T
toflb trpAM t?mri1r InerJeht to th
iintetaco I eur poMCMiod - ad aatbority
m them. "
Jtear the) eloM cf yjr session,' fV.r reason
t4Mnoncttd t Congtese, I deemed it itnpof.
in ae a eaeesure tar eecufing t speedy tnot
with Mexico, that nim of mooey should to
neroptieted and placed in the power of tbt
Executive, similar to that which hd been made
wpon two furtrrar occasion, during iht udinla
Utatinnvf President Jfffvreoo. , ',
Oa tho Wth of February, 1809, an epewopria
I oo ed 990110,000 waa made, aod pieced at lb
disposal of tho President. Its oty'Ot la wall
known. It waa at that time) In contemplstio
M scquire Louiaiana Iron Franc, and It ' wa
Intended to bo applied aa a partof ihectonridqr
tion which might ba paid for that territory. ,)a
tho 13th of February, 1908, the semesam Wi
In like manner appropriated, with view to the
purobeeeof the Floridee from Spam. Thee
appropriation wer tnado to facilitate negotia
tions, and aa a mean to arable the President to
secompiish the Important objects In view.
Though It did twt become ncceesarj tor iht
president to vac tho appropriatiotvs, ret a etate
if thing might have arieen In which it would
have been highly important tor him to dooo;
tie wisdom ot nnxing tbem oanoot be doabted.
It la believed that the measure recommended
t.t your iiat eeaeion met with the appropriation
.t decided majorities in both llottree of Congress.
Indeed, indifferent forma, a bill making aaip
pmpriatiMiof93U00,000 paaeed each Utvet,nd
ii ts much to be regretted that it did not become
a law. i h reasons which induced me lo re
c immend the measure at that time at ill exist ;
and I a?in submit the aubject Ibr yourconai
teration, and suggest the importance of early
ct on upon It. Should the appropriation be
made, and be not needed, it will re maio in the
treasury should it be deemed proper to apply
it in whole or in part, it will be accounted for
like other public expenditures. .
Immediately after Congress had recognised
the exigence of the war with Mexico, mv atten
tion waa directed to tho danger that privateere
might be fitted out in the porta of Cuba and Pnr-
" Kico to prey upon the commerce of the Uni
td 8tatei r and 1 invited the special attention
of the Spanish government to the 14ih article
or our treaty with that power oftho vOth of Oc
t'lber, 1705. under which the eitixens and sub
jects of either nation who aliall take commis
sions or letters of marque to act a a privateere
gainst the other "ahall be pnniahed aa pirate."
It afford me pleasure to inform yon that I
t. ive received aaaurancea from the Fpnnteli go
rnineut that thie article of the treaty ahull be
faithfully observed on i'a part. Ordeta for thia
purpose were immediately trsnsmitted from that
government to the authorities ofCubs and Porto
Kico to exert their utmost vigilsnce m prevent
t if any attempts to fit out privateere in these
inlands against the United Ststes. From the
food faith of Spain 1 am fully satisfied thst this
deaty will he executed in ita spirit aa well aa
its letter ; w hilst the United State will, on
their psrt, faithfully perform all tho obligations
winch it imposes on them.
Informs! ion hss been recently received at
the Depurtment of Siste that the Mexican go-
rernment lias sent to Havana hlank eommiseinns
to privateers, and blank certificates of natural!
zation, signed by Gen. Sales, the present heed
of the Mexican government. There is, also,
reason to apprehend that eimilar documents
hsve been transmitted to other porta of the
world. Copiea of these pspera, in translation,
are herewith transmitted.
Aa the preliminariee required by the practice
if civilised nationa for commissioning privateers
snd regulating their conduct appear not to have
been observed, and aa theee eemmieaiona are in
blank, to be filled op with the names of eitixens
and subjects of all nations who rosy be willing
to purchase them, ine wnnie oroeeeomg csn
itnly be construed as an invitation to all the
fVfebootera upon earth, who are willing to pay
for the nrivilrdge, to cruise spainst American
commerce. It will be for our eourta of justice
to decide whether, under such circumstances,
tdese Mexican lettera of marque and reprisal
shall protect thoxe who accept Ihem. and com
mit robberies upon the high seas under their an
ihorilr, from the paina and penalties of piracy.
If the certificates of naturalisation thus gran
fad be intended by Mexico In shield Spanish
subjects from the guilt snd punishment of pi
rate, under our treate with Spain, they will
certainly prove unavailing. Such a subterfuge
would be but a weak device to defeat the provi
sion of a solemn treaty.
1 recommend that Congress should Immedi
stely provide by law fnr the trisl snd pnnish
men! pirates of Snanieh subjects who, ses-
ping the vigilance of l lie ir government, shs II he
found g'.iiliy of privateering sgainst the United
Siates. I do not apprehend serionsdsnger from
these privateers. Our navy will be constantly
on the aWt to protect rur commerce. Besides.
in case prizes should be made of American yes-
sels, the atniost vifilmcet will be exerted by our
blneksdintr tiqiindron In prevent the Captors from
taking ihem into Mexican forts, end ft ie not
apprehended that any nation will violate Ha noil-
traliiy hy sunennif surh priiea to be condemned
and sold within it jurisdiction. -
I recommend that Congress ahould immedi-
s'ely provide by law fi.r granting letters of
marqiw snd reprisal against vessels under the
Mexican flag. It is true thst there are bet few.
if any, commercial vessels of Mexico upon the
high eas; and it is therefore not probable that
minv Americsn privateers would he fitted oat,
in case a law should pns authorising this mods
f warfare. It is. notwithstanding, certain that
such privateere may render good service u the
commercial interests of the country, by recaptu.
ring oar merchant ship, should arv b taken
by armed vessel under the Mexican flag, sS
well ss by cspturing thee vessels themselves.
