VOL. V, No. 10.] MESSAGE OF TIIC PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TO THE TWO HOUSES OF CONGRESS, AT TAR• 410314eINCEIENT OF TILE FIRST SESSION OF TUE TWENTY•EIXTII CONORE.,S. Irellato Citizens of the Senate and House of Representatives: I regret that I cannot, on thin occasion congratulate you that the past year has been one of unalloyed prosperity. The !flanges of Are and disease have painfully afflicted other wise flourisliiiig portions of our country; and serious embarrassments vet derange the trade •f many of our citnis.—But, notwithstanding, these adverse circumstances, that general prosperity which has heretofore so bountifully bestowed upon us by the Author of all good, till continues to call for our warmest grafi- B tude. Especially have we reason to rejoice iu the exuberant harvests which have lavish ly recompensed well directed industry, and given to it that sure reward which is vainly nought in visionary speculations, I cannot indeed view, without pe.culiar satisfaction, the evidences afforded by the past season of the benefits that spring from the steady devo tion of the husbandman to his honorable pur suit. No means of individual comfort is more certain, and no source of national prosperity is so sure.—Nuthing can compensate a pen• pie for a dependence upon others fur the bread they eat; and that cheerful abundance on which the happiness of every ono so much depends, is to be looked fur now here with such sore reliance as in the: rulustry of the agriculturalist and the bounties of the earth. With tbreign countries our relations ex hibit the same favourable aspect which was presented in my last annual message, arid afford continued pool of the wisdom of the pacific; just arid ferbearing policy adopted by the first administration of the federal govern ment, and pursued by its successors. The extraordinary powers vested in ice by an act of Congress, for the defence of the country in an emergency, considered so fur probable as to require that the eyccutive should pos. seas ample means to meet it, have not been exerted. They have, therefore, been atten ded with no other result than to increase, by the confidence thus reposed in me, by oblige-, tions to maintain, with religious exactness! the cardinal principles that govern our in tercourse with other nations. Happily in our pending questions with Great Britain, out of which this unusual grant of authority arose, nothing has occurred to require its exertion; end as it is about to return to the legislature, I trust that no future necessity may call for its exercise by them or its delegation to ano ther department of the goVernment. For the setlement of our Northeastern boundary, the proposition promised by Great Britain tor a commission of exploration and survey, has been received, and a counter pro. ject, including also a provision for the cer tain and final adjustment of the limits in :lis pute, is now before the British Government fur its consideration: A just regard to the dei4eate state of the question, and proper res• yet tbr the natural impatience of the State of Maine, not leas than a conviction that the negotiation has been already protracted lon ger than is prudent on the part of either Gov ernment, have led me to bele; ve that the pre- Sent favorable stoniest should on no account he suffered to pass without putting the ques tion for ever at rest. I feel confident that the Government of her Britanic Majesty will , take the saute view of this subject, as I am persuaded it is governed by desires equally strong and sincere fur the amicable termina tion of the controversy To the intrinsic difficulties of piestions of boundary lines, especially those described in regiond unoccupied, and but partially known, is to be added in our country the einbarras ments necessarily arising out dour Constitu tion, by which the General Government is made the organ of negotiating, and deciding upon the particular interests vi the States on whose frontiers these lines aro to be traced. To avoid another controversy in which a State Government might rightfully claim to have her wishes consulted, previously to the conclusion of conventional arrangement con cerning her rights of jurisdiction or territory, I have thought it necessary to call the atten tion of the Government of Great Britain to another portion of our conterminous dominion of which the division still remains to be ad justed. I refer to the line from the entrance of Lake Superior to the most northwestern point of the Lake of the Woods, stipulations for the settlement of which are to be found in the seventh article of the treaty of Ghent. The commissioners appointed under that ar ticle by the two governtuente having differed in their opinions, made seperate reports, ac cording to the stipulations, upon the points of disagreemeut, and these differences are now to be submitted to the arbitration of sonic friendly sovereign or State. The disputed points should be settled, and the lino desig nated, before the territorial government, of which it is one of the boundries, takes its place in the Union as aState; and I rely upon the cordial co-operation of the British Gov ernment to effect that object. There is every reason to believe that dis turbances like those which lately agitated the neighboring British provinces will no: again prove the sources of border contention, or interpose obstacles to the continuance of that good understanding which it is thasniu tual interest of Great Britain and the United States to preserve and maintain. Within the provinces themselves tranquili ty is restored, and on our trontier that mis guided sympathy in