i 4 nr PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. I't tiutc riVita of the S-miir j ol thr' limine of RenreuniUttien: 1 The constitution of the United States provides that Congress .shall assemble au nuallv on the first Monday of December, and it has been usual for the President to make no communication of a public char.ic A - .1 ... . - ... 1 II f l. t " tT li toe riliait: aim onitw o in 'n.-in- ,.' .1 tattves .hum advised ot their readiness to rri rni- ii. i iiuit' nen in o io i.i.- us..-r. - ... :. i i i ... .1.; .......... mtil , , i . i .. . i i the elnse ot the first month ot the session, mo. 111 cm jciions iii "nn win . f -i not iiermit me longer to po-tpone th ,. ' lis- ; charge ot the obligation enjoined by the ciiuslitutioii up n tin- I'residoiit 'to give to the Congress information of the tate of the Union, and recommend to their con sideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and exMdieiit. it is a matter of congratulation that the Republic is trail piilly advancing in a ca- 11 1 ! letter as well as the spirit of the coiiveu- loKKH.N KKI.Ant.xs : C.NTRAI. AMtni. A. : .;,, W;,U tW VuhcA Stat., as it was at Whilst relations of aunty continue to the time of ratitication, and now is, under exist between the United States and all j stood bv this government forcigu powers, with some of them grave , .pjchtti.tis are depeudiiig. wtueh may re- , oovei iitiieut, thus iii assertion and act, in brin-im honi . their sick and wounded . as a right. Contiiiuance ot delay on the lienor the improvement auu saiety oi me ine puunc ueoi, imiuoin-- ni oi Hiiire the consideration of ( imrress. i p,..rMsts in ascribing to the convention, en- ' soldiers ; but such use of our mercantile ! part of the two governments to act in the 1 navigation of the Sound or Uclts. j premium, amounted to lime million t ight Of such questions, the most important is tT,.v changes its character. While it ! marine is not interdicted either by the in- j matter will increase the dangers and diffi- j 1 lay before you, herewith, sundry docu-. hundred and tortv-tour thousand hve huu-tl.-.t whi.-li li .s nri..ii ..ut of the ne -ot la. ! I.. .i.i" ...,..'. ii ..i.i: : 1. ..: i ... i i... ..,! I ....In... ,.f tl. i.,,iiir.inNv ! incuts on the subiect. in which mv views died and t went v-eight dollars. tious with ireat Britain in reference to . ... 1 V entral America. By the conventi in concluded between the two governments on the l;th of April, ISo't. both parties covenanted, that "neith er will ever occupy or fortify, or colonize, tir as-uiue or exercise any dominion over, Nicaragua. Costa Kiea. the Mosquito coast, or any part of Central America." It was the undoubted understanding of the I. niled States, ill making this treaty, that M il present States of the former r.'p'ililic of Central .-i.neru... 1 the entire territory of each, would thence forth enjov complete independence ; and hat bjlli contracting parties engaged equally, and to the same extent, t"r the present and for the future ; and if either tiicu had any claim of right in Central America, such claim, and all occupation or authority under it, were unreservedly relinquished by the stiuplations of the convention ; and t lint no dominion was tin realtor to be exercised or aumcd in anv part of Central America, by lircat .Britain or the United States. This government consented to restrie- tious in regard to a region ot country, j t1:,t those rights comprehended the pn .tee wherein we h id specific and peculiar inter- tor-hip of tiie Mosquito Indians, the ex ests, ou!y upon the conv iction that the : ten led jurisdiction and limits of the 15a like restrictions were in the same sense, lizc, and the colony ofthe Bay Islands, and obligatory on ircat Britain. But for this ; thereupon proce-d's by implication to infer, understanding of the force and effect of that, if the stipulations ofthe treaty be the convention, it would never have been rely future iu effect. (Ircat Britain may concluded by us. I still continue to hold the contested por- So deal was this understanding on the ; tious of Central America. The United part oi the I lilted Males, ttiaf. in corres- j pondence dence contemporaneous with the ratifi- cation on ot the oitiveutioii, it was distinctly I t-xpressed, that tho mutual covenants of ' iioii-oec.ipaiion eic uoi lou.noeo 10 iq.pi ; to the British establishment at the Balize. t This qualification is to he ascribed to the j fact, that, iu virtue of successive treaties ...m ..e.ious i i".