this coin out of the country
and filling op the channels of circulation with
paper wntcn does not represent goiu ana sil
ver. It is one of the highest and most responsi-
ble duties of government to insure to the peo
ple a sound circulating medium, the amount
of which ought to be adapted with the ut
most possible wisdom and skill to the wants
of internal trade and foreign exchanges. If
this be either greatly above or greatly below j
the proper standand, the marketable value of
every man's property is increased or dimin
ished in the same proportion, and injustice to
individuals as well as incalculable evils to the
community are the consequence.
Unfortanately, under the construction of
the federal constitution, which has now pre
vailed too long to bo changed, this important
and delicate duty has been discovered from
the coinago power, and virtually transferred
to more thou fourteen hundred State banks,
acting independently of each other, and regu
lating their paper issues almost exclusively
by a regard to the , present interest of their
stockholders. Exercising the sovereign pow
er of providing a paper currency, instead of
coin, ior tue country, the tirst duty wmcu
these banks owe to the public is to keep in
their vaults a sufficient amount of gold aud
silver to insure the convertibility of their
noteB into coin at ail times and under all cir
cumstances. No bauk ought ever to be chartered with
out such restrictions on its business as to se
cure this result. All other restrictions are
comparatively vain. This is the only true
touchstone, the only efficient regulator of a
paper currency the only one which can
guard the public ngaiust over issues and bank
suspensions. As a collateral and eventual
security it is doubtless wise, and in all cases
ought lo be required, that bauka shall bold
an amouut of United States or State sorori
ties equal to tboir notes in circulation and
pledged for their redemption. This, however
furnishes no adequate security agaiust over
issues. . .
On the contrary, it may be perverted to
inflate the curreuey. Indeed, it is possible
by this means to convert all the debts of the
L nited States and State goveramaots into
bauk notes, without reference to the specie
revuired to redeem them. However valuable
these securities may be in themselves, they
eauuol be converted into gold and silver at
lb 11.01r.ent or pressure, as our experience
teaches, in suDlcient time lo preveot bank
suspensions ana the depreciation of bauk 1
notes.
Ia EngUnd, which is to a considerable ex
tent a paper-money country, though vastly
behind our own in this respect, it was deemed
advisable, anterior to the act of Parliumeat
of 1844, which wisely separated the issue of
notes from the banking department, for tie
Bank of England always to keep on hand gold
and silver oqual to one third of its combined
circulation and deposits. If this proportion
was no more than sufficient to secure the con
vertibility of its notes, with the wbolo of
Great Britain, and to some extent the conti
nent of Europe, as a field for a circulation,
rendering it almost impossible that a sudden
and immediate run to a dangerous amount
should be made upon it, tho same proportion
would certainly be iusuiucieat under our
banking system.
Each of our fourteen hundred banks has
but a limited circumference for its circulation
and in the course of a very few days the de
positors and note-holders might demand from
ucb a bank a sufficient amount in specie to
compel it to suspend, even although it had
coin in its vaults equal to one-third of its im
mediate liabilities. And yet I am not aware
with the exception of the banks of Lousiaos,
that any State bank tbougbout the L'oiou
bas been required by its charter to keep this
or any other proportion of gold aud silver
couiDared with the amount of its combined
circulation aud depcsilf . What bas been the
eousenuenca T
Ia a recent report made by the Treasory
Department on the couditioo of the banks
throughout the different States, .according to
returns dated uearest to January, 1657, the
aggregate amount of actual specie in their
vault is $58,349,838, of their circulation
t2li.78fl.822. aud of their deposits 230.301
853. Thus it appears that these banks in
the aggregate have considerably less than one
Cellar in seven of fold and silver compared
wrth rhrlr eh dilation and deposit. It was
palpable, therefore, that tho very first pres
sure mnst drive them to suspension, ana de
prive the' people of a convertible currency
with all its disaitrtos consequences. t ' '. '
It is truly wonderful that they should nave
so long continued to preserve" their credit,
wlien a demand Tor tue payment or ooe-e-venth
of thek immediate liabilities would
have driven them into insolvency. -And this
is the condition of the banks, notwithstanding
that ronr hundred millions of gold from Call-
fnrnia linve flowed In ouoa US Wltbill the last
eight years, and the tide continues to flow.
ludced sucti has licen tne extravagance 01
bunk credits that the banks now hold ft con
siderably less Amount of specie either in pro
portion to their capital or to their circulation
and deposits combined, than they did before
the discovery of gold in California.
Whilst iu the year 1P48 their specie in pro
portion td their capital was more tlian equal
to one dollar for four aud a half, in 1867 it
docs not amount to one dollar for every six
dollars and thirty three cents ef their capital.
in ttie year 184b the specie was equal wunin
a very small fraction to one dollur iu seven
and a half to their circulation and deposits. '
i roni this statement it is easy to occeunl
our financial history for the Inst forty years
has been a history -of extravagant exnan-
. spin? in the business of the country, followed
bytruinons contractions. At successive inter
vals the best and mo6t enterprising men have
beenMempted lo their ruin by excessive bonk
loans V mere paper credit, cxcitir.g them to
extravagant importations cf- foreign goods,
wild sacculations, and ruinous and demorali
sing sloc4j gambling. When the crisis arrives
as arriveAit must, the banks can extend no
relief to If he people. '-In a vaitl struggle to
redeem tneif liabilities in specie, they are
compelled to contruct their loans and their
issues; twirl at lust, in the hour of distress,
when thefr assistance is most nreded, "tbey
and the is? debtors tocetber sink into insol
vency. 1? . v-- . - . - - ' " "
. It if this paper system of extravagant ex
pension, raising the nominal price of every
article-Jar bevond its real vulue when compar
ed wkB the coal of similar articles in coun
tries whose circulation is wisely recnlated,
Which has prevented us from competing in our
owtt markets with foreign manufacturers, has
iifbduced extravagant Importations, ana una
J counteracted the effect of the large incidental
protection afforded to our domestic mnnnluc
tores by the present revenue tariff.'-15 ut for
this the branches of onr manufactures ' com
posed of raw materiuls, the production of our
en fabrics would not only hove acquired al
most exclusive bosscssion of the home market
but would have created for themselves a for
eign market throughout the world.
Deplorable, however, as may bo onr pre
sent financial condition, we may yet indulge
in bright bepB for tho future.' i0 other na
tion bas ever existed which co'jld have endur
ed such violent expansions and ' contractions
of paper credits "without lasting iujury ; yet
the buoyancy or youth, too- energies 01 our
population, and the spirit wmcu never qnaus
before dilhcolties, will enable us soon to re
cover from our present financial embarrass
ment, and may even occasion ns speedily to
forget the lesson which they bnvo taught.