favor of what was presumed to be a general effort in behalf of popular rights, and which in some instances misled a few of our more inexperienced citi zens, has subsided into a rational conviction strongly opposed to ell intermeddling with the internal affairs of our neighbors. The Weide of the Un,itetj elates, feel, as it is THE JOURNAL. hoped they always will, a warm solicitude fir the success of all who are sincerely endeavor ing to improve the political condition of man kind. This generous fueling they cherish towards the most distant relations ; and it was natarsi theretbre, that it should be awakened with more than common warmth in behalf of their immediate neighbors. But it does not belong to their ,tharactor, as a corntnunity, to seek the gratification of those feelings in acts which violate their duty as citizens, endanger the peace of their country and tend to bring upon it the stain of a viola ted faith towards foreign nations. If, zealous to conftr benefits on others, they appear for a moment to loose eight of the permanent obligation imposed on them as citizens they aro seldom long misled. From all the informa tion I receive, confirmed to some extent, by personal observatior, I am satisfied that no one can now hope to engage in such enter• prises without encountering public indigna tion, in addition to the severevt penalties of the law. Recent information also leads me to hope that the emigrants form her Majesty's pro vinces, who have sought refuge within our boundaries, are disposed to become peaceable residents, and to abstain from all attempts to endanger the peace of that country which has afforded them an asylum. On a review of the occurrences on both sides of the line, it is satisfactory to reflect, that in almost every complaint against our country, the offence may be traced to emigrants from the provinces who have sought refuge here. lit the few instances in which they were aided by citi zens of the United States, the acts of these misguided men were not only in direct con travention of the laws and well known wishes of their own government, but net with the decided disapprobation of the people of the United States. I regret to state the appearance of a differ ent spirit among her Majesty's subjects in the Canadas. 'rho sentiments of hostility to our people and institutions, which have been so frequently expressed there, and the disregard of our rights which have been manifested on some occasions, have, I am sorry to say, been applauded and encouraged by the people, and even by some of the subordinate local author ities of the provinces.-- - -The chief officers in Canada, fortunately, have uot entertained the same feeling, and have probably prevented excesses that must have been fatal to the peace of the two couutries. I look forward anxiously to a period when all the transactions which have grown out of this ...tondition of our affairs, and which have been made the subjects ofcnniplaint and remonstrance by the two governmentsrespec tively, shall be fully examined, and the pro per satisfaction given where it is due from either side, Nothing has occurred to disturb the bar • teony of our intercourse with Austria, lielgi urn, Denmark, France, Naples, Portugal, Prussia, Russia, and Sweden. The internal stats of Spain has sensibly improved, and a well-grounded hope exists that the return of peace will restore to the people of that coun try their former prosperity, and enable the government to fulfil all its obligations at home and abroad. The government of Por tugal, I have the satisfaction to state, has paid in full the eleventh and last instalment due to our citizens fur the claims embraced in the settlement made with it on the 3d of Mare.h, 1887. I lay before you treaties of commerce, ne gotiated with the kings of Sardinia and of the Netherlands, the ratifications of which have been exchanged since the adjournment of Congress. The liberal principles of these treaties will recommend them to your apprc bation. That with Sardinia is the first treaty of commerce formed by that kingdom, and it will, I trust, answer the expectat i ons of the present sovereign, by aiding the development of the resources of his country, and stimula ting the enterprise of his people. That with the Netherlands hapily terminates a long existing subject of dispute, and removes from our future commercial intercourse, ail appre• hensions of embarrasment. The king of the Netherlands has also, in future illustration of his character for justice, and of his desire to remove es cry cause of dissatisfactionone do compensation for an American vessel captur ed in 1800, by a French privateer, and car ried into Curacoa, where the proceeds were appropriated to the use of the colony, then, and for a short time after, under the dominion of Holland. The death of the late Sultan, him produced no alteration in our relations with Turkey. Our newly appointed Minister Resident, has reached Constantinople, and I have received assurances from the present Ruler, that the obligations of our treaty, and those of friend. ship, will be fulfilled by !dwelt in the same spirit that actuated his illustrious father. I regret to be obliged to inform you, that no convention tbr the settlement of the claims of our citizeus upon Mexico has yet been ratified by the Government of that country. The first convention formed for that purpose wos not presented by the President of Mexi co, for the appaohation of its Congress, from a belief that the King of Prussia, the arbitra tor in case of disagreement in the joint com mission to be appointed by the United States and Mexico, would not conset to take upon himself