-i" oi iue couniiy , , (irent Britaiu has obtained aconci ssion ot ; the right to cut mahogany ordve-w ids at the Balize, but with positive exclusion of all d j:u:iin or sovereignty : and thus it c jii firms thu natural construction and uuder htuj'J import of the treaty as to all the rest of the region to which the stipulations ap plied. It, however, became aj. parent, at an early day after entering upon the discharge of my present functions, that (jreit Brit ain still continue. in the exercise or asser tion of large authority in all that part of Central America coin in .lily called the lloso'iito coxst, and covering the entire length of the State of Nicaragua, and a part oi t.osu uiea; that she regarded the Balize as her absolute domain, and was gradually extending its limits at the ex pense of the State of Honduras ; and that she had formally colonized a considerable insular group known as the Iiiv islands, and belonging, of right, to that State. All these acts or pretensions of lireat Britain, being contrary to the right- ofthe '. . entral America, and tothe man- ltest tenor ot her stuui ation with the ' L nited States, as uuderstisid by this gov-! eminent, have been made th subject of ; negotiation through the American Minis-i ter in London. J transmit herewith the pru.uoiis I., mn, on trie suttject, and ' . . j - , , . """" me ijiitisn ccL-u-iii i ior roreigu .vnairs. tiv which yuu will perceive that the two gov- i. " - . - erniuents differ widely and irreconcileahly as to the construction of the convention, aud its effect on their respective relations to Central America, Great Britain so construe the conven tion, as to maintain unchanged all her pre vious pretensions over the Mosquito coast, (id iu different p ins ot Central America, ese preteusions, as to the Mosquito t, ire founded on tin-assumption ofp. v relation between (ircat Britain and Siant of a tribe of Indians on that Altered into at a time when the 1 Pailstry was a colonial possession of T?j , 'aiiBot be successfully eontro- iq possible act of such In- ? "r,t:,'lecesorscould confer on ire?' Krita political rights. Spain as th..1 n ., . t, . - r - u"1 ancge mc asseni ! -losqm,,, Com , rf h(,r oIa.ms on , ry. by repeated n,J.,. .u i ... -s u .r aiipi.,. rne ntwitr Tt by repeated snrJ. ""- nounred anrl r i; ' Y"""a" ua Wtnqtiessivc treaties, re- ner own. .m,? . i n : soyere,gn rights of Spairf the full and withost solid foundation intensions, so . u iccoi an pret-nsions ?ain,t the f-:. '.V f Ore?, at a Ie-;t;,... lrj American Sl'ntiiii mate stiece,,. '"dl the tint ju- risdietion of Spain in that region. They were first applied to only a defined part of I t''" -'oxst Nicaragua, afterwards to the whole f its Atlantic coast, anil lastly to a ! panoi i lie coast oi tosia mea , ami incv any oiucr actor inciueui oi war. .inn j icicu upon won mn tiiinui; m ,m are now reasserted to this extent, notwith-1 these undeniable rights of neutrality, indi- j laws and national policy, and eunducted by standing engagements to the Uuited States, i vidual and national, the United States responsible public functionaries, impelled On the eastern coast of Nicaragua and I will under no circumstances surrender. j lne to present the case to the Jtriti.-h gov Costa Kiea, the interference of (Jreit ! in pursuance of this policy, the laws of j orniueiit, in order to secure, not only a Britain, though exerted at one time in the . . ... . . , - torm ot luilitarv occupation ot the pint of . . . . : '. . . an uau uei .tone, men in tne pciicciui . , . , - . . r : inis-esse n ii tiie .inni oni late auini.i it o n "i . . ! I ine i eiiii.o .1 uiei lean . laic-, is no, mi .iii .i i .i- i . c i wiuru L' iii-i an tilt II1UIUI tiring ot a , . . , , r,. . ... .. ! i iirnieeiorsiiin over n:e ..losnuiin inue oi . i r - i Indians. Hut the establishment at the lialize, iv reaching far beyond its treaty limits 1 o the State of llunduras, and "that of ' now j iilt .1... if ... :. t i.. . . (.: .!.. . . mi; i.i irianu, ajiiei i.tiiioi "i iiuni i" j ai in j.iiinpir, win 1. 1 ii.i. u.-i iiu.it, ntiiiviti i t . m - -n ... . ... ..... ... ( ------- ( t , i 1 1 1 1 1 j tlie same State, are as distinctly colonial I national responsibility therefore, sold gun- j the country in dispute, there has been im- j While, however, rejecting this proposi- j lion three thousand nine hundred and thir u'overnmeiits as those of Jamaica or Can- I powder and anus to all buers, n-irardless uiineiit danuer of collision between thesub-; tion, and lusisiiir,' 011 the right ot tree ; ty dollars ; and that the public ixj-iidi-jada, and therefore contrary to the very of the destination of these' articles. Our ; jects.