where to the same extent as though they had
drawn their first breath in this country. We
can recognize no distinction between our na
tive and naturalized citiizens.
ES=
Between the great empire of Russia and the
United States the mutual friendship and regard
which has so lung existed i-till continues to pre
vail, and, if pu. , siblc, to increase. Indeed, our
relations with that Empire aro all that we
could desire.
[ME
Our relations with Spain aro now of a more
complicated though lots dangerous character
then they have been for many years. Our citi
zens have long held, and continue to hold,
numerous claims agsinst the Spanish govern.
meat. These had leen ably urged for a series
of years by our successive diplomatic represent
atives at Madrid, but without obtaining re
dresi. The Spanish government finally agreed
to institute a joint commission for the adjust
ment of these claims, and on the Gth day of
March, 1860, concluded a convection for this
purpose with our present minister at Madrid.
Under t hie convention, what have been denomi
nated "the Cuban claims," amounting to
$128,636,44, in which more than one hundred
of our fellow citizens are interested, were re
cognized, and the Spanish government agreed
to pay $lOO,OOO of this amount "within three
months folloaing the exchange of ratifica
tions." The payment of the remaining 128,-
635,64 was to await the decision of the com
missioners for or against "the Amistad claim ;"
but in any event the balance was to be paid to
the claimants either by Spain or the United
'States. These terms I Lave every reason to
know are highly satisfactory to the holders of
the Cuban claims. Indeed, they have made a
formal offer authorizing the State Department
to settle these claims, and to deduct the
amount of the Amistad claim from the sums
which they are entitled to receive from Spain.
This offer, of course, cannot be accepted.
All other claims of citiz• ns of the United
States against Spain, or of subjects of the
Queen of Spain against the United States, in
cluding the "Amistad claim," were by this
convention referred to a board of commission
ers in the usual form. Neither the validity of
the Amistad claim nor of any other claim
against either party, with the single exception
of the Cuban claim, was recognized by the
convention. Indeed, the Spanish government
did not insist that the validity of the Amistad
claim should be thus recognized, notwithstand
ing its payment bad been recommended to
Congress by two of my predecessors) as well as
by myself, and en appropriation for that pur
pose had passed the Senate of the United States.
They were content that it should be submitted
to the board for examination and decision,
like the other claims. Both governments were
bound respectively to pay the amounts award
ed to the several claimants "at such times
and places as may be fixed by and according to
the tenor of said awards."
I transmitted the proceedings of this conven
tion to the Senate for their constitutional ac
tion on the 8d of May, 1880, and on the 27th
of the succeeding June they determined that
they would "not advise and consent" to its
ratification.
These proceedings place our relations with
Spain in an awkward and embarrassing position.
It is more than probable that the final adjust
mint of these claims will devolve upon my sue-
COBOL
I reiterate the recommendation contained in
my Annual Message of December, 1859, and
repeated in that of December, 1859, in favor of
the acquisition of Cuba from Spain by fair
purchase. I firmly believe that such an acqui
sition would contribute essentially to the well
being and prosperity of both countries in all
future time, as well as prove the certain means
of immediately abolishing the African slave
trade throughout the world. I would not re
peat this recommendation upon the present
ea:alien, if I believed that the transfer of
Cuba to the United States, upon conditions
highly favorable to Spain, could justly tarnish
the national honor of the proud and ancient
Spanish Monarchy. Surely no person ever at
tributed to the first Napoleon a disregard of the
national honor of France, for tranferring Lou
isiana to the United States feels fair equivalent
both in money and commercial advantages.
AUSTRIA N &,0
With the Emperor of Austria, and the re
maining continental powers of Europe, inclu
ding that of the Sultan, our relations continue
to be of the most friendly character.
CELINA
The friendly and peaceful policy purbued by
the Government of the United States towards
the Empire of China, has produced the most
satisfactory results. The treaty of Tientsin of
the 18th of June,lB6B, has been faithfully ob
served by the hinese authorities. The con
vention of the. Bth November, 1858, supple
mentary to this treaty, for the adjustment and
satisfaction of the claims of our citizens on
China, refired to in my last Annual Message,
has been already carried into effect, so far as
this was practicable.
Under this convention the sum of 600,000
taels, equal to about $700,000, was stipulated
to be paid in satisfaction of the claims of Ameri
can citizens, out of the one-fifth of the receipts
fur tonnage import, and export duties on
American vessels at the ports of Canton,
Shanghae, and Pathan ; and it was " agreed
that this amount shall le in full liquidationof
all claims of American citizens at the various
ports to this date." Debentures far this
amount—to wit: 800,000 taels for Canton,
100,000 for Shanghae and 100,000 for Fuchau
—were delivered according to the terms of the
convention by the respective Chinese collectors
of the customs of these ports to the agent se
lected by our minister to receive the same.
Since that time the claims of our citizens
hero been adjusted by the board of commis
sioners appointed for that purpose under the act
of March 8, 1869, and their awards, which
proved satisfactory to the claimants, have been
approved by our minister. In the aggregate
they amount to the sum of $498,604 78. The
claimants Lave already received a large propor
tion of the sums awarded to them out of the
fund provided, and it is confidently expeoted
that the remainder will ere long be entirely
paid. After the awards shall have been satis
fied, there will remain a surplus of more than
$200,000 at the disposition of Congress. As
this Will in equity belong to the Chinese gov
trument, would not justice require its appro
priation to some benevolent object in which the
cbiuese may be specially interested ?
Our minister to China, in obedience to his
instructions, has remained perfectly neutral in
the war between Great Britain and France and
the Chinese empire ; although, in conjunction
with the Russian minister, he was ever ready
and willing, had the opportunity offered, to
employ his good otlices in restoring peace be•
tween the parties. It is but an act of simple
justice, both to our present minister and his
predecessor, to state that they have proved fully
equal to the delicate, trying and responsible
positions in which they have on different occa
sions Leen placed.
