HOUBTAIH SEHTIHSL.
Andrew J. F.hey, Editor.
EDEXSRURG, PA.
Thnrstlay, Dttrmbtr 9, 1852.
Tlie Cabinet of GeJi. Pierce.
The great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Las
long been regarded the battle-ground of every
important poetical contest, and, during times of
trouble and moments of despair, when the peace
f the Union was endangered and murmurs of
discontent were heard in high places on account
of the sectional dissensions raging in various
Hon. David Tod of Ohio.
Years ago, in the state of Ohio, we were un
der the employ of a firm of which the gentleman
above named was a partner, and from a short
residence in the community in which he then re
sided, and still resides, we inclined to the opin
ion that David Tod was no ordinary man.
An examination of his public services, since that
time, has strengthened our opinion of him, and,
while the record of his public acts presents no
blemish, the unalterable affection exhibited to
wards him by his neighbors on account of hispu
rity and honesty of character, stands forth prom
inently as a strong argument in his behalf. When
such a man is spoken of for a high and honora-
IRCSIDE3iT'S MESSAGE.
Fellow citizens of the Senate
and of the House of Representatives :
The brief space which has elapsed since the
close ot your last session nas been marked Dy
but that, on the contrary, I should regard its
incorporation into the Union at the present time
as fraught with serious peril.
Were this island comparatively destitute of
inhabitants, or occupied by a kindred race, I
should regard it. if voluntarily ceded by Spain,
no extraordinary political event. "Hie quadren-j as a most desirable acquisition. Put, under ex-
nial election ol Chief Magistrate has passed offjisting circumstances, I should look upon its in-
witb less than the usual exciteir ejt. However ; corporation into our Union as a very hazardous
individuals and parties mav hr.ve been disap
pointed in the result, it is nevertheless a subject
measure It would bring into the Confederacy
a population of a different national stock, epeak-
of nation! congratulation that the choice has ing a different language, and not likely to bar
been effected by the independent suffrages of ajmomze with the other members. It would pro
free people, undisturbed by t'jose influences j babl v affect in a prejudicial manner the industri-
northern and southern localities, the action of! ble position, there is a pleasure in saying some
her people came with healing upon its wings, to
denote to the millions of Union-loving men of
the Nation that the old Keystone would main
tain the compact of our fathers the Constitu
tion, and take the lead in establishing upon a
firm and solid basis the compact of 1850 the
Compromise Acts. This was effectually done in
1851 at our State election, when the Democracy
o completely routed the opponents of the Con
stitution and the bitter foes of the Compromise,
and by so doing paved the way for the utter
prostration of the whig party in 1852. Natu
rally, much interest is manifested towards our
State for the noble part she bore in the political
engagements of the past few years, and for her
gallant conduct in the late contest for the Pres
idency, and the all-absorbing question is, who
will Pennsylvania urge for an appointment in
the cabinet of Gen. Pierce? Where all have
faithfully performed their duty mere preferences
for men should be avoided. All have the right
to press the name of those who embody the Jef
fersouian standard of capacity and honesty uni
ted to an unswerving democracy. If their de
mands are unheeded there is no just cause of
complaint. Among the most prominent names
mentioned in connection with cabinet appoint
ments we notice those of Hon. James Buchanan,
Hon. William Biglkr, Hon. William Wilkixs,
Gen. Robert Patterson", and George W. Wood
ward. These gentlemen did their duty during
the late campaign and their names will be ur
ge! strongly by their respective friends.
If Mr. Buchanan desires the appointment
which he held and transacted the duties of with
o much credit and in so statesmanlike a man
ner during the administration of the lamented
Folk, we unhesitatingly prefer him above all
ethers. That he possesses the full confidence and
esteem of a large majority of the democracy of
Pennsylvania cannot be denied by his most bit
ter foe, and his sterling honesty, brilliant capa
city and complete knowledge of the affairs of
government cannot be questioned or doubted by
any man. Whether he would accept an appoint
ment if preferred him, we much doubt ; lu3
circumstances and position place him above all
pecuniary considerations, and honor it wouh
not be to him, who, in all the various position
he has been placed, made his name and fame
part and parcel of the history of the Republic
and identified them with the most praiseworthy
administration our country has had for half a
century. We regret to see by the Ilarrisburg
Union, that Gov. Bigler positively declines an
appointment, for no man in the State is more
dtserving of the gratitude of the Union Democ
racy of the country than our most excellent
Governor. His iafatigable efforts in behalf
of the good of the State and the interests of his
party entitle him to universal commendation.
Hon. Wm. Wilkixs and Gen. Patterson are
both excellent and worthy men, fully competent
to fulfil the duties of the situations for which they
are named by their friends, and did we not be
lieve that Pennsylvania deserves the Premier
ehip for her first gun in October last, we would
most cordially advocate the appointment of one
of these gentlemen. Pennsylvania with her
twenty -seven electors, her 20,000 majoiity, her
immense resources and her position in the con
federacy is justly entitledto peculiar considera
tion from the incoming administration. Her
decided majority in October for Woodward and
Hopkins inspired confidence and vigor in the
Democracy throughout the Linon, and seived
as a beacon to lead them on to certain victory in
November. She fought the battle in October for
the sake of her candidates and for the sake of
ber "democratic brethren of the Union ; she
nobly won and her example was all-powerful.