-f lircat Usitain and the citizens of transit into and from the lialtie, 1 have ex-; tures J..r the same (K-nod, exclusive of The "int-rprctatiun which the l.rit'fh measure releases llreat Hritain from tiioe, .. . ... which constituted the consideration of this government for entering into the conven tion. It is impossible, in my judgment, tor the I uited States to acquiesce in such a construction of the respective relations of the two governments to Central America. To a renewed call by this government upon (ir. at Britain, to abide by. and ear ly into effect, the stipulations of the con vention according to its obvious import, by withdrawing from the possession or coloni zation of portions or u i .vuiertcan ."tales in iioiiiiuras. Nicaragua, and l.osta Rica, the British government has at length vice of one, might be fitted out in the replied, affirming that the operation of the ports of this country to depredate on the treaty is prospective only, and did not re- : property of the other, all such tears have quire tireat Britain to abandon or contract proved to be utterly groundless. Our cit anv tu.ssessi .us held by her in Central izens have been withheld from any such America at the date of its conclusion. This reply substitutes a partial issue, in the place of the general one presented bv tiie United States. The British govern ment pisses over the question of the rights ot lireat Britain, real or supposed, in Cell- tral America, and assumes that she had such rights at the date of the treaty, and States cannot admit euhcr the inference or the premises. We steadily deny, that, at the date ofthe trc:.tv. (treat Britain had .any possesions there, other than the mulled ana peculiar estatilisliuieiit at Hie Balize, and maintain that, if she had anv, they were surrendered by the convention, This government, recogniziu" the obli- gallons oi lilt! treaty, lias ol course, 'IcsifM to see it executed in good faith by both parties, and iu the discussion, therefore. has not looked to rights, which we might assert, independently of the treaty, in con sideration of our geographical position and of other circumstances, which create for us relations to the Central American States, diliereiit from thosi of any government iu Kurop". The British government, in its last Com munication, although well knowing the views of the United States, still declares that it sees no reason why a conciliatory sjiirit may not enable the two governments to overcome all ob-taclc? to a satisfactory adjustment of the subject Assured ofthe correctness of the con struction ot the treaty constantly adhered I dinary legal steps were immediately taken to by this government, and rv-ilved lo in- , to arrest and punish parties concerned, and sist on the rights of the United States, yet ; so put an end to acts infringing the luiini actuated also by the same desire, which is cipal law and derogatory to our sovcrcign- avoweu nv ttie lintish government, to re- ' move all causes of serious misunderstand- : mg between two nations associated by so many ties of interest and kindred, it has , appeared to nie proper not to consider an r..i... .1.1.. ..I-.'..- , i ............... c.i u...... ... ....7 i.ifiiiiitce. nooe- l,.ss th, nl - t ... mere is, now ever, reason lo apprehend. at, witu i treat l.ritaiu in the actual oc- 1 - - - j.'.vv'. .- ii.., Mini t'liirti 1 1 in . .1 in.' .iisnnri.il iumt.inuj ... .1 the treaty therefore practically null, so far as regards our rights, this international difficulty cantiotlotig remain undetermined, wiiuout involving in serious danger the raised here by (treat liritain, without vio friendly relations, which it is the interest latioti of the municipal law. The unmis as well as the duty of both countries to takable object of the law wits to prevent cherish and preserve It will afford mn every such act, which, if performed, must sincere gratification, if future effort shall be either in violation of the law, or in stud result in the success, anticipated heretofore ied evasion of it ; and in either alterna with more confidence than the aspect of tive, the act done would be alike injurious the case permits me now to entertain. j tothe sovereignty of the United States. KKfitfiTMEXT. One other subject of discussion between the I nileJ Slates and tireat Britain has 1 trrowu out or the attempt, which the exi- j tied, and the disclosure of tht fact that they ' If the manner of paymen to fthe Sound geiicies of the wr in which