ted States, as contemplated by the orgauic
law of the Territory
Full information in relation to recent events
in this Territory will bo found in the docu
ments communicated herewith from the De
partments of State and War. ,
I refer you to the report of ths Secretary of
the Treasury for part icular in format ion con
cerning the final condition oCthe government,
and the various branches of the public service
connected with the Treasury Department.
During the last fiscal year . the . receipts
from customs, wcro. for the first time, more i
than $G4,000,000. and from nil. sources,
$73,918,141 ; which', with the balance on
hand up to the 1st of July, 1855, made the
otal resources of the year to amount to 02,
850,117. The expenditures, including $3,000,000
in execution of the treaty with Mexico, and
including sums paid on account of the public
debt, amounted to G0, 172,401 ; and in
cluding the latter, to $72,948,792, the pay
ment on this account having amounted to
$12,776,390.
Ou the 4th of March, 1S53, the amount
of the public debt was $09,129,939 There
was a subsequent increase of $1,750,000 for
the debt of Texas making a total cf 71,
879,937. Of this sum $45,525,319, inc'u
dincr premium, has been discharged, redu
cing the debt to $30,737,121 ; all which
ruigtt be paid within a year without cmbar-
raouinir tliA Tiiililif. Rfrvinf bnt hoin? not vet
ttatsii'Q v . j j o J
due. and only redeemable at the option of
the holder, cannot be pressed to payment
by the government.
On examining the expenditures of the last
five years, it will be seen that the average,
deducting payments on account of the public
debt and $10.000,000, ' paid by treaty to
Mexico, has been but about $48,000,000.
It is believed . that, under an economical ad
ministration of the government, the average
expenditure for the ensuing five - years will
not exceed that sum, unless extraordinary
occasion for its increase should occur.
The acts granting bounty lauds will Eoon
have been executed, while the extension of
our frontier settlements will cause a continued
demaud for lauds, and augmented receipts,
probably, from that source. These consider
ations will justify a reduction of revenue
from customs, bo as Dot to exceed 48 or 50
millions of dollars. I think tbe exigency for
such reduction is imperative, and again urge
it upon the consideration of Congress.
The amount of reduction, as well as the
manner of affecting it, are questions of great
industrial enterprise and public prosperity,
as WfU as the dictate of obvious justice, that
' the burden cf taxation bo made to rest as
equally as possible on all classes, and all
tactions and interests of the country.
I have heretofore recommended to your
consideration the revision , of the revenue
laws, prepared under the direction of the
Secretary of the Treasury, and also legisla
tion upon some special questions affecting the
business of that department, more especially
tho enactment of a law to punish the abstrac
tion of official books or papers from the files
of the government, and requiring all such
books and papers and all other public proper-
ty to be turned over Dy tne outgoing oitiecr
to his successor ; of a law requiring disburs
ing officers to deposit all public money in the
vaults of tho Treasury or in other legal de
positaries, where the same are conveniently
accessible ; and a law to extend existing pc
ral provisions to all persons who may become
poBsosaed of public money by deposit or oth
erwise, or who shall refuse or neglect, on due
demand, to pay the same into, the Treasury.
I invite your attention anew to each of these
projects
The army during the past year has been so
constantly employed against hostile Indians
in various quarters, that it can scarcely be
said, with, propriety of language, to have
been a peace establishment. Its duties have
been satisfactorily pcrtormed, and we have
reason to expect, as a result of the year's op
erations, greater security to the frontier iu-
Extensive combinations among the hostile In
dians of the Territories of Washington and
Oregon at one time threatened the devasta
tion of the newly-formed settlements of that
remote portion of the country.
- From receut information, we are permitted
to hope that the energetic and successful op
erations conducted there will prevent such
combinations in future, aad secure to those
Territories an opportunity to make steady
progress in the deTclopnieut of their agricul
tural and mineral resources.
Legislation has been rccoHmended by me
on previous occasions to cure defects in the
existing organization, and to increase the effi
ciency of the army, and furthor observation
has but Berved to confirni me in the views
then expressed, mid to enforce on my mind
the conviction that such measures aro not
only proper but necessary.
I. have, in addition, to invite tho attention
of Congress to a chauge of policy in the dis
tribution of troops, and to the necessity of
providing a more rapid increase of the mili
tary armament. For details of the? and
other subjects relating to tho army, I refer
to the report of the Secretary of War.
The condition of the navy is not merely
satisfactory, but exhibits the most gratifying
evidences of increased vigor. As it is com
paratively small, it is more importaut that it
should bo as complete as possible in all the
elements of streugth ; that it should be e3U
cient in the character of its officers, in tho
xeal and discipline of its men, in tho reliabili
ty of its ordnance, and in the capacity of its
. ships In all these various qualities the navy
ha mode great progress within tho last few
years.