Every means within oor power ahould be ren.
nersd available for the protection of our com
merce. ' I' - '
The annual report of the Secretary of the
Treasury will exhibit a detailed tatment
the condition of the finances. 1 The imports for
the fiscal vear ending on the 80th of June last;
wereot the value of $121,081,707 of which the
amount expert ed waa ftlMtffr23 Utvirg the
amount retaiaed in the country for 'domestic
consumption $110,845,174. 'The value of the
exporta forthe same period was $113.488 A16
if whieh 1 103 141.69.1 eoeewted of domestic
r rouetions, snd ll.34.'1jR33 of foreign irticlee
The receipts into the treasury for the asm
vear were $29,490247 OA of ahirh'thers waa
derived from custom $Jf .7I2.M7 67, from ale
of uublie land $9,oU4 459 4M. and from wml
tentl and. mleee Iran as sources (92,128 71.
, rk expenditure tor the same period were$2rV
"M.114 80, and the balance in the treasury on
tbelMdavefJolv last was $9.14143903. -
Tbasmoept of the public debt, inelediaf tree
irv wMes.osj ike first el the pveaetjl eeath.
St4.5fl.494 60 1 of hib the am of
fll7.7C3.7rt fi$ waa ovtatsndiar tk 4th of
Marah, 1&5 having the taaoaM iBCam4 eJace
that tree (3. 13734 89. ... .
la ova sfoeecat tb wgr wT! CffW
with vigor and energy, a Uio heat meant of
bringing it to a speedy ana) honorable tetmioa
tion, a further ken will be nssjassary, ta meet
theeaf-etxiiture for the preewt no tnt next
fiscal) ears, it tho wsrehoew Decoounoeo un
til tfH Wth of June, 184 being the end ofthe
ami fiscal tear it Is estimated that an addi
tion a 28.000.000 will bo reouired. This
tatimate i made upon tho assumption that it
will be necessary to retain coaeiautty In tho
treasury $4,01)0,000, to guard against eontin
gene. , u ucn surplus were net requirta to
be retained, than a loan of $19,000,000 would
be sttflkteeTt. If, however, Crmgrese ehould, bt
the present e-sin impose, a .revenue duty on
the principal articles now rmbrsced in the free
list. It to estimated that aa additional annual
revenue of ab hjI 2 000 (XX) and a hnlf. amount-
ing. it is estimated, on the SO.h of June, 1649.
to fauuuuuu, would be derived trom that
eource ; and tho loan required wculu be reduced
bv tbit amount, ......, - ; - ; .
i It ia estimated, also, thst should Omgresa
graduate and redueo the price of soeb of the
public Jande aa have been: long in the market
the additional revenue derived from that source
would be anooallv. for several veera to come
between half a million atid a million of dollars f
and the hn requited may be reduced by that
amount also. 1 Bhould these meattirre be adnp
ted, the loan required would not probably ex
ceed, $15 or 19000.000, leaving In tie ttecturv
aconetint surplus of $4 000000. Ti e loan
oropisrd. it ta estimated, will tc ruuicient to
cover (be necessary expenditures, loth Tor the
war and lor all other purposes, up to the 30ih ot
June, 1848 1 a d an amount of this loan, not
excelling one-half, msv be required during the
present fiscal year.andihe greater port of the
remainder during the first halrof the tiecal yr-ir
succercipf. '
In order that timely notice msv be given, and
proper measures taken to fffi t the loan ri stich
nrt on of it a mav be riomred. it is important
that the authority of Congress to make it be
givrn at an estty period or your present session
It is suggested thst the loan should be contrac
ted for a period of twentv yars, with authnri
ty to purchase the stock snd pay it off, at an ear
lyperiorl. at ita market Va.ue, oiitofanyrur
plus which n ay at any timo be in the Treasury
applicable to that purpose. After the eatablivh
inent of peace with Mexico, it ia supposed that
a considerable eurp'us will exist, and that the
debt may be extinguished In a much shorter
period than that for which it may be contracted
1 he period of 20 years, aa that for which the
proposed loan may be contracted, tn preferrr.ee
to a shorter period, is euggeHrd, because all rX
perience, both at hrme snd abroad , hae shown
that losna are effected upon much brttrr terms.
upon long time, thin when they are reimburse
Lie at abort date.
Necesaftry aa this nessure is, to sitr.tsin the
honor and the interests of the country, engsged
in a foreign war, it ia not doubted but that Con
grass will promptly authorise it
The balance in the treasury on the first of
July last exceeded nine rotllioi a ol dollars, not
withstanding considerable expenditures had
been made for tho war during the month of Ma?
and June preceding. But for the war, the whole
punhe cebt could aod would nave been extm-
eutshed within a short period : and it waa a
part nf my ae tiled policy to do so. and thus re
liete the people from its burden, and place the
government ins position which wnuli! enable
it to reduce the public rxpeaditurea to that econ
omical standard which is moat consistent with
tha general welfare, and the pure and whole
some progress nl our institutions. , .
