tito'ry.‘norih u! Ilw Cululnbifig "'“M'ng
“long ‘he Pacific and [he SH‘RHS (l' FUCO.
from Bulfinch’s hm'bm inclu~iWJo "00d"
Cnnul’ and t" llhlki' he? 10 the Unih'd
Stfl'i‘fl any p 0” (H' pul'ifl' Mini“ 0' .in'l'l‘UllP
forty."inc .[egqm-‘u' which" they nuuhl «le
sirc. oilher on Ihc mnm land, nr on Qin
ilra and Vancntiror’g island. [\‘Viih' lhe’
exceplinn «(who Ircc pl)ll-‘. lliis was [he
“mouth-r which had been made byjhe
British and rejected by the American guy!
ernmenl in the ncgmiaiiun ul [8261 This
proposilion wné properly rvjcclcd by the
American l’leniplnenlimy on lhedny it
wag submluecl. This Wins the only prop-
obition of compromise nfierml by lh'u Bril
iah_plcnipotenlinry. 'l'hc pmpovition on
the pull of Gréal Britain having been re
jccted, the Brittnh pleniputentinry rrqucs~
ted that a proposal should be made by the
U. Staten tor "nan equitable adjustment ol
the question."
“'twn I came intuottice.| tuund this to
be the state of the negotiation. 'lhnugh
entertaining the Settled convictlun. that
the British pretensions ut titlt' could not
he maintained to any portion ol the Uto
gott territory upon any prinriplt- t-t pubilc
law meognised by nations, yet, in «letwvncv
to “hat had been done by my [lt't‘tlt’ft'r
sore, and especially in consideration that
propositions of cumprmniw had been Itttlt‘t'
made try two prvt‘edi‘ng ndministrntiunu to
adjust the qucation LII thcpnrullel of turtV‘
nine degrees, and in two ut them yicltliitg
to Grout Britniu the tier: navigation ot the
Columbia, and that the [tt‘ntllltg nvgulim
tion had been commenced on the basis ot
compromise, I deemed it to be my duty
not abruptly to break it otT. In contender-
ntion. too. that under the convt‘ttllmm ul
‘IEIS and 18:17, the citiu'm nnrl whit-(ta
ml the two powers held in joint ungupuncy
of the countiy. l was imluccd to Inukv an
other l‘llut‘l to settle IIH‘J long pond”): con
trovmsy in the spirit ol moduiutmn which
had given birth to Ihc renewed discmsmn.
A proposition was accordingly made.
which was rejected by the British nlenipn
tcntiai'y, who, without submitting any oth
er proposition, sulfa-ed the negotiation mt
his part to drop, oxpressing his trust that
the United States would alter who‘ he saw
fit to call “ some lurther proposal tor the
settlement of the Oregon quentiun, more
consistent with fairness and equity. and
with the reasonable expectations ol the
British government.”
The proposition thus offered and rejec
ted, repeated tlte otl'er of the parallel ot
forty-nine degrees of north latitude. which
had been made by two preceding admin
istrations. but wtthout proposing to sur
render lo Great Britain, as they hittl done,
the free navigation of tlte Columbia river.
The right of any ioreign Power to the tree
navigation of any ol our rivers, through
the heart of our country. was one which I
was unwilling to concede. It also o.nbrs
ced a provision to make Irecto Great Bui
lnin any port or ports/on tltc cap of Qua
tlra and Vancouveris'tsland. south ot this
parallel. Had this been a new question.
coming under discussion for the first time,
this proposition would not have been
made. The extraordinary and wholly in
admisssble demands of the Brittsh govern
ment. and the rejection oi the proposition
mode. in deference alone to what had been
done by my predecessors. and theimplied
obligation which their acts Seem to im
pose, afiotd satisfactory evidence that no
compromise which the United States ought
to "accept, can be etfected. With this
convtction. the proposition ol compromise
which had been made and rejected, was
by my direction,subsequently withdrawn. ‘
and our title to the whole Oregon territo- ;
ry asserted, and. as is believed, maintain }
cd by trrelragsble tucts and arguments.
