ME
9
reasonto run my lord. But I
4 11•11.4" Pr o -Your Purse.'
atiiitiin as fast as you can.'
std a, draft of fifty thousand florins from
' f :"1. itChamberlain which I want to deliver
•
• 'The de uce you ! and how came
. .
to,theet with the
.ehamberlainl' •
,•• me it was a debt which' he bad
!to.pay to He is going to start this ye
'. ry night with his lady faits his estates.'
'Ate, you rand, man!? How do you know
-Tithat P
s'AdyLord, the Minister of finances will
-• pay all:your debts, if you will keep him in
minister.' • -
*Watchman, you aro besides yourself,
. tuiherldid, You see the minister of finances "?'
I Phillip - then• related his adventure's to the,
Prince, who was greatly surprised and re-.
*cod - alits , relation.
• -+Ttiii Very': man we are seeking,' cried
seVeril voices at ortge, when Phillip, Rosa,
~•:', ;;-and-the Prince, Are surrounded by six
.
strong officers of the Police. Phillip took
the girl's hand, and said : 'Do not be afraid 1'
-The Prince patted Philip on the shoulder,
slnd 'lt was a foolish trick. I did
•
not tell you without reason to run away in
time.. But-do not be afraid, you shall not
rte harnied:!.. , • •
'That
,will be explained hereafter,' one*?
the offiOere said, 'in the meantime hu will
go with us.
.'Whither ?' Phillip asked am on du
. ty ; I ant die watchman.'
• • '"That we heard, and for that very ma
. eon you must go with us.'
, Let him alone, gentleman,' said Julian,
;catching for money. As he did not find
any. he whispered to Philip, to give them ,
something, out of the purse. But the po-1
!icemen separated them and said. 'You must
both go with us.'
Rosa was released. Just. as the watch
men were proceeding to take Phillip and
the Prince to the Minister of police, a carri
age drove up, and a man wearing a star
pushed. the policeman aside, and released
the Prince. .
Julian did not know which way to turn
in his embarrusment, for he recognised Duke
Hermann.
'Answer 1'- the Duke cried, with. a thun
dering voice. • Julian shook his head, and
.„ beckoned to the Duke to continuo his way.
• and the latter became more anxious to know
with whoin he had to deal at the ball. He
questioned the policemen, who said that
he had orders to take the watchman imme
diately to the Minister of Police; that the
watchman, had sung scandalous songs, as
they had heard with their own earl; and
they-had caught him near the church en
gaged. in confidental conversation with the
mask, who seemed almost as suspicious as
the watchman. That the mask had declar
ed he belonged to the court; but that was
evidently false. They had thought it.
therefore, their duty to arrest the mask.
'That man does not belong to the court,
the duke replied. 'He has antroduced•hiet
self unlawfully into the ball-room,and made
every - body believe that ho was Prince ',le
. Ilan, But he•had to show at last his fad
• • to' rne, as he had 'also deceived me. He is
an unknown person, an adventurer. Seize
biin then ; you have made a valuable cap
ture I.'
After these words the duke returned to
his carriage, and crying once more, 'let him
not escape,!' drove off:
..Tho•Prince saw that he was lost. He
'thought it was improper to show his face to
the policemen, because they -would have
made his pranks public,. He saw less dan
:Or. in unitiesking his face before the head
chantberlain, or the Minister of Police. He
cried, therefore, with resolution, 'very well,
:go' Mil' •
They moved on, and Rosa followed them
with . tearful eyes: - • ,
'As they approached the palace, Philip's l
heart beat finer. His; cloak, horn and pole I
were taken from him. The Prince said a
feW.wcirds to 'a gentleman of rank. The po
-ctinA
ism. was forthwith sent away.- The
Prince went up stairs, and Philip was or-
Alered to follow. Before the Prince left him
*mated once More to hint, not to be
• was led into a small ante
. chtnitheri Where. he remained - alone for a
long time. At last one of the royal cham
berlains came in and said, Come with me,
the• King wants to see you." • • •
Philip. was frightened almost out of his
senses,. His knees became weak. He was
. introduced into a beautiful room. There
the ota King sat laughing
,at a small table.
.Byltie' side Prince Julian was standing
. • • 'synhout his mask. No one else was in the
'The king looked at the young man for
some'time, apparently with pleasure.
orell'me every thing exactly,' the King
said, 'as it has happened to night.
Philip's
in
n wh ich courage revived at the kind man
ner the venerable old King ad
&sped 'him, and he confessed most minute
,- ly,:,wjiat km had done and experienced from
•
beginning "to the end, yet he was prudent
Ittid'mOdest enough to skip those communi•
• cetkons.of 'die courtiers, which might have
• • brerifibl the Prince into trouble.