In the mean time It is the duty of the gov
eminent, by proper means within its power,
to aid iu alleviating the sufferings or the peo
ple occasioned bv the suspension of the banks
and to provide neainst a 'recurrence of the
same calamity. Unfortunately in either as
pect of the case, it can de but little. Thanks
to the iudependent treasury, the government
has not suspended payment, as' it was com
pelled to do by the failure of the banks in
1837, It will centinue to discharge its lia
bilities to the people- in gold and silver.
Its disbursements in coin will pass intocir
colation, and materially assist in restoring a
sound currency. From its high credit, should
we be compelled to make a temporary loan,
it can be effected on advantageous terms.
This however, eh!l, if possible, be avoided ;
but, if not, then the amoaut limited to the
lowest practicable sum.'
v I have therefore, determined that whilst no
useful government works already in progress
shall be suspended, new works, not already
commenced, will be posponed, if this can be
done without - injury to the country. Those
necessary for its defence shall proceed as
though there had been no crisis in our mone
tary affairs.
But the federal government cannot do
much to provide against a recurrence of exis
ting evils."' Even if insurmountable consti
tutional objections did not exist against the
creation of a National Bauk, this would fur
nish no adequate preventive security.- The
history of the lust Bank of the United States
abundantly proves the irulu 01 mis assertion.
Such a Bauk could not, if it would, regulate
the issues and credits of fourteen hundred
State banks in such' a manner as to prevent
tho ruinous expansions and contractions in
our currcucy which afflicted the country
throughout the existence of the lute bank, or
secure us against future suspensions.
lo 1823 an effort was made by the Dank of
England to curtail the issues of the country
bauks 'under the most favorable circum
stances. The paper currency had been ex
panded to a ruiuous extent, aud the Bank put
forth all its power to coutract it in order to
reduce prices and restore the equilibrium of
the foreign exchanges. It accordingly com
menced a system of curtailment of its loans
and issues, in the vain hope that the joint
stock and private banks of the kingdom would
be compelled to follow its example. It found,
however, thut as it coutractod they expandud,
and at the end of the process, to employ the
language of a very high official authority,
"whatever reduction of paper circulation was
effected by the Bunk of Engluud (in 1825)
was more than made up by the issues of the
country banks..
Hut a Hank of the United Stales would not,
if it could restrain the issues and loans of the
State banks, because its duty as a regulutor
or the currency must olten be in direct can
fla t with the immediate interest or its stocu
holders.- If we expect one agent to restrain
or control another, their interests must, at
least iu some degree, be antagonistic. But
the directots ore liank or the United states
would feel the lau'.e interest and the same
iucliuation with the diicttors of the State
bauks to expand the currency, to accoin
modate their favorites snd friends with loans,
and lo declare large dividenda. Such has
beta our experience in regard lo the last
bank.
After all, we must mainly rely upon the
patriotism and wisdom of the States for the
prevention and redress of the evil. If tbey
will afford ue a real specie basis for our paper
circulation, ty increasing tno denomination
of bank notes, first to twenty, and afterwards
to tmy dollars; 11 they wiir.rt-quiro that the
bauks shall at all times keep on band at least
one dollar of gold aud silver for every three
dollars or their circulation and deposits ; and
if they will provide, by a self-exeruting enact-
tneut which nothing can arrest, that the mo-
ueut tbey suspend luey shall gb into liquida
tion, 1 believe that such provisions witb S
weeklv publication by each bauk of a state
ment of its condition, would go far to secure
us against future suspensions of specie pay.
nieuts. - ...
Conereis. in my opinion possesses tb
power to pass a uniform bankrupt law appli
cable to all bankiug institutions throughout
the toiled SUUs, and 1 strongly recommend
its exercise. .This would wake it the irrever
sible organic law of each bank's exuteLce,
that a suspension of specie payments shall
produce its civil death. The instinct of self
Dresarvaflon would then coo. pel it to perlor
its duties in such a meaner as to escape the
peuulty and preserve its life.
The existence of banks and the circulation
of bank Daoer are so identified witb the habile
of our people, that they cannot at Ibis day be
suddenly bboiisbbd without ranch immediate
Inlnri to the ennniry. If we could confine
1 -
them to their appropilate sphere, and prevent
tbcm from administering to the spirit ef wild
and reckless speculation, by extravagant
loans and irsaes, they might be continued witb
advantage to the public. ' f '
But this I ssy after long and much reflec
tion, if experience shall prove it to be Impos-
Ule to enjoy the lacilllies wnicn wen iegoi.
ted banks might afford without at the same
time suffering the calamities which the exces
ses of the banks have hitherto inflicted up or,
the country, it would then be far the lesser evil
to deprive them altogether of the power to
issue a paper Currency,- and confine them te
the functions of banks of desposit and dis
count. '..''
Oar relations witb foreign governments are
apon the whole Iu a satisfactory condition. '
The diplomatic dillicnmes wnicn existed
between the Government of the United States
and that of Qreat Britain, at the adjournment
of the last Congress have been happily ter
minated by ihe appointment o! a isriusii Min
ister to this country who bas-bcen cordially
received, v"-" --'.
Whilst it is greatly to the Interest as I am
convinced it is the sincere desire, of the gov
ernments and people or the two countries to
be on terms of intimate friendship-with each
other, it has been our misfortune almost al
ways to have bad some irritating, 1; not dan
gerous, outstanding , question witn ureal
Britain. .
Since the origin of the government we have
been employed in oegototing" treaties with
that power, and afterwards in discussing their
true intent end meaning, in 1111s respect,
tho convention of April 9, 18M),-. commonly
called the Clayton and Bulwer ' treaty, has
been most onfortunateor all because tue
two iroveriimenta place directly oppesite and
contradictory constructions upon its first and
most important article.
Whilst in the United istatcs, we neieiveo
that this treaty would plnce both powers
upon an exact quality by tbe stipulations
that neither will ever '-occupy, or fortify, or
colonize, assume, or exercise any dominion
over any part or Central America, 11 is con
tended by the British Government thnt the
true construction of this language has left
them in the rightful possession of all that
portion of Central A merica which wbs in their
eccopancy at tbe date of the treoty ; in foct,
that the treatv is a virtual recognition on the
part of the United States of tbe right of 1
Great Britain, either as owner or protector
to the whole extensive coast of Central Ame
rica, sweenibe round from the Ilio Hondo to
the port and harbor of San Juan de Nicara
gua, together with the adjacent Buy Islands,
except tbe comparatively small portion cf
this belween the aarstoon and Uape Hondu
ras. According to their construction, tht treaty
does no more than simply prohibit them from
extending their possessions in Lentral Jtme
rica beyond the present limits. It is not too
much lo assert that if the United States the
treaty Imd been considered susceptible of
such a construction, it never would have been
negotiated under the authority of the Presi
dent, nor would it have received the approba
tion of tbe Senate.