that friendly office. Although not entirely satisfied with the course pursued by Mexico, I felt no hesitation in receiving in the most conciliatory spirit, the explanation offerded, and also, cheerfully consented to a new convention, in order to arrange the pay ments proposed to be made to our citizens, in a mariner which, while equally just to them, was deemed less onerous and inconvenient to the Mexican . government. Relying con ' fidently upon the intentions of that Govern ment, Mr. Ellis was directed to repair to Mexico, and diplomatic intercourse has been resumed betwean the two countries. ' The } new convention has, ho informs us, been re cently submitted by the President of that I Republic to its Congress, under eircumstan. "ONE COUNTRY, ONE CONSTITUTION, ONE DESTINY•" A. W. ! fl VDICT PUBLISHER AND PROPRIETOR. HUNTINGDON, PEANSYLVANIA, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1840 ces which promise a speedy ratification; a result which I cannot allow myself to doubt. Instructions have been given to the Com missioners of the United States, under our Convention with Texas, for the demarcation of the line which separates us from that Its public. The commissioners of both govern meats met in New Orleans, in August last. The joint commission was organized, and adjourned to convene at the same place on the twelfth of October. It is presumed to be now in the performances of its duties. The new Governmem, of Texas has shown its desire to cultivate friendly relations with us, by a prompt reparation fgr injuries corn. plained of in the cases of two vessels of the United States. With Central America, a convention has been concluded for the reneu al of its former treaty with the United States. This was not ratified befbre the departure of our late Charge d'Affaires from that country, and the copy of it brought by him, was not received before the adjournment of the Senate at the last session. In the mean while the period limited for the exchange of ratifications hav ing expired, I deemed it expedient, in conse quence of the death of thefGharge d'Affaires to send a special agent to Central America, to close the affairs of our mission there, and to arrange with the government an extension of the time for the exchange of ratifications. The commission created by the States which formerly composed the Republic of Columbia, for adjusting the claims against that government, has, by a very unexpected construction of the treaty .ender which it acts, decided that no provision was made for those claims of citizens of the United States, which arose from captures by Columbian privateers, ' and were adjudged against the claimants in the judicial tribunals. This decision will compel the United States to apply to the several governments formerly united for re, dress. With all these—New Granada, Ven ezuela and Ecuador—a perfectly good un derstanding exists. Our treaty with Vene zula is faithfully carried into execution ; and that country, in the enjoyment of tranquility is gradually advancing in prosperity under the guidance of its present distinguished President, General Paez. With Ecuador, a liberal commercial convention has lately been concluded, which will be transmitted to the Senate at an early date. With the great American empire of Brazil our relaticiis continuo unchanged, as doe , our friendly intercourse with the other Gov ernmcnts of South America—the Argentine Republic, and the Republics of Uruguay,' Chili, Peru and Bolivia. The dissolution of , the Peru• Bolivian Confederation may occa sion acute temporary inconvenience to cur , citizens in that quarter, but the obligations on the new governments which have arisen out of that confederation to observe its treaty stipulations, will no doubt be soon understood, and it is presumed that no indisposition will exist to fulfil those which it contracted with the United States. The financial operations of the Government during the present year, have, I am happy to say, been very successful. The difficulties under which the Treasury Department has labored from known defects in the existing laWs relative to the safe keeping of the pubic moneys, aggravated by the suspension of spe cie payments by several of the banks holding pu' tic depositee, or indebted to public officers for notes received :a payment for public dues, have been surmounted to a very gratifying extent. 'The large current expenditures have been punctually met, and the faith of the Government in all its pecuniary con corns has been scrupulously maintained. The 19,000,000 of Treasury Notes, au thorized by the act of Congress of 1937, and the modifications thereof, with a view to the indulgence of merchants on their du ty bonds, and of the deposit,: banks in the payment of public monies held by them, I have been so punctually redeemed as to leave' less than the original 10,000,000 outstanding at any one time, and the whole amount unre deemed now falls short of 3,000,000. Of these the chief portion is not duo till next year, and the whole would have been already extinguished could the Treasury have realiz ed payments due to it from the banks. If these due from them during the next year shall be punctually made, and if Congress shall keep the appropriations within tho es timates, there is every reason to believe:hat all the outstanding Treasury Notes can be redeemed, and the ordinary expenses defray ed, without imposing on the people any additional burden, either of loans or increased taxes. To avoid this, and to keep the expenditures within reasonable bounds, is a duty second only in importance to the preservation of our national character, and the