Among our just causes ot complaint against
Mexico, arming out of herrttusal to treat tor
peace, aa well before aa sinre the war ao un
justly commenced on her part, are the ' extra
ordinary expenditures in wh'ch we nave been
involved. Justice to ur own people will make
H proper that Mexico should be held reapunri
hie for these expenditure.
Economy in the public expenditures is at all
times a high uty which all public functionaries
of the government owe to the people. T le du
ty becomes the more fmperat ve tn a period of
war, when large and extrsnronsry expendi
tures brroire unavoidable. During the rxi
tenee of the war all our resources should
be husHsndrd, snd no appropriations made ex
cent surh sa are absolutely necessary fnr i's
vigorous proseruticn snd the due sdministra
tion nf the government. Objects nf apprcpria
tion, which in peace may re deemed urrtul or
proper, but which are not indisnensahla for the
public tevice, may, when theei unlrv i encsg
drd In a foreign war, be well postponed la a fu
ore periof!.
By the observance of th i pol cv at your pre
pent session, a large a nnt msy he saved tn the
treasury, and tie applied tnebj- rlsof pressing
snd urgent neva-ity. and thus the creation nf
a enrrsspoodirg amount or pubi c debt be a-
voided, "
It ia not meant to recommend that the ordi
nary and necessary spprepnations Ur the sup
port nf government should be withheld ; but it
ia well known that at -very session or Con-
gross sppropristiens are proposed fi.r nuu.erciis
obiects which may or msy not be made, with
out' materially affecting the public inteiests ;
and these it is recommended should not be
granted. '
' i he set passed si your issi serswi -resueing
the duties on imports" not having gone into
opera t inn until the 1st of the pteent month,
there hss nnt ben time for its ptsct'csl effect
upon tho revenue and the business ofthe coun
try tn be developed. It is not doubted, however
thst the just policy which it adopts will sdd
large. y to enr foreign irsde, and promote tr.e
renersl prosperity. AUhnueh it rsnnoi be eer
a inly foreseen what amount of revenue il will
exceed that pradursrt I (he act of If 42, w I irh
it superseded. 1 he lesdmg prineiphp ests
blished by it are, to levy the taxes with a view
to raise revenue, anc" to irrp re thrm rpen the
ariielea imported according tn their set out value.
Tbs art ef 1 643, bv lbs excessive rates of du
fv whlrh If Imensed on manv ariielea. either to
tally eselu Jed tbem from importation, or greatly
reduced the amount imported, and tnua diminish
ed fntfesd of producing revsno. ' Py it th tal
es were lmraed net for the Wltimate purpose
ef raising revenue, but ' to afford adrantagee lo
favored t lasses,' at tba expense ef a large snsjoru
tv of their fllw-eitiiens. Those employ sd in
aavicaltsrre. mechanical pursaits. commerce, and
sovitatieM. were compelled to contribute from
tbeir aabstsnse to swell the profits and ever.
grown weal ii of ths compel iiivsly fsw win had
iavested tbstr rspital in manorarlurea.
The taaea were set levied ia proportion to the
vaW of tae articles upon wbicb tksy were impo.
m am widely dspartieg iroaa ibis jmi ,
the light? tita ware, in maay raaea, Isvisd a
PMariiclssar laxary and high price, and the
heavier Hxea thaae of necessity and low
vies, ceaeaawd h th ereal anasa ef the
people. It waa a aystsaa, the inevitable effect of
waicn waa to relieve favored classes end the
wealthy few fraaa contributing the Jnat aeorwr.
jiea i se re support at gaverasaeat. and ta lay ta
Uri aa tba bba of th aeey. eaaeawd la th -
,m,, tkM awaaraetti. i
A svatem so ansoaal and e eniaat baa been I
BersM a the ealstaaar raw. wMch isaaeses
duttea not for fie benefit or tqjary f cUaaea or
(uraaita, but dietflbatee, ana, as lar as rraetica
le, o.ali t pablieburdva among all 'claa
art and ocropatlona. ' The ravored'claaseawbo
under the unequal and unjuai system wbicb baa
n repealed have neretoiore realised large pro.
fits, and many of them amassed large fortune at
tbe expenae ef the many who have been made
tributary ta tbem, will aave no reason to com
plain irtbey stau oe required to bear tasir just
propertied of the taaea necessary for th support
of government.
-So far from It, It will be perceived, by an ex
amination of. the existing law, that discrimina
tions in the rates of duty imposed, within the re-
vena principle, nave been retained la their fa
vor. Tbs incidental aid against foreign compe
tition which they stilt enloy elves them an ad
vantage whirh no other pursuits rosiest: but of
ibis none others win complain, because tbs duties
levied are necessary mr revenue.. .These reve
nue duties including freights and charges which
tbe imrorter. must pay before he can come in
competition with tbe borne sranafketurer in our
market, amount, on nearly all our leading bran
ches of manufactnre, to more than one-third ef
the value of th imparted aiticle, and in some
cases to almost one-half its value.