- Thciiing several dines during Philip's
,noration burst into laughter ; and after hav
ing, ttildreased him several questions about
liis. flatrillts and trade, he . took some gold
pieces
. and gave • them to him with these
words ' ,
•vms, go my son, and , take care of your
,n,harm will be', done you, but do
tell any.one what you-have done-or
heard:tbta_taght
lihillip fell on hie Imes before the King,
Priered.hie hand while •he stammered
words`Of, thanha, As he, rose to de
, 71.1144:),ti0cA lulled said t;- .
41,103tAPit, bujubly 410 ,YefaL.?flp.iestY
, • -1474,401Avilythe:'Yeangoalgrig.t03W/11t ink inthe
,140410,r0H,1/ ,, ltittfo zQ tottp.n",little debt;,hh
biovinttho trouble I: hatTo : occaßioned ,hico
PhjL
:Cing-P94494 wiili a smile, 444
11Pi+sllAo~9P?4t1 a+
ortrinco.k.taid the , King, threatening With
ligrgreihgreriVit fortUfls Yoll\that
you told nio . :the PA.,. I will -. .40011 .linOro
• •
. .
pardon your wild and foolish'acts. • You de.
servo to be punished.' If once more you
play such a prank,l shall be inexorable.
Nothing will a ve ydn. I must know morn
exactly tthe affair ofDuke Herminn. 'Of
what' you said of .theimitiisters of pollee and
finances. I expect also proofs: Go now and :
give a present to the young gardener; He
behaved much more-wisely;in your Mantle,
.
than you did in his,'
The Prince left tlip,,King, and ordered
Phillip to go with hiM to his palace. Phil
lip had there to repeat every word- Ire bad
heard or said at the ball. Jn patted
him on the shoulder, and sat r 'Listen,
Phillip ; you are a - good•aridnadeated fellow.
What you said in my name to the chamber
lain, Pilzou, Countess Bonau, the marshall
and his wife, Col. Cold, the minister of fin
ances, and the otlinTrs, I find quite reasona
ble, and wilt consider it as if I had said it
I myself, and act accordingly. But you must
acknowledge the verses which I sang in
your name as watchman. You will lose
your employment l of watchman, for your
punishment. As a compensation I offer yilu
the situation of my gardener: I pin you at
the head of the gardens of my own chateaus,
and 1 will pay you immediately - five thou
sand florins fur the draft of the Chamberlain.
Presidents Message.
Fellow.citizens of the Senate
and House of .Representativce :
Sixty years have, elapsed since the establish.
ment of this Government, and the Congress of
the United States again assembles, to legislate
for an empire of freemen. The predictions of
evil prophets who formerly pretended to foretell
the downfall of our institutions, are now re
membered only to be derided, and the United
States of America; at this moment present to the
world the most stable and permanent Govern-
ment on earth.
Such is the result of the labors of those who
have gone before us. On Congress will evi
dently depend the future maintenance of our
system of free goVernnient, and the transmission
of it, unimpaired to posterity.
We are at peace with all the nations of the
world, and seek to maintain our cherished rela
tions of amity with them. During the past year;
we have been blessed, by a kind Providence,
with as abundance of the fruits of the earth;
and, although the destroying angel for a time,
visited extensive portions of our territory with
the ravages of a dreadful pestilence.yet, the Al
mighty has at length deigned to stay his hand,
and to restore the inestimable blessing of gener
al health to a people who have acknowledged
his power, deprecated his wrath, and implored
his merciful protection.
While enjoying the benefits of an amicable in
tercourse with foreign nations, we have nut been
insensible to the distraction and wars which
have prevailed in other parts of the world. It
is a proper theme of thanksgiving to Him who
rules the destinies of nations, that we have been
able to maintain, amidst all these contests, an
independent and neutral position towards all be
'
li , erent powers.
Our relations with great Britain are of the
most friendly character. In consequence (if, the
alterations in the British navigation acts,,,lNt
ish ve s sels, from British and other foreign ports,
wilquntler our existing lawsdafier the first , day
of January next, he admitted to entry, in our
ports, with cargoes of the growth,'manufacture,
or production of any part of the world, on the
same terms, as to duties, imposts, sod charges,
as vessels of the United : States with their car
goet ;• and our - vessels will, be admitted to the
same advantages in Bri tish
ports, entering there
in on the same terms as British vessels. Should
no order in conned disturb this legislative ar
rangement, the late act in the British Parliament,
by which Great Bejtian is brought within the
terms proposed byPle act of Congress of the Ist
of March, 1817, it is hoped, will be productive
of benefit to both countries.
A - slight interruption of diplomatic intercourse
which occured between this government and
France, I am happy to say, has been terminated,
and our Minister there has been received. It is
therefore unnecessary to refer, now, to the cir
cumstances which led to that interruption. I
need not express to you the sincere satisfaction
with which we shall hail the arrival of another
Envoy extraordinary, and Minister Plenipoten
tiary from a sister republic, to which we have
so long been, and still remain bound by the
strongest ties of amity.
