5y
mertiitt-
NEW SEMES, VOL. 10, NO. 39.
SUNBUIlY, NOltTIIUMBERLAND COUNTY, PA. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1857.
OLD SERIES, VOL- IS. NO-13
The Sunfcury American.
PUBLISHED EVERT f ATt'KDAT
BY II. B. MASSER,
Market Square, Sunlury, Penna.
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION.
TWO DOLLARS rer iinniim to bo paid half yenriy in
rdvarc. No paper ilicoi,linued unlil all airei.gw aie
''A1ienmmunlr.tlon. or letter. . ' r" ,n
lie oifu-, to in.uie mention, mu.t l 1 OS I Aiv,
TO CLUBS.
Thro copies to one addioaa, "(8
Seven " 2(M,0
Fifteen U" Uo , ,
FWc dollar. In ..Irene, will pay for thie. y.at'..ub
a.riptionto the Ametic.n.
Ud to do this under the l'ust Office L.w.
- , r. aa 1 ' A
T K RMS OF AM""1""
Onrfqn--- of IS lines, 3 time.,
f.v,x- owi. tri't. iii'eilion,
One S'Uiaie, uir-sth.,
ia m'Mith.,
rwies. Card, of Five tinea. r n
Xh., t. and other., .dve,t,Bn? by h.
61
4s
3H
II"
3l)i)
year, with the privilege oi i- s ,prin
aiflrent dvrriwernenti. wW . ,,,,,
ly Laurel Advemeemem..- i- -
JOB
PRINTING
,,nr ert-il-liMmem
. wel
W .J h,rh iH u. to execute
' IS u..tc,t .lili. nr variety of pruning.
. t t n n N R Y AT
L A Vv
ft 1 1 u
,,i.l to in the Counties of Nor
.i.SnTnion, Lycoming Mon.m
Jolumbia. .
reference in PUhwclpha .
nJ
l.ixi, Smith & Co.
timers Jt Snoda-ras",
LOCUST HOTOTAIH COLx-IEt
surinuoii vniiTE ash
ANTHRACITE COA,
Crom the Mammoth Win. for Pun, ,t., found
ties, Steamboats and aiiul 11-c,
"- "TO Tr Tf
1 ': ' b;ilL3
CABMkL.Nour.iiMBiiiii.tsi) Covsr!,
SIZES OF COAL.
LUMP, for liUst Furnaces and Cupolas,
STEAMBOAT, for Steamboats, Hot Si.
Furnaces and Steam.
UltOKEN, ) por (jtm, Stoves anJStrc.
STOVE, For Stoves, Steam and burning
PEA,' for Limeburners and making Steam.
Order, received ut Ml. C.rmel or W .urn
Kclaud Wharf, will recelv,.ro,rt-tlenlion.
V. j'.' lewis
WILLIAM Ml'Ii'..
May 3, 1S5G. tf
rniX-ADEI. E.IA
Wood (SJotTiilisfft' JEHI,
U'tVioie: 'f;f :?" TwdJ'th, AVf' ';V.
TPtrO in, D I N G S Suitable for Carpenters
iV'I tiuilderv Cabinet and Frame Makers
Cvorked fiom thfl best and thorouBlily seasoned
material, alway. on band. Any pattern work
ed from a drawing. .
The subsrribcr having purchased llie eiv.rc
interest, will continue tlic business with incrt-a-i.d
facilities. ....
Agenta wanted in llie various towns in tliii
portion ol the .State, to wliom ojiportunitii's v. ill
l a offered lor large prmiif io uicnm .
n 1 1.' I V I ! I
KAMl'Kl.
B. I1EXKV.
July 11, 18i7. !
lilt
2'.o
NE"W STORE.
ELIAS EMERICH,
I feSrSCTKULLY informs the ntiz.rln ot
ia, of Lower Augtuta lownanip
hc gei.erallyi t.nt he has purctiafo me nm
lately kep! t7 Isaac Mart?., in Lower Augusta
town.liip lit ar Kmerifh't iavcrn, ad lias just
oprucj a splendid itork of
rnlinnd Winter GOODS.
Hi stock eonaUt. of Cloth., Coimcrefl, Cutn.
iii ttof all kinds, linen, cotton and Worsted.
Also, Calicoes, Ginghams Lawns, Mousseline
Je L.ine. and all kinds of l.adie. Dresa Hoods.
(iROCi:Kli:s, Ha dware, Qucensware of va
ious style, and pmitriis. ...
Also, an assortment of Ready-Mad" Clothing
f all descriptions, Hoots and Shoe., iat. and
:p.. SAW FISH. &c, and a variety of
ther article, such a. .re suitable to the trade,
II .,f l,l, h will e .old at the lowest price..
its- Countrv Droduce taken in exchange
at
te highest market prices.
Lower Augusta twp., October 10, ISo.. U.
P.1TEXT WHEEL. GUEASE.
r.r.o.e is recommended to the notice of
L W. goners. Livery Stabl" keepers, &c, a.
: tn anvtliinir of the kind ever in-
.i.,wl. A.ii does not cum upon the axle.
i. mora durable, and is not allVrted by
. atlier. reniaininir the same in summer af
winter, and put up in tin canisters at 37 J and
i cent., for .lie by
V lil'
...urcii -7.
3tXJSIO 1 MUSIC 1
TR. 0 KIMBALL, lat. of Elmira, having
H become a resident of Sunbury, respectfully
forma the cilixen. and other., that he intends
form a Singing Cltiss, both secular anJ .acred
id will impart instruction to all who may desire
, place themselves under hi. charge.
iC- Mr n. Kimliall i. urenared to Rive
. f.-u! more nuuil. on the Piano
ale. .
