rCONTINURD FROM FOURTH rAGE.] which has thus attended our military IFloridas from Spain. These appropria
of the war by' ongress ! , and was after. and naval operations. In less than seven tions were made to facilitate negotia.
wards fully confirmed by the receipt of I months after Mexico commenced hostil- tions, and as a means to enable the Pre
the despatch of our consul in the city of ities, at a time selected by herself, we , sident to accomplish the important ob-
Mexico, with the accompanying docu- have taken possession of many of her jects in view. Though it did not be
meats, which are here With transmitted.; principal ports, driven back and pursued I conic necessary for the President to use
Besides, it was reasonable to suppose I her invading army, end acquired military ! these appropriations, yet a state of
that he must see the ruinous consequent- possession of the Mexican provinces of'! things might have arisen in which it
ceb to Mexico of a war with the United New Mexico, New Leon, Coahuila, Tam- I would have been highly important for
Sates, and 'that it would be his interest ;tulips, and. the Californias, a territory ! him to do so, and the wisdom of making
to favor peace. larger in extent than that embraced in! them cannot be doubted.
It was tinder these circumstances nod the original thirteen States of the Union,l It is believed that the measure re•
upon these considerations th a t it wa s ! inhabited by a considerable population, ! commended at your last session met
deputed expedient not to obstruct his , and much of it more than a thousand with the approbation of decided majori
return to Mexico, should he attempt to ; miles • from the points at which we had ! ties in both houses of Congress. In
dO•so. Our object was the restoration; to collect our forces and commence our deed, in differeut forms, a bill making
of peace; 'and with that view, no reason ! movements. By the blockade, the im- an appropriation of two millions of del-
Wits perceived why we should take part port and the export trade of the enemy lars passed each house, and it is much
with Paredes, and aid him, by means of has been cut off. to be regretted that it did not become a
our blockade, in preventing the retum ! Well may the American people be I law. The reasons which induced me
of his rival to Mexico. On the contrary, ! proud of the energy and gallantry of to recommend the measure at that time
i< was believed that the intestine divi- ! our regular and volunteer officers and still exist—and I again submit the sub
slims which ordinary sagacity could not soldiers. The events of those few ject to your consideration, and suggest
but anticipate as the fruit of Santa! months afford a gratifying proof that the importance of early action upon it.
Anna's return to Mexico, and his contest our country can, under any emergency, Should the appropriation be made, and
With Paredes, might strongly tend to confidently rely for the maintenance of be not needed, it will remain in the tree
pioduce a disposition with both parties her honor and the defence of her rights, sury ; should it be deemed proper to ap
to restore and preserve peace with the I and an effective force, ready at all times ply it in whole or in part, it will be ac-
United States. Paredes was a soldier ! voluntarily to relinquish the comforts ! counted for as other public expendi
bY profession, and a monarchist in prin. of home for the perils and privations of ! tures.
ciple. He had but recently before been I the camp. And though such a force Immediately after Congress had re
successful in a military revolution, by I may be for the time expensive, it is in , cognised the existence of the war with
!Which he had obtained power. He was the end economical, as the ability to !Mexico, my attention was directed to
the sworn enemy of the United States, j command it removes the necessity of I the danger that privateers might be fit
with which he had involved his country I employing a large standing army in time! ted out in the ports of Cuba and Porto
in the existing war. Santa Anna had lof peace, and proves that our people j Rico to prey upon the commerce of • the
been expelled from power by the army, I love their institutions, and are ever lU. States; and I invited the attention of
was known to be in open hostility to ready to defend and protect them. I the Spanish government to the 14th ar-
Paredes, and publicly pledged against i Whilst the war was in a course of , tide of our treaty with that power of
foreign intervention and the restoration I vigorous and successful prosecution, be- the 20th October, 1795, under which
df monarchy in Mexico. In view of ; ing still anxious to arrest its evils, and the citizens and subjects of either na
these facts and circumstance s it was, considering that, after the brilliant vie- tion who shall take commissions or let
that, when orders were issued to the , tories of our arms on the Bth and 9th of ters of marque to act as privateers it
commander of our naval forces in the May last, the national honor could not gainst the other, " shall be punished as
Gulf, on the 13th day of May last, only ! be comprornitted by it, another overture pirates."