Shortly after I had entered upon the discharge
of the executive duties, I was apprised that a
war -steamer, belonging to the German Empire,
was being fitted out in the harbor of New York,
with the aid of some of our naval officers, ren
dered under the permission of the late Secretary
of the Navy. This permission was granted du
ring an armistice between that empire and the
Kingdom of Denmark, which had been engaged
in the Schleswig Holstein war.
Apprehensive that this act of intervention, on
our part, might be viewed as a violatiort"of our
neutral obligations, incurred by treaty with Den
mark, and of the provisions of the act of Con
gress of the 20th of April, 1818, I directed that
no further aid should be rendered by any agent
or officer of the navy; and I instructed the Sec
retary of State to apprise the Minister of the
German empire accredited to this Government,
of my, determination to execute the law of the
United. States, and to maintain the faith of trea
ties with all 'nations': The correspondence.
which ensued' between the Department of State
and the Minister of the German Empire, is here
with laid before you. The execution Of the law
and the observance of the treaty were deemed by
the to be due to the honor of the country, as well
as to the sacred obligations of the :Constitution.
I shall not fail to pursue the same course, should
a similar case arise with any other nation. Ha
ving avowed tha' opinion, on taking the oath of
office, that, in disputes between conflicting for
eign goiernmenti, it is our interest, not less
than our duty, to temain strictly neutral, I shall
not abandon it. You will perceive, from the cor
respondence submitted to you, in connection
with this subject, that the course adopted in this
case has been properly regarded by the beliger
ant powers interested.
Although a Minister of the United States to the
German empire was appointed by may predeces
sor in 'August, Ma, and has, for a long time,
been in attetidaneLe, at Frankfort.on.the-Maine;
and although a I:Mister appointed to represent
that Empire. was received and accredited here,
I .yet no such government as that of the German
Empire has been definitely constituted. Mr.
Donelson, our representative at Frankfort, re-
Mained there several months,in the expectation
that a union of the German States,' under one
constitution or form of government, might, at
length be. organized. .It is believed, by those
well acquainted, with the existing. relations be
tween Prussia and;he states of Germany. 'that
no - such union. can be permanently established
without ; her oo.op ixtion. In the event of the
Carnation of silch 4 'union, and the organization
i .,
Of ii cearal'poiver. in lierniany t eiff. - Which - she
would forth Is part 4 would become - necessary
So withdraw our , ister at Berlin: -but ;slide
Prussia exists ati Bodependent kingdom and di
plornatiefelations hie maintained with her, there
'can be no necessitg 'for the continuance of the
:Wl:slots to,Prestitfokt I have, therefore, recall.
'ed Mr. Doselsoa. And directed the archives of
the 'epilog, st 'detract. to be, transferred to
the American native itt Perlin.. • .-.
Having been apprised that a considerable num
ber of adventurers were engaged in fitting out a
military expedition, within the. United States,
against a foreign country-; and believing, from
the beat information I cduld obtain, that it was
destined to invade the island of-Cuba. I deed'.
ed it due,to the friendly relations .existing be.
,
•tween the. United States and Spain, to the laws
of the United 'States, and, above all, to the Amer
ican horror,to exert the lawful authority of this
government in suppressing the expedition and
preventing the invasion. To this end,l issued a
proclamation, enjoining it - upon the officers of
the United S tates, civil and military to use all
lawful means within their power. A copy of that
proclamation is herewith subnitted. The expe
dition has been suppressed. So long as the act
of Con g ress, or the 20th of April, 1818, which
owes its existence to the law of nations and to
the policy of Washington himself, shall remain
on our statute boolc,l uphold it to be the duty tf
the Executive lant'olly to obey its injunctions
. While this expedition was in progress, I was
informed that a fore'ign'er, who claimed our pro
tection. had been clandestinely, and, as was
supposed, forcibly tarried ;MT in a vessel from
New Orleans to tlib island of Cuba. I immedi•
ately caused such steps to be taken as I thought
nezessary, in case the information I had receiv
ed should prove correct, to vindicate the honor
of the ;country, and the tight of every person
seeking an asylnm on our sail in the protection
of our laws. 'file person alleged to have been
abducted was priimptly restored, and the circum
stances of the case are now about to undergo
investigation before ajudicial tribunal. I would
respectfully suggest, that although the crime
charged to have been committed in this case is
held odious as being in conflict with our opinions
on the subject of national sovereignty and per•
sonal freedom, there is no prohibition of it, or
punishment for it, provided in any act of Con
gress. The expediency of supplying this defect
in one criminal code is therefore recommended
to your consideration.
have scrupuitutsly avoided any interference
in the wars and contentions which have recent-
ly distracted Europe.