protection of our citizens in their civil and political rights. The creation, in the time of peace, of a debt likely to become permanent is an evil for which there is no equivilant. The rapidity with which many of the States are apparently approaching to this condition admonishes us of our own duties, inn manner too impressive to be disregarded. One, not the least impor tant, is to keep the Federal Government al wait; in a cendition to discharge with ease and visor its highest functions, should their exercise be required by any sudden conjnne tore of public affairs—a condition to which we aro al ways exposed, and which may occur when it is least expected. To this end it is indispensable that its finances should be un trammelled, and its resources, as far as practi cable, unincumbered. No circumstance could present greater obstacles to the accomplish ment of these vitally important objects than the creation of an onerous national debt. Our own experience and also that of other na . tions, have demonstrated the unavoidable and Tear ful rapidity with which a public debt is in creased, when the Government has once surrendered itself to the ruinous practice of supplying its supposed necessities by new loans. Ihe struggle, therefore, on our part to be successful, must be made at the threshold. To make our efforts effective, severe economy is necessary. This is the surest provision for the national welfare; and it is, at the same time, the best preservative of the principles on which our instieutions rest. Simplicity and economy in the affairs of State, have never failed to chasten and invigorate republican principles, while these have been as surely subverted by national prodigality, under whatever specious pretext it may have been introduced or fostered. These considerations cannot be lost upon a people who have never been inattentive to the effectof their policy upon the institutions they have created for themselves; but at the present moment their tone is augmented by the necessity which a decreasing revenue must impose. The check lately given to im portation of articles subject to duties, the de rangements in the operational:if internal trade and, especially, the reduction gradually taking place in our tariffof duties, ell tend mate. rially to lesson our receipts, indeed it is pro bable that the diminution resulting from the last cause alone will not fall short of $5,000- 000 in the year 1842, as the final reduction of all duties to 20 per cent. then takes ef fect. The whole revenue then accruing from the customs and from the sales of lands, if not more, will undoubtedly be wanted to defray the expenses of the Govern ment under the most prudent administration of its affairs. These are circumstances rat impose the necessity of rigid economy and require its prompt and constant exercise. With the Legislature rest the power and duty of so adjusting the public expenditure as to promote this end. By the provisions of the constitution it is only in consequence of appropriations made by law that money can be drawn from the 'rreasury; no instance bas occured since the establishment of the Gov ernment in which the Executive, though a component part of the legislative power, has interposed an objection to an appropriation bill on the sole ground of its extravagance. Hisduty in this respect has been considered fulfilled by requesting such appropriations only as the public service may be reasonably expected to require, In the present earnest direction of the public mind towards thi' subject, both the Executive and the Legisla ture have evidence of the strict responsibility to which they will bo held; and while 1 am conscious of my own anxious efforts to per form with fidelity, this portion of my public functions, it is a satisfaction to me to be able to count on a cordial co-operation from you. At the time I entered upon my present du ties, our ordinary disbursements—without in cluding those on account of the public debt, the post office and the trust funds in charge ofthe goverument—had been largely increased by appropriations for the removals of the In dians, for repelling Indian hostilities; and o ther less urgent expenses which grew out of an overflowing Treasury. Independent of the redemption of the public debt and trusts, the gross expenditure of seventeen and sigh' teen millions in 1834 and 1835, had by these causes, swelled to twenty nine millions in 1830; and the appropriations for 1837, made previously to the 4th of March, caused the expenditures to raise to the very large a mount of thirty-three millions. We were enabled during the year 1839, notwithstan ding the continuance of our Indian embarrass ments, somewhat to reduce this amount; and that for the present year 1839, will not, in all probability exceed twenty-six-millions, or six millions less than it was last year. With the determination, so fax as it depends on me to continue this reduction, I have directed the estimate fur 1840 to bo subjected to the absolute requirements of the public service. They will be found less than the expenditures ef 18;39 by over five millions of dollars. The precautionary measures which will he recommended by the Secretary of the Treasury, to protect faithfully the public credit under the fluctuations and contingen cies to which our receipts and expenditures are exposed, and especially in a commercial crisis like the present, are commended to your early attention. On a former occasion your attention was invited to various considerations in support of a pre-eruption law, in behalf of the settlers on the public lands ; and also of a law gradu ating the prices for such lands as had