Sunbury, Septcmher 19, 1 857. tt
'he $10 and $15 Singlo and3 Double
Threaded Empire jfamuy ewiuS
Machines.
t inrvw ti, ih sale of these Sewing
Machine, can l iwcured on lilwral terms for
.County of Northumberland. No one need
ply without capital .utlicient to conduct the
iiiteM properly .nd who cannot bring rel.r
. .. to reliability and capacity. A personal
dication will be necessary
Ihe peculiar adaptation nl U.es. ftiae.uu ,u,
I i K uKrra ever
1 J . . V ,
purpose. .11.1 ' , " . nriil
y are oiiereu iur a,o
, r
tVllllit"" J
imited demand. , (,Ann . , T
JOHNSON 4; OOODLL.
K. Comer of fitlt and Arch fcw., Puiladel a.
kagust 15, X857. tf
I1L.&XKS! KLAXKS!
LANK Deed., Mortgage., Bond., Warrant
,i..i.mnii ComruilinenU, Kummon., SU'
i-...,in. Jnatire.' and Constable.
Bill., &c, 4c.,cn be bad by applying at
tfice.
nunl Pl-M PAINTS. These pamt.aa
mixed with water, thereby aaving the cost
fnraalebv ... -
f 14 .'7. v HfHTR.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
CONCLUSION.
In cxpressiug this opiuion it was far from
my intention to interfere with the decision of
the peoplo of Kansas, either for or against
slavery. From this I littve nlwoys carefully
abstained. Intrusted with tlio duty of taking
"cure that the laws be faithfully e.rernted,"
my only desire was that the people of Kansas
should furnish to Congress the evidence re
quired by the orgnnic oct, whether for or
ngainst slavery j and in this manner smooth
their pussage into the Union. In emerging
from the condition of territorial dependence
into that of a sovereign State, it was their
duty, in my opinion, to make known their will
by the votes of tlio majority, on thn direct
question whethrr this important domestic
institution Bliould or should not continue to
exist. Indeed, this was the only possible
mode in which their will could bo authenti
cally ascertained.
The election of delegates to a convention
most necessarily take place in separate dis
tricts. From this cause it tuny readily hap
pen, as has often been tho cuse, that a major
ity of the people of State or Territory are on
one side of a question! whilst a majority of
the representatives from the several districts
into which it is divided may be upon the
other side. This arises from the fact that in
omo districts delegates may be elected by
small majorities, whilst io others those of
different sentiments may receive majorities
sufficiently great, not only to overcome the
votes given lor tho former, lint to leave n
majority of the whole people in direct opposi
tion to a inujoiily of tho delegates. liesiHes,
our history proves that influences may bo
brought to bear on the representative sufli
ciently powerful to imlnco him to disregard
the will of his constituents. The truth is,
that n other authentic r.nd satisfactory mode
exists of ascertaining the will of n majority of
the people of any State or Territory" on an
important and exciting question liko thut of
sluvery in Kunas, except by leaving it to n
direct voto. Jlow wise, then, was it fer Con
gress to pass over ut I subordinate and inter
mediate agencies, and proceed directly to the
source of all legitimate power tniuer our
I 'restitutions.
i How vain wcr.l J any oilier principle prove
i in practice. This may bo illustrated by tho
cuse ol Kansas, f-jhouid she bo admit ted
into the L'uion, with u constitution either
maintaining or abolishing slavery, against tho
?entiment of thn people, this could have no
other i fleet thai: to continue and to exaspe
rate the exciting ngitaticn during the brief
period required to nutko the constitution con
form to tho irresistible will ol the majority.
The frie':do arid supporters of the Nebras
ka end Kaucus ret, when struggling on &
recent occp.sion to sustain its wise provisions
before the prcct tribunal cf the Auiericun
peoplo, never ilifTured about its true meaning
on this subject. Everywhere throughout the
Union they publicly pledged their faith and
their honor, that they would cheerfully sub
mit the ques'ion ol'slnvery to the decisiou of
the liinajiilf people of Kuiisa, without any
restriction or qualification whatever. All
were cordiully united upon the great doctrine
of popular sovereignty, which is the vital
principle of our free institutions. Had it
then been insinuated from any quarter that
it would be a sufficient compliance with the
requisitions for the organic law for the mem
bers of a convention, thereafter to be elected,
to withhold the question of sluvery from th
people, and to substitute their own will for
that of a legally ascertained majority of all
their constituents, this would have been
instautly rejected. Everywhere they re
mained true to the resolution adopted on a
celebrated occasion recognising "the right of
the peopls or all the Territories including
Kansas and Nebraska acting through tho
legally and fairly expressed will of a majority
of actual residents, uiid whenever the number
of their inhabitants justifies it. to form a con
stitution, with or without slavery, and be
admitted into the L'uion upon term's of per
fect equality with the other States.
The convention to frame a constitution for
Kansas met on tho frst Monday of Septem
ber last.They were culled together by
virtue of an act of the territorial legislature,
whoso lawful existence had been recoguized
by Congress in different forms and by differ
ent enactments. A large proportion of the
citizens of Kansas thd not think proper to
register their names and to vote at the elec
tion, for delegatus ; but an opportunity to do
this having been fairly afforded, their reTusul
to avail themselves of their right could in no
manner uflect the legality of the couveution.
.This convention proceeded to frame a
constitution for Kunsus; and finally adjourned
on the Tlh day of November. Dut little
difiiculty occurred iu the convention, except
on the subject of sluvery. Tho truth is that
the general provisions of our recent State
constitutions are so similar aud, I may add,
so excellent that the difference between
them is not essential. Uuder the earlier
practico of tho Uuverunient, no constitution
framed by the convention of a Territory pre
puratory to its admission into the Uuiou us a
State had been submitted to the people. I
trust, however, the example set by the last
Congress, requiring that the Constitution of
j Minnesota "should bosubject to u zm-
val aud ratiCcatioo of the people of the pro
posed State, may bo lollowed ou tuture occa
sions. i took it for granted that the conven-
tiou of Kansas would actio accordance wilu
this example, founded, as it is, on correct
principles; and Hence my instructions to
Gov. Walker, iu favor of submitting the con
stitution to the people, were expressed ia
general and unqualified terms.
