PRESIDENTS MESSAGE Fellow Citizens of the Senate, and of the House of Jiepresmtatives : Being suddenly called, in the midst of the last session ol Congress, oy a painiui dispensation of Divine Providence, to the responsible station which I now hold, I contented myself with such communica tions to the Legislature as the exigency of the moment seemed to require. 1 he country was shrouded in mourning for the the loss of its venerated Chief Magistrate, and all hearts were penetrated with grief. Neither the time nor the occasion appear ed to require or to justify, on my part, any general expression of political opin ions, or any announcement of the princi ples which would govern me in the dis charge of the duties to the performance of which I had been so unexpectedly called. I trust, therefore, that it may not be deemed inappropriate, if I avail myself of this opportunity of the re-assembling of Congress to make known my sentiments, in a general manner, in regard to the poli cy which ought to be pursued by the Government, both in its intercourse with foreign nations, and in its management and administration of internal affairs. Nations, like individuals in a slate of nature, are equal and independent, posses sing certain rights, and owing certain duties to each other, arising from their necessary and unavoidable relations; which rights and duties there is no common hu man authority to protect and enforce. Still, they are rights, and duties, binding in morals, in conscience, and in honor, although there is no tribunal to which an injured party can appeal but the disinter ested judgment of mankind, and ultimately the arbitrament of the sword. . Among the acknowledged rights of na tions is that, which each possesses of es tablishing that form of government. which it may deem most conducive to the happi ness and prosperity of its own citizens; of enangmg that form, as circumstances may require; and of managing its internal affairs according to it3 own will. The people of the United States claim this right forj themselves, and they" readily concede it to others. Hence it becomes an -imperative duty not to interfere in the government or internal policy of other nation"; and, altho' we may sympathise with the unfortunate or the oppressed, every where, in their struggles for freedom, our principles for bid us from taking any part in such foreign contests. We make no wars to promote or to1 prevent successions to thrones; to maintain any theory of a balance of power; or to suppress the actual government which any country chooses to establish for itself. We instigate no revolutions, nor suffer any hostile military expeditions to be fitted out in the United States to invade the territory or provinces of a friendly nation. The great law of morality ought to have a na tional, as well as a personal & individual, application We should act towards other na tions as we wish them to act towards us; and justice and conscience should form the rule of conduct between governments, in stead of mere power, self-interest, or the desire of aggrandizement. To maintain a strict neutrality in foreign wars, to culti vate friendly relations, to reciprocate every noble and generous act, and to perform punctually and scrupulously every treaty obligation -these are the duties which we owe to other States, and by the perform ance of which we best entitle ourselves to like treatment from, them: or if that, in any case, be refused, we can enforce our own norms witn justice ant! a clear COll- ta science. In our domestic policy, the Constitution will be my guide; and in questions of doubt, 1 shall look for its interpretation to the judicial decisions of that tribunal, which was established to expound it, and to the usage of the Government, sanction ed by the acquiesence of the country. I regard all its provisions as equally bind ing. In all its parts it is the will of the people, expressed in the most solemn form, and the constituted authorities, are hut agents to carry that will into effect. Every power which it has granted is to be exercised for the public good; but no pretence of utility, no honest conviction, even, of what might be expedient, can justify the assumption of any power not "ranted. The powers conferred npon the government and their distribution to the several departments, are as clearly ex pressed in that sacred instrument as the imperfection of human language will allow, una 1 deem it my first duty, not to ques i:on iis wisdom, add to its provisions, evade its requirements, or nulhfv its commands. Upon vou, fellow citizens, as the rep rcsentatives of the States and the people. is wisely devolved the legislative power. I shall comply with my duty, in laying neiorc you, irom tune to time, any uifcir mation calculated to enable vou to dis charge your high and responsible trust for trie benetil ot our common constituents My opinions will be frankly expressed upon the leading topics of legislation; and if, which I do not anticipate, any act