R. W. WEAVER EDITOR.
...if. .... . -
Ulnomsburg, I'hursduy, Dec. 5, 1850.
THE SHINS OP THE TIMES. >
Almost every paper which wo open con
tains alarming accounts of lawlessness and
outrage upon li fe ami property. Wo e' ron
icle iho paragraphs of crime until the brain
.grows tlizzy, and heart siok"s at the sad
-recital which the pen must make.
There is then too a morbid, sickly sym
pathy for criminals, which is dangerously
prevalent. We say dangerous, because no
man can feel gratified at tho want- 11 perse
cution of his fellow, and only desires to see
the law vindicated so that lawlessness may
not be all prevalent that there may be some
protection to life and property—and that
there may be some shield against the mail
fevets of hasty prejudice, passion und clam
or. We 100 hare our sympathies—all men
have the Godlike virtue of Pity—but be it
sympathy for unfortuna a honesty, and not
for the profligate and reckless man whose
character is all "blotched over with crime,
• his lace branded with shame and sin, and
his name blackened with infamy. It is said
' that good angels provide for the wants ol
the de.-lituie, and minister to the sick chtl-
dree of the Great All Path er, but if he who
is All-Merciful ordained the punishment of ■
wrong and stamped his branding curse upon
the first offemlet, shall we set, the eternal
law of Justice at defiance I
In cities lawlessness becomes prevalent
becau-e so many criminals escape punish
ment; either from want of evidence, or
dw* ushuhaf defects in the prosecution
There the morbid sentimentality runs to the
extreme, and creeps steal.ltily into the jury
box to suy that instead of no reasonable doubt
of guilt, there shatt be no possibility of the
ptisoners innocence, before lhy convict.
The imagination is exercised to conjure up
and conceive a possibi ity of innocence, and
this is called a legal, reason Ms doubt, to ac
quit.
We have seen men pity a rich criminal
from the depth of their hearts who would
not have given a crust of bread to a ragged
starving beggar. We have seen women
smile upon the depraved debauchee, who
would sicken from >ure modesty at the sight
of his ruined victim. And we have known
' the priest to anathematize lawlessness and
vice, and then turn to encourage the chief,
of the excommunicated sinners. VVe have
seen hundreds pity the profligate who a
bttsad the blessings of educoiiou and tram
pled upon the gifts of refinement, where
suspicion alone condemned the man of
twutnfauu put'ny, ma m TSiifci
none to sympathise or save. Such, alas, is
Abe frailly of man's nnture.
Calleitdor of t rtme for the Week-
THEIT AT BERWICK.— On Tuesday of lat
week John Adams was arrested at Berwick
upon a charge of stealing some 580 from
David Snyder of that place. Adaros was
committed to jail by Esquire Davis.
The hocused is a returned Mexican sol
dier, who for some years had been a fore
man in a shoe shop at Dauville ami there
sustained a good character. Lately, howev
er, lie disa reed with his wife, separuted
from her, and went upon a bender, lie says
be has been more sinned against than sin
uing, that he has been worse robbed than
any body else, thai he has been robbed of
the proceeds of his Und warrant, and that
Jhis misses being more frail than fair would
' like to see him aviliter mo'tuns.
THB LIUHT STREET ROBDEKV —General
M'Dowell fields t hat the scamps who robned
his store on Inst Wednesday night carried oir
more plunder than he at first supposed, per
haps 01,000 in valuo. The store was enter
ed by boring out a large hole in the street
door through which the bar could be reach
ed and raised by lite hand. The rogues se
lected their goods, taking all the cloths, silks,
velvets and vestings, except one piece of
cheap cotton velvet, which it seems they
thought would not pay freight and first cost.
On last Monday two men wore arrested in
the western corner of this county upon a
charge of having been concerned in the rob
bery. It appears that some two weeks ago
they rented tin old building near Hau.-e's
tavern, and here were found n large stock of
goods supposed to have been stolen ; a par
col ol ready-made clolhitlg among other
things. These goods do not all belong to
.<£Um. McDowell. The persons arrested were
taken betore Esquire Foster a-td held to bail
in 04000 each for their appearance at court,
v e are told that on Monday night after the
arrest, suspicious characters were seen gatlt
•ring into that vicinity from the four quar
ters of the earth.
ANOTHER AT BEUWK-K.— Two Dutchman
tarried over tnaht last work at a uhlio
house in Berwick, and in tha morning or e
found himself robbed of 810. He charged
the act upon his companion.
at In the Quar'er Sessions of Dauphin
County, Joseph Millekin a young man of
10 yeura of age was last week fomtd guilty
.of burning the large State Bridge at Dun
scan's Island. Tha only positive evidence in
the case was the testimony of an aecom
phee who turned State's Evidence.
JkllAtuicAse.—Four rascally looking, fel
lows were last week Died at Philadelphia
for lately robbing the mail at Grey's ferry.
made by the conn
' , *fl ft. oneof them-sras that On the nigh'
1^ too drunk to have participated in
(IslttJ Metes Senators.
Since the national government was organ
ized. the Western part of Pennsylvania, has
had 8 Senators, whose terms of inaumbifney
altogether years.
The in the mean
time whose united
terms of iiicumbeucv number 48 years.
The Eastern part of the State has had 5
Senators, and their added terms of incum
bency make 25 years This region of the
State has one fifth the total population of
Pennsylvania. Philadelphia city had 5 of
these Senators.
Northern Pennsylvania has had one Sena
tor who served six years.
The Havre de Grnce bans Case.