10 tne ivaosjs ixeurusua uui, nowuver, iuis
requirement, as applicable to the whole con
stitution, had not been inserted, and tne con.
vuntion were not bouni by its terms to sub
mil any other portion of the instrument to an
election, except that which relates to the
"domestic institution" of slavery. This will
be rendered clear by a simple reference to
its lansuutre. It was "not to legislate slavery
into any Territory or State, nor to exclude it
therol'roin, but to leave the people thereof
perfectly free to form and regulute their dO'
mestic institutions in their own way." Ac
cording to the plain construction of the sen-
tence, tue worus ' uomusuc institutions nav.
a direct as they have an appropriate referouce
to slavery. "llomestio institutions," are
limited to the family. The relution between
ma ster and s'avu and a few others are "insti
tulions." and are entirely distitict from insti
tutions of a political character, besides
there was do question then before the people
of Kao.as or the country, except that which
relutus to the "domestic Institution of tla
ver?.
The convention, after an angry and excited
debute, liually determined by a majority of
two, to submit tne question ot slavery io xue
people, though ut the lust, forty-three of the
lifty delegates present ullixed their signatures
111 I lid CtlllBtitUliOU.
A largo majority of the convention wero',io
rur.-vr nf istiilisi.ini! slavery in Kausus.
Tha accordinulv asserted an article in the
Constitution (or this purpose similar io lorns
to those which bad been adopted by other
territorial Conventions. Io the schedule,
however, providing for the transition from a
territorial to a State government, the ques
tion has been fairly and explicitly referred to
the people, whether they will have a consti
tution "with or without slavery." It doclares
that, before the constitution adopted by the
convention, "shall be sent to Congress for
admission into the Union as a State," an
election shall be held to decide Ibis question,
at which all tho white male inhabitants of tho
Territory above the age of 2 1 are entitled to
voto. They are to vote by ballot ; and "the
ballots cast at said election shall be endorsed
"constitution with slavery," and "constitution
with iio slavery.' " If there be a mnjority in
favor of the "constitution with slavery," then
it is to be transmitted to Congress by the
President of the Convention in its original
for"1-
If on the contrary, there shall be a mnjority
in favor of tho "constitution with no slavery,"
then the articles providing for slavery shall
be stricken from the constitution by the pre
sident of this convention ; and it is expressly
declared "no slavery shall exist in the Stale
of Kansas, except that the right of property
in slaves now in the Territory shall in no
manner be interfered with j and in that event
it is made his duty to havo the constitution
thus ratified transmitted to the Congress of
the United States for the ndmissiou of the
State into the Union.
At this election every citizen will havo ah
ouportunity of expressing his opinion by his
vote, "whether Kansas shall be received into
the Union with or without slavery," and thus
this exciting question may be peacefully
settled in the very mode required by the or
ganic law. The election will bo held under
legitimate authority, and if any portion of the
inhabitants shall refuse to vote, n Tuir oppor
tunity to do so having been presented, this
will bo their own voluntary uct, and they
alone will be responsible for the consequences.
Whether Kansas shall be a free or a slave
State must eventually, tinder some authority,
bo decided by an election ; and the question
can never be more clearly or distinctly pre
sented to tho people than it is at the present
moment. Should this opportunity be rejected,
the mny l,o involved fur yeurs in domestic
discord, and possibly in civil war, before she
can pguin make up the issue now so fortu
nately tendered, and ugain reach the point
she has r.lrcady attained.
Kunsus has for some years occupied too
much of the public ultention. It is high
time this should ba directed to fur more im-
portaut objects. U ben cine admitted into
the Union, whether wilh or without slaverv, '
.i . . . ..
tlio excitement bevoild lier own limits Will '
speedily pass away" and she will then for the j
first time be left, "us she ought to have been j
loug since, to munage her own aflairs in her I
own wmv. if lipr rnnKii-nii,,,, nn i h onl, !,.,!
of slaverr or nnv other Riibh.er hn .lisi,l..,in.r '
to a majority ot tlio peopt
iple, no" humun power '
i changing it Uuin j
these circumstances, i
cau prevent lliem Iroin
n lirit.f i.nriit.l !"n,l ll.i.un
it may well bo questioned whether the peace
and quiet of the whole country are lot cf ;
greater importance than the mere temporary i
f i , ,i r , . , ! J .
triumph of either of tho political parties in ,
ansas. I
1.7 . . . fii '
"""l"1". '7 '""J""'.'.
rights ot property in slaves now in tho lorn- T,eir present number is already corsu'erable, and
tory are reserved 1 he number of these is j, rn.li(iiv increasing, notwiihstanding the di.ud
yery small ; but if it were greater the provis- . va ' unJ,.r wllich ,llcy ubor. n9tsue the
ion wou.d be equally just ami reasonable. I ,,ri).101M.j Territory u behcveJ to he rich in nun
i heso slaves were brought into the 1'erritory erttl alJ agricultural resource, especially in ail
under the constitution of the Uuitod States, , ver ailll to,,.,er. The mails of the United States
and are now tho property of their masters. to California arc now carried over it tlioughout
1 ins point bus at length been nnully Ueci- '
ded by the highest judicial tribunal of the
country ami iuis upon me piaiu principle
that when a confederacy of sovereign Slates
acquire a new territory at their joint expeuse.
both equality end justice demand that the
citizens of one and all of them shall Lavo the 1
right to take into it whatsoever is'rccogni.ed 1
as property by tho common constitution. To !
have summarily copHscated the property iu j
slaves already in the Territory, would have J
oecii an uci or gross urjus.ice, uuu coiurary
to the practice of thu older States ot the i
Union which have abolished blavery.
