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rit tt atur t , politifo; Duoints,s itith ,entrnt fliturniation.
BEA.TT V, Proprietor.
PreSweat's iviessdge.
Fellow-Citizens .9f . the Senate and of the
House of Representatives
The interest with which the people of the
'lteptiblic anticipate the assembling of Con
gress, and the fulfillment, on that occasion,
of the duty imposed upon a new President,
is one oftthe best evidences of the capaci
ty to realize the hopes of
,the founders of •a
political system, at once 'complex and sym
metrical. While the different branches 01
the government are, to a certain extent, in
dependent of each other, the duties of all,
alike, have direct reference to the source of
Power. Fortunately, under this system, no
man is so high, and none so humble, in the
s of 'public station, as to escape from
the scrutiny, or to be exempt from the
responsibility, which all official functions
imply.
Upon the justice and intelligence of the
masses, in a government thus organized, is
the' sole reliance of the confederacy, and the
• only security fur honest and earnest devo
tion to its interests against the usurpations
and encroachments of power on the one
hand, and the assaults of personal ambition
en the other.
The interest, of which I have spoken, is
inseparable from an inquiring, self-govern
ing community, but stimulated, doubtless,
at the present time, by the unsettled condi
tion of our relations with several foreign
powers;' by the new obligations resulting
from a sudden extension of the o field of en
terprise ; by the spirit with which that field
has been ente?cd, and the amazing energy
with which S its resources for meeting the
demands of humanity have been develop-
ed.
Although desease, assuming atone time
the characteristics of a wide-spread and
devastating pestilence, has left it's sad tra
ces upon some portions of our country, we
have still the most abundant cause for rev
erent thankfulness to God for an accumu
lation of signal mercies showered upon us
as a nation. It- is well that a conscious
ness of rapid advancement and ihereasing
strength be habitually_ associated with an
abiding sense of dependence upon Him who
holds in his hands the destiny of men and
-of nations.
Recognizing the wisdom • of the broad
principles of absolute religious toleration
proclaimed in our fundamental lain, and re
joicing in the benign infhienee which it has
exerted upon our social and political con
dition', I should shrink 'from a clear duty,
did I fail, to express my deepest conviction;
that we can place no secure reliance upon
any apparent progress, if it be not sustained
by national integrity, resting upon thi
great truths affirmed and illusttated by di
vine revelation. In the midst 'of our sot-.
row for the afflicted and suffering, it ha:
beericonsoling to see how promptly discs
ter made true neighbors of districts and
cities separated widely from each "other,
and cheering to watch the strength •of that
common bond of brotherhood, which unites'
all hearts, in all parts of this Union, when
danger threatens froth abroad, or calamity
pimends over us at home.
Ott diplomatic relations with foreign
Towers have undergone no essential change
since the adjournment of the last Congress.
With some of them, questions of a-distutb
ing character aro still pending, .but there'
arc good reasons to'believe that these may
all be amicably adjusted.
For some years past; Great Britain has so
construed the first article of the convention
of the 20th of April, 1818, in, regard to the
fisheries of the north-eastern coast, as to
exclude our citizens 'from some of the fish
ing grounds, to which they freely resorted .
for nearly a quarter of a century subsequent
to the date -of that treaty. The United
States have never acquiesced in this con
struction, but have always claimed for their
fishermen all the rights which they had so
long enjoyed without molestation. With a
View to remove all difficulties on the subject,
to extend the rights of our fishertnempe
yond the limits fixed by the convention of
1818, and to regulate trade between the
United States and the British North Amer
ican Provinces, a negMiation has been
opened, with a fair prOspect of a favorable
result. To protect our fishermen in the
enjoyment of their rights, and prevent col
lision between them and British fishermen,
I deemed it expedient to station a nava&
force in that quarter during the fishint
season.
Embirrassing questions have also arisen
between the two governments in regard to
Central America. Great Britain has pro-,
posed to settle them by au amicable 'ar
rangement, and our minister at London is
instructed to enter into negotiations on that
:subject.' '
A. commission for adjusting the claim's of
our citizens against Great Britain, and those
of British subjects against tho, lUnited
States, organized under the convention of
the Bth of February last, is now sitting in
London for the transaction of business.
j It is in many respects desirable that the
boundary line between the' United States
and the British provinces in the north-west,
as designated in the convention of the 15th
of 'Juno, 1846; and especially , that part
which separates the Territory of Washing
ton from-the British posiesions ou the north,
' should be -- tr teed and marked.' I therfore
present the subject to your notice.
With Franco our relations continue on
the most friendly, footing. The extensive •
commerce between the United States and
that country might, it is.conceived, bo re
leased from some unnecessary restrictions,
to the mutual adVantage of both parties.—
With a view to this object, some progress
has been made- in negotiating
.a treaty of
commerce and navigation. •
Independently of our valuable trade with
Spain, we have important political relations
with her, growing out 'of our neighborhood
to the Islands of Cuba, and Porto Rict.- 7 -
I am happy to announce, that since the: last
Oongress no attempts' have been made by
unauthorized expeditions within the United
States, against either of those•colonies.—' •
Should any. movement be manifested within
onr limits, all the nieans at my••• command
, mill be:vigorously 'Aortal to repress . ' it.—
Several annoying occurrences have taken
place at Havana, or in the vicinity of the
island of Cuba,' between our, citizens and
the Spaniskautherities. •• • , • , •
Considering the proximity of that island ,
to our shores—lying, as it does, in • the
track ot Arad° between some of.our.princi
pal Cities—and„ the suspicieusl.vigilance.
with which foreign intercourse, particularly
that with the United States,•is there guard. ,
ad, a repetition,,of such occurrences may,
well be apprehended. •,As,,ne; diplomatic::
"intercourse is alloWed between',our. consul
at - Havanna and, the. Captain Genornl
Citba; ready exPlanatiens' cannot :be mado,
or prompt: rodiess afforded,' Where injury
has resillted.. l All 'complaintOullto part of;
our Citi'elis,"uhdor thy present arrangement,
• must be, in the first place, pieSented to,tbis
.glivet'lnnent, tei,Spaimr7„
, again refers it' to her - Waal anthOrilles
•in,Cuba for investigation and' postpones; an
„anawer'tili she: kis Ifeard ' irbin. these aVioe- . .