Baltimore Nov. 87.—The Grand Jury ol
Harford Co.ty- have presented the following
persons for embezzeling funds of the Harm
do Grace Bank:
Moses Y Beech, NY., charged with embez
zling SIO,OOO
Henry Beach of N. Y., " " 10,000
J Hollister, of Buffalo, " '' 10,000
John Puller of Bnfiulo, " " 10,000
Nathaniel Jenkins of Milan, of Ohio, 10.000
John P Guy, of Milan, Ohio, " " 10,000
Ezra Collins, of Havre de Grace " 10,000
Governor Thomas will immediately issue
his requisition for the persons thus indicted.
j THE CLOSE or LAST WEEK'S COURT —The
case of Donaldson vs Grove was concluded
on Thursday noon, and tho jury returned a
verdict tor the defendant for $3057.
A writ of gio warranto was granted ttpor.
Treasurer Levers to snow hy what authority
he holds and exercises the office of Treasu
r rof Columbia county while he is a resi
dent of Montour. The writ is to be return
able to January Term.
Court adjourned on Thursday noon. The
January term is ordered fir one week.
SARTAIN'S MAGAZINE, for January, 1851, is
OR our table, and a beautiful number it is
Deservedly this Magazine ranks among the
first of our visitors. In tegard to embellish
ments, it is certainly (he very first. Sartain's
reputation as an artist would be a sufficient
guarantee for that excellence. And in liter
ary character it is prominent among
the best of its compeers. Tho present num
ber contains just the reading to brighten and
instruct the winter firesi-le. This is the
time to subscribe, at the commencement of
anew year and volume
I Tt GODEV'S Lxnr's BOOK for January, 18-
51, has already been received. This num
ber contains 72 pages, 32 engravings and
original matter from 3.9 contributors. Tne
principal platrs are the "Constant," '-The
four Eras ot J.ife," "The four Seasons" and
'The double Fashion Plate," and are from
original designs. The Book makes a hand,
some twgtrurfnglftrrtfm ffew rsor.
vr Hot DEN'S MAUAZINK for December I
has been received, and contains a variety of
interesting matter. This work is only one
dollar, per annum. Address, Fowler & Deiiz,
109, Nassau street, N. Y.
ttfc "Celio, or New York Above and Un
iter Ground," is a new work written by G. C
Foster, and pub'isheil by Devvitt & Deveti
port. The author in this work delineates
faithfully, and with murke.l ability the vuri
ous grades of society, as they exist in that
great metropolis.
FIRE —On Tuesday evening last, a fire
broke out in the residence of Mr. John W.
Stiles, but, fortunately, through the prompt
arrival and energies of our citizens, it was
extinguished before doing any malarial dam
age The fire is supposed *o have origina
ted from an oven attached to the back purtol
the building.— Uerwick Telegraph.
I'h.lada* Market.
Tho lata foreign news has imparted rather
more firmness to Cotton, but otjtcrwhe it
had no effect upon the market.
Toe flour market is quiet. Holders de
maud $4 87 Ju4 91 per bbl. Bales for city
consumption at 84 91 for common tflld good
brands In Rye flour and corn meal, no tur
ther transaction have been mnde.
Untiff—There is a tuir amount of wheat
offering, and prices are steadv; sales ol £UJOO
bushels lait and prune R-d at 0-1 a ' h5.
and White at $1 11 a 1 12 per bushel. Rye
is scarce and wanted. Cum is tit stea ly de
mand ; sales of 300U bushels sold mellow at
£8 uls, und some new.at 55 ets Outs are
steady , at former rates.
The Term "Brother Jonathan." —General
Washington placed great confidence in the
good sense and patriotism of Jonathan Trem
bull, who at an parly period of the American
revolution as Governor of the State of Con
necticut. In a certain emergency, when a
measure of irreat importance was nnder dis
cussion. Washington rerenrkpd. "we must
consult Brother Jonathan on the subject.'
The rpsult of that consultation was favora
ble. Thus, from the constant use of the
expression, "wo mttst consult Brother Jona
than." which soon passed from the army to
lite people at large, we received that appel
lation which has stuck to us as closely as
' John Bull" to fffMfhglish.
PENNSYLVANIA. NEW YORK AND OHIO
These thrpe great States have lately lipid
their elections. On refernnce to the returns,
we find the aggregate vote o be as follows :
New York, for Governor, 528 448
Pennsylvan a, for Canal Cnror., 278.621
Ohio, lot Governor, 265.448
New York polled 119,827 more vqiesihau
Pennsylvania, and tjte latter polled 13,608
more votes then Ohio.
In 1848, two years ago, the vole for gov
eruor in Pennsylvania was 336,744. The
gubernatorial content always call* out the j
largest vote ?* ■/'"<?■ J
!
Fellow Ctlixrtis of the Senate, and of the
House tf Representatives :
Being suddenly called, in the midst of the
last session of Congress, by a painful dis
pensation ol' Divine Providence, to the re
sponsible station which I now hold, 1 con
tented myself with such communications to
the LegisbUuro as the exigency of the mo
ment seeuted to require. The country was
shiuudcd in mnar"iug for the loss of its ven
erated Chief Magistrate, and alt hearts were
penetrated with grief. Neither the time nor
the occasion appeared to require or to justify
or. my part, any general expression ol polit
ical opinions, or any announcement of the
principles which would govern me in the
discharge of the duties to the performance
ot which 1 had been so unexpectedly called.
1 trust, therefore, that it may not be deemed
inappropriate, if I avail myself of this op
portunity of tne re assembling of Congres
to mak known my sentiments, in u general
maul !■ ci regard to the polioy which ought
to 1 e puf<ued by the Gov eminent, both in its
inießt.uoM with foreign nations, and in its
management and administration ot internal
affairs.
