restored without odo drop of blood having
been shed in its accomplishment by the forces
vfthw United States.
The restoration of comparative tranquility
in that Territory furnishes the means or obser
ving calmly, and appreciating at their just
alue, the events hichhave occurred there,
and the discussions ol which the government
of the Territory has been the subject.
We perceive that controversy concerning its
future domestic institutions was inevitable ;
that no tumin prtidense, no form of legisla
tion, no wisdom on the part of Congress, could
have preferred this.
It is idlo to suppose that the particular pro
visions of their organic law were the cause of
agitation. Those provisions were but the oc
casion, or the pretest of an agitation, which
was inherent in the nature of thing. Con
gress legislated upon the subject in such terms
as were most cousooant with the principle of
popular sovereignty which underlie our go.v
' eminent. ' It could not hence legislate other
wise without doing violence to another great
principle of our institution, the imprescripti
ble right of equality of the several States.
We perceive, also, that sectional interest!
and party passions have been the great imped
iment to the salutary operation of the organic
principles adopted, and the chief cause of the
successive disturbances in Kansas. The as
sumption that, because in the organization of
the Territories of Nebraska and Kansas, Con
gress abstained from imposing restraints upon
.them to which certain other Territories had
been subject, therefore disorders occurred in
t'uo latter Territory, is emphatically contradic
ted by the fact that none have occurred in the
former.
Those disorders were rot the consequence,
fa Kansas, of the freedom of self-government
coiiccJsd to that Territory by Congress, but of
unjust interference on the part of persons not
inhabitants of the Territory. Such interfer
ence, wherever it has exhibited itself, by acts
of insurrectionary character, or of obstruction
to processes of law, has been repelled or sup
pressed, by all the means which the constitu
tion and the laws place in the hands of the
Executive.
In those parts of the United States where,
by reason of the inflamed state of the public
mind, false rumors and misrepresentations
have the greatest currency, it has bean assumed
that it was the duty of the Executive not only
to suppress insurrectionary movements in
Kansas, but also to se to the regularity of lo
cjI elections. It needs little argument to
show that the Presidont h.is no such power.
All government in the United States rests
aubsUriti-illy upon popular election. The free
dom of election is liable to be impaired by the
intrusion of unlawful votes, or the exclusion
of lawful ones, by improper influences, by vio
lence, or by fraud.
But tins people of the United States are
themselves all sufficient guardians of their own
rights, and to suppose that they will not reme
dy, in due season, any such incidents of civil
freedom, is to suppose them to have ceased to
be capable of self-government. The President
f the United States has not power to inter
pose in elections, to see to their freedom, to
canvass their votes, or to pass upon their le
gality in the Territories any more than in the
States.
If he had such power the government might
iC republican in form, but it would be a mon
archy in fact ; and if he had undertaken to ex
crcise it in the case of Kansas, lie would have
been Justly subject to the charge of usurpation,
and of violation of the dearest rights of the
people of the United States.
Unwise laws, equally with irregularities at
elections, are, in periods of great excitement,
the occasional incidents of even the freest and
best political institutions. But all experience
demonstrates that in a country like ours, where
the right of self constitution exists in the com
plctest form, the attempt to remedy nn.ttise
legislation by resort to revolution, is totally
out of place, inasmuch as existing legal insti
tutions afford more prompt and ellicatious
means for the rcdres of wrong.
I confidently trust that now.when the peace
ful condition of Kansas affords opportunity for
a1m reflection nnd wise legislation, either the
legislative assembly of the Territory, or Cpn
gress, will see that no act shall remain on its
statute-book violative of the provisions of the
Constitntion, or subversive of the great objects
for which that was ordained and established,
and will take all necessary steps to assure to
its inhabitants the enjoyment of all the consti
tutional rights, privileges, and immunities of
the citizens of the United States, contempla
ted by the organic law of the Territory.
Full information of recent event in this
Territory will be found in the documents com
municated herewith from the Departments of
Stato and War. -.-
I rater you to the report of the Secretary of
the Treasury forpai ticular information con
cerning the financial condition of the govern
rnjnt and the various branches of the public
service connected with the Treasury Depart
ment. -- .
During the last fiscal year the receipts from
customs were, f )V the first time, more than six
ty four million nino hundred and eighteen
thousand one hundred and forty-one dollars ;
which, with the baUnce on hand up to the 1st
of July, 1855, nnd ) the total resources of the
year to amount to ninety-two million eight
hundred and fifty thousand one hundred and
seventeen dollars.