Tbe universal conviction in tbe United
States was, that when our government con
sented to violate its traditional and time
honored policy, and to stipnlate with a for
eicn government never to occupy or acquire
territory iu the Centrul American portion of
our awn contuiont. the consideration Tor this
sacrifice was that Great Britain should, in
this respect at least, be placed in the same
position with ouraclves. Whilst we have no
richt to doubt the sincerity of the British
governmont in their constructiou of the treaty,
it is at tbe same tune wv deliberate conviction
that this construction is iu opposition both to
its letter and its spirit. " "r-
Under the late administration negotiations
were instituted between the two governments
for tho purpose, if possible, of removing these
difficulties ; and a treaty having this laudable
object in view was signed at London on the
17lu October, 18S6, and was submitted by
the President to the Senate on tbo following
10th of December. hether this treaty,
itber in its orieinal or amended form, would
have accomplished the object intended with
out giving birth to new and embarrassing
(implications between the two governments,
mBy, perhaps, be well questioned. Certain
it is. however, it was rendered much less ob
jectionable by the different amendments made
to it by the senate.
.... - . r 1
The treaty, as amended, was raiineu uy me
on the 12lb March, 1857, and wos transmit
ted to London for ratification by the British
government. That government expressed
its willingness to coneur in all the amend
ments made by tbe senate, with the single
exception of tho clause relating to Kuaian
and other islands in tho Kay 01 Honduras. ;
The article in the original treaty, as suu- !
milted to tbe Senate, after reciting thut these
islands aud their inhabitants ' having been by
convention bearinz date the2,tn day or
August, 18.')6. between her Britanic Majesty
nd the Uepublic or Honduras, constituted
nd declared a Iree territory under the sover
iirnty of the said Uepublic cf Honduras,"
stipulated that "the two contracting parties
do biiroby mutually engage to recognize and
respect in all future tiaie the independence
und rights of the said free territory as u part
of the Uepublic or Honduras."
Upon 011 examination ol this convention
between Great Britain and Honduras of the
27lb August, 1836, it was found that, whilst
declaring the Bav Islands to be "a free terri
tory under tbe sovereignty of the republic of j
Honduras, it deprived that republic 01
rights without which its sovereignty over
tr.em could scarcely be said to exist. It di
vided them from the remuinder of Houduias,
and gave to their inhabitants a separate gov.
eminent of their own, with legislative, execu
tive, andjudiciul officers, elected by themselves.
It deprived the government of Honduras
of the taxing power in every form, and ex
em pled the people of the islands from the
performance or military duty, except tur ineir
own exclusive deience. it aiso pruuiuueu
that republic from erecting fortifications upon
them for their protection thus leaving them
open lo invasion freni any quarter; and,
Dually, It provided "tuat Slavery auan uuv i
any time hereafter be permitted to exist
therein."
Had Honduras ratified this convention,
she would have ratified the establishment of
a State substantially independent within her
own limits, and a State at ell times subject
to British influeoce and coutrol. Moreover,
had the United States ratified the treaty witb
Groat Britain in its original form, we should
have been bound "to recoguice and respect in
all future tinio" these stipulations to the
prejudice of Honduras.
Great Britain reiected this amendment,
assigning aa the only reason, that the ratifi
cations of the convention of the 27th August,
183G, belweon her and Honduras, bad not
becu "exchanged, owing to the hosilatiou of
that government."- Had this been done, it is
staled thafller Majesty's coveronient would
nave had little ditliculty in spreemg la the
modincalion proposed by the benale, which
men wouiu nuvo nan in enect tue same sigui
fication as the origiual wording." -
Being lo direct opposition to the spirit and
meauiug of the Clayton and Bulwer treaty as
understood Iu the Uuited Slates, the Senate
reiected the entire clause, aud substituted in
its stead a simple recognition of the aove
reign riiebt of Honduras to three islands in
tbe following laugusge : "The two contract
ing parlies do hereby mutually engage to
recognize and respect tbe tsiands or Kuaian,
Bonaco. Ulila, Barbaretta, Helena, and Mo-
rat, situate in tbe Bay of Honduras, and oft
the ceast of the Hepublio of Honduras as
under tbe sovereignty and as part of the said
Jtepubiio or Honduras.
Whether this would have been tbe effect
whether the mere circumstscca of the ex
change of the ratifications of the British con
to the ratification of our treaty with Great
Britain would "io effect," have had "the same
signification" as the original wording," and
thus have nullified the amendment of the
Senate, may well be doubted. It is, perhaps,
fortunate that tbe question bas never arisen.
The British gevtrnment, immediately after
rejecting the treaty as amended, proposed to
enter into a new titfuty with the United
States, similar in all respects to the treaty
which tbey bad just refused to ratify, if the
United States would consent to add lo the
Senate's clear and unqualified recognition of
the sovereignly of Honduras over the Bay
Islands the following conditional stipulation:
"Whenever and so soon as the republic of
Honduras shall have concluded and ratified a
treaty witb Great Britain, by which Great
Britain shall have coded, and the republic or
Honduras -shall thave - acceptod,. the 'said
islauds, f object to the provisions and condi
tions Contained in such treaty." ' I
Tho proposition was, of course, rejected.
After the Senate had refused to recognize
the British convention with Honduras, of the
27th August, 1856, witb full knowledge of its
contents, it was impossible (or me, necessarily
ignorant of "the provisions and conditions"
which might be contained in a future conven
tion between the same parties, to sanction
them In advance. " ' v
- The fact is that wherf ''two nations like
Great Britain and the United Stutes, mutually
desirous,' as they are, and I trut ever may
be, of maintaining the most friendly relations
with eacb other, have unfortunately concluded
a -treaty which they understand in senses
directly opposite, the wisest course is to
abrogate such a treaty by mutual consent,
and to commence anew. ' Had this been done
promptly, nil difficulties in Central America
would most probably ere this have been
adjusted to the satisfaction of both parties.
The time spent in ditcns&ing the meaning
of the Clayton and Bulwer treaty wonld have
been devoted to this praiseworthy -purpose,
and the task would have 6eon the more
easily accomplished, because tho interest of
tbe two countries in Uentral America is
identical, being confined to securing safe
transits over all the rcutes across the
Isthmus.