Nations, like individuals in a state of na
ture, are equal und in< spvndeut, possessing
certain rights, si.d owing certain duties to
each other, arising from their necessaty and
unavoidable relations ; which rights and du
ties ifie-e is no common human authority to
protect and enforce. Still, they are rights
and duties, binding in morals, in conscience
and in honor, although there is no tribunal
to which an injured party csn appeal but
the disinterested judgment of mankind, and
ultimately ttie arbitrament of the swonl.
Among the acknowledged rights of na
tions is that, which each possesses of estab
lishing tnat lorm of government which it
ma) deem most conducive to the happiness
and prosperity of its own citizens ; ot chan
ging that form, as circumstances may re
quire; aud nt managing its internal affairs,
accotdicg to its own will. The people of
tbe United Stales claim this riant for them
selves, and they readily concede it to others.
Hence it become.-, an iiuperiative d.tty not to
interfere in the government or internal poli
ey of other nations; ami. although we may
sympathize with the unfortunate or the op
pressed, every where, in theij struggles for
freedom, our principle* forbid us from ta
king any pert in such foreign contests.
VVe make no war* to promote or to pre
vent succ.-e-ions !o throuos; to maintain any
tlwory ol s balance of power; or to sup
press the actual government which any
country choose* to establish for itself. VVe
inttigwi'e no revolutions, nor suffer any hos
tile military expeditious to be fitted out in
'lie United States to invade the territory or
provinces of a friendly nation. The great
law of morality ought to have a national, as
well as a personal and individual, applica
lion. VVe should act inwards other nations
as we wish them to act towards us; and jus
lice and conscience should lorm the rule ol
conduct bete een governments, instead of
mere power, eeif-iuleret, or the desire of ag
grandizement. To maintain a strict neutrali
ty in loreigu wars, to cultivate friendly rela
tions, to reciprocate every uoble and gener
ous act, and to perform punctuality and scru
pulously everv treaty obligation- he.-e are
the dunes which we owe to other States,
aud by tha performance of which we best
entitle ourselves to like treatment from
them: or if that, in any case, be refused,
we cap Batons* BUS qwn tuVa with justice ,
Hid f clear conscience. r
In our domestic policy, the Cotwtitu'ion
will be my guide ; end fit questions ot doubt
I shall look fot its interpretation to the judi
cial decisions of that tribunal, which was
established to expound it, and to the usage
ol the Government, sanctioned hy the ac
quiescence of the country. I regard all its
provisions as equally binding. In all il
jiaits it is tne will of the people, expre-sed
in lite most solemn form and the constiiu ed
authorities, are but agen s to carry that will
into effect. Every power which n ha* gran ,
ted is to be exercised for ih.t public good ; |
but no pretence o utility, no ho e*t con
viction, even, of what might be expedient,
can justify the assumption of any power not
granted. The powers conferred upon the
government and their distribution to the sev
eral departments, are a* clearly- expressed
in that sacred instrument as the imperfection
of human language will allow, and 'I deem
it tny first duly, not to question its wisdom,
add in its provision*, evade its requirements,
or nullity itscommands.
Upon you, fellow citizens, as the repre :
setnatives ol tne Slates and the people, is
wisely devolved the legis'a'ivo power. 1
si a I omply with my duly, in laving before
you, from lime to time, any information cal
culated to enable you to discharge vour high
and responsible trust lor thn benefit of our
common constituents.
Mv Qoiiuons will be frankly exrtressed up
on the leading subjects ot legislation : and
if, which I do not anticipate, any act should
pass the Ixvo Houses of Congress which
should a| pear to me unconstitutional, or an
em roaehinont on tho jn*t no.vera of other
departments, or with provisions hastily a
do pled, and likely to produce consequences
injurious and unfnrseen. I should not shrink
from the fluty of returning it to yon with my
reasons, for your further consideration R"v
bud th* fine performance of lhe cnnniiu
tional otdiga ions, both my re*peci lor tlip
legislature mid my sense of ptopriety will
restrain m from any attempt to oonj'nl or
indued-"? vCL" proceeding* Wi'h you is
the power, the bond.", a."?'' '' ,n responsibility
of the legislation of ih eomdry.
The Government of the United S'a'a* is a
limited Government. It is confined :o Ihe
exercise of powers expressly granted, and
sit' h others us may be necessary for carry
ing tb >*e powers into effort; and it is at all
"meß an especial dn'y to guard again*' any
infringement on the just rights of the St ues.
Over the objects ami subjects inltn*ted to
Congress, it*legislative atiinnrity i*supreme .
But here that authority ceases, and every
citizen who truly love* lltp Constitution, and
desires the continuance of its existence and
its blessings, will resolutely and firmly r**i*
any in erference in those domestic affairs,
which the Constitution ha* clearly and u ie
quivncally left to the *xoht*ive authority of
the State*. And every such citizen will also
deprecate useless irritation among the seve
ral members of the Union, am! all reproach
and crimination tending to alienate one por
tion of the country front another. Tneb<**'t
ly of our system ofGoverurae.it cmt>i*is.
amt it* <afe!y and dttrnSili y must consist,
in avoiding mutual collisions and encroach •
ments, and in the regular se larate action of
all, while each is revolving in its own dis
tinct orbil.