should pass the two Houses, of Congress whtcfi should appear to me uoconstitution al, or an encroachment on the just powers of other departments, or with provisions hastily adopted,- and likely to" produce consequences injurious and unforseen, 1 should not shrink from the duty of return mg it to you with my reasons, for your fuither consideration. Beyond the due performance of these constitutional obliga tions, both my respect for the legislature any ray sense of propriety ' will' restrain me from any attempt tr control or influ- ?!): ror proper? Vr fAi vrj u the i power, the honor; and the responsibility of the legislation it of -the country.. - The Government of the . United Slates is a limited Government. It is confined to the exercise of powers expressly grant ed, and such others.as may be necessary for carrying those-powers into effect; and it is at all times an especial-iluty to guard against any infringement on the just rights of the States Over the objects and sub jects intrusted to Congress, its legislative authority is supreme, liut here mai au thority leases, and every citizeu who truly loves the Constitution, and desires the continuance of its existence and blessings, will resolutely and firmly resist any inter ference in those domestic affairs, which the Constitution has clearly and unequiv ocally left to the exclusive authority of the States. And every such citizen will also deprecate useless irritation among the several members of the Union, and all re proach and crimination tending to alienate one portion of the countiy from another. The beauty of our system of Government consists, and its safety and durability must consist, in avoiding mutual collisions and encroachments, and in the regular separate action of all, while each is revoking in its own distinct orbit. The Constitution has made it the duty of the President to take care that the laws be faithfully executed. In a Government like ours, in which all laws are passed by a majority of the representatives of the people, and these representatives are cho sen for such short periods, that any injuri ous or obnoxious law can very soon be repealed, it would appear unlikely that any great numbers should be found ready to resist the execution of the laws. But it must be borne in mind that the country is extensive, that there may be local interests or prejudices rendering a law odious in one part, which is not so in another, and that the thoughtless and inconsiderate, misled by their passions, or their imagina tions, may be induced madly to resist such laws as they disapprove. Such persons should recollect that, without law, there can be no real practical liberty; that, when law is trampled under foot, tyranny rules, whether it appears in the form of a milita ry despotism or of popular violence. The law is the only sure protection of the weak, and the only efficient restraint upon the strong. When impartially and faith fully administered, none is beneath its protection, and none above its control. You, gentlemen, and the country may be assured, that to the utmost of my abiity, and to the' extent of the power vested in me, I shall at all times, and in all places, take care that the laws be faithfully exe cuted. In the discharge ot this duty, sol emnly imposed upon me by the Constitu tion, and by my oath of office, I shall shrink from no responsibility, and shall endeavor to meet events as they may arise, with firmness, as well as with prudence and discretion. The appointing power is one of the most delicate with which the Executive is in vested. I regard it as a sacred trust, to be exercised with the sole view of advancing the prosperity and happiness of the people. It shall be my effort to elevate the standard of official employment, by selecting for places of importance individuals fitted for the posts to which they are assigned, by their knowu integrity, talents, and virtues. In so extensive a country, with so great a 1 t j- population, ana wnerc lew persons ap pointed to office can be known to the ap pointing power, mistakes will sometimes unavoidably happen, and unfortunate ap pointments be made, notwithstanding the greatest care. In such cases, the power of removal may be properly exercised; and neglect of duty or malfeasance in office will be no more tolerated in individuals appoint ed by myself than in those appointed br others. I am happy in being able to say that no unfavorable change in our foreign relations has taken place since the message at the opening of the last session of Congress. We are at peace with all nations, and we enjoy in an eminent degree the blessings of that peace, in a prosperous and growing commerce, and in all the forms of amicable national intercourse. The unexampled growth of the country, the present amount oi its population, ana its ample means ot self-protection, assure for it the respect of an nations;- while it is trusted that its char acter for justice and a regard to the rights of ower states, will cause that