Whilst entertaining these sentiments, 1
shall net berless not refuse contribute to any
reasonable adjustment of the Central Amen
can questions, which is not practically incon
sistent with the American interpretation 01
the treaty. Overtures for this purpose have
been recently made by the British government
in a friendly spirit which I cordially recipro
cate ; but whether this renewed effort will
result in success I am not yet prepared to
express an opiuiou. A brief period will de
termine. '
With France onr ancient relations of friend
ship still continue to exist. The French gov
ernment have in several recent instance
which need not be enumerated, evinced a
spirit of good will and kindness towords cur
country which I heartilly reciprocate. It is
notwithstanding, much to be regretted that
two nations whose productions are of such a
character as to invite the most extensive ex
changes and freest commercial intercourse,
should continue toVnforce ancient and obso
lete restrictions of trade aga;nt each other.
Our commercial treaty with France is in this
respect an exception from our treaties witb
all dther commercinl nations. It jealously
levies discriminating duties both on tonnage
and on articles, the growth, produce or niuu
ufucture of the one country, when arriving in
vessels belonging to tbe other.
More than forty years ago, on the 3d or
March, 1815, Congress passed an act offering
to all nations to admit their vessels iuden with
national productions into the ports of. the
United States npon the same terms witb our
own vessels, provided they would reciprocate
to us similar advantages. This act confined
the reciprocity to the productions of the re
spective foreign nations who might enter into
the proposed arrangement with the United
States. The act of May 21, 1823, removed
this restriction and offered a similar reciproci
ty to all such vessels without reference to the
origin of their cargoes. Upon , these princi
ples our commercial treaties and arrungemeins
have been founded except with France; and
let us hope that this exception mayjnot long
exist. .. ' ,
Our relations with Russia remain ns they
bavo ever been, on the most friendly footing.
Tbe present Emperor as well as his predeces
sors, have nover fuiled, when the occasion of
ered to manifest their good will to our coun
try ; nnd their friendship has ulways been
highly appreciated by the government aud
people of the United States.
Willi all other European governments
except thai of Spniu, our relations are ns
peaceful as could desire. J regret to say that
no progress.whatever has been made, since
the adjournment of Congress towards the set
tlement of any of the numerous claims of our
citizens against the Spaoi.-h Government.
Besides the outrage committed on our flageby
the Spanish war frigate Fcrroluna, on the
high seas, off the coast of Caba in March,1865
by firing into the American muil stonmer El
Dorado, and detaining and searching her,
remains unacknowledged and unredressed.
The general tone and temper oftheSpunisb
government towards thut of the Uuited States
are much to be regretted. Our present envoy
extraordinay and minister plenipotentiary to
Madrid lias asked lo be recalled : and it is mv i
purpose to send out a new minister to Spain,
with special instructions on all questions pen
ding between the two governments, and wilb
a determination to hove them speedily and
amicably adjusted, if his be possible. In the
nean tune, wHenever our minister urges the
u$t claims of our citizens on the notice of the
Spanish government, he is met with the ob
jection that Congress have Dover made tbe
appropriation recommended by 1 resident
rout in uia annual message 01 Uticemuer,
1847, "to be paid by the Spanish government
f6r the purpose of distribution among the clai
mants in the Araistad case." ' ,
A similar recommendation was made by my
immediate predecruor in hi meisaae of Decem
ber, U53; and entirely concurring with both in
the opinion that this indemnity is juntly due un
der the treaty with Mpain of the il 7th' October,
1795,1 earnestly recommend such an anpiopna-
tionte the favorable consideration nf Congreia
A treaty ot friendship and commerce was con
cluded at Constantinople on the 13tb December,
1866, between tbe United States and rerun, the
ratifications of which were exchanged at Con
stantinople on the 13th June, 1857, and the trea
ty was proclaimed by the President on the! 18th
August, 1857. 1 bis treaty, It is behoved, will
prove banehcwl to American commerce. The
Hluh has manifested an rarneat dispuilion to
cultivate Irienuly relation with our cuuutry,and
has eipreued u strong wish that we hould be
represented at 1 t-heian by a DUnutur plenipoten
tiary;, and I recommend that sn appropriation
be made fr this purpose.
IttrriU oeeuiH-neca ia Cliira hav lm unfavnnbU te
levaieu X Ibo Ircati- ilh that uulir M tb Ski July,
IM4,witlia view to Ui Mfuiityaixl tiUnMu of our
cuinmeic. Tbe iMik aitiHe of taia tit-ou atipulatfal fur a
fevtauM of ' w ieiinic elxiald piov tint In ua
requisite 'iu waicn eaaa tne two a-'verumtnta will, at
tua expiratiuu of twelve vrars from the date uf aaul ron-
vcutwn, tieal amicably eoarctniiig the aufue, by ov-aul
H amiable neraoMB apiM.tea U ctiulurt uce Mrg.-liauutia.
Ttit-ae twefve )'eara captrrd ou the 3d July, IKM ; luit loiig
uwiwiw mat pci-w iiWM m eruumi mill iniMIU4MI mm-
IN m la trauty am iKCeaaary l and erveral flunk
aut-mpta were uiao or we romuituiuoer of ike Lulled
Ptale to eAVt-i tlieae rhaitge.
Anoincr effort waa about to be nude for the same pr
poae by our ewnuniastoaer, in roujuiwtioa wtlli tbe minis
ters of KuglaiKl ettd t-'ram-e, but this was euspeuded by
the oomirf itee of boatiiitlee io the Cuuton rivet belween
Gievt Bntaiu ai-d In Ctuneee Empire. Tbeaa homtibtiaa
have neueeeafily uUeirupted lb Hade of ail nation wi'b
CaiiUm, which la now la a euie of blockade, and nave
ocraaiiHied a oaf lous kies of tile aad properly Meanwhile
the inaurreoliuu wilhiu th empire tainat lUe aJUatiua;
uipeiiai uyaaaiy etui ouminaes, an tt la aimcult Ul BJU1
ensile what will b Che rerjlt.
Under theao eireumsunees, I ha deemed ifadvian
ble loappoint a distinguished eiliaen of Pennsylvania en
troy eiuaoidiuaiy and iniuiaier plenipotentiary lo proceed
tu CbiM, and to avail himself of any oppertuuities which
may Oder la eject changes iu the uiatum treaty lavurehl
to AmeiM-au sunimrfc. lie leu tb bailed Males lot lb
sloe of hu destination Ul July last in lbs war eleenier
alnuicsula. Special amiiatera to China bav also beea
appointed by tks governments of (Jreet tfrllaieand Fiance
Whilst our imaister has been tnstrueted to occupy a
... . , .. 1 iwnw piwiini 11 iiiHMf kj iae uiiiini acmilifee at
veotioo wrth Hondarti prior In jiomt tftimw , cmWw..i p, wh u h,mhv
truly BiipulHliOi tho) just e?onre.oni U wininurr
whirl, thm ml urns of the wurtti havta fichl In inet. ami
which China cannot kHift b permitted ! wltlihod. I- mm
murnoctrecird, I entvrinm no rfuiiht ihnt th thre
mm inert will not in hormtmiou eniirrrt to obtain imiUir
cotmnerciui trenttw "" Qrh ot the nwPeri they ci,rettt.
