I have sworn upon tiro Altar bf nod, eternal hostility to every form of Tyranny over the ailnd of Man." Thomas Jefferson, 3 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY II. WEBB. Volume MI. , MESSAGE, Of the President of llie United Slates, to llie two Houses of Congress, at the com mencement of the first session of the twenty-sixth Congress. -Fellow citizens vf tfie Sarnie and House of Ilrprestnlalivts : I regret that I cannot, on this occasion 'congratulate you that the past year has been 'ono of unalloyed ptospenty. Tho ravages 'of fire and disease have painfully afllietcd 'otherwise nourishing portion or our conn try; and scrmus embarrassments yet dcranc "tho trade of many of our cities. 5'ut not- "withstanding these adverse circumstances, that general prosperity which has heretofore tocen so bountifully bestowed upon us by the Author of all good, still continues to call for our warmest gratitude. Especially have we reason to rejoice in the exuberent hai vcsls which have lavishly recompensed well directed industry, and given to it that sure reward which is vainly sought in visionaty speculations. I cannot indeed view, with out peculiar satisfaction, the evidence iiflor ded by the past season of the benefits that spring from the steady devotion of tho hus bandman to his honorable pursuit. No means of individual comfort is more eettaiu, and no source of national prosperity is so sure. Nothing can compensate a people for a dependance upon others lor the bread they cat; and that cheerful abundance on which the happiness of every ono so much depends, is to be looked for nowhere with such sure reliance ns in the industry of the agriculturalist and the bounties of the earth. With foreign countries our relations ex hibit the sainu favorable aspect which was presented in my last annual message, and afford continued proof of the wNdom of the pacific, just and forbearing policy adopted by tho first administration of the federal government, and pursued by its sui-ecssnts. The extraordinary powers vested in nic by ait act of Congress, for tho defence of the country in an emergency, considered so far probable as to requiio that the e.xccutrc should possess ample means to meet it, have not been exerted. Thov have, therefore. been attended witli no other result than to increase, by tho confidence thus reposed in jne, by obligations to maintain, with roligi tous exactness the cardinal principles that govern our intercourse with other nations. Happily in our pending questions with Croat Dritain, out of which this unusual grant of authority arose, nothing ha3 occurred to re quire its exertion; and as it is about to re turn to the legislature, I trust that no future necessity may call for its exercise by them, or its delegation to another department of the government. For tho scltlcniftnt of our Northeastern iboundary.thc proposition promised by Circat Britain lor a commission for exploration and survey, has been received, and a counter project, including also a provision for the certain auel final adjustment of tho limits in disnulc, is now before the HriiUh Govern ment for its consideration. A just regard to the delicate state of the question, and a proper respect for tho natural impatience of the Slate of Maine,not less than a couvicton that the ncgonation has been already pro tracted longer than is prudent on the part of hher Government, havo led mo to believe fiat the present favorable moment should on no account be suffered to pass without putting the question forever at rest. 1 feel confidont that tho Government of her 15ri tanic Majesty will take tho same- view of il.! n.l.!nnl no f r t ftr I , i 1 1 n 1 1 it to rmtmnt- 1)013 OUI'JI-UI. A ..!. v . 11 . .1 w i. .u jjwrviii- & bv desires equally strong and sincere for the amicable termination of tho controvert IB To tho intrinsic difficulties of questions W I 1 . !..!!.. .1 .! ti. KnOWn, 13 I" UU UHUUU III Ul. UHUIIUJf '"", : . l. ...... ..,.,,,,1.,, i ,o embarrassments necessarily arising out ol tur Coustitution.by which the General Gov- rvotnmg nas oecuircu io usu.n. mo .ar irnmcnt is made the organ of ncgocialing, mmiy of our intercourso with Austria, Uo - , ,.., .. i. iriiiin. Denmark. France. Nan es. Fortuna I. llliv.ll.airi ui i llinsf! linns' the Slates on whose frontiers are to ue traeeii. io nvom anumi-i iuu- . , :.l .1 wersy in wliicli a Slate liuvcrnmciu migiii (rightfully claim to have her wishes consul- WeU, previously io wiccunciu.'siuii ui tunn n- monat arrangements concerning irei nmn fi jurisdiction or territory, I have thought C(T..n.nnp.,H ii nill llir nttnnltmi nf 1 lift (InV J w ... Eminent of Great Hritain to another portion pfoour conterminous dominion, or which MiTdivicinn Giill rnnmins to bo adiustcd. I Milt to the line from tho entrance ol Lake Superior to tho most northwestern point of Set Lake of tho Woods, stipulations lor Hie ulcment of which aro to bo found in the evWhartieleof the treaty of Ghent. Tho 9.1 --! ...., .Itt!...! iii.ilni ,lii nl.tii.lf. ammisaiuucia iiniiuiui' uuuw ff. ......... mV. . ' . 