respect to be readily and cheerfully paid. - A convention was negotiated between the united Mates and Great Britain, in April last, for facilitating and protecting the con struction of a ship canal between the Atlan tic and Pacific Oceans, and for other pur poses. This instrument has since been ratified by the contracting parties, the ex change of ratifications has been effected, and proclamation thereof has been duly maae. In addition to the stipulations contained in this convention, two other objects remain to be accomplished between the contracting powers First, the designation and establishment ol a tree pot t at each end ol tho canal; Second, an agreement fixing the distance from the shore within which belligerent maratimo operations shall not be carried on. On these points there is little doubt that the two governments will come to an under standing. The company of citizens of the United States who have acquired from the State of ixicaragua the privilege of constructing a "T ueiween the two oceans, through Itje territory of that State, have made nro- gres3 in their preliminary arrangements. i ne xreaiy oeiween tne United States and Great liritam, ot the. 19th of April lat. .L..:.r.. j w - - . u?:?;??? :-. it - ': r.-A?'U ? -Jl"ta UAiteS.-Stitesiaftd tlv delicate -jne .-5" pletion of the work with all practicable ex pedition. It is obvious (hat the result would be indefinitely postponed, if any otherthan peaceful measures, for the purpose of har monizing conflicting claims to territory in that quarter, should be adopted. It will consequently be my endeavor to cause any further negotiations on the part of this gov ernment, which may- be requisite for this purpose, to be so conducted as to bring them to a speedy and successful close. Some unavoidable delay has occurred, arising from distance and the difficulty of intercourse between this government and that of Nicaragua, but, as intelligence has jrst been received of the appointment ofan Envoj' Extraordinary and Minister Pleni -potentiary of that Government to reside at Washington, whose arrival may soon be expected, it is hoped that no further impede iments will be experienced in the prompt transaction of business between the two Governments. I Citizens of the United Slates have un dertaken the connexion of the two oceans by means of a railroad across the Isthmus of Tehauntepec, under grants of the Mex ican Government to a citizen of the Re public. It is understood that a thorough survey of the course of the communica tion is in preparation, and there is every reason to expect that it will be prosecuted with characteristic energy,- especially when -that Government shall have, con sented to such stipulations to the Govern ment of the United "States as may be ne cessary to impart a feeling of. security to those, woo may embark their property in the enterprise. Negotiations ire pend ing for the accomplishment of ttat object, and a hope is confidently entcrliined that! when the Government of Mexico shall become duly sensible of the advantages' which that country cannot fail to derive! from the work, and learn thai the Gov-j ernment of the United Stales dtsires that1 the right of sovereignty of Mexico in the isthmus shall remain unimpaired, the stipul?tions referred to will beagreed to with alacrity. By the last advices from Mexico it woald appear, however, that tie govern ment entertains strong objectiiiis to some of the stipulations which the parties con cerned in the project of the rajlroad deem necessary for their protection and secu rity, Further consideration, it is to be hoped, or some modification of terms, may yet reconcile the differences exist ing between the two governments in this respect. Fresh instructions, have recently been given to the Minister of the United States in Mexico, who is prosecuting the object with promptitude and ability. Although the negotiations with Portu gal, for the payment of claimt of citizens of the U. S. against the Government, have not yet resulted in a formal treaty, yet a proposition made by the Govern ment of Portugal for the final adjustment and payment of thoso claims, has, recent ly been accepted on the part of the United States. It gires me pleasure to say that Mr. Clay, to whom the negotiation 5n the part of the United Slates had been en trusted, discharged the duties of his ap pointment with ability and discretion, acting always witnin the instructions of his Government. It is expected that a regular convention will be immediately negotiated for carry ing the agreement between t lie lvo Gov ernments into effect. Thn commissioner appointed under the act of Congress for carrying into effect the convention with Brazil, on die 27th of January, 1S49, has entered upon the performance of the duties imposed upon him by that act. It is hoped that those duties may be completed within the time which it prescribes. The documents. however, which the Imperial Govern ment, by the third article of the conven tion, stipulates