We eaiinut fail to ftl a den Mitrwt In aH that eotv
tenia the Wflfnra of th independent rrfiiblieaon oar wo
fwiumant, or well na or tbe empirem ttrnan, -
Our difficult let with New Uranadti, which a aHort lime
tince bore r threatening an aipect. are tt ia to be hoped,
.n a fair train of ecu lament m a manner juit anl banortw
bla to both pnitiea. -
The lathmu of Centra! America, incladina; that of Pa
nama, i the areet highwity Hrtwten the Atlantic and Pa
cific, over which a huge portion of the rutiimeree of tha
world fa dratined to pnia.- The tinted Ptatra are more
deeply interested thnn any other nation in preserving the
freedom and aecoritjr of nil the commanicnltoire ncroea
thii lathrana, H tn our duty, therefore, lo take rare that
thry thall not he tnterrepted either l.jr invneioni from our
owit oinmtry or hy ware between the inirpeudent Slate,
of Out! America.
I'tider onr treany with New Graneria, nf the I'-iMh De
cemUr, iHlrt, we ore bottird to guaranty the netttialityof
tha iKthmuaof PutiumA, through which the Panama (lull
road pneaea, "na well ee theriRhie of anvereieuty and pro
perty which New Grenno'a hua and p-aaeaiefa over tha
territory." Thii ohligutioii hi founded upon equivalent
panted by the treaty to the goreriincnt and people of the '
Ijiited Piatee. ' '
t'ndcr three elrcumntancea, t recommend lo Cotigrene
the p Hinge of en act nnthnririnff the Pree dent, in cne
of neceamt, to employ the land aad itavnl force of the
United 8tatee to carry in toe licet thia guarantee of neutral
ity and protection. 1 alao recommend imilnr Icgitauion
for ttie aecurtty of any other ronta nrroee the lathmue in !
Whirh we m:iy acquire an intcreiit hy treaty.
With the independent republ.ee on thia continent it is
both our duty end nut intercut to rultivate the moat
friendly relatione. We con nevar feaJ indiflerenttn their
fate and must, alwaya rejoice in their proincrily. I" mot
to irately both for them and for ui, our example and advh-e
have (oat much of their influence in cuneen.uet.re of tha
Inwleaa espetfitiotie which have been fitted out again
eome of them within the limiia of oof country Nothing
te better calculated to retard our ateetty material propresi,
or impair our character aa a nation, than the toleiation of
nfh enterprise in violation ut the law of nuttcna.
It ia one of tbe brat nnd highcat dtitiea of aay Independ
ent eHate, hi n relation! with the rocmbcraof the great
family ot' naUuni, to rcetrain itt people truin act of hoe
tile uirfrreaaioii aninat their viiizena or tuhjecte. The
moat emincrt wntera on public tnw do not hesitute to de
nounce au;h h"etile acta tu robbery and murder.
Weuk nnd feeble tttitea, like those of tJtntral America,
may not fe-. themeelvee able to uaaert and vindicate their
right.. The cane wonld be fur different if expetli1tina
were aeion loot wtuini our own territories to make pri
vate wnragn.iHi n powerful rmtu.it. If aurh expediiioua
were fitted out frum abroad against nuy portion of our
own country, tobmndown our citica, murder nnd plun
der our people, and usurp onr government, we almukl call
any power on earth to the eti iciest accuuut fur not pi event
ing uch enormities.
Kver aince the administration of General Washington,
acta of fjongrer have been in force tu punish severely
the crime ot setting on font a inil.tary expedition within
the limit of the Unitrd fttates, h proceed from thence
niminet a nation m State with whom wa are at pence.
The present neutrality act of April ftKb, lb!8 ia but little
moro than a collection of pre-existing lawa t'ndur thia
act the President la empowered to employ the fond and
nnval forces and the militia 'for the purpose of preventing
the carrying on nf any aurh expedition of enterprise from
the trrritorietaiin jmisuiction or the united Stutes "entl
thee11llectoiBofcusto1nBarea11thofi7.nl n:d required to
detain any vessel in port when there ia reason to believe
she i ii bout to take part iu such lawless enterprises.
Whtti it was fiist tendered proliahiy that nn attempt
would be mnde to get Mp another unlawful expedition
against Kicarogiie, the Secretary uf Slat- issued instruc
tions to the menhals end district attorneys, which were
directed lor the Qeeretarira of Wer and tha Navy to the
appropiiie army and navy oiiicers, requiring them to be
yi! ila nt nnd to use their best exertions iu carrying iuto
effeet the provisions of the net of IHfi
Notwithstanding these precautions, the expedition has
escaped from our ehnrc. &urh enterptifes can do no pos
sible good to the country, but have already inflicted much
injury ooth on its interests and its clmrnrter. They Imve
prevented peaceful emigration from the United Stutes to
the States of Cent nil An.erire, which couki mt fail to
prove highly beneficial lo stl the parties concerned. In a
prruuiury point of view nl.-me, our cttizene have susiiun
ed henvy losses from tle seizure end ck-eing of the tran
sit route by the StiuJuan. betwerii the two oceans,
The leader of the rrreutrxpeditinn was arrested at New
Or leu ns, but wns discharged on giving bail for hie uppenr
ance in the insufficient sum of two thousand dollars.
I commend the whole subject to the serious attention
of :ongress, believing thnt our duty und our interest, as
wc.l nu oar iialmuul character, leuuiie that we shohio
THE AMERICAN.
SUNBURYi
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1857.
H. B. MASSER, Editor and Proprietor,
f To ADVMTUlM Til fircnhllos of th PunHory
American among tha different town on the Sarnnrtiann
nnteirrettrd jfequalled ly any paper published In North
trn Penmrrtvant.
C3" Divine service will be beld in St. Mat
thew's (Kpiseopal) Clinrcb, on Sunday even.
Ing next, ot 7 o'clock; and in St. Mark's
Northumberland, tbe same day at If) o'clock
in tbo morning. " :
I r TsAonsins' Txstituth. Tbe mem'icr
of tbo TeacberB Institute met at the Court
llonse in tbis place, on Thursday anJ Friday
of lost week. During the tiny, business be
longing to the Institute was trantacted, and
in the evenings lectures were delivered to
large audience. On Thursday evening, Jcn.
