BIT A ... . - . II-' ' - I I."--- ;$ V. J v - -i. ... - . A: 50 4 .1 lW-i -l tU-., -. I ---- A s '7 tJ - THE BLESSINGS OP OOYIEtiraElST; LIKE THE DEWS OF HEAVES', SHOULD BE DISTEIBTOp AUSE BTCJ THE XaTQH ASTD THE lOt?- THE Hid ATD THE POOS. BBHBtJStG,; JNC3xRY-:9,; 1850. .t'-c w- aiCT R TTR!ST; '"'. : ; . . . . . it v . : II I I I I, J : i . . . . I I Ywr I t . i III I I I II " w - :T:',.:-v:T.B:Il.M:;.;.:j THE -DBilOCBAT & STINEL, U pubtwh . dver? WeJaeUy morning, in Ebensburgi Cambria C j., Pa;, at 4 L -50 per annum, if paid is AOVkVcr. if not $2 will bo charged. i ADiStiriS3M3.VT3 will ba conspicuously in- Bcrtel at tho following rates, via : i ; .1 jare 3 iniiertions, ' Pery subacnoat irutrtlon, t 3 qur 3 months, l " 6 " ; " I yar, 1 00 25 5 00 00 12 00 20 00 15 00 6 00, ' col'n 1 year. 'jhTwelve lines constitute a square. PRESIDENT S MESSAGE. FeUou-citizcni of the Senate and House of Iiepfesentativet ': Th constitution of the United State pro- Iridit' thHt. Oaarcsi shall asaauible auqaaliyJ on t'ae first Mouday cf Decaiaber, and it naa ecen usail f r tha President to make no com 'inuuication of a piiblitt charaitof to the Senate ani IIousj of Representatives until advised of 1 their realinoss to rueeive it I haFe deferred to this usage until the close of thi first month .of the session, but my convictions of duty will toot permit mo longer to postpone the discharge of tha obligation enjoyned by the constitution upon the President, "to givo to the Congress in formation of the state of the Union, and re-, .commend to their consideration such measures a ! e shall judge necessary and expedient." . -..It is matter of congratulation that the Jle ;pablw.is tranquilly advancing in a career of .prosperity and peace. rOaSIUN RELATIONS CZXTttAI. AME3ICU . Whilst relations of amity continue to exist brtween the U. Stat;3 and til foreign powers, irith snoe of them grave questions are depen ding, which mny require the consideration of Congrebs. 1"'. Of such qaestions, the most important is tint which has arisen out of the negotiations " viih Crieat Britain in refereuco to Central A- nicrica. By tha convention concluded between the trro government on tho 19th of April, 1850, both parties covenanted, that neither will ever occupy, or fortify, or colonize, or assume, or exerciso acy dmuuioa over Nicaragua, Costa Rica, the Mosquito coast, or any part . of Central America." It was tho undoubted understanding of the United States, in making this treaty, that all tho present dtatss of the former republic of Cemral America, an 1 the entire territory of each, would thenceforth enjoy complete inde pendence ; aud that both contracting parties enga-sd equally, ar.ii l tho same extent, for the preseut and for the future ; that if either Vaen hi any claim of right in Central Ameri- ! a, such claim, and ail ocuupaiion or authori ty under it, wera unreservedly relinquished by the stipulations of the Convention ; and rtht-tfciouiiukn was-. thereafter tabe exerci sed or aas i . 1 in any part of Central Ameri ca, by Great liataiu or the United States. , This government consented to restrictions in regard tj a region of country, wherein we bad specific and peculiar interests, ouly upon the conviction that the like restrictions were in the same sense obligatory on Great Britain. -Hat for this understanding of the force and effect of the convention, it would never have teen concluded by us. So clear was this understanding on the part of the Uuited States, that, in correspondence contemporaneous with the ratification of the convention, it was distinctly expressed, that the mu'.ual covenants of non-occupation were not mtemled to apply to the lirutsb establish tnecr at the Balize. This qualification is to h ascribed to the fact, that, m virtue of suc cessive treaties with pre ious sovereigns of the .country. Great Britain bad obtained a conces sion of the right to cut mahogany or dye-woods at the Balize, but with positive exclusion of all domain or sovereignty ; and thus it confirms the natural construction and understood im port of the treaty as to all the rest of the re- . gion to which the stipulations applied.. It, however, became apparent at an farly I day, after entering upon the dibcharge of my present functions, that Great Britain still con tinued in the exercise or assertion of large au thority in all that part of Central America commonly called tho Mosquito coast, aud cov ering the entire length of the State of Nicar agua, and a part of Costa Rica ; that she re garded the Baiiz3 as her absolute domain, and . was gradually extendiug its limits at the ex t pense of the State of Honduras ; and that he iad formally colonized a considerable insular vgroup known as the Bay Islands, a.id belong ing, -of right, to that State. All these acts or pretensions cf Great Bri '' tain, being contrary to the rights of the States ' of Central America, and to the mauifest tenor of ber stipulations with the Uuited States, as understood by this government, have been : made the subject of negotiation through the American Minister in London. I transmit , herewith the instructions to him on tbe sub- ject, and the correspondence between hint and