The expenditures, icluding three million
dollars in execution of the treaty with Mexico
and including sums paid on account of the
public debt,amountcd to sixty millions one
hundred and seventy-two thousand four hun
dred and one dollars;aand, including the latter,
to seventy-two millions nino hundred and for
ty eight thousand seven hundred and ninety
two dollars, the payment on this account hav
ing amounted to twelve millions seven hun
dred and seventy-six thousand three hundred
ar.d ninety dollars.
On the 4th of March, 1853, the amount of
the public debt was sixty-nine million one hun
dred and twenty-nine thousand nine hundred
and thirty-seven dollars. There was a subse
quent increase of two million seven hundred
and Gfiy thousand dollars for the debt of Tex
as making a total of seventy-one million
eigbt Lundred and seventy-nine thousand nine
hundred and thirty-seven dollars. Of this sum
of forty-five million five hundred and twenty
five thousand three hundred and nineteen lol
lars, including premium, has been discharged,
reducing the debt to thirty million seven hun
dred and thirty-seven thousand one hundred
""and twenty-nine dollars, all of which might be
f ald within one year without embarassing the
T- mblic service, but being not yet due, and on
y redeemable et the option of the holder, can
not be pressed to payment by the government.
On examining the expenditures of tho last five
years, it will be seen that the average, deducting
. payments on account of the public debt, and ten
millions paid by the treaty to Mexico, has hcen
but awoat forty-eight millions of dollar. It is
believed that, under an ceonomleul administration
of the government, the averngo expenditures for
the ensuing five years will not exceed that sum.
tr'extraordinary occasion for its increase should
occur.
The acts granting bounty land will soon have
been executed, while the extension of our frontier
settlements will cause a continued demand for
funds and augmented receipts, probably from fiat
source. These considerations will justify a reduc
tion of the revenue irom customs, so as noi in ex
coed forty-eight or fifty million dollars. I think
the exigency for such reduction id imperative, an I
.again urge it open the consideration of Congres-.
7ks aaoont of redaction, at wll as the man.
ner of effecting it, are questions ef great and g en
eral interest; it being essential to industrial enter
prise and the public prosperity, as well as the dic
tate of obvious justice, that tho burden of taxat ion
be made to rest as equally as possible Dpon all
classes and all sections and interests of the country.
I have heretofore recommended to your consid
eration the revision of the revenue laws, prepared
under the direction of the Secretary of the Xreas
ury, and also legislation upon some special ques
tion's affeting the businees of that department,
more especially the enactment of a law to punish
the abstraction of books or papers from the files
of tbe government, end requiring eil such books
and papers, and all other public property, to be
turned over by the outgoing officer to his succes
sor; of a law requiring disbursing officers to de
posit all public money in the Taults of the treasu
ry, or in other legal depositories, a here the same
are conveniently accessible ; and a law to extend
existing penal "provisions to all persons who may
become possessed of public money by deposit or
oiherwise. and who ehall refuse or neglect, on due
demand, to par the same into the treasury. I in.
vile your attention anew to each of these objects.
The army during the past year has been so con
stantly employed against hostile Indians in various
quarters, that it can scarcely be said, with propri
ety of language, to have been a peace establish
ment. Its duties have been satisfactorily perform
ed, and wo have reason to expect, as a result of
tho year's operations, greater security to the fron
tier inhabitants than has been hitherto enjoyed.
Extensive combinations among the hostile Indians
of the Territories of Washington and Oregon at
onetime threatened the devastation, of tho newly
formed settlements of that remote portion of the
country.
From recent information, we are permitted to
hope that the energetic and successful operations
conducted there will prevent sm-h combinations in
future, and secure to those territories an opportu
nity to make steady progress in the development
of their agricultural and mineral resources.
Legislation has been recommended by ine on
previous occasions to cure defects in tho existing
organization, and to increase the efficiency of the
army, and further observation has but served to
confirm me in the views then expressed, nnd to en
force on my mind tho conviction that such mea
sures arc not on!v proper but necesary.
I have, in addition, to invite the attention of
Congress to a change of policy in the dfcttibution
of troops, and to the necessity of providing a more
rapid increase of the military armament. For de
tails of these and other subjects relating to thear
m v. I refer to the report of tho Secretary of War.
The condition of th navy is not merely sati.;f.ic
tory, but exhibits the most gratifying evidences of
increased vigor. As it is comparatively small, it
is more important that it should be as complete as
possible in all the elements of strength ; that it
should bo efficient in tbe character of its officers,
in the zeal and discipline of its men, in the relia
bility of its ordnance, nnd in the capacity of its
ship. In nil these various qualities the navy baa
made greot progress within the last few vtrs
J The execution of the law of Ccnzress. of Februa
ry ijj. '-to promote the efficiency of the navy,
has been attended by tho most advantageous re
sults. The law for promoting discipline among
the men :s found convenient and salutary. Tho
system of granting an honorablo discharge to fait h
ful seamen on the expiration of tho period of their
enlistment, and permitting them to re-enlist after
a leave of ntaenco of a few months, without a ces
sation of ray, is highly beneficial in its influence.