J no. Kay Clement, lectured on "Music as a
branch of National Education," on Friday
Dr. J. J. John, lectured on "Anatomy and
I'hysiolopy," after which J.J. ReimensnjrTer
tbo County Bupcribtcndent, delivered an
address to the ludies. Profrseor McFarlano
of Ibe Freebnrg Academy, was tbrn Intro
duced and elucidated the manner of teaching
Mental Arithmetic, after which Ihcy adjourn
ed for their respective home?.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR, DATED,
' .To'.ks' Hotfu 1
Philadelphia, Pec. th, IP57. J
If we were to judge of the business of
Philadelphia l,y tho appearance of Cbesnut
stroet, one would hardly suppeso that there
was much u fairing nnd want in that city.
Philadelphia essentially a manufacturing
city, nnd the nnmbcr of mechanics thrown
out of employment leans heavily on that
class. Bat there are already evident signs
of improvement, nnd as confidence is gradr.
ually restored, business will revive. The city
Passenger Railway through Fifth ond S.xth
streets will be completed in a few days. The
cars will run down one street and nn tbe
Bfl"pLBUf-n measures as will be tftVeluul in rcstrsiuir.E our f - rrt, , ...l u rrthvnni Wpui,
cinien. from rommitiin seed ..uirnfe.. s pt. 1 he track is scarce.y observable and
aot tho least in tho way. The road ill be
a great public convenience and boeome popu
lar evea in Sixth stroet, in spite of the
clamor thut was raised agninst it. I am
pleased to hear that some of our heavy iron
establishments are about to resume epera-
Tiit. enterprise was snecef afutly catricil en until J in.- c.Hn.i ... , e .-.tA
v. isM. when, whibt in the peac.foi prose- uiion tions. Tho Scranton works, I was informed,
1 regret t-Mnr-nmrou that the rreauk-nt of rarnpus hns
refused to ratify the treuty between the United hluti-s ami
thut dlnteu amended ly theSeimte.the siKnatureof whk-a
wjs inentionee in the mesrape of my pretlecessor to Con
gress at the opening of its ac.ioti in Ueceiiibrr 146-1. 'I'll,
realms aMtgueil foi thia refiml will uppcar in the corrus
nonJeiiee herewith subnti-.tetl. -li
twiner itesirnble to n.certain Xhs fitness of the river !.
rinta und its tributancsfor nuviftitiun by steam, the L'ni
ted Sirites .trsmer Witter wus sent liiithcrf-ir that pnrpi,se
in IbSJ.
I'ebruarv.
ol her vitynice nn the Hjrana river, the steamer was fired
upon by a rarsgaan furt. The lite wus returned; hut as I
the Water Witch nasnf small forre, ami not designed fur '
oflen.ive opeiolions. she reused from the eonltii-t. The !
pretext up-'n wlurb the aiiui-k was nume wns ueeree oi
the riesidenlef Hsioguay, nf tit-tol.tr, l-it, piohibitlnf
forei(r vessels of war from navigating the rivurs of that
Stute.
As i'ltraguary, however, wus lh owner ef bat ne Usnk
of the river of fimt name, the other belonging bo L'uriicuter
attluleof the Argentine Ouifederation, the right if its
government tu expert thai sui-n a uerreewouiu be olie
cannot ue aer nowlcdied. Jlut the Wattr Wilcli was
oroneriv spi.t,kinB-. a vessel of war. rhe wus u small stea.
nier, engjgeti in a ' si-ieutific enterprise inteiuled lor the
advantuije of eomm:'cial Mlnles geuerully. Citder these
cireuiim-uiuces. I am comdluiueil to eonsider the ntuirk
upii ber ns unjustihab!" and ns calling lor sutistaciiun
from the I'arHcuuyan g-iverniiient.
Ciiiensof the t'uiied Stales, else, who wet establish
ed in biuiriem in ruruguny, have lia-tthelrprueerty seil-xd
atultnkeii from them, and li ive otherwise bet-n treulM by
the auilioritiesin an insulting and aieitiarjtmaniier, whteb
requite, lediess.
A demand for ther-e purposes will lie mnde in a firm bat
e-ineilmltiry spirit, 'i his will ths in ne probably be grant
ed if the K.xeoutire shall buve ntuliotity to use utiier
means in the event of rcfuiu!. This is nccurdingly re
commended. It is unnecessary t sTile In detail ths lrming enndi-ti-in
of Ihe Territory of KaiiNis Ht the time of my iiinu-guratik-n.
The opposite parties then stood in li-ialileiirray
have entered into a contract amounting to
one million of dollars, one hulf in advance.
The Montour Company will be converted
into a joint stock Company. The creditors
of the Company held a meeting, in this city(
a tew days since, to mnkesome arrangements
-iKed by which they are to become stockholders ta
ryasne't lne nm0nut of their -espective claims. Tho
property of the Company is estimated at
SI. 100,001, opou which there is a mortgage
of gtiOO.OOO, leaving but SSOO.OOO of its esli-
mated value to rnv its liubilitien, which
amonnt to $000,000. This exhibit is any
thing but encouraging to iron manufacturer;.
Theso Cgures i'.dieate either a want of proper
management, or else some defect in the
works. . Tbe former is perhaps the c-tuse.
There have been various rumors and con
lectures as regards tbe cabinet of General
iignin.1 ench othei and any accident might have relighted ; . ,v .. l. i n-i,.!-.,.,.:.,.
the names c-l'eivil war. Besides et this enliral imuuent. r Pachor, the Governor elect. 1 be imprest 1011
- -' -L-J
0nert Cameron, however, snbaequently Inter
fertil, and an his motion,' the nomination wsa
ronfirmed before Ibe Senate adjourned. Tb
ofTice I a doatrabl cne, and the General is per.
hap ss well qualified and rooeh sntitltd telt
aa any one else. There ia, to use a common
expression, mony in it, I inquired ofamemlier
what the oflice was worth. - His reply was,
"$3.r00 to an honest nun . and from that to
$25,000 to a rogue." . A great deal ef money U
made litre by persons in authority, by means that
would hardly be deemed honest hy strict moral
ists. The lata Clerk of the House was ordeied
last session to purchase a number of copies of
the debates of Congress, for which 112,000 was
appropriated. Thia Clerk managed to get them
from the publishers for $25,000 snd put th re
maining $7,100 in hit pocket ,
I was in the Senate to-dsy when lb Tretldent
sent in to that body, tbe meag and accompa
nying docomenta. The door-keeper announced
'-a meiutge in writing from the Ptnident" when
'one individual stepped forward and delivered that
Important document, snd behind him came two
b'ys, each bearing an armfull of accompanying
document'. The tnestsge wa sealed up in a
wrapper of white paper, and when opened by tb
Ptnetary, looked at if three or four quires of
foolscap bad been used in its composition.