she is eng-.ged ; were prosecuted on a systematic, plan de- i dues differ from that of the tribute fornier with Russia induced her to make, to c' raw ; vised by official authority ; that recruiting ! ly conceded to the Barbary States, still recruits from the United States. rendezvous had been opened in our princi- j their exaction by Demark has no better It is the traditional and settled policy of pal cities, and depots for tlie reception of j foundation in right. Each was, in itsori- the L nited States to maintain impartial . reertlila ostnl.llslo.it on nr frontier - nnil oiii imthitnr hut n txx on u common natn- ncutrality during the wars which front , tune to time occur among the great powers of the world. Performing all the duties of neutrality towards the respective bellig- ol net -..iv i-ura, c may reasonaoiy expect lo mwnerc witn our lawful en- iovment of it- V,n. v.:.l...- joyiuent of its benefits. Notwithstanding which could only be accomplished by dc- Belts, has indicated a readiness to make the existence of such hostilities, our citi-, fying our laws, throwing iuspicion over ; some new arrangmrnt on the subject, and zens retain the individual right to contin- ; our attitude of neutrality, and disregard- j has invited the gfivcrnments interested, ue all their accustomed pursuits, by land ' ing our territorial rights, it conclusively j including the United States, to be reprc or by sea. at home or abroad, subject only proved by tho evidence" elicited on the tn-! vented in a convention to assemble for the to such restrictions in this relation, as the al of such of their agents as have been : purpose of receiving and considering a laws of war, the usage of nations, or spec- ' apprehended and convicted. Some of the proposition, which she intends to submit, lal treaties, may impose ; and it is oursov- officers thus implicated are f high official , for the capitalization of the Sound dues, ereign right that our territory and juris-, position, and many of them beyond our and the distribution of the sum to be paid dietmn "hall not lie iuvaded by either of j jurisdiction, so that legal proceedings could i as commutation among the governments, the liolligercnt parties, fir the transit of their armies, the operations of their fleet", the levy of troops for their service, the tit- tins; out of cruisers hy or against either, or j the United .States do not forbid their citi-, lens to sell to either of the belligerent powers articles, contraband of war, or to . i. -. I : t.itic lunnitmiis in wn in s'hiii m ... on boar I their private ships for transportation ; and i.i i : i : .i : r .: i i diiii"ii.u. in co viottiii, uii; niiiitiuuai vm- , : ... . . . i .-'..! zen exnoses ins nroneriv or ihtsoii 10 some of the hazards of war, his acts do not in- volve any breach of rational neutrality, nor of themselves implicate the government, Thus, during the progress of the present ;,: i.... .. nierchantnieu have been, and still contin- ue to be. largely employed by Ureal lirit - aiu and by l'raiice, in transporiiie.' tn.ps, nro isions. and munitions of war to the j principal seat of military operations, and I therefore does Hot compromit our neutral r ! relations with Russia ordance But our municipal law, in accoi with the law of nations, peremptorily for - bids, not only foreigners, but our own cit-' Agricultural Company, reserved in our izens, to tit iuit, within tho limits of the treaty with tireat Britain relative to the United States, a vessel to commit hostili-' Territory of Oregon. 1 have reason to be lies against any st ate with which the Uni- lieve that a cession of the rights of both ted States are at peace, or to increase the ' companies to th l.'nited States, which force of any foreign armed vessel intended would be the readiest means of termina tor such hostilities against a friendly state, ting all questions, can be obtained on rea Whalevcr concern may have been felt by suitable terms ; and with a view to this eou... i',i, 1, ,.!;;,.,... iiuw.rs lest nrivate end. 1 nrcseni the subieci tu the attention i arineu cruisers, or other Vessels, in il r.,r act or purpose by good faith, and by re - speet for the law. Whilc the laws of the Union arc thus licremptorv in their prohibition of the ; equipment or armament of belligerent crui- si rs in our ports, they provide not less ab solutely that no person shall, within the territory orjurisdiciiotinf the United States enlist or enter himself, or hire or retain another person to enlist or enier himself, or to go beyond the limits or jurisdiction