1L1L i I' i 1 ' PRESIDENTS MESSAGE, PZ2cw Citizen of the Senate and Haute of. Repttttntutivet Sixty year have clapped since the establish ment of this Government, and the Congress of the United States is agsip assembled to legis late for an Empire of freemen. The predic tions of evil prophet ?ho firmly pretended to foretell the downfall of our institutions, arc sow remembered only to bo derided, and the United States of America at this moment pre sent to the world the most stable and perma nent government on earth. Such is the result of the labor of those who have gone before us. Upon Congress will em inentW depend the future maintainance of our system of free government, and the trismission of it to posterity. We are at peace with all the world and seek to maintain our cherished relations of amity with f the rest of mankind. During the past year we have been blessed by a kind Providence with an abundance of the fruits of the earth, Ithough the Distroying Angel for a time visi ted extensive portions of our territory with the ravages of a dreadful pest ilence. Yet the Al mighty has at length deigned to stay his hand and to restore the inestimable blessing of gen eral health to a people who have acknowledged his power, depricated bis wrath and implored his merciful protection. While enjoying the benefits of amicable in tercourse with foreign nations, we have not been insensible to the destructions and wars which have prevailed in other quarters. It is a proper theme of Thanksgiving to Him who rules the destiny of nation, that we have been able to maintain amidxt all the contests an in dependent and mutual position towards all bel ligerent powers. Our relations with Great Britain are of the most friendly character. In consequence of the recent alteration of the British Navigation Laws, British vessels, from British and other foreign ports, will, (under existing laws,) after tho first day of January next, be admitted to entry in our ports, with cargoes of the growth, manufacture or productions of any part of the world, on the same terms, as to duties, imports and charges, as vessels of the United States with their cargoes; and our vessels will ' be ad mitted into British ports, entering them, and en the same terms as British vessels. Should . no order in council disturb this legislative ar rangement, the late act of the British Parlia ment, by which Great Britain is brought with .jn the terms proposed by the act of Congress Tat the first of March 1847, it is hoped w.ll be productive of benefits to both countries. A slight interruption of diplomatic inter- course, which occurred between this govern, ment and France I am happy to say. has ter minated, and ur Minister there has been re ceived. 11 is tlierc-lore unnecessary to re:er now to the circumstances which led to the in terruption. 1 need not express to you the sin. cere satisfaction with which we shall declare the arrival of another Envoy Extraordinary and minister Plenipotentiary from a 6isler re. public to which we have so long been, and still remain bound by the strongest ties of amity Shortly afier I entered upon the discharge of my Executive duties. I was apurtsea that War Steamer, belonging to the German Em pire was being fitted out in the harbour of New York, with the aid of some Naval officers, ren deied under the permissiou of the late Secreta ry of the Navy This permission was granted during an armistice between the Empire and the King of Denmark, which had been enjoyed in the Scli'edwiz Huls'ein War. Appnh-n-ivo that this act of intervention on our part might be viewed of our neutral obligations, incurred by the tieaty with Denmark and of the provis J ions of the Act of Congress of the 20 th of A-l pril, 1313, I directed that no further aid shall be rendered by any agent or officer of the Na vy; and I irstuclcd the Secretary of State to tstruct the Minister of tho German Empire, oifny determination to execute the law of the United Statesjand tho faith of the treaties of all nations. The corrspondence wliich ensued, between tho Department of State and the Min ister of ihe German Empire, is herewith laid before you. The execution ot the law and the -. observance of the treaty, were . deemed by mo to be due to tho honor of tho country, as well aa to the sacred obligations of tho Constitution 1 shall nut fail to pursue tho same course should a similar case arise with any other nation. Having avowed the opinion in takinz the oflico - that in disputes between conflicting foreign 'governments, it is our interest, not less than ofinr duly, to remain strictly neutral. I 6hall not abandon it. You will perceive by the cor respondence submitted to you, in connexion with the subject, that the course adoi ted in this case has been properly regarded by the bellig erent powers intcres ed in the matter.' Al though a Minister of the United Stales to the Geitiian Empire was appointed by iny prcde Wor,in August 1313, and has for b long time been in attendance' at FranKfort on-the.Mani, and although a Minister appointed to represent! tjjl Empire was received and accredited here, - yet? no such government as that of the