=
The ratifications of the treaty with Japan,
concluded at Yedo, on the 29th of July, 1869,
were exchanged at ' Washington on the 22d of
May last, and the treaty it Was_ proclaimed
on the succeeding day. There is good reason
to expect that, under its protection Sand in
fluence, our trade and intercourse with that
distant and interesting people will rapidly in
crease.
The ratifioations of the treaty were exchanged
with unusual solemnity. For this purpose the
Tycoon had accredited three.othis
guished subjects as envoys extreordfnal7, '
ministers plenipotentiary, who were reed
Pet*
and treated with marked distinction and kind
ness both by the Government and people of the
United States. There is every reason to beli,ve
that they bare returned to their native Lind
entirely satisfied with their visit, and inspired
by the most friendly feelings for our country.
Let Ili ardently hope, in the language of the
treaty itself, that "there shall henceforward 1-e
perpetual peace and Mendship between the
United States of America and his Majesty the
Tycoon of Japan and his successors."
IMME
With the wise, conservative and liberal gov
ernment of the empire of Brazil, our relations
continue to be of the most amicable character
E:=!
The exchange of the ratification of the con
vention with the republic of New Granada,
signed at Washington on the 10th Feptember,
1857, has been long delayed from accid-mtial
causes, for which neither party is censurable.
These ratification were duly exchanged in this
city on the sth of November last. Thus has a
controversy been amicably terminated which
had become so serious at the period of my in
auguration, as to require me, on the 17th
April, 1857, to direct our minister to demand
his passports and return to the United States.
Under this convention the government of
New Granada has specially acknowledged itself
to be responsible to our citizens "for damages
which were caused by the riot at Panama on
the 16th April, 1856,' These claims, together
with other claims of our citizens which had
been long urged in vain, are referred for ad
justment to a board of commissioners. I sub
mit a copy of the convention to Congress, and
recommend the legislation necessary to carry it
into effect.
COSTA RICA AND NICARAGUA
Persevering efforts have been made for the
adjustment of the claims of American cltizem
against the government of Costa Rica, anari
am happy to inform you , that these have finally
prevailed. A convention was signed at the
city of San Jose, on the 2d of July last, be
tween the minister resident of the United
States in Costo Rica and the plenipotentiaries
of that republic, referring these claims to a
Board of Commissioners, and providing for the
payment of their awards. This convention
will be submitted immediately to the Senate
for their constitutional action.
The claims of our citizens upon the republic
of Nicaragua have not yet been provided for
by treaty, although diligent efforts for this pur
pose have been made by our minister resident
to that republic. These are still continued with
a fair prospect of success.
MEXICO
Our relations with Mexico remain in a most
unsatisfactory condition. In my two last an
nual messages I discussed extensively the sub
ject of these relations, and do not now propose
to repeat to length the facts and arguments
then presented. They proved conclusively that
our citizens residing in Mexico and our mer
chants trading thereto had suffered a series of
wrongs and outrages such as we have never
patiently borne from any other nation. For
these our successive ministers, invoking the
faith of treaties, had, in the name of their
country, persistently demanded redress and in
demnification, but without the slightest effect.
Indeed, ao confident bad the Mexican authori
ties become of our patient endurance, that they
universally believed they might commit these
outrages upon American citizens with absolute
impunity. Thus wrote our minister in 1856,
and expressed the opinion that "nothing but a
Manifestation of the power of the Government,
and of its purpose to punish these wrongs, will
avail."
Afterwards, in 1857. came the adoption of a
new constitution for Movie°, the election of a
President and Congress under its provisions,
and the inauguration of the President. Within
one short month, however, this President was
.p_eile.d.front , the. cent tstl AI ..reheilonin-ti.
army, and the supreme power of the republic
was assigned to General Zuloaga. This usurper
was in his turn soon compelled to retire and
give place to General Miramon.
Under the constitution which had thus been
adopted, Seffor Juarez, as chief justice of the
Supreme Court, became the lawful President of
the Republic, and it was for the maintenance of
the constitution and his authority derived
from it that the civil war commenced, and still
continues to be prosecuted.
Throughout the year 1858 the constitutional
party grow stronger and stronger. In the previous
history of Mexico a successful military revolu
tion at the capital had almost universally been
the signal for submission throughout the repub
ic. Notso on the present occasion. A majority of
the citizens persistently sustained the constitu
tional government. When this was recognized
in April, 1859, by the Government of the
United States, its authority extended over a
large majorit y the Mexican States and people
including Vera Cruz and all the other imoort
ant sea ports of the republic. From that pe
riod our commerce with Mexico began to re-'
vive, and the constitutional government has
afforded it all the protection in their power.
Meanwhile the government of Miramon still
held sway at the capital and over the surround
ing country, and continued its outrages against
the few American citizens who still had the
courage to remain within its power. To cap
the climax : After the battle of Tacubaya, in
April, 1859, Gen. Marquee ordered three citi
zens of the United States, two of them physi
cians, to be seized in the hospital at that
place, taken out and shot, without crime and
without trial. This was done, notwithstand
ing our unfertinatti countrymen were at the
moment engaged:in the holy (tinsel of affording
relief to thlitizoldiers of both parties who had
been wended in the hattle„without making
any distinction between them.