The civilized World will see in these
proceedings a spirit of liberal concession
on the part 0! the United States; and this.
government will be relieved how all re
sponsibility which may follow the failure
to settle the controversy.
All attempts at compromise having tail
ed, it becomes the duty of Congress to
consider what measures it may be proper
to adopt for the security and protection of
our Clli'Lellß now inhabiting. or who may
herealter inhabit Oregon, and for the mom
tenance of out just title to that territory.
In adopting measures for this purpose.
care should be taken that nothing be done
to violate the stipulations of the www
tion of 1827. which is still in lorce. 'l‘he
faith at treaties, In their letter and spirit,
has ever been, and, I trust, wdl ever be,
scrupulously observed by the U. States.
Under that convention, a year’s notice is
required to be given by either party to the i
other. 'before the joint occupancy shall
terminate, and helore either can rightlul
ly assert or exercise exclusive jurisdiction 1
over any portion of the territory. l‘his
notice it would, in my judgment. be prop
er to‘give;and I recolnmentl'lhut provision
be‘ made by law for giving it accordingly,
and terminating. in this manner. the con
vention of the 6th of August. 1827.
It will become proper for Congress to
determine what legialation they can. in
the mean time. adopt without violating
this convention. Beyond uil question. the
protection 0! outlaws and our jurisdiction
civil and criminal, ought to be immedi
ately extended over our citizens in Ore.
gon. They have had just cause to corn
plnin 0! our long neglect in this particular,
and have, in consequence. been competl'
ed,.lor their own securitf and protection,
to establish oprovisiona government for
themeelvee. Strong in their allegiance
and ardent in their nttnchnwut to the U
nited States. they have-been thus c‘ust up.
ontheir' town ref-uul‘cca. They are anx
ious that our laws should be extended over
‘ them. and l ree’mnmcml that this be done
bj‘ Congress with us little delay fathom.
ble, in the full extent to which 'th'\ British
Parlianient have proceeded in regard to lionol honour antlgintcrest. is too. clear to
Britiah autiiecta in that letrittiry- by ""3” Wm" "f doubt. _ . L
tict otJuly'2d, 1821. “ l'ul‘ ,"t‘gfll‘f‘mz "‘9 .OWEOH HI 3 part ofthe North American
fur-trade. and etitnblisningn criminal nnd continent to which it in confidently oflirm
cii‘il jurindiction within certulu partl .0! ed, the title ol the United States is the
North America.” By this actbreat ltrtt- beat now in existence. For the grounds
nin extended her lowa and jurisdiction, on which that title rests. I refer you to the
civnl and criminol. U‘v‘t'f h" WWW”: cn- correspondence of the late and present
waged in the tor-trade in that l9””°')’-- Secretary at State with the British pleni- ‘
fly it the courts of the provtnco of Upper potentiary during the negotiatiom The
Canada were empowered ‘0 ‘Dkt‘ \‘Og'li- British proposition of ronipromiae. which
zancc 0! causes civil and criminal. Jus~ would make the Columbia the line south
tices ol the peoée and other judicial ofli- ol [Orly-nine degrees. with o trifling nddi
cers were authorized to be appointed in tion 0! detached territory to the Uniletl
Oregon. with power to execute all process States. north or that iiier, and would
issuing from the courts of that province. leave on the Britiph side two-thirds of the
and to ” sit and hold courts of recnrtlJor whole Oregon tefritorv, including the free
”"3 ”'3' ”I "hm”. oflctwcs and "llSth- nuvigntion of the Columbia not] all the
imt'aum‘s,” not made the subject ol capitol valuable harbors on the PHCifiC. Cl!" “C"
Ipuniahnient. nod also ol civtl cases, where er. for .1 moment, be entertained by the
tilt: cause ol action sholl not ” exceed in United States, without an abandonment
vnlue the amount or sum oftoo hundred of‘their just nnd clt’ur tertitorial light"
poundr." their own self reapcct. and the national
Subsequent to the date oi this act of .honor. For the information oi Congress.