German Empire hns been di finitely constituted. Mr. Donaldson, our representative at Frankfort, re mained there several month?, in expectation that a union of the German States under one Constitution or form of government, might ul length bo organized. It is believed by thoso well acquainted with the existing relations between Prussia and the States of Germany, that no 6iich union can be permanently established without her co-opera tion. In the event of the formation of such a union and t'.ie organization of a ventral power ... - ,i nintii u euuuiii lorui a part. it would become necessary to withdraw our iniuistcr at Berlin, That whtle Prussia exists as an independent kingdom and diplomatic re JatU n- are maintained wi'.h her, there can be no necessity for Ihc continuance of the mission to Frankfort. I have therefore recalled Mr. Don aldson and directed tho archiovo of tho Lega tion at Frankfort to be transferred to the Amer ican legation at Berlin. Having been apprised that a considerable number of adventurers wero engaged in fitting out a m.l.tary expedition in the U. S. against a fore.gn country and believed from the best in formation I could obtain, that it was destined to invade the Islandof Cuba. I deemed it due to ih friendly relation existi7 between iho two nation., to the laws of the U S. and above n,X r'!.unC?" bon-or 10 CiCrt lie lawful authority of tho Government in suppressing the expeoitior, and preventing tho invasion . " To this end I i.SUed a Proclamation enjoin mg it upon the officers of the U. S, civil and military to use til lawful means within their power. A copy of ihut proclamation is here with submitted, as herewith .oppressed. So iJVL" . VCt f Corres the SOU. April I8JH, hich owes its existence to the law of nations and to the policy of Washington him seil, sliall remain in our statute books I hold it to be the duty of the Executive faithfully to ooeyils injunctions. When this expedition was in progress I was informed that a foreign. r. who claimed our protection, had been cbn destine ly a. wa. .opposed, forcibly carried off rK l fjo,n..Nw Orleans, to the Uland of Cuba. I imrned ately caused such steps to be r'A'i 'houehl..ary in case the in for. mation I had received should prove correct to vindicate tho honor of ,ho Country and the riehl ..f every re skmg ,.yJan, on our n to tie protection of our k.- The rraon alleged to have be en abducted, was promptly restored and circumstances of the case are now about to undergo investigation before a judicial tribunal. I would respeclTully suggest that al. though the crime charged to have been com mitted in this case is held odious aa boing in conflict with our opinions on the subject of National sovcreigntyj and personal freedom, there is no prohibition of it or punishment for it provided in any act of Congress. The expe diency of supplying this defect in our criminal code is therefore recommended to your consid eration. I have scrupuously avoided any interference in the wars and contentions which have recent ly detracted Europe During the late conflict between Austria and Hungary, there seemed to be a prospect that the latter might become an independent nation. However faint. the pros pect at the time appeared, I thought it my duty in accordance with the general senlimentof the American people, who deeply sympathised with the Magyar 'patriots, to stand prepared upon the contingency of the establishment by them of a permanent government, to be the first to welcome independent Hungary into the family of nations. I invested an agent, then in Europe, with power to declare our willing ness promptly to recognize her independence in the event of her ability to sustain it. The powerful intervention of Russia in the contest extinguished the hopes of the straggling Magyars- The U. States did not at any time inter fere in the contest; but tho feelings of the na. tion were strongly enlisted in the cause, by the! sufferings of a brave pejple who had made a trallant though unsuccessful effort to bo free. Our claims upon Portugal have been, during the past vear presented with renewed vigor, and it has been mv obiect to cmolov efforts of honorable diplomacy to procure the adjustment Our lato Chariro d'Affairs at Lisbon. Hon. G. W. Hopkins, made able and energetic , but un successful efforts, to settle these unpleasant matters of controversy. 9td to obtain in. demnitv for the wronps which were the sub jects of complaint. Our present Charge will! also bring to the prosecution of these claims ability and zeal. The revolutionary and dis tracted condition iA Portugal in past times has been represented a6 one of the leading causes of her delay in indemnifying our suffeiingciti zens; but I must now say it is a matter of pro found regret that these claims have not yet been settled, The omission of Portugal to do justice to tne American claiman is nas now as sumed a character so grave and serious that I shall shortly make it the subject of a special message to Congress, wiih a view to such ulti mate action as wisdom and patriotism may suggest. With Russia, Austria, Prussia, Sweden, Den mark, Belgium, tho Netherlands, and