Xhe British Secretary for Foreign Affairs, by which you will perceive that the two govern- inents differ widely and irreconcilably as to - tha construction of the convention, and its ef . feet on their respective relations to Central America. Great Britain so construes tbe convention, ."fca to maintain unchanged all her previous pretensions over the Mosquito coast, and in : different parts of Central America. These pretensions, aa to tbe Mosquito coast, are . founded ou the assumption of political rela--r tions between Great Britain and tho remnant of a tribe of Indians on that coast, entered in- to at a time when tbe whole country was a colonial possession of Spain. -It cannot be ', successfully controverted, that, by the public , law of Europe and America; no possible act . pi audi Indians or taeir predecessors could confer on Great Britain any political rights. Great Britain does not allege tho assent of - opain as the origin of ber claims on the Mos- yuxa coast. She has. on the ontrarv. bv peate4 aa4; ' etj-oossite - trau, renounced and relinquished all pretensions of her own, and recognized tbe full and sovereign righta of Spain in the most unequivocal tonus. iYet these pretensions, po without solid foundation in the beginning, and thus repeatedly abjured, were, at a recent period,' revived by Great Britain against the Central American States, the legitimate successors to all the ancient ju risdiction of Spain in that region. They were first applied only to a defined part of the coast of Nicaragua, af:erwards to the whole of it3 Atlantic coast, and lastly to a part of tho coast of Costa Rica ; and they are now re asserted to this extent, notwithstanding en gagements to the United States. Oh the eastern coast of Nicaragua and Cos ta Rica, the interference of Great Britain, though exerted at one time in t he form of mil itary occupation of the port of San Juan del Norfcc, then in the peacefu' possession t tne appropriate authorities ef the Central Ameri- catr ciaies, is-now -prcscmcu vj u wo rightful exercise of a protectorship over the Mosquito tribe of Indians. - But the establishment at the Balize, now reaching far beyond its treaty limits into the State of Honduras, and that of the Bay Is lands,' appertaining of right to the eatne State, are as distinctly colonial governments as those of Jamaica or Canada, and therefore contrary to tho very letter as well as the spirit of the convention with the United States, as it was at the time of ratification, and now is under stood by this government. The interpretation which the British gov ernment, thus in assertion and act, persists in ascribing to the convention, entirely changes its character. Whilo it holds us to all our obligations, it in a great measure releases Great Britain from those, which constituted the consideration to this government for en tering into the convention. It is impossible, in my judgment, for tho United States to ac quiesce in such a construction of tho respec tive relations of the two governments to Cen tral America. To a renewed call by this government upon Great Britain, to abido by, and carry into ef fect, the stipulations of the convention accor ding to it3 obvious import, by withdrawing from the possession or colonization of portions of tbe Central American States of Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, the British gov ernment has at length replied, affirming that tho operation of the treaty is prospective only, and did not require Great Britain to abandon or contract any possessions held by her in Central America at the date of its conclusion. This reply substitutes a partial issue, in the place of the general one presented by the Uni ted States The British government passes over the question of the rights of Great Brit ain, real or supposed, in .Central America, and assumes that she had such rights at the date of tbe treaty, and that thoso rights com prehended tbe protectorship of the Mosquito ludians, the extended jurisdiction and limits of the" BairzeTand' lecotCtfTSSfTsXsmfT and thereupon proceeds by implication to in fer that;" if the , stipulations of the treaty be merely future in effect, Great Britain may still continue to bold the contested portions of Central America. The Uuited States cannot admit either the inference or tbe premises. We steadily deny that, at tbe date of tbe trea ty, Great Britain had any possessions there other than the limited and peculiar establish ments at the Balize, and maintain that, if she had any, they were surrendered by tbe con vention. This government, recognizing tho obliga tions of tbe t-eaty, has of course desired to sue it executed in eood faith by both parties. aud n.the discussion, therefore, baa not look- ! el to rights, which we might assert, indepen dently of the treaty, in consideration of our geographical positiou and of other circum ftanees, which create for us relations to the Central American States, different from those of any government of Europe, The British government, in its last commu nication, although well knowing the views of the Uuited States, still declares that it sees no reason why a conciliatory spirit may not enable the two governments