The execution of the law of Congress, of
February 28, 1855, to promote the efiicien
cy of the navy," has been attended by the
most advantageous results. The law for pro-
ttiilinff diantnlinn amnnir (tin nmn !o f ..... .1
MVV.M - " O - " 1.7 1UUUU
convenient and salutary. The system of grant
ing an honorable discharge to faithful seamen
On the expiration of the .period of their enlist
ment, and permitting them to re-enlist after a
leave of absence of a few months, without ces
sation of pay is highly beneficial in its influ
ence. The apprcntice-sj-ttcin recently adop
ted is evidently destined to incrporate iDto
the service a large number of our country-,
ruen hitherto so difficult to procure Several
hundred Amcric&u loys are now on a three
years cruiso in our national vessels, and will
return well trained seamen In the ordnance
department there is a decided and gratifying
indication of progress creditable to it and to
tho couutry. Th suggestions of the Secre
tary of tie Navy, iu regard to further iui-
nrjveiuent n that branch of the service. I
i . . ,
commend , to your favorable action. -
The new frigates ordered by Congress are
now afloat, and two of them in active service.
They are superior ; models of naval architec
ture, and with.. their fraudable battery add
largely to public strength" and-sccurity
I concur in the views expressed by the Se
cretary of the Department, in favor of a still
further increase of our naval force.
: The report of the Secretary of the Interior
presents facts and views in relation to inter
nal affairs, over which the supervision of his
department extends, of much iuterest and im
portance. . .
The aggregate pales of the public lands,
during the last fiscal year, amount to 9,227,
878 acres; for which has been received the
sum of 8,821,414.
During the same period there had been lo
cated, with mibtarv serin and land warrants.
and for other purposes, thirty million' one
hundred thousand two hundred, and thirty
acres, thus making a total aggregate of thir
ty nine million three hundred and twenty
eight thousand one hundred and eight acres.
On the 30th of September last, surveys had
been made of sixteen million eight huudrcd
and seventy three thousand six hundred and
ninety nine acres, a largo proportion of which
is ready for market.
The suggestions in this report in regard to
the complication and progressive expansion of
tho different bureaus of the department $ to
tho pension system ; to the colonization of
different Indian tribes, and the recommenda
tions in relation to .various improvements in
tho District of Columbia, aie especially com
mended to your consideration.
The report of the Postmaster General pre
sents fully the condition of that department
of tho government. Its expenditures for the
laf-t fiscal year, were $10,407,808, and its
gross receipts 7,620,801 making an ex
cess of expenditure over receipts of $2,7S7,
040. The deGciency of this department is
thus 744,000 dollars greater thau for the
year ending June 30, 1853. Of this defi
ciency, $330,000 is to be attributed tc tho
additional compensation allowed postmasters
by the act of Congress of June 22,-1854.
The mail facilities in every part of the coun
try is very much increased in that prriod,
and the large addition of railroad service,
amounting to 7,908 miles has added largely
to the cot of the transportation.
The inconsiderable augmentation of the
income of the Post Office Department under
the reduced rat s of postage, and its increas
ing expenditures, must, for the present, make
it dependent to some extent upon the treasu
ry for support The recommendation of the
Postmaster General, in relation to the aboli
tion of the franking privilege, and his views,
on the establishment of mail steamship lines,
deserve the consideration of Congress.
I also call the special attention of Congre.cs
to the statement of the Postmaster General
respecting the sums now paid for the trans
position of mails to the Panama lUilroad
Company, and commend to their early and
favorable consideration the suggestions of
that officer in relation to new contracts for
mail transportation upon that route, and also
upon the Tthuan tepee and Nicaragua routes
The United .States continue iu the enjoy
ment of amicable relations with all foreign
powerB. '
When my last annual message was trans
mitted to Congress, two subjects of contro
versy, one relating to the enlistment of soldi
ers in this country for foreign service, and
tho'othcr to Central America, threatened to
disturb good understanding between the Uni
ted States and Great Dritain. Of the prog
ress and termination of the former question
you were informed at the time; and the)ther
is now in the way of satisfactory adjustment.
The object of the convention between the
United States and Graat Dritain of the 19th
of April, 1850, was to secure, for the benefit
of all nations, the neutrality and common use
of any transit way, or intcroceanic communi
cation, across the'lsthmus of Panama, which
might be opened within the limits of Central
America.