to furnish to the- Govern ment of the United States,' have not yet oeen received. As it is presumed that those documents will be essential for the correct disposition of the claims, it mav become necessary for Consrress to extend the period limited for the duration cf ihe commission. the sum stipulated by tho 4th article of the convention to be paid to this Government has been received. The collection in the ports of the Uni ted otates ot discriminating duties upon the vessels of Chili and their cargoes has been suspended, pursuant to the provs sions of the act of Congress of the 21tb' of May, 1S23. It is to be honed "that this measure will impart a fresh impulse to the commerce between the two countries which of late, and especially since our acquisition of California,- has to the mu tual advantage of the parlies,' been much augmented. . .- Penrviaa guano has become so desira ble an article to the- agricultural .interest of the United States that it is the duty of the Government to employ all the means properly in its power for for the purpose ot causing that article to be imported into the country al a reasonable price. Noth inff will.be omitted on, my part towards accomplishing this desirablo end. I am persuaded that in removing any restraints oa this traffic, the Peruvian government will promote its own best interests, while it will afford a proof of a friendly dispo sition to.wards this country, which will be duly appreciated. The Treaty between the United States an4 Hw-Majesty the King of the Hawa iian Islands, which has recently been made public, will, it is-believed, : have a beneficial effect- upon the relations be tween the two" countries. . The relations between, those parts of the Island ofSt. Domingo, which were formerly - colonies of. Spain and. France, restively, are still in an unsettled con tiou involved in the existing controversy there, render it desirable that it should be permanently and speedily adjusted. The interests of humanity and. of general com merce also demaad this; and, .as intima tions of the same sentiment have been received from other Governments, it is hoped that some plan may soon be devi sed to effect the objeci .jn a manner likely. to give 'general -satisfaction. The Government of the Udited States will not) fail, by the exercise of all proper friend ly offices, to do all in its power to put an end to the destructive war which has rpged between the different parts of the island, and to secure to them both the benefits of peace and commerce. 1 refer vou to the report ot the bacretary of of the Treasury for a detailed statement jot the finances. - The total receipts into the Treasury, for the year ending 30th of June last, were forty.seven million four hundred and twenty one thousand seven hundred and forty-eight dollars and nine. ly ccr.ts, (47,421.748 90.) the total expenditures uurtng the tainei pe riod were forty-three million two thousand one hundred and sixty eight -dollars and ninety cents, (43,002.168 90.) The public debt has been reduced, si nee the last annual report from the Treasury Depart ment, four hundred and ninety-five thousand l wo hundred and seventy-six dollars and seven- ty. nine cents, (495. 276 79 ) . Iiy the 19th section of tho act of 23th Ja nu. arv. 1S4V, tuo proceeds ot the sales ot the pu'diti lands were pledged for the interest and principal of the public debt The great amount of those lands subsequently granted by Con gress for military bounties, will, it is believed, very nearly supply the public demand for sev eral jears to come, and but lillfo reliance can, therefore, bo placed on that hitherto fruitlul source of revenue. Aside from the permanent annual expendi tures, winch have necessarily largely increcsed. a portiou of the public debt, amounting to eight million seventy. rivo thousand nine hundred and eighty-six dollars and fifty. nine cents ($8 075,- 33b 59j must be provided for within the next two fiscal years. It is most desirable that these accruing demands should be met without re sorting to new loans. All experience has demonstrated the wisdom and policy of raising a large portion of reve nue, Tor the support ol Government, Irom du ties on goods imported. The power to lay these duties is unquestionable, and its chief object, of courso, is to Replenish the treasury. Cat if, in doinr this, an incidental advantage may be gained by encouraging the industry of our own citizens, it is our duty to avail our selves of that advantage. A duty laid upon an article which cannot be produced in this country such as tea or coffee, adds to the cost of the article, and is chteUy or wholly paid by the consumer, But & duty laid upon an arlicl which may fc? produced here, stimulates the skill and industry of our own country to produce the same articles. which is brought into the market in com pet i tion with the foreign article, and the importer is thus compelled to reduce his price to that, at which the domestic article can be sold , there y throwing a