The intestine commotions among the democracy
cf the mighty State of New York indicate that
hr chances lor a cabinet appointment are ex
tremely doubtful. The selection of a Barnbur
ner would offend the old Hunkers and rice versa.
To somo extent such is the fading in Pennsylva
jiia. Of course it is expected that at least one
If net both these gieat States will havo a rep
resentation in the next Cabinet, and if but one,
the probability is that it will be Pennsylvania.
Should Mr. Buchanan and Gov. Bigler decline
the eyes of the people of this State will be di
rected to the Hon. George W. Woodward. He
is the representative of no faction or friction of
the parly, as the majority he received in Octo
ber conclusively proves, and his unniistakeable
capability and honesty no one doubts. His pop
ularity has been tested and fully endorsed by
the people ; he is of the right age, has the in
dustry, energy and commanding talents to make
an useful and efficient cabinet minister. We
Lave conversed with a number of prominent
democrats from various parts of the Sbute, all
of whom unite in saying that as their second
choice the selection of Judge Woodward wouM
be peculiarly acceptable and entirely satisfacto
thing in his favor, nDd we therefore publish the
following article taken from the Hollidaysburg
Standard, all of which we cheerfully endorse,
and hope he may be selected as one of the coun
sellors and advisors of President Pierce :
The name of this distinguished democrat and
statesman has been mentioned by a number of
democratic pnpers in Pennsylvania, and by the
democ ratic press of Ohio generally, in connex
ion with the office of Secretary of the Interior
a situation for which Mr. Tod is eminently qual-
6 ed by talents of a high order and the experi
ence of many years. We have known Mr. Tod
by reputation for a number of years back, and
have always heard him spoken of by those who
know him intimately, as a gentleman, a states
man, and a ripe scholar.
He was appointed by the late lamented Pres
ident Polk. Bnvov Extraordinary. Minister
Plenipotentiary, &c, &c, near the coast of Bra
zil, in which capacity Mr. Tod acquitted himself
in a manner which reflected honor upon his
country and himself; and such was the popular
ity of Mr. Tod as a foreiim minister, that he
was suffered to remain at the coast of Brazil un
til about a year ago, when he was recalled at his
own request, when the Hon. Mr. Schenk, of
Ohio, was nrpointed to take his place.
Durin2 Mr. Tod's residence near the coast of
Brazil, he succeeded in settling the long defer
red claims of American citizens, who had suffer
ed great losses during the revolution of 1824,
when the yoke of Portugal was thrown off by
the Brazilian people, and their present Emperor
Don. Pedro II, was proclaimed Emperor of Bra
zil. Those claims of our merchants, amounting
to a very large sum, bad been urged upon the
attention of the Brazilian government year after
year, by all his predecessors, from the year
1824 down to the year 184G, when Mr. Tod took
charse of the mission, without success. Mr.
Tod, by his admirable address and consummate
skill as a diplomatist, succeeded iu 1818 in set
tling these claims, and the money has been sub
sequently paid by the government of Brazil.
He also succeeded in negotiating an impor
tant commercial treaty with the Brazilian gov
ernment, which is now in full force; from which
a rich harvest will be reapt by our merchants
trading with the latter country, and by which
also an immense trade has been secured to our
country.
We know of no man in the country that we
would rather see called to the Secretaryship of
the Interior, or any other cabinet office, than
the Hon. David Tod, of Ohio, because we feel
assured that in bringing into his Cabinet such
men as David Tod, President Pierce will be
availing himself of the first minds of the country.
We have not the pleasure of a personal acquain
tance with the gentleman whose name heads this
article, nor have we been solicited to speak a
word in his praise by any one, we do it as a sim
ple act of justice to a deserving democrat and a
gentleman who would bring dignity and talents
to any station he might be appointed to.
P. C. SUaunon, Esq.
Gov. Bigler has appointed this gentlemen Tre
sident Judge of the District Court of Alleghe
uy county, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the
decease of that estimable man, Hon. Baiter
Forward. The Governor has been fortunate in
selecting our young friend to fill so important
a station. Be believe him to be able, compe
tent and worthy of the office, and his rare tal
ents and ability will enable him to discharge the
duties of the same with credit and distinction.
The appointment gives universal satisfaction,
and we doubt not but that in dispensing justice
and administering the law Judge Shannon will
prove to be faithful, efficient and impartial,
aiming to do justice to all and establishing for
himself a solid and praiseworthy reputation.
Proceedings of Conrl.