of the United States with intent tobe enlis-1 j tedorentcrc I. iu the service of any foreign j state, eitln ras a soldier, or as a marine orsea- man on board of any vessel-ol'-war, letter of marque or privateer. And ihese enact i incuts arc also in strict coaforniitv with I the law f nations, which declares that no tate has the right to raise troops for land I or sea service iu another state without its I consent, and that, whether forbidden by tlie municipal law or not, the very attempt to do it, without such consent, is an attack mi the national sovereignty. ."such being the public rights and the municipal law ot the United Mates, nu so- ' licitude on the subject was entertained by this government, when, a year since, the British I'arliainent passed an act to pro- full force. The convention contains an ar- revoked it when about half the period on- this time is less than forty million dollars, vide for the enlistment of foreigners in the j tide, which, although it does not directly ly had elapsed, to the injury of citizens of j The remnant of certain other govt ru uiilitarv service uf'ireat Britain. Noth-i engage the Uuited States to submit to the i the United States, who had proceeded to lut-nt sticks, amounting to two hundred ing on the face ofthe act. or its public his- tory, indicated that the British govern- goes of Americans passing into or from inent proposed to attempt recruiting in the the Baltic sea, during the continuance o. I nited States ; nor did it ever give inti- the treaty, yet may, by posibility, bt con matiou of such intention to this govern- strued as implying such submission. The inent. It was matter of surprise, there-; exaction of those tolls not being justified; fore, to find, subsequently, that the engage-' by any principle of international law, it be- i tueut of persons w ithin the United States ; came the right and the duty of the Uuited to proceed to Halifax, in the British prov- ince of Nova Scoria, and there enlist iu the service of (ircat Britain, was going on es- tensively, with little or no disguise. Or- tv. Meanwhile suitable representations ou the subject were addressed to the Bi n- ish government. Thereupon it became known, by the ad- mission of the British government itseli, ,i.. . .1 ... .i- r, in.li ine Uli.niOL 10 man inti uie i.o.n ini.s -ountrv originated with it. oral least had Us Hpproval and sanction; but it also at - . .... pcared that the : public agents engaged in i, ... .. ... ......... .... v. ...... " ..... ........ ,i n, .TOtl.Ul.lll It. -II .11. IIOUS Hill lO , 10- late the municipal law of the United State It is difficult to understand how it should have been supposed that troops could be In the meantime, the matter acquired j additional importance, by the recruitment in the United States not being discontiii- I the whole business conducted under the ! supervision and by the regular co-njiera- j tion of British officers, civil and military, . some in the North Ameriitin nrnvinc.es. and some in the L nited Statts. 1 tie com-j plicity of these officers in an undertaking, . t . . t . not reach the source of the mischief, . These considerations, ami the fact, that the cause of complaint Was not a mere cus- ual 4ccurreiiee, hut a deliberate design, en- cessation of the wrou but its reparation. ; The subject is .till under discussion, the rcsult of which will be communicated to ou in due time. I repeat the recommendation submitted j to the last Congress, that provision be ; made for the appointment of a coiniuis.siou- j cr, in connexion with (jreat liritain, lo survey and establish the boundary line, i which divides the Territory of Washington I from the contiguous British possessions, l: ....m.... ..i" vi..i, I . rt .i,..o ,.t the Umt.il States. mcludiiiL' their re - pect - 1 ive authorities in that iU:irter. The pros- ; pect of a speedy arrangement has contrib- ' utcd hitherto to induce on both sides for- bearance to assert by force what each claims i .Misuudcrstandiiii; exists as to the ex- . ; . i tent, character, and value of the posssso - ' rv rb hts of the Hudson's Ray Company ; - . . . . ; and the property of the I'liget s Sound ... i oii.'ress. The clonv of Newfoundland, Inoinc enacted the laws required by the treaty o. tho iii.li of June, lN)4, is uow placed on tlie same looting, in respect to commercial intercourse with the United States, as the j other Briiish .North American provinces, ' The commission, which that treaty coti- ' templated, for determining the rights o. fishery in rivers and mouths of rivers on tile