1 -I!,' I !.. Eitbo two governments paving omereu in hiir amnions, made separate reports, ac- lording to tho stipulations, upon the points d sairreeinent. and tliese eiiiicrcnces are wto bo submitted lo tho arbitration ot e friendly sovereign or Stato. The dis-! id noinu should be seltled, and the line j guatad.bcforo the turritorial government, ; BTLOOMSBUIBO, COLUMBIA of which it is ono of the boundrios, takc3 its place in the Union as a stale; and 1 rely upon tho cordial co-operation of the Uritisli Government to effect that object. There is every reason to believe that disturbances like those which lately agitated tho neighboring British Provinces will not again prove tho sources of border conten tion, or interpose obstacles to the continu ance of that good understanding which it is the mutual interest of Great Britain and the United Spies to preserve and maintain. Within the provinces themselves tran quility is restored, and on our frontier that misguided sympathy in favor of what was preuisumcd to bo a general cfl'ort in behalf ot popular rights.nud which in some instan ces misled a lew of our more inexperienc ed citizens, has subsided into u rational conviction strongly opposed to all intermed dling with tho internal affairs of our neigh bors. The people of the United Stales led, as it is hoped they always will, a warm so licitude for tho success of all who are sin cerely eudcavoiing to improve the political condition of mankind. This generous fed ing they cherish towards the men dUiaut nations; mid it was natural therefore, that it should he awakened with more than com mon warmth in behalf of their immediate neighbors. But it does not belong to their character, as a cuniniuiiiiy, to seek the gratilicution of tho.-o leoliiig3 in acts which violate their duly as citizens, endanger the peace of their country, and tend to bring upon it the stain of a violated fiiih towards foreign nations. If, zealous to confer benefits on others, thoy appear lor a moment to 10010 stgtit oi tne perma nent obligation imposed upon ihem as citi zens, they are seldom long misled. Prom all the information I rcrm-. rnn(irmiil in some cxto t, by personal observation, I am satisfied that no one can now hope to encase in Mien enterprises witliott eiieoiiuieiinir public indignation, in addition to tho sever est penalties of the law. Herein information also leads nic to hope that the omigr.mls from the Majesty's Pro vinces, who havo sought refuge within our boundaries, are disposed to become pcucca able residents, and to abstain from all at tempt)) to ondauaei the peace of that coun try which has ..Horded them nn asylum. On a review of ihc occuirenccs on both sides of the line, it ia sutil:irioty to rellecl, that in almost every complaint against our coun try, the offence may bo traced to emigrants from the Provinces who have sought refuge here. In the few instances in which they wero aided by the citizens of tho United Stated, the acts of theso misguided men were not only in direct contravention of the laws and well known wishes of their own Government, but met with tho decided disapprobation of the people of the United States. I regret In sialo tho appearance of a dif ferent spirit among her Majesty's subjects in the Canadas. Tho sentiments of hostili ty to our people and institutions, which have been so frequently expressed there, and the disregard of our rights which have been manifested on some occasions, have, I am soiry to say, been applauded and en couraged by tho people, anil even by some of the subordinate local authorities of tho Provinces. Tho chief o Hirer." in. Canada fortunately have not cntorla.ned the same feeling, and have probably prevented exces ses that must have been f.tlal to tho peace of the two couiilries. I look forward anxiously to a period when all the transactions which havo grown out of this condition of our affairs, and which have been made tho subjects of com plaint ami rcuionstraneo by the two govern - " . . nl il.n ! i . A ... ... , '"' - - - -- . . a 1 russia. Russia, Sweden. I ho internal ;stato of Spain has sensibly improved, and a well-grounded hope exists that tho return of peaco will restore to the pcoplo oflbat i country their former prosperity, and enable the government to fulfil all its obligation? ai homo and abroad. Tho government of , Porturral. I have the satisfaction to statu, j has paid in full the eleventh and lasl itistal- ment duo to our citizens for the claims em braced in the settlement made with her on tho ! 3d of March, 1837. 