The apprentice system recently adopted is evident
ly destined to incorporate into the service a large
number of our countrymen hitherto so difficult to
procure. .Several hundred American boys are now
on a three years' cruise in our national vessels. and
will return well trained seamen. In the ordnance
department there is a decided and gratifying indi
cation of progress credituhle to it and to the coun
try. The suggestions of the Secretary of tho Na
vy, in regard to further improvements in that
branch of the service, I commend to your favora
ble action.
The new frigates ordered by Congress are
now afloat, and two of them in active service.
They are superior models of naval architecture
and with their loruiidable battery add largely
to public strength and security.
I concur in the views expressed by the Sec
retary of tbe Department in favor of a still
further increase ol our naval force.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior
presents facts aud views in relation to internal
affairs over which the supervision of his de
partment extends, of much interest and impor
tance. The aggregate sales of public lands, during
the last fiscal year, amount to 9,227,878 acres ;
for which has been received the sum of SS,
821, 414. During the same period there have
been located, with military sctip and land
warrants, and for other purposes, 30,100,230
acres, making a total aggregate of 39,328,108
acres. On tlio 30th of September last, sur
veys had been made of 10,873,699 acres, a
larsce portion ofwhich is ready for market.
The suggestion in this report in regard to
the complication and progressive expansion of
the business of the different bureaux of the de
partment; to the pension system ; to the colo
nization of Indian tribes, and the recommen
dations in relation to various improvements in
the District of Columbia, are especially com
mended to your consideration.
The report of the Postmaster General pre
sents fully the condition of that department
of the government. Its expenditures for the
last fiscal year, were ten million four hundred
and seven thousand eight hundred and sixty
eight dollars; and its grossreceipts seven mil
lion six hundred and twenty thousand eight
hundred andjone dollars making an excess of
expenditure over receipts of two million seven
hundred and eighty seven thousand and forty
six dollars. The deficiency of this depart
ment is thus seven hundred and forty-four
thousand dollars greater than for the year end
ing June 30, 1855. Of this deficiency, three
hundred ami thirty thousand dollars is attribu
ted to the additional compensation allowed
postmasters by the act of Congress of June 22,
1854. The mail facilities in every part of the
country hove been very much increased in
that period, nnd the largu addition of railroad
service, amounting to seven thousand nine
hundred and eight miles, has added largely to
the cost of transportation.
The inconsiderable augmentation of the income
of tho Post OIEco Department under tho reduced
rates fif Mwtajrc, audits increasing expenditures,
must, fir the present, make it dependent to some
extent upon tho treasury for support. The recom
mendations of the Post Master (Jeneral. in relation
to the abolition of tho franking privilege, and his
views on the establishment of mail steamship lines
deserve tho consideration of Congress I also call
the special attention of Congress to the Ftntcuicnt
of the Post Master l.'eneral respecting the sums
now paid for the trnusortation of mails to the
Panama Kailroad Company, and commend to their
early and favorable consideration tho suggestions
of that officer in relation to new contraets'fnr mail
transportation upon that route, and also upon the
lehuantepec and Nicaragua routes.
Tho I'nitcd States continue in the enjoyment of
amicable relations with all foreign powers.
When my last annual message was transmitted
to Congress, two subjects ot eoutroversv, one re
lating to the enlistment of soldiers in this country
for foreign service, and the other to Central Amer
ica, threatened to disturb the good understanding
between tbe United States and Creat llriiain. it
the progress ami termination of the former ques
tion you were informed at the time; and the oth
er is now in the way of satisfactory adjustment,
Tho object of tlic convention between tho Uni
ted States aud tirent Rrliain of the 18th of April
1.')0, was to secure, for the benefit of all nations,
the neutrality and tbe common uo of any transit
way, or interoccanio communication, across iho
Isthmus of Panama, which might bo opened with
in the liniitsofCcntral America. The pretensions
subsequently asserted by (jreat Rritnin, to domin
ion or control over territories, in or near two of
tbe routes, those of Nicaragua and Honduras, were
deemed by the United States not merely incompat
ible with tho main object of the treaty, but oppo
sed even to iu express stipulations. Occasion of
controversy on this point has been removed by an
additional treaty, which our minister has conclu
ded, and which will immediately be submitted to
the Semi to for its consideration. Should the sup
posed supplemental arrangement be concurred in
by all the parties to be affected by it. the object
contemplated by the original convention will have
been fully attained. .-..