two days after the existence of the war ! was made to Mexico, by my direction, It affords me pleasure to inform you
had been recognised by Congress, to !on the 27th of July last, to terminate ; that I have received assurances from
place the coasts of Mexico under block- hostilities by a peace just and honora-1 the Spanish government, that this arti
nde, he was directed no t t o obstruct the : ble to both countries. On the 31st of de of the treaty shall be faithfully ob
passage of Santa Anna to Mexico, should;August following, the Mexican govern. ; served on its part. Orders for this pur
he attempt to return. meat declined to accept this friendly ! pose were immediately transmitted from
• A revolution took place i n Mexico in overture, but referred it to the decision I that government to the authorities of
the early part of August following, by I of a Mexican Congress, to be assembled I Cuba and Porto Rico to exert their at
which the power of Paredes was over- !in the early part of the present month. most vigilance in preventing any at
thrown, and he has since been banished I communicate to you, herewith, a copy tempts to fit outtrivateers in those
from the country, and is now in exile.—: of the letter of the Secretary of State,' islands against t U. S. From the
,
Shortly afterwards, Santa Anna return- j proposing to re-open negotiations, of ! good faith of Spain I am fully satisfied
ed. It remains to b e se e n whether his the answer of the Mexican government, that this treaty will be executed in its
return may not yet prove to be favor- ; and the reply thereto of the Secretary I spirit as well as its letter; whilst the
able to a pacific adjustment of the exis- lof State. U. States will, on their part, faithfully
ting difficulties, it being manifestly his IThe war will continue to be prosecu- I perform all the obligations which it im
interest not to persevere in the prosecut ed with vigor, as the best means of se- I poses on them.
tion of a war commenced by Paredes, curing peace. It is hoped that the de-; Information has been recently receiv
to accomplish a purpose so absurd as vision of the Mexican Congress, to which ; ed at the department of State that the
the reconquest of Texas to the Sabine. our last overture has been referred, may I Mexican government has sent to Ha-
Had Paredes remained in power, it is result in a speedy and honorable peace. ' vana blank commissions to privateers,
morally certain that any pacific adjust-1 With our experience, however, of the and blank certificates of naturalization,
meat would have been hopeless. I unreasonable course of the Mexican au- signed by Gen. Sales, the present head
Upon the commencement of hostilities j thorities, it is the part of wisdom not to of the Mexican government. There is
by Mexico against the U. S., the indig. I relax in the energy of our military ope. also reason to apprehend that similar
nant spirit of the nation was at once I rations until the result is made known. documents have been transmitted to
aroused. Congress promptly responded In this view, it is deemed important to other parts of the world. Copies of
to the expectations of the country, and, hold military possession of all the pro- these papers, in translation, are here
by the act of the 13th of May last, re- vinces which have been taken, until a with transmitted.
cognised the fact that war existed, by definitive treaty of peace shall have been As the preliminaries required by the
the act of Mexico, between the U. S. ! concluded and ratified by the two coun- practice of civilized nations for em
end that republic, and granted the means ! tries. missioning privateers and regulating
necessary for its rigorous prosecution.— I The war has not been winged with a their conduct appear not to have been
Being involved in - a war 'thus commen
ced by Mexico, and for the justice of j
which on our part we may confidently
appeal to the world, I resolved to pros
ecute
it with the utmost vigor. Accord- !
ingly, the ports of Mexico on the Gulf
and on the Pacific have been placed un
der
blockade, and her territory invaded
at several important points. The reports
from the Departments of War and the
Navy will inform you more in detail of
the measures adopted in the emergency
in which our country was placed, and
of the gratifying results which have
been accomplished.
The various columns of the army have
performed their duty under great disad
vantages, with the most distinguished
skill and courage. The victories of
Palo Alto and Resaca de la Pahno, and
of Monterey, won against greatly supe
rior numbers, and against most decided
advantages in other respects on the part
of the enemy, were brilliant in their ex
ecution, and entitle our brave officers
and soldiers to the grateful thanks of
their country. The nation deplores the
loss of the brave officers and men who
have gallantly fallen while vindicating
and defending their country's rights and
honor.