With:l To 'avoid th'cie . Irritalng" and ' vOxri;.,
;tioun , delays, a proposition, has.,bcon' Mad&
ftcrprolifile , tor'h.dtrect apPost for' redresii!to .
sthe.;Oaptain General' by•Onrocinsul, in bo-
Omit'. °Cour injured follow-citizens.' llith
,erto the government of Spain .kiLS.declined'
,to.onter into any suck arrange - Mont::: This'
r oom() on ITI!'PtI4.O.B deeply. regretted; for
,xvithodampe arrangement of this kind, the,
~good:siderstanding between, the two coup-.
triga i nmy be ON posnd to nocasifmal,intoryupi
ig °o. r PAir, Olfilatq at 1 4044 , 38 , 1104tritetp(14
.to, renew ;11m.,propesition, and to press it
„ngain : u.ppn,the consideration of her Catho-
Ulc MOQOPS*'Government.
;F41%804141 years Spain• has bean calling
THERE ARE TWO THINGS, SAITH FORD BACON, WHICH MAKE A NATION GREAT, AND. PROSPEROUSA FERTILE SOIL AND BUSY WORKSHOPS,—TO WHICH LET ME ADD, KNOWLEDGE AND FREEDOM.—Biaho,I Hall.
the attention of this Government to a claim
for losses by some of her subjects, in the
case of the schooner Andstad." This
claim is believed to rest on the obligations
imposed by our existing treaty with that
country. Its justice was admitted, in our
diplomatic correspondence with the Span
ish Government, as early as March, 1847;
and one of mY predecessors, in his annual
message of that year, recommended that
provision-should be made for its payment.
In January last it was again submitted to
Congress by the Executive. It has receiv
ed a favorable consideration by committees
of both branches, but as yet there•has been
no final action upon it. I conceive that
good fitith reqUires its prompt adjustment,
and I present it to your early and litvorable
consideration.
Martin Koszta, a Hungarian by birth,
came to this country in 1850, and declared •
his intention, in due form of law to become
a citizen of the United States. After re
maining here nearly two years, ho visited
Turkey. While aL Smyrna, ho was forcibly
seized, taken on board an Austrian btig of
war, then lying in the harbor of that place,
and there confined in irons, with the avow
ed design to take him into the dominions
of Austria. Our consul at Smyrna and
legation at Constantinople interposed for
his release, but their efforts were ineffec
tual. While thus imprisoned, Commander
Ingraham, with the United States ship of
war St. Louis, arrived at Smyrna, and, af
ter inquiring into the circmnstances of the
case, came to the conclusion that Koszta
was entitled to the protection of this Gov
ernment; and took energetic and prompt
measures for his, release; Under an ar
rangement between the agents of the Uni
ted States and of Austria, hp was transfer
red to the custody of the French consul
, general, at Smyrna, there to remain until
he should be disposed of by the mutual
agreement of the consuls of the respective
governments at that place. Pursuant to
that agreement he has been released, and is
now on his way to the United States.
Tho Emperor of Austria has made . the
conduct of our officers who took part in
this transaction a suldect of grave comr
plaint. Regarding Koszta as still his sub
ject, and claiming a right to seize him with
in theJimits_of the Xurkish Empire, he has
demanded of this government its consent
to the surrender of the prisoner, a disavow
al of the acts of its agents, and satisfaction
for the alleged outrage. After a careful
consideration of the case, I came to the
conclusion that Koszta was seized without
legal authority at Smyrna; that he was
wrongfully detained on board of the Aus
trian brig of war ; that, at the time of his
seizure, he was clothed with the nationality
of the United States; and that the acts of
our officers, under the circumstances of the
case, were justifiable, and their conduct
has been fully approved by me, and a com e
pliance with the several demands of the
Emperor of Austria has been declined.
For a more full account .of this transac
tion and my views in regard to it, Lreler to
the correspondence between the chargb
d'affaires of Austria and the Secretary of
State, which is herewith
,transmitted. The
principles and policy therein maintained on
the part of the United States, will, • when
ever a proper occasion occurs, be applied
and enforced.
The condition of China, at this time, ren
ders it probable that some important chan
ges will occur in that vast empire, which
will lead to a more unrestricted intercourse
with it. The commissioner to that country,
who has been recently appointed, is instruc
ted to avail himself of all occasions to open
and extend our commercial' relations, not
only with the empire Of China, but with
other Asiatic nations.
In 136`L, antexpedition was sent to Japan,
under the. command 9f Commodore Perry,
for the purpose of opening commercial in
tercourse
: with that island. Intelligence
has been received of his arrival there, and
of his having made known to the Emperor
of Japan the' object of hit; visit; but it is
not yet ascertained how Sir the Emperor
will be disposed to abandon his restrictive
policy, and open that populous 'country
to n commercial intercourse witli - the Uni
ted States.
ItAtlas been my earnest desire to main
tain friendly intercourse with the govern
ments upon this continent, and to aid them
in preserving good understanding among
themselves. With Mexico, a dispute has
arisen as to the true boundary line between ,
our territory of Now Mexico and the Mexi
can .State of Chihuahua. A , former com
missioner of the United Status , employed.
in running that line pursuant to the treaty
of Guadalupe Hidalgo, made a serious mis
take in determining the initial point in the
Rio Grande; but, inasmuch as his decision
was clearly a departure from the - directions
for tracing the boundary containbd in that
treaty, and was not concurred in by, the
surveyor appointed on the part of the Uni
ted Stades, whose concurrence was, feces . -
sary to give validity to that decision, this
government is not concluded thereby; but
that of Mexico takes a difibrent view of the
subject.
There are also other questions of consid
erable magnitude pending between the two
republics. Our minister in Mexico has
ample instructions toadjust them. Nego
tiations have been opened, but sufficient
progress has not been made therein to ena
ble me to speak of the probable result. --
Impressed , with the importance of main
taining amicable relations - with that repub
lic, and of yielding with liberality to all her
just claims, it is reasonable to expect that
an arrangement mutually satisfactory to
both countries 'may be concluded, and a
lasting friendship between them confirmed
add perpetuated., , •
Comitoss having provided for a full'nus
slop, to the. Status of Central , America, a
minister wits sent thither in July, last. %As
y e t ho has had time to visit only one of
,these States, '(Nicaragua,) where ho was
ireceiVed in tho most friendly manner. It
is hoped that his presence and good offices
will haVe a benign effect' in competing the
'dissensions which prevail among them, and
in establishing still more intimate and
frienilly'reltdiens between theM respective
and between - each of them and the Uni
ted'States.•
Considering the.vast regions of this' con,
tinent"tind' the number of States, which
would 'be Made accessible by the free havi
gatiOn of the river Amazdn, particular dt
tention,, heti .bi3on'given to this aubject.