The treaty between the United States and Great
Britain, of the 5th of Jane. Iio4, which went into
effective operation in ISoj, put an end to cause
of irritation between the two countries, by secu
ring to the UDited States the right of fishery on
the coat of the British North American provinces
with advantages equal to those enjoyed by British,
subjects. P.esides the signal benciiU of this treaty
to large class of our citiicns engaged in a pur
suit connected extensively with our national
prosperity and strength, it has hud a favorable ef
fect upon other interests in the provision it made
for reciprocal freedom of trade between the United
States and the British provinces in America.
The eiperts of domestic articles to those provin
ces during the last year amounted to more than
twenty-two millions of dollars, exceeding those of
the preccdiug year by nearly seven foilliocs of
dollars; and tho .imports therefrom, dnring the
same period, amounted to more than twenty -one
millions. an increase of six millions upon those
of the previous year. --- -
. Tho improved condition of this branch of our
commerce is mainly attributable to the above-inon-tioned
treaty.
Provison was made in the first article of that
treaty for a commission to designate the
mouths of rivers to which the common right
of fishery, on the coast of the United States
and the British Provinces, was uot to extend.
This commission has been employed a part of
two seasons but without much progress in ac
complishing the object for which it was insti
tuted, in consequence of a serious difference
of opinion between the commissioners, not on
ly as to the precise point where the rivers ter
minate, but in many instances as to what con
stitutes a river. These difficulties may be
overcome, however, by resort to the umpirage
provided for by the treaty.
The efforts perseveringly prosecuted since
the commencement of my administration, to
relieve our trade to the Baltic from the exac
tion ol sound dues by Denmark, have not yet
been attended with success. Other govern
ments have also sought to obtain the like re
lief to their commerce, ami Denmark wasthus
induced to propose an arrangement to all the
European Powers interested in the subject;
and the manner in which ht.r proposition was
received, warranting her to believe that a sat
isfactory arrangement with them could soon be
concluded, she made a strong appeal to this
government for temporary suspension of defi
nite action on its part, in consideration of the
embarasstnciit which might resnlt to her Eu
ropean negotiations by an immediate adjust
ment of the question with the United States.
This request has been acceded to, npon the
condition that the sums collected alter the
10th of June last, and until the lGth of June
next, from vessels and cargoes belonging to
our merchants, are to be considered as paid
under protest and subject to future adjustment
There is reason to believe that an arrange
ment between Denmark and the maritime
powers of Europe on the subject, will be soon
concluded, and that the landing negotiation
with the United States may then bo resumed
and terminated in a satisfactory manner.
With Spain no new difficulties have arisen,
nor has much progress been made in the ad
justment of pending ones.
Negotiations entered into for the purpose of
relieving our commercial intercourse with
the Island of Cuba of some of its burdens, and
providing for the more speedy settlement of
local disputes growing out of that intercourse
have not been attended with any results.
Soon after the commencement ot the late
war in Europe, this government submitted to
the consideration of all maritime natiot.s two
principles for the security of noutral com
merce ; one that the neutral flag should cover
enemies' goods except articles contraband of
war; and the other, that' neutral property on
board merchant vessels'belligerents, should be
exempt from condemnation, with the excep
tion of contraband articles. These were not
presented 'as new rules of international law,
having been generally claimed by neutrals,
though not always admitted by belligerents.
One of the parties to the war-g-Rnssia as well
as several neutral powers, promptly acceded
to these propositions; and the two other prin
cipal belligerents, (Jreat Britain ami France,
having consented to observe them for tho pre
sent occasion, a favorable opportunity seemed
to be presented for obtaining a general recog
nition of them both in Europe and America.
But Great Britain and Franco in common
with most of the states of Europe, while for
bearing to reject,did not affirmatively act upon
the overtures id' the United States.
While the question was in this position, the
representatives of Kossia, France, Great Bri
tain, Austria, Prussia, Sardinia and Turkey,
assembled at Paris, took into consideration the
subject of lnaiitimc rights, and put forth a
declaration containing the two principles
which this government had submitted, nearly
two years before, to the consideration of mari
time powers, and adding thereto the following
propositions "Privateering is and remains
abolished," anil "Blockades, in order to be
binding, must be effective, that is to say,
maintained by a force, sufficient really, to pre
vent access to the coast of the enemy ;" and to
the declaration thus composed of four points,
two ofwhich had already been proposed by
the United States, this government has been
invited to accede by all the powers represen
ted at Paris, except (Jreat Britain and Turkey.