It is a subject of pride and satisfac
tion that our volunteer citizen soldiers,
who so promptly responded to their
country's call, with an experience of the
discipline of a camp of only a few weeks,
have borne their part in the hard fought
battle of Monterey with a constancy
and courage equal to that of veteran
troops, and worthy of the highest admi
ration. The privation of long marches
through the enemy's country, and
through a wilderness, have been borne
without a murmur. By rapid movements
the province of New Mexico, with Santa
Fe, its capital, has been captured with
out bloodshed. The navy has co-oper
ated with the army, and rendered impor
tant services : if not so brilliant, it is
because the enemy had no force to meet
them on their own element, and because
of the defences which nature has inter
posed in the difficulties of the navigation
of the Mexican coast. Our squadron in
the Pacific, with the co-operation of a
gallant officer of the army, and a small
force hastily collected in that distant
country, have acquired bloodless posess
sion of the Californians, and the Amer
ican flag has been raised at every impor
tant point in that province.
I congratulate you on the success
view to conquest; but having - been com
menced by Mexico, it has been carried
into the enemy's country, and will be
vigorously prosecuted there with a view
to obtain an honorable peace, and there
by secure ample indemnity fur the ex
penses of the war, as well as to our
' much injured citizens, who hold large
! pecuniary demands against Mexico.
By the laws of nations, a conquered
territory is subject to be governed by
the conqueror during his military pos- ,
session, and until there is either a treaty
of peace, or he shall voluntarily with
' draw from it. The old civil govern
ment being necessarily superseded, it is
the right and duty of the conqueror to
secure his conquest, and to provide for
the maintenance of civil order and the
rights of the inhabitants. This right
has been exercised, and this duty per
formed, by our military and naval coin
manders, by the establishment of tem
porary governments in some of the con
quered
provinces in Mexico, assimilating
them as far as practicable to the free
institutions of our own country. In the ,
provinces of New Mexico and the Cali-1
fornias, little if any further resistance is'
! apprehended from the inhabitants to the !
temporary governments which have
I thus, front the necessity of the case, and
according to the laws of war, been este
blished. It may be proper to provide
for the security of these important con
quests,
by making an adequate appro
priation for the purpose of erecting for- I
titications and defraying the expenses
necessarily incident to the maintenance
lof our possession and authority over
them.
Near the close of your last session,
for reasons communicated to Congress,
II deemed it important, as a measure for
securing a speedy peace with Mexico,
that a sum of money should be appro
priated and placed in the power of the
Executive, similar to that which had
been made upon two former occasions
during the administration of President
, Jefferson.
I On the 26th of Feb., 1803, nn appro
propriation of $2,000,000,000 was made
and placed at the disposal of the Presi
dent. Its object is well known. It was
at that time in contemplation to acquire
Louisiana from France, and it was in
tended to be applied as a part of the
consideration which might be paid for
that territory. On 13th Feb., 1806, the
same sum was in like manner appropri
ated, with a view to the purchase of the;
observed, and as ihese commissions are I the first half e of the fiscal year succeeding. These revenue duties inclUding freights ,
in blank, to be filled up with the names In order that timely notice may be and charges, which the importer must
of citizens and subjects of all nations given, and proper measures taken to pay before he can come in competition
who may be willing to purchase them, !