coasts of the United States and the Briiish North American provinces, has been organized and has commenced its la- i bors ; to complete which there is needed ! further appropriations for the services o. another season. s. if Nl lifts. j In pursuance of the authority, confer- red bv a resolutiou of the Senate of tho United States passed on the od of March last, notice was given to leinark, oil the 11th day of April, of the intention of this government to avail itself of the st'pula - tion of the subsisting convention of friend - ship, commerce, and navigation between that Kingdom and the Lmted .nates, whereby either party might, after ten years, terminate the same at the expira tii a of one year from the date of notice for that purpose. i I he considerations, which led me to call the attention ot Congress to that con- cree, permitting the importation, tor the dollars, and, deduction being made ol sub vention, and induced the Senate to adopt period of six months, of certain building sequent payments, the whole public debt the resolution referred to, still continue in materials and provisions, free of duty, but ofthe federal government remaining at j imposition of tolls on the vessels and car- j States to relieve themselves from the im- ; plication of engagement on the subject, fo 1 as to be perfectly free to act in the preniis- ! es in such way as their public interests aim honor shall demand. ; abandon the hope of concluding w ith Spain I remain ofthe opinion that the United some general arrangement, which, if it do States ought not to submit lo the payment ' not wholly prevent the recurrence of diffi of the Sound dues, not so much because ' cutties in Cuba, will render them less frc- ol their amount, which is a secondary mat- I ter. but because it is iu etlect the reeug- ; nitim of the right of Denmark to treat one I of the great maritime highways of nations as a close sea, and the navigation of it asa ! ,.-;..;i r... ...i.:..i. .:i i. : .i i lmiii,-'-.: ioi will, n uiuillC ina ne linilOSCU , unon those who have occasion to use it ! 1 This government, on a former occasion ; not unlike the present, signalized its de- j at ion of that country, for some time past, Ierived as our public revenue is, in termination to maintain the freedom of the has not allowed its government to give due ' chief part, from duties ou imports( its iu seas, and of the great natural channels ol j consideration to claims of private repara-1 nilude affords gratifying evidence of the navigation. J he Baroary Mates had, for i a long time, coerced the payment of tribute from all nations, whose ships frequented the Mediterranean. To the last demand of such payment made by them, the Uni ted States, although suffering less by their depredations than many other nations, re turned the explicit answer, that we prefer red war to tribute, and thus opened the way to the relief of the commerce of the World from an ignominious tax, so long submitted to by the more powerful nations of F.umpe. ral right, extorted by those, who were at that time able to obstruct cure enjoyment of it, but nnssess that nower. the free aud se who no longer Denmark, while resisting our assertion of the freedom of the Baltic Sound and .- t. j- ..j . . accoiiliiiL; to the respective pro)irtioti of! treaty ol fri. ndship. eomiiiercc, and navi their maritiine commeree to and from the pitiou with Nicaragua ; and a convention lialtie. I have deelined in behalf of the j of commercial reciprocity with the Ilawai United States to accept this invitation, for ; in kit.;: lorn, have been ncirotiatcd. Iho the most eojant reasons. One is, that ; latter kingdom and the State of Nicarapta Denmark does not offer to submit to the ; have alsoaci-eded to a declaration, reconi couventiou the iiuestiou of her right to ; sin' as intemalional rights the principles lew the Sound dues. A second is, that. contained in the convention between the if the convention were allowed to take j United States ami Kus.-ia of the L'Jd of ogiiiaiiee of that particular iiuestiou, still . July, 1 These treaties and couven- it would not be competent to deal with ! tioiis will be laid before the Senate for rat ine L'leat international principle involved ( ilicatinti. which affects the right in f.ther cases of) TltE.tst KV. naviu.ition and commercial freed , as The sta'einents made, in my last annual well as that of access to the lialtie. Above ! message, reseciiug the aticipaled receiit all, by the express terms of the proposition j and expenditures of the Treasury, have it is contemplated, that the consideration , been subst uitially veritied. ! u the .oiiud dues j with, and made sul j w holly extraneous, i the ."mind dues shall be comuunglcd bordiuate to, a mallei the balance ot power : aiuoio' t le "overnuients ot turone. ; presseii to lieniuaik a willingness, on tliu i part of the United States, to share liU ral- j ly with oihr (lowers in co.npeiwiting her i for any advantages, which commeree shall j hereafter derive from cxpendtures made by are mole fully disclosed. Should no satis- ' r .. . i . 