Brazil, through: whose • territories it passes',
into, the ocean, has hitheato persistalliva,L
pulley so restrictive,. in regard to the nao , of
this river, as ,tri "obstruct, and nearly • ex- ,
elude„fereign:,qonutitircial Intercourse . with ,
the States which lie upon its tributaries and
UpPor,ibranclies.-.:.,0ur minister •la ' that
qountry is instructed to obtain a relaxation
of that pqijoy, and to use his efforts to in:
duce the Brazilian government to , open-to
commoriases.under .proper. safeguards; this'
•gr9nt,ateral highway. for international,
trade, &weird .of the , South American'
States aro, dooply interested in this - attempt
'EMenres the froq navigation of - the Arne ,
rea,senable to expect their.do
o eratiOn-in measure. ; . • ,
,
,Aa the advantages of, free connaoroialin
terebuyse,"anicMg nation's are batter ,under
stOed;: more liberal views .are
entertained lisle the common rights of all
td the tree, es° of thosemeans whichnature
has'provided'ibr, biternntiOnal
,Icommunica
titm. To. these more liberal and onlighten
lipped : thee Brazil ; w3 con,
fordebbi' Polleyond i'emoVO all nrinectisiary,
rdstrictions, upon the free .use of a that:
'Which' traverses 'so many States; '
and 'so
tairgo4 part bf the continent. ' ram happy
to inform.you that the republic of Paraguay
and the Argentine confederation have yield
ed to the liberal policy still 'resisted by
CARLISLE; PA., WEDNESDAY, DECFMDER. 14. 1E453.
Brazil, in regard to the navigable rivers
within their respective territories. Trea
ties; embracing this subject, among others,
have been negotiated with these govern
ments, which will, be submitted to the Sen
ate at the present session.
Anew branch of commerce, important to
the agricultural interest of the United
States, has, within a few years past, been
opened with Peru. Notwithstanding the
inexhaustible deposites of guano upon the
island's of that country, considerable diffi
culties aro experienced in obtaining the
requisite,supply. Measures have been ta
ken to remove these difficulties, and to se
cure a more abundant importation of the
article. Unfortamittely, there has been a
serious collision between our citizens, who
have resorted to the Chincha islands for it,
and the Peruvian authorities stationed there.
Redress for the outrages, committed by the
latter, was promptly demanded by our min
ister at Lima. This. subject is now under
consideration,- and there is reason to believe
that Peru is digposed to offer adequate
indemnity to Hui aggrieved parties.
Wo are thus not only at peace -with all
foreign countries, but in regard to political
affairs aro exempt front any cause of serious
disquietude in our domestic relations.
The controversies which have agitated
the country -heretofore are passing away
with the causes which produced , them, and
the passions which they had eyakened; or,
it any trace of them remai s, it may be
reasonably hoped that it will only be per
ceived in the zealous rivalry of all good
citizens-to testily their respect for the rights
of the States, their devotion to the Union,
and their common determination that each
one of the s States, its institutions, its welfare
.and its domestic peace Shall be held alike
secure under the sacred aegis of the consti
tution.
This new league of amity and of mutual
confldenco, and support, into which the
people of the republic have entered, happi
ly affords inducement and opportunity for'
the adoption of a more comprehensive anti
unembarassed line of policy and action, 'as
to the great material interests of the coun
try, whether regarded in themselves or in
connection with the powers of the civilized
world.
The United Statcs have continued gradu
ally and steadily to expand, through acqui
sitions of territory, which, how much suei
er some of them may have been questioned,
are now nuiv,,erually seen and admitted to
have, been wise in policy, jlist in character,
And, with it, of the human race, in freedom,
in prosperity and in liappipess. The thir
teen States have grown to' be thirty-one,
with relations reaching to Europe on the
one side, and on the other to the distant
realms of Asia.
I am deeply sensible of the immense re
sponsibility which the present magnitude of
the republic, and the diversity and multi
plicity of its interests, devolves upon me;
the alleviation of which, so far as relates to
the immediate condudt of the public busi- -
ness is, first in my reliance on the. wisdom
and patriotiaiii of the two Houses of Con
gress ; add secondly in the directions affor—
ded me by the principles of the public poli
ty, affirmed by our fathers of the epoch of
1798, sanctioned by long experience, and,
consecrated anew by the overwhelming voice
of the people of the United'States.
.:
Recurring to these principles, 'which - eon-,
stitute the organic basis of union, we •'per
ceive that, vast as are thefunctions and the
duties of the federal goVernment, vested in,
or entrusted to, its three great departments,
the legislative, executive, and judicial, yet
the, substantive power, •the popular force,
and the large capacities for social and ma
terial development, exist in the respective
States, which, all being of themselves well
constituted republics, as they proceeded, so
they alone are capable of maintaining Mid
perpetuating the American Union.
The Federal Government has its appro
priate line of action in the specific and lim
ited powers conferred on it' by the Consti
tution, chiefly as to those • things in \s•hidti
the States have a common interest in their
relations to one another, and to foreign
governments; while the great mass of inter
ests which belong to cultivated men, the
ordinary business of life, the springs of in
dustry, all the diversified personal and do
mestic affairs of society-, rest securely upon
the general reserved powers of the people
of the several States. There is the effec
tive democracy of the nation, and there the
vital essence of its being and its greatness.
Of the s practicol consequences which flow
Nom the nature of the Federal Government,
the primary ono is the duty of odminlstering
with integrity and, fidelity the high trust re
posed in it by the constitution, especially in
the application of the public funds, as drawn
by taxation from the people, sad approptia
ted teSpottifio objects by Congress.. happily
I have no occasion to suggest any radical
chaxtgesiin the financial ptiliey of the gov
ernment.