long been in the market unsold, in consequence of their inferior quality. The execution of the act which was passed on the first subject has been attended with the happiest conse quences, in quieting titles, and securing im provements to the industrious; and it has alas, to a very gratifying extent, been exempt from the frauds which were practised under the previous pre-emption laws. It has at the same time, as was anticipated, contributed liberally during the present year to the re ceipts of the Trea-ury. The passage of a graduation low, with the guards before recommended, would also, 1 am persuaded, add considerably to the revenue for several years, and prove in other respects just and beneficial. Your early consideration of the subject, is, therefore, once more earnestly reques ted. - - I he present condition of the defences of our principal seaports and navy-yards, as represented by the accompanying re port, of the Secretary of War, calls for the early & serious attention of Congress; and, as connecting itself immediately with the subject, I cannot recommend too strongly to your consideration, the plan submitted by that ()Ulcer fur the organi zation of the militia of the United States. In conformity with the expressed wish es of Congress, an al tempt was made in the spring to terminate the Florida war by negociation. It is to be regretted that these humane intentions should hsve been frustrated, and that the *fort to bring these unhappy di fficultics to a satisfacto iry conclusion should have failed. But, after enteritis into solemn engagements with the Commanding Oeneral, the Ind'. ana, without any provocation recommen ced their acts of treachery and murder. The renewal of hostilities in that Territo ry render it nec , ,ssary ~ .hat I should rec ommend to your favorable consideration, the plan which will be ..übmitted to you by the Secretary of War, in order to ena ble that department to conduct them to a successful um... H aving . had an opporf cnity of personal. ly inspecting a pc. tion of the troops during the last summer, it gives me pleasure to bear testimony to the success of the effort to improve their discipline, by keeping them together in as large bodies as the na ture of our service will permit. I recom mend, therefore, that commodioos and permanent barracks be constructed, at the several posts designated by the Sec retary of War. Notwithstanding the high state of their discipline and cmcelient po lice, the evils resulting to the service from the deficiency of company eflicers, were very apparent, and I recommend that the staff °dicers be permanently seperated from that of the line. The navy has been usefully and honor ably employed in protecting the rights and property of our citizens, wherever the condition of affairs scenic-I to require its presence. With the exception of one instance, where an outrhge, accompanied by murder, was committed on a vessel of the United States, while engaged in a law ful commerce, nothing is known to have occurreti to impede or molest the enter , prize of our citizens cn that element where it is so signally disrinyed. Oa learning this daring act of piracy, Commodore Reed proceeded immediately to the spot, and receiving no satisfaction, either in the surrender of the murderers, or the resto ration of the plundered property, inflicted severe and merited chastisement on the barbarians. It will be seen, by the report of the Sec retary of the Navy, respecting the dispo sition of our ships of war, that it has been deemed necessary to station a competent force on the coast of Africa, to prevent a fraudulent use of our flag by foreigners. Recent experience has shown that the previsions in our existing laws which re late to the sale and transfer of American vessels, while abroad, are extremely de fective. Advantage has been taken of these defects, to give to vessels wholly belonging to foreigners, and navigating the ocean an apparent American owner ship. 'Phis character has been so well simulated as to afford them comparative security in prosecuting the slave trade, a traffic emphatically denounced in our sta tutes, regarded with ablio3rence by our citizens, and of which the effectual sup pression is nowhere more sincerely desired than in the United States. These circum stances make it necessary to recommend o your early attention a careful revision tf those laws, au that, without impeding ohe freedom and facilities of our naviga ton, or impairing an important branch of our industry, connected with it the integ rity and honor of our flag, may be care • fully preserved. Information derived from our Consul at Havanna, showing the necessity of this, was communicated to a Committee of the Senate, near the close of lust session, but too late, as it appeared, to be acted upon. It will be brought to your notice by the proper department, with additional communications from oth er sources. The latest accounts of the Exploring Expedition, represent it as proceeding successfully in ite objects, and promising results no less useful to trade and naviga tion, than to science. The extent of post roads covered by mail service, on the let of July last, was about 133,999 miles, and the rate of an • nual transportation upon them 34,498, 878 miles. The number of post-officer, on that day was 12,780, end on the 30th. ultimo 13,028. The revenue of the Post Office depart ment for the year ending the 30th June last, was four millions four hundred and seventy.six thousand six hundred and thirty-eight dollars— exhibiting an in crease over the preceding year, of to hundred and forty-one thousand bye hundred and sixty dollars. The engagee meuts and liabilities of the Departmen for the same period, are four millitiLs six hundred and twenty-four thousand one hundred and seventeen dollars. The liabilities over the revenue, fur the last two years has been met out of the surplus which had previously accumula ted. 