1...1...1 i ! factory arrangement be soon concluded, I ! shall agi-in call vour attention to the sub- ' . . " . i .- e i . . ' ject wilu reeoiiiiiieinlatioii ot such mea sures as in:: v appear to be required in or der to assert and secure the rights of the U uited St ites, so far as they are affected by the pretension., of lleninark. fRAXI't. I announce with much gratification, that, since the adjournment of the last Congress, tin- question, th :u existing between this govern luent and that of France, respecting the Flench consul at San Francisco, has '....n satisfactorily determined, and that the relations of the two covernnieiits coti- , tinue lo be of the most irieudly naiuie. CiKKKCE. A question, also, which has been pend ing for several years between the United States and the Kingdom of lireece, grow ing out of the .sequestration, by public au- thontics of that country, in property . longing to the present American consul i't Athens, and which had been the subject oi very earnest discussion heretofore, has recently been Settled to the satisfaction of the parly interested aud of both govern ments. SPAIN. With Spain, peaceful relations are still maiutaiiied, and some progress has been made ill securing the redress of wrongs ; complained ot by tins government, .""pain i has not only disavowed and disapproved ; the conduct of the officers, who illegally I st'ized and detained the steamer Black Warrior at Havana, but has also paid the sum claimed as indemnity for the loss t hereby inflicted on citizens of the Un'ted States. In consequence of a destructive hurri- cane, which visited Cuba iu ls44, the su- preme authority oi that island issued a de- act on the faith of that decree. The Span- ish government refused indemnification to the parlies aggrieved until recently, when it was assented to, payment being promis ed to be made so Soon as the anion lit due can lit ascertained. Satisfaction claimed for the arrest and search of the steamer F.l 1'orado has not vet been accorded, but there is reason to , believe that it will be, and that case, with i others, continues to be urged ou the atten-! ! tion of the ;panisli government. I do tint i queut, and whenever they shall occur fa- '. dilute their more speedy settlement. I ME.XH.o. The interposition of this government has : bceu invoked bv many of its citizens, on ; r .1 .1...;- uioiini oi loiutiis iioiiit l" in, n oi isuns i and property, for which the Mexican rc- public is responsible. The unhappy situ- tion and hasappeared to call tor and lustily 1 some forbearance in such matters oil the ! of the other gn at interests upon which part of this government. But, if the rev- ' that depends. olutioiiary movements, which have lately ( The principle that all moneys not re occurred in that republic, end in the or-1 quired for the current expenses of the gov ganizatiou of a stable government, urgent 1 eminent should remain for active employ appeals to its justice will then be made, nicnt in the hands of the people, and the and, it may be hoped, with success, for the conspicuous fact that the annual revenue redress of all complaints of our citizens. from all sources exceeds, by many millions central AMKRICA. of dollars, the amount needed for a prn- In regard to the American republics, dent and economical administration of pub which, from their proximity and other lie affairs, cannot fail to suggest the pro- ! considerations, have peculiar relations to ' tins government, while it nas been my con- ot the Linn ol duties on imports. It is stant aim strictly to observe all the obliga-: now so generally conceded that the pnr tions of political friendship and of good j pose of revenue alone can justify the im ueighborhood, obstacles to this have arisen position of duties on imports, that, iu re in some of them, from their own insufficient j adjusting the impost tables, and schedules, power to check lawless irruptions, which ! which unquestionably require essential in effect throws most of the task on the I modifications, a departure from the