Ours is almost, if not absolutely, the soli
tary power of Christeadom, having a surplus
revenue, drawn immediately from imposts
on commerce, and therefore measured by the;
spontaneous enterprise and national pros
perity of the country,-with such inairect're
lotion to agriculture, manufactures and the
products of the earth and sea, ns to violate.
no constitutional dootrin, and yet vigorously
promote the general welfare. Neither ns to
the sources of the public treasure, nor as to
the manner of keeping and managing it does
.any grays controversy now prevail, there
being a general acquiescence in the wisdom
of the present system.
The report of the Secretly of the-Treas
ury will exhibit, in detail, the state of the
pkblie finances', and the condition of the va
iions branches of the puhlic service admin
istered by that department of the Goes' w
*went.
The' revenue of the country, levied almost
insensibly to . .the taa•pnyere, goes on from
year to year increasing ; beyond either the
interest or the prospective whets of the Gov
eminent.
At the class of the 'fiscal year ending Tune.
1852, there remained In the treasury a bal
anoe,of $14,082,186,1 The public' revenue
for_; the 041,, year ending Juno .80, .1853,_
amounted to 858,031,805 from eustoms,- and.
to $2,405,708 from I.ublio lands and other
iniseellaneous sources, amen - riling together
to $01,537,574;:whi1e the, militia expendi-,
tares for the same period, exclusive of pay
ments on, nceount.':of the .publio debt, am
0unted.1e.543,554,202.; ,lenving it balance of
$84,485,447 , 0f .receipts above expenditures.
ThM,.faet, of Inoreasing.surplus' in the
treatery, y liming, -.the subject , of'' anxio u s
oonsideratien at a' . very early period of 'my
.adluildetraiinit, mid the path' ()Panty, In're-'
'gam 4 ; 4 Beerned.:to tiny-obvious and clear,
Jiaralaly,:. ,first, to apply. iheiurplus iii*mine
:to the discharge of,:the public ,debt, so far
9 49 .9 1 d judiciously:be ilone;linttancand- ,
'ly, t devise means for the gradual reduction
oft itrovenue to thasiandard'iif the pbbllc
U,logUna,i, o2l .. • '., : :,.. ~ ~: : .-, , ~. , ! ~. •; ~
~ . ':•.
• 'o,:' thesoohjects the. &et has boon :in'the
~
eourse,of accomplishment,. in a mannefmad .
bi a degree higbly satisfactory:, ,The Mt:Merit ,
‘Uf illuißublic.debt, prall.ohnises,:was: beam
t 4th ,Ateroli, 18513,,590i1:00,037 ; 'payments en
neeount, o'oolol4w° been made, since that
Periad,,to the amount of $12;703,820, , leliv
ring uppaid,,amtin the continuous course, of
liquid, the sum 0f,556,480,7,08.'- '• • .
', ; Them payMente, although made at , the
t i
pinrk' t . prioa,ol , the respective • classes' of
llt,eolt Imo been elfeete,d readily, and to the
Artie ti, Advantage of, the. treasury, and 'hive
at same time proved' oflignal 'utility in
the nine, Iloy, two Inoidootatty..fororaa to
the money market and to the industrial and
commercial pursuits of the country.
7La second of the above-mentioned. ob
jects, that of the reduction 'of the tariff, is
ui great importance, and thy plait su,:gesteu
by the Secretary 'of the Treasury, which is
to reduce the duties on certain articles, and
to add to the free list . many articles now
taxed, and especially snob as enter into man=
ufaotnres, end aro not largely, or at all, pro
duced in the country, is commanded to your
candid and careful consideration.
You will 'find in the report of the Secre
tary of the Treasury, also, abundant proof
of, the entire adequacy of. the present fiscal
system to meet all the requirements of the
public service, and that, while properly ad
ministered, it operates to the advantage of
the community in ordinary business rela
tiers.
. • I respectfully ask your attention to sundry
suggestions of improvements in the settle
ment of accounts, especially as regards the
large sums of outstanding arrears due to the
government, and of other reforms in the ad
ministrative action ofhis.dePartment, which
are indicated by
,the Secretary; as also to
the progress made in. the construction 0 1
marine hospitals, custom-houses, and of a
new mint in California and assay office in the
city of New-York, heretofore provideddor by
Congress ; 'mlaise to the eminently success
• ful progress of the Coast Survey; and of
the Light-House board.
Among the objects meriting your attention
will be important recommendations from 'the
Secretaries of War and Nnvy. -I am .fully
satisfied that the navy of the United States
is not in a condition of strength and efficien
cy commensurate wiTh the, magnitude of our
commercial and, other interests I nnd com
mend to your 'especial attention the sug
gestions on this subject made by the Secre
tary of the Navy. '
I.respectfully submit that the army, which,
under our system, must always bo regarded
with the highest interest, as a nucleus around
which the volunteer force.) of the nation
gather in the hour of danger, requires aug
mentation, 9r modification, to adapt it to the
present extended limitsand frontier relations
of the country,' and the condition of the
Indian tribes in the interior, of the continent;
• the necessity of, which will appear in the
conimunidations _of the Secretaries-- of-War
and the Interior. . •
In the administration' of Post-Office 'De
- - _partroent„for the_fiecal year ending...lune 30;
1853, the gross expenditure was $7,982,756;
and the gross receipts, doting the same pe
riod, $5,942,734; showing that the current
revenue foiled - to meet theaurrent-expense.
of the department by the sum of $2,042,821
The causes which, under the , present poste,
system and laws, led inevitably to•this result
ere fully explained by the report of the Posts
master General; ono great cause tieing the
enormous rates the department has boon
compelled to pay for mail service rendered
by railroad companies.
The exhibit in the report of the Postmast
er General of the income and expenditures
• by mail steamers will, be found peculiarly
interesting, and of a character to demand
the immediate action of Congress. - ;
Numerous and flagrant Itauds upon the
Pension Bureau have been lieought td - light
within the last year, and, ineome instances,
merited punishments' intlictini; but, unfor
tunately, in others guilty patios have °soap
. ad, not through• - the.;want •tif sufficient evi
' deuce te.warranta,eoiiiiendb, bat in cones
- queue° of the provisions of ;imitation in the
existing laws. ' -
Filial the - nature of these claims, the re
moteness of the tribunals to piss upon them,
and the mode in which the proof is, of neces
sity, furnished, temptations to; :crime have
been greatly stimulatecl_by_the obvious dif
ficulties of detection. Tito defects in the
law upon this subject are eo apparent, and
so 'fatal to the ends of justice, that your
early action relating to it is most desirable.