The pre tension subsequently asserted by
Great Dritain to dominion or control over
territories, in or near two of the routes, those
of Nicaragua and Honduras, were deemed by
the United States, not merely incompatible
with the main object of the treaty, but oppo
sed even to its express stipulations. Occa
sion of controversy on this point has been re
moved by an additional treaty, which our
3Iinioter at London has conclude! nml 1,;,.1
will be immediately submitted to the Senate-
ior its consideration, bliould the supposed
supplemental arrangement be coucurrcd in
by all the parties to be effected by it, the Ob
jects contemplated by the origiual convention
will have been fully attained.
The treaty between the United States and
Great Dritain, of the 5th of June, 1854,
which went into tractive operation ;n i sv"
put an end to the causes of irritation between
the two countries, by securing to the United
States the right of fishery on the coast of the
British North American provinces, with ad
vantages equal to those enjoyed by British
subjects , Besides the signal benefits of this
treaty to a large class of our citizens engaged
jn a pursuit connected to no inconsider blo
degree with our national prosperity- and
strength, it has had a favorable
L other interests in the provision it made for rc-
.ciprocaji iraae uetween tue United States and
J.he British provinces in America. . ;
The exports of domestic articles- to those
provinces during the last: year .-amounted to
more than $22,000.000,. exceeding those of
tho preceding year by nearly $7,000,000 ;
and the imports therefrom, during th c.imo
period, amounted to more than giJl.000 000 I
an increase oi l,u:UU,000 upon those of the
previous year. - m.
The improved couditioa f"th is branch of
pur, commerce is .mainly attributed to the
above mentioned ,ircaty. - .....
. Proyision was mde in the . first article of
that treaty, for a commission to designate the
mouths of rivers to which the common right
of fishery, on the coast of the United States
and the -British provinces, vfsis not to extend
This commission has beeu employed a part of
two seasons, but without much progress in
accomplishing tho obiect for which it wna in
stituted, in consequence of a serious difference f
ui opinion uetween tbo CDmmissioners, not
only as to the precise point wherj the river
terminates, but in many instances as to what
constitutes a river. These difficulties, how
ever, may be overcome by resort to the um
pirage provided for by the treaty. ' ' . "
The efforts, persevcringly prosecuted since
the commencement, of, my administration,' to
relieve, our trade to the Baltic from the exac
tion of sound dues by Denmark, have not yet
been attended with success. Othor
ments have also sought to obtain a like relief
to their commerce, and Denmark wag thus
induced to propose an arrangement to all the
European Powers interested jn the subject;
and the manner in which her proposition was
received, warrauting her to believe that a sat
isfactory arrangement with them i-nn!,k,mn w
concluded, she made a strong appeal to this
goverument lor temporary suspension ol ueu
nito action on its part, in consideration of the
embarrassment which might result to her Eu
ropean negotiations by an immediate adjust
ment of the question' with the.Uuited States.
This request has been acceded to, upon the
condition that the sums collected after the 10th
of June last, and until tho 10th of June
next, from vessels and cargoes beloaing to
our merchants, are tojbe considered as paid
under protest and subject to future adjustment!
There is reason to believo that an arrange
ment between Denmark and the maritime
powers of Europe on the subject, will be soon
concluded, and that the pending negotiation
with the United States may then be resumed
and terminated in a satisfactory manner.
With Spain no new difficulties have arisen,
nor has much progress been niado in the ad
justment of pending ones.
Negotiations entered into for the purpose
of relieving our commercial intercourse with
the Island of Cuba .of some of its burdens,
and piovidlug for the iiioie speedy setYlemouC
of local disputes growing out of iht inter
course, have not yet been attondei with any
results. 1
Soon after the commencement of the late
war in Europe, this government suhnitted to
the consideration of. all maritime ndtions.'two
principles for the security of neitral com
merce ; one, that the neutral flag shiuld cover
enemies' goods, except articles contraband of
war; aud the other, that neutral rnperty on
board merchant vessels of beligerarts should
be exempt from condemnation, with tho ex
ception of contraband articles. Tjcsc were
not presented as new rules of inberuatioual
law ; having been generally claimed by neu
trals, though not always admitted by leleige
rents i ;
One of the parties to the war Russia a
well as Several neutral powers, piomptly ac-a
ceded to these propositions; and thb two other'
principal bcleigerents. Great Britain and
France, having consented to obsorre them for
the present occasion, a favorable opportunity
seemed to be presented f r obtainimg a gener
al recognition of the.m both in Europe and
America .
But yrc.it Britain and France, in common
with most of the" states of Europe, while for
bearing to reject', did 'not afiirmatively act
upon the overtures of the United iStates.