part of the duty upon the pro. ducer of the foreign article. The continuance ot this process creates the skill, and invites the capital, which finally enable us to produce the article much cheaper than it could have been procured from abroad, thereby beneStl ing both the producer and the consumer at home. The consequence of this, is that the artisan, and the agriculturalist, are brought together, each affords already market for the produce of the wilier, the whole country becomes prosperous; and the ability lo produce every necessary ot life renders us independent in war as well as in peace. A high tariff can never be permanent. It will cause dissatisfaction and will be changed. It excludes competition, and therebv Invites the investment of capital in manufactures, to such excess, that when changed it brings distress, bank ruptcy and ruin, upon ail who have been misled bv its faithless protection. What the manufacturer wants, is uniformity and permanency, that he may feel a confidence that he is not to be ruined by sudden chances. But to make a tariff! uniform and permanent, it is not only necessary that the law should not be al tered, but that the duty should not fluc tuate. To effect this, all duties should be specific, whenever the nature of the article is such as to admit of it. Ad val orem duties fluctuate with the price, and offer strong temptations to fraud and per jury. Specific duties, on the contrary. are equal and uniform in all ports, and at all times, and offer a strong inducement to the importer to bring the best article, as he pays no more duty upon that, than upon one of inferior quality. I therefore strongly recommend a mod ification of the present tarifl, which has prostrated some ot our most important and necessary manufactures, and that specific duties be imposed sufficient to raise the requisite revenue, making such discrimination in favor of the industrial pursuits of our own country as to encour age home production, without excluding foreign competition. It is also important that an unfortunate provision in the pres ent tariff which imposes a much higher duty upon the raw material that -enters into our manufactures than upon the manufactured article, should be remedied The papers accompanying the report of the Secretary of the I reasury .will dis close frauds attempted upon the revenue in variety and amount so creat, as to justify the conclusion that it is impossi ble, under any system of ad valorem du ties levied upon the foreign cos: or value of the article, to secure an honest obser vance and an effectual administration of the laws. The fraudulent devises to evade the law, which have been detected by tbe vigilance of the appraisers, leave no room to doubt that similar impositions not discovered, to a large amount have been successfully practiced since the en-, actment of the law now ia force. . This state of things has already had a prejudi cial influence upon those engaged in for eign commerce. It has a tendency to drive the honest trader from the business of importing, and throw that important branch of employment into the hands of unscrupulous and dishonest men. who are alike regardless of law and the obli gations of an path. " By these means the pain iiTtcnnony'ct Corigrcss, aj express ed in the law, are daily defeated. Every motive of policy and duty, therefore, im pel me lo ask the earnest attention of Congress to this subject. If Congress should deem it unwise to attempt any important changes in the system of levy ing duties at this session, it will become indispensable to the protection of the rev enue that such remedies, as in the judg ment of. Congress, may mitigate the evils! complained ot. snouia oe at once cm- ployed. As before stated, specific duties would in my opinion, afford the most . perfect remedy for this evil; but, if you should not concur in this view, then, as a par tial remedy, I beg leave respectfully to recommend that, instead of taking the in voice of the article abroad as a means of determining its value here, the correct ness of which invoice it is in many cases impossible to verify, the law be so changed as to require a home valuation or appraisal, to be regulated in such man ner as to give, as far as practicable, uni formity in the several ports. There being no mint in California I am intormed that the laborers in the mines are compelled to dispose of their gold dust at a large discount. This ap pears to me to be a heavy and unjust tax upon the labor of those employed in ex tracting this precious metal; and I doubt not you will be disposed at the earliest period possible, to relieve them from i: by the establishment of a mint. In the same time, as an assay er's office is estab lished there, I would respectfully submit for your consideration the propriety of au thorizing gold buflion, which has been essayed and stamped, to be received in payment of government dues. I cannot conceive that the treasury would suffer any loss by such a provision, which will