the ltal iaa States, we still maintain our accustomed amicable relations. During the recent revolutions in tho Papal States, our Charge d'AfTiirs at Rome has been unable to present hia letter of credence, which, indeed, he was directed by my predecssor to withhold, unt.l he should receive further orders Such was the unsettled condit ion of things in the.ie Stales, ihst it was not d eemed expedient to give hin any instructious on the subject of the credential letter, different from those winch he had been prosented by the late administration, until the 25th of June last, when, in conso- qnence of the want of correct information of the exact state of things at that distance from us, he was instructed to exercise his own dis cretion in presenting himself to the then exist ing government, if in his judgment sufficiently stable; or, if not, to await further events. Since that period Rome has undergone another revo lution, and he abido the establishment of a government sufficiently permanent to jastify opening diplomatic intercourse with it. With the republic of Mexico it is our true policy to cultivate the most friendly relations. Sinco the ratification of the Treaty of Guada- loupe ilidalrro. nolhin? has occurred ot a seri ous character t disturb them. A faithful ob eervance of the treaty and a sincere respect for her rizhts. cannot fail to secure the lasting confidence and friondship of that Republic. The Message of my predecessor to the House of Representatives, of the 8l!i of February last communicating, io compliance with tho resolu tion of that body, a copy ot a paper called Protocol, signed at Querataro, on the 30th May lolo, by tho commissioners of the U. Mates, and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Mexican government, having been a subject of worrcspondonce between the department ot stale and the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of that Renublic credited to this government A transcript of that corres pondence is herewith transmitted. The Commissioners ou the part of the U. S. lor niakinr the boundary between the two Ue p ibl.es, though delayed in reaching San Diego, !y untorseen obstacles, arrived at that place within a sh rt period after the lime required by the Ireatv and was then mined by tne com. missioners on the part of Mexico Tney enter ed upon the duties of their office, unl at the date of the latest intelligence Irom that quarter some progress had been mane in tho survey. The"expenses incident to the organization o Ihe commission and its conveyance to tho point where it was lo beffin. have so much reduced the fund appropriated by Congress, that a fur ther sum to cover the charges which must be incurred during tlis fiscal year will bo ncccssa ry. Tho meat length of frontier alon which the boundary extends tho nature of the adjacent territory, and the dithculv of obtaining sup plies, excopt at near the extremes of the line renders it also indispensable lhat a liberal pro vision should be made to meet the necessary charges during the fiscal year ending on the 30 June, 1851- 1 accordingly recommend this subject to your attention. Jn the adj-istment of the clr.ims of American cil zens in Mexico, provided for by the late treaty, the employment of Counsel on the part of the Government, may become important for ine purpose of assisting tho Commissioners protecting the interests of too U. btalcs. 1 re commend this subject lo the early and favor a ble consideration of Congress. Complaints have been made in rejrard lo the inefficiency of the means provided by the gov ernment of New Grenada for transporting the U. mail across the Isthmus of Panama, pur suant to our postal convention with that Ro public of the 6ih of March, 18 H Our Charge d'Affairs of Bogodo has been di reeled to make such representations to the Government of New Grenada as will, it is hoped lead to a piompt removal of this cause of com plaint. The sangui nary civil war with which the Republic Venezuta has for some time past been ravaged . has been brought to a close. In its progress, the rights of some of our citizens resident, or trading there, aro violated. The restoration ot order will afford the Venezulian Government an opportunity to examine and redress these grievances, and others of longer standing wiiich our representative at Caraccas have hitherlo ineffectually urged upon the at tent ion of that government. The extension ot tho coast of the United Slates on the Pacific and the unexampled ra pidity with which tlio inhabitants of California especially ore increasing in number, have im parted new consequence to oar relations with I ho other countries which border upon that ocean. It is probable that the intercourse be tween these countries and our possessions in nisi quarter pai wouiany wiui mo jcpuouc oi Chili, wii! become extensive and mutually ad. autogeoo9 in prop onion as California, and Oregon shall increase in population and wealth. It is desirable, therefore, that this Government should do everything in its power to foster and strengthen its relations with the states, and that the spirit of amity between us should1 be mutual and cordial. I recommend