Th message opens with refer en re to the present firsu
ci il difficulties of the country which the President tlrib
ul-s to the present banking system, and advises Congress
to Like the matter Into their hands and pas Bankrap
act which will compel every Bank lo go into liquidntioo
on refusal to redeem its not.s In gold tnd silver. Tht
recominendsl ion meets with general fsvor, snd as Con
gress has the power, it is time thnt H should, now cer
else il, snd also prohibit the issue of notesjest tbon f ve
dnllnra.
After the rending of the niesflg Judge Devglsas awto
sti nttnek on that portion which relates to th CoustiluUi-)
of Kansas.
It was nnderstoacl that Jndge Ttonglsos would oppna
the administration on this now untenant sobject. Mit
of the leading raon of ths North sad West will be wit
him.
It will l the gieat and leading qnestion during lb
session, nnd the administration must rirs or fall w lb Is,
Mr. Buchanan can never enstsrn himself on this isu
The question of popntsr sovereignty will overnd. every
other issue, and lways doom il opponents to dcfsal ass)
disaster.
After Gov. Hcward, Stewart, snd ether prominent load
er, had made snmc comments in regard to lh message,
Gov Uigler rose lo s:i thnt "he concurred iu lL mee
mge." The efTcet was inther ludicrous thau other h-tse-.
The Governor wishes to be considered Ihe mouth-piec rs
Ihs President, but Mr. Dticlianairs friends dou't all recog
nize him as such.
Hf'A NomillXUKKI.AKD C'Ol'NTY PulKTTCB
in Lick. James B. Btcadman, formerly ef
this county, wus fleeter? Printer by Congri'rs
on tbe 9th iuet. The vote stood, Stcsdnian
121 j Weston, 69; scattering, 4.
CJP ArrOIKTBKSTSBVIUB CaSAL PoABft.--
The following appointments were mado by
the Board of Canal Commissioners ou Tha
2d instant : .
Collectort D II. Xieman, Easton ; C. R.
Palmer, New Hope; J Swinefort, Nortbaav
bcrland j J. Piatt, WilliBmsport ; J. Ik
Deis, Punnsburg ; I.. I i. tilts, I'ittston.
'tiyh-Mater$ J. S. Taylor, Nortbum-
bcr'uind ; George Manhardt, Peach II even v
Iliram II. Brown, Piltston.
A.isittaut Weigh-Mailcrt R. S; Racotv
Beach Haven.
Kun.as was left with -ul a Uoveinor by the u sigiuHion of
Gov. Oeaty.
At the time of ihe election for delegates, an extensive
nr..in-Mit.,t, r.i.ted in the Territorv. whose uvowed ob
ject it ws, if ne' be, to put down Hie lawful govern
ment hv force, and In etUiblisu a gov.rumrnt of thetr
own under Ibe so called TofH-ka coiistilutitm. The per
sons atlneiied to this revolutionary organization abstauied
from taking any pn'l in the election.
On the H'lh m r'ehrnnry previoua. the Territnruil t'gis
hiture had pussed law providing for the e eetion tif tkle
gules on the third Maudav of June tu a coni'eutioii to
meet on Ihe 6ist Vfondsv of Septenilier, for the purpose of
framing a eoestitutioii preparuu-ry to adniiwton into the
I'uioii. This tnw wus in the tnnin fmr nnd jiut ; snd it is
to be regretled that nil the qualified elecuirs hod not regis
tered themselves and voted uniler its piovisiors.
The a-:l of ihe territorial legislature hnd omitted In pro
vide for eubiiiiiiiiig to the people the constitution wbieli
night lie fmmiil bv the convention I and ill the excited
siute of public feeling throughout Kini.ii. an apprehension
evtensivelv prevniled that u design existed to f.-lee upon
thema eonstittttiou in relation to slavery agniitst their will.
In tins emerg.ucy it became my duty, as it w.is my un
qnestionsblc right, hsving in view Ihe union of n'.l cood
citizens iu support of the territorial laws, to expreis an
opinion on the irueeousituctionof the provisions concern
ing slavery contained ill tile organic set of Congress f th
SUttt of May. 1MI.
Congress declared it to be "the true Intent nnd meaning
of this act not tn legislHtc slavery into auy Territory or
Plate, nor t- exclude tl therefrom, but to leave the people
thereof perfectly fre to form and regobiie their domestic
institutions in their own way." I'ndet it Knnsns. '-when
admitted as a Slate," . was to be received into the I'nion,
with or wii hi iut slavery, aa Uicir eonsutuliuu may pre
senile at the time of thetr admission.
Xlid Hont-ren mean bv this tanciinee that the di legate
elected to frame a amatiluiion should haveauthority finally
lo decide the nuealion of slavery, nr did they intend by
leaving it to the people thafthe people of Kansas them
selves should decide the question by a diieet vote? On
tins subject 1 confess I iisd never entertained a seriuue
d-mlit, and. therefore, iu my iuetrneiioin to Governor
Walker of the 2-th March laid. I merely anid, that when
'i constitution shall lie submitted to the people of the
Territory, lliey must be protected in the exercise id their
right of v-uuig lor or against mat insirunieui, sua me
fan expressioii of the popular will must uot be interrup
ted by (mud or violence.
Condmion next ucel:
Drati or a Gbf.at Milmoxairk. Tbe
London Times, of tha 2d iust., contains a lung
biographical notice of one of the "merchant
princes" of tbe great metropolis, who has had
most extensive relutions with this country.
Mr. James Morrison, tba eminent millionaire
iu (jQustion, died at bis seat, Basildon Perk,
on the 30th ult., aged C8, and worth $20,000,
000, a considerable portion of which, it is
stated by tbo Times, is invested in tbe United
States, and so well iuvesled, too, that it suffurs
no diminution by tba , present commercial
difficulties. We believe that it was Mr. Mor
rison who had a suit wilb tbe Dry Dock Bank
in tbis city some years since, lie went to
London a poor boy, and laid tho foundation
of bis great futura .by engsging in the dry
goods trade, in whitb he was the Oist to intro
duce the principle of selling at a small profit
to increase tbe amount of bis sales, lie after
wards invested largely iu lands, and owned
large estates in several Knglusb counties aud
also in .Scotland. He was many years in Par
liament, and was always liberal in politics;
be was author of a work on tho Defects oj
Knutitk Svtem uf A'uitcnr Jrritlatun, aud
in 1848 a volume was published by Longman
containing: a selection from his parliamentary
speeches. He was a self educated man, but
ba possessed a refined tasta in literature and
art, and bad collected a remarkably ricb
library and a noble nailery of paintings. He
was oue of tbe nobles of Kngiand who inhe
rited neither a nam nor a fortune, nor was
indebted for any of bis distinctions to the
Crewr. or tu people. A. 1, Junet.
is now general thut tbe Honorable Joiin L.