The time bad arrived, in my opinion, when
this Government was bound to exert its power
to avenge and redresa the wrongs of our citizens
and to afford them protection in Mexico. The
interposing' obstitele' was that the "portion of the
country under the away of Miramon could not
be reached without passing over territory un
der the jurisdiction of the constitutional gov
ernment:- Under these circumstances, I deemed
It my duty to recommend to Congress, in my
last annual message, the employment of a suf
ficient.military force to penetrate into the Inte
rior where the government of Marimon was to
be forind4with, or, if need be without the con
sent of the Juarez government, thought it was
not doubted that this consent could be obtain
ed. Never have I had a clearer conviction on
any subject than of the justice as well as wis
dom of such a policy. No other alternative
was left, except the entire abandonment of our
fellow-citizens who had gone to Mexico, under
the . faith of treaties, to the systematic injustice,
cruelty, and oppression of Miramon's govern
ment. Besides, it is almost certain that the
simple authority to employ this force would of
itself have accomplished all our objects with
out striking a single blow. The constitutional
government would then ere this have been
established at the city of Mexico, and would
have bean ready and willing, to the extent of
its ability, to do us justice.
In addition—and I deem this a most impor
tant ' coneideration—Buropean governments
would have been deprived of all pretext to in
terfere in the territorial and domestic concerns
of Mexico. We should time have been reliev-
. .. . , .. . . . __. .
ed from the Obligation of resisting, even by
force, should this become necessary, any at
tempt by these governments to deprive our
neighboring republic of Rortions of her terri
tory ; a duty from which we could not shrink
without abandoning the traditional and estab
-1
Mldd policy of the Ameriotan peoPle. I am
happy to observe, tluit,' firmly relying upon
.the justice and' ood faith 'of these' govern
g
men a is no runtdanger - that such a
Con . Will liaMki•
A 4 OP A # l4 lqt* 1r:412 F.
Vitnnsiguanialp etlegrapb, Cutsbag Iftei oon, glertiiiber 4, 1860.
Jlaving Oizeovered that my recommendation would
not be su - sta'ned by (Macron, the next alternative was
to accomplith, la some degree, it possible, the same ob
jects by treaty stipulations with tho constituthibal gov
ernment. Such treaties were accordingly concluded by
our late able anti , acellent in' flitter to Mexico, and on
the 4th January last was submitted to the Senate for
ratification. As then have not yet received the [Malec
ton or that body, it would be impropel for me to present
a devilled statement of their provisions. Still I may be
permitted to express the opinion in advance that they are
calculated to promote the agricultural, manufacturing,
and conrrerstal interests of the country, and to secure
our lust influence with an adjoining republic as to whose
tortures mul tato we can never feel indifferent ; whilstat
the &ante timo.they provide for the payment of a n
ihterable amount towards the satisfaction of the claims
of our injured follow-citizens.
At the period of my inauguration I was confronted in
Kansas by a revolutionary government, existing under
what is called the Topeka constitution. Its avowed ot.
ject was to subdue the territorial government by force,
and; to inaugurate what was called the Topeka govern
ment in its a sad To accomplish this object an extensive
military organization was formed and its command en
trusted to the most violent revolutionary leaders. Under
these circumstances, it became my imperative duty to
exert the whole constitutional power of the Executive to
prevent the flames of civil war from again raging in Kan
sas, which, in the excited state of the public mind, both
North and South, might have_extended into the neigh
boring States.
The hostile parties is Kansas hatkbeen inflamed against
each other by emissaries both from the North and the
South, to a degree of malignity without parallel in our
history. To prevent actual collision, and to assist the
civil magistrates in enforcing the laws, a strong detach
ment:of the army was stationed in the Territory,ready
to aid the marshal and his deputies, when lawfully c ail
ed upon. as a posse comilatur in the execution of civil
and criminal process.
Still, the troubles in Kansas could not have been per
manently settled without an election by the people. Tho
ballot box I f the surest arbiter of disputes among free
men. Under tb's conviction, every proper effort was
employed to induce the hostile parties to vote at the elec
tion 01 delegates to frame a State constitution, and after
wards at the election to decide whether Kansas should
be a slave or a free State. The insurgent party refused
to vote at eitler, lest this might be considered a rims
nition on their part of the territorial government estab
lt by Congress. A better spirit, however, seemed
aeon after to prevail, and the two parties met face to face
at the third elecUon, held on the thatitondap of January,
1818, for members of the legislature and State officers
under the Lecompton constitution. The result was the
triumph of the anti slavery party at the polls. This de.
cisien of the ballot-box proved clearly that this party
were in the majority, and remove i the danger of civil
war. From that time we have heard little er nothing of
the Topeka government, and all serious danger of revo
lutionary troubles in Kansas was then at an end.
The Lecompton constitution, which had been thus re
cognized at this State election by the voles of both po-.
Utica' parties in Kansas, was transmitted to mo with
the request that I should present it to Congress. Thll3 I
could not have refused to do without violating my clear.
est and strongest convictions of duty. The oestitutton,
and all the proceedings which proceeded and followed DS
formation, were fair and regular on their face. I then
believed, and experience has proved, that the interests
of the people of Kansas would have been best consulted
by its admission as a State into the Union, especially as
the majority, within n brief period, could have amended
the constitution according to their will and pleasure. If
fraud existed in all or any of these proceeding., it was
not for the President, but for Congress, to investigate
and determine the question of fraud, and what ought to
be its consequences. If, at the two first elections, the
majority refused to vote, it cannot be pretended that this
refusal to exercise the elective franchise could invalidate
an election fairly held under lawful authority, even if they
had not subsequently voted at the thirdelection. It is true
that the whole constitution bad not been submitted to the
people, as 1 always desired ; but the precedents are nu
merous of the wings; ton ofStates into the Union without
such submission.
It wculd not eimport with the present purpose to re
view the proceedings of Congress upon the Lecompton
000StituUon. It is sufficient to observe that their final
acti on has removed the last vestige of serious revolu
tionary troubes. Rh e desperate bard recently assem
bled, under a notorious outlaw, in the southern portion
of the Territory, to resist the execution of the laws and
to plunder peaceful citizens, will, I doubt not, be speedily
subdued and brought to patine.