to overcome all obstacles to a satisfactory adjustment. Assured of the correctness of the construe tion of the treaty constantly adhered to by this Government, and resolved to iusist o-i the rights of tbe United States, yet actuated also by the same desire, which is avowed by the British government, to remove all causes of serious misunderstanding between two na tions associated by so many ties of interest aud kindred, it has appeared to me proper not to consider an amicable solution of tbe controversy hopeless. . There u, however, reason to apprehend, that, with Great Britain in the actual occupa tion of the disputed territories, add tbe treaty then fore practically null . so far as regards our rights, this international dfficulty cannot long remain undetermined, without involving in serious danger the friendly relations, which it is the interest as well as tbe duty of both countries to cherish and preserve. It will af ford me sincere gratification, if future efforts shall result iu the success anticipated hereto fore with more confidence than the aspect of me case permits me now to entertain. ' . EF-CIUJITMEST. One other subject of discussion between the United States and Great Britain has grown out of the attempt, wiiieh tho exigencies of the war in which she is engaged with Russia induced ber to make, to draw recruits from the United States. : . . It is the traditional and settled policy of the United btates to maintain impartial neutrality during the wars which, from time to time, oc cur among the great powers of the world Jrerformin'; all tho duties of neutrality to wards - the -respective- belligerent states, -.we may reasonably expect them not to interfere with oar lawful eniovment of its benefits. Notwithstanding the existence of such bostil- itico, uur ciuzens retain tne individual ngut to continue all their accustomed pursuits, by land , or by sea, at borne or abroad," subject only to such restrictions . la thw,-.relation m the laws of war, the usage of nations, or spe cial treaties, may impose ; and it is our sov ereign right that our territory and jurisdiction sball not be invaded by either of the beiligcr-' ent parties, for the transit of their armies, the operation of their fleets tho levy of troops for their service, the fitting out of crnisers by or against either, or any other act or incident of war. And these undeniable rights of neu trality, individual or national, tbe United States will under no circumstances surrender. In pursuance of this policy, the laws of the United States do not forbid their citizens to sell to either of the belligerent powers articles contraband of war, or to take munitions of war or soldiers ou board their private ships foi transportation; and although, in so doing. the individual citizen exposes his property or person to some of tli3 hazards of war, bis acts do not involve any breach of national neutral- iity. nor of themselves implicate the eovern- nient. Thus, "during the progress . of the present ' war in Europe, our citizens have, without - national responsibility therefor, sold gunpowder and arms to all buyers, regardless of the destination of those articles. Our mer chantmen bave been, and still continue to be, largely employed by Great Britain and by France, in transporting troops, provisions, and munitions of war to the principal seat of military operations, and in bringing home their sick and wounded soldiers ; by such use of our mercantile marine 'w not interdicted either by the international, or by our munici pal law, aud therefore does uotcompromitour neutral relations with Russia. But our municipal law, in accordance with the law of nations, peremptorily forbids, not only foreigners, but our own citizens, to fit out, within the limits of the United btates, a vessel to commit hostilities against any state with which the United fctatcs are at peace, or to increase the force of any foreign armed vessel intended for such hostilities friendly state. 1 agamst a Whatever concern may bave been felt by either of the belligerent powers lest private armed cruisers, of other vessel?, in tbe service of one, might be fitted out in tbe ' ports of this country to depredate on the property of the other, all such fears have proved .o be utterly groundless. Our citizens bave been withheld from any such act or purpose by good faith and by respect for the law. While the laws of the Union are thus per emptory in their prohibition of the equipment or armament of belligerent cruisers in our ports, they provide not less, absolutely that no person shall, within the territory or jurisdic tion of the United States, enlist or enter him self, or hire or retain another person to enlist or enter himself, or to go beyond the limits or jurisdiction of the United States with in tent to be enlisted or entered, in the service of any foreign state, either as a soldier, or as a marine or seaman on beard of any vessel- 4-of-arr rt priv&tacr-wVnd- these enactments are also in strict conformity with tbe law of nations, which declares, that no state has tbe right to raise troops for land or sea service in aiother state without its con sent, and that, whether forbidden by the mu