A territorial government was established ;
for Utah Wy oct of Congress upproved the
9th of September, 1850, aud Constitution und
lows of the United States were thereby ex
tended over it "so far as tho same, or any
provisions thereof, may be applicable." This
art provided for tho appointment by tho
President, by and with the udvice and consent
of the Senate; cf a governor, who was to be
ex-oflicio superintendent of Indian A Hairs, a
Secretary, threo Judges of the Supreme
Court, a Marshal, aud a District Attorney.
Subsequent acts provided fur the appoint
ment of the officers necessary to extend our
laud uud our Indian system over the Terri
tory. itrigham Young was appointed Governor
on the Will of September, 1850, and has held
the oQlce ever since. Whilst Governor Young
has boeti both Governor aud Superintendent
of Indian aflairs throughout tins period, ho
has been at the same timo at the head of the
church, called the Latter Iay Saints, and
professes to govern its menib73 ftDrj dispo;
"I., rrt,l'ur'; y direct insp-.ia.10n and
ut.doriiy iruui mf .5uiy. uis power uas
been, therefore, absolute over both Church
and State.
Tho peoplo of Utah, almost exclusively,
belong to this church, aud believing with a
fauaticul spirit that be is governor of the
Territory by d,vine appointment, they obey
his commands as if they were direct ievu.
tious from Heaven. It, therefore, he chose.
that his government shall come into collision
with the government of the Uuited Status,
tho members of the Mormon -l.liurtu win
ield implicit obedience to his will.
Uulortunutely, existing facts leuve but lit
tle doubt that kuch is his determination.
Without entering upon a minute history of
occurrences, it is sufficient to say that ull the
ofliuersot the Uuitod States, judicial ana ex
ecutive, with the single exception of two In
dian agents, have found it unnecessary lot
tbeir own personal salety to wutiaraw irom
the Territory, una mere uo longer reiunius
any government in Utah but the despotism
0 isiigbam xouog. iuis oeiug iuo couui
tion affairs iu the Territory, 1 could not mis
take the path of duty. A Chief Executive
Mar strule. 1 was bound to restore iuo u.in
macy of the constitution and laws withiu its
limits. Io order to effect this purpose, 1 ap-
n,,i,ited a now tiuveruor and other loUMral
..rr.rers for Utah, and sent with thuiu a milila
r ra for their protection, and to aid as a
,,osse commilatu$, iu case of need, in the exe-
vuwuu - - . . . ,
With the religious opinions oi me mormon.
. tliev remained mere opinions, bow-
ever deplorable iu themselves uud revolting
.i,. w,rl niul reliirious sentiments of all
Christendom, 1 had no right to interfere.
Aetious alone, when in violation of tbe con.
.,,! la nf tha Uuited States, be-
cma tha leaitimate subjects for the jurisdio
tioo ef the civil magistrate. My instructions
to Governor Cumuiing have theieiore been
framed in strict accordance wiiu ioe pnu
ciples. At their date a hope was indulged
that no necessity might exist for employing
the military in restoring sod maintaining the
authority of the law ; but this hope has now
vanished. Cor. Young has by proclamation,
declared his determination to maintain his
power by force, and has alroady committed
acts of hostility agaiust the United States.
Unless he should retrace his steps the Terri
tory of Utah will be in a state of rebellion.
lie has committed these acts of hostility not
withstanding Major Van Vliet, an officer Of ;
the army, sent to Utah by the commanding
general to purchase provisions for the troopa
had given bun the strongest assurances of
the peaceful intentions of tho government,
and that the troops would only be employed
as a posse commilatut when called on by the
civil uulhority to aid in the execution of the
laws.
There ia reason to believe that Gov. Young
haa long contemplated the result. He know,
that the continuance nf his despotic power de
pend, upon the exclusion of all settlers lrom the
1 crritory except those who will acknowledge his live dollars aud forty-bve cents, ($l!i,9ul,Jl!,,
divine mission and implicitly obey hi. will ; and j 45,) remaining in the treasury at tho com-
:ii,:u,M,.-iii.-u puiri'b i'u,iuii mtio i.uuiu .
soon poMrate institution, at war with the laws
of both tiod and man. He has, therefore, for
several years, in order to maintuiii hi. indepen
dence, been industriously employed in collecting
and fabricating arms and munition, of war, arid
in disciplining the Mormon, for military service.
A. Superintendent of Indian Affairs, he hn. had
an opportunity ef tampering with the Indir.n
tribes, and exciting their hostilo feelings against
tho United States. This, according to our infor
mation, he ha. accomplished in regard to some
of these tribes, while other, have remained true
to their allegiance, and have communicated hi.
intrigue, to our Indian Agents. He has laid in
a .tore of provision, f.r three years, which, in
ene of necessity, a. he informed Major Van
Vliet, ho will con real "and then take to the
mountains, and bid defiance to all the powers of
government."
A great part of this may be idle boasting ; hut
yet no wise government will lightly estimate the
eil'orts which may be inspired by such frensied
fanaticism as exists among the Mormons of
Utah. This is the first rebellion which has exis
ted in our Territories ; and humauily itself re
quire, thal'we should put it down in such a man
ner that it'slull be the last. To trille with it
would be to encournge it and render it formida
ble. We ought to go there with such an impos
ing force as to convince these deluded people
that resistance would I e vain, and thus spare the
elfusion of blood. We can in this manner best
Convince them th.it we arc their friends, not their
enemies. In order to accomplish this ohject it
will le necessarv, according to the estimate of
the ar Department, to raise four additional rc-
... ...,., ., I .