'rise cash on hand, on the 30th ult., was about 8206,701 95, and the current income of the Department varies very little from the current expenditures.-- Most of the service suspended last year has been restored, and most of the new routes established by the act of July, 18. 38, ha.te been set in operation at an annu al cost of 6136,963. Notwithstanding the pecuniary difficulties of the country, [Wror.: No. 218, the revenue of the Department appears to be increasing; and unless it shall be seri ously checked by the recent auspensien of :Tecie payments by so many of the banks, it will be able nut only to preserve the preaent mail see:ice, but in a short time: to extend it, It is gratifying to witness the promptitude and fidelity with which the agents of this Department in general perform their public duties. Soma difficulties have arisen is religion' to contracts for the transportation of the mails, by railroad and steamboat comps-. rues, It appears that the maximum of compensation provided by Congress fur the transportation of the mails upon rail roads, is not sufficient to induce some of the companies to convey them at such hours as are required for the accommoda tion of the public. It is one of the most important duties of the General Govern ! merit to provide and maintain for the use of the people of the States the best prac ticable mail establishment. To arrive at that end it is indespensiblo that the Post Office Department shall be able to con trol the hours at which the mail shall be carried over iailroads as it now does over all other roads. Should serious inconve nience arise from the inadequacy of the compensation now provided by law, or from unreasonable demands by any of We railroad companies, the subject is of such general lin pc:tance as to require to prompt attention of Congress. In relation to steamboat lines, the most efficient remedy is obvious, and has been suggested by the Postmaster General. The war and Navy departments already employ steamboats in their service, and although it is by no means desirable that the Government should undertake the transportation of passengers or freight as a business, there can be no reasonable ob jection to running boats, temporarily, whenever it may be necesauy to put down attempts at extortion, to be discos tinued as soon as czasonable contracts can be übtained. The suggestions of the Postma ster Gee eral relative to the inadequacy of tho le gal allowance to evitnesses in cases of proseceitinn for mail depredations, merit your serious consideration. The safety of the mails requires that such prosecu tions shall be rflitient, and justice to the citizens those time is repuired to be giv en to the publin, demands net only that his exrensee should be paid, but that be should receive a reasonable couTensa lion. The reports of the War, Navy, and Post Office departments, will accompany thin communication, and one from (be Treasury department will be presented to Congress in a few days. For various details in respect to matter in charge of these departments, I would refer you to these important documents, satisfied that you will find in them many valuable suggestions, which will be found well deserving the attention cf the Login. lature. From a report made in December of last year by the Secretary of State to the Senate, showing the trial docket of each of the circuit courts, and the nuns bar of miles each judge. has to travel its. the performance of his duties, a great in equallity appears in the amount of labor assigned to each judge. —The number of terms to be held in each of the courts corn posing the ninth circuit, the distances be tween the places at which they sit, and from thence to the scat of Government, are represented to be such as to render it impossible for the judge of that circuit to perform, in a insulier coi responding with the public exigencies, his term and circuit duties. A revision, therefore, of the present arrangement of the circuits seems to be called for, and it is recoonnosesded to vour notica. I think it proper to call your attention to the •power assumed by the Territorial Legislatures, to authorize the issue of bonds by corporate companies on the guar antes of the Territory. Congress passed a law in 1836, providing that no act of a Territorial Legislature incorporating banks should have the force of law not approved by Congress, but acts of a very exceptionable character previously pas sed by the Legislature of Florida, were suffered to remain in force, by virtue of which, bonds may be issued to a very large amount by those institution., upon the faith of the Territory. A resolution, intending to be a joint ons, passed the Senate at the same session, expreasing the sense of Congress tbat the laws its question should not be permitted to re main in force unless amended in many material respects, but it failed in the house of Representatives for want of time, and the desired amendments have net been made. The interest, involved are of great importance, sad the subject de . serves your early and careful attention. • Thu contin uarl ;cgitation of the questions relative to the best mode of Leering and • disbursing the public money, still injuri— otircly alli , cts the t usinese of the country. The suspension of specie payments ias , 1837 rendered the use c.l Alt osite bahloss
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