i’mlintnrnt, :1 grant was mode from the‘vl communicate herewith the correspond
{British crnun' to the. Hudmn's Boy once which took place between the [Wu
Company, oi the exclmive trndc withthe governments during the late negotia-
Imlizm lrilms in llu- ()rvgun Irrxilmy. sub
jvcl In :1 run-nation Hm il hhnll nul upc
xnlc to [ho exclu‘iun ‘ ul' lhv suhjcr's 0! a
ny foreign Slates ulm, umlrr or by lurvc
ufnnv cunvcnliun [m‘ the firm: bemwbc-
ttveen us and surh lor'r-ign State-r reaper
tivcly, may be entitled to. arrdahall be
engaged in the said trade.” _ i
it is much to be regretted, that, “hilt
trntler- this act British subjects have en
joyed the protection of British lan't and
British judicial tribunals throughout the
whole ot ()rrgon. American citil.err°. in
the same territory, have enjoyed nn ouch
protettrr-rr l'torn their government. .’\l
the some time, the result illustra'es the
character ol our pr-rrple and their institn
lions. ln Epilt: ut this neg’et-t, they haw
multiplied, and their nurnher is rapidly
increasing in that territory. 'l'hry ll:]\t‘
made no appeal to arms, but lrave peace
lu'l'ry fortified themselves in their new
hotnee. by the adoption of republican in
stitutions for themselver; furnishing atro
tlrcr example of the truth that selfrgnvern
'[n't‘htis inherent in the Arrrerican breast,
and must prevail. It is due to them that
they should be embraced and protected
by our laws.
It is deemed important that our laws
regulating trade and intercourse with the
Indian tribes east oi the Rocky mountains
should be extendttl to such tribes as dwell
beyond them.
The lanL‘fiSittL" emigration to Oregon,
and the cart: and protection which is due
lrom the government to its citizenst in that
distant region, matte it our duty, as it is
our interest, to cultivate amirrtble rela
tions with the Indian tribes of that terri
tory. For this purpose, I recommend
that provision be made for establishing an
lndian agency. and such sub agencies as
may be deemed neceusary, beyond the
ltocky mourttains.
For the p‘rotection of emigrants whilst
on their nay to Oregon, against the at
tacks of the. lndian tribes occupying thr
country through which they pass.l recom
mend that a suitable number of stockndes
antl block house forts be erected along the
usual route between our lronticr settle
ments on the Missouri and the Rucity
Mountains; and that an adequate force
of mounted rillemert be raised to guard
and protect them on their journey. The
immediate adoption ul these recommenda
tions by Congress will‘vnot violate the pro
vrsions ol the existing treaty. lt will be
doing nothing more lor American cili'l.ena
than British lawn have long since done for
British subjects in the. same territory;
It requrreo several months to prrlorm
the voyage by sea from the Atlantic States
to Oregon; and although we have a large
number of whale shipa in the Pacific, but
few of them allord an opportumtyol Inter
changing intelligence. without great delay,
between our settlemerm in that distant re
gion, and the United States. An overland
mail is believed to be entirely practicable;
and the importance of establishing such a
mail, at least once a month, is submitted
to the favourable consideration of Con
gress.
It is submitted to the wisdom of Con
gress to determine whether, at their pres.
ent session, and until alter the expiration
of the year's notice. any other measures
may be adopted, consistently “ith the cott
vention of 1327. Inc the security of our
rights, and the government and protection
of our citizens In Oregon. That it will
ultimately be wise and proper to make
liberal grants ol land to the patriotic pio
neers. who, amidst privationi anti dangers.
lead the way through savage tribes‘inhab
iting the vast wilderness intervening be
tween our frontier settlements and Ore.
gun, and who cultivate, and are ever rea
dy to tlelend the soil, 1 am lully satisfied.