1 hy beloro you treaties of commerce nc- irntlaind with tho kiiins of Sardinia and ol thn Netherlands, tho ratifications of which have been exchanged since the adjourn ment of Congress. Tho liberal principles of these treaties will recommend them to your approbation. That with Sardinia is the first treaty of commerco formed by that kingdom, and it will, I trust, answer the expectations oi mc pres.. ....;;.., aiding mo uoveiopcineni oi me rcs...,. u, his country, and stimulating the cnterpris oi tits nec-pie. i im wjm w .n.,.,... COUNTY, FA. SATURDAY, JAN1TA&Y 4, happily terminates a long existing subject j or dispute, mid removes from our future commercial intercourse, all apprehensions of embarrassment. The king of the Neth erlands had also, in further illustration of his character for justice, and of his desire to remove every cause of disatisfactiun, made compensation for an American vessel captured in 1800, by a French privateer, and carried into Curacoa, where the pro ceeds were appropriated to the use of the colony, then, and for a shuit time after un der tho dominion of Holland The death of the late Sultan, has produ ced no alieiation in our rchiiions with Tur key. Our newly appointcd'Ministcr Kcsi dent lias reached Constantinople, and I have received assurances fiom llie present Ruler, that tho obligations of our treaty and those of friendship, will be ftillillcd by him sell in the same spirit that actuated his illus trious father. 1 regret to bo obliged to Inform you, that no convention for tho settlement of the chums of our citizens upon Mex'uo has yet been ratified by the Government of that country. Tho first convention formed for that purpose was not presented by the Pre sident of Mexico for the approbation of its Congress, from a belief that tho King of Prussia, tho arbitrator in ease of disagree inent in tlic joint commission tu be appoin ted by the United Slates and Mexico, would not consent lo take upon himself that frisnd ly office, All.iongh not entirely satisfied with the course pursued by Mexico, 1 felt no hesitation in receiving in the most con cilatory spirit, the explanation ojfered. and also cheerfully consented lo a new conven tion, in order to arrange llie payments pro posed lo bo made to our citizens, in ti man lier which, while equally just to them, was I doomed less onerous and I the .Mexican Gtncrnmcul. inconvenient to Belying couli i ucntlv upon llie intentions of that Govern ment, Mr. lidlis was directed to repair to Mexico, and diplomatic intercourse has been resumed between the two countries The-now convention has, lie informs us been recently submitted by the President of that Republic lo Us Congress, under cir cumstances wlni'li promise a . tiiurdv rait ficaiicn ; a icsult which I eannol'sllow mv- self to doubt. Instructions havo boon given to tho Com missioners of tho United States, under our Convention wiih Texas, for the demarca tion of the lino which separates us from that Republic. J ho commissioners of both Governments met in New Orleans in Au gust last. The joint commission was or ganized, and adjourned to convene at the samo nlare on the twelfth of Coluber. It is presumed to be pow in the performance of Us duties. The new government of Texas litis shown its desire to cultivate friendly relalous with ns, by a prompt reparation for injtries com plained of in the ease of two vessels of tho United Slates. j With Central America a convention has been concluded for tho renewal o its form er treaty with the United Siatoj. This was not ratified before the departure of our late unargo u Aiiaires irom tnat country, and the copy of it brought by him was not j posed necessities by new loans. Tho received befuro tho adjournment of the Sen-1 struggle, therefore, on our part, to be suc ate at the last session' In the mean while i "csslul, must be made at the threshold. To tho period limited for the exchange ol rali- lic.itioiis Having expired, 1 deemed it expo- dient, in consequence of the dentil of the Charge d'Afi'.iires to send a special agent to Central America, lo close the affairs of out mission there, and to arrange with the government and extension of tho time for the exchange of ratifications. The commission created by the Slates which formerly composed tho Repablie of Columbia, for adjusting the claims against that Government, has by a very unexpected construction lJl 'ho treaty under which it acts, decided that no provision was made for those citizens of tho UnitcdStalcs which arose from captures by Columbian priva teers, and wero adjudged against tho clai mants in tho judicial tribunals. This deci sion will compel the United States to apply to ihc several Governments formerly united foriedrcss. With all these New Ciena da, Venezuela, and Ecuador, a perfect good understanding oxists. Our treaty with Ve nezuela is faiihfullv carried into 'execution, and that couniiy, in the enjoyment of tran quility, is gradually advancing in prosperity under tho guidance of its present distin guished President General Faez. With Ecuador, a liberal ronimorcial convention has lately been concluded, which will bo transmitted lo llie Sonata at an early day. Willi the great American Empire of Bra zil, our relations eoiwintic unchanged, as does our friendly intercourse with the other Governments of South America tho Ar gentine Republics of Uraguay, Chila, Peru and Uolivia. The dissolution of tho Peru llolivian Confederacy may occasion some temporary inconvenionco to our