With such advantages, it is not doubted that
enr domestic manuracturera will coatinue to
prosper, realising in well conducted establish
ments even grester proC: than can be drived
from any other regular business. Indeed, so far
from requiring tba protection ot even Inciden
tal r.-vrnu duties, our rranufsclursrt in th sev
eral leading tisiicbesare extending their tusineu
giving evidence elgrral ingenuil j end skill, and
of !Ler ability to compete, with increased pros
pects or farms,,, for the orxn msikrt of the
world Ttomestic manufacturers, in ths Value
of seversl millions of dollars, wbirb cannot find
a market at home, are annually exported to fo
reign countries. With surh rates of. duty. ss
those established ly the existing law.ithe sys
tem will probably be permanent ; and capitalists
who have made, or Hall hrreatur make, their
investments in manufactures, will know upon
wfat to rely.
Tbs country will be satisfied with these rates
because tbe advantages which the manubriums
still enjoy result necessarily from the collection
of revenue for tbe support of government. , High
protective duties, from their unjust operation
upon the masses ofthe people, tannot fail to give
rise to extenaive dissatisfaction and complaint,
and fo conatant e(Tbila,to change or icpesl them
rendering all investments in manufacturers un-.
certain and precarious. Lower snd more per
manent rates or duty, at the tsme time tLst tbey
will yield to the manufacturer fair and remuner
ating profits, will secure bim against tbe danger
ef frequent changes in the system, which cannot
iii m i umousij idiyi nia inwrrtis.
Simultaneously with ihe relaxation erthe res
trictive policy by tbe United Ststes. Great Bri
tain, from whose eiample we derive the system,
has relsxed hers.. She has modified her corn lawa
and redured many other duties to modeiats re
venue rales. Alter sges orexperichce.thsststes
menofthat country have been ronatrained by
a stern necessity, and by a public opinion having
its deep foundation in tbe sufferings and wants of
Impoverished millions, tn stanflon a system tbs
enert of which was to build up immense fortunes
in the banda of th few, and to reduce the labor
ing million to pauperism and misery. Nearly
in tbe same ratio that labor waa depressed, capi
tal was increased and concentrated by the British
protective policy..
Tbe evils of the system in Great Britain wera
at length rendered intolerable, and . it has been
abandoned, but not without a severe strueele on
the part of the protected and favored classes to
retain the unjust advsntsge which they have so
long enjoyed. Jt was to be expelled that a aim
ilsr strnggl would be made by tbe same classes
in tbe United Stsira, whenever an attempt was
ir.ad to modify or abolish the same unjust system
here. The protective rotiey bad been in opera
tion in tbe United States fnr a much shorter pe
riod, and its pernicious effects were not, there
fore, so rlesily perceived snd ftlt. Fnougb
however, was known ol these effects to induce its
repeal.
It would ba strangs if. in the fare of tbe exam
pie of Great Britain, eur rrinriial foreign cus
temers, snd of tbe evils of a system rendered
msnifest ia thst count ly by long snd painful ex
perience, and in the fars of the immense advan
lagea which, under a more liberal romnorcial
policy, we are already deriving, and must conti
nue to derive, by supplying nerstsrvmg papula
tion with food, Ihe united States should restore
a policy which (he hss Veen compelled tosban
don, and ibua diminish her anility to rnrrhase
from us the food and other ariielea which she so
much needs, and we so much desiie to sell.
Ty ths simultaneous abandonment of th pro.
tectiv policy ly Crest Britain and tba United
States, new and important maikets have already
been opened for our agiicultuial and ether pro
ducts commerce snd navigation have received
a new impulse i labor and trade bav been telsa
ed from lb artificial trammels whitb bsve so
long fettered them; snd tea great extent reeiprO'
city, in tba exchange ef commodities, bas bea
introduced at ths asms time by both countries.
snd grestly for the benefit of both
btest Untain has been forced, by tbs pressor
of ctreumstsnces st home, to sbandon a policy
which bas been upheld for sge. snd to open her
markets for eur immense surplus ef brcsdstsns;
nd it is confidently believed that other Powers
ef Europe will ultimately see lb wisdom, if tbey
b not compelled by Ihs psuperism snd suffer
ing of their crowded population, to pursus aeiriii
lar policy.
Pur faiusers srs more deeply interested in
maintaining tbe just and liberal policy of th ex
isting law than snv other rlsss of our citizens,
Tbey constitute a larg msjority of eur popul.
Hon; snd it is well known tbst when msy pros
per, all etber pursuits prosper also. .They hsvg
heretofore not only received sons of th boos.
ties or fsvors ef government, but. bf th unequal
operations of tbs protective -policy, have been
mad, by tbs burdens of taxation waieb it impo
sed, le contribute to tbs bounties which la en.
reached others. .