To the last of the two addditional proposi
tions that in relation to bloekades there can
certainly be no objection. It is merely the
definition of what shall constitute the effectual
investment of a blockaded place, a definition
lor which this government has always conten
ded, claiming indemnity for losses where a
practical violation of the rule thus defined has
been injurious to our commerce. As to tho
remaining article of the declaration of the
conference of Paris, "that privaleering is and
remains abolished," I certainly cannot as
cribe to the powers represented in the confer
ence of Paris, any but liberal philanthropic
views in the attempt to change the unquestion
able rule of maritime law iu regard to priva
teering. Their proposition was doubtless in
tended to imply approval of the principle
that private property i:pon the ocean, although
it might belong to the citizens of a belligerent
state, should be exempted from capture ; and
had that proposition been so framed as to give
lull effect to the principle, it would have re
ceived my ready assent on behalf of tho Uni
ted States.
But the measure proposed is inadequate to
that purpose. It is true that if adopted, pri
vate property upon the ocean would be with
drawn from one mode of plunder, but left ex
posed, meanwhile, to another mode, which
could be used with increased effectiveness.
The aggressive capacity of great naval pow
ers would bo thereby augmented, while tho
defensive ability of others would be reduced.
Though the surrender of the means of prosecu
ting hostilities by employing privateers, as
proposed by the conference of Paris, is mutu
al in terms, yet, in practical effect, it' would
be the relinquishment of a right of iittlo value
to one class if states, but of osseqtial impor
tance to another and a far larger class. It
ought not to have been anticipated that a
measure, so inadequate to tho accomplishment
of the proposed object, and so unequal in its
operations, would receive the assent of all
maritime powers. Private property would be
still left to the depredations of tho public
armed cruisers.
I havo expressed a readinesv on the part of
this government, to accede to all the princi
ples contained in tho declaration of the con
ference of Paris, Provided that relating to the
abandonment of pt jvatccring cat) be so amend
ed as to effect the object for which, a is pre
sumed, it was intended, tho immunity of pri
vate property on the ocean from hostile cap
ture. To effect this object, it is proposed to
add to the declaration that "privateering is
and remains abolished," the following amend
ment : "And that the private property of sub
jects ard citizens of a belligerent on the high
seas, bhall be exempt from seizure by the arm
ed vessels of the other belligerent, except it
be contrabrand." This amendment has been
presented not only to the powers which have
asked our assent to the declaration to abolish
privateering, but to all other maratime states.
Thus far it has not been rejected by any, and
is favorably entertained by all which have
made any communication in reply.
Several of the governments, regarding with
favor the proposition of the United States,
have delayed definite action upon it, only for
the purpose of consulting with others, parties
to the conference at Paris. 1 have the satis
faction of stating, however, that the Emperor
of Russia has entirely and explicitly approved
of that Modification, and will co-operate in en
deavoring to obtain the assent of other pow
ers; and that assntancc of a similar purport
have been received in relation to the disposi
tion of the Emperor of the French.
The present aspect of this important subject
allows us to cherish the hope that a principle
so humane in its character, so just and equal
in its operation, so essential to the prosperity
of commercial nations, and so consonant to the
sentiments of this enlightened period of the
world, will command tho approbation of all
maritime powers, and thus be incorporated in
to the code of international law.
My views on the subject arc more fully set forth
in the reply of the Secretary of the State, a copy
of which is hero transmitted, to the communica
tions on the subject made to this government, es
pecially to tbe communication of Franco.
3hc government of the United States has at all
times ri'girdo.l with friendly interest the otWcr
States of Ameiica, formerly, like this country. Eu
ropean colonies and now independent members of
the great family of nations, but the unsettled con
dition of some of them, distracted by frequent
revolutions, and thus incapable of regular aad firm
internal ndmini-tration. hastened to embarrass
occasionally our public intercourse, by reason of
wrongs which our citizens stifTer at their hands
and w hich they arc slow to redress.
Unfortunately it is against the Republic of Mex
ico, with which it is our special desire to maintain
a good understanding, that such eomplninU are
most numerous; nnd although earnestly urged
upon his attention, they have not ns yet received
tlio consideration whi-h this govrrniuont had a
right toexpect. While reparation for past injuries
Las been withheld, others hate been added. The
political condition of that cuuntry, however, has
been such' as to demand forbearance, on tbe part of
the United States. I shall continue my-efforts to
procure for the wrongs of ocr citizens that redress
which is indispeiisible to the continued friendly
association of the two Republics.
Tho peculiar condition of affairs in Nicaragua
in tho early part of the present year, rendered it
important that this government ihould have dip
lomatic relations with that State. Through
its territory has been opened one of the prin
cipal thoroughfares across the isthmus con
necting North and South America, on which
a vast amount of property was transported, and
to which our citizens resorted in great num
bers in passing between tho Atlantic and Pa
cific coasts of the United States.