Had I treated the Lecompton constitution as a nullity
and refused to transmit it to Congress; it is not difficult to
imagine, whilst recalling the position of the °sentry at
that moment, what would have been the d isastrons con
sequences, both In and out of the Territory, from such a
dereliction of duty on thepart of the Executive.
Peace has also been restored within the Territory of
Utah, which, at the commencement of my Administra
tion, was in a state of open rebellion. This was the
more dangerous, as the people, animated by a fanatical
spirit and entrenched within their distant mountain fast
nesses, might have made a long and formidable resist
ance. Cost what it might., it was necessary to bring _
them into subjection to the Constitution and the laws.—
Sound policy, therefore, as well as human'ty, required
that this object should, if possible, be accomplished with
out the effusion of blood. This could only be, effected by
sending a military force into the Territory sufficiently
Amain eon that_ rsaterspeswtmla
hopeless, andlr e th t e l t la sa i rt i efte to offer them a pardon
for past off noes on condition of immediate submission
to the Government. This policy was pursued with emi
nent success ; and the only cause for regret is the heavy
expenditure required to march a large detachment of
the army to that remote region and to furnish it subsist
enCe. Utah is now eomparatively peaceful and quiet,
and the military force has been withdrawn, except that
portion of it necessary to keep the Indians in check and
to protect the emigrant trains on their way to our Pacific
Poeseemone,
In my firzt annual message I promised to employ my
best exertions, in cooperation with Congress, to reduce
the expenditures of the Government within the limits
of a wise and judicious economy. An overflowing treasury
had produced habits cf prodigality and extravagance
which could only be gradually corrected. The work re
quired both time and patience. I applied myself dili
gently to this task from the beginning, and was alded
by the able and energetic efforts of the heads of the dif
feront Executive Departments. The result of our labors
in this good cause did not appear in the sum total of our
expenditures for the first two years, mainly in come.
queue° of the extraordinary expenditure necessarily in
curred in the Utah expedition, and the very large amount
of the contingent expenses of Congress during this period
These greatly exceeded the pay and mileage of the
members. For the year ending 80th June, 1858, whilst
the pay and mileage amounted to $1,490,214, the contin
gent expenses rose to $2,093,309 79 and for the year
ending 84th June, 1859, whilst the pay and mileage
amounted to $859,093 86, the contingent expenses
amounted to $1,431,565 78.
I am happy, however, to be able to inform you that
during the net fiscal year ending on the 80th of JOG
1860, the total expenditures of the Government in all its
brancbes—leglelative, executive and jndicial--exclueive
of the Public debt, wire reduced to the sum of $65,402,-
465 46. This conclusively appears from the books of the
Treasury. In the year e• ding on the 80th of June, 1858,
the total expenditure, exclusive of the public debt
amounted to $71,901,129 77, and teat for the year ending
the 30th of June, 1869, to $66,846 226 13. Whilst the
books of the Treasury show an actual expenditure Of
$69,848,474 72 for the year ending on the 30th of June,
1880, Including $1,040,687 71 for the contingent expels
sea of Congress, there must be deducted from this amouut
the sum of 64,298,019 28, with the interest upon it of
$150,000, appropriated by the act of the 16th February,
1860, 'ler the - purpose of supplying the deficiency in
the revenues and defraying the expenses of the Post Office
Department for the year ending the thirtieth of June,
one thousand eight hundred and flity-nine.” This sn,
therefere, justly chargeable to the year 1859, must be
deducted from the sum of $69,848,.474 72 In order to as
certain the expenditure for the year ending on the 30th
of June, 1860, whkh leaves a balance for the expendi
tures of that year of $55,402,465 46. The interest on the
public debt, including Treasury notes for the same fiscal
year ending on the 80th of June, 1880, amounted to
$3,177,814 02 , which, added to the above sum of $55,-
402,465 48, makes an aggregate of 1158X9,780 08,
It ought in justice to be observed that several of the
estimates from the departments for the year ending on
the 30th of June, 1880, were reduced by Congress, below
what was and still is deemed compaVble with the pubis()
interest. allowing a liberal margin of $2,000,500 for
this redaction, and fir other oauses, it may be safely as
serted that the sum of $61,000,000, or at the most $82,-
000,000. is amply sufficient to administer the Government
and to pay the interest on the public debt, unlo's ccri
dugout events should hereafter render extraordinary ex
penditurea necessary.
This result bas been attained to a considerable degree
by the care exercised by the appropriate departments in
entering into public contracts. I have myself never in
terfered with the award of any such contract except in
a single ease with the Colonisation Society, deeming it
advisable to cast the whole reeponsibilityin each case on
the proper head of the department, with the general
instruction that these contracts should always be given
to the lowest and best bidder. It has ever been my
opinion that public contracts are not a legitimate source
of patronage to be conferred upon personal , or political
favorites ; but that in all such cases a public officer is
bound to act for the Governmentas a prudent individual
would act for himself
I=
ME=
AFRICAN SLAPS THAD7I, &C
It is with great satisfaction I communicate the fact,
that, since the date of my last Annual Message, not a
single slave has been imported into the United States in
violation of the laws prohibiting the African slave trade.