Th e Constitution has made (t the doty of
the President to take care that the laws be
faithfully expcrat-'d. In a Gover intent
like ours, in which all laws are pa**ed by n
majority of the representatives of the people
and these representatives are chosen for such
short periods, that any injurious or oltnoy
ions law OH ft very soon be repealed, it would j
appear unlikely that any great numbers
should be found ready o re- at t c exttoa
t&m of the laws But it must be borne lit
mind that the country is extensive, that
there may be local in crests or prejudices
i re tdering a law tdio is in ©no part, which is
I nt so in another, and that the thoughtless
j and inconsiderate, misled by (hair passions,
! " ...
or their imnginatljjni| may be
lv to resist such laws tu< they ifiJUprove.
Such pewins show) recollect
law, ilvffoan be no rest practical liberty ;
tba-, when law U trampled under foot, ty
rant. y rules, whether it appears in thu form
of a military or of popular vio
lent*). The law is!he only sore protection
of the weak, and tUfoftly efficient featialtit
upon the strong. When impartially and
faithfully administered, none is beneath its
protection, and none above its control You,
gentlemen. and the country may be assured,
that to ,lte utmost of my ability, and to lie
extent of the power rested in me, 1 shall at
all times, ami in nil places, take care that
the 1 laws bo faithfully executed. In the dis
charge ol tins duty, solemnly imposed upon
tne t<y the Constitution, and by my oath of
office, I shall shrink Irorn NO responsibility,
and shall endeavor to meet events as they
may arise, with firmness, as well as with
prudence and discretion.
The appointing power is one of the most
delicate with which lb" Executive is inves
ted.—l regard it as a sacred trust, to lie exer
cised with the sole view of advancing the
priuqierily and happiness of the people. It
shall be my effort to elevate the standard of
official employment, by selecting lor places
of importance individuals fi tod lor the posts
to which they are assigned, by their known
integrity, talents, aid virtues. In so exten
sive a country, with so great a population,
and where lew persous appointed to office
o.ui be known to the Npfunutiiig mis
takes will sometimes unavoidably happen,
and unfortunate appointments be made, not
withstanding the creates! care In such ca
ses, the power of removal may be properly
exercised ; and neglect ot duty or malfeas
ance in office will be no more tolerated in
individuals appointed by myself than in
those appoinle l by others
1 am happy in -being able to say that no
Unfavorable cr.'ange in our foreign relations
has -.uk&it place since the message at the
opening of the lasi session ol Congress.
We aie ul peace with all nations, and we
enjoy in an eminent decree tiie blessings, of
that peace, in a prosperous and growing
commerce, and in all Hie forms of amicable
national intercourse. i'tie unexampled
growth of the ccuntry, the presC.il amount
ot us population, and its ample moans ol
sell-protection, assure lor it the respect ot all
nations; while it is trusted that its chancier
furjiistice and a fegard to the rights of other
States, will cause, that respect to be readily
iuul cheeilully paid.
A convention was negotiated between the
I'uited Slates and Great Uriluiti, in April last,
for laciluating anil protecting the construc
tion ot a ship cimai between the Atlantic
and l'acitic Oceans, and for other purposes.
This instrument has sirit-e been landed by
the coutraciing parties, the exchange ol rati
fications has been effected, ami proclamation
thereof kas been duly made-'
lu addition to the siipulaticiiscontained in
this convention,, two other objects remain to
be accomplished between the contracting
powers.
first the designation all ii establishment of
a free port at each end of the canal.
Second, an agreement fixing the- distance
Irotn the shore within which belligerent mar
iliine operations shall not bo carried nil. On
thea- points ihere is litJe doubt that the two
goveriuuei t* wilt come to an understanding.
I'tie untOpan.' of citizens ol the United
Suites wlto hage acquired from tne State ol
Nicaragua [he privilege of constriitfiug a
ship canal belweeu the two oceans, through
die territory of that Slate, have made pro
gress iiQheir preliminary lie
lrett, li)Wiwnen the Unites States and "teat
'h*>#*ffi of Apr 1 last, above
relerreirtcy^lmiugstow in operation, it as to
be Imped that lite guarantees which it oflers
will tie sufficient to secure lite completion of
the work with all practicable expedition It
is obvi UU sthai the result would be indefinite
lv postponed, if any other than peaceful
■ni-astires, for the purpose o r harmonizing
com!,rung claims to territory in that quarter,
stiouid be adopted It will consequently be
my endeavor to cause any fur her negotia
tioes on the part of this government, which
I may be requisite for this purpose, to be so
I conducted as to bring them to a speedy mud
successful close.
Some n avoidable delay has occurred,
arising and tile difficulty of
this government and
that of NicdWigua, but, as intelligence has
just been revived of the appointment of an
Envoy E traordinary and Minister l'leni -o
teutiary „ot that Government to reside at
Washington, whose arrival may soon be
expected, it i# hoped that no further impedi
incuts will be experienced in tne prompt
transaction of business between the two
Governments.
Citizens of the United States have under
lakeutue connexion ol the two oceans by
nu-aos ol a railroad across the Isthmus of
I'ehu sine pep, under grants of the Mexican
Government to a citizen of hint Republic. It
ts under-ioo. that a t Imrpngh survey of the
course of the communication is in prepara
lion, and there is every reason to expect that
it will be prosecuted with characteristic en
ergy, especially when that Government shall
have consented 'o such stipulations wait Hie
Government of the United Stales as may be
necessary to impart a feeling ol security .o
those, who may em'-ark ih-ir properly in
the enterprise. Negotiations are pending for
the nncoiuplishment of that object, and a
hope eoopfidenilv eit>eruin-it thai, when the
Government of M ;xicn shall become duly
sensible of the advantages which that couu
I try cannot fail m drive Iran the work, and
learn dial the Government of the United
State- desires th.it the right of sovreignty of
Mexico in the Is hmus shall remain iittim
paired, the stipulations reierred to will be
agreed to vvidl alacrity.