So far, Thursday noon, a number of cases
have been disposed of, the most important of
which are the following. Com., va M. M'Crad
den Indictment for the larceny of a watch
chain. Hutchinson for Com.. Macrehan and Al-
c
bright for dtft. verdict guilty. Com. vs
Jacob Hicks. Indictment for the larceny of
some butter and a quilt. Hutchinson and Web
ster for Com., Magellan for deft, verdict not
guilty. Com. vs John Lumerix. Indict
ment for adultry. Magehan & T. L. Ileyer for
Com. ; Capt. Heyer and Wingard for deft, ver
dict guilty. Com. vs John Shearman. In
dictment for the larceny of a sledge hammer
&.c. ; Hutchinson and Kopelin for the Com.,
Heed for deft. Verdict, Guilty. Com. vs
I'uilip Olwine. Ind-.ctmeut for Robbery. Coff-
Tl Klcetoral College.
The Electoral College of this State met at
Ilarrisburg on the 1st inst ; all the electors be
ing present except Gen. Jos. McDonald, of this
county (who was detuned by sickness) iu whose
place John C. O'Neill, Es p., was substituted by
the Electors. Wilson M'Candless, Esq., of Pitts
burg was unanimously chosed President of the
College, and W. V. M'Kean, Esq., of Philadel
phia, Secretary. The 2 Electoral votes of
Pennsylvania were cast for Franklin Pierce, for
President, and Wm. It. King, for Vice President:
Gen. Robert Patterson was selected to bear the
returm to Washington. At the adjournment the
'resident delivered a beautiful address.
ey and Reed for Com., Magehan and Hasson for
deit. verdict, not giuity. This was a case in
which much humor was shown. A traveller
who came originally from Erin's Green Isle, re
mained over night at the house of defendant.
paid his bill, in the morning and left.
feoon after, the landlady in making the bed.
disc overed an unusual number of insects, which
the honest Hibernian had shaken off his
ranium thinkmg them a pest, and the "man of
tha house" followed the Btranger and "took him
n to the extent of a V, to pay damages &c.
Suit was brought to recover the money. Dur
ing the trial one of the counsel for the defendant
astonished the court by the following bold and
significant declaration!: "Gentlemen of the
jury, the country is in danger, the institutions
of the country are in danger, if these red-head
ed sago men are allowed to bring their lice into
the country. This, gentlemen, is a sober, sol
emn truth." Vie went home and quietly load
encd our pop-gun to be prepared for a war. On
Hie other hand, one of the counsel for the Com..
boMIy declared, "that every emigrant has the
inalienable right uuuer the constitution to bring
to these shores all the lice he can, and further
more that it was not agreed that the prosecu
tor, when he asked for a bed, should pay for
extra lodgers." The case produced much mer
riment to the audience and considerable scratch
ing and lilinj between the lawyer?. Com.
vs. Philip Olwine. Indictment for keeping a
tippling house. Verdict guilty. Fined $25
and costs. Albright and Hutchinson for Com.,
Magehan aud Ilassou for deft. Com. vs
Bolweavers, surety of the peace. Case dismiss
ed after the evidence was partly gone through
with. A large number of Com. cases are yet to
come up and no ctTil causes will be tried this
week.
which in other countries have too often affected
the purity cf popular elections.
Our grateful thanks are due to an All-merci
ful Providence, not cnly for staying the pesti
lence which iu different hrms bus desolated some
of our cities, but for crowning the labors of the
husbandman with an abunda'.it harvest, and the
nation generally with the ble ssings of peace and
prosperity.
Within a few weeks the pi iblic mind has been
deeply affected by the death of Daniel Webster,
filling at his decease the of Ece of Secretary of
State. His associates in th e Executive govern
ment have sincerely sympathized with his fami
ly and the public generally on this mournful oc
casion. His commanding ts lents, his great po
litical and professional eminence, his well-tried
patriotism, and his long an d faithful services,
in the most important publi c trusts, have caus
ed his death to be lamented throughout the coun
try, and have earned for him a lasting place in
our history.
In the course of the last sumnfer considerable
anxiety was caused for a short time by an official
iutimatiou from the government of Great Bri
tain that orders had been given for the protec
tion of the fisheries upon the coasts of the Brit
ish provinces in North Am erica against the alle
ged encroachments of the fishing vessels of the
United States and France. The shortness of
this notice and the season of the year seemed to
make it a matter of urgent importance. It was
at first apprehended tha t an increased naval
force Lad been ordered to the fishing grounds to
carry into enect tuc L.nt.ish interpretation ot
those provisions in the convention of 1818, in
reference to the true intent of which the two
governments differ. It was soon discovered that
such was not the design of Great Britain, and
satisfactory explanations of the real objects of
the measure have been given both here and in
London.
The unadjusted difference, however, between
the two governments as to the interpretation of
the first article of the convention of 1818 is still
a m itter of importance. American fishing ves
sels within nine or ten years have been exclud
ed from waters to which they had free access
for twenty-five years alter the negotiation of the
treaty. In lbo tins exclusion was relaxed so
far as concerns the Bay of Fundy, but the just
and liberal intention of the Home government,
in compliance with what we think the true cou
stru ;tion of the convention, to open all the other
ou te r bays to our fishermen, was abandoned, in
cojis equence cf the opposition of the colonies.