While tho question was in this position, the
reprcsentntives of France, G rent Britani Aus
tria, Prussia, Sardiuia and Turkey, assembled
at Paris, took into con.siernf ion t!,Ki.iW..,.i.j,f
maritime rights, and put forth a decla'ration
contaiujng tho two principles which this gov
ernment had submitted, nearly two yet rs be
fore, to the consideration of maritime powers,
and adding thereto the following propositions:
-V Privateering is and remains abolished,"
and Btockades, in order to be binding, must
be effective, that is to say, maintained by a
force, sufficient really, to prevent access to the
c)ast cf the enemy ;" and to the declaration
thus composed of four points two of which
had already been proposed by the United
States, this government has" been invited to
accede by all the powers represented at Pari?,
except Great Britain and Turkey.
To the last of the two additional propositions
that in relation tol lockadcs there can certain
ly be no objection. It is merely the definition of
what shall constitute tho effectual investment of
a blockade place, a definition for which this gov
ernment has always contended claiming indemni
ty for losses where a practical violation cf the rule
thus defined lias been injuiious to our commerce.
As to the remaining article of the declaration
of the conference at Paris, " that privutcorinf is
and remains abolished," I certainly cannot "as
cribe to the powers represented in the conference
of Paris, any but liberal and philanthropic views
in the attempt to change the unquestionable rule
of maritime law in regard to privateering.
Their proposftion was doubtless intended toim
ply approval of the principle that private proper
ty upon the ocean, although it might belong to
the citizens of a beligerent stare, should bu ex
empted from capture , and had that proposition
bcknso framed as to give full effect to the princi
ple, it would have received my ready assent on
behalf of the United States.
But the measure proposed is inadequate to that
purpose. It is true that if adopted, private pro
perty upon the oceau would be withdrawn from
one mode of plunder, but left exposed, me n while
to another mode, which could be used 'with in
creased effectiveness. The aggressive capacity of
great naval powers would be thereby augmented,
whdo the defensive ability of others woul-t be re
duced. Through tho surrender of the means of
prosecuting hostilities by employing privateers, as
proposed by tne conference of Paris, is mutual in
terms, yet in practical effect, it would be the re
linquishment of a right of little value to one class
of states, but of essential importance ty another
ami a far larger class.
It ought "ot to have beeu anticipated that a
measure, a0 inadequate to the accORiplishnigit of
the proposed object, and S3 unsqpal m its opera
tion, would receive the assent of all maritime
powers. Private property would be still left to
the (leprc litems of the public armed cruisers.
I have expresse.1 a roailinr-si ou tho p;rt of the
government, to acceed to all the principles con
tained in tne declaration of the conference of Pr .
is, provided that relating to the abandonment of
privateering, can be so amended as to effect the
object for which, as is presumed, it was intended
the immunity of private property on the ocean
from hostile capture. To effect this object, it is
proposed to add to the declaration Jhat'" priva
teering is and remains abolished the following
amendment: "And that the private property of
subjects and citizens of a beligerent on the hi di
seas, shall be axempt from seizure by the public
armed vessels of the othcr beligerent, except it be
TOutraUndaV-'iins has -been presented not only
to the pewew which bare -askeOour assent to the
dcclasation t. abolish privateering,- but to all other
maritime states. ;TJu fkr it has not been reject
ert by any, and is favorably 0 tcrta'ined by all
which have made any communication in reply.
Several of the governments, regarding with fa
vor the proposition of tlm I7i,u...i f., i i
layed any definite action upon it, only fur tho pur-
. ..., ulvu uurai,, parties to the con
lerence of Pans. I havf t)i enfra.; :..
owe ver that the Emperor of llussia has entirely
find r V Tl iritln n 1 f il . ,. . J-
. vr..,,,,,j npproveucn mat modification, and
will co-operate in enileavnrinfr f,o,: : .
of other powers ; and that assurances of a similar
purport have been received in relation to the dis
position of the Emperor of the French.
rbe present aspect of this important subject
al'.ows us to cherish .tho i... .
. . iiini ii principle so
humane m its character, so just and em,:, in Ji
operation, so essential to the prosperity of com
mercial nations, and j consonant to the senti
ments of this enlightened period of 'the world,. I
... miuni.i l me approbation of.all maritime
powers, and thus bu .i , . r
international law. . !
i-ij .-wa on me suoject are more fully set forth
in the reply of the Secretary of State a copv of
winch is herewith transmitted, to the communica
tions on the subject made to this government, es
pecially to the communication of France
The government of the United States lias at all
timer regarded with friendly interest the other
.States of America, f nmerly, like this country,
European countries, and now independent mem
bers of the great family of nations.