By the lavt advice from Mexic > it would
-a jyar, however, that t|i- Government enter
tains strn ' ' tr> -""'me ol l' 1" Sii pit
latinos which the s?.''** concerned in the
project ol the railroad de.'. rtt necessary for
their protection and security I 1" ~,r C ®l!'
snleratioit, it is to be hoped, or some id
o.uioit of terin-, may yet reconcile the d (Ter
ences existing between the two Governments
HI this respect
Fresh iiisrruotious have recently heoti
given to the Minister ot the United bates in
Mexico, who is prosecuttag the subject witu
promptitude and ability.
Although the negotiations with Portugal,
for the payment of claims of citizens ot the
United States against the Government, have
not yet resulted in a formal treaty, yet a pro
position made by the Government of Portu
gal for the final adjustment and payment of
those claims, has recently been ancejred on
the purl of ihe Uune ! Siaies. It gi.es ine
ptea-ure to say that Mr Clay, to whom the
negotiation on thv part of the United Stales
has been entrusted, discharged the duties of
his appointment with ability and discretion,
acting always withtu the instructions o l ' ihe
Government.
It is expected that a regular convention
wi'-l be immediately negotiated for carrying
the agreement belweeu the t o governments
into effect.
The commissioner appointed under the
act of Congress for carrying into effect the
o.it e uinu wild Brazil onatne 87th of Jau
, aarv. 1819. hafr entered upon the perform
ame of the dmies imposed upon hjlm l)y
that act It i Imped that those dunes may
be completed within the time It' prescribes.
The documents, however, whioh the Imperi
al government, by the third article of the
oortventiqn, stipulate* to furnish to the gov
ernment of the United Siptes, have not yet |
•
'■ "*l " ~ 1 , 1 1
*%Jen received.'*Ai itis mBtted thatthosgf!
documents will for the correct I
disposition of the claims.at may become ne
cessary for Congress to | ypnd Ibrf period
limited for the dilMiomfni' comrttiseiqfl.
The sum stipulated by fhe 4th article of, thß
convention to be paid to this government
has beer, received.
The collection'jn the ports Of the United
States of discriminating duties upon the ves
sels of Chili and their cargoes has been sus
pender), pursuant to the provision* of the act
of Congress of the 24th of May, 1828. It
is to be hoped that this measure will impart
a fresh impulse to the commerce between
the two countries, which of late, and espe
cially since our acquisition of Coliroritia,
has, to the mutual advantage of the parties,
been much aui merited.
Peruvian guano has become so desirable
an article to the agricultural interests of the
United States, that it is the duty of the Gov
ernment to employ all the means properly in
its power for the pur,>ose of causing that ar
ticle to be imported into the country at a
reasonable price. Nothing will be omitted
on my part towards accomplishing this desi
rable end. lam persuaded that in remov
ing any restraints to this traffic, the Peruvian
government will promote its own best inter
ests, while it will afford a proof of a friendly
disposition towards this country, which will
be duly appreciated.
The treaty between the United Stales and
His M ijesty the King of the Hawaiian Is
lands, which has recently been made pub
lie, will, it is beleived, have a beneficial ef
fect upon the relations between the two
countries.
The relations between those part of the
Island of St. Domingo, which were former
ly colonies of Spain and France, respective
ly, are still in an unsettled condition. The
proximity of that Island to the United States,
ati.l the delicate questions involved in the
existing controversy there, render it desira
ble that it should be permanently and spee
dily adjusted. The interests ol humanity
anil of general commerce also demand this ;
and, as intirnatiuns of the same sentiments
have been received from other government ,
it is hoped that some plan may soon be de
vised to effect the object ill a maimer likely
to give general satisfaction. The govern
ment of the United States will not fail, by !
the exercise of all proper friendly offices, to
do all in its power to put an end to the de- :
structiue war which has raged between the j
different parts of the island, and to secure to
them both the benefits of peace and com- j
morce.
I refer you to the report of the Secretary j
of the Treasury for a detailed stalemeut of
the finances.
Tits total receipts in the Treasury, for the !
year ending 30th ol June last, were forty- j
seven million four hundred and twenty one ;
thousand seven hundred and forty eight dol- i
lar- and ninety cents. (47,421,748 90.)
The total expenditures during the same
period were fony-tliree million and two '
thousand one hundred and sixty-eight dollars !
and ninety cents, (43.200,168 90.)
The public debt has been reduced, since !
the last annual report from the Treasury De- I
pailraeut, four hundred and ninety-five tltou- '
sand two hundred and seventy-six dollars I
and seventy-nine cents, (8495,276 70.)
By the 19th section of itin act of 28th of |
January, 1847, the proceeds o! the sales of !
the public lands were pledged for the inter !
est and principal of the public debt. The 1
great amount ol those lauds subsequently j
granted by Congress for military bounties, ;
it will, it is believed, very nearly suppiy the |
public demand for several years to come,. 1
and but little reliance cat:, herefore. be
placed on that hitneno fruitful soumu ,c- j
venue.
Aside from the permanent annual expen
ditures, which have necessanl} large y in
creased, a portion of the public debt, a
mouming to eight million seventy-five thou
sand nine hundred and eighty six dollars and
fifty nine cents (58.075986 50) must be pro
vided for within the next two fiscal years. |
It is most desirable that these accruing de- !
mands should be mm without resorting to
new loane.
All experience has demons'ra'rd the wis
dom and policy of raising a large portion of
revennne, lor Ihe support of Government,
from duties on goods imported. The power
to lav these duties is unquestionable, and its
chief ooject. of course, is to replenish the
treasury. But if in doing this, an inciden
tal advantage may be gained by encoura
ging the industry of our own citizens, it is
our duty to avail ourselves of that advan
tage.