Notvfithstanding this, the United 'States have,
since the Bay of Fundy was reopened to our
fishermen in 1845, pursued the most liberal
cours e toward the colonial fishing interests.
By tl te revenue law of 1816, the duties on colo
nial lish entering our ports were very greatly
reduced, and by the warehousing act it is allow
ed to be entered iu bond without payment of
duty. In this way colonial fish has acquired the ,
mono poly of the export trade in our market and
is ent ericg to some extent into the home con-
sump tion. Jlhese tacts were among those which
increa sed the sensibility of our fishing interest,
at the movement in question.
The sc circumstances and the incidents above
allurie d to have led me to think the moment fa
vorabl e for a reconsideration of the entire sub
ject of the fisheries on the coasts of the British
provin ;es, with a view to place them upon a
more li beral footing of reciprcal privilege.
A willi ngness to meet us in some arrangement
of this kind is understood to exist, on the part
of G re; it Britain, with a desirs on her part to
include in one comprehensiv settlement, as
well thia subject as the commercial intercourse
betwt en the United States and the British pro
vinces i. I have thought that whatever arrange
ments may be made on these two subjects, it is
expedient that they should be embraced in sep
arate e -n ventions. The illness and death of the
late Seer Jtaryof State prevented the commence
ment of lie contemplated negotiation. Pains
have been taken to collect the information re
quired for the details of such an arrangement.
The subject is attended with considerabre diffi
culty. If it is found practicable to come to an
agreement mutually acceptable to the two par
ties, couven tions may be concluded in the course
of the presunt winter. The control of Congress
over all the provisions of such an arrangement,
affecting the revenue, will of course be reserved.
The affairs: of Cuba formed a prominent top
ic in my last annual meesage. They remain in
an uneasy co ndition, and a feeling of alarm and
irritation on t he part of the Cuban authorities
appears to exist. This feeling has interfered
with the reeul.ir commercial intercourse between
the United St. ites and the island, aud led to
some acts of w Inch we have aright to complain
But the Captain General of Cuba is clothed with
no power to treat with foreisrn sovcrnnients, nor
is he in any degree under the control of the
Spanish Minister at Washington. Any commu
nication which 1: e may hold with an agent of a
foreign power is informal and matter of courte
sy. Anxious to "put an end to the existing in
conveniences, (which seemed 1o rest on a mis
conception,) 1 turected the newly-appointed
.Minister to Mexico to visit Havana, on his way
to Vera Cruz. He was respectfully received by
the Captain General, who conferred with him
freely on the recent occurrences ; but no perma
nent arrangement was effected.
In the meau time, the refusal of the Captain
General to allow passengers aud the mail to be
landed in certain cases, for a reason which does
not furnish ia the opinion of this Government
even a good presumptive ground for such a pro
hibition, has been made the subject of a 6erious
remonstrance at Madrid ; and 1 have no reason
to doubt that due respect will be paid by the
government of Her Catholic Majesty to the repre
sentations which our Minister has been instruc
ted to make ou the subject.
It is but justice to the Captain General to add,
that his conduct toward the steamers employed
to carry the mails of the United States to Ha
vana has, with the exceptions above alluded to,
been marked with kindness and liberally, and
indicates no general purpose of interfering with
the commerci al correspondence and intercourse
between the l stand and this country.
Early in the present year official notes were
received from the Ministers of France aud Eng
land, inviting the Government of the United
States to becojie a party with Great Britain and
France to a tripartite Convention, in virtue of
which three powers should severally and collec
tively disclaim, now and for the future, all in
tention to obtain possession of the Island of
Cuba, and should bind themselves to disconnte-
nance all attempts to that effect on the part of
any power or individual whatever. This invita
tion has been respectfully declined, for reasons
which it would occupy too much space in this
communication to state in detail, but which led
me to think that the proposed measure would be
of doubtful constitutionality, impolitic, and un
availing. I have, however, in common with sev
eral of my predecessors, directed the Ministers
of France and England to be assured that tho
United States entertain no designs against Cuba ;
su interests o: tne fcouth ; and it might revue
those conflicts of opinion between the different
sections of the country, which lately shook the
Union to its centre, and which have been so
happily compromised.
The rejection by the Mexican Congress of the
Convention which had been concluded between
that Republic and tlie United States, for the
protection of a transit way across the Isthmus
of Tehuantepec and of the interests of those
citizens of the United States who had become
proprietors of the rights which Mexico had con
ferred on one of her own citizens in regard to
that transit, has thrown a serious obstacle in
the way of the attainment of a very desirable
national object. I am still willing to hope that
the differences on the subject which exist, or
may hereafter arise, between the governments,
will be amicably adjusted. This subject, how
ever, has already engaged the attention of the
Senate of the United States, and requires no
further comment in this communication.