During the late conflict bet..veert Austria and
Hungary, there seemed to be a prospect that the
latter might become an independent nation.-
However faint that prospect at the time appear
ed, I thought it my duty, in accordance with the
general sentiment of the American people, who
deeply sympathized with the Magyar patriots, to
stand prepared, upon the contingency of the es
tablishment by her of a permanent government,
to be the first to welcome indeoendent Hungary
into the family of nations. Fur this purpose, I
invested an agent, then in Europe, with power
to declare our willingness promptly t recognise
her independence, in the event of her ability to
sustatn it. The powerful intervention or Rus
sia, in the contest, extinguished the hopes of the
struggling Magyars. The United States did not,
at any time, interfere in the contest; but the feel
ings of the nation were strongly enlisted in the
cause, and by the suffering s of a brave people,
who had made a gallant th ough unsuccessful ef
fort to be free.
Our claims upon Portugal have been, during
the past year, prosectred with renewed vigor,
and it has been my object to employ every effort
of honorable diplomacy to procure their adjust.
ment. Our late Charge d'Affairs at Lisbon,
the Hon. George W. Hopkins, made able Al en
ergetic, but unsuccessful efforts to settle these
unpleasant matters of controversy, and to obtain
indemnity. for the wrongs which were the sub
jects of complaint. Our present charge d'AiTairs
at the court will, also, bring to the prosecution of
these claims ability and zeal. The revolutionary
and distracted condition of Portugal, in past
times has been represented as one of the leading
causes of, her delay -in indemnifying our suffer
ing citizens. But j• must now say, it is a matter
of profound regret that these claims have nor yet
been settled. The omission of Poi - tugal to do
justice to the American claimants has now as
sumed a character so grave and serious, that I
shall shortly make it the subject of a special
message to Congress with a view to such ulti
mate action as its wisdom and patriotism may
suggest.
With Russia, Austria, Prussia, Sweden, Den
mark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the Italian
States, we still maintain our accustomed emica
ble relations.
During the recent revolutions in the Papal
States, our Charge d'Affairs at Rome has been
unable to present his letter of credence, which,
indeed, he wax directed by my predecessor to
withhold until he should receive further orders.
Finch was the unsettled condition of things in
those States, that it was not deemed expedient to
give him any instructions on the subject of pre
senting his credential letter different from those
' with which he had been furnished by the late ad- •
ministration, until the 25th of June last ; when in
consequence of the watit.of accurate information
of the exact state of things, at that distance from
us, was instructed to exercise his awn discre
tion in presenting himself to the existing gov
ernment, if, in his judgment, sufficiently stable;
or if not, to await further events. Since that pe
riod. Rome has undergone another revolution,
and he abides the establishment of a government
sufficiently permanent to justify him in opening
diplomatic intercourse with it.
With the Republic of Mexico, it is our true
policy to cultivate the most friendly, relations.—
Since the ratification of the treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo, nothing has occurred of a serious char
acter to disturb them. A faithful observance of
the treaty, and a sincere respect for her rights,
can not fail to secure the lasting confidence and
friendship of the Republic. The message of my
predecessor to the House of Representatives, of
the Bth of Febuary last, communicating, in com
pliance with a resolution of that body, a copy of
a paper called a protocol, signed at Queretaro
on the 30th of May. 1848, by the commissioners
of the United States and the minister of foreign
'affairs of the Mexican government, having been
a subject of correspondence between the Depart
ment of State and the Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary of that republic accre
dited to this government, a transcript of that cor
respondence is herewith submitted.
The Commissioner on the Part of the United
States for making the boundary between the two
republics, though delayed in reaching San Die
go by unforseen obstacles, arrived at that Place
within a short period after the time required 'by
the treaty, and was there joined by the Commiss
foner on the part of Mexico. They entered upon
their duties; and, at the date of the latest intelli
gence from that quarter, some progress had been
made in the survey. The expenses incident to
the organization of the commission, and to its
conveyance to the point where, its operations
were to begin, have so much reduced the furid•
appropriated by Congress, that a further sum to
cover the charges which must be incurred dur
ing the present fiscal year, will be necessary.—
The great length of frontier along which the
boundary extends, the nature of the adjacent ter
ritory, and the difficulty of obtaining supplies, ex
cept at or near the eitremes of the line render
it also indispensible that a liberal provision
should be made to meet the necessary charges
iloribg• the decal year 'ending on' the 30th of
June 1831. faccordingly recommend this sub
ject to your attention. • .
- In the adjustment of the claims of American
citizens on - Mexicp, provided for by thelatetreaty
the employment of counsel, on the - . part of the
government, may become important 'for the pur
'pose of assisting the commissioners in protect
ing the lotereisth of the United States. I.recom.
mend this subject iotbe early and fever - able con•
iideration of Congress. • ;
Complatnts have been made in .regard : to the
inefficiency of the meant; prOvided by. the ,gov
ernment of New Grenada for transporting. the
United States ttdross the lithttitts of Pana-
ma, pursuant 'to dkr Postal convention with that
republic, of the 6th erf Starch 1844. Our Charge
d'Afiairs at Bogota has . tiven &reeled to make
such representations to the government of New
-Grenada as will, it- is hoped, lead to a prompt
removal of this cause of complaint.