at once raise bullion to its pure value, and thereby save (if I am rightly inform ed) many millions of dollars to the labor-' ers which are now paid in brokerage to convert this precious metal into available funds. This discount upon their hard earnings is a heavy tax, and every effort should be made by the Government to relieve them from so great a burden. More than three-fourths of our popula tion are encaged in the cultivation of the soil. The commercial, manufactur ing, and navigating interests are all, to a great extent, dependent on the agricultu ral. It is, therefore, the most important interest of the nation, and has a just claim to the fcslffing care and protection of the Government, so far as they can be exten- ded consistently with the provisions . . . . . . r the Constitution. As this cannot beis in cavalry, and I recommend that Con done by the ordinary modes of legislation I respectfully recommend the establish ment of an Agricultural Bureau, to be charged with the duty of giving to this leading branch of American industry the encouragement which it so well deserves In view of the immense mineral resources of our country, provision .should also be made for the employment of a competent mineralogist and chemist, who should be required, under the direction of the head of the bureau, to collect specimens of the various minerals of our country, and to ascertain, by careful analysis, their, re spective elements and properties, and their adaption to useful put poses. He should also be required to examine and report upon the qual ties of the different soils, and the manures best calculated to improve their productiveness. By pub lishing the results of such experiments, with suitable explanations, and by the collection and distribution of rare seeds and plants, with instructions as to the best system of cultivation, much may be done to promote this great national interest. In compliance with an act cf Congress passed on the 23d of May, 1950, provi ding amort other things, for taking the seventh census, a superintendent was ap pointed, and all other measures adopted which were deemed necessary to ensure the prompt and faithful performance of that duty. The appropriation already made will, it is believed, be sufficient to defray the whole expense of the work; but further legislation may be necessary in regard to the compensation of some of the marshals of the lcrritories. It will also be proper to make provisions by a.w at an early day, for the publication of such abstracts of the returns as the pub lic interests may require. The unprecedented growth of our Territories on the Pacific in wealth and population, and the consequent increase ot their social and" commercial relations with the Atlantic States, seem to render it the duty of the Government to use all its constitutional power to improve the means of intercourse with them. The importance of opening a. line of commu nication, the best and most expeditious of which the nature of the country will ad rnit," between the valley of the Missis sippi and the Pacific, was brought to your notice by my predecessor, in his an nual message; and as the reasons which he presented in favor of the measure still exist in full force, I beg leave to call your attention to them, and to repeat the re commendation then made by him. The uncertainty which exists in regard to the validity of. land titles in California is a subject which demands your early consideration. Large bodies of land in that State, are - claimed under grants said to have been made by authority of the Spanish and Mexican Governments. Many of these have not been perfected, others have been, revoked, and some 'are believedto be .fraudulent. But until they shall ; have been iudicially investigated. they will continue to retard the settlement and improvement of the country. I, therefore, respectfully recommend that provision be made by law, for the appoint ment of commissioners to examine all such clim. w'zli a mc' of their final adjust- ment. I also beg. leave to call yr atieEUoc to the propriety of extending. &i m earf day. our system of land laws, with syca mollifications as may be necessary over the State of California. and territories of Utah and New Mexico. The miner! lands of California will, of course, foro ac exception to any general system which may be adopted. Various methods of disposing of them have been" suggested. I was at first inclined to favor the .system of leasing, as it seemed to promise the larger revenue Jo Government, and to afford the best security against monopolies; bat fiy. ther reflection, and our experience ia leas ing the lead mines and selling lands upon credit, have brought my mind to the con clusion that there would be great difficul ty in collecting the rents, and that the re. lation of debtor and creditor, between the citizens and the Government, would h attended with many mischevlous conse quences. I therefore recommend that, stead of retaining the mineral lands'mde: the