the observance of the same course towards ail other American states. The United States stand as the Great American power to which, Tas their natural ally anu iricna, iney win a:vays oe disposed nrst to look for mediation and assistance in the event of any collision bet ween them and any European nation. As such we may often kindly mediate in their behalf without, entangling ourselves in foreign wars, or unnecessary controversies. Whenever the faith of our Treaties with any of them, shall require our interference, we must necessarily interpose. A convention has been negotiated with Bra zil providing fur the satisfaction of American claims on that rovernmcnt, and it will be 6ub mitted to the Senate. Since the lastsest. ion of Congress, we have received an Envoy E xtra ordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from that Empire, and our relations with it are founded upon the most amicable understanding Your attention is earnestly invited to an amendment of our existing la ws, relating to the African Slave trade, with a view lo the suppression of that barbarous traffic. It is not to be denied that this trade is still in part car ried on by means of vessels, built in the United Slates, and owned and navigated by some of our citizens. Tho correspondence between the Department of State, and the Minister and Consul of the United States at Rio de Janiero, which has from time to time been laid before Congress, represents that it is a customary de vice to evade the penalties of the laws by means of sea letters. Vcs.els sold in Brazil, when provided with such papers'by the Consul, instead of returning to the United States for a new Register, proceed at once to the coast of Africa, for the purpose of obtaining cargoes of slaves. Much additional information of the same character has recently been transmitted to the Department of State. It has not been considered the policy of our laws to sub ject an American citizen who, in a foreign country, purchases a vessel built in tho United States, to the inconvenience of sending her home for a new Register before permitting her to proceed on a voyage. Any alteration which miht have a tendency to impede the free transfer of property in vessels, between our ci'.izens, or the free navigation of those vessels between different parts of the world, when cmp!o3-ed in lawful commerce, should bo well and cautiously considered; but I trust vour wisdom will devise a method by which our general policy in this respect may be preserved; and at the same, time, the abuse of our nag, by means ot sea letters, in the manner indicated, may be prevented . Having ascertained lhat there is no prospect: ot a re-union ot the live states ot Central America which have formerly composed the Republic of that name, we have separately ne gotiated with some of them. Treaties of amity and commerce, which will be laid before the Senate. A contract having been concluded with tho state of Nicaiagua by the company composed of American citizen for the purpose of con structing a ship canal through the territory of that state to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, I hive directed the negotiation of a Treaty with Nicaragua, pledging both govern mer.ts lo protect those who shall cnae in and perfect tho work. All other nations are invited by the state of Nicaragua, to enter into the same treaty stipulations with her, and the benefits lo be derived by each from such an arrangement, will be the protection of this great inter-oceanic communications, against any power which might seek to obstruct it, or lo monopolize its advantages. All stiles en tering into such a Txealy, will enjoy the right : passage through the canil on payment of the same tolls. The work of construction under tlipse guar antees will become a bond of peace instead of subject of contention and strife between na tions of the earth. Should the greit maritime states of Euiopo consent to this arrangement, (and we have no reason to suppose lhat a pro- position so fair and honorable will be opposed by any,) the energies of" their people and ours will co-operate in promoting the success oftha enterprise. I do not recommend any appro. priation from the National 1 reasury for this purpose, nor do I believe that 6uch appropria tion is necessary. Private enterprise, it pro tected, will complete the work, should it prove to be favorable. The parties who have procured the charter from, Nicaragua for its construction, desire no assistance from this government beyond its protection; and they profes that having exam- ino-l the proposed lino ot commnication, they will be ready to commence the undertaking whenever that protection shall be extended to them. Should there appear to be reason on nrimininir me wnoio eviuence, io cmeriain a serious doubt of the p raclicabilily of constuct ing such a canal, that doubt could be speedily solved by an actual exploration of the route. Should such a work, be constructed under ihe common protection of all nations for equal benefits lo all. it would oe neuner 1'isi nor ex pHint that anv jrreat maritime State should j r- rrl command the communication. The