This statement is founded upon a thorough examination
and investigation of the subject. Indeed, the spirit
which prevailed some time since among a portion of our
fellow.citisens in favor of this trade seems to hate entire
ly subsided.
op also congratulate you upon the public sentiment
which now exists against the minis of setting on toot
military expeditions within the limits of the 'United
States, to proceed from thence and make war upon the
people of tutolhanding States, with whom we are at peace-
In this respect a happy change has been effected since
the commencement of my Administration. It sway
ought to be the prayer of every Christian and patriot,
that such expeditions may never again receive count*.
name in our country or depart fromourishorear -
It would be useless repetition to do more than refer,
with earnest commendation, to my fOrgter recesnmenda
nous in favor of. the Pacific. railroad—of the grant:of
PoWar,to the President to employ the naval farce in the.
vicinity, for the protection of the lives and psoprrtyie
.
our fellow-citizens passing In transit over the different
Central American routes, against the sudden and lawless
outbreaks and depredations • and also toArotect Ameri
can merchant fessele, tfiefrArein tinirktirleies agaitilt
violent and unlawful seizures and =Sweden 1., the
T orts of Mexico and the South American republics, when
tbea3 may be In a disturbed and r .Volotionary condi
ton. It Is my settled conviction that without such a
power we do not afford that protection to those engaged
in the commerce of the country which they have a right
to dema• d.
RUCTION 01 =KRIM OF CONGRESS
I asain recommend to Congress the passage of a law
In pursuance of the provisions of the Constitution. ap
pointing a day certain previous to the 4th of March, in
each year of an odd number, for the election of repro.
eentativea throughout all the States. A similar power
has already been exercised with general approbation, In
the appointment of the same day throughout the Union
for holding the election of electors for President aod
Vice President of the United States. My attention was
earnestly directed to this subject from the fact, that the
85th C.:tigress terminated on the Net March, 1859, with
out making the necessary appropriation for the service
of the Poet Office Department. 1 was then forced to con
sider the beat remedy for this omission, and un imme.
elate call of the preeenttlongress was the natural rorort.
Upon enquiry, however, I ascertained that fifteen out of
the thirty-three States composing the Confederacy wcre
without representative% and that, consequently, these
fifteen States would be disf , anebleed by inch a call.--
These fifteen States will be I. t the same condition on the
9th of March next. Ten of them ctionot elect representa
tives, according to existing State laws, until different pe
riods, extending from the beginning of August next until
the months of uctober and November.
In my last message I gave warning that, in a time of
sudden and alarming danger,the salvation of our inetim•
Vona might depend udon the power of the President im
mediately to assemble a felt Congress, to meet the emer
gency. . .
=I
It is now quite evident that the financial necessities of
the Government will require a wodidcatlon of the tarif
during your present session, for the purpose of increas
ing the revenue In this aspect, I desire to reiterate the
recommendation contained in my last two annual mes-
sages, in favor of Imposing epecille instead Of ad valorem
duties on all important articles to which these can be
properly applies. From long observation and =parlour*
1 am convinced that specific duties are necessary, both
to protect the revenue and secure to our manufacturing
interests that amount of incidental encouragement which
unavoidably results from a revenue tariff
As an abstract proposition it may be admitted that ad
valorem duties would, in theory, be the most just and
equal. But if the experience of thLsand all other commer
cial nations has demonstrated that such duties cannot be
assessed and collected without great frauds upon - the re
venue, then it is the part of wisdom to resort to specific
duties. Indeed, from the very nature of an ad valorem
duty, this must be the result. Under It the inevitable
tonsequence is, that foreign goods will be entered at leas
than their true value. The treasury will, therefore, lose
the duty on the difference between their real and ficti
tious value, and to this extent we are defrauded.
The temptations which ad valorem duties present to a
dishonest importer are irresistable. His object is to pass
his goods through the custom-house at the very lowest
valuation necesrary to cave them from confiscation. In
this he too elms succeeds in spite of the vigilance of the
the revenue officers. Hence the resort to lalse invoices,
one for the purchaser and another for the custom house,
and to other expedients to defraud the Government.—
The honest importer produces his invoice to the collect
or, stating the actual price at which he purchased the ar
ticles abroad. Not so the dLthenest importer and the
agent of the foreign manufacturer. And hare it may be
observed that a very large proportion of the manatee.
tures imported from abroad are consigned for sale to
commission merchants who are mere agents employed
by the manufacturers. In such cases no actual sale has
been made to fix their valise. The foreign manufacturer,
if be be dishonest, preparesan invoice of the goods, not
at thous actual value, but at the very lowest rate use mi
sery to escape detection. In this manner the dishonest im
porter and the foreign manufacturer enjoy a decided ad
vantage over the honest merchant. They are thus enabled
to undersell the fair trader, and drive him from the mar
ket. In fact , the operation of this system has already
driven from the porsults of honorable commerce many of
that class of regulaeind conselerdlous merchants whose
character, throughout the world, la the pride of our
country,
The remedy for these evils is to he found In specille,
duties, so thr as thls may be practicable. They dispense
with any Inquiry at the custom house into the actual
coat or value of the article, and it pays the precise
amount of duty previously fixed by law. They present
no temptations'to the appraisers of foreign goods, who
reeelve but small salaries, and might, by undervaluation
in a few cases, render themselves independent.
Besides, specific daties best conform to the requisition
In the Coustitution that "no preference shall be given by
say regulation of commerce or revenue to the ports of
one State over those of another." Under our ad valorem
system such preferences are to some extent inevitable,
and complaints have often been made that the spirit of
this provision has been violated by a lower appraisement
of the same articles at ono port than at another.
An impression strangely enough prevails to some ex
tent that the specific duties are necessarily protective du
ties. Nothing can be more fallacious. Great Britain
glories in free trade, and yet her whole revenue from
Imparts is at the pre-ent moment collected under a sys
tem of specific duties. It Is a striking faot in this con
teem= on - the Bltd of Jan
nary, 1860 between. France and Kogiand, one of the ar
ticles provides that the ad valorem duties which it imp°.
sea shall be converted into specific duties within six
months from its date, and these are to be ascertained by
making an average or the prices for six months previous
to that time. The reverse of the proposition would be
nearer to the truth, because a much larger amount of
revenue would be collected by merely converting the ad
valorem duties of atarlE7ato equivalent specific duties.—
Te this extent the revenue would be Increased, and in the
proportion the specific duties might be diminished.