B'nieius j aim mn i carwnij recuiiiuisuu io
Congress. At the present moment of depressior
revenues of the country I am sorry to be
obliged to recommend such a measure j hut I led
confident of the support ol Congress, cost what
i may, in suppressing the insurrection, and iu
'"""'"8 al'd maintaining the sovereignty
,muUon ttnJ Uvf otcr ,Lo lerr"
,'t,) ... . . . . ,. ,
of the
erritory of
1 rteommeni to Congress the establishment of
'erritonal government over Ar,ton,a, .nc..rpor-
l,n ,lh :l "uch I,0'VUIJ8 "
they may deem exiedicnt. I need scarcely ad-
tJg ulncnU in iu,,port of tlli, rcCoenda.
tion. We are bound to protect the live, and
P'Prty " our citirens inhabiting Aritonia, and
. n ihi.nt rll r snt nr.llerl on
ilg wl0)e t.xtent, auJ this route is known to he
,i,- believed to bo thu besi to the
Pacific.
Long
experience ha. deeply convinced me
j lUHi a BtllLfc lUllSUUtWUll UI ,11V fUOTCIO lll.cu
to tongress is tlie only true, as wen us ine only
safe theory nf the Constitution. Whilst this
piincipal shall guide my public conduct, I consid
er it clear that under the war-making power,
Conirress may appropriate money for the con-
atruclion of a military road through the Territo-
ries oi llie liiiiuu cumes agiui luicigu invasion
The constitution has conlerred upon Congress
power to "declare war," "to raise and support
uruiies," 'to provide end uiuiutuiu a nuvy, 'aud
to cull forth the militia to repel invasions
These high foreign powers necessarily iuvolre
important and responsible public duties, aud
among them there is none so sacred and so
imperative as thut of preserving our soil from
tho invasion of a foreign ouemy. The consti
tution has, therefore, left nothing on this point
to construction, but expressly requires that
the "United States shall protect each ol
them the States against iuvaaiun." Now,
if a military road over our own Territories be
indispeusubly uecessury to euable us to meet
and repell the invader, it follows as a neces
sary consequence not only that we possess
the power, but it is our imperative duty to
construct such a road. It would be ao ab
surdity to invest a government with the
limited power to make and condue BDj
Bl lUS HUUlO UUJB uenv LU II
my luo means or
reacuing ami oeiea'-
the enemy ot the
frontier. W"' .
eride-; w, cunot ..protect" California and
our lVac:fic possessions '-against iuvusion."
We cannot by any other means transport
men and munitions of war from the Atlantic
States in suQicieut time successfully to de
fend those remote and distant portions of
the republic.
Experience has proved that the routes
across tbe isthmur, of Central America ore
at best but a very uncertain and unreliable
mode ot communication, liut even ii iuis
were the case, they would at once be closed
Against us in tho event ol war witn a naval
powr so much stronger than our owu us to
enable it to blockade the ports ut either eud
of tuese routes. Alter ull, therefore, we can
ouly rely a military road through our
owu territories, un(j evdr sjuCe the oriuin of
iuo b-uveiuuieui, v;011(,regs has been m the
practice of appropnu, U)0 from tl)e
public treasury lor tue CoPUClion 0, guch
roads. . .
Tbe difficulties and the expeuse oi .nn
structing a military railroad to connect our
Atlautic tt'i'i l'aciac Slates, have beeu great
ly exaggerated. The distance on the Arizo
na route near tne 3d parallel oi noi tu iuti
tude, between the western boundary of Tex
as on tha Kio Grande and the eastern boun
dary of California on tbe Colorado, from the
best explorations now within our knowledge,
does not exceed four hundred and seveuty
miles, and the face of the couutry is, iu the
main, favorable. For obvious reasons the
government ought not to undertake the work
itself by means of its own agents. This
ought to be committed to other agescios,
which Congress might assist eilber'by grants
of land or money, or both, npon such terms
cooditioos as they may deem most beneficial
for tbe country. Provision might thus be
made Bot ouly lor the safe, rapid and econo.
mical transportation of troops aud munitions
of war. but also of tbe public mails. The
commercial interests of the whole .country,
both East and West, would be greatly pro
a road : and. above all, it
would be a powerful eddikiooal bend of union
And although advantages of this kind, whe
ther postal, commercial, or poiticul cannot
CobTur constitutional power, yet they may
furnish auxiliary arguments in favor of expe
diting a work which, in my judgment, is clear
ly embraced withiu the war making power.
, For these reasons 1 commend to tho friend
ly consideration of Coiigress.tho subject of
the l'acilic railroad, without finally commit
ting myself to any particular route.
iieit-iuri ui lue oecreiury 01 lue ireasu
ry will furnish a detailed eiutenient of the
condition of the public finances and of the
respective brunches of the public service de
volved npon that department of the govern
Dient. Hy this report it appears thut the
amount of revenue received from all sources
into the treasury during the fiscal year ending
the 30th af June, 1857, was Bixty eight mil
lions six hundred and thirty one thousand five
hundred and thirteen dollars and sixty seven
cents, SGH.Go-1,6 13,1m.) which umount, with
me oaiauce ol nineteen million nine hundred
and one thousand three hundred and twenty
luciivvuicui Ul VilU VUr, IllllUC 1111 BejjrCgUlB
lor tne service of the year ol eighty-eight mil
lion five hundred and thirty-two thousand
eight hundred and thirty-time dollars and
twelve cents,(S8a,532,83y 12.)
The public expenditures for the Gscal year
ending 3Utb June lH.'iii, amounted to seventy
million eight million eight hundred aud twen
ty two Bhousand seveu hundred and tnenly
four dollars and eighty-five cents, (gTu.wi,
Tl rjj,) of which live million nine hundred
and forty-three thousuud eight hundred and
ninety six dollars and ninety-cue cents (r,
)i'3,HM 111) were applied to the redemption
of the ptiulx debt, iucluding interest and
premium, leaviug in the treasury at the com
menceuient of the preseUt year ou tho 1st July
1857, seventeen million seveu hundred ana
ten thousand one hundred and fourteen dol
larsaudtweuty-seven cents, (S17,71t),114 '21).