Dawson will be tbe Secretury of tha Com
monwealth, aud Win, A. Porter, lisq., of
Philadelphia, Attorney General. Mr. Daw
son has served with distinguished ability
severiil terms in Congress, nnd was ofTorcd
the Governorship nf Kansas, by Pierce, pre-
vious to the appointment of Col. Geary, j
Mr. Porter is the son or Governor rorter,
and occupies a dialinguished position at the
Philadelphia Bar.
fcjjT RoauBRT. Two teamsters, named Det
ber and Bengan, were robbed of about glCi1
at the Black Horse Tavern, abont six milw
from Minersville, Schuylkill county, on lb
night of the 2d inM., by some person or per-
i sons unknown, w ho entered the apartment in
which these men were sleeping.
Ci3Matcii AfiANtsT Tjhr. A young gtor
tli-man of the Borough of Pottsvjllo, says
the Mititrt' Journal, Wdlked, on Toesday of
last wi-ck, to tbe Post Office io Schuylkill
Iluvcn and back, lo one bonr and fifty-fivtv.
minutes. Distance, eight miles. Time spot-,
ified, two hours. Wager, 10. fie eatue la
winner, with five minutes to spare. Very
good walking for an. amateur pedestrian.
Tbe excitement was quito lively at tba ter
mination of tbe last mile heat, eliciting aw
smile.
WlM ARIl'd HOTF.I.,
Washington, Di e. 8th, ISo
The Philadelphia Ledger terms in
graphic despttthej ' merisetrpet."
telle
GiT Coal Sistpr. Mr. Jacob Gass, of
Trcvortou, in this county, has invented a
machino for separating sluto from coal, which
is described by tbe bcientiie American aa
follows :
4 Tbis machine accomplishes that which b
heretofore been (lone by baud labnr, Tit., th
separation of slute from coal. The slotted
cylinder allows the oblong pieces of slate to
escape ; tbo hoveled ribs insure the escape
of lli-i same, by preventing their motion, and
causing them to ussume a vertical position;
aud tbe checkered grating allows the slstod
coal lo escape without any slate whatever
passiug off Willi it."
sse s
ty A h tub in KinroR Gone. Uguanti W,
Weaver, editor of Ihe '-Slur uf (he iVartiV,'
which paper ho published for nearly ten years,
in the town of Bioomsburg, Columbia county,
died of consumption, on Wednesday, tbe 2nd
iust., aged abont 35 years.
TUS TOCKEBMAN MAIL RoiiUERI Cahb.-
Tho Boston Journal, alluding to the alleged
robburies of the mail by Tuckerman,says tba
statemeut that be confessed the crime (t
untrue:
Ha bas made some acknowledgements to
Mr. Holbrook, the mail ageut, but what these
may be are locked ap ia the possession of the)
Goveruinent.
" One important item of proof against tha
prisoner is furnished by testimony of Tuck,
erman's office boy, who states that, on on
occasion, on entering tha office, be saw bia
employer im plying a mail bag and burning
letters as fast as be glanced at them. ' Tha
boy merely remarked to Mr. Tuckerman thai
be seemed to have a large mail, and tbe latter
made no reply. Tbe boy thought nothing
further of the matter notil ho saw Mr. Tucker
man's arrest mentioned in tba newspapers,
hen be made this fact known to Mr. Iloyt,
the Superintendent of the New York au4
New Haven Kailroad.
"Tbe proof of the prisoner's guilt II deemed
ooiireiy conclusive out tne story mat a coan
terfeil bill was found io bis carpet bag, or
thut he bad $500 on tbe Lee Bunk is uutroe.
He had bat little money with bim, and but
few letteis. In bis room at Florence's Hotel
were foand other eviJeocee of supposed
guilt though what they are tha Government
will not divulge, but it appears that tha ar
rest was made uot a moment to aoon, at
Tuckerman had ordered bit bill made out nr
to tbt Monday following tbe arrest, and b,
doubtless iuteuded to leave tt once for other
grounds."
Sacsaom Matji or Horrb Fiesn Two
men, named Hodman and Dunn, were arrested
in Philadelphia last week, and bound over to
appear at Court, for the manufacture tnd salt
nf Bologna sausages made of korn jitik !
From the teslimonv it appears that the mi
: wa mt from th iileinrshiiuTilex if.etm1.
Jrr being na.l Ibe iiieri-n as ftr,1. , fcfh fe ,.J a,p rlfsea..
This city is crowded, as usual at the com
mencement of every session, wilh politicians,
borers, and hungry expectants for office. 1
arrived here, from Philadelphia, yesterday
morning at C o'clock, nnd wilb a large num.
bor of others, was unable to get a room at
any of the Hotels. I was, however, enetalled
last night iuto a very good room as on rspe-1
cial favor. The bad reputo and consequent
breaking up of the National Hotel has thrown
a large surplus into the other bouses. Tbe
Natioual bas, however, been renovated,
cleansed out and painted, and is now almost
ready for guests. It is said that soma three
hundred cart loads of dirt and filth were
taken from the cellar und basements. The
rooms now smell sweet enongh, which is more
than can be said of tbe street in the neigh
borhood. The Hotels io Washington were
never noted for cleanliness, nor fer the ex
cellence of their tables. Grease is an impor-
portant element in the preparation of their
dishes and that not always cf tbt most
savory character.
Congress organized to-day by tne election
of Mr. Orr, of South Carolina, as Speaker, a
result which was generally expected. He j.
a gentleman of superior abilities, and bis
views ou slavery are less ultra and net so
obnoxious to the North as those of most of
Southern politicians. The great bone of con
tentico was tht election of printer to tbt
House, tbt mest profitable, although not tbt 1
roost distinguished position In the gift of tbt
government.
Tbe printing ef Congr is enormous, the pre.
fit for en term or session alone baa been esti.
mated as high a two hundted thousand dollar.
Tbe caucu postponed tb nomination until this
evening, when Blesdmin of Ohio, formerly of
Northumberland County, wa nominated, by
uniting with the frirnda of .Dank of Virginia,
who, with t number of others will, no deubt,
share the spoil. Yetrdy the President sent
into tbe Senate, the name ef (jeuiral Bowman,
late ef the Bedford Gasett. for th office ef (Su
perintendent of Ihe Public trinting. Mr. Uigler
moved to bve th nomination cnnflimed. Oh-