effect the loan, or such portion of it as with the home manufacturer in our mar
the whole proceeding can only be con- may be required, it is important that the kets, amount, on nearly all our leading
strued as an invitation to all the free- i authority of Congress to make it be given branches of manufacture, to more than
booters upon earth, who arc willing to at an early period of your present ses- one-third of the value of the imported
pay for the privilege to cruise against ! sion. It is suggested that the loan should article, and in some cases to almost one
American commerce. It will be for our !be contracted for a period of twenty half its value. With such advantages,
courts of justice to decide whether, un- ; years, with authority to purchase the it is not doubted that our domestic man
der such circumstances, these Mexican stock and pay it off, at an earlier period, ufactures will continue to prosper, real
letters of marque and reprisal shall pro- Ist its market value, out of any surplus izing in well conducted establishments
tect those who accept them, and corn- which may at any time be in the treasury even greater profits than can be derived
' mit robberies upon the high seas upon ' applicable to that purpo s e. After the from any other regular business. Indeed,
their authority, from the pains and pen- establishment of peace with Mexico, it so far front requiring the protection of I
alties of piracy. is supposed that a considerable surplus even incidental revenue duties, our man-
If the certificates of naturalization will exist, and that the debt may be ex- 'tinctures in several leading branches
thus granted, be intended by Mexico to tinguished in a much shorter period than are extending their business, giving ev
shield Spanish subjects from the guilt that for which it may be contracted. The idences of great ingenuity and skill, 1
and punishment of pirates, under our periodof twenty years, as that for which and of their ability to compete, with in
treaty with Spain, they will certainly the proposed loan may be contracted in creased prospect of success, for the
prove unavailing. Such a subterfuge preference.to a shorter period, is sag- , open market of the world. Domestic
would be but a weak device t o d e f ea t gusted, because all experience, both at • manufactures, to the value of several
the provisions of a solemn treaty. home and abroad, has shown that loans millions of dollars, which cannot find a
are effected upon much better terms market at home, are annually exported
I recommend that Congress should
immediately provide by law for the trial upon long time, than when they are re- to foreign countries. With such rates
and punishment as pirates of Spanish irnbursable at shorter dates. of duty as those established by the ex
subjects who, escaping the vigilance of Necessary as this measure is. to sue- isting law, the system will probably be •
their government, shall be found guilty taro the honor and the interests of the permanent ; and capitalists, who hav e
of privateering against the U. States. I country, engaged in a foreign war, it is made or shall hereafter make, their in
do not apprehend serious dangers from not doubted but that Congress will vestments in manufactures, will know ;
these privateers. Our navy will be con- promptly authorize it. upon what to rely. The country will
stantly on the alert to protect our corn- I The ballance in the treasury on the be satisfied with these rates, because the
meree. Besides, in case prizes should first of July last exceeded nine millions advantages which the manufacturers
be made of American vessels,_ the ut- of dollars, notwithstanding considerable still enjoy result necessarily from the
most vigilance will be exerted by our expenditure s had been made for the war collection of revenue for the support of
blockading squadron to prevent the cap- during the months of May and June pre- government. High protective duties,
tors front taking them into Mexican ceding. But for the war, the whole pub- from their unjust operation upon the
ports, and it is not apprehended that lie debt could and would have been ex. masses of the people, cannot fail to give
any nation will violate its neutrality by tinguished within a short period ; and it rise to extensive dissatisfaction and corn-
suffering such prizes to be condemned was a part of my settled policy to do so, ' plaint, and to constant efforts to change
and sold within its jurisdiction. and thus relieve the people front its or repeal them, renderingall investments
1 recommend that Congress should ins- burden, and place the government in it in manufactures uncertain and preen-
mediately provide by law for granting position which would enable it to reduce rious. Lower and more permanent rates
letters of marque and reprisal agai n st the public expenditures to that econom- of duty,. at the same time that they w ill I
vessels under the Mexican flag. It i s ical standard which is most consistent yield to the manufacturer fair and remit
true that there are but few, if any, corn- with th e genera l welfare, and the pure iterating profits, will secure him against
mercial vessels of Mexico upon the high and wholesome progress of our institu- I the danger of frequent changes in the
seas; and it is therefore not probable tions. i system, which cannot fail to ruinously
that many American privateers would I Among our just causes of complaint affect his interests.
be fitted out, in case a law should pass
against Mexico, arising out of her refit- Simultaneously with the relaxation of
authorizing this mode of warfare. It is, sal to treat for peace as well before as i the restrictive policy by the United
notwithstanding, certain that such pri. since the war so unjustly commenced on I States, Great Britian, from whose exam
vateers may render good service to the her part, are the extraordinary expendi- ple we derived the system, has relaxed
commercial interests of the country, by tures in which we have been involved. I hers. She has modified her corn laws,
recapturing our merchant ships, should Justice to our own people will make it ' and reduced many other duties to mod
any be taken by armed vessels under the proper that Mexico should be held res- crate revenue rates. After ages of ex-
Mexican flag, as well as by capturing ponsible for these expenditures. perience, the statesmen of that country
these vessels themselves. Every means During the existence of the war with have been constrained by a stern neces
within
our power should be rendered Mexico all our resources ‘ should be bus- ; sity, and public opinion having its deep ;
available for the prot ec ti on o f our cm- b an d e d, a n d no appropriation made ex- foundation in the sufferings and wants
fierce. , cept such as are absolutely necessary for of impoverished millions, to abandon a
_ .