The receipts into the treasury for the first
quarter of the present Uscnl year, commen
cing first July, 1607, were twenty million
nine hundred and twenty nine thousand eight
liuuiired aud nineteen dollars and eighty-one hnnced to those who desire to purchase for
ceHs, (Sau.yii'J.cUa bl,l and thu estimated actual settlement. In order to limit the area
receipts of the remaining three-quarters to ol speculation as much as possible, the ex
tbu iiiJlh ol Juue, lS.iS, are thirty-six uulliou ; Unction of tho Indian title and the extension
seveu hundred and lilty thousand dollars, ! of the public surveys ought only to keep race
i'tr. r'.ll mill I in..t.t ...ik .1.. I 1 u.. r . rI
iv"", ,wv,wv,; iiiuiwug nnu mu uuiuuee uo-
loro stulep au uggiegute of seventy-live mil
lion three UuudieO aud eighty-nine thousand
tune hundred and thu ty-fjur dollurs aud eight
cents, l5?73,3b'J,',)31 OS,) for the service of the
pjcsenl fiscal year.
The actual expenditure during the first
quarter of tho preseut liscul year were twenty-three
millious seven hundred and fourteen
tuousaud five hundred and twenty eight dol
lars uud thirty-seven cents, (23,714.028 37)
ol which three million eight hundred aud
uiuety-tive thousuud two hundred uud thirty
two dollars uud thirty-nine cents, ($3,b'J0,232
31',) were applied to the redemption of thu
public debt, includiug interest uud premium.
l lie pcobuble expenditures ol the luuiuining
three quarters to 30th of June, lbob, uro fifty
one uulliou two hundred and forty-eight thou
sand five bundled and thirty dollars and tour
ceuts, (;")l,24H,j30 04,) iucluding interest ou
tbe public debt, making uud aggregate of
seventy-lour million nine hundred uud sixty
three tuousaud fifty-eight dollurs and forty
one cents, (74,'J0;,0;)1 41,) leaving an esti
mated balance iu the treasury at thu cioee of
the preseut fiscal year of lour hundred and
tweuly-six thousuud eight hundred uud seven
ty five dollars uud sixty seven ceuts ($42G,
oib 07.
The amount of the public debt at the com
mencement of the preseut fiscal year was
iweuty ijitie millions Bixty thousuud three
hundred uud eighty-six dollars aud ninety
ceuls (SJ'J.OuO.beo yo.)
'J lie uutuuut redeemed since the 1st of July
was three pillion eight hundred und ninety
five thousuud two hundred und thirty-two
dollars und thirly-uiue ceuts (S3,H,J;"i,'J32 4'.t)
leaving a balance unredeemed at this time ol
twenty five oiilliou one hundred und sixty-five
thousuud one buudrud und fil'ty-fuur dollurs
uud titty one cents (S25,105,1.'j4 51.)
The uaiouul ol estimated expenditures for
thu remaining three quarters ol the present
fiscal year will, in all probability, be increased
lioui the causes set lorth iu toe Secretary's
report. His suggestion, therefore, that uu
tnorily should be giveu to supply auy tempo
rary ueficieucy by the issue ut u limited umount
ut neusury Holes, is upproved, und 1 accord
ingly recommend thepussuge of such a law.
As stated iu the report of tho Secretary,
the tuntf of March 3, ib07, bus been in ope
ration fur so short a period of time, and unrk
ciicumstauces so uuluvorublu to a ju jt rjevo'l
opiiieul ol its results as a revyuUe Pleasure
tuat 1 should regard a3 iuexpedieut, at
least ior the preset, to uudertake its revi-!
sion.
1 transmit herewith tho reports made to
me by the Secretaries of ar uud of the
Nuvy, of tbe Interior und of the Postmaster
General. They all coutuin vuluuble uud im
portaut infoimutiuu uuJ suggestions which I
commeud to tbe favorable consideration of
CougresB.
1 uavo already recommended the raising of
four additiouul regiments, uud the report ol
the Secretary nf W ur presents strong reasons
pruviug this increase of the urmy, uuder ex
isting circumsluiices, to be indispensable.
1 would call the special attention of Con
gress to the recommendation of the Secretary
of the Navy in favor of the construction of
teu small war steamers of draught For some
years the government has been obliged on
occasious to lure such steamers from indivi
duals to supply its pressing wants. At the
present moment we have uo armed vessels in
tbe nuvy which can penetrate the rivers of
China. We have but few which can enter
au of the hurbors south of Norfolk, although
many millions of foreign und domestic com
merce anuuully pass iu uud out of these bar.
bors. Some of our most vuluable interests
und most vulueruble points ore thus left ex.
posed.
iuis Class oi vessels oi light draught,
S1 poeed and heavy guns, would be foruii
duble iu ist defence. The con of their
t-oustruction will not bo great, and they will
require but a comparatively small expendi-
of peace the7mi.m "' commission. In time
larger vessels, ami tn. --
of them should be at everJTW useful. One
maintain a sqadron, and three or lowre we
ha euustantly ou oar Atlantis and and Tab!
lie coasts. Economy, utility and efficiency
combine to recoinineud tbe in almost indis
pensable. Ten ol these small vessels wouiu
be incalculable auvaumge iu iua uavi ser
vice, aud the whole cust of their construction
would not exceed two millious three hundred
tbousaud dollars, or $230,000 each,
The report of the Secretary ef the Interior
If. waithy oi" grave consideration. Jt treats
tif tha numerous, .important, and diversified
tranches of domestic administration intrusted
to him by law. Among these, the most pro
mineut ara the public lands ; and our rela
tions with the Indians.