nicipal law or not, the very attempt to do it, without such consent, is an attack on the na tional sovereignty Such being the public rights and the muni cipal law of the United States, no solicitude on the suv iect was entertained by this gov ernment, when, a year since, the British Par liament passed an act to provide for the enlist ment of foreigners in the military service of Great Britain. Nothing on the face of the act, or in its public history, indicated that tho British government proposed to attempt re cruitment in the United States ; nor did it ever give intimation of such intention to this government. It was matter of surprise, there fore, to find, subsequently, that the engage ment of persons within the United States to proceed to Halifax, iu the British province of Nova Scotia, and there enlist in the service of Great Britain, was going on extensively, with little or no disguise. Ordinary legal steps were immediately taken to arrest and punish parties concerned, and so pat an end to acta infringing the mttnicipal law and dero gatory to our sovereignty. Meanwhile suita ble representations on tbe subject were ad dressed to the British government. Thereupon it became known, by tbe admis sion of the British government itself, that the attempt to draw recruits from this country originated with it, or at least had its approval and sanctiou ; but it also appeared that the public agents engaged in it had " stringeut instruction" not to violate the municipal law of the United States. . . It is difficult to understand bow it should have been supposed that troops could be raised here by Great Britain, without violation of the municipal law. The unmistakable object of the law was to prevent every such act, which, if performed, uiuat be either in viola tion of the law, or in studied evasion of it ; and, in either alternative, the act done would be alike injurious to the sovereignty of the United States. - - In the meantime, the matter acquired addi tional importance by tbe recruitments in the United States not being discontinued, and the disclosure of tbe fact that they were prosecu ted upon a systematic plan devised by official authority ; that recruiting rendezvous bad been opened in our principal cities, and de pots for tbe reception of recruits established on our frontier ; and the. whole business con ducted under tbe supervision and by the reg ular co-operation of British officers, civil and military, some in the North American provin ces, , and some in tbe United States. Tho complicity of those officers in an un iertakinsr. which could only be accomplished by defying our laws, throwing suspicion over our attitude of neutrality, and disregarding our terf itoYial rights, is conclusively proved by tbe evidence elicited on the trial of such of have been apprehended and convicted. Some of the officers thus implicated are of high offi oial position, and many of them beyond oar jurisdiction, so that legal proceedings could not reach the source of the mischief. , .These considerations, and the fact, that the cause of complaint was not a mere casual oc currence, but a deliberate design, entered up on with full nowlede of our laws and na tional policy and conducted by responsible pullitj, functionaries, impelled mo to present the ase to the British government, , in order so secure, not only a cessation of the wrong, but its reparation.' The subject is still under discussion, tbe result of which will be com municated to you in due time. I repeat the recommendation Fubmitted to the last Congress, that provision be mide for the appointment of a 'commissioner, in con nexion with Great Britain, to survey and es tablish tbe boundary line, which divides the Territory of Washington from tbe Contiguous British possesions. By reason of the extent and importance of the country in dispute. there hastecrr imtfrirtMrt -danger of collision between the subjects of Great Britain and the citizens of the United States, including their respective authorities in that quarter The prospect of a speedy arrangement has contri buted hitherto, to induce On both sides for bearance to assert by force what e icb claims as a right. Continuance cf delay on the part of the two governments to act in the matter will increase tbe dangers and duncuities of the controversy. Misunderstanding exst3 as to tbe extent, character, and vnlue of the possessory rights of the Hudson's Bay Company and tho prop erty of the Pugets Sound Agncultiiral Com- pany, reserved in our treaiy wua ureal unt- ain relative to th& lerntory or Uregon. 