'l‘o doubt whether they will obtain such
grants its aoon as the convention between
the United States and Great Britain shall
have ceased to exist, would be to doubt
the justice of Congress; but. pending the
year’s notice, it is Worthy of consideration
whether a stipulation to this cllt'ct may be
made, consistently with the spirit of that
convention.
The recommendations which I have
made. as tothe boat manner of.,_aecuriog
our rights in Oregon. are submitted to
Congress with great deference. Should
they, in their wisdom. devise any other
mode better calculated to accomplish the
some object, it shall meet with my hearty
concurrence.
At the end at the year’s notice. should
Congress think it proper to make provis
toa for giving that notice, we shall have
reacliétl'a period when the national righta
tn .Uregun ‘must either be abandoned or
hrrnly maintained. That. they cannot be
abandoned without a sacrifice of both tra
(Inn.
The rapid ‘cxtvnsiun nl nur senlementg
mer nur lurrilmws lwrehnlnre unoccur'fiml;
(he mlditinn «I! new Stairs to vur confed
rrncy ; the expansion ul [rec principles,
{Hill-HUI‘ rising urealnt‘ss as a Hutton, are
attracting the attention of the Pour-rs of
Europe; and lately ilie doctrine has been
liroarlied in some of them of n " balance
of power" on this continent. to check our
advancement. The United States. sin
cer'ely desirous of preserving relations of
good understanding with all nations, can
not in silence DPI’IIHILHH)’ European iiitrr
fen-nee on the North American continent;
and should any- such interference be at
tempted, “ill be ready to resist it at any
and all lla'Lntds
It is well known to the American peo
ple rriid to all nation's, that this govern
ment has never irr'erlerrtl With the rela
tions subustrng between other govern
ments. We have never made ourselves
parties to their wars or their alliances; “'0
have not sought their territories by con
quest; wchatie not mingled with parties
in their domestic struggles ; and believing
our own form of gtn'erninent to be the
best, we have never attempted to propa
rate it by intrigues, by diplomacy, or by
force. Vi'e may claim on this continent
alike exemption from European interfer
ence. The nations of America are equal
ly sovereign and independent with those
of Europe. 'l‘hey possess the some rights,
independent of all foreign interposition, to
make war, to conclude peace. and to reg
ulate their intertial affairs. The people
of the United States cannot, therefore.
view uith indrflerencc attempts of Euro
l pean powers to interfere with the indepen
dent action of the nations on this contin
ent. The American system of govern
ment is entirely different from that of Eu
rope. Jealousy among the different sove.
reigns of Europe. lest any one of them
might become too powerful for the rest.
has caused them anxiously to desire the es
tablishment of uhat they term the “ bal
ance of power.” It caiitiul. be permitted
lohavc any application on the NorthA
lmcriean continent. and especially to the
United States. “'0 must eve r maintain
the principle that people of this continent
alone have the power to decide their
own destiny. Shouldsny portion of them
constituting an independent State, propose
to unite themselves with our confederacy,
this “11l be a question for them and us to
determine, without any foreign interposi
tion. “'e can never consent that Euro
pean powers shall interfere to pretrent such
a union. because it might disturb the ' ba
lance of power’ which they may desire to
maintain «upon this continent. Near a
quarter of a century ago, the principle was
distinctly announced to the world in the
annual message of one of my predecusors,
that ” the American continents. by the
freo and independent condition which
they have assumed and maintain. are
henceforth not to be considered as subjects
for future eolonimtion by any European
Power." This principle will apply with
increased force. should atiy European
‘l’ower attempt to establish any new colo
ny in North America. In the existing
circumstances of the world, the present i‘
deemed a proper occasion to reiterate and
reaffirm the principle avowed by, Mr.
Monroe, arid to state my cordial concur
renee in its wisdom and sound policy.—
‘l'lie reassertion of this principle, especial
ly in reference to North America, is at
this day but the promulgation ofa policy
which on European power should cherish
the disposition to resist. Existing rights
of every European nation should be re
spected; but it is due alike to our safety
and our interests. that the efficient protec
tion of our laws should be extended over
our whole territorial limits, and that it
should be di-tiiictly announced to the
world. as our settler] policy. that no future
European colony or dominion shall, with
our consent. be planted or established. on
any part of the North American contin
cm.