Specific duties would secure to the American manufac
turer the incidental protection to which he is fairly en
titled under a revenue tariff, and to this surely no per
son would object. The framers of the existing tariff have
gone thrther and la a liberal spirit have discriminated
in favor of Argo and useful branches of our manufac
tures, not by raising the rate of duty upon toe
um of similar articles from abroad, but what is the same
in effect, by admittiug articles free of duty which enter
into the composition of their fabrics.
Under the present system it has been often truly re
marked that this Incidental protection decreases when
the man .faAurer needs It most, and increases when ho
needs it least, and constitutes a sliding scale which al
ways operates again t him. 7he revenues of the coun
try are subject, to similar tluctatien. Instead of approach -
lag a steady standard, as would be the case under a sys
tem of specific duties, they sink awl rise with the stoking
and rising priciest of articles in foreign e 'entries. It
would not be difficult for Oougre-s to arrange a system
of specific duties which would afford additional stabl'lty
both to our revenue and our manufactures, and without
Injury or Nampa to any loterest of the counts,, this
might be accomplished by aecertalning the average value
of any given article fors series of years at the place of
exportation, sae by simply converting the rate of ad in-
Won duty upon it which might be deemed necessary for
revenue purposes, into the form of a epecidu duty. Such
an arrangement could not injure the consumer. If he
should pay a greater amount of duty one year, this would
be counterbalanced by a lesser amount the next, and in
the end the aggregate would be the same.
I desire to call your immediate attention to the present
condition of the Treasury, to ably and clearly presented
by the Secretary in his report to Confirms ; and to re
commend that measures be promptly adopted to enable
it to discharge its pressing obligations. The other re
commendations of the report are well worthy of your
favorable consideration.
I herewith t antsmit to Congress the reports of the Se
cretaries of War, of the Navy, of the Interior and or the
Postmaster General. The recommendations and Fumes-
Lions which they contain are highly valuable and deserve
your careful attention.
The report of the Postmaster General details the cir
cuinstances under , which, Cornellus - Vanderbilt, on my
request, agreed, in the month of July last, to carry the
ocean malls between our Atlantic and Pacific coasts.—
Bad he not thus acted, thi important intercommunica
tion must have been suspended, at least for a Season.—
The Postmaster General had nn-power to make him any
other compensation than the portages on the mall matter
which he might carry. It was known, at the time, that
these postages would fall far short of an adequate corn
ponsation,:as well as of the sum which the same service
had previously cost the Government. Mr. Vanderbilt,
to a commendable spirit, was willing to rely upon the
justice of Congress to makei-up the deficiency ; and I,
therefore, recommend that an appropriation may be
granted for %Ids purpose.
I should do great injustice to, the Attorney General,
were I to omit the mention of his distinguished services
in the measures adopted land prosecuted by him for the
defence of the Government against numerous and un
founded claims to land in California, purporting to have
been made by the Mexican government previous to the
treaty of cession. The successful opposition to these
claims bas saved to the United States public property
worth many millions ofdoliars, and to individuals hold
ing title under them at least an equal amount.
It has been represented to me, from sources which I
deem reliable, that th e inhabita nts in several portions of
Kansas have bran redneednearly tea state of starvation,
on :account of the almost total failure of their crops,
whilst the harvests in every other portion of the country
have been abundant The prospect lbefore therefor the
approaching winter is wellcalculated to enlist, the sympa
thies of every heart The destitution , sprigs to be se
general that it cannot be relieved by private contabu
tons, and they are'in such indigeht oiniumstanees as to
be unable to purehale the necessaries of life for them
selves. I refer the stibjectto Congress. If any constitu
tional measure for their relief can ,be devilled, I would
recommend its adoption.
I cordially commend to your favorable regard the In
terests of the people of this Distilet. They are eminently
entitled to your considekatiew 'iagolielially elm*, unlike
the people of the States, they can - appeal to no Govern
ment except that of the Urdon;
JAMBS BUCHANAN.
Mummalox Car, 3d Dec:umber, 1860.
I=r2:=l
To KW Ica on Wvanowa.—Take •an ordi
nary paint biusyor . aponge, and rub over the
glass, once or twice a day, a 3ittle alcohol, and
it will keep tbe glans as free from ice.as in the
naiddle,of4annßor,eutd a Till, gise -. .,4,:fgoskr
is" canl)o'4o*ln any otjier wa
, .41.111,4^
glaity Ettegrapb).
HARRISBURG'
Tuesday Afternoon, December 4.1560.
Pamemspres MissAGE.—We are under obliga
tions to Carr. HALL, of the Northern Central
Railroad, for an early copy of the President's
Message.
Dry. Da. Duna, a distinguished Methodist
minister, is announced to preach in this city
next Sunday morning. The special object of
his visit at this time is to further the interests
of the missionary cause. This learned Divine
is well known here, and his reputation as a
pulpit orator will not fail to attract a large and
appreciative audience.
Juvararat • Stiooruio Arai.—On Saturday
last a white lad, named James McKee, seven or
eight years of age, shot a colored. bpy, named
Robert Henry Humphreys, in the arm with a
pistol; inflicting serious injury. It appears•
from the information made, that McKee was in
the habit of carrying a pistol, and had repeat
edly threatened to shoot Humphreys. On the
day above named these two lads, in company
with others, were at the ice house ofthe
, u .
Penn
sylvania Railroad ompany, when McKee pul
led out a pistol and snapped it at Humphreys.