Tho protection of both required that tl.o ex
isting power in that State should be regarded
as a responsible government : nnd its minister
was accordingly received. But he remained
here only a short time. Soon thereafter the
political affairs of Nicaragua uudetwent unfa
vorable change, and became Involved in much
uncertainty and confusion.
Diplomatic representatives from fwo con
tending parties have been recently sent to this
government; but with the imperfect informa
tion possessed, it was not possible to decide
which was tho government do facto; and await
ing further developements I have refused to
receive either.
Questions of the most serious nature are
pending between tlicUnited States and the Re
public of New Granada. Tho government of
that Republic undertook, a year since, to im
pose tonnage on foreign vessels in her ports,
but tho purpose was resisted by this govern
ment, as being contrary to existing treaty stip
ulations with the United Slates, end to rights
conferred by charter upon the Panama Kail
road Company ,and was accordingly relinquish
ed at that time, it being admitted that our ves
sels were entitled to be exempt from tonnage
duty in the free ports of Patiam i and Apm
w.ill. But the purpose has been recently re
vived on the part of New Granada, by the en
actment of a law to subject vessels visiting her
ports to the tonnage duty of forty cents per
ton ; and, although the law h-.is not been put in
force, yet the right to enforce it is still assert
ed, and may, at any time, be acted on by the
government oT that Republic.
The Congress of New Granada had also en
acted a law, during the last year, winch levies
tax of more than three doll. us on every pound
of mail matter transported aoross the Isthmus.
The sum thus required to be paid m the mails
of the United States would be nearly two mil
lions of dollars annually, in addition to the
large sum payable by contiact to the Panama
Railroad Company. If the only objection to
this exaction were the cxhorbitaney of-its a
mount, it could not bo submitted to by the U
nite States.
The imposition, however," would obviously
contravene our treaty with New Granada, and
infringe the contract of that Republic with the
Panama Railroad Company. The law provid
ing for this tax was, by its terms, to take effect
on the first of September last, but the local
authorities on the Isthmus have been induced
to suspend its execution, and to wait further
instruction on the subject from the government
of the Republic. I am not yet advised of tho
determination of that government. If a mea
sure so extraordinary in its character, nnd so
clearly contrary to treaty stipulations, and the
contract rights of the Panama Railroad Com
pany, composed mostly of American citizens,
should bo persisted in, it will be the duty of
the United States to resist its execution.
I regret exceedingly that occasion exists to
invite your attention to a subject of still
greater import in our relations with the Re
public of New Granada. On tho 15th day of
April last, a riotous assemblage of the inhabi
tants of Panama committed a violent and out
rageous attack on tho premises of the Rail
road Company, and the passengers and other
persons in or near the same, involving the
death of several citizens of tho United States,
the pillage of many others, and the destruction
of a large amount of property belonging to tho
Railroad company. I caused full investiga
tion of that event to bo made, and tho result
shows satisfactory that complete responsibility
for what occurred attaches to the government
of New Granada. I have, therefore, demand
ed of that government lhat the perpetrators of
tho wrongs in question should be punished;
that provision should be made for the families
of citizens of the United States who were kill
ed, with full indemnity for property pillaged
or destroyed.
The present condition of the Isthmus of Pa
nama, in so far as regards the security of per
sons and property passing over it requires se
rious consideration. Recent incidents tend to
show that local authorities cannot be relied on
to maintain the public peace of Panama, and
there is just ground for apprehension that a
portion of inhabitants am meditating further
outrages, without adequate measures for the
security and protection of persons or property
having been taken, cither by the State of Pa
nama, or by the general government of New
Granada. - . ;-
Under the guaranties of treaty, citizens of
the United States have, by the outlay of seve
ral millions of dollars, constructed a railroad
across the Isthmus, and it has become the
main route between our Atlantic and Pacific
possessions, over which multitudes of our cit
izens and a vast amount of property are con
stantly passing to the security and protec
tion of all which, and the continuance of the
public advantages involved, it is impossible
for the Government of the United States to be
indifferent.
I have deemed the recurrence of scenes of
lawless violence in this quarter so imminent
as to make it my duty to station a put of our
naval force in the harbors of Panama and As
pinwall, in order to protect the persons and
property of the citizens of the United States
in those ports, nnd to insure to them sate pas
sage across the Isthmus. And it would, in ray
judgment, be unwise to withdraw the naval
force now in thoso ports, until, by fhe sponta
neous action of the Republic of X. Granada, or
otherwise, some adequate arrangement shall
hare been made for the protection and securi
tj' of a line of interoceanic communication so
important at this lime, not to the U. States
on'.y, but to all other maritime states both of
Europe and America.