The sanguinary civil war with evhich the Re
pliblic of Venezuela has for some tithe past been
ravaged, has been brought to a close. 4n its pro
gress, the rights of ortie df dur citizens resident
OT tradingthere have been Violated. Therestora-
tion.of tirder will afford the Venezulan govern.
meth an opportunity, to examine and redress these
grievances and others of longer standing, which
our rerre.sentatiires at Caraccas have, hitherto
ineffecfnally 'urged upon the attention of that gciv
ernMenl, •
The extension of are coasst of the United States
on the Pacific, and the unexampled rapidity with
which the innabitants of California. especially,
ate irrereaSin , r in numbers, have imparted new
coosequentelro our relations with the other coun
tries whose 'territories border upon that ocean.
It is probable That the intercourse between those
countries acid ottr possessions in that eientter,
particularly With the ftepublic of Chili, will be.
come extensive and mutually advantageous in
proportion as 'California and Oregon Bha II in
crease in population and wealth. ft is desirable
therefore, that This Government should do every
thing in its pOWCT to foster and strengthen its re
-laliOns With thotretates, .and that the spirit of
amity between us should be mutual and cordial.
I recommend the observance of the same
course towards all other American States. the
United States stands as the great American pow
er to which, as their natural alley and friend,
they Will alWays be disposed, first to look for
mediation and assistance, in the event of any
collision between them and ant European nation.
As such, we may often kindly mediate in their
behalf, without entangling ourselves in foreign
wars or unnecessary controversies. Whenever
the faith of our treaties width any of them shall
require our interference, we must neeessatily in-
interpose.
A convention has been negotiated with Braxil,
vprotiding For the satisfaction of American claims
on that goVernment, and will be submitted to
the Renate. tiince the last session of Congress
we have received an Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiury from that empire, and
our relations with it arc founded. upon the most
amicable understanding.
Your attention is earnestly invited to an
amendment of our existing laws relating to the
African slave trade, with a view to the efficient
suppression of that barbarous traffic. It is not
to be denied, that this trade is still, in part, car-
ried on by means of vessels built in the United
States, and owned or navigated by some of our
citizens. The correspondence between the De
partnient of State and the Minister and Consul
of the United States at Rio Janeiro, which has
from time to dine been laid before Congress,
represents that it is a customary device to
evade the, penalties of our laws by means of
sea-letters. Vessels sold in Brazil, when pro
vided with such papers by the Consul, instead
of returning to the United States, for a new
register, proceed, at (ewe to the coast of Afri
ca, for the purpose of obtaining cargoes of
slaves. Aluch additional information, of the
same character, has recently been transmitted
to the Department of State. It has not been
considered the policy of our laws to subject an
American citizen, who, in a foreign country,
purchases a vessel built in the United States, to
the inconvenience of sending her home for a
now register, before permitting her to proceed
on a voyage. Any alteration of the laws, which
might have a tendency to impede the free trans
fer of property in vessels between our citizens,
or the free navigation of those vessels between
different parts of the world, when employed
in lawful commerce, shquld be well and cau r
tionsly considered ; but I trust that your wis
dom wilt devise a method by which our gen
eral policy, Iti this repect, may be preserved,
and at the same time the abuse of our flag, by
means of sea-letters, in the manner indicated,
may be prevented.
Having ascertained that there is no prospect
of the reunion of the live states of Central
America, which formerly composed the repub
lic of that name, we have separately negotia
ted with some of them treaties of amity and
Commerce, which will be laid before the
Senate.
A contract having been concluded with the .
State of Nicaragua, by a company composed
of American citizens, for the purpose of con
structing a ship canal, through the territory of
that State, to connect the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans, I have directed the negotiation of a
treaty with Nicaragua, pledging both govern
ments to protect those who shall engage in and
perfect the work. All other nations are invi
ted by the state ofNicaragua ' to enter into the
same treaty stipulations with her; and the ben
etit to be derived by each from such an ar
ranaement, will be the protection of this great
interroceanic comrnunicatioti against any ['ow
-1 er which might seek to obstruct it, or to mon
opolize its advantages. All states, entering
into such a treaty, will enjoy the right of pas
sage through the canal on payment of the same
tolls.
The work, if constructed under these guar
antees, will become a bond of pence, instead
of a subject of contention and strife, bet Ween
tl:e nations of the earth. Should the great
maritime States of Europe consent to this ar
rangetnent, (and we have no reason to sup
pose that a proposition so fair and honorable
will be opposed by any,) the energies of their
people and ours will co-operate in promoting
the success of the enterprise.. I do not recom
mend any appropriation from the - National
treasury for this purpose, nor do I believe that
such an appropriation is necessary. Private
enterprise, if properly protected, willeomplete
the work, should it prove to be feasible. The
parties who have procured the charier from Ni
caragua, for its construction, desire no assist
ance from this Government beyond its protec
tion : and they profess that, having examined
the proposed line of communication, they will
be ready to commence the undertaking when
ever that protection shall be extended to them.