- But the unsettled condition of some of them,
distracted by frequent revolutions, and thus in
capable of farm internal arimmiuti-Mti.-.n i...
ed to embarrass occasionally , our public inter
course, by reason of wrongs which our citizens
sutler at their bauds, and which they are. slov to
jedress. ' i . y
! Unfoituaatcly it is against the pLrnb!ic cf
Hexico, with which it is our spec desire" to
naintain a good understanding, at such com
paiuts are more numerous ; ar although earn
estly urged upon its attention they have not as
y;t received the consideration which this govern
ment his a right to exvect. While reparation
Ar past injuries has bm withheld, others have
ben added. The political condition of that
(country, however, nas 1 en such as to demand
forbearance on tie part of the United States. 1
shall continue my efforts to procure for the
wrongs of our citizens that redress which is indis
pensablo to the continued friendly associations of
the two Itepoblics.
Tho peculiar condition of affairs in Nicaragua
in the early part of the present year, rendered it
important that this government should have dip
lomatic relation with that State. Through its
territory had botn opened one of the principal
thoroughfares ji-noa .. t.h . isthmus connecting
North and South America on which a vast amount
of property was transported, and to which our
citizens resorted iu great numbers, in passing le
tween the Atlantic sind Pacific coast of the Uni
ted States. The protection of both required that
the existing power in that State should be re
garded as a responsible government ; and its min
ister was accordingly received.
But he remained here only a short time. -Soon
thereafter the pejitical affairs of Nicara
gauc underwent unfavorable changes, and De
came involved in much uuecrtainty and con
fusion. Diplomatic representatives from two
contending parties havo been recently' sent to
this government; but, with the imperfect in
formation possessed, it was not possible to de
cide which was4the government Je J'ucio ; nd ,
awaiting further developcjuentI have refus
ed to receive either.
Questions of the most serious nature are
pending between the United States and the
Bepnblicof New Granada. The government
of that Republic undertook,! a year since, to
impose tonnage duties on foreign vessels in
her ports, but the purpose waw resisted by this
government, as b.-ing c .ntia-y to existing trea
ty stipulation with tho United States, aud to
rights conferred by chaiacter upon the Pa
naaia Jtailroad Company, and was according
ly relinquished at that time, it boiug admit
ted that our vessels were entitled to be ex
empt from tonnage duty in tho free ports of
Panama and Aspinwall
ut the purpose has been recently revived.
on the part of New Granada, by the enact
ment of a law to subject vexsebi visiting her
ports to the tonnage duty of forty ct ts per
ton ; and, altho' the law has not been put-in
force, yet the right to enforce it is still asser
ted, and may, at any time, le acted on .by the
government of that ltepublie.
The Congress of New Granada has also en
acted a law, during tho last year, w hit h levies
a tax of more than three dollars ou evsry
pouud of "mail matter transported across the
Isthmus. The sum thus required to be pattt
on the mails of the United States would b'i
nearly two millions of dollars annually, in ad
dition to the large sum payable by contract to
the Panama Kailroad Company. If the only
objection to this exaction were the exorbitan
cy of its amount, it could uot be submitted to
by the United States.
The imposition of it, however, would obvi
ously contravene our treaty with New Grana
da, and infringe the contract of that Repub
lic with the Panama Railroad Company. The
law providing for ibis tax was, by its terms,
to take effect on the 1st September last, but
the local authorities on the Isthmus have
been induced to suspend its execution, and to
await further instructions on the subject from
the government of the .Republic. I am not
yet advised of the determination of that gov
ernment If a measure so extraordinary in
its character, and so clearly contrary to trea
ty stipulations, and the contract rights of the
Panama ilailroad Company, composed mostly
of American eitizens, should bo persisted in,
it will bo the duty of the United States ro re
sist its execution.
I regret exceedingly that occasion exists to
invite your attention to a subject of still gra
ver import in our relations with the Repub
lic of New Granada, On the 15th day of
April last, a riotous assemblage of the inhab
itants of Panama committed a violent and
outrageous attack on the premises of the Rail
road Company, and the passengers and other
persons in or near tho same, involving the
death of several citizens of the United States,
the" pillage of many others, and the destruc
tion of a large amount of property belonging
to the Railroad Company. "..
I caused full investigation of that event to
be made, and the result shows satisfactorily
that complcie responsibility for what occuned
attaches to the government of rlew Granada.
I have, therefore, demanded of that govern
ment that the perpetrators of the wrongs in
question should be puuished ; that provision
should be made for the families of theitizens
of the United , States who were killed, with
full indemnity for the property pillaged or
destroved.