Meanwhile, negotiations have been institu
ted by means of a special commission, to ob
tain from New Granada full indemnity for in
juries sustained by our citizens on the Isthmus
and satisfactory security for the general inter
ests of the United States.
In addressing to yon my last annual message
the occasion seems to me an appropriate one
to express my congratulations in view of the
peace, greatness, aud felicity which the Uni
ted States now possess and enjoy. To point
you to the state of" the various departments of
the government, and of all the great branches
of the public service, civil ami military, in or
der fo speak of the intelligence and integrity
which pervades the whole, would be to indi
cate but imperfectly the administrative condi
tion of the country, and the beneficial effects
of that on the general welfare.
Ncr would it suffice to say that the nation is
actually at peace at home and abioad; that
its industrial interests are prosperous ; that
the canvass of its marineTs whiten every sea:
and the plough of its husbandmen is marching
steadily onward to the bloodless conquest ol
the continent, that cities and populous States
are springing up, as if by enchantment, from
tho bosom of our western wilds, and that the
courageous energy of our people is making of
these United States the great republic of the
world. These results have not been attained
without passing through trials and perils, by
experience of which, and thus only nations
can harden into manhood.
Our forefathers were trained to (he wisdom
which conceived and the courage which a
chieved independence, by the circumstances
which surrounded them, and they were thus
made capable of the creation of the republic.
It devolved on the next generation to consoli
date the work of the revolution, to deliver the
country entirely from the influences of con
flicting transatlantic partialities or antipathies,
which attached to our colonial and revolution
ary history, and to organize the practical ope
ration of the constitutional and legal institu
tions of the Union.
To us, of this generation, remains the not
less noble task of maintaining and extending
the power of the United States. We have, at
length, reached that stage of the national ca
reer, in which the dangers to be encountered,
and the exertions to be made, are the inci
dents, not ttf weakness, but of strength. In
our foreign relations wo'aavc to attemper our
power to til b,-ss happy Vendition of other re
publics tiffiify'lf iyl pEt)rtuVel, in
the calmness and consciousy dignity of right,
by the side of the greatest and wealthiest of
the empires of Europe, in our domestic rela
tions, we have to gnard against the shock of
tho discontents, the ambitions, the interests,
and the exuberant, and, therefore, sometimes
irregular impulses of opinion, or of action,
which are the natural product of the present
political elevation, the self-reliance, and the
restless spirit of enterprise of the people of
the United States.
I shall prepare to surrender the Executive
trust to my successor, and retire to private
lifo with sentiments of profound gratitude to
the good providence which, during the period
of my administration, has vouchsafed to carry
the country through many difficulties domestic
and foreign, and to enable tne to contemplate
the spectacle of amicable and respectful rela
tions between ours aud all other governments,
and the establishment of constitutional order
and tranquility throughout the Union.
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
Wasuinc.tox, Dec. '2. 185G.
A Washington letter writer says: As soon
as the principal Southern members are all in,
a caucus will be held in regard to national
politics. I lelieve I have good ground fi r
saying t'.iat the object of this caucus is neither
to influence Mr. Buchanan now, nor attempt
even the intimidation of the North, but simp
ly to lay the foundation for a distinct Southern
party, to accept the final issue on the slavery
question, presented as it will be in 1S60. It is
a desperate step, but perhaps the best and only
way of deciding this question. In the late
canvas there were so many side issues, indi
rect influences and false pretences used that
the Southern people are not satisfied. They
do not believe it was an entirely anti-Southern
vote. The j" therefore desire some positive is
sue, so made as to preclude all doubt, and
thus havo the direct vote of the American
people upon the only question which can en
danger tho Union or create domestic discord.
That issue is simply whether the South shall
extend with their system of slave labor side
by side aud equally with the North. The Dem
ocratic party hacks will have to clear tho
track, for the locomotive is coming.
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and enable them to pass their critical periods
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ment. '
O.v Sunday tho 30th November, a son of Te
ter Fink, of Somerset, Pa., during the absence
of tho family, got hold of a gun and acciden
tally shot a younger brother, causing instant
death.
Daniel J. Ncrf, of Ilollidaysburg, convicted
of manslaughter and sentenced to two years
in the penitentiary, has been pardoned.
Ilaftsiwm's fonnral.
r ' . . -
S. B. ROW. EDiron axi Peopbietorv
CLEARFIELD, PA., DEC. 10, 1856.
TBESIDSNrS EESSAGE.