:During the last fiscal year, 9,819,411 acres
of the public lands have been surveyed, and
10,863,891 acres brought -into market.—
Within the same period, the sales by public
purchase' and private entry amounted to' 1,-
083,495 acres; located under military boun
ty land warrants, 6,142,860 acres; located
undo other certificates; 9,427 Pares; ceded
to -the State as swamp lands, 16,684,253
acres ; selected for• railroad' and other ob
jects, under acts of Congress 1,427,457
acres.
The total amount of land disposed of
within the fiscal year, 25,848.992 acres;
which is an increase in quantity sold; and
located under land warrants and grants, of
12,281,818 acres' over the fiscal year imene
diately preceding. The quantity of land
sold during the second and third quarters of
1852,
was 334,451 acres . The amount re
ceived therefor was $952,687.- Tho quanti
ty sold the second and third quarters of the
year 1853, was 1,609,919 acres; and the
amount received therefor, $2,226,876.
'The whole number of land warrants issued .
under existing laws, prior to 80th Septeinber
last, was two honored 'and sixty-six thous
and and forty-two; of which there were
outstanding, at that dote, eixty-eixthousand
nine !Modred and forty-seven. The quanti
ty of hind required to satisfy these outstand
ing warrants, is four million seven hundred
and seventy-eight thousand one hundred and
twentyacreer • ,
Warrants have been issued to 30th of Sep-,
teMber last, under - the •not. - 11.th February,
1847, calling for tivlve million eight hundred
,and seventy-pine thousand' two hundred and
eighty acres, under acts of September 28,
1850, and March ,22, 1852, callini for twelve'
million five hundred ntiil fivedhousand three
hundred and sixty acres ; making a total of
twenty •five million three hundred and-eighty
four thousand , six hundred and forty acres.
It is believed that experience. has verified
the wisdom and justice of the present sys
tem with regard to the public domain, in
most essential particulars.
'You will perceive; from the report of the
Secretary of the Interior, that opinione,which
have often been expressed in relation to the
• operation of the land System; tie notheing a
•
source of revenue to iho'Federal treasury,'
wpre erroneous.- The ,net, profits from 'the
sale of the' public lands to June-80, 1863,-
amounted to the `sum of fifty-three million
trio htihdred and eighty-Ulna thousand four
hundred and:sixty-five &Unit.
• i reoommend • the extension , of the land
system over the Territories of Utah rind Now
Mexicy, With such triadificatiena as their per
• culieritienmay iequire. ,
••• Regarding , 'our public doMaite es !chiefly
• , , valuable to provide homes for the industrious
and enterprising, I am not prepared ,to re
coinmend any. essential elinnge in the -land
, . system, except modifleatione - in favor of
. ,the actual settler, and in extension of the
pre 7 emption.principle., in :oexiain cases; for,
,reasons, and on.gputids which will bp fully
,develtiped'in' the reports to .be laid before
you. .
• Congress, reinventing 'the proprietors of
the territorial'domain, ond charged especial.-
:ly with Pewee 'to dispose , ofrerritory, belong-,
' ing 'to 'the - United 'States;'lute; for a long
,• Course of years, beginning with the ndrninia
, *mien Mr.:4.elfeirson, exeroleed' the pow
... et to construe!, roadsiwithin thelarritories;
andOtheire'areim Marty and . obvioue distinot•
• ions betireei thieeleisoise of Power and that
of ihnkingroadaysithlti UM 'States, that the
formerhas noyer,beemconsldered.sulijeet to'
• .• :such' objections Its .upply„to tholatter, -and
• ~.•sobli 'May new be considerMl the settled mt
.:- strtiotion of the power of the Federal Gov . ;
eminent upon the subject. ,
• Nurnerous,npplicationo have been, and no
' doubetvill " continuo: to be, made for; grants of
.•lanti; in sant 'the oonstruation
It is not believed to beitivithlirthelitetit and'
meaning or the constitution, that thn power
to dispose of the public domain, should be
used other than , might be expected from a
prudent proprietor, and, therefore,, that
; t rants uflands to aid iu the construction of
roads should be restricted to cases, where it
could he for the interest of a proprietor, un
der like circumstances, thus to contribute to
:he construction of th'ese works.
For the practical operation of such grants
thus far, in advancing the interests of the
States in which the works are located, and at
the same time the substantial interests of all
re
the other States, by enhancing the value and I
promoting the rapid Sale of the public do - 1
main, I refer you to the report of the Secre
tary of the Interior. A careful examination,
hdwever, will show that this experience is
the result of a just discrimination, and will
be far from affording encouragement to a
reckless or indiscriminate extension of the
principle.
I oornmend to your favorable considera-. °
tiou the'men of genius of our country, who,
by their inventions and discoveries in science
and art, have contributed largely to the im
provements of the age ' without, in many
instances, securing for themselves anything
like an adequate reward. For many inter-'
esting details upon this subject, I refer you
to the appropriate reports, and especially
urge upon your early attention the apparent
ly slight, but really important, modifications f .
of existing lewd therein suggested.
The liberal spilit...oich has so long mark
ed the action of Congiiss in relation to the
District of Columbia will, I have no doubt,
continue to bo manifested.
The erection of an asylum for the insane
of the District of Columbia, and of the army
and navy of the United States, has been
somewhat retar led,. by thegreat demand for
materials and labor during the past summer;
but full preparations for the reception of pa
tietits, before the return of another winter,
is anticipated; and there is the best reason
to believe, from the plan and - Ctonlemplated
arrangements which have been devised, with
the exierienee furnished within .thelast few
years in relation to the nature and treatment
of the disease, that it will prove an asylum
indeed to this most helfiless and afflicted
class of sufferers, and stand as a noble mon
ument of wisdom and mercy.