The present condition of the Isthmus of Pa
nama, in so far as regards the security of per
sons and property passing over it, requires
serious consideration. Recent incidents tend
to shfw that the local authorities cannot be
relied on to maintain the public peace of Pa
nama, and there ia jii6t ground for apprehen
sion that a portion of the inhabitants are med
itating further outrages, without adequate
measures for the security- and protection of
persons or property having been taken, either
by the State of Panama, or by the general
government of New Granada. Under the
guaranties of treaty, citizens of the United
States have, by the outlay of several millions
of dollars, constructed a railroad across the
Isthmus, and it has become the main route
between our Atlantic and paciflc possessions,
over which multitudes of our citzens and a
vast amount of property are constantly pas
sing to the security and protection of all
which, and the continuance of the public ad
vantages involved, ifc is impossible for the
government of the United States to be indif
ferent. " '
I havo, doomed the danger of the recur
rence of scenes of lawless violence in the quar
ter eo imminent as to make it my duty to sta
tion apait of our naval force in the bir-
bors of anama and Aspinwall, in order to
protect no persons and property of the citi
zens of e United States in those ports, and
to insire to them safe passage across the Isth
mus. And it would, in my judgment, be un
wise p withdraw thc-naval force now in those
por5 until, by the spontaneous action of the
Rejtfblic of New Granada, or otherwise, some
adequate arrangement shall have been madi
for the protection and security of a line of in-te-oeeanlo
communication so important at this
tine', not to tU Unitovl i,i.ta nly, hut to all
other maritime. States both Europe and Anier-ic-
Meanwhile negotiations have been institu
ted by means of a special commission, to ob
tain from New Granada full indemnity for
icjurics sustained by our citizens on the Isth-rr-us,
ami satisfactary security for the geueral
ilitercsts of the Ut-itcd States.
In addressing to you my last annual mes
sage, the occasion seems to me an appropriate
one to express my congratulations in view of
tho peace, greatness and felicity which the
United States now possess aud enjoy. To
poiot-ou to the state of the various depart
ments of the government, and of all the great
branches of the public service, civil and mili
tary, in order to speak of the intelligence and
tho integrity which pervades the whole, would
be to indicate but imperfectly the administra
tive condition of the country, and the benefi
cbil effects of that on the general welfare. --
X(.r urmilil It enPFioto ny that th nafioruis
actually at peace at. home and abroad ; that
its industrial interests arc prosperous; that the
canvas of its mariners whitens every sea; aud
the plough of its husbandmen is marching
pteadily onward to the bloodless conquest of
the continent ; that oil its and populous States
are springing up, as if by. enchantment, from
the bosom of our western wilds, aud that the
oouiajrcou? euergyofour people is making of
these United States the great Republic of the
world. These results have not been attained
without passing through tiials and perilst by
tho experience of which, and thus only, na
tions can harden into manhooJV Our fore
fathers wore trained to the wisdon which con
ceived, and the courage which achieved inde
pendence, by the circumstances which Fur
rounded them, aud they were thu3 made capa
ble of the creation of the republic It devol
ved on the next generation to consolidate the
work of the revolution, to deliver the country
entirely from the influences of conflicting trai -satlantie
partialities or antipathies, which at
tached t. our colonial and revolutionary histo
ry, and to organize the practical operation of
the constitutional aud legal institutions of the
Union.'
To uf, of this generation, remim- tho no
less noble task of inantaining and executing
the power of the United States. We have at
length reached that stage of the national ca
reer, iu which the dangers to be ercounlered,
andthc exertions to be made, arc the incident?,
not of weakness, bnt of strength. In our for
eign relatins we have to attemper our piwer to
the less happy condition of other republics iu
An erica, and to place ourselves in the calm
ness and conscious dignity of risrht by the side
of ths greatest and wealthiest c f tho cmpiecs of
Europe.
In our domestic relations, we have-to guard
against the shock of the discontents, the ambi
tions the interests, and the. oxulu rant. and.
therefore, sometimes irregular impulses of
opinion, or of action, which arc the natural
product of the present political elevation the
self-reliance and the restless spirit of enterpri
se of the people of the United States.
I shall prepare to surrender the Executive
trust to my Mieeessof, and retnrn to private
life with sentiments of profound gratitude to
the good Providence which during the pt riod
of my administration, has vouchsafed to carry
the country tbrnu rh many difficulties, domcstc
an-3 foreign, and to enable mc to contemplate
the spectacle of amicable and respectful rela
tions between ours and all other governments
and the establishment of constitutional order
and tranquility throughout tho Union.