territory through which the canal may be opened, ought to be freo from the claims ot any foreign pow er. No such power should occupy a position that would enablo it hereafter tooxerciseso controlling an influence over th commerce of the world, or to obstruct a high way which oncrht to hn dedicated to tli3 common uses of mankind. The route across the Isthmus of Tehaantepec and Panama arc also worthy of our serious con sideration. Thev did not fail to engage the attention of my predecessor . The negotiator of tho Treaty of Guadaloupe Hidelgo, was in structed lo offer a very large sum of money for the right of transit across the Isthmus of le- huantepec. The Mexican Government did not accede to the proposition for the purchase of the right of way, probably becauso it had al ready contracted with private individuals for the construction of a passage fro n ihi G ias. cualco river to Tehuantepec. 1 shall nil re new any proposition to purchase for money a riht which ought to be equally secure to all nations, on piyment of a reasonable toll to tho owners of the improvement, who would doubt less be well contented with lhat compensation and the euaraniees of the maritime States of the world, in separate treaties negotiated with Mexico, binding her and them to protect those who should construct the work. Such guaran lees would do more to secure the completion of the communication through the territory of Mexico than any other reasonable considera tion that could be offered; and as Mexico her self would bo the greatest gainer by the open ing of this communication between the Gulf and the Pacific ocean, it is presumed that she would not hesitate to yield her aid in the man ner proposed, lo accomplish an improvement to her own best interests. We have reason lo suppose that the proposed Railroad across the Istlimui of Panama will be successfully con structed under the protection of the late treaty with New Grenada, ratified and exchanged by my predecessor, on the 8th of June, 1818, which guarantees perfect neutrality of the Isth mus, and Iho right of sovereignty and property of New Orenada over that terrilorv, with : vitw tnal a tree transit irom ocean lo ocean m3V not be interrupted or embiras od daring the existence of this treaty. It it our policy to encourage every practicable route across the Isthmus which connects North and South America, either by Railroad or Canal, which the energy and eutei prise of our citizens may induce them lo Complete; and I consider it obligatory upon rae lo adopt that policy espe cially in consequence of the absolale necessity of facilitating intercourse with our possessions on the Pacific. The position of ihe Sandwich Islands with reference to the territory of the United States on the Pacific; the success of our persevering and benevolent citizens, who have repaired to lhat remote quarter, in christianizing the na tives and induceing them to adopt a government and laws suited to their capacities and wants; and the use made by our numerous whalers of the harbors of the islands as places of resorl for obtaining refreshments and repairs, all com bine to re nder the desliny peculiarly interest ing to us. It is our duty to encourage the au thorities of those islands in their effort to im prove and elevate the moral and political con dition of the inhabitants, and. we should make reasonable allowances from the difficulties in separable from this task; We desire that the Islanders may maintain their independence, and that other nations should concur wih us in this sentiment. We could in no event be indifferent to them passing under the dominion of any other power. The principal commercial Slates have in this a common interest, and it is lobe hoped that no one of them will attempt to interpose obstacles to the future indepen dence of the islands. '1 'lie receipts in the Treasury for the fiscal year ending on the 30th June last, in cash 4S.830.0D7, and in Treasury Notes, funded. 610.833.0U0, making an aggregate of .S39, 003,1)9 7. The expenditures for the same time, were in cash, lb.?93.667; and in Treasury Notes, funded, $10,33,000, making an aggre gate ofS37,G31,667. The accounts and estimates which will be submitted to Congress in tho Report of the Secretary of the Treasury, show that there will probably be a deficit, occasioned by the expenses of the Mexican War and Treaty, on the first day of July next, of $5,623,121; and on the 1st of July,'l85l. of $10,517,092, ma king in the whola a probable deficit lo be provi ded lor, of 10,375,214. The extraordinary expenses of the war with Mexico, and the purchase of California and New Mexico, ex ceeds in amount the deficit, together with the loans heretofore made for these objects. I therefore reom nand that authority be given to borrow whatever sums may be necessary lo cover that deficit. I reccomend the observance of strict economy in the appropriation and ex penditure of the public money. I recommend a revision of the existing Tar iff and its adjustment on a basis which may augment the Revenue. I do not doubt the right and duty of Congress to encourage domestic industry, which is the great source of national