Our systerh for the disposal bf the public
Inods, originating with the futhers of the
republic; has been improved as experience
pointed the way, and gradually adapted to
the growth and settlement ol our western
States and Territories. It has werked well
in practice. Already thirteen States and
seten Territories have been carved out of
these lands) and still more than a thousand
millions of acres remain unsold. What a
boundless prospect this ptescnts to our coun
try of future prosperity and power 1
We have heretofore "disposed of 3C3.8C2,
464 acres of the public land.
Whilst the public lands as a sourco of re
venue are of great importance, their impor
tance is fur greater as furnishing homes for
a hardy end independent race of honest and
industrious citir.ens, who desire to subdue and
cullivute the soil They ought to bo admin
istered mainly with a view of promoting this
wise and benevolent policy, in appropria
ting them for ntiy other parpose, we ought to
use even greater economy than if they had
been converted into money and the proceeds
were already in the publio treasury. To
squander away this richest aud noblest inher
itance which any people have ever enjoyed
upon objects of doubtful constitutionality or
expediency, would bo to violate ono of the
most important trnsts ever committed to any
people.. Whilst I do not dsny to Congress
the power, when acting hona Jile as a proprie
tor, to give away portions of them lor tho
purpose of increasing the value of the remain
der, yet, considering the great temptation to
abuse this power, wo cannot be too cautious
in its exercise.
Actnat settlers under existing laws are
protected against other purchasers ht the
public rales, in their right of preemption, to
the extent of a quarter-section, or liil) acres
of land. The remainder may then be disposed
of at public or entered ut a private sales in
unlimited quantities.
Speculation has of late years prevailed to
a great extent iu the public lands. The con
sequence has been that largo portions of them
have become the property of individuals ond
companies aud thus the price is greatly en-
wiiu iuo iiue oi emigration.
If Congress should hereafter grant alter
nate sections to States or companies, as they
have done heretofore, 1 recommend that the
immediate sections tctaiued by the govern
ment should be subjpet by pre-emption to
uctual settlers.
It ought ever to be onr cardinal policy to
reserve tho public lauds as much ns mitnv be
for actual settlers, and this nt moderate prices
We shall thus not only best promote the pros
perity of the new States and Territories, and
tho power of the Union, bat shall secure
homes for our posterity for many generations.
The extension of our limits has brought
within our jurisdiction many additional and
populous tribes of Indians, a large portion of
which aro wild untractnble, and difficult to
control, l'redatory and warlike in their dis
position and habits, it is impossible altogether
to restain them from committing aggressions
on each othtir, as well as upon our frontier
citizens and those emigrating to our distant
States and Territories. Hence expensive
military expeditions are frequently necessary
to overawe aud chastise tho more lawless and
hostile.
Thu present pyslcm of making them valua
ble presents, to influence them to remain at
peace has proved ineffectual, It is believed
to be the better policy to colonize them in
suitable localities, where they can receive the
rudiments or education and be gradually in
duced to adopt habits of industry. So fur as
experiment has been tried it has worked well
in practice, and it will doubtless prove to be
lessexpensive than the present system.
The wholo number of Iudians within cur
territorial limits is believed to be, from tbe
best data iu the Interior department, above
325,000.
The tribes or Chero';ecs, Choctaws, Chick
asaws, and Creeks, settled in the territory set
apart for them west of Aarkatisas,' are rupid
ly advancing in educutiou and in all tho arts
of civilization and self-government; aud we
may indulge the agreable anticipation that at
no very distant day they will be incorporated
into the Union as one of the Jovereigu States.
It will be eeen fre,n tho report of the
Postmaster Oueral tbotthe Post Office De
partment, btill continues to depend on the
'I'rCasnry, as it has been compelled to do for
several years past, for an important portion
of the means of sustaining and extending its
operations. I coir rapid growth and expan
sions are shown by a decennial statement of
tbo number of post oCiccs, and (he length or
post roads, commencing with tho year 1827.
in that year there were (too post ottices ; in
1P37, 11,17"; in 1847. 15.14G; and in 1S57,
thi-y numbered 2G.586. In this year 1725
post olnces have been established and 704
discontinued, luaving a net increase of 1021.
Tho postmasters of 3Gd offices are appointed
by tho President.
The length of post ron,, r, c.o- ij;
33G miles in 1S37. 141,212 miles; in 1847,
153,816 miles; and iu the year 1857 thero oro
242,001 miles of post roa'd, iucluding 22,530
miles of ruilroad on whlib the biails urc
transported.
The expenditures of the department for
the fiscal year eudiog on the 30th June, li?57,
us adjusted by the Auditor amounted to
$ 11,51)7,070. To defruy these expenditures
there was to the credit of the department, on
the lsttf July 185" the sum of S780,f?y ;
the gross reveuue of the year including the
aouual allowances for the transportation of
free mail matter, produced 8.0."3 SM. and
the remainder was supplied by thu appropri
ation from the treasury of 2,230.000 granted
by the net of Cougress approved August ly
1856, and by the appropriuliou of gdiifi,883,
made by the act of March 3, 1857, leaving
252,703 to be carried to the credit of the de
partment iu the accounts of the enrrent year.
1 commend to your consideration the report
of the department in relation to the establish
ment of tho overland mail route from the
Mississippi river to San Francisro, Califor
nia. The route was selected with my full
concurrence as the one, in my judgment,
calculated to attain the iinportuut objects
contemplated by Congress.
. The late disastrous monetary revulsions
botnSu-e one good efiect should it cause
turn to the pniuo.cn t and the people to re-
economy both iu public gnu1)., and judicious
lures. ""ouui
Aa overflowing treasury has led to habits
of prodigality and extravagance in our legis
late. It has induced Cougress to make
larjt) appropriations to objects for which they
oefcr would have provided bud it beeu ne-
ce.ary vo raise tue amount oi reveuue re-quj-ed
to meet tbem by iucreased taxation or
Dfioaus. a are now compelled to paus in
oil career and to scrutinize oar eiDoiiditurr.
h tbe utmost vigilance ; and iu per forming
this duty, I pledge my co-operation to the ex
tent of my constitutional competency.