Should there appear to be reason, on examin
ing the whole evidence, to entertain a serious
doubt of the practicability of constructing such
a canal, that - tloubt could be speedily solved by
an actual exploration of the route:
Should such a work be constructed, under
the common protection of all nations,- for equal
benefits to all, it would be neither just nor ex
pedient that any treat maritime State should
command the communication. The territory
through which the canal may be opened ought
to be freed from the claims of any foreign pow-.
er. No such power should occupy a pnaition
that would enable it hereafter to exercise so
controlling an influence'ever the commerce of
the world, or to obstruct a highway which ought
to be dedicated to theeommon uses of mankind.
Tho routes across the Isthmas v at Tohaunte
pee and Panama, are alio worthy. of our -seri
ous consideration. They did not fail to engage
the attention of my predecessors. The nego
tiator of the treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo was
instructed to offer a very largo sum of money
for the right of transit across the lathmuseof
Tetiatuitepec. The Mexican governrnent did
not tureedeto theeproposition.forrtfre purchase
of the right,Of way, p ro bably beeztase if had
ready contracted w ith private mdividurdiforthe
oonseetion . ot a paseag,e front, the gattsactialco
river to Tehattatepec.. , ,
. .
I shall not renew any proposition to purchase
for money,' a tight which ought to be equally
secured to all nations, on payment of a reason
able !oil to the owners of the l'hiproveinent,
Who would doubtless, be well contented
that Compensation and the, guarantees or the
imaritime States of the world, in sepaiale treat
ies negotiated with. Mexico, binding herand
them to protect those who stbould'ethitswriet , the
work. tinch.guirentees would do more to .se
cure the ettinpletiola of 'the communication
through the territory of Mexico, than any other
reasonable consideration that could be offered
and us Mexico herself would be the greatest
ginner by the opening of thiti communication
between the Gulf and the Pacific ocean ; it is
presented that she would not hesitate to yield
her ail!, in the manner proposed,to accomplish
an improvement 80 important to her own best
interests.
We have reason to hope that the proposed
railroad across the Isthmus at Panama will be
successfully- constructed, under the protection
of the late treaty with New 'Grenada, ratified
. and exchanged by my preetteesser on the 10th
day of June, 1848, which guarantees the per
fect neutrality of the isthmes, and the rights of
sovereignty and property of New Grenada over
that territory, "with a view that the free transit
from ocean to Ocean may not be interrupted or
embarrassed" during ttre existence of the
treaty. kt is IV& policy to encourage every
practicable route across the Isthmus which
connects North and South America, either
by railroad 'or canal, which the energy
and enterprise °of our citizens may induce
them to complete, and I consider it obligatory
upon me to adopt that policy, especially in con
, sequence of the absolute necessity of facilitat
, int.! intercourse with our possessions on the Pe-
eific.
The position of the Sandwich islands. with
reference to the territory of the United States
On the Pacific; the success of our persevering
and benevolent citizens -who have repaired to
that remote quarter in clitistenimitig the natives
and inducing them to adopt a system of pm
ernmerd and talks sailed to their capacity and
wants; and the use made by our numerous
whale ships of the harbors ai rl the islands as
places of resort for obtaining refreshments and
repairs, all combine to render their destiny pe
culiarly interesting to us. It is our duty to
encourage the, authoritiCs of those islands in
their efforts to improve and elevate the mural
and political conAtion of those inhabitants;
and we should &Aire' reatonable allowances for
the difficulties inseparable from this task. We
desire that the islands may maintain their in
dependence, and that other nations should con
cur with us in this sentiment. We could in no
event be indifferent to their passing under the
dominitht of any other power. The principal
commercial States have in this a common in
terest, and it is to be hoped that no one of them
will attempt to interpose obstacles to the entire
independence of the islands.
The receipts into the treasury for the fiscal
year ending on the thirtieth of June last were,
in cash, forty-eight million eight 'htindred and
thirty thousand ninety-seven dollars and. fifty
cents, ($48,830,097,50 ; ) and in Treasury awes
funded, ten millions eight hundred and thirty
three thousand dollars, ($10,833,000.) making
an aggregate of fifty - mine millions six hundred
and sixty-three thou-and ninety-seism dollars
and filly cents, (?53,663,097 50.) and the ex
pentliimes, for the same time nem, in vsh,
forty six millions seven hundred and ninety
eight thousand six hundred and sixty-seven
dollars and eighty-twocents.) 846,798,087.82,)
and in Treasury notes funded, ten millions
. eight -hundred and iltirty.three thousand dollars,
(310,833.000.) making an aggregate of fifty
seven millions six hundred and thirty-one
thousand six .7hundred and sixty-seven dol
lars and eighty-two cents, ($57,631,067 : 82 )
The accounts and estimates which will be
submitted to Congress in the report of the Sec
retary of the Treasury, show that there will
probably be a deficit, occasioned by the expert
-,es of the Mexican war and treaty, on the first
day of July next, of five millions e ight hun
dred and twenty-one dollars and sixty-six cents,
(55,828,121,6 G.) and on the Ist del elf July
1851, of tell millions five hundred and forty
seven thousand and ninety-two dollars and,
seventy-three cents, (510.547,092,73.) making
in the whole a probable deficit, to be provided
for, of sixteen millions three hundred and F•CV.