__Under the acts of Congress of. August
1852, and of March 3, 1853, designed to se
cure for the cities of Washington and George
town an abundant supply of good and whole
some water, it became my duty to examine
the report and plans of the engineer who,had
charge of the surveys under the not first
named. The best, if not the only plan
culated to o secure permanently the Object;
sought was that which contemplates taking
the water from the Great Falls of the Pato ,
mao, and consequently, I gave it my ap
proval.
For the progress and present condition of
this important work, and for its demands, so
far as appropriations are.cencerned, 1 refer
you to the report of the Secretary of War.-
The present judicial system of the, United
States has now been in operation for so long
a period of time, and has. in its general the
ory and touch of its details, become so fam
iliar to the country, and acqdired so entirely
the public confidence, that if modified in any
respect, it should be only in those particulars
which may adapt it to the increased extent,
population, and legal business of the United
States.
, .
In - :this' the,?el a tion, ' - orgnixation Of 'the
courts is nonr.confessedly inadequate' thei
duties to bo performed by them; in cense'
quench of which the States of Florida, Wis
consin, lowa, Texas-and California, and dis
tricts of other States; are in effect excluded
from the full benefits of the general systofo,
by the functions_of the circuit-court being,
devolved on the district judges in all of those
States or parts of States,
The spirit of the constitution and a duo
regard to justice require that all the
"States of the Union should be placed on the
same footing in regard to the judicial tribu
nals. I therefore commend to your conside
ration this important subject, which, in my
judgment, demands the speedy action of Con
gress, I will present to-you, If deemed de
sirable, a plah, which I am prepared to rec
ommend fur the enlargment and modification
of the present judicial system.
The act of Congress establishing the Smith
sonian Institution provided that the Presi
dent of the United States, and other persons
theiein designated should constitute an "es
tablishment by that name, and that the mem
bers should hold stated and special meetings
for the supervision of the affairs of that in
stitution.
The organization not having, taken place,
it seemed to me proper that it should be ef
fected without delay. This has been done;
and'an occasion was thereby presented for
I .
insp cling the condition of the 'lnstitution,
and appreciating its sucoesssfizl progress
thu far, and its high promise of great and
general
usefulness.
I have omitted to ask your favorable con
sideration for the estimates of works of a
local character in twenty-seven of the thirty
one States,:arnoundng to ono million seven
hundred and fifty-four thousand five hund
red dollars, because independently of the
grounds which have so often been urged
against the amilloation
s of the federal revenue,
•
for s
works of this character, inequality with
Consequent injustice is.inherent in the nature
of the proposition, and because the plan has
proved ontirely•inadequato to the ticconiplish
ment of the objects sought.
The subject of internal improvements,
claiming alike the interests andgood will of
ill, has, nevertheless, been the basis of much
political discussion, and has stood as a deep
graven lino' sf division between theatatesmen
of eminent ability and patriotism. . The rule
of stria construction of.all powers delegated
by the States to the general goVernment has
arrayed isself, from time to time, against the
rapid psogress of expenditures from the na
tional treasury on the works of. n local char-
aster Within the States. •
Meinorable as nn epoch• in -the history of
tide subject is the message of President
Jacksoh, of the 27th of I May, 1830, which
met thq system of intermit improvements in
its comparative infancy; but so rapid had
been its growth, that the projeeted appropri
ations in that year, for works of this charac
ter, had risen to the alarming amount of
more than one hundred millions of dollars.
.In that message the .President admitted
the difficulty of bringing back the operations
of the government to the construction of the
Constitution set up in 1708, and marked it an
an admonitory proof of the necessity of guar
ding that instrument with sleepless vigilance
against the authority of precedents, which
had net the 'eanetion of its roost plainly de
fined powers.
, :clur government exists under a written
cempabt betweeen sovreign States, uniting for
specific objects, and with specific grants to
their general agent. If, then, in the prog
rose of its administration, there , have been
departures from, the terms and intentof the
oompact;_it is, and will ever be, proper to
refer back to the fixed standard•whlch our
fathers left us, .and to make a stern effort to•
conform ,our action • •
.
..It would soom,tlutt 'the foot otia principle
having , been resisted fromthe , first by many •
of the wisest and most , patriotio men of :the
reptiblic, mul a policy 'having provoked ooti 4
slant ertife, without arrivlng.at a cotiolusiom
Which can ke regarded las satisfactoryaolts
most earnest adveoates, , should ,suggest the
inquiry whether.. Were may , not . ho •ft , plan
likely to bp crowned by, happier. resells. • '
• Without perceiving any: sound distinction, '
or. intending' to, astiert any prinalpleao
po:sed to Improvements needed for the pro
tection of internal commerce, which does not
equally apply to impovements upon the sea
'board for the protection of foreign commerce,
I submit to you, whether it may not bo safe.
iy anticipated that, if the policy were ono,
settled against appropriations by the general
government for local improvements for the
benefit of commerce, localities requiring ex
penditures would not, by modes and means
clearly legitimate and proper, raise-the fund
necessary for such constructions as the safe
ty or other interests of their commerce might
require.
If that can ho regarded as a system, which,
in the experience of more than thirty years,
has at no time so dommanded the public
judgment as to give it the character of a set
tled policy, which, though it has produced
some works of conceded importance, has been
atterided.with an expenditure quite dispro
portionate to their value,--and has resulted
in squandering large sums upon objects Which
have answered no valuable piirpose,—the
interests of all the States require it to be
abandoned, unless hopes may be indulged for
he future which find no warrant in the past.
Willi an anxiona desire for. the_coinpletion
of the winks which are regarded by all good
citizens with sincere interest, I'have deemed
it my duty to ask at your hands g deliberate
reconsideration of the question, with a hope i,
that, animated by a desire to promote the
permanent and substantial interests of .the
country, your wisdom may prpve equal to the
task of devising and maturing a plan, which,
applied to this subject,may promise something
betterl.han constant strile, the suspension of
the powers of local enterprise, the exciting of
vain hopes, and the disappointment of slier'
idled expectations.