as well as individual wealth and prosperity. I look to the wisdom and patriotism of Congress for the adoption of a system which may place home labor, at least on a sure and permanent footing, and by due encouragement of manu facturers give an increased stimulous to agri culture, and promote the developetncnt of our vast resources and the extension of our com merce. Believing that to the attainment of these ends (as well as the necessary augmenta tion of the revenue and the prevention of frauds the system of specific duties is best adapted. I B'roiigly recommend to Congress the adoption of that system, fixing the d'Hies at rates high enough to afford substantial encouragement to our own industry, and at the same lime so ad justed as lo insure stability. The question of the continuance of the Sub. Treasury system is respectfully submitted to the wisdom of Congress. If continued impor tant modifications of it appears to be indispen aiblo. ' For fuither details and views of the above' and other matters connected with commerce, the finances and revenue, I refer to the report of the Secretary of tho 1 reasury, JNo direct aid has been given by Ihe General Government to the improvements of Agricul ture, exceptby the expenditure of small sums for the collection and publication of agricultu ral s a l tics and for some chemical analvsia which have been thus far paid out of the Pa- tent fund. I his aid is, in my opinion, wholly inadequate, lo give this leading branch of American Industry the encouragement which it wants I respectfully recommend the estab- lisiimen. oi an Agricultural iitireau to be con- nec led with the Dapartment of the Interior. To elo va te the social condition of the Agricul turist and lo increase its prosperity, and to extend its means of usefulness to his country. by multiplying his sources of information. should ba the study of every statesman, and the primary object of every legislator. No civil government having been provided by Con gress for California, tho people of lhat territory have been impelled by tha necessities of their political condition, recently met in con. vention lor ine purpooe ol terming a constitu tion and State Government, which the latest advices give me reason to suppose has been accomplished; and it is believed they will shortly apply for the admission of California into the Union as a sovereign slate. Should such be the case, and should their constitution be conformable to the requisitions of the Con. slilulion oi tne unito.i dale. 1 recommend their application to Ihe favorable consideration of Congress. The people of New Mexico will also. it is believed, at no very distant period, present themselves for admission into the Union. Preparatory to the admission of California and New Mexico the people of each will have instituted for themselves a Republican form of government, laying its foundation in such principles and organiz ing its powers in such form as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safe ty and happiness. liy awaiting their action all causes of uneasiness may be avoided, and confidence and kind feelings preserved. With a view of maintaining the harmony and tranquil' ity so dear to all, we should abstain from the introduction of these exciting topics of a sectional character which have hith erto produced painful apprehensions in the public mind. And I repeat a solemn warning of the first and most illustrious of my predecessors against furnishing any grounds for characterizing parties by geo graphical discrimination." A collector has been appointed at San Francisco under the act of Congress, ex tending the revenue laws over California; and measures have been taken to arrange the custom houses at that and other ports mentioned in that act, at the earliest period practicable. The collector proceeded over land and advices have not yet been receiv ed of his arrival at San Fraucisco. Iu the meantime it is understood that the reveuues have continued to be collected there by officers acting under military au thority, as they were in the administration ot my predecessor. It will, I think, be cx pedient to confirm the collections thus made, and to direct the avails (after such allowances as Congress may think fit to authorize) to be expended within the ter ritories, or to be paid into'the Treasury for the purpose of meeting appropriations for the improvement of its rivers and har bors. ; t ; ! A party engaged in the coast survey was dispatched to Oregon, in January last. According to the latest advices" they had not left California, and directions have been given them as soon as they shall have fixed upon the sites of the two light houses and the buoys authorized to be constructed in Oregon, to proceed without delay to make reconnoisance ot tne most import ant points on the coast of California, and especially to examine and determine on the sites for light houses on that coast, a speedy erection of which is urgently de manded by our rapidly increasing com merce. I have transferred the Indian Agencies from Upper Missouri and Council Bluffs, to Santa Fe and Salt Lake, and have c?used to be appointed Sub Agents in