enty-five - thousund two hundred arid fourteen
dollars arid thirty-nine cents, (516,375 214,39.)
The extraordinary expenses of the war with
Mexico. and the purchase of California and
New Mexico, exceed ill amount this deficit,
together with the loans heretofore made for
those objects. I therefore recommend that au•
thority be given to borrow whatever sum may
be necessary to cover that deficit. I - recent.
mend the observance of strict economy in the
appropriation and expenditure of the public
money.
I recommend a revision of the existing tariti,
and its adjustment on a basis which may aug.
tnent the revenue. Ido not doubt the right or
duty . el Congress to encourage domestic indus
try, which is the g reat source of 'tenoned us
well as individual wealth and prosperity. I
look to the wisdom and patriotism of Congress
for the adoption of a system which may place
home labor, at last, on a sure and permanent
footing, and, by due encourageMent of manu
factures, give a new and increased stimulus to
agriculture, and promote the developement of
Our vast resources antithe extension of our com
merce. Believing that to the attainment 'of
these ends (as well as the necessary augmen
tation of the revenue and tine prevention of
frauds) a system of specific duties is best
adapted. I strongly recommend to Congress
the adoption of that system, fixing the defies
at rates high enough to afford substantial and
sufficient encouragement to our own industry :
and at the same 'mig so adjusted as to insure.
stability.
The question of the Continuance of the Sub
treasery system is respeetfully submitted to the
wisdom of Congress. If continued, import
ant modifications of it appear to be neces
sary.
Forfurther details and views of the above,
and other matters connected with commerce,
the finances, and revenue, I refer to the report
of the Seeretaiy of the Treasury.
No direct atd hasbeengtven by the General,
Government loth° improvement of agriculture
except by the expenditure of small sums for
the collection and publication of agricultural
statistics,. atd for .some chemical analyses,
which have been, thus far, paid out of the pa
tent fund. This aid , is, in my.opinion wholly
1 inadl i
urate. .To.give to this leading branch , of
Amencan industry.the encouragement which
it merits, I respectfully recommend the estab
lishment of an Agricultural Ilureatf, to be con
nected with the 'l)epartment of the Interior.
To elevate the social condition of the agricul
turist; to increase his 0408PerilYr and to extend
his moans :of usefulness to Ins country?, 'by
multiplying his sources: of information, should
be the study of statesm a n, and a r nrituary
.
object with every legislator. , - .
provided. .: 1
.No ciVil geverninent havin.f been v
by Congress for California,. the
,people of That
territory linpelledly . the:necessity of their po
litical coudition,-` recently met in.couventioni
forthst,pprpests of. Jorming A constitution and
State' goveninteni' . which the Weld ailvices
give Yoe reason to suppose, has been aecoms
'Alerted - and it is believed they will shortly
apply foithe ailmietsion of California into the ,
Unioo,its a etiveirsiglyst'ate. Should such be the
ease; and ehodld their cionaiintion be conform
able to the triiiptit4f#iii. of the cmisffintion of
the United :Statett,,l4relmom metal their applica
tion:to thelavorableermsideration of Congress.
:The people. of.emr. Mexico will also, a is
believed, at nir..v_eri distant period present
themselves for admission intothe Union. he
paratory to the adraission of California and
New Mexico, the people of each will have in
stituted far thernee/ves a republican form of
government, 'laying its foundational,' such •
principles, and uri!anising its powers M. fault
form, as to them :Lill seem mostislikely to ef
fect their safety arid happisiess,'
awaiting their maim, all esarses of unea
siness may be avoided. MI d cenfiderice and
kitid feeling preserved. With a view of
maintaining the harmony and trangoility so
dear to all, wu should abstain from the intro
ductiou of those eft icing topies•al a sectional
character which- hare hitherto r tiac:d pain
ful
appreheutiirms in the poblse mind-; and I
repeat the solemn warning of the first and most
illustrious of my predecessors sphist frmthdi
ing "any ground for characterizing parities by
geographical discriminations.'