It ought to be observed at the same time
that true public economy does not coosist in
withholding the means necessary to accomi
plish important national objects intrusted to
us by tho constitution and especially such as
may be necessary for the common defence.
In the present crisis of the couutry it is our
duty to confine our appropriations to objects
of this character unless in cuses where justice
to individuals may demand a ditferent course.
In all cases care ought to be taken that tha
money granted by Congress sliull be faithfully
and economically applied.
Under the Federal Constitution, "every
bill which shall have passed tbo Houbo of
Representatives and the Senate shall, before
it becomes a law," be approved and signed by
the President ; and, if not approve, "he shall
return it with his objections to that house in
which it originated." Iu ordor to perform this
high and responsible duty, sufficient time
must be allowed tbo President to read and ex
amine every bill presented to him for approval.
Unless this be alforded, thto Constitution be
comes a dead letter in this particular; and
even worse, it becomes a means of deception.
Our constituents, seeing the President's ap
proval and signature attached to each act of
Congress, are induced to believe that he has
actually pe'rformed this duty, when in truth,
nothing is, in many cases moro unfounded.
From the practice of Congress, such an
examination of each bill as the constitution
requires, has been rendered impossible. The
most important business of each session is
generally crowded into its last hours, and the
alternative presented to the President is ei
ther to violate the constitutional duty which
he owes to the people, aud npprove bjlls which,
for want of timo it is impossible ho sh'otil'i
hu?e examined, or by his refusal to do this,
subject the country and individuals to great
loss and inconvenience.
Besides, a practice has grewn up of lata
years to legislate in appropriation bills, at tbe
last honrs of the session, ou new and impor
tant subjects. This practice constrains tho
President either to suffer measures to become
laws which he does not approve or to incur
the risk of stopping the wheels of the govern
ment by vetoing an appropriation bill. For
merly, such bills wero confined to specifio
appropriations for carrying into effect ex
isting laws and the well established policy of
the country, and little time was then required
by the Presideutfor their examination.
For my own part, I have deliberately deter
mined that shall approve no bill which 1 have
not examined, and it will te a case of ex
treme aud most urgent necessity which shall
ever induce mo to depart from this rule. 1
therefore respectfully; but earnestly, recom
mend that tho two houses will allow tue Presi
dent at leart two days previous to tho adjourn
ment of each session within which no bill shall
be presented to him for approval. Under
the existing joint rule one day is allowed;
but this rule has boou hitherto so constantly
suspended in practice, that important bills
continued to be presented to bim up till the
very last moments of the session. Io a large
majority of cases no great pub'.ic inconveni
ence cau arise from tbo want of lime to ex
amine their provisions, because the coneitu
tion has declared that if a bill be prosoDtod
to the President within the last ten days of
the session he is not required to return it,
either with an approval or with a veto, "in
which case it shall not be a law." It may
then lie over aud be taken up and passed at
the next session. Great incouveoieuce would
only be experienced in regard to appropria
tion bilis; but fortunately, utider the late ex
collent law allowing a salary, iustcad of a per
diem, to members of Congress, the expeuse
and inconvenience of a called session wil! be
greatly reduced.
I cannot conclude without commending to
your favourable consideration the interests of
tbo people of this District. Without a re
presentative on the floor of Congress, they
have for this very reason peculiar claims
upon our just regard. To this 1 know, from
my Ion acquintauce with them, thev are em
lueutly eutitled.
JAMES UUCriANAN.
Washington, Dec, 8. 1857.
Wksteun Si-KTi.ATicNj.-The St. Paul
Advertiser says at the present time there is
not less than 600,000 of overdue and protes
ted paper desposited by eastern creditors iu
the Banks of that city ; that the indebtedness
in St. Paul, to bauks alone due, of to become
due in the next six months, is 5750 000;
while the eastern indebtedness of tbe mei
chauts, and othere to mature in the sama
period, is SI .200,000. That is the city owe
t'2,500,000, of which 51,500,000 is due to the
East. Other towus iu tbe Territory sresim.
ij IU 1 Wi VV
Sbnooi, LEARNi.vg. A female teacher of a
school in England ouce wished to communi
cate to her pupils an U. ;v(jjl8
sue was trying to explain tho meaning of tbe
word a small covered boat glided iu sight
along a stream fiear by. Seizing upon tha
incident for an illustratiou she exclaimed ;
"If I were to tell you that there was a lee
ofmuttou iu that boat would you believe jue,
would you not even without seeing it your
selves':'' Yes, ma'am," replied the scholars.
"Well that is faith," said tho school mis
tress. The next day, in order to test their reccol
lection ol the lesson, she required
"What is fuiihr
"A leg of inutton in a boat !" was tha an
swer shouted from all paits of the school
room. A man np in New Hampshire went out
punning one duy last spring. He saw a
flock of wild pigeons sitting on a limb of an
old piuet so bo dropped a ball into bis gun
snd fired. The ball split the limb which
closed up and rangbt the toes of all the bird
on it. So he fastened two balls together and
fired cut the limb olf,"whieh fell into tb
river, lie then waded'in brongbt it ashore.
On counting them they were three hundred
pigeons and ia his boots were two barrels of
shad,
"Doy," said a fashionably dressed young
man to tha servant of one of bis companions,
"is your master at borne T" "Yes, sir," re
plied tbe boy, "master is at 'ome, but he'w
m'ft&'t.;!. to h' room. He's a growin' of
body but bis ,a"ir-lrVA'i,"',0W,!a 10 DJ
A good deucon making au official visit to
a dying neighbor, who was a very eupapular
maa pat the usual question
"Ara you willing io go my rriendr
"O yes,-' saiJ the sick man.
.ir,l!Un1!hiiCf lb"1'" M,d ,0 d-"". -'r
all the neighbors srj williog."
1 v,"i."--u"