nrin- United States. Thus it is that the dis-! tractca internal condition oi tne Mate ot tea. Nicaragua has made it incumbent on me army. to appeal to the good faith of our citizens j The army, during the past year, has to abstain from unlawful intervention in its been actively engaged in defending the In affairs, and to adopt preventive measures , dian frontier, the state of the service per to the same end, which, on a similar oc- ' mitring but few and small garrisons in our casion, had the best results in reassuring permanent fortifications. The additional the peace of the Mexican States of Sonora ; regiments authorized at the last session of and Lower California. j Congress have been recruited and orpan- TREATIES. j ized, and a large portion of the troops Since the last session of Congress a trea-1 have already been sent to the field. All ty of amity, commerce, and navigation, the duties, which devolve on the military and for the surrender of fugitive criminals, establishment, have been satisfactorily per with the kindoni of the Two Sicilies; a formed, and the dangers and privations ia- . It appears tiom tlie report ol tlif .'ecre- ! tarv ot the Irea.-ury. that tlie receipts Uu- ' ring the last hseal year cmling June I I .,. troni all s,,ui-ecs, were sixtv-nve mu- ( pavm. ut on aeeouni ot ine pumic ucni, amounted toti!'u-si ini!Ii..n three hundred and sixty live thousand three hundred and nin-ty-three dollars. lunng the same pe- nod. the payments made in reilemption ot The balance in .;.....,. tiie Tiea.-ury at the be- ginning of the present fiscal year. July 1, 1.V. was eighteen million nine hundred i .i .: "... !..;....! !,.... i .....I and thiitv-oiie thousand nine hundred and seventy -six dollars ; the receipts for the first quarter, and the estimated receipts for tho remaining three- Uaiter-, amount, together, to sixty s. ven million nine hun dred and eighteen tin u-.iiid seven hun dred and thir.v four dollars thu- affording iu all, as the available resources ofthe cur rent fiscal war. the -uni of eighty-six mil lion t ight hundred and fifty-six thousand seven hundred and ten doll: rs. If, to the actual expenditures of the first quarter of the current fiscal vcar. be added the j.robaMc cxifodilores f..r the remain ing three-quarters, as estimated by the Sec retary ofthe Treasury, the sum total will be sevi ntv-oiie million two hundred and twenty six thousand tight hindred and forty-six dollars thereby leaving an estima ted balance in the treasury on July 1, I ."!. ol liilei n million six hundred and twe.ily-three thousand tight hundred and sixty-three dollars and forty-one cents. ill the above estimated expenditures of the present fiscal vcar arc im bu'ed three million dolh-rs to meet the 1 -t iiisialmetit ofthe ten millions provided lor iu the late treaty with .Mexico, and seven million sev- en hundred anil fifty thousand dollars ap- propriated .hi account of the debt due to iexas, which two sums maKe an aggregate amount often million seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and reduce the cx- peuditures, actual or estimated, for onliua- ry objects of the year, to the sum of sixty million four hundred and i seventy-sis thou- sand dollars. The amount of the public debt, at the commencement of the present' tixal year, was forty million five hundred and eighty- three thousand six hundred and thirty-one and forty-three thousand dollars, referred to in mv last message as outstanding, has, ' since been paid. 1 am fullv persuaded tha" it would be difficult to devise a system superior to that, by which the li.-cal business of the govern ment is now conducted. Xutvvithsiandins the great number of public agi nts of col- lection and disbuix meut, it is believed that the checks aud guards provided, in- cludiiigthe requirement of monthly returns, render it scaieelv possible for anv consid erable fraud tin the part of those ageuts, or neglect involving hazard of serious pub lic loss, to e-capc detection I renew, however, the recommendation, heretofore made by me. ofthe enactment of a law de claring it ftloiiy on the part of public offi cers to insert false entries in their books of record or account, or to make false returns, and also requiring them ou the termina tion of their service to deliver to their successors all books, records, and other ob- Meets of a public nature in their custody. prosperity, not only 01 our commerce, but priety of an early revision and reduction ciples of the present tariff is not anticipa-
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