A duty laid upon an article which cannot
produce in this country—such as tea or cof
fee—adds to the cost of the article, and is
chiefly or wholly paid bv the consumer. But
a duty laid upon an article which may be
produced here, stimulates the skill anil in
dustry of our own country to produce the
same article, which is brought into the mar
ket in comnetifion with Ihe foreign article,
and Ihe im inner is thus comnelled to reduce
his price to that at which the domestic arti
cle can be sold thereby 'hrowing a part of
the duty upon the producer of the foreign
article. The continuance of this process
creates the skill, and invites the capital,
which finally enables us us to produce the
article much cheaper 'ban it could have
been procured from abroad thereby benefit
ting both the producer and consumer at
,lpime. The consequence of this is. that the
artizan. and the agriculturalist, are brought
together, each affords a ready market for the
produce of the n her, the whole country be
comes prosperous; and the ability to pro
duce every necessary of life renders us irt
ihvendet in war as well as in peace.
1 A high tariff can never tie permanent. It
will cause dissatisfaction and will be chang
ed. It excludes competition and thereby
invites the investment of capital in manu
factures to such excess, that when changed
it bring* distress. bankruptcy, arid min upon
all who have been misled by its faithless
protection. What the manufacturer wants,
is uniformity and permanoy, that he may
fed a confidence that he is not to be ruined
by sildi'd" "banges. But to make a tariff
uniform and nerm-ine'T, ''' s " 01 , on 'v ne
cessary that the law shoniri nol altered,
but that the duty should not fluctuate. ' °
effect this, all duties sl.oitld be specific,
wherever the nature of the article is snch as
to admit of it. Ad valorem duties fluctuate
with the price, and offer strong temntations
to fraud and perjury. Specific duties, o-i
the contrary, are equal and uniform iu all
ports, and at all limes, and offer a strong in
ducement to the importer to bring the best
article, as he pays no more duty upon that,
than upon one of inferior quality. T there
fore strongly recommend a modification of
the present tariff, which has prostrated some
of our most important and necessary manu
factures, and that speoiflo duties be imposed
sufficient to raise the reqnsite revenue ; ma
king such discrimination in favor of the
industrial pursuits of our own country as to
. enoouraae home production, without exeiu
| ding foreign competition, ft is aGn rittpor
tant that an uufortunate provision in the
present tariff, which imposes a much higher
' duty npon the raw material that enters into
i our manufactures than upon the manufactu
red article should be remedied.
The papers accompanying the report of
tha Secretary of the Treasury - will disclose
frauds attempted upon the revenne, in vari
ety and amount .so great, as to justify the
conclusion that it is impossible, under any
system of advatorem duties levied upon the
• foreign cost or vakte of the Article, to secure
an horraW observant* and rt pfectual
■ "
St.'-.# <sSt'xfcrf ■ - r-VW- 2K
•'^M^ll^^nh^^r'^The^udulOTt 6
devices to evade the lwr, tfhjgbffcsva been
deiectecVfey the vigilance oWne mppruisarx,
leave nd rponuto doUhrthpl *bimiUr impost
tiohs'Ttot (fi-oWverecl; Jp a * largo *-a*ubnt,
hne fcearfqiiccassfiolypractised dtnce • tpff.
enactment of the raw no in force. * Tl)rs
atate of thing* has already had a prejudicial
inrtijence upon those, engaged in foreign
commerce It ht> a.tendency to drive the
honest trader of importing,
and to throw ihat important branch of era
plovment into the hands of unscrupulous
and disnonest rae.i, who are nlike reganlM-*®
of law and the obligations of an oath. By
these means the plain intentions of Congress
as expressed in the law, are daily defeated.
Every motive of policy and duly, therefore,
impel me to ask the earnest attention of
Congress to this feubject. If CoPgrese should
deem it unwise to attempt any important
change in the system of levying n'stis* at
this sesssinn, it will become mdispe liable id
ihe protection of the revenue that such rem
•dies, as in the judgment of Congress may
mitigate the evils complained of, should be
at one applied.
As before slated, specific duties would, in
my opinion, afford the most petfecl remedy
for this ev 1; out, if you should not concur in
this view, then, as a partial remedy, I beg
leave respectfully to recommend that, instead
ol taking the invoice of the article abroad
as a means of determining its value here,
the correctness of which invoice it is in
j many cases impossible to verify, the law be
so changed as to require a home valuation
of appraisal, to be regulated in such manner
as to give, as far as practicable, uniformity
in the severxt ports.
There being no mint in California I am
informed that the laborers in tne mines are
compelled to dispose ot their gold dust at a
large discount. This appears to me to be a
heavy and unjust tax upon the lubor nl those
emp'oyed in exir cling this precious metal ;
j ami I doubt not you will be disposed, at the
' earliest period possible, to releive them from
jit by the establishment of a mint. In the
; mean lime, as an'essayer's offie is etib'ieh
|ed there, I would respectfully submit for
I your consideration the propriety of authoii
1 zing gold bullion, which has been essayed
i and stamped to be received in pay
i ment of Government dues. I cannot con
ceive that the treasury would suffer any loss
! by such a provision, which will at once raise
bullion to us par value, and thereby save (if
lam righ ly informed) ninny millions of
| dollars to ihe laborers which are now paid
I in brokerage to convert this precious metal
into available funds. 'This discount upon
their hard earnings is a heavy tax, and every
I effort should be made by the Government to
j relieve them froin so great a burden,
i More than iliree fourths of our population
are engaged in the cultivation of :lie soil,
j The co ninereinl, manufacturing, and navi
I gating interests are all, to a great extent,
dependent on the agricultural. It is, there
fore, the most important interest of the na
{ lion, and has a just claim to the fostering
cure and protection of the poverqgrent, so
I far as they can be extended consistently
jw th the provisions of the Consiimt'on. As
I this cannoi be do,:e by the on inary modes
| of legislation, 1 respectfully recommend the
es abiishmcu: of an Agriiutirul Bureau, to
j be charged with the duty of giving to this
| leading branch of American Industry lhe #
encouragement which it so well deserves.