When a foreign aa well as a heme marks! la
enene to ihem, Ibsy oust reteive as ibey are
now rereivinc. incressed prices for Ikeis pro.
duets, They will ana a readier sals, sad al bel
ter pricss. for their wbal. flour, rice, ladtsn
corn, bsf. pork, lard, butter, cheese, and other
article wbirb tbey produce, Tbe kerne market
alone i insdeqoste to enable tbem le dispose of
the immense surplus of food sad ether articles
which tbey are capable of producing even al tbs
mt reduced price, for tbe maaifest reason that
they cannot be consumed in the cenntry. Tbe
United State can. from tasir immense surplus,
ssppl pet only lb heme demand, but tbe deft.
clencieaeffeod required ay l as wpeie world.
That the reduced production ef seme of tbe
chief article ef seed ia Great Britain, and other
parte of Europe, snap have contributed to iw
creaae th demand fur our breadstaffa and provi.
aloes, la not doubted t bat that the great and ef
ficient cause of tbia incressed demand, and of in
creased prieee, rirsla the reeneval of artifi-1 diiusaal number f Indian agendo wnll b re
i.i mt, ietion kr atofar ianBoed. ia deemed la I ouird, aad abeald be authorised by law. Tbe
he equally certain. That ear exporteef feed, al
reedy lncreaed aad lucre ing aeyoaa I
exempts, under the mors liberal policy which
I ha beea adapted, will be still vastly enlarged,
I anK
bu ik.w ka uriM a or aveated be a reato
1 ratio ef th aratsetivw antic, caaaot be aWahtasi
Jkat aw ter.eetieitl and warigetjef ate(ees
1th
the Increase of our trade, is Mually c
crtin;
while oar ananaActarloi iatersiu will be the At'
Versd interests Of tbe country, and receive tbe
ineidental protect ioa afforded tbem hp revenue
duties; and more than this tbey cannot justly de
mand.
1 1a my annual messsge ot December Isst, a ta
riff of revenue detiea based spoa tbe principles of
tbs existing Isw wss recommended : and I have
seen w-raA to ehsng the opinion then ex
pressed. In view or tbe probable bsntBcial ef
fects of tbst law, I recommend that th policy
established by It be maintained. Jt has but just
commenced lo operate ; and to abandon or modify
it wi i ft oat giving it a lair trial, would ae inexpe
dient and unwise. Should defects in say of its
details bs ascertained by actual experience to ex
ist, these msy be bereeiter corrected i but until
such defects shall become manifest, the act should
be faitly tested. t- ... ,.-..!! 'c
It is submitted for yoer consideration whether
It may not be proper, as a war measure, to im
pose revenue duties on some ef the article now
embraced in the free list. Should it be deemed
proper to Impose such duties, with a view to
raise revenue to meet the expenses ef Ike war
with Mexico, or to avoid to tbat extent tbe crea
tion of a public debt, tbey may be repealed when
the emergency . which gave rise to tbem shall
cease to exist, and constitute no pait cl tbe per
manent policy of tbe country. -
Tbe act of the sixth of August last, "to pro
vide for the better organisation of tbe treasury,
and for tbe collection, safekeeping, transfer, and
disbursement of the public revenue." hss been
csrried into execution as ispidly at the delsy ne
cessarily arising out of tbe appointment of new
officers, taking snd approving their bonds, snd
preparing and. securing proper plsces for the
safekeeping ef tbe public money, would permit.
It is nut pieposrd to depart in sny respect from
th principles or policy on which this great mr
Sure is founded.
Thr are. however, defects in tbe details of
the mt-ssnre. developed by its prsctiral . opera
tion, which are fully set forth in the repoit of
Ihe Secrstsiy of ths Irrssury. o wbirb t best
tent ion of Congress is invited. These defects
would impair to some extent tbe successful opera
tion ef tbs Isw st all times, but srs especially
embarrassing when tbs country is engaged in I
war. when tbe expenditures sre greeny increa
sed, when loans are to be effected, and tba dis
bursements srs to be msdc al point many hun
dred miles distant, in soma esses, from any de
pository, and a large portion of them in a forngn
country. he modifies! tona auggeated in th r
port ofthe Secretary ofthe Treasury are rccom.
mended to your favorable consideration. ,
In connection with this subject, I invite your
attention la tbe trrportet.ee of estsbltshirg
branch of the mint ef tbe United States at New
Yoik. , Two thirds of Ihe revenues derived from
customs being collected at that point, th demand
for specie te rsy the dutiea will be large ; and a
branch mint, where foreign coin and bullion
could be immedialely converted into American
coin, would grestly facilitate the transaction of
th public business, enlarge the circulation of
gold and silver, snd be, at the tame time, a safe
depository of the pttbtic moneyt .
. 1 h impoitne or graduating and reducing tbe
price of aucb of Ihe public land a ha bean
long ottered in the market, at Ihe minimum
rate authorized by existing laws, snd remain ua
aold, induces me sgsin te recommend tbe subject
to your fsverabl consideration. Many millions
of seres of these land have been offered in Ibe
market for more Iban thirty years, and larger
quantities for more than tenor twenty years
snd using of aa inferior quality, thev must re
main unsaleable for aa indefinite period, unle
tb price at which tbey may be purchased shall
he reduced. ' To pise a price upon tbem above
tbeir real value ia not only lo prevent tbeir sale.