1 bave reason to believe that a cession of the rights of both companies to the United States, which would be the readiest mcaDS of termi nating all questions, can be obtained on reas onable terms; and, with a view to this end, I j resent the subject to the attention of Con gress. . IhU colony of 7ewfoandlandi having enac ted the laws require! by the treaty of the 5th of Juno. 1854, is now placed on tho same footing, in respect to commercial intercourse with the United States, as the other British North American proviuces. lhe commission, which that treaty contem plated, for determining the rights of fishery in rivers and mouths of rivers on the coasts of the United States and tho British North American provinces, ha9 been organized and has commenced its labor: to complete which there is needed further appropriations for the service of another season. ' socnd dces. T In pursuance of the authority, conferred by resolution of the Senate of the United States passed 6n tbe 3d of Mareh last, notice was given to Denmark, cn the 14th day of April, of the intention of this government to avail itself of the stipulation of the subsisting con vention of friendship, commerce, and naviga- j,, fcctweea thnt-Kingdom and the Uitd States, whereby either party might, after ten years, terminate tne same at tne expiration oi one year from the date of notice for that j ur pose. 1 he considerations which led me to call the attention of CoDgress to that convention, and induced the Senate to adopt the resolutions referred to, still continue in full force. The convention coo taint an article, which, although it does not directly engage the United States to submit to the imposition of tolls on the ves sels and cargoes of Americans passing into or from the Baltic sea, during the continuance of the treatyj yet may, by possibility, be con strued as implying sucb submission. Tbe exaction of those tolls not being justified by any principle of international law, it became tbe right ana the duty of tbe United States to j leiieve themselves from the implication of en gagement on jbe subject, so as to be perfectly free to act in the premises in Uuch way as their public interests and honor shall demand. I remain of tbe opinion that the United States ought not to submit the payment of the sound dues, not so much because of their amount, which is a secondary matter, but be j causo it is in ffeet tbe recognition of the right of Denmark to treat one of the great maratime highways of nations as a close sea, and tbe navigation of it as a privilege for which tribute may be imposed upon those who bave occasion to use it. This government, on a former occasion cot unlike the present, sisnalized its determina tion to maintain the freedom of the tseas, and of tbe ereat natural channels of navigation. The Barbary States had, for a long time coerced the payment of tribute from all na tions whose ships frequented the Mediterra nean. To the last demand of such payment made by them, the United States, although suffering less by their depredations than many other nations, returned tbe explicit answer, that we preferred war to tribute, and thus opined tbe way to the relief of the commerce of tbe world from an ignominious tax, so long submitted to by the more powerful nations of Europe. If the manner of payment of tbe sound dues differ from that of the tribute formerly conce ded to tbe Barbery States, still their exaction by Deumark has no' better foundation in right Each was, in its origin, nothing but a tax on a common natural right, extorted by those who were ' at that time able to obstruct tbe free and secure enjoyment of it, but who no longer possess that power. Denmark, while resisting our assertion of tbe freedom of the Baltic Sound and Belts, has indicated a readiness to make some new arrangement on tbe subject, end has invited the governments interested, including the United States, to be represented in a conven tion to assemble for the purposo of receiving aud - considering a proposition which she in tends to submit, for tbe capitalization of the sound dues, and tbe distribution of the sum to be paid,, as cam mutation among tbe govern ments, w according to the respective proposi tions of their maratime commerce to and from tbe Baltic. ' I bave declined iri behalf of tbe United State to accept this invitation, for - the most cogent reasons. One is, that Den mark does sot offer to submit to the conven tion tbe question of ber right to levy the Sound dues. A second is, that, if the con vention were allowed to take cognizance of that particular question, still it would not be competent to deal with the great international principle involved, 'which affects the right in other cases of navigation and commercial free dom, as well as that of access to the Baltic. Above all, by tho express terms of the prop osition it is contemplated, toat tbe considera tion of tbe sound dues shall be commingled with, and made subordinate to, a -matter wholly extraneous, the balance of power among the governments of Europe. While, however, rejecting this proposition, and insisting on the right of free transit into and from the Baltic, I bave expressed to Denmark a willingness, on tbe part of the United States, to bhare liberally with other powers in - compensating ber" for any advanta ges which ' commerce shall hereafter derive from expenditures made by ber for tbe im provement and safety of tbe navigation of the Sound or Belts. I lay before yon, herewith, sundry, docu ments on the subject, in which my views are more fully disclosed. Should no satisfactory arrangement be boon concluded, I shall agaiu call your attention to the subject,' with recom mendation of such measures as may appear to be required, in order to assert and securo the rights of the United States, so far as they are