FRANK UN PIERCE
Washington-, i)ee. 2, 1S5G.
Thk Testimony ok a Political Oii-o-nknt.
The Albany Evening Journal,-one of
the leading organs of the black republican
party, thus speaks of the retiring administra
tion :
" It is but simple justice to say that, so far
as the financial interests of the country are
concerned, they have been managed with
ability and integrity. Though overruled fre
quently in matters of appointment, the Presi
dent has stood by Governor Marcy in his en
lightened and fearless discharge of the re
sponsible duties of the State Department.
" Contrasted with the administrations of
Tyler and Fillmore", in all that concerns per
sonal felf-respeet ; and in all that belougs to
the proprieties of high statiou, that of Gen.
Pierce, proscnts a clean record. Nothing of
the nepotism of those eras disgraces the pies
ent. Gen. Pierce has not followed the bad
example of hunting up and pensioning all
sorts of relatives, partners, and, dependants.
The Post Oflico Department has not beeu, as
when in the hands of 'Fillmore. Hall & Ha
ven,' a convenience . for political lazaroni.
Nor has there been during General Pierce's
administration cither a 'back stair's nt:aT e
to the White House, or a 'kitchen-cabin it.' "
MORALITY OF DIVORCES.
Speaking one day of tho early Romans,
Mr Webster said he could almost believe every
thing related by, historians of their extraordina
ry virtues, public and domestic when he
dwelt upon the fact that, though their laws
authorized divoicc yet, for the first Gve hun
dred years, no individual ever availed him
self of such a licence! It, was the domestic
training," he said, " It was the mother who
made aPublicola, a Camillius and Cariolinus.
Women, protected by the inviolability of the
nuptial bond, w tre invested with a diguity that
igave authority to instruction, and made the do
mestic hearth the nursery of heroes. Public
virtue," he said, "fell with private morality.'.
Under imperial Rome divorces were sought for
and obtained upon the most frivolous pretext,
and all domestic confidence was destroyed.
The inevitable consequence was the loss of all
pu blio morality. Men who had been false to
their private obligations would not bo true to
their public duties. Cresar divorced his wife
and betrayed his country. Tho sancity of the
nuptial bonds is, in my opinion, one of the
principal, if not the chief cause of th. superior
reflnement, freedom and prosperity enjoyed at
the present time by Christian nations.
Blankets were first made at Bristol, in Eng
lrrl, by a poor weaver, whose name was
Thomas Blankets, and who gave his name to
hispxuliar manufacture of woolen cloths. '
SURVEYORS CONVENTION.
At a Convention of Practical Surveyors
held at the Hotel cf Major John Thompson,
Ebcnsburg, Pa , oa the 3d day of December,'
1S5G; on inotiou, the Hon. Moses Canan!
was called to the Chair, and John 31. Gibl
bony, appointed fcccretary. after which the
names of the following gentlemen were given
iq : "
3Ioses Canan, Johnstown. Cambria Co. Pa.
Richard J. Proud foot. Chest Springs, Cambria
county. Pa ; Henry ScLnlan. Carrolltown,
Cambria county, Pa. ; J. J. Noon, E bets
burg, Cambria county,. Pa. ; Edward Shoe
maker, J r.r Ebensburg, Cambria county. Pa. :
S. D. Pryce, Ebensburg, Cambria county. '
Par; Stephen Lloyd. Ebensburg, Cambria
county. Pa. ; Wm. Slick, Snmmerhill, Cam
bria county. Pa J. B. McCorxuick. Johns
town, Cambria county. Pa ; Thomas McCon
nel, Wilmore, Catpbria county. Pa. ; E. A.
Vickrov, Johnstown; Cambria county. Pa.;
Wm. Reed, Shaver's Creek, Huntingdon
county, Pa.; Wm. Christy, Alexandria,
Huntingdon, county, Pa. ; Wm. Evans, Penn
Run, Indiana county, Pa.; David Peeler,
Indiana, Indiana county, Pa ; Edmund Page
Indiana. Indiana county. Pa. ; Samuel l
. - ... .
v.urpenier, Mrcccsuurg estmorcland coun
ty, Pa. ; David Hough, Philipsburg, Centre
comity, Pa. ; H P. Trcziyuiny, 3Iilcsbarg.
Centre county. Pa. : James J. r.n.n a'
toona. Rlair county. Pa. ; John M. Gibbonv.