The settlement of the question respecting the
port of San Juan de Nicaragua, and of the con
troversy between the republics of Costa Rica
and Nicaragua in regard to their boundaries,
was considered indispensable to the commence
ment of the ship canal between the two oceans, j
which was the subject of the Convention between
the United States and Great Britain of the 10th
of April, 1850. Accordingly a proposition for
the same purposes addressed to the two govern
ments in that quarter, and to the Mosquito In
dians, was agreed to in April last by the Secre-
the advantages will not be confined to the Uni- pellcd to resort to very uu
ted States, but, as in the case of China, will be to ascertain what thtcost
equally enjoyed by all the other maritime pow
ers. 1 have much satifaction in stating that in
all the steps preparatory to this expedition the
Government of the United States has been ma
terially aided by the good offices of the King af
the Netherlands, the only European power hav
ing any commercial relations with Japan.
In passing from this survey of our foreign re
lations, 1 invite the attention of Congress to the
condition of that dopaitment ot the Government
to which this branch of the public business is
entrusted. Our intercourse with foreign powers
has of late years greatly increased, both in con
sequences of our own growth and the introduc
tion of many new States into the family of na
tions. Iu this way the Department of State has
become overburdened. It has, by tlie recent es
tablishment of the Department of the Interior,
bceu relieved of some portion of the domestic
business. If the residue of the business of that
kind, such as the distribution of Congressional
documents, the keeping, publishing and distrib
ution of the laws of the United Slates, the exe
cution of the copyright law, the subject of re
prieves and pardons, and some other subjects
relating to interior administration, should be
transferred from the Department of .State, it
would unquestionably be for the benefit of the
public tcrvice. I would also suggest that the
buiiding appropriated to the State Department,
is not fire proof; that there is reason to thiLk
there are defects in its construction, and that
the archives of tlie Government in charge of the
Department, with the precious collections of the
manuscript papers of Washington, Jefferson,
Hamilton, Madison, and Monroe, are exposed to
destruction by fire. A similar remark may be
made of the buildings appropriated to the War
and Navy Departments.
Ihe condition of the Treasury is exhibited in
the annual report from that Department,
The cash reccips into the Treasury for the fis
cal year ending the 30th June last, exclusive el
trust fuuds, were foity-niue millions seven hun
dred aud twenty eight thousand three hundred
and eightv-six doilari and eighty-nine cents,
satisfactory ,;,
was. Thev I V ?
invoice of the importer, attested by Lis oatl
the best evidence of which the nature of xLe V
admits. But every one must ri. i,. C:!s
in-
every one must see that fi.
voice may be fabricated, aud the onth V,. i
it is supported false, by reason of which" t. T
honest importer pays a part only of .be d-.'r
winch are paid by the honest one, an 1 thr.
directly receives from the treasury of tho v, ,
States a reward for v,i ...r. Ln'H
........ ...... irrjurv. Ti
Itl'UI LS lilt .-Sl'I'VfM yv .1 1 n.
f. rc maue ou this subject show conclusively ,C"
these fn.uds have been practiced to a crc't
tent. The tendency is to destroy that hH, J1'
ihI character lor which our merchant - ,
beon H.fiTi(riiiulirt.l . .7. - ... i .1
: -'"..-.j , .u wvn.iuu me uoveriini,vi
of its revenue; and break down the ln.intij,,r
ter by a dishonest competition ; and, firmi'i T
and irresponsive r.gtfcts, to the rreat detrmif!
of our own citizens. 1 therefore npa'n L
fftmostlv iccoinunt thec?o! tion of .l; .
iff
tiry of State and the Minister of l.er Britanic ! (19,728, b':l;,K,) and the cxpci.d. lures tor tLe
Majesty. Beside the wish to aid iu reconciling same period, liktwic-e exclusive of trut-t funda,
he differences of the two republics, I engaged j were iorty six millions s even thousand cighi
in the negotiation from a desire to place the j hundred and ninety six dollars v.ud twenty cents
great work oi a ship canal between the two
oceans under one jurisdiction, and to establish
the important port of San Juan de Nicaragua
under the government of a civilized power. The
proposition in question was assented to by Costa
($4o,Ou7,bfj(j 20 ;) of hith nine millions four
hundred and fifty-five thousand eight hundred
and fifteen dollars and eighty-three cents (',
455,815 8?!) v.a on account of the pruicii ul anl
interest of the public ut bt, including the last iu-
Rica and the Miosquito Indians. It has not pro- ! stalment of the indemnity to Mexico, under the
ved equally acceptable to Nicaragua, but it is ' treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, leaving a balance
to be hoped that the further negotiation" on the ! of J14.U32,13'J 27 in the Treasury on tlie first i
subject which are in train will be carried on in jday of July last. Since this latter period, fur
that spirit ot conciliation and compromise which i ther rurcaases ot the principal ot tne puouc
ought always to prevail on such occasions, and
that they will lead to a saticfacory result.
1 have the satisfaction to inform you that the
executive government of Veuzuela has acknowl
edged some claims of citizens of the United
States, which have for many years past been
urged by our charge d'atfairs at Caraccas. It
is hoped that the same sense of justice will ac
tuate the Congress of that Republic iu provid
ing the means for their payment.