the valleys of Gila, Sacramento, and San Jo aquin river. Still further legal provisions will be necessary for the effective and successful extension of our system of In dian intercourse over the new territories. , I recommend the establishment of a Branch mint, as it will, in my opinion, afford important facilities to those engaged in mining, as well as to the government, in the disposition of the mineral lands. I also recommend that commissioners be organized by Congress, to examine and decide upon the validity of the pres ent existing land titles in California and New Mexico, and that provision be made for the establishment of new offices for Surveyors General in New Mexico, Cali fornia and Oregon, and for .the surveying and bringing into market the public lands in those territories. These lands, remote in position and difficult of access, ought to be disposed of on terms liberal to all, ' but especially favorable to the early emi grants. In order that the situation and charac ter of the principal mineral deposites in California may be ascertained, I recom mend that a Geological and Minerological Exploration be connected with the linear survey, and that the mineral lands be di vided into small lots suitable for mining, and be disposed of by sale or lease, so as to give our citizens an opportunity of pro- permanent right of property, on the soil. This would seem to be as im portant to the success of mineral as of agricultural pursuits. The great mineral wealth of California, and the advantages which its ports and harbors, and those of Oregon, afford to Commerce, especially with the islands of the Pacific and Indian oceans, and the populous regions of east ern Asia, make it certain that there will arise in a few years large and prosperous communities on our western coast. It therefore becomes important that a line of communication, the best and most ex peditious that the nature of the country will admit, should be open within the ter ritory of the United States, from the States of the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific. Opinion, as elicited and expressed by two large and respectable conventions lately assembled at St. Louis and Memphis, points to aRailroad as that which if practicable will best meet the wants and wishes of the country. But while this, if unsuccessful operation, would be a work of great national impor tance, and of a value to the country which it would be difficult to estimate; it ought also to be regarded as an undertaking of vast magnitude and expense, and one which must, if indeed it be practicable, encounter many difficulties in its con struction and use. Therefore, to avoid failure and disappointment, to enable Con gress to judge whether in the condition of the country through which it must pass, the work be feasable; and if it be found so, whether it should be undertak en as a National improvement, or left to individual enterprise, and in the latter al ternative, what aid. if any, ought to be extended to it by 'j.be Government, I re commend as a preliminary measure, a careful reconnoisance of several proposed routes, by a scientific corps, and a report . I. .:u:i:.. r 1 . iu i incn-ucuuiiiiy ui maKingsucn a road, with an estimate of the cost of its construction and support. For further views on these and other matters connec ted with the duties of the Home Depart ment, 1 refer you to the Report of the Secretary of the Interior. 1 recommend early appropriations for continuing the River and Harbor im provements which have been already be gun, and also for the construction of those for which estimates have been made, as well as for examinations and estimates preparatory to the commencement ofsuch others as the wants of the country and especially the advance of our population over new qistncts and the extension of commerce may render necessary. An estimate of the amount which can be ad vantageously expended within the next fiscal year under the direction of the Bu reau of Topographical Engineers, ac companies the Report of the Secretary of War, to which I respectfully invite the attention of Congress. The cession of territory made by the late Treaty with Mexico has rrrentlv or. tended our exposed frontiers and rendered its defence more difficult. That Treaty has also brought us under obligations to Mexico, to comply with which a military force is requisite. But our military es tablishment is not materially changed as to its efficiency from the condition in which it stood before the commencement of the Mexican H ar. Some additinn ir it will thcrelore be necessary; and I re- commend to the favorable consideration of Congress an increase of the several corps of the Army at our distant western posts, as" proposed in the accompanying Report of the Secretary of War. 6 Great embarrassment has resulted from the effect upon rank cn the Army here, tofore given to Brevet and Siaff comnvj! sions. The views of the Secretary 0f War on this subject are deemed impcrt ant, and if. carried into effect will, it jj believed, promote the harmony of the service. The plan nronoserl fn disabled officers and providing an asylura for such of the rank