I InitAi...... . 1(1 - . a .-. - - W - T
u.jaus.iut-,. jijir eotiniy. j'a. ; John 1a.
guttle. Clearfield, Clearfield county, Pa. ;
ruucis vassiuav. rewry. Ulair countv. Pa -
n niouon, 1'iessrs. tu'tle, Trcziyulny,
win, Christ v. PriudfootlWl.r f,,..-'
and idcCormick. were appointed a committee
A . L I T V A . .
x i. pori ousimss, xc.,Mr tue action of the
Convention at its next sess-ion.
On motion, adjourned to meet this evening
at eight o'clock. - .
Convention met agreeably to adjournment.
The committee on business, through their
chairman, reported as follows:
Wiikkeas, We have been frequently called
upon by parties with whom we haTe no ac
quaintance, and who have no claims upon our
knowledge, 'to give evidence of arduous duties
performed for other persons, in the various
and complicated cases of ejectment, without
reasonable compensation Therefore,
Lsufrftl, That we petition tho Legislature
f t a redress of grievances, and humbly ask
the passage of a law requiriug all personi, or
suitors, when requiring the services and ex
perience of practical j-urveyors to give evi
dence, to pay or secure to the purveyor, a
reasonable compensation. . per diem, for th
fall time thus employed both in traveling to
and attendance at Court
JfcsrJctif. That -we pledge ourselves indi
vidually, to use every endeavor to procure
tne passage ul a taw to rcres the grievances
complained of in the foregoing re.olutiou j
all ot which, was unanimously adopted.
On motion, Mssrs. Christy. Carpenter.
Hough, Prder and Cass'rday. were appointed
a commit fee to report a petition to be signed
by the members of the Convention, and to be
presented to the n- xt JcgLdaturc. asking f..r
ihe passage f.f a liw proffering pi act ical pur
veyors in their profession. '
Ou motion, adjourtiel to me. t to-morrow,
at one o'clock, P. M
Convention mot agreeably to adjournment
The last appointed committee npoitfd a
petition, as instructed in their Appointment,
which was adopted and f igno,
A stZr,, That we expect, and earnenflr
solicit, Ihc co-operation and friendly aid f
tlu gentlemen of the Bar, throughout the
-Commonwealth, in obtaining legal rt dress of
our grievances.
7.V-orv7, That these proceedings Le signed
by the officers, and that Editors in general,
be respectfully requested to give us a favor
able iK'tiec.
M CAN A N", Chairman.
Jso 31. GiiiiiONEY, Scc'y.
Popular Vote for President.
The returns so far received comprise, over
o. 050,000 votes. Those yet to come in will
increase the aggregate to :i,SO0,fXW, or up
wards. Fillmore's vote will exceed fOO.OOit.
Majority against Fremont, thus far, 1,200,
Olo ; against Uuchauan, 311,2Sr
liuehanau 1.G72.J32
Ficmout 1,195,000
Fillmore 791.GG4
Buchanan over Fremont, thus far. 417.'
The TKuniTonr ok Arizona " The res
idents of the Gadsden purchase arc taking
measures to orgauize that Territory, which
they propose tocall "Arizona." ; They have
elected Nathan P. Cook their delegate to
Congress- to which body they will forward &
memorial signed by two hundred and sixty
names, praying for a division of the Territoiy
of New 3Iexico, and the formation of a new
government in the Gadsden purchase. The
estimated population of th- Territory is about
tcu thousand.
Time of Electing U. S. Senator.
As several laws for the election of Senator
have been enacted, many cf our readers uot
aware of the day upon which it takes'plaee.
The act of July 2, 1S39, fixed the second
Tuesday of January for election of U. S- Senator-
The act of April, IS 1853, changed
the time to the second Tuesday of February.
The act of January 4, 1S50, repealed tho act
of 1S53; so that the election of U- S. Scnrtor
will take place on the second Tuesday of Jan
uary next, the 13th.
" Diamond- Cut Dlmoxd. Judge Lumpkin,
of Georgia, recently related the following an
ecdote to illustrate the plck of some men in
an argument :
An old Baptist preacher, so straight a Cal
vanist that he leaned over backward, was de
fending his doctrine against a roan as obsti
nate as himself; at length the preacher said
to his opponent -
"Now look here, my friend, don't you
believe what is to be will be?"
' No, I don't at all. I believo what is to
be. won't be !"
About So' clock on Sunday morning last at
Circleville.Ohio, whilst a party of four persons
were flaying cards, a dispute arose between a
a man by tho name Thomas More and another
person when 3Iooro caught up a corn cutter,
and literally cut his antagonist to pieces. Thi
murderer was arrested and lodged in jail.
-Delawakk U. S. Senator. Gov. Cau
sey has aj.poiuted Joseph P. Comegys, Esq .
of Dover,- to fill tho vacancy occasioned by
the death of.the Hon. John 31." Clayton