The recent revolution in Buenos Ayres and the
confederated States having opened the prospect
of an improved state of things in that quarter,
the governments of Great Britain and France
determined to negotiate with the chief of the
new Confederacy for the free access of their
commerce to the extensive countries watered by
the tributaries of- the La Plata ; and thev cave
a friendly notice of this purpose to tlie United
States, that we might if we thought proper pur
sue the same course. In compliance with this
invitation, our minister at Rio Jajierio and our
charge d'atfairs at Buenos Ayrcs have been fully
authorized to conclude treaties vith the newly
organized Confederation, or the States compo
sing it. The delays which have taken place in
the formation of the new government have as
yet prevented the execution of those instruc
tions ; but there is every reason to hope that
these vast countries will be eventually opened to
our commerce.
A treaty of commerce has leen concluded be
tween the United States and the Oriental Re
public of Uruguay, which v ill be laid before the
Senate. Should this Convention go into opera
tion, it will open to the commercial enterprise of
our citizens a country of great extent and un
surpassed in natural resources, but from which
foreign nations have hithe:rto been almost whol
ly excluded.
The correspondence of the late Secretary of
State with the Peruvian charge d'atfairs relative
to the Lobos Islauds was communicated to Con
gress toward the close of the last session. Since
that time, on further investigation of the sub
ject, the doubts wuich had been entertained of
the title of Peru to those islands have been re
moved ; and I have deemed it just that the
temporary wrong which had been unintentional
ly done her, from want of information, should
be repaired by an unreserved acknowledgment,
of her sovereignty.
I have the satisfaction to inform you that the
course pursued by Peru has been creditable to
the liberality ot her government. Lcforeitwas
known by her that h er title would be aeknowl-
edged at Washington, her Minister of Foreign
Affairs had authorized our charge d'atfairs at
Lima to announce to the American vessels which
had gone to the hobos for guano, that the Peru
vian Government v as willing to freight them on
its own account. This intention has been car
ried into effect by the Peruvian Minister here,
by an arrangement which is believed to be ad
vantageous to the parties in interest.
Our settlements on the shores of the Pacific
have already .jiven a great extension, and in
some respects it new direction, to our commerce
in that ocean. A direct and rapidly-increasing
intercourse 1ms sprung tip with Eastern Asia.
The waters of the Northern Pacific, even into
the Arctic sea, have of late years been frequen
ted by our whalemen. The application of steam
to the general purposes of navigation is becom
ing daily more common, and makes it desirable
to obtain fuel e nd other necessary supplies ut
convenient points einthe reute between Asia and
our Pacific shores. Our unfortunate country
men who from tin: e to time suffer shipwreck on
the coasts of the ;astern seas are entitled to
protection. Be sides these specific objects, the
general prosperity of our States on the Pacific
reqiures that an at tempt should be made to open
the opposite regions of Asia to a mutually ben
eficial intercourse. It is obvious that this at
tempt could be i na de by no power to so great
advantage as by the United States, whose con
stitutional system excludes every idea of distant
colonial dependencies. I have accordingly been
led to order an ap propnate naval force to Japan
under the comma n J of a discreet and intelligent
officer of the higlusst rank known to cur service.
He is iustructed to endeavor to obtain from the
governmext of that country some relaxation of
the inhospitable and anti-social system which it
has pursued for about two centuries. He has
been directed particularly to remonstrate in the
strongest language against the cruel treatment
to which our shiyvn-ecked mariners have often
been subjected, and to insist that they suall be
treated with hunia nity. He is instructed how
ever at the same time to give that government
the amplest assurances that the objects of the
United States are such and such only as 1 have
indicated, and that the expedition is friendly
and peaceful. N otwithstaadiug the jealousy
with which tho governments of Eastern Asia re
gard all overtures from foreigners, I am not
without hopes of a beneficial result of the ex-i
pedition. Should it be crowned with bucccsss,
debt have been ruide to the extent of two iuiii
ions lour hundred and fitty six thousand live
hundred and IV.rty-sevcn dollars and furtj'-nine
cents, (nj4.',Ji5j7 4'J,) and the surplus in the
Treasury will continue to be applied to that ob
ject, whenever the stock can be procured within
the limits, as to price, authorized by law.
The value of foreign merchandise ituporteu
during the last fiscal year was two hundred and
seven millions two hundred and forty thousand
one hundred and one dollars, (i t7,21',l8l ;)
and the value of domestic productions exported
was one hundred aud forty-nine millions eight
hundre4 and sixty-one thousand nine hundred
aud eleven dollars," (SlPJ.Slil.Vll ;) besides sev
enteen millions two hundred and four thousand
and twenty-six dollars (17,204,020) of foreign
merchandise exported ; making the aggregate
of the entire exports oae hun lred and sixty-seven
millions sixty five thousand nine huudred and
thirty-seven dollars, (1C7,UG5,9G7 ;) exclusive
of the ubove there was exported forty-two ludl
ious five hundred and seven thousand to hun
dred and eighty five dollars (42,507,285; in
specie; aud imported from foreign ports five
millions two huudred and sixty-two thousand
six hundred aud forty-three dollars, ($5,202,
042.) In my first annual messnge to Congress I cal.
led your attention to vi hat seemed to me some
defects iu the present tariff, and recommended
such modifications as in my judgment were best
adapted to remedy its evils an 1 promote the
prosperity of the country. Nothing has since
occurred to chatige my views on this important
question.