A question has recently arisen under
the tenth article of the subsisting treaty
between the United States and Prussia.
By this article, the console of the two
countries have the right to hit asjudgea
and arbitrators " in such diflerences as
may arise between the captains and crews
of the vessels belonging to .the nation
whose interests are committed to their
charge. Will")!!! the interference of the lo
cal authorities, unless the conduct of the
crews or, of the captain should disturb the
order or tranquility of the country; or the
said consuls should require their assist
once to cause their decisions to be carried
iiitu etleet or supported.” ~
The Prussian consul at New Bedford,
in June. 1844, awlied toan-Jnltjc‘o 5“...
ry to carry into e eelwa decision made bj
hiinbctWeen thecapttiin and amp: the ‘
Prussian Iltip Borusnia; but' the request
was refused on the ground that. withnut
previous legislation by Congress.,the Ju
diciary did not possess the power to give
etlect to this article of the treaty; ‘l‘he
Prussian government through their minis
ter here, have complained of this violation
ofthe treaty. and have asked the govern
§ment ut the United States to adopt the no:
cesaary measures to prevent similar viola
liunét‘herealter. Goad faith to" Prussia. as
well as tn ’other nations With whom we
have mmilnr treaty ntipulatinns. tequirce
that these almuld be faithfully ObICl‘VEd.
l have deemed ll proper. therelure. to la)
the subject h'cfore Cnngress, and to rec~
ommcnil such legislation as may be neces
unry to give etlect to these treaty obliga
tions. _
By virtue of an nrrangetnem made be
t“ een the Spanish government and that of
the United States. in December, 1831, A
merican ve‘ssels. since the 29th at Apttl.
1832, have been admitted to entry in the
ports of Spuin. including those of the Bal
eruc and Canary Llands, on payment nl
the same tonnage duty of five cents per
ton, as though they had been Spanish ves
sels; and this, whether our vessels arrive
in Spain directly [mm the United States,
or indirectly from any other country.—
\Vhen Cnngress, b) the act of the 13th of
July. IBBQ, gave ellert to this arrangement
between the two governments they confi
ned the reduction of tonnage duty merely
to Spanish vessals “ coming lmm a pn'rt
in Spain,” leaving the former dincriminu
ting duty to rennin against such vessels
coming f-nm Ii imrl in any other country.
It is‘ manilcslly unjust that. whilst Amer
irnu vessrlg. arriving in the ports nfSpnin
hum nlhvr cuunhicu. pav nu mnre duly
Hmn Spanish vessel: arriving: in ‘he ports
u! the Unilcd Slates from other countries
should'bc subject”! to heavy discrimina-
ttng ttmnnge duties. This is neither 0-
qunltty nnr reciprocity. and is in violation
u! the arrangement concluded in Decem
ber, 1881.1)etwcen the two cuuntties.—
l‘he Spanish government have made re
peated and earnest remonstrances agains
thisinequality, and the favourable atten
tion of Congress has been several times
invoked to the subject by my predeces
sors. I recommend as an act of justice
to Spain, that this inequality be removed
by Congress. and that the discriminating
duties which have been levied under the
act of the thirteenth of July, 1832, on
Spanish vessels coming to the United
States fromany other foreign country be
refunded. This recommendation does not
"embrace Spanish vessels arriving in the
United States from Cuba and Porto Rico,
which will still remain subject to the pro
vrsions of the act of June thirtieth, 1834,
concerning tonhageduty on such vessels.
fly the act of the 14th of July. 1832.
cofl'ee was exe.npled from duty altogether.