In view oi the immense mineral resources
10, nurcoun>ry. provision should also bo
; made for the employment of a competent
1 mineralogist and chemist, who should bo
| required, under the direcrion rif the head of
! the bureau, to collect specimens of the va
Irions minerals ot our country, and ttJ riserr
tain, by careful analysis, their respective
. el-moms arid proper ies. and their adaption
' :•> useful purposes. He should also be re
quirod to examine and report upon the qual
itier of different soils, and the manures best
! calculated to improve their productiveness.
By publishing the results of such expert
I meets, with suitiblo explanations, and by
the collection and distributio i of rare seeds
and p ants, with instructions as to the best
system ol cultivation, much may be done to
promote this great national interest.
In compliance mi h (he act of Congress, passed
on the iiitd of M y, lbfio, providing among other
thing-, lor taking ihe seventh censes, a aupertn
tendent was appointed, and all other mea-ures
sd ipttd which we deemed necessary to ensure
'he prompt and faithful performance of that duty.
Th.e appropriation already made w ill, it is believ
ed be sufficient to defray the whole expense of
j Ih* work; but further legislation may tie neces.
I saty in regard to the compensation of some of the
| marshals of the territories. It will also be pro
p r to make provision by law, at an early day, lor
the publication of such abstracts ol the returns
as the public interesis may require.
Tne unprecedented growth of our Territories
on the Pacific in wealth and population; and Ihe
consequent increase of Iheir social and commer
cial relations with Ihe A Untie Stairs, seem to
iei der it the duly of thu G ivernment to u-e all
its constitutional power to improve Ihe means ol
intercourse with them. The importance ot open
ing " |me of communication, ihe beat and most
expeditious of w htch the naluie of the country
will admit," between the valiey of Mississippi
and the Pacific, was brought lo your notice by
my predocresor, in bis annual montage; and as
ihe reasons which* he presented in favor of the
measure stilt exist in full lurce, I beg lease to
call your attention to them, and to repeat the
rscouimendatiuna thm made by him.
To* uncertainly which exists in legard to Ihe
validity ol land titles in California iq a subject
which demands your early consideration. Large
bodies of land in that Slate are clarai* I under
grants aaiil lo have been made by authority ol
(he Spanish and Mexican Governments. Many
oftheae have not been perfected, others have
been revoked, and souie are believed lo he fraud
ulent. Bit until tney shall hive been judically
investigated, Ihey will continue in retard the
settlement ami improvement ol the country. I,
therefore, respectfully recommend thst provis
ion be made by law, for the appointment of com
inissiuuers lo examine all uch cUtmi with a
view to their ftual adju.t ment .
I also beg leave to call your attention to Ihe
prnprietv of extending in en cat ly day, oursyetem
uf land laws, with such modifications as inay be
utcaariry over the Slite of Cililornia and the
territory of Utah and New Mexico. The min
eral lends id California will, of course, form an
exvonfiou lo any general system which may he
adopted. Various methods of disposing of them
have been suggested.
Iweealflist inclined lo fevor (he tyslem of
leasing, as it seemed to promise the largest reve
nue to the G .vrmmenl, and to slhrd the b at se
curity agaiiirt monopolies; hot further reflection
and our experience m leasing the lead mines and
selling lands upoo credit, have brought my mind
tilths conclttsibo that there would be great diffi
culty in collecting thq rents, end that the relation
flf debtor nd end,tor, between the citizens
aid ihe Governn ent, would be attended with
many misc devout cm a .|u-m-e-. I therefore
recommend (hat, instead of retaining the mitr
al land, uuderthe permanent control of the Gov
ernment, they be divided into small parrels and
sold, under luch restrictions, es to quantity and
time, as will in<urr the best price, and guard
most effectually against Cumbinatiow of fifirital
iata to obtain mooopr.l teg.
, ' •*"'s •" <MEc2 "•
The annexation of.Texas and ihe acquisition
of California and New Mexico, have glv-w in
cr|Med impor'tjee to our Indian relations. The
various tiibes brought under our ji ysdictlon by
these enlargements oj qrr%oundatifc are estima
ted to emhjpde a population of oils hundred and
twenty four thousand.
Texas and New Mexico sre surrounded by
powerful tribes of Indians, who sre a source ef
constant annoyance to the inhabitant*. Separa
ting into email predatory band*,and alwtya moun
ted, they overrun the country, devastating farms,
destroying crops, driving off whole herds of cat- -
lie, and occasionally murdering the inhabitants
or carry ing them into captivity. The great roads
leading into the country are infested with them,
whsrsby travelling is rendered extremely dan
ger c s, and itntnig. al.'on is almost entirely at
tested. The Mexican frsrlUsr, which by the
tlth article of the treaty ot GaudaloupsHidelgo,
we are bound to protect against thslurfisne with
in o*> border, is exposed to these incursions
equally our <"*n. The military force eta
tionsd'irl |tu.Hc OUy .(although forming a large
proportion or lh." rm >) ' represented as eutirely
inadequate to our f"***" o " nd tn * fulfil *
rnentof our treaty wl,h Mexico.-
The principal deficiency is to* * v al'J. v" l ' , * c "
commend that Congreas should M ***•''* * P*"
riod as practicable, provide for IM raisin/ ® tt *
or more regiments of mounted men.