and thereby deprive the Treasury of sny income
from tbat eource, but it is unjust to tbs States in
whieh tbey lie. because it retsrds their growth
and increase of population, and because tbey have
no power ie levy a tax upon tbem as npon other
lands within their limits, held by ether pronrie
tors than ths United Ststes. for tho support of
their local governmenta. j -: -
The beneficial effects of the gradustten princi
ple have been realised by some of tbs btstss
owning th lands in their limit, in which it baa
been adopted. Ibey have been demonstrated
also by th United Slate, acting a th trustee
ofthe Chicksrsw trib of Indians, in the sale ef
their lands lying within tb State of Mississip
pi and A'abaira. Ths Cbirkaaaw lands, which
would not command in th market the minimum
price estsblisbed by ths laws of the United
Ststes for tb l of tbeir land, were, in puisu-
ance of lb treaty of 1634 with thai tribe, subse
quently offered for ssle ss grsdusted and reduced
tatea for limited period. Tb result wss, tbst
Isrg qusntities of these lands were purchssed,
which would otherwise have remained unsold.
Tb land were disposed of at their real value,
and many persons of limited meana war enabled
te purchase small tracts, upon which they have
settled with tbeir families. "
That aimilar results would be produced by the
sdopiioaof the graduation policy by tbe United
Stat, in ail Ibe Mate in which. Ibey are Ihe
owners ef Isrg bodies ef land which have been
long in Iho market, cannot bo doubted. It can
not be a sound policy lo withhold Istg euanti.
ties nf tbs public Isnds from tbe uss and occupa
tion ef eur citig ena, by fixing apon them prices
which experience bs shown they will not rem
msnd.. On tb contrary, il is a w is policy tosf
ford facilities to our cititens I become lbs own
ers, at low and moderate rates, ef freeholds of
their own, instead of being Ibe tenants snd de
pendents ef others.. If it be spprehended tbst
tbsss land, if reduced in price, would be (ecu
red in large quantities by speculators or cspita-
lists, lbs sslrs msy be- restricted, in limited
qusnlili, to sclaal settlers or persons purcha
sing for purpose of cultivation.
In my last annual message I aubmitted for tbe
consideration of Congress the present system of
msnsgmg tbe mineral lends ef tb United Statee,
and icmmended thst thev should b brought
into market snd sold, npon such terms and undsr
eurb restrictions ss Congress might prescribe.
ty the srl of the elsventb of July last, "tb re
served lead mines sad contiguous landa in Ihe
States ef Illinois snd Arkansas, and .Territories
of Vt isrensin ard Jowa." wei authorised la be
sold. Tbrl is confined, in It operation, le
"lead mines and reaitguoaa lands."
A Urge portion el the pablic la ads containing
copper snd ether ore la represented te be very
valuable, aad I recommend tbat provisions bs
msde authorising tbe sale or Ik land, upon
neb terms sad rosdilioos s tbeir supnsd sl
u may. in th Judgement of Cangreae, ho dssmed
advisable, having due regard t the interesia of
sucb of our ciliscaa aa anay a totals upea
tbem. -i v .-.; -a -
It will he Important, during year present eea
eion, tn establish a territorial government and
t extend tbe iarisdictioe and lawa of the United
Cat over the Territory of Oregon. - Oar lawa
regulating trade aad intercourae should he extend
ed to the Pacific Oeeaa l aad far th purpose ef
execatmg tnesa aad preservieg friendly relatione
ua tbe ladian tnaes wiibie oar limits, aa ad.
- j establishment efeasUsn-k. and ef aet-Si.
i vo ana rwsi-raaaa. una rr i irsns-
I prtatia of th mail on each route ae the p
I lie reaveaieac will saggest, reqatre legialative
- 1 autaeriiy, ,,---
Il will b. proper, aleo, t establish t
is win aa asanas, area, ia eeiaaiiaa a surveyar
' f MrITrWa Ig last Territory, aJ
rM
will be ealargad la a corresponding ratio
tbs nscesssry provision for surveying tbe public i
,!,"l,,Jr-J'r,",B ,km fM Viarket. As our
eitcnawbo newreaW U tUt di.tant region
hsve been subjected o,My .hips, pri va
ions, and Sacrifice, ia thei, mi,r.tioB, and by
their improvement have enhanced the value of
tbe public landa in the neighborhood of Iheir set
tlsments, it is recommended thst liberal grants
bs made to tbem of sucb portions of these lands
ss they msy occupy, aad that aimilar grants or
rights of prs-emtion be msde to al) whu may em
igrate thitber within alimited period, to be tu
scribed by law.
1 be report or tbs Secrstsry of Wsf contains
dctsiled information, relative to the. several
branches or the public service Connected with
that departments . The operation of the army
have been of a aatisfactory and highly gratifying
character.- '.-v :
I recommend to your early and favorable con
sideiatien the measures proposed by tb Secre
tary of Wsr for speedily Ailing up the rank snd
ai oi rns rsguiar army, lor its srealer am
in tbe field, and for raising sn additional fore ta
serve during tbe war with Mexico.
Embarrassment is likely to rise for want of
legal provision authorising compensation to be
made to theagent employed in tbe several Mates
and Territoriea to pay tbe revolutionary and
other pensioners tb amounts allowed them bv
law. ' Tour attention ia invited ta the rerom.
mendations of ths Serrctsry of war on this sub
ject. These sgents incur heavy responsibilities
snd peifotm important cuttss, snd no resson ex
ists why they should not bs plseed on the Sams
rooting, ss to compensation, with other disburs
iur officers.