A collector has been appointed t [fan filo%
risen, under the act of Congress extending MA
revenue laws over California; and measures
have been taken to organise the cuntom-hon
ses at that and the other ports mentioned in the
act, at the earliest 'period practicable. The col
lector proceeded overland, and advices have
not yet been received of his arrival at San Fran
cisco. Meanwhile it is under Stood that du;
customs have continued to tie eollected there
by officers acting under mithary authority, as
they were during the adminstration of my pre
decessor. (t will, I think, be expedient to con
firm the collections thus made, mid direct the
avails (after such allowances as C0111!1"Ct , S may
think fit to authorize) to be expended within
the territory, or to be paid him the Treasury,
for the purpose of meeting appropriations for
the improvllnieot pf its rivers and harbors.
A party, engaged on the coast survey,
was dispatched to Oregon in January last.
According to the latest advices, they bad
not left California; and directions have been
given to them, as soon as they shall have
fixed on the sites of the two lighthouses and
the buoys authorised to be constructed and
placed in Oregon, to proceed without delay
to make reconnoissances of the most impor
tant points on the coast of California - , and
especially to examine and determine on
sites for lighthouses on that coast, the spee
dy erection of which is urgently demanded
by our rapidly increasing commerce.
I have transferred the Indian Agenbies
from Upper Missouri and Council Sluff; to
Santa Fe and Snit Lake ; and have caused
to be appointed sub-agents in the valleys of
the Gila, the Sacramento, and San Joaquin
Rivers. Still further legal provisions will
be necessary to the effective and successful
extension of our system of Indian inter
course over the new Territories.
I reccommend• the establishment of a
branch mint in California. as it tt ill, in my
opinion afford important facilities to those
engaged in mining, as well us to the
Government in the disposition of the miner
al lands.
I also recommend that commissions be
organized by Congress, to examine and di.-
cide upon the validity of the presetitsubsi&-
ting land titles in California and New :Mex
ico: and that provision be made for the L.,-
tablishment of offices of Surveyor Generdl
in New Mexico, California, and Oregon..
and for the surveying arid kluging Mtn
market the public lands in those Territories.
'Those lands, remote in position, and diffi
cult of access, ought to be disposed of on
terms liberal to all, but especially 'favorable
to the early emigrants.
In order at the situation and character
of the principal mineral deposites in Cali
fornia may be ascertained, I reccommend
that a geological and mineralogical explora
tion be connected with the linear surveys. ,
and that the mineral lands be diVided into
small lots suitable for mining, and be dis
posed of, by sale or lease, so as to give our
citizens an opportunity of procuring.a per
manent right of property in the soil. This
would seem to be as important to the success
of mining as of agricultural. pursuits:
The great mineral
. wealth of California,
and the advantages, which its ports.. And
harbors, and those of Oregon.afford,to coin
merce, especially with the islandsof•the
Pacific and Indian oceans,and the populous
regions of Eastern Asia, make it certain
that there will arise, id a few yiers,, large
and prosperous communities : on: our west
ern coast. It, therefore becomes : important
that a line of communication, the best and
most expeditiOns, which the.nature of .the
country will admit, should be 'opened, with
in the, territory of the. United States, front
the navigable waters of the Allende or the
iSulfof Mexico, to the Pacific. Opinion.
as elicited and expressed by two large and
respectable conventions, lately assembled
at St. Louis and Memphis, points toe rail- .
road' as if practicable; will best . .
meet the' wishes, and wants of the country.... •
But While' this, if in successful operation,
would be a work of great national
„irnri?r
lance, and of a value to the eauatiy,,, , whieh
it would'be difficult
,to estimate , it:ought al-,
so to be regarded as an. undertaking..of.east
magnitude and., expense,
must, if it be, indeed, practicable, enCeun-•
ter many difficulties in lei constigatii*and
use. Therefore,. to'avoid failur,s4intli'dis
appointritent f . to enable Congregisto . :iridgi.
whether; in the condition of •thrs:, country,
through which it must pass, !the cork. be
feasible, and if it.be (oupd,
should he undertaken riska,poimitliropm A_. •
merit or Jell to individual enterprise; at ,a
the latter., alternative, -what,Day.
o n u tet t .. to I rrpcitniittdarrla6. it by ..:iptlre..ely.6l4Mlll4,arnry...:.
ineasure, a careful.yeconneistr A ce. °Atha
several proposed routes.bie sc s ens*iefts,
and a report,tis to the:weal(
king such a road, with art ~ : . em i newa : 0 1 4 k, •
cost of its construction and I , :ssepaitir.L- , 7t4 ,
For further' A g,
eWB or k
' UMW
in "
utters cortneetedJ- - wit',
Udine DePartinent4-
port of the Secretary •; t i i iiifo t osiii .c o,
.! recommend -c:, Astir apPYtiPthittilftii.‘l4 l
egintiou pg• thu• AkVAllitt I bilideirririiiii•i!-
'runts' .winct i i k„.• & W ait ! I
Iv gurrostm_
also fq.tho ,cor!, jjanririn'ofi,thist fob irk4cl;