In expending the appropriations Made by
the last Congress, several cases Imo arisen
in relation to works for the improvement of
harbors' ' which involve questions as to the
right of soil and jurisdiction, and have threat.
oned conflict between the authority' of the
State and general governments. The right
to construct a brealt•water, jetty, or dam,
would seem, necessarily, to carry with it the
power to protect and preserve such construe.
tions. This can only be effectually r o dono ,by
having jurisdiction' over the soil., But no
clause of the constitution is found, on which
to rest the claim alba United States to cur.
ciao jurisdictiod,over the soil 'of a State, ex—
cept that conferred by the eigth section of the
brat article of the constitution: It is, then,
submitted, whether, in all cuscs,..where.conz
etructions aro to be erected by the general
government, the right of soil should not at
first be obtained, and legislative..provision bo
made. to cover all sash cases,
For the progress made in the construction
of roads within the tOtritories, as provided for
in the appropriations of the last Congress, I
refer you. to the riport of tho scorotary hf
Wan.
There is one subject of a domestic nature,
which, from its intrinsic.importancc, and the
many interesting questions of future. piility
which it involves, cannot fail.to receive your
early attention. 1. allude to - the means of
communication, by which different parts of
the wide "expanse of our country aro to bo
placed in closer connection for purposes both
of defence and commercial intercourse, and
more especially such as appertain to the com
munication of those groat divisions of the
Union, which lie on the opposite sides of the
Rocky Mountains.
That the government had not been unmind•
fel of this heretofore irrapparentlrrim the aid
it has -afforded,. through , . a ppropriatione'Tor
mail facilitimand other , purpories. But the
general subject will now present itself under
aspects-more imposing and more purely na
tional, by reason of the surveys ordered by
Congress, and now in the process of complo.
_Lion, for comMunication_hy.tailway across
the continent, and wholly within the limits
of the United States.
The power to declare war, In raiso•and sup.
port armies, to provide and maintain a navy,
and to call forth the militia to execute the
lawn, suppress insurrections, and repel in•
casinos, was conferred upon Congress, as
means to provide for the common defence, and
to protect a territory, and a population now
widespread and vastly multiplied. As inci—
deintal to and indispensable for the exercise
of this power, it must sometimes be necessary
to construct military roads and protect liar.
bars of refuge. To appropriatiuns by Con
gross for such objects, no sound objection can
be raised. Happily for our country, its peace
fill policy and rapidly increasing population
impose - upon us no urgent necessity for pre•
paration, and leave but low trackless deserts
between assailable points and a patriotic
people over ready and generally able to pto•
teet them. Thies necessary links, the enter
prise and energy of our people, aro steadily
and boldly struggling to supply. All experi
ence affirm° that, wherever private °Markin
will avail, it is most wise for the general'
governmeritt o leave to Ilia and individual
watchfulness. the location and cxoeution of
all menus of communication. . •
The surveys before alluded to were designed
to ascertain the most practical and economical
route for a railroad from the river Mississippi
to the'Pacific ocean: Piirties are now in (be
field making explora tions,Where previous ox.
aminations had not suppied sufficient data,
and where (hero was the best reason to hope
the object sought might bo found. The means
and time being both !ignited, it Is not to be
expected that all the accurate knowledge do.
aired will be obtained, but it is hopediliat
much and important information will be
added to the Block previously possessed, and
that partial, if not full reports of the toirveYs
ordered; will be received in time for transmis.
elan to the two Houses of Congress, on or
before the let Monday in,, February next, as
required by, the act .91 appropriation. The
magnitude of the enterprise contemplated has
aroused, and will doubtless continuo to excite
a very general interest throughout the coun.
try. In its political, its commercial, and its
military bearings, it lido varied, great and
increasing Maims to consideration. The
heavy expense, the great delay, and, at times,
fiitality attending travel by either of ths.istb
mus routes, have demonstrated the advantage
which would result from inter-territorial
communication by such safe and rapid means
es a railroad would supply.
These diflculties, which hove boon encoun.
lured in a period of peace, would be magnified
end still.Turther increneod in, trine of war.—:
But whilst:llm embarrinrionts already en:
countered, and others under new contingences
to be anticipated, may servo' strikingly to
exhibit the Importance ofsueli a,work, neither
these, nor All considerations combined can
have an appreciable video, When weighed
against.the obligations strictly Ao.adhere to
the constitution.and faithfully to execute the
powers it confers. Within this limit and to
the extant of the interest of the government
involved, it would scam both exliedient and
proper, Will/ economies! and practicable route
shall be found, to aid, by, all constitutional
means, in the construction of a reutdOvhich
will unite by' speedy transit, the populations
of the Pacific and Atfentie Stites.'
To guard against misconception, it-eliould
be remarked that; yithinigh lime power Wow.'
Bonet or aid in:the construction of a road
witltinAlte:lirnite or a' territory' id not °Mbar:
reined by that quoation of jurisdiction which
Would visit within the limlte:•of a State,
it is nevertheless held to ti o ,of doubtful potver
'And mete dotibtful 'propritifjOlieri with.
in the' limits of. a territory frir this general
i r ovoiiimont., to undertake tog ndMitiiater the
Alfa iri of a railroad; a canal, ocedlier.
eonetrbotions, and, therefore, that its Minna°.
(Inn with a work of this Ammeter ,ehould ha
incidental rather than prititary. 'T will only.
adds 'prpoorit, that fully approiduting the
magnitipo of the subject, and sulioitous that
the Atlantic end Paelticialtorea`of the ropublit3
may be bound together by inseperable ties of
common interest as well as of common fealty
and attachment' to limo Union, I shall be dis•
posed', so far hs my own action, is concerned,
to follow, the lights of the constitution, es ex,
VOL. LILY. NO 12
pounded and illustrated by those who , s optn
ions nod expositions constitute the standard
of my political faith in regard to the powers
of the federal government. It is, I trust, not
necessary to say, that.np grandeur of enter
prise and no present &gent inducement pro
mising
y opular favor,will land me to disregard
those lights,or to depart from that path, winch
experience has proved to be safe, and which
is now radiant with the glow of prosperity •
and legitimate constitutional progress. Wo
can afford to want, but we cannot a hfford to
overlook the' ark of our security.