Our relations with the various Indian tribes
eentinne to beef a peaceful character. The un-1
happy dissentions which have existed among
the Cherokeea for many years past have been
healed.- sine my laat annual messsge Impor
tant treaties have been negotiated with asm of
the tribes, by which the Indian title te large
tracts of valuable land Wita.n the limits of the
Stales and Territories hss been extinguished, snd
Srrangements msds for removing them to th
country west of ths Mississippi. Petween 3 and
4 thousand, of different tribes, hsve been remov
ed to the country provided for tbem by tresty
stipulation; and arrangements lave been made
for others to follow.-'
In our intercourse with the several tribes, par
ticular attention has been given to the important
subject nf education. ; The number of arhools
established among tbem las been incressed. and
eddit'onat means provided, rot only for teaching
them the rudiments ofedurstion, but of instruc
ting liem in sericulture nd tbe mechanic arts.
-1 refer you to the report of the ' Secretary of
tbe IVevy for a satisfactory view of the opera
tiona of the department under his charge during
the past yesr.'- It Is ratifying to perceive, thst
while the wsr with Mexico hss rendered it ne-
cesssry to employ sn unusual number of our
armed vessels on her eessts, the protection' due
to our commerce in other qusrters ol ths world
hss not proved insufficient. ' No means will bs
spsred to give efficiency to the nsvsl service in
the prosecution ol tbe wsr ; and I am happy to
know thst the officers snd men anxiously desir
to devote themselves to the service of their coun
try In sny enterprise, however difficult of exeru
tion. v . - i
I recommend to your favorable conaideration
tbe proposition to add to each of our ' foreign
squsdrnns sn efficient sea steamer, snd, ss espe
cially demanding attention, the eatablishment at
Pensacotaef the necessary means of repairing
snd refitting th vessels of tb nsvy employed
in ine unit or Mexico. -
- There are other ' snggestione in the
report
which deserve, and I doubt not will receive, your
consideration.
The progress snd condition of tZ-.emsil service
for the past year are fully presented in the report
of the Pnst-msster-General. The revenue for
the year ending on tbe 30th of June last, amoun
ted lo $3,487,169, which is CS2.649 43 less thsn
tbst ofthe preceding yesr. The payments for
that department during the same time amounted
to S4.C84 207 32. Of this sum (597,07 60 havs
been drawn from ths tressnry.
Ths disbursements for the year were $238,414
77 less than those of tbe preceding year. While
the disbursements have been thua diminished,
the facilities have been enlarged by new mail
routes of 3 739 miles ; sn increcse of trsnsporta
tion uf 1.764,145 miles, and tbe establishment of
4 58 new post-offices.
Contractors, postmaster, snd others, engaged
in this branch ol the service, have performed
their duties with energy snd faithfulness deserv
ing, commendstion. For many interesting de
tails connected with the operstions of this estab
liahment, you srs referred to tbe report of Ibe
roetmsslcr urnersl ; and hia suggestions for im
proving its revenues srs recommended to your
iavoiabl considers! ion. I repest the opinion
expressed in my laat anneal messsgs, thst the
business ef tbi department should be so regula
ted that Ibe revenues derived from it should be
msde to equal Ibe expenditures : snd it is believ
ed that this may be dons by proper modification
ef ths present law, aacnggesteri in-the report of
the Post raster General, - witheut changing tba
present rates of postsge. , .
M ith full reliance upon Ihe wisdom snd patrio
tism ef your deliberations, it will be my duty,
aa it will be my onxioue desire, lo eo-operet
with you in every constitutions) effort to promote
the welfsre and maintain the honor efonr ram
men country. JAMF.S K. TOLK.
V asMincTon, December 9, 1645.
Rbsiohition. John M. Heed, Eq., Attor
ney uei oral of '.he Commonweaitn or ren-
nsvlvsuia, haa resigned from his office, and tbe
annennrement of the fact waa made yesterdsy
morning in the diflcrrnt Courts in ssision.
Wm. A. Siokss, Eq., tendered his resignation
st the same time, aa Deputy Attorney General.
Mr. Stokes colleegue, David Webster, Eq.,
retsins Ihe offic of Deputy Attorney General,
and will prosecute tha plea of th county until
an appointment le msde for Attorney General
by the Governor, Mr. Webster, during hie
term of oflie has exhibited much talent ssd
tsct for the despstch of business, snd hss given
sufficient evidence of hia ability to attend to tbe
srd uons dm lea of lh efiea.
William A. Stokss, Esq., will, in future, de
vote himself exclusively lo the private prsctic
of law. Mr. Btoke hee conducted Ihe public
prosecutions during hia official term with dis
tinguished shility snd learning. Ua was ps
eisllv rmarkabl for th candor sad fairness
whish be alweys exhibited. He considsrsd
himacfl ss well tha counsel for ,h cfefendant
aeihe Comeaoawsslth, and was squally careful
that th lnooenl hold not ba pnniahed aa that
th guilty ahould not escape. , H t deaervee
meek credit for hia sniformly upright aad sble
coorsaaf eondret TAiX Jigtt. "
RxcxtrrrM ran 6afnr Fa. .Ueot Love, of
tb U- & Amy. srrid s Dayton, Ohio, a
Fridej Isst, direet froas Santa Fa. Ha will re
main al that place fovea WsBnile netiodvpep
lh rasrsili sajnis. , ,4-
THS AriERICAN.