—-'l'his exemption was universal, without.
reference to the country where it was pro
duced, or the national character of the
vessel in which it was imported. By the
tarifl'act of the 30m of August. 1842, this
exemption from duty was restricted to
coffee imported in American vessels from
the place of its production ; whilst coflee
imported under all other circumstances
was subjected to a duty at ‘2O per cent.
at! valorun. Under this act, and our ex~
isting treaty uilh the King of the Nether
lands Java coffee imported from the Euro
pean ports of that Kingdom into the Uni
ted States. whether in Dutch or Ameri
can vessels, now pays this rate of duty.
The government of the Netherlands
complalns that such a discriminating duty
should have been imposed on coflee. the
production of one of its colonies. and
which is chiefly brought from Java to the
ports of that kingdom, and exported tiom
thence to foreign countries, Our trade
with the Netherlands is highly beneficial
to both countries, and our relations with
them have ever been of the most friendly
character. Under all the circumstances
ol the case. I recommended that this dis
crimination should be abolished. and that
the coffee of Java imported from the Neill:K
erlands, be placed upon the same fooltinv
with that Imported direct from BMW
other countries where it is produce ._,o'f’f
Under the eighth section of the tarlflfflcl‘i
of the 30th Aug. 1849.;1 duty 0! fif'lééj‘f
cents per gallon was imposed on Portwfttcfi
_in tasks; while on the red \vinas-oflsetief
ral other countries; when itnported’il‘i
tasks. a duty of only six cents per galllil
was imposed. Thisdiscrimination. So far
as regarded the Port ‘\\'ine of Portugal"
was deemed a violation of our treaty with
that Pott'er. which provides that‘ no high
er or other duties shall be imposed on the
importation into the United States of A~
inericn of any article the growth, produce
or manufacture of the kingdom and pos
sessions of Portugal than such as men:
shall be payable on the like article being
the growth produce or marmfautureof any
other foreign country.’ Accordingly. l 0
give efl'eCt m the treaty. as. well its to the
intentional Congress. “pressed to a “f"
vtso to the tarifl act itself. that nothttt‘.’
therein contained should be soconstrued
as to interfere with subsisting treaties With
foreign nations. a treasury circular 'WuS
issued on the 16th of July. 1844, which,
among'olher things. declared the duty on
l the Port wine of Portugal. in casks, under
the existing laws and treaty. to be six
cents per gallon. and directed that the ex
cesa of duties which had been collected on
such wine should be refunded. By virtue
of another clause in the same section of
the act. it isiproviiled that all imitations
of Port. or any other Wines. “shall be
subjy’ct to the duty provided tor the genu
ine-article} Imitation» of Port wine. the
productions of France. are imported to
uomcie’xlomimo Ihr United Sum; and
the Government of Iho! countrynnmv
cm,“ that . omlcr if currrc! construction
of m, at. mpg imilalimm ought um 1n
paykgtliighér‘ulutv than that impugn] “n
the original Purt wine tlf.Portug;\l.. It.
appenrs tome toib‘e unerbual 9m] ntijunt.
that French imitations 0'! art wind-humid
be subjoélml ton 110‘] of fifteen'cehls',
while the more valuablegarucle from For.
tugul should [my 'a duty of six cents only
per gallon. l therelore recommend to
Congress such legislation as may be ueé
cesnnry to correct the inequality. , , _
The late President. in his nnnunl mes:
sage of December last necommendul an
appropriation to satisfy the whims ol the
Texan government against the U. Staten.
which had been previously 'atljustetl, so
turtns the pquys ot the Executive extend.
'l‘lme claims nrme out of the act oltlis-
arming a body ol’ Texan Hoops under. "ye
command of Major Snively. by 'nn officer
in the service (I! the United Slates. qcling
under lhe orders of our government; and
(he [orcuhle enlry into the cuuom-houie
at Bryarly’u landing. on Red liver, by
certain citizens of the Unm-(I Slnteu. and
taking away Ihercfmm the goods seized
by the collector ol the cusloma as Intfeit.
ml under Ihe laws of Texas. This was 11
liquidated debt, aucerlniued In be due to
Texas when an independent state. Her
acceptance of the (elm-inf annualiun pro
posed by lhe United States does not dis
charge or invalidate the claim. Irecnm
mend that provision be made {ori's pay
ment.
