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