effected by the pretensions of Denmark. FRANCE. . I announce, with much gratification, that, since the adjournment of the list Congress, the question, then existing between this Gov ernment and that of France, , respecting the French consul at San Francisco, has been sat isfactorily determined, and that the relations of tbe two governments ccntinuo to be cf tbe most friendly nature. . gksecb : A question, also, which has been pending for several years between the United States and the Kingdom of Greece, growing out of tbe sequestration, by public authorities of that country, of property belpnging-to ibe present American consul at Athens, and which bad been tbe subject cf very earnest discussion heretofore, has recently been settled to the satisfaction of the party interested, and cf both governments. - . . EPA IX. With Spain, peaceful relations are still maintained, and some progress has been made in securing tbe redress f wrongs complained of by this Government: Spain has not only disavowed and disapproved the conduct of the officers who illegally seized and detained the steamer Black Warrior at Havana, but has also paid the sum claimed as indemnity for the less thereby inflicted on citizens of the United States. In consequence of a destructive hurricane -wfawrb-yiwt-4 Cuba im Hilt tbn ihsuui, ttt thority of that island issued a decree, permit ting the importation, for the period of s'.x months, of certain building materials and pro visions, free of duty, but revoked it when about half the period only had elapsed, to the injury of the citizens of thi United States, who had proceeded to ait on tho faith of that decree The Spanish government refused in demnification to tbe parties aggrieved until recently, when it was assented to. payment being promised to bo made sd soon as the amount due can be ascertained: Satisfaction claimed .for the arrest and search cf the steamer El Dorado La not yet been accorded, nut there is reason to believe that it will be, and that case, with others, con tinues to be urged on the attention of the Spanish Government. I do not abandon the hope of concluding with Spain some general arrangement, which, if - it do not wholly pre vent the recurrence of difficulties in Cuba, will render them less frequent, and whenever thej shall occur, tacmxaiu iiitir wore bpeeojr settlement. KBX1CO. The interposition of this government has been invoked by many cf its citizen?, on ac count of injuries dc'He to their persons and property, for which the Mexican republic is responsible. Tbe nuhappy situation of that coantry, for some time past, has not allowed its government to give due consideration to claims of private reparation, and baj appeared to call for and justify some forbearance in such matters on the part of this government. But, if the revolutionary movements, which have lately occurred in that republic, end in the organization of a stable government, ur gent appeals to its justice will then be made, and, it may be hoped, with sucoess, for the redress of all complaints of our citizens. . CENTRAL AMERICA. in regard to the American Republics, which, from their proximity and other considerations, have peculiar relations to this government, while it has been my constant aim ftrictly to obterve all the obligations of political friend ship and of good neighborhood, obstacles to this have arisen in some of theta, fioai their own insufficient power to cbeck lawless irrup tions, which in effect throws most of the task on tho Uuited States. Thus it is that the distracted internal condition of the State of Nicaragua has made it incumbent ct me to appeal to the good faith of our citizens to r fa stain frcfra Unlawful intervention in its a lairs, and to adopt preventive measures to tbe panic end, which, on a siartlar occasion, had the best results in reassuring the peace of the Mexican States Jof Sonero and Lower Cali fornia. TREATIES. Sinco the last session of Congrrs a treat of amity, commerce and navigation, and for the surrender of fugitive criminals, with the kingdom cf the Two Sicilies; a treaty of friendship, commerce and Bavfgatiih with Nicaragua!; and a convention of commercial reciprocity with the ITawaiin kingdom, have been negotiated, v The latter kingdom and the State of Nicaragua bave also acceded to a dec laration recognising as international right the prins:p'i3 contained ii tha coureraon W-twe'-n the Unltod. Sutou and RubMa of tiio 22d of July. 1854. Tkasa treaties and oon vec tions will be laid before tho Senate for rut incaiioa. . . . - TRSASCXT. The statements made. in my lt annual message, rcspectinc the antie'vatrd mseimA and expenditure of the Treasurr. Lavo L-ii subfctaiitially verified. It appears from the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, that the rcsaipta during tbe lastfiical year ending June S'J, 165, from all soirees, were sixty-five million three thou sand nine hundred and thirty dollars and that the pablio expenditures for tbe Eam'a period, exclude of payments cn account of the pub lic debt, amounted to fifty-ix million time hundred aud sixty-fivo thout-and thrco hun dred and niDety-three dollars. During tha same period, the- payments made in