The commissioner appointed lo Chum.
during the special session oi the Senate
in March last shortly afterwards out out
on his miaqion in the U. S. ship Columbus.
On nrrivmg at Rio de Janerio on the pan
sage, the state 0! his health had become
an critical, that by the advice ot his medi
cal attendants, he returner! to the United
States carlv in the month of October last
Commodore Biddle, commanding lhe East C!
India Fquadron, piocveeded on his voyage
in the Columbus, and was charged by lhe
commissioner With the cluiy ofuchanging
with the proper authorities the ratifications
of the treaty lately concluded with the
Emperor of China. 'Since the return of
the commissioner to the United States, his
health has been much improved. and he
entertains the confident belief that he will
soon be able to proceed on his mission.
Unfortunately dtll'erences continue to
exist among sotnrfif‘tfie nations of South
America, which following our example.
have established their independence, while
in others internal dissensions prevail. It
is natural that our sympathies should be
watmly enlisted for their wellare; that we
should deatra that all controversies be
ttreeWem should be amicably adjusted.
and tr governments administered in a
manner to protect the rights, and promote
the prosperity at their people. It is con
trary, however, to our settled policy. to
interfere in their controversies, whether
internal or external.
I have thus adverted to all the subjects
connected with our loreign relations. to
which I deem it necessary to call your
attention. Our policy is not only peace
with all, but good will towards all the
l’owrrs of the earth. While we are just
to all.'we requirethat all shall be just to
us. l‘lxcrpting the dtflerences with Mes:-
ico and Great Britain, our relations with
all civilized nations are at the most satis
factory character. It is hoped that in this
enlightened age, these ttlflerences may, he
amicably adjusted.
The Secretary of the Treasury in his
annual report to Congress, will communi
cate a lull statement of the condition of
our finances. The imports for the fiscal
year ending on the 30th ol June last. Were
‘ol the value ol 5117,254.564. at which
the amount exported was 815.346.830
leaving a balance of 8101.907,734 for do
mestic consumption. The exports for the
same year were ofthe value of 8114.646.-
606; of which the amount of domestic
articles was $99,299.776. The receipts
into the treasury during the same year
time $29.769J33 56 ; of which there
were, derived lrotn customs. 827.528.”?
70: from sales of public lands. $2,077.-
02‘3530 ; and lrom Incidental and miscel
lané‘nus sources, $103,998 56. The ex
pentfiturea lor the same period were $29.-
‘ooamo'oe; of which. 38.598.157 69.
”were applied to the payment of the public
‘ilebt. The balance in the treasury on thy:
;lirstol July last, was 37.658306 2?. .‘i‘
"l‘he amount of the public debt remain
in! unpaid on’the first ol October last was
{817,075,445 52. Further payments of
the public debt would have been made'. in
anticipation ol the period olits reimburse
ment under the authority conferredopon
the Secretary of the Treasury by the'ac‘ta
otJnly twenty-first, 18M. and oi April
15th, 1842, and March 3t|,‘1848,v had not
the unsettled slate of our relatio’n‘s with
Mexico rnennced hostile collisions with
that power. In view at such scontingen
cy~, it was deemed prudent to retain tn the
treasury an amount unusually large for
ordinary purposes. ‘ I
A few years ago our whole national
‘debt growing out ol the Revolution and
the war of 1812 with Great Britain was
extinguished. and we presented to the
world the rare and noble spectacle of a
great and growing people who had fully
discharged every obligation. Since ll‘at
time, the existing debt has becnfunlt'ncl
ed; and small as it is, in comparison with
the similar burdens of most other nallflnl'u ,
it should be extinguished at the earliest»
practicable period Should the state 0l ”'0
country permit. and especially, il our [or
eign relations interpose no obstacle. ll _l‘l
contemplated to apply all “l?! moneys '"
ll“: treasury as they 'accruo beyond what
is required for the appropriattons by Con
gress to itsliquidatioo, I cherish the hope