and file as from i - - i .icurinv as irom ao-A wounds, and other' infirmities. haveL'. come unfit to perform their respectira duties, is recommended as the means of increasing the efficiency of the Army and as an act of juslice due from a grate ful country to the faithful soldier. The accompanying Report of the Secretary of the Navy presents a full and satisfactory account of the condition and operations of the Naval service during the pa year. Our citizens engaged in the legit mate pursuits of Commerce have enjoyed its benefits. Wherever our National ves sels have gone, they have been received with respect. Our officers have been treated with kindness and courtesy, and they have on all occasions . pursued a course of strict neutrality, in accordanca with the policy of our Government. Tho Naval force at present in commission is admirable, with the number of men au thorized by Congress to be employed. I invite your attention to the recom mendation of the Secretary of the Navy, to the subject of a reorganization of the Navy, in its various grades of officers, and the establishing of a retired list for sucn ol the officers as are disqualified for active and efficient service. Should Con. gress adopt such measures as has been recommended, it willgreatlv increase tha efficacy of the Navy. 1 also ask your attention to the views expressed by him in reference to the ejn- ployment of war steamers, and in regard to the contracts for the transportation of the United States Mail, and the operation of the system upon the prosperity of the Navy. By an act of Congress passed August 14, 181S, provision was made for extend ing Post Office and Mail accommodations to California and Oregon. Exeitions hare been made to execute that law, but the limited provisions of the act, the inade quacy of the means it authorizes, the ill adaptation of our Post Office laws to the situation of that country, and the measure of compensation allowed to those Jaws, compared with the prices of labor' and rents in California, render these exertions in a great degree ineffectual. More particular and efficient provision by law is required on this subject. The act of 1S45, reducing postage, has now, by its operations during fouryears, produced results fully showing that the income resulting from such reduced pos tage, is sufficient to cover the whole of the expenses of the service of th-.Post Office Department, not including the cos: of transportation in mail steimers on the line from New York to Chagres, or from Panama to Astoria, which have not been considered by Congress, as properly be longing to the mail service. It is submitted to the wisdom of Con gress whether a further reduction of pos- . U IJ . i . u-w suuuiu not now De made, more par ticularly on the letter correspondence. This should be relieved from the unjust burden of transporting or delivering the franking matter of Congress, for which provision should be made from the Trea sury. I confidently believe thnt a change may safely be made, reducing all single letter postage to the uniform rate of 5 cents, regardless of distance, without thereby imposing any greater tax on the Treasury than would constitute a very moderate compensation for this public service, and I therefore respectfully re commend such a reduction. Should you think proper to abolish the franking privilege entirely, it seems pro bable that no demand on the Treasury would re?uh from the proposed reduction on postage. Whether any further dimi nution should now be made, as theTesult of the reduction to five cents, which I have recommended, should be frustrated, is submitted to your decision. Since the commencement of the last session of Congress a Postal Treaty with Great Brittain has been secured ane rati fied, and such reductions have been form ed by the Post Office Departments of the above two countries, in pursuance of that Treaty, as to carry its provision out in full operation. The attempt to extend this same arrangement through England to France, has not been equally successful; but the purpose has not been abandoned. For a particular statement of the condv tion of the Post Office Department, and other matters connected with that branch of public service, I refer you lo the Re port of the Post Master General. By act of March 3d, 1849, a Board wa constituted to make arrangements for ta king the seventh Census,' composed cf the Secretary of State, the Attorney Gen eral and the Post Master General; and it was made the duty of this Board to pre pare and cause to be printed such forma and schedules for collecting in statistical tables, under proper heads, such informa tion as to mines, agriculture, commerce, manufactures, education and other topics, as would exhibit a full view of the pur suits, industry, education, and resources of the country. The duties enjoined on the Census Board thus established, having been perfected, it now rests with Con gress to enact a law for carrying into effi ect the provision of the Constitution which rpniiirrs nn actual pnn mora tion Ot the people of the United Stairs within tha !Cnuinr ear, '
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