Mssedeig, tftctmitr, IP, !84.!
9. B, rJIMBm, M kit Htmt a?
lor and Osof cMTcc, corwer of 3d mnd Ckttnmt
Kirrttit fkltndrlphta, U rif Aervxed f ad ss
tfent, mr.d rttttpi ftr all . ete (M
0llcf, fur mbicrtpUt or advtrtUlnf. "
fb. l ate 09UtJ. 160 ,Yb o'.'revf,
Also IVr. . r
.furf AT. S. CVnscr f BmUiatrt aad Calvm
., BaHtmTt.
' (0f stKiiNU las A fresh supply of superior
printing ink just received, and for sata at Phila
delphia prices. ' ' ',' ' '
0 The absence of the editor, during tha
Isst four or five weeks, will account fot tha
dt f.cicney ot editotsi msttcr.
We present to nnr readers, this week, i
the conclusion ol the President's Message. The
v rwsoftho Prudent in regard to the wsr,
snd in relation to almost stl other topics ex
cepting the tariff, will meet with the epproba-
lion of the demot-rscy of Pennsylvai.ir, and of
the whole Union.
07" Our Washington correspondence letter
wse received too Istr for insertion this week,
in consequence of the detention of the mails
in crossing tbe river.
OCjT The communication between thie piece
and Northumberland ha been cut off since
Monday last, by the running ice. The Potts
ville snd llerrieburg mails are now ferried over
the river, immediately below the Shaniokin
Dam, snd csrried opto Northumbcrlsnd.
CT Our Wsshinpton Correspondent ssys:
"TheMexicen gentlemen, SenrZe?vs, who, ss
il w ss reported, came here to treat for the inde
pendence of Ihe northern provinces of Mexico,
has laken his .departure without eccomplishing
the object of his visit. Prcpsts for giving
cut Ihe public printing by coutrsct, according
tn sn set pssred st the Isst session, hss been
publUhrd. A combination of journeymen prin
ters, some rsy, intend handing in a proposal,
Success to Ihem.
We lesrn thst the Governor hss ap.
pointed Cbmjam! CuAsiPNSTs, Esq , to be At
torney General, in place of Jgux M. Read,
Eq , resigned.
Mors Tkuop Wanted. The Democrat!
Union of the 10th inat. aays, Gov. Sliunk re-,
ceived last evening from the President ot the
United States, a requisition fur an additional re
giment or battalion nf volunteers. From the
nun. her ot' romps met i Hi red over and above the
first requisition, we have ni doubt the second
will be filled at nnCe. Here is another glori
rusoprx rturity fcr eur citizcn-suldir-rs torxlii
lit their valor. The troops sre ordcreJ to ren
desvr us forthwith, st Pittsburg.
AcntniTt is Fisino a Castoh. Mr. Wm.
Eiscnbiao wss eonsiderahly burnt snd bruised,
and Mr. David Di-etrr had his thumb blown off
snd was o'.herwi injured, by the prematura
d ac'l arge of a cannon, at L'vvi.town, Ps. on
Thursdsy last. The cannon was being fired in
honor of the Wyoming company of volunteers,
who were about leaving for the rendesvous, at
Pituburg.
The shipwrights and boat builders of Kert-
sington, are busily employed in constructing
th boats which wsr ordered a few weeka ago .
by the United Sistes Government, to be used
in navigating the shoal waters slung th coast
of Mexico, .
Tn lunula or Kimoolo ano CoonaAxa,
at New Oblkahs. Ths lesding matter of in
terest in the New Orleans pa per sol the 7th inat
is the public ceremonial of respect to the rs
maina of Major Ringgold and Lieut. Cochran,
both of whom fell at the battler of Palo Alto(
The entire population of New Orleans seemt
to hsve been animated with a wish to testify,
in the moat marked manner the highest respect
for the memory nf th decesscd. "
. Rpmo. or AaoTBit RivoLpTtox. Th
Washington Union haa Ihe folluwing rumor is
a letter fiom an officer of th Army, dated Mo
bile, Dee. 5.
'Th news from Mexico shows that countrj
i sn awful atata uf anarchy. Rant Anna hat
gone back to Mexico, and ther are only IA,
000 disaffected, half starved iron pa at Fatoei
Gen. Tsylor might to b there now with 9.00T.
or 10,000 tenope. It !e a id that Herrera wil
a alaoted Preaident, and in that event paaw
will b certain.
Boh BnsxL. The Bi. Lnuie Union of th.
9d, says thst tha foundries of thst City had re
calved orders to furnish tba United Btataa ao
headrad tons of bosnb-sbella.
4 PaTatorte pBurraaa The Wyoming At
tiller'ete,Cept. Dsns, hss ia its rsaka niu c
taapriaters, . : , ' ;..
. : .- '
Tb aasoant afspnei wbicb asae oat la tb
steamer Caledoale, ws tareail thoosaa
aooada star liaf , . .,.,',.,.-
-r
I