For further euggestions on this subject, iutf
oihers connected with our domestic infeiesiv and
the defence of our frontier, I refer to tberepo.t
of the Secretary ef the interior and of the Secre
tary of War.
I commend also to your favorabla considera
tion the euggestions contained in th* last man
tioned report, and in the letter ol th* general in
chief, relative to the establishment ol an asylum
lor tire relief of disabled and dtititut* soldiers-
I'his subject appeal,so strongly to your sympa
thies that it would be supeiflucus in m* tossy
anything mine than,barely to express my cordil
approbation of the proposed object. '■>
Th# navy continues to give protection to our
commerce and other national interests in the dif
ferent parts of the globe, and rvilb the excep
tion of a single steamer on the Northern lakes,
th* vessels in commission are distributed in six
different squadrons.
The report nf the head of that Department will
exhibit the service* of these sqadrouns, and of
th* seeeral vessel*employed in each during th*
pest year. It is a source of gratification, thst
while they have been constantly prepared for any
hostile emergency, they have everywhere met
with the respect and courtesy, due as well l the
dignity as lo the peaceful disposition* and just
purposes ol the oaiinn.
The two brigantiea accepted by the government
from a generous ciiizen ct New Voik, and pla
ced under the command oian officer ol Ihe navy,
lo proceed to the-Arctic teas in quest of th*
B. itish commander, Sir John Franklin, and his
companions, in compliance with the act ol Oon.
gress, approved in May last, bad, when last heard
from, penetrated into a high northern latitude ;.
but the success of this nobis and humane enter
prise it yet xmccrtaiu.
1 invite your attention to the view of our pres
ent naval esiahlishmcnt and resources presented
rn.the reportmf the Secretary of the Navy, and
the suggestion* therein made lor its improvement
together with the naval policy (geouimeoiled for
the security of our Pacific Coast, and the protec
tion and extension of our commerce with Eolern
Ana. Our facilities for a larger participation in
r tree trade of the East, by means ot onr rrcentset-
Momenta on the shores of the Pacific, are tco ob
vious to be overlooked or disregarded.
The queetion in relation to rank in th* army
and navy, and relative rank between elfin rs of.
the two branches nf the service, presented to th*
Executive by certain resolutions uf the House of'
Representatives, at the last session of Congress,
have been aubtnillrd to a board of officers in each
branch of the service, and thsir report may bees
' peeled at an early day.
1 also earnestly recommend the enactment ef a
law authorising officers of the army and navy to
be retired fretn the service, when incompetent
' for its vigorous and active duties, taking Care to
make suitable provisions for I hose who have faith
fully sei ve,l their c lunlry, and awarding distinct.
' inns, by retaining in appropriate eoiuaiaig|s those
who have been particularly conspicuous for gal
lanlry and good conduct. While the obligation,
of the country lo maintain and honor those who
to the exclusion of other pursuits, have drveled
1 themselves to itsardious service, this obligation
should not be permitted to interfere with the ef
ficiency ot the service itself.
I am gratified in being able to e'ate, that th*
estimatrs of expenditure for the navy in the er—
' suing year are leva, by more than one million uf
dollars, than those of the present, excepting Ihe
appropriation which may become necessary for
the couatruction of a dock on the crest of th*
Pacific, propositions for which are iiowh 'ing cor •
■idered, end on which a vpieial report may be ex
pected early in sour present session.
There is an evident justness in the suggestion
of the stine report, that appropriate a for the na
val service propel should be separated from those
for fixed and permanent onjects, such at building
docks and navy yards, and the fixtures attached ;
a ,d from the extraordinary objects under th* ce •
of Ihe Department, which, however
are not essentially naval.
A revison of Ihe code for th* government ef
Fie navy teems to require tire immediate consid
eration of C ingress. Its system of erimre and
punishments had undergone no change for half a
century, until the last session, though ilt defect*
have been ofren and übly pointed out, ard Ihe ab
olition ot a particular tprcirv rf riupiral pun
ishment which then look place, without provid
ing any substitute, his left the service in a atate
nf defectiveness, which calls for prompt correc
tion. I therefore recommend that th* wh'lesub
ject be revised without delay, and such a system
esisblish*d for the enforcement of disiplins, as
shall be at once humane and effectual.
Tne accompanying report °f the Postmaster
General, present* a satisfactory view of the oper
ations and condition of that Department.
At the close of th* last fiscal year, th* length
of the inland mail routes in the Unit*d States,
(not embracng the asrvice in Oregon and Cali
fornia! waa one hundred and seventy-eight thou
sand six hundred and seventy.two miles; th* an
nual transportation the reonforty six millio s live
Hundred and forty-one thousand four hundred and
twenty three miles; and the annual coal of such
transportation two millions seven hundred and
twenty-four thousand tour hundred and twenty
six doUire.
The increase of the annual Iransportion aver
that of th* proceeding year, was three millions
i nine hundred and uinety-seven thousand three
hundred and fifty four miles, and the incrsaae in
cost waa three hundtad and fhtty-teio thousand
four hundred aud forty dollar*.
The gioss revani'as of th* Department for tie
fisctl year ending June 30, 1850, amounted ta
| five millions fiv* hundred and fillyAwo thousand ,
nine huhdred aud seventy on* dollars andferty-bi' ,
sight cents, including tits annual appropriation
a{,+w*.t hundred thfibfttrd dollar# ft* Km