. .
The annual report of the Secretary of its vigorous prosecution and the due ad- system the effect of which was to build
the Treasury will exhibit a detailed state- ministration of the government. up innnense fortunes in the hands of the
ment of the condition of the finances. The act passed our last session .redu-1 few, and to reduce the laboring millions
The imports for the fiscal year ending on ; cing the duties on' imports' not having to pauperism and misery. Nearly in
the 13th of June last were of the value i gone into operation until the first of the the same ratio that labor was depressed,
of $121,691,797; of which the amount I present month, there has not been time capital was increased and concentrated
exported was $ 11,346,623, leaving the for its practical effect upon the revenue by the British protective policy.
amount retained in the country for do- ' and the business of the country, to be The evils of the system in Great Brit
mestic consumption, $110,345,174. The developed. It is not doubted, however, aim were at length rendered intolerable,
value of the exports for the same period that the just policy which it adopts will and it has been abandoned, but not with
was $113,488,516; of which $102,141, add largely to our foreign trade, and pro- ! out a severe struggle on the part of the
893 consisted of domestic productions, , mote the general prosperity Although protected and favored classes to retain
and $11,346,623 of foreign articles. it cannot certainly be forseen what ain't the unjust advantages which they have
The receipts into the Treasury for the of revenue it will yield, it is estimated so long enjoyed. It was to be expected
same year were $29,499,247 06 ; of that it will exceed that produced by the that a similar struggle would be made
which there was derived from Customs act of 1842, which it superseded. The •by the same classes in the U. S., when-
526,712,667 87 ; from sales of public leading principles established by it are, ! ever an attempt was made to modify or
lands, $2,695,452 48, and from incident- to levy the taxes with a view to raise ! abolish the same unjust system here.—
al and miscellaneous sources $92,126 71. revenue, and to impose them upon the ; The protective policy had been in oper-
The expenditures for the same period articles imported according to their ac- 'ation ation in the U. S. for a much shorter
were $28,031,114 20, and the ballance ' tual value. The act of '42 by the excessive ' period, and its pernicious effects were
in the Treasury on the Ist of July last I rates of duty which it imposed on many not, therefore, so clearly perceived and
was $9,126,439 08. I articles, either totally excluded them , felt. Enough, however, was known of
The amount of the public debt, inclu- from importation,
or greatly reduced the these effects to induce its repeal.
ding Treasury notes, on the first of the amount imported, and thus diminished: It would be strange if, in the face of
present month, was $24,256,494 60; of instead of producing revenue. By it the , the example of Great Britain, our prin.
which the sum of $17,788,799 62 was ' taxes were imposed not for the legitimate . cipal foreign customer, and of the evils
outstanding on the 4th of March, 1845, ' purpose of raising revenue, but to aftbrd of a system rendered manifest in that
leaving the amount incurred since that advantages to favored classes, at the ex- country by long and painful experience,
time $6,467,694 98. I pense of a large majority of their fellow and in the face of the immense advan
fit order to prosecute the war with citizens. Those employed in agriculture, tages which under a more liberal com-
Mexico with vigor and energy, as the mechanical pursuits, commerce, and mercial policy, we are already deriving
best means of bringing it to a speedy navigation, were compelled to contribute and must continue to derive by supply
and honorable termination, a further loan from their substance to swell the profits ing her starving population with food,
•
will be necessary, to meet the expendi- and overgrown wealth of the compare-
the U. S. should restore a policy which
tures for the present and the next fiscal Lively few who had invested their capital site has been compelled to abandon, and
years. If the war should be continued in manufactures. The taxes were not
until the 30th of June 1848—being the levied in proportion to the value of the ' thus diminish her ability to purchase
from us the food and other articles which
end of the next fiscal year—it is estima- articles upon which they were imposed;' she so much needs, and we so much de
ted that an additional loan of twenty- but, widely departing from this just ! sire to sell.
three millions will be required. This rule, the lighter taxes were, in many By the simultaneous abandonment of
estimate is made upon the assumption cases, levied upon articles of luxury, and i the protective policy by Great Britain
that it will be necessary to retain con- high prices, and heavier