The weapon missed fire two or three times, but
finally exploded, lodging two small balls in the
arm of the latter, one taking effect near the el
bow, and the other in the shoulder. The colored
lad is still in a suffering condition from the ef
fect of the injuries received. The father of Hum
phreys yesterday made information against
McKee, and a warrant was issued for him. We
presume he was arrested to-day and bound
over to answer the charge. Much censure at
taches to the father of so young a lad for per
mitting him to go about armed with a deadly
weapon ; and the vicious disposition exhibited
by the latter is strong presumptive evidence
that his moral training h as been sadly neglected.
Arrrxer TO DROWN A WOMAN. —About twelve
o'clock on Monday night,a colored woman,Caro
line Boon, was thrown into thecanal at Wheel
er,s .upper coal yard, near the Rolling Mill ;
and narrowly escaped drowning. It appears
from the information made before Alderman
Kline, by the husband of Caroline, that she
-had been spending the evening in a boat-cabin
with several sable brothers and sisters, among
whom the whiskey bottle circulated some
what freely. Caroline finally started home, and
when crossing a plank from the boat to the
shore, one Joseph Scott pushed her off the
plank into the canal, where she struggled for
some minutes, until rescued by two white men,
Thomas Henry and John A. Brooks, who
chanced to be in the vicinity. After two or
three fruitless attempts to rescue the woman
from her perilous situation, they finally suc
ceeded. Scott interfered, and in emphatic and
profane language declared that "the black
bitch ought to be drowned." Failing in his
efforts to prevent her rescue, he and another
rowdy uegro rowdy named Rob Parker, assault
ed the men who had taken her from the canal,
flourished open razors and compelled them to
seek safety in flight. Mrs. Boon was carried
home insensible, and is now lying in a critical
condition. The parties were arrested this morn
ing by officers Becker and Wickert, and had a
hearing before Alderman Kline. Scott was com
mitted to prison to answer the charge of at
temptingito drown Caroline Boon, and both he
and Parker were held to answer the charge of
assault and battery upon the two white men
above named. A boatman who was present
states that but for the timely rescue of Mrs.
Boon, she would certainly have found a watery
grave, not being in a condition to help herself.
BENTENCEL—The Court yesterday afternoon
passed sentences upon the following persons,
convicted at the last Court, of various crimes,
George Poist, convicted of assault and bat
tery, at the house of Fanny Jones, was sen
tenced to pay a fine of $l, costs of suit, and
thirty days imprisonment.
The name of Fanny Jones, convicted of keep
ing a disorderly house, was called, but not an
swering, a espies was ordered to be issued.
Richard Allen, (colored,) convicted of keep
ing a disorderly house, was sentenced to pay
$lO fine and costs, and ninety days imprison
ment. He was also convicted of assault and
battery on a female, and for that crime he was
sentenced to jail for thirty days after the expi
ration of the time of his first sentence.
Jacob Boon, (colored) convicted of burglary,
in entering the house of Ida Hart, was senten
ced to pay a fine $1 and costs, and undergo two
years and six months imprisonment.
Frank Bell, (colored) plead guilty to larceny,
by stealing a small portion of coal to warm hie
sister's child which was sick, from a coal pile
in Middletown, was sentenced to pay a fine of
six cents, and undergo ten days imprisonment.
William Omer, who plead guilty to burglary,
in entering the cellar of T. F. Boyer, reeeived
a sentence of $1 fine and costs, and nine
months imprisonment. Before sentence was
passed he made a most eloquent and feeling
appeal to the Ceurt for mercy, attributing the
crime he had committed altogether to the use
of intoxicating drinks—averring that this was
his first offence. The Judge stated that in
consequence of his statement he had taken
three months from the time the Court had in
tended to give him.
James Thompson, convicted of stealing keys
from eamuel Freeborn, was sentenced to pay a
fine of $1 and costs, and undergo two months
imprisonment. He also plead guilty to stealing
a watch from the house of Wm. M. Kerr for
which he was sentenced to an. Imprisonment of
six months, and to pay a fine of $1 and costs.
Franklin A. Hutton, who had plead guilty
on two bills of indictment, to forging the name
of his mother- on certain promissory notes, re
ceived a sentence of $2 fine and costa and three
years imprisonment.
George Kelly (colored) Convicted of attempt
ing to commit a rape on little white girl and
also . convicted of assault and battery was sen
tenced to; an imprisonment ofa two years, $25
the'entroos' of iont
Dears or AN ASTRONoll3ll.—Charles F. Ego!,
man, who for forty-three pars put furnished
the principal calculations for the Almanacs
printed in the United States, died at his resi
dence in Reading on Friday last, at the ripe
age of nearly seventy-nine years. Mr. E. emi
grated to this country in the year 1808, and
always took a lively interest in the cause of
education, and particularly that of Astronomy.
He was an honorary member of the New En
gland Society.of Mathematics, the members of
which exhibited their high appreciation of his
services by presetting him with valuable works
of art. Many days of his life were devoted to
the invention of a perpetual motion machine.
Although often certain that his difficult task
was accomplished, yet he left this stage of ac
tion without seeing it - perfected. He became
an early settler of Berks county, and although
having learned the Cabinet making business,
he connected himself with several Protestant
churches and became a teacher of the youth con
nected therewith. He was also organinst and
leader of the church choirs, having been an ex
cellent musician in his younger days. He leaves
a wife and family of children, grand children,
and a large number of friends, to mourn his
death, who yesterday afternoon accompanied
his remains to their Anal resting place.
Fatest 111 Etitgrapt.
SPECIAL DISPATCHES
TO THE
DAILY TELE GR AP H.