Without repeating the arguments contained in
my former message, in favor of discriminating
protective duties, I deem it my duty to call your
attention to one or two other considerations aff
ecting this subject. The firbt is, the cfiect of
large importations of foreign goods upon our
currency. Most of the gold of California, as
fast as it is coiued, finds its way directly to Eu
rope in payment for goods purchased. In the
second place, as our manufacturing establish
ments are broken down by competition with
foreigners, the capital invested in them is lost,
thousand of lwnest and industrious citizens are
thrown out of employment, and the farmer to
that extent is deprived of a home market for the
sale of his surplus produce. In the third place,
the destruction of our manufactures leaves the
foreigner without competition iu our market,
and he consequently raises the p-rice of the arti
cle sent here for sale, as is now seen iu the in
creased cost of iron imported from England.
The prosperity and wealth of every nation must
depend upon its productive industry. The far
mer is stimulated to exertion bv finding a ready
market for his surplus products, and benefitted
t.PS ttliPrfVOF ? ic r 1.. .
. ' " pawa.jiiu-, ur a nouie vu'-i
atu.n, to prevent these frauds.
I would also again call your attrition t0 ,
.act that the present tariff in some discs iinr
es a higher duty upon the raw material h,.,!
e l than upon the article manufactured fro ,
the ccDsequ. nce of which is that the duty ,
rates to tLe encouragem. i.t of the fori-ii-V,
the discoumgcmi nt of our own eiiie,ls
Fe.r full and de tailed ii.foirniitii.n in rr-r l -the
r-pnrrnl n?.ri;-.n . r . ?. i- .'-"iJ'0
' v" "'Ulan jii'.:jrs j
Fpcctft.dy refer you to the report e.f the St.
Vl interior ana the acccmpan v;u
uments.
The Senate not Laving thought proper m
ify the treaties which bud been iictl'ted with
the tribes cf Indians in California .....,..,
emr relations with them have bceu hit iu a ve:r
unsatisfactory condition. v
Iu other parts of our territory particular Q'j.
tricts cf country have been set apart for the- a.
elusive occupation of the Indians, and
rijtht to tlie lands within those limits h.s U.
acknowledged and respected, hut iu Ca:i:,,r;.;
and Oregon there has be en no lvc gi iti, u l j
the Government of the exclusive rI.t ofiLj L.
uians to any part of the country. They hra
therefore mere tenants at severance, niid'hVu
........ ..vu. 10 j'.att, ut i-.iej iei.oU.-g
of the whites.
The treaties which have been rejected pr..pj.
sel t remedy this evil by allotting to the u:S
treiit triJ.i-K districts of coin. try suitable tu tla;r
habits of life, mid fcuHicieut for their support. -This
provish n, more than any other, it is h!t.
ved, led to their flection; and as no substitute
.. : l. . l i . ..i i ... . i
ui ii uccu iiuoj'ieu iy v ongi e.'.s, ll Jias i, ;
been elce-iucd advi.-ub'er to attempt to enter i;.:,
new treaties of a permanent character, ulih. j..
no eliort has been spared by temporary arrait.
uients to preserve friendly relations with tl,-.-
If it be the desire of Congress to remove tL
froiu the couutry altogether, or to as.-i-'j t.
them paitivul.ir districts more remote lroiu tU
i'-ttiemeiits of the whites, it will be proper t"!.-:
part by law the territory which t' - j . ..
copy, and to provide the means l , . .-i ;
removing tlieui to it. Justice alike to our on
l iiizens and to the Indians requires the piuiu:
actiou of Congress on this subject.
The amendment!) proposed by the Senate, tj
the treaties which were negotiated with the s.
oux lu'Li ius of Minnesota, have been siibiniitvl
to the tribes who were paif es to ihe-in.i.nj i.u'.e
received their assent. A large tract of vaiuilie
territory has thus been ope-ued for s ttiiinc;
and cultivation, and all danger of coiiiriuii vlu
these powerful and warlike bauds has been Lum
pily removed.
The leinoval of the remnant of the tribe tf
Seminole Indians f rom Florida has Jung U u
chuished ol ject of the Government, and it :j
one to which my attention has beeu bte-aiiiiy di
rected. Admonished by i.ast e'xieruu-..- u.' ::.t
difficulty and cost of the attempt toieiiib ; u
by military force, resort has been had to i ....
latory measures. By the invitation of the I i
missioner of Indian Affairs several of thej:.:.
cipal chiefs recently visited Washington, i.-i
whilst here acknowledged iu writing tlie ol;.r.
tion of tiieir tribe to remove with the least p.
b'.e delfl'. hate advices from the special :;).'-:
of the Government represent that they iniLcrt
to their promise, and that a council of their peo
ple has beeu called to make their prcliuiiua"
arrangements. A general emigration nnj
tlierclore be confidently expected at uu ear.;
day.