It is no part of my purpoSe to give promi
nence to any subject which may properly be
regarded as set at rest by the deliberate judg
ment of the people. .But whilet•the present is
bright with promise, and the future full of
demand and inducement for the exercise of
active intelligence, the p6t can never be
without useful lessons of admonition and in—
struction. If its dengue serve not as beacons,
they will evidently fail to fulfil the object of
a wise design. When the crave shall have
cloned over all who are now endeavoring to
meat the obligations of duty, the year..llBso
will be recurred to as, a period fillerr&vith
anxious apprehension. - A successful war has
just torminatnd. Peace brought with it a vast
augmentation of territory. Disturbing roes.
lions arose, bearing upon the domestic Meth.
tutions of one portion of the confederacy, and
involving the constitutional rights of the
States. But notwithstanding differences of
opinion and sentiment, which then existed in
relation to details and specific provisions, the
acqeieseence of distinguished citizens, whose
devotion bailie Union can never be doubted,
has given renewed vigor to our institutions,
and restored a sense of repose and security to
the tiOblic mind throughout the 'confederacy.
Tliat this repose is to suffer no shook 'Je—
ling me official term, if I have power to avert
it, thOse who placed me here may be assured.
The wisdom of men who knew what Indepen
dence cost—who Mid put all at stake upon
the issue of the revolutionary struggle—dis—
posed of the subject to- which I refer, in the
only may consistent with the union of thane
States, and with the march of power and pros.
parity which has made us what we are. It
is a,significant fact, that from the adoption of
the constitution until the officers and soldiers
of the revolution had passed to their graves,
or, through the-infirmities ofagebnd.wounds,
hod ceased to participate aotiVt i .".; in
affairs, there was not merely a quiet acqui—
escence in, bat a prompt vindication of, the
constitutional rights of the Stales.
The-reserved powers were scrupttiously re.
spectOd. No statesman put forth the narrow
views of cauists to justify inference and agi.
lotion, but the spirit of the compact was re—
garded as snored in the eye of honor, and
indispensable for the great experiment of civil
liberty, which, environed by inherent difEcul
ties, was yet borno forward in apparent weak
aces by n power superior to all pbanieles.—
Them is no condemnation which the voice-or
freedom will not pronoun - elf - upon ns; should
wo prove faithless to, this groat trust. While
men inhabiting different parte of this vast
continent can no more be expected to hold
the same opinions, or entertain the same sen
timents, than every variety , of olimate;or soil
can be e x pected to furnish the seine ugricul—
tural products, they can unite in a common
object and sustain common principles essso—
Ainl to the maintenance' of that
,objeol. The
gallent'motfof the South and the North could
stand together during the struggle of the
Revolution . ; they could stand together in a
more trying period which succeeded'the clan
gor of arms:
As there united valor was adequate to all
the trials of - the camp.and dangers of the
field, so their united wisdom proved equal to
the greater task of founding, upon a deep and
broad basis, institutions, acjah it has bran
our privilege to enjoy, and will ever bo our
most sacred duty to sustain. It is but the
feeble expression of a faith strong and univer
sal, to say that their sons, whose blood min—
gled so,ollen upon the same field, during the
war of 1812, and who have more recently
borne in triumph the flag of the country- upon
a foreign soil, will never permit alienation of
feeling to awaken tho power of their-united
efforts, nor internal dissentient' to paralyze
the great arm of freedom, uplifted for the
vindication of self government.
I have thus briefly presented such sugges
tions as seem to mo especially worthy of yotir
consideration. In providing for the present,
you can hardly fail to avail yourselves of the
light, which the experience of the past caste
upon the future.
The growth of our population has now
brought us, in the destined career of our na
tional history, to a point at which il.well bey
hooves us to expand our vision over the vial
prospective. ,
The successive decennial returns of the
census since the adoption of the constitution
have revealed a law of steady progressive de
velopment, which may be stated, in general
terms, as a duplication every quarter century.
Curried forward from the (Tint already reach
ed, for only a short period of'time as applica
ble to the,exietence of a nation, this law of
progress, if uocheeked, will bring us to al
most incredibleresults.-
A large allowance for a diminished propor
tional effect of emigration would not very ins.
terially . reduce the estimate, while the increaa.
ad average duration of human life, known to
have already resulted from the scientific and
hygienic improvements fur the pest fifty years
will tend to keep up through the next fifty, or
perhaps hundred, the same ratio of growth,
which has been thud:revealed in our peat pro
gress, and to the influence of these causes may
be admit) the influx Of laboring, classes from
• eastern Asia •to the Pacific aide of our posses.
alone, logelher with the probuble.aceeseion of
the populations alreasly existing in other parts
of our hemisphere, which
,within the period in
question, will feel,with yearly inereasmg force,
the. natural attractionef eo vast, powerful, and
prosperous a confederation of self..govording
republics, and seek the privilege of being ad.
Milted within its safe and happy bosom,
transferring' with themselvee, by a peaceful
and healthy proms of incorporation, spacious
regions of virgin aiid exhuberant soil, which
are destined to swarm with the feat growing
and fast-:spreading triillions Of our race.
These considerations seem hilly to justify'
tho prestamption that, .the, law of .population
above stated wiffeeninue to act ',with .undi—
mintalied effect, through at least the next half
centUry,.and that thousands of, persons who
have already prayed at maturity, and-are now
exorcising, that rights of *corner), will oloso
their eyes on the spectacle 'of more than one
hundred millions of population embriaced with
in the majestic proportions of-the American
Alnlon.. It le not, merely as pn interesting .
tope ofepeeulation that I present these views
fur your: conaideration. • They have importune
practical beuiings,upcin 'ell the petition! duties
we are called upon .to perform.. Heretofore
our eysternef government has worked onwlint.
may be termed a miniature scale; in cowed
.eon witla the development, which it must is-
Sumo, within , a future so near''-at hand, as
,to be beyond the, present of the.ex•
listing gun eraiion.... -
It is evident that S'ionfederation so vast and
so varied, hoth,ip. numbers and 'in territorial
extent, in Itabite,nntl in interests, could only
he kept in national. cohesion by, the stricteat
'fidelity to the - prineiplee raffle constitution, as
' understood by. thnsie who leNer adhered to the
most restrieteftvonatruction of the •pewors
granted by the people and the States.,,,:liiter,
proted and applied according to these Kind,
pled, the treat 'opertta. 'adapts • itself
,will
, Imelthy oboe and :freedom. to - ati
tension of that benign system of federative
• solflovernment, of which it is our glorious,
end, I trust, immortal charter. Let us, then,
with redoubled vigilance, be on our guard
against yielding to the teepintion of the eic..
• Concluded on four* page.