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
WASEDMITON, Dec. 4
Housa.—The Chaplain, Rev. Mr. firoolcrott,
prayed that Congress may wisely consider the
propositions presented in the President's mes
sage, and deliberately act on them in all right
eousness and truth.
The SPIAIOII laid before the House the an
nual estimates of the Secretary of the Treas
ury. Referred to the Committee of Ways and
Means.
Mr. Moorhead, from the Committee to wait on
the President, reported that they had performed
that duty and the President requested them to
say he would communicate his message in
writing to-day noon.
Mr. Pnia.rs. That hour has already arriv
ed.
After some unimportant proceedings, the
Message was laid before the House and was read
by Col. Forney, the Speaker having first reques
ted gentlemen to be silent.
SZNATIL—Messrs. Gwin, Harlan, Johnson,
(Tenn.,) Thomson, and Wilkinson,-appeared in
their seats.
Prayer by the Chaplain.
Mr. Mama, one behalf of the committee to
wait on the President, reported that they had
performed that duty.
The President's Message was delivered by A.
J. Glossbrenner, his private Secretary, and waa
read.
MARKETS BY TELEGRAPH.
PHILADEDPHIA, Dec. 4.
Flour quiet ; sales at $4 75®5 14 for su•
perfine, $6 2504 50 for extras, $5 44®5 75
for extra family and $6(46 60 for fancy. Wheat
steady ; sales WOO bush. at $1 2.01 26 for red
and $1 2801 86 for white. Corp quiet ; 4000
bush. sold at 86@66c. for old yellow, and uew
at 58c. Coffee very quiet ; sales Rio at 12@
141. c. Bacon sells slowly at 110. for hams ; 11
@aim for sides and 9@9 c. for shoulders.
Whisky dull.
SUarritD .
At Cox's town, Dee. 2d, by Rev. G. G. Rdrestraw, Mr
Jottx S. Wooldort, of Middlotewo, to Mtss MART L
Gomm, of Core town.
Ntto 2bvertistittents.
PUBLIC SALE OF REAL ESTATE.
WILD BE SOLD AT PUBLIC SALE at
the Public Homo of Dan!col Wagner, "Seven
Stars," on SATURDAY EVENING, December 29,1860.
The property situated on Second street in the city of Har
risburg, below Mulberry stren, fronting on Hscond street
28 feet 8 Inehe3, and extending back 210 feet to Raspber
ry alley, adjoining on the one aide property of Theo. F.
Boyer, and on the other side property of Min I. Honer.
Thereon erected a TWO STORY BRICK DWELLING
HOUSE, with a two-story Brick Back Building. Terms
will DO made known on the evening of hale by
C. O—ZIMMERMAN, Arent,
d 4 No. 28 South Second Street.
VALUABLE II EA L ESTATE
FOR SALE.
FOR SALE on easy terms a highly jin
proved farm of ST acres, situated within one and a
half miles of the city limits, on the Jonestown rod..
thereon erected a good house with Brick
Back Building, a laige Bank
Barn, and other necessary out-build ngs.
There is on the premises a good Orchard
of choice Fruit. The land is well sup-,
plies with running wiver, and Is under good. fence and in
a high state of cultivation.
This property, on atcount of its proximity to market
is one of the most desirable locations long eine° offered
for sale in the neighborhood of this city, and in well
worthy the attention of capitalists. Terms easy.
Apply to DAVID IdEittliii. JR.,
d 4 1w Attornerat-Law, Third Street, Harrisburg.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
For the Afflicted - with Diseases which
Appear to be Incurable.
DOCTOR C. WEICHEL, residing in Har
risburg, Pa., Third street near North street, cured
in Germany as welt as America, many persons after hay
lug been treated without success by other physicians.—
We extract here some passages from German newspapers
of this place, containing acknowledgement or such per
sona and their recommendation to apply In similar cases
to Dr. WEICLIKL.
George Cassel, West Hanover township, Dauphin coun
ty, testifies that he was perfectly cured of a Cerise: in
ward his]. ft cheek. Jane Radabangl, of Harrisburg,
Levities that having been treated by various physicians
for five years in the case el Rheumatism in both legs so
that she was unable to Itrs one Iv before the other during
all that time; after their abandonment she used Dr.
Welchers medicine only about three months, and was
perfectly Cared. J. Soilenbecger testifies that his Edger
„Tana having been confined to her bed for nine years, and
all that time speechless, and every day and nightspasms
on the chest,-was then perfectly healed by cr..Weichet t .
and has for live years since that time the use of Mir
speech. Marg. Zimmerman testifies that having been
totally blind injone eye for ten years, and In the Other
for one year, has received full al, ht of one eye by nainr
Dr. Weichel's direction and medicine. John Meyer, of
South Middleton township, Cumherlaad coAnty, testicles
a h c a ,
receivedan d en
that having Malls loot elsbt of the r ight ey o ,f or more
ihcliaulfs o b rwy thet
r h W uir e al
success,ch t a lness than one
hist so that he can reset, and considers his cure
t ys p h h l e
r o a a y a n
tdl one a s a
ae Y v r e g / t r a il e r
el and
p physicians
treatmenty s
to be accomplished.
In the same place other unexpected eases have been
performed to WA g. Myers having been deaf
in a high degree for nine years received the .full use of
hearing, and her son, 16 years of age, having been af
flicted for two years with spitting of blood, was cured by
the Doctor.
Being conflaed to, an .advertirement, these instances
may anthem to direct the attention or the afflicted with
the above mentioned and similar diseases to his office.
dec4-dswlisats
pERSPNAL.—The person that took the
. PEI4TCNAAPII of .¢OP. PACKER from the Ireited
States Hotel of this city,.will confer a favor by returning
It again, u the same Delo - aged to the house. (13
EMI