Tlie report from the General hand (ir.ee
shows increased activity in its eperatioirs. Jie
survey of tlie northern boundary of Iowa hi
beei completed with unexampled despi.teh.
Wilhiu tlie last year 522,'J5;J acres ol puui:
land have been .surveyed, and S,Oo2,-ibo i.cr
brought into market. Iu the last fiscal yur
there were
sold 2,558,071 acre
hocated with bounty land war
rants . o,2tl,314
hocated with other certificates 115,0b2
Making a total of 4,b70,Uo7 "
In addition, there were
Rcj'oi te d under swamp laud
prints 5,2K',I53 "
For internal improvements,
raiirouds, otc ;',,C25,020 "
Making an
of 13,115,175
there were sold 213,255 acrtJ-
Located with bounty laud war
rants 1,3S7 11G "
hocated with other certificates 15,04'J "
Reported under swamp laud
gratis
2,4S5
Being an increase iu the amount of land so.
by being able to cxchnuge them, without loss el land ioc.iled under land warrants of oo (J
time or expense of transportation, for the man-1 cres over tlie previous year,
ufactures which his comfort or convenience re-j The whole uu.uuut tuus sold, located tm 'i
quires. This is always done to the best advau- land warrants, reported under swamp land gi'-i':j
tage where a portion of the community in which 'mi I selected for internal improvements, eice'-
he lives is engaged in other pursuits. But most j that of the previous year by G, 312,372 atr -;
manufactures require mi amount of capital and ar:d the salts would, without eloiibt, Ji.ne
a practical skill which cuunot be commanded, j much larger but for the extensive reserv.ib
unless they be protected for a time from ruiu- j for railroads iu Missouri, Mississippi, aua Alc
ona competition lrom abroad, hence the neccs-j baiua.-
sity of laying those duties upon imported goods j For the quarter ending COth September,
which the Constitution authorizes for revenue,
iu such a manner as to protect aud encourage
tho labor of our own citizens. Duties however
should not be fixed at a rate so high as to ex
clude the foreign article, but should be so grad
uated as to enable the domestic mauuiacturer
fairly to compete with the foreigner iu our own
markets, and by this competition to reduce tlie
price of the manufactured article to the consu
mer to the lowest rate at which it can be pro
duced. This polie-y would place the mechanic
by the side ef the farmer, create a mutual in
terchange of their respective commodities, aud
thus stimulate the industry of the whole coun
try, and render us independent of foreigu na
tions for the supplies required by th habits or
necessities of the people.
Another epucstion, wholly independent of pro
tection, presents itself, aud that is, whether the
duties levied should be upon the value of the
article at the place of shipment, or where it is
practicable', a epecific duty, graduated according
to quantity, as ascertained by weight or meas
ure. All our duties are at present ad valorum.
A certain per ceutage is levied on the price of
the goods at the port of shipment in a foreign
couutry. Most commercial nations have found
it indispcnsible, for the purpose of preventing
fraud and perjury, to make the duties specific j .,. ,....,..,,,. f,r iNfl'ulivCI1'
wlii-npver the article is of such a uniform value . J ... ' fc v .
in weight or measure as to justify such a duty.
Legislation should never encourage dishonesty
or crime. It is impossible that the revenue off
icers at the port where the goods are entered
aud the dutie's paid should know with certainty
what they cost in the foreign couutry. Yet the
Making an aggregate for the
quarter of 4,131,253 "
Much the larger portion of the labor of tf'
ranging and classifying the returns otlbel'
census has been finished, audit will uor Jevu
. ... . .. ....I.- .1 l.rnVlj.
uuoii voiigress 10 make me ucccoa.nj i
tor the publication of the results iu sui;a
as shall be dccuied best.
The apportionment of representation,
on
ye
i
....!..; .!... tnl.-.eci.
IClUllllLl lO IUUI a-'-J--
elections have been made iu
basis of the new census, has been inaue
Secretary of the Interior in couforuiity iU
lav
provisions ol
the recent
dance with it.
" "" " J""" c c ,
I .1... ll
.1 III 111 I. II I 'I A .
-ird tie
suirirestiou contaiuc
S i rui-.rv tlw. Ttiti.vJf tb:it. tiroVlsie'iu
" J I- .;
made by law fcr the publication aI!J
trilmti.-in r.rinflir-.il!v. e.f ill! aua)vlICU'
gost of all the jiateuts which have h'u!
,aw requires that they should levy tho duty ac-
Col uio, w cum vooi. ah- ait tun ciuic vuui
tious una discoveries, with sucu
tinne nrwl il !if r:i t i 11S Q3 UlUV be lH'Ct'
lW,llMlU..U.;w..8r J.
'I I... f. T . 1 1 L. Li t
xne; ve3fc j i .
turc and operation
lication could easily be defrayed out
ded that
patent fund, and 1 am pcrsua
could be applied to no object more