citizens in that quarter, but the obligations on the now Governments which havoo.isen out of that Confederation, to observe its treaty atipuli,- tious, will no doubt be soon understood, and it is presumed thai no indisposition will ex ist to fulfil those which it contracted with the United States. The financial operations of the Govern ment during the present year have, I am happy to say, been veryj successful, Tho difficulties under which the Treasury de partment has labored, from known defects in tho existing laws relative to the safe keep ing of the public moneys, aggravated by the suspension of specie payments by several of the banks holding public deposited, or indebted to public, officers for notes received in payment of public dues, lime been sur mounted to a very gratifying extent. J he largo current cxpeudiluics have all been punctually met, and the faith of tho Gov ernment in all 'is pecuniary concerns has been scrupulously maintained. The nineteen millions ef Treasury noles authorized by the act of Congress of 1837, and llie mollifications thereof, with a view lo the indulgence of merchants on their duty bonds, and of tho deposito banks in the pay ment of public moneys held by them, have been so punctually redeemed as to leave less than the original ten mi. linns outstaud ing at any one tunc, and the whole amount uiiredeumed now falls short of three millions Of these the chief portion is not due till next year, and the whole would have been already extinguished, could the Treasury have realized llie payments due to it Irom tho banks. IT those due Irom them during tho next year shall be punctually made, mid if Congress shall keep tho appropriations within the crubnatos, there is every reason to believe that all the outstanding Treasury notes can be redeemed, and the ordinary expenses defrayed, without imposing on the people any additional burdens, either of loans or increased luxes. To avoid this 'and lo keep tho expendit ures within reasonable bounds, is a duly second only in importance to tho preserva tion of our national character, and the pro tection of our citizens in their civil and po litical rights. The creation in lime of peace of a debt likely to become permanent, is an evil for which there is lio equivalent The rapidity with which many of the Slates are apparently approaching to this condition, admonishes us of our own doles, too i in ptessivc to be disregarded. "One, not the least important, is to keep the FederalGov eminent always in a condition to discharge with case and vigor, its highest functions, should, their exercise be required by any sudden conjuncture ol public nllairs a con dition to which wo are always exposed.aud which may occur when least expected. To this end, it is indispensable that its finances should bo untrammelled, and its resources, as lar as practicable, unincumbered. JNo circumslancc could present greater obstacles to the accomplishmens ol these vitally im portant objects, than the creation of an one rous iialicual debt. Our own experience, and also that of other nations, have demon strated the unavoidable nod fearful rapidity with which a public debt is increased, When llie Government has once surrendered itself to the ruinous practice ol supplying its sup make our dibits effective, severe economy esHary. This is the surest piovi.-inn is necessary for the national welfare; and it is, at the I same time, the best preservative of thepiin- eiples on which our institutions rest. Sim - phcily and economy in die all.urs of Stato j is, therefore, onco more earnestly leque1 have never failed to chasten and invigorate ted. Republican principles, whilo these have The present condition of the defenres" of been as surely subverted by national prodi- nur principal seaports and navy yards, as galily, under whatever specious protexts ltj represented by the accompanying report of may have been introduced or fostered. the Secratary of War, calls for llie early These considerations cannot be lost on a and serious attention of Congress ; and, as people who have never been inattentive lo I connecting Itself intimately with this sub file cfieel of their policy upon the institu-Iject, I cannot resominend too strongly to lions they have created for themselves but 1 your eoiiMileratiou the plau submitted by at the present moment llieir lorce is img. mcntcti uy tne necessity wiiictt a decreas ing revenue must impose Tim check late ly given to importations of articles subject lo duties, the derangements of llie opera tions of internal trade, and especially the reduction giadually taking place in our ta riff of duties, all lend materially to lessen the receipts; indeed, it is probable that the diminution resulting from the last cause a- loiie, will not fall short of five millions of, iug into solemn engagements with llie Com-1 dollars in the year 181U, as the final reduc- mantling Gonctal, the Indians, without any lion of all duties to twenty per cent, then provocation, recommenced their acts of" lakes effect. The