We occupy a large portion of our paper to
day with the last annual message of President
Pierce. A fair share of the document is de
voted to a defence of the Administration in
relation to Kansas, in wLich he lays the origin
of the disturbances to the efforts of the east
crn emigrant ail societies ; btt he fails to say
aught against the efforts at colonization tnado
by the pro-slavery men. He has by soma
moans discovered that the Missouri Compro
mise was "obsolete" and "null for unconstitu
tionality," before its n-peal. lie indulges iu
a lengthy and bitter attack upon th-j Republi
cans, who, he siys, whii-it "protending only to
prevent tbe spread of slavery into new States,"
were "realy influenced with a desire to changa
the domestic institutions of existing States."
This assertion of the President is simply false,
and is a fair sample of others that lie makes.
It is really humiliating to.witness the Chief
Magistrate of the Nation use his high official
sta!i-n to not cn!y denounce and abuse the op
ponents of his measures and policy as enemies
of the Constitution, the Union, and the peace
of the country, but to grossly misrepresent
them. Nothing more, however, could be ex
pected from such a source.
So much of the message as relates to the fi
nances, as refers to the reports of the heads of
Departments, to our foreign relations, &c, is
clearly and pungently written.
II. BcciiEn Swoope. This notorious indi
vidual lias issued over his own name an "Ad
dress," para lo.ticsl as it may seem, "to the
-lincricans of Cleat field," which address was
printed iu the Lvcofoco ofiice in this town. Je-hos-a-phat!
what an awfully terrible fellow
Bucheris just at this time ! Ho is
"More peevish, cross and iq!netie.
Than dog distract, or uioukcy tick,:
and pitches into everybody, except straight
Fillmore men, in the most magniloquent style,
not forgetting to give the Jlcltmau's Journal
a pop-gun salute as he passes along. He can
beat Gulliver and I'arvn Munchausen at telling
biz stories, and we know of no one who eonhl
compete with him in this respect, unless it
would be tPgt$ai, who it is said was kicked
out of the infernal regions for lying. If any
body will believe what he says, they can do.
so, if they choose. For our own part, wc do
not think it worth while to refute, as wc read
ily can, his falsehoods; for whilst we would
be disposing of one, he could have at leasts
half dozen equally plausible ones manufactured
to put in its plice. So you see, numerically
considered, it would be a losing game for us.
Bosides, wc have a simitar reason for refusing
to particularly notice him that the lion bad for
declining to meet the skunk in single combat.
"How," said the skunk, "do you refuse f"
"Yes," said the lion, "for although I should
do ever so well in the combat, yet every one
who came near me for a month would know
that I had been in company with a skunk.7'
Pnisoxtns Escaped. A Chase. On lasi
Thursday when Mr. Ross, one of the Counry
Commissioners, who boards with Sheriff Reed,
went into the prisoner's room in the jail to
make fire, David Hockenberry and John G.
Stigert, both of whom had been sentenced to
a term of imprisonment, for larceny, w4liuk,
rushed by him and out of the door. Wuea
they got out of the jail, they took down tho
alley, followed by the Sheriffs son, a lad of a
bout ten years of age, who kept in sight of tho
runaways. The Sheriff hearing the noise,
came out of his room, when he was informed
of what was going on, and immediately went
in pursuit. The runaways took down to the
swamp back of Mr. Archibald Shaw's tlie boy
following closely, and calling out "here they
go." Finding themselves so hotly pursued,
they took refuge under Mr. Shaw's new barn,
where they were re-captured and lrui thence
brought back and lodged in j-.iiU,
The deficiency iu the Post Office Depart
ment for this fiscal year, is about two millions
seven hundred thousand dollars, or something
more than cue hundred thousand over last
year. Its operations have been greatly exten
ded, and the facilities largely it-creased. A
single fact, in this connection, furnishes a
gratifying evidence of the growth of the coun
try. During the last four years, there havo
been added to the Tost Oiliee service some
ton thousand miles of railroad being as much
as had been brought intn i-omiisition in iho
preceding ten years.
ResiujjatiOx or Mabshal Dosalpsox The
resignation of Donaldson, United States Mar
shal of Kansas, reached Washington city last
week, and has been accepted. A great effort
is making to have him re-appointed in spite of
Gov. Geary, but the President insists that
Geary shall be sustained. The vacancy has
not been filled. Mr. Fain, Deputy under Don
aldson, is acting Marshal of the Territoty.
Wixtek. Oa last Wednesday afternoon
there was a sudden change in tbe atmosphero
in this region, aud towards evening snow com
menced falling rapidly. On Thursday morn
ing the ground was frozen and continued so
ever since. We ara now experiencing all tha
rigors of winter.