permanent control of the Government, they be divided into small parcels and ioU under such restrictions, as to qu.tnty and time, as will insure the best price, anj guard most effectually against combina tions of capitalists to obtain monopolies. The annexation of Texas and the ac quisition of California and New Mexito have given increased importance to C"r Indian relations. The various' tribes brought under our jurisdiction by these en largements of our boundaries are estima ted to embrace a population of one hun dred and twenty-four thousand. - Texas and New Mexico are surround ed by powerful tribes of Indians, who are the source of constant terror and annoy ance to the inhabitants. Separating into small predatory bands, and always mount ed, they overran the country, devastating farms, destroying crops, driving off whole herds of cattle, and occasionally murder ing the inhabitants or carrying them into captivity. - The great roads leading into the country, are infested wjththem, where by travelling is rendered ex'remely dan gerous, and immigration is almost entirely arrested. The Mexican frontier, which, by the 11th article of the treaty of Gn d?lupe Hidalgo, we are bound to protect against the Indians within our border, i exposed to these invasions, equally with our own. The military force stationed iii that country, (although forming a large proportion of the army,) is represented a entirely inadequate to our own protection and the fulfilment of the treaty stipulations with Mexico. The principal deficiencv gress should, at as early a period as prac ticable, provide for the raisiug of one or more regiments of mounted men. For further suggestions on this subject', and others connected with our domestic interests, and the defence of our frontier, I refer you to the report of the Secretary of the In'crior and of the Secretary of War. . ' . I commend also to your favorable con sideration the suggestion contained m the last mentioned report, and in the letter of the general-in-chicf, relative to the cstab lishment of an asylum for the reliel of disabled and destitute soldiers. . Thii subject appeals so strongly lo your sym pathies that it would be superfluous in me to say anything more, than barely to express my cordial approbation cf the proposed object. The navy continues to give protection to our commerce and other national inter ests in the different quarters of the globe, and with, the exception of a single sream er'on the Northern lakes, the vessels in commission are distributed m six different squadrons. The report of the head of that Depart ment will exhibit the services of these squadrons and of the several vessels em ployed ia each durinz the past year. It is a source of gratification that, while they have been constantly prepared Tor any hostile emergency, they have every where met with the respect md courtesy, due as well to the diznity as to the peacelut a- positions and just purposes of the nation. ti a u: .. . : ..Mnirl - Kv the government from a generous citizen of York and placed under command of officer of the navy, to proceed totbe Arciw seas in quest of the British commander. Sir John Franklin, and his companions, in compliance with the act of Congress, a?- proved in Mav last, had wnen lasi cn.. from penetrated into a nign nonncrnu'' tude; but the success of this noble atf humane enterprise is yet uncertain. 1 invite your attention to the iey ot present naval establishment and resources p' sented in the report of the Secretary of Navy, and the suggestions therein made If its improvement, together with the Tiaval po ' cy recom mended for th security 6r-our ri cific Coast, and the protection and extensijB of our commerce with Eastern ' Afia. far facilities for a larger participation in th in of the East, by means of eur recon..r.-!-nle',l' on tho shorts of lha Pacific, arc toa obviow to be overlooked or disregarded. " The questions in relation to rsnk ia jf af my ana navy, ana relative rans. oc . of the two branches of tho serv v, to the Executive by certain reso JUons ot )- linn.. r R.n..niiii,. at the - st nf rtontrr. have been submrHe to tww r fRr I h branch of tlio service, H,.;, r-nort mav be expected at an early - - . i I of a also arneatly recommend i.ie enacw law authorising officers of 4he aniij navy to be retired from ine service, -competent for its vigorous and- ctty dat:. taking care to make suitable ppviioa w those who have faithfully served ineireountr and awarding distinction, bv rota-ninj PPr prists commands.those who have been prl,c"' larlv conspicuous for gsllantry and good cor duct. While tho oblieation of the c tuntry " maintain at.d honor those who. to the exci' of other pursuits, have devoted themseli its arduous service, this obligation h?Ul, K remitted to interfere with the efQien-J tne service men. service itself. -,,,,., am s'ified in t'0 Wo to taW th, Jnjates f crpni!itor- for tbo P.ivr :u .- - I 6l!t - . . - .- v - .
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