whole-rcvonuo then ac treachery and murder. Tho renewal of cruing from tho customs, and from the sales hostilities In that Terilory lenders it net ts of public lands, if not more, will bo wanted sary that I should recommend to your fa to defray the expenses of tho Government vorablc consideration llie plan which will under tho most prudent management of its be submitted to you by the Secretary of affairs. These arq circumstances that im- Wat, in order lo enable that department to pose the necessity of rigid economy, and i conduct them to a successful 'ssuo. require its prompt and constant exercise. Having had an opportunity ol personally Willi llieLcgislaturo rest the power and duty inspcetinir a portion of the troops dtirin? ol adjusting tho puuue expenditure so ns to promote this end. By the provisions of I ihe Constitution, it is only m consequence of appropriations made by law, lint money 1339. fcUBitfocr 86. -jd can be drawn from Uio Treasury) no In stance has occurred siuce the eslabilihrni'ni of the Government in which the Executive though a component part of the legislative! power, bus interposed an bbjeuiion to an appropriation bill jii the sola ground of its extravagance. His duty in this respect has been considered fulfiillcd by requestini such appropriations tinly us the public ser vice may bo reasonably expected to require In the present earnest direction of tho pub lic mind towards this subject, both tho Ex eeutive and the Legislature have evidence of iho strict responsibility to which they Will be held t and While I afri bohscibtis of my own anxious efforts to psrforuij Willi fidelity, this portion of public functions it is a satislaction to nic to be able to count on n cordial co-operation from you At the time I entered upon my present duties, our ordinary disbursements with out including those on account of the pub lie debt, the post office, and the trust funds in charge of the Government- has been largely increased by appropriations for ilia removal of the Indians, for repelling Indian hostilities, and for Qther less urgent expen ses which grew out of an overflowing Trea sury. Independent of the redemption of tho public debt and trus-ls, the cross exhen diiures of seventeen mid eighteen million! in 183-1 and lsua had, by these causes, swelled twenty nine millions in 1830 ; jnd the appropriations for 1837, made previous ly to the 4 lit of March, caused the expendi ture to rise lo very largo amount of ihirtv- three millions Wo wero enabled during tho year J 838, notwithstanding the eontiiw unco of our Indian embar.issiiie'itaf some-' what to reduce this amount; and that for the present year, 1839, will not in all prob ability exceed twenty-six millions, or sis millions less than it was last yeai. With d determination en far as depends oh me to' continue this reduction, I have directed the estimate for 1840 to be subjected to the se verest scrutiny, and to be limited to the ab solute requirements of the public Service. They will be found less than the i xJpndi lures of 1839 by over five millions af dol lars. The precautionary measures which will be recommended b'y the Secratary of the' Treasury, to protect faithfully tho publio credit under the fluctuations and couten geucics to which our receipts and expendi tures are exposed, and especially In a com mercial crisis like the present, are rccunv1 mended lo your early attention' On a fofincr occasion your attention Was invited to various considerations in support of a preemption law in behalf of the set tlers on tho publio lands ; and also of a law , irradualimr the prices for such hinds as bad lng been in tho maiket unsold, in conse- j quenco nl their inferior quality. The exe- ctition oi tiie act wliicli n as passed on the first subject has been attended with tho' happiest consequences, In quieting titles, and securing improvements lo the indus(rif ons ; and it has also, to a very gratifying extent, been exempt from the frauds which were practised under previous pre-emption; laws. It has' at the same time, as was an ticipated, contributed libeially during the1 piesent year lo the receipts of Ihe Treasu' ) The passage of a grailuatioi't law. with , the guards before recommended, would aho ' I am persuaded, add consiileiablv to tbrf revenue for several years, and prove in other' i rpnni't ill.t ntul tiniir.lif.inl. i Your early consideration of the stibjecf that ofluer for the organization ol the mill tia of the United Slates. In conformity with the expressed wishes of Congress, nn atiempl was made in tha spring lo tciminaie the Florida war by ne gotiaiion. It is to bo rcgjeticd that these humaiio intentions should have been frus trated, and that tho effort to bring these un happy difficulties to a satisfactory conclu sion should havo tailed, nut, after ouler- tho last summer, it gives mo pleasure to bear testimony to the success of the effort I to improvo their discipline, by keeping I them together in Urge bodies u iht inure" u (a
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