redemp tion cf the plib'.c dcttrtnclijdin interest aud premium. aruotSnlc-i to nine Ciillioa eight hun dred and forty-four thousand five Lucdred and twcnty-ciht'dllaxs. The balance in the Trensury tt the begin ning of the present fiscal year, July 1, 1&55, wes eighteen million nine hundred and thirty one thousand nine hundred and sevectv-cix dolars; tbe receipts for the first quarter and the estimated receipts for the remaining thrse quarters, amount, together, to sixty-sevea. mill ion nine hundred and tihtceti thousand seven hundred and thirty-four dollars; tbua affording in all, as tbe available resources of tbe current fiscal year, tbe sum of eighty-six million eight hundred and fifty-six thousand seven hundred and ten dollars. - If, -to the actual expenditures of tbe rst quarter of the current fiscal year be added the probable expenditures for the reEiaiung iLrta quaiters, ns estimated by tbe Secretary cf the Treasury, the sum total will bo seventy-one million two hundred and tweuty-sn'x thousand eight burdred and forty-six dollare, thereby leaving an estimated baknc in the treasury on July 1. 1856, of fifteen million tix hun dred and twenty-three tbotiarid eight hundred and sixty-three dvllars sd forty-one cclU. Iu the above estimated expenditures of th present fiscal year are included three uuiiioa dollars to meet the last insUdmcut of tbe ten millions provided for in the late treaty with Mexico, and seven miliious seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars appropriated on account of .the debt due to 'i'c-xus, b:ch tTO rams make an aggregate smouiit'.of ten niiilion soy en hundred aud f:y thousand doilara, and reduce the expenditures, actual or ta'a;4teJ, for ordinary objects cf lbo year, to the sum cf sixty million leur hundred and (oveoty-six thousand dollars Tho amount of tbe pullio debt, at tie com mencement of the present fiscal year, was for ty million five bundled and eighty-tbre thousand six hundred and thirty -one uoll&ri. and, deduction being oiade cf subsequent pay- -ttte&Wrtbc whole puuadL.t.4i,thd Inderal government remaining at this time is less than forty millions dollars The remnant of certain ether government stocks, amounting to tr.'o hundred and forty three thousand dollars, referred to in my last message as outstanding, has since been paid. I am fully persuaded that it would be diffi cult to devise a system superior to that by which the fiscal business of the government is now conducted. Notwithstanding the great number cf public agents of collection and dit bursement, it is believed that tbe checks aud guards provided,' including tbe requirement of month! returns, render it scarcely possible for any considerable fraud on tho part of those agents, or neglect involving Lazard of a seri ous public loss, to escape detection. I renew, however, the recommendation, beretDfora made by me, of tbe enactment of a law decla ring it felony on the part of public officers to insert false entries in their books of record or account, or to niako false returns, and also service to deliver to their successors all bocks, records, and other objects of a pcblis catars in their custody. Derived as our public revenue is, in chief part, from duties on imports, its magnitude affords gratifying evidercs cf tbe rrr.Fpcrity, not only of our ccmu-crce. but ef the other great interests upon which that depends. The principle that all monies not required for the current expenses c-f the government should remain for active employment in tha bands cf the people, scd the conspicuous fact that the annual revmue from rll srurccs ex ceeds, by many miliious of dollars, tbe sniotut needed for a prudent an'd tcoDdaiical admin istration of public affairs, cannot fail to sug gest the propriety of an early revision aud re duction of the tariff of dutuu on imports. It is now so generally conceded tbiit tho purpose of revenue alone can justify the imposition cf duties on imports, t'jat, in ieai?justiiig the im post tables and schedules, which unquestiona bly require essential modifications, a departure from the principles of the present tariff is no anticipated. . . ARMY. The array, during the past year Laa ben actively engaged in defending the Indian frontier, the state cf the service permitting but few aod small garrisons in car rcrmanect fortifications. . The additional rcimeLts au thorized at the last session of Congress Lave been recruited and organized, and a large portion of tbe troops have already been aent to the field. All tho dut;-?, which devolvo on tho military establishment, lave been ?at isfactorily performed, and tlis dr.ugers sad privations incident to lha chsraot-r sec vice re-quire of our troop bsve turni-hed ad ditional evid.nce of their courage, zeal, and capacity la meet cny requisition which their, coubtry nny umle upon them. For tbe de tails -i the military operations, the distribu tion of the troops, and additional provi'icca required for tha military service. I refer to the re-port of the Secretary of. War and these, ccnipauving document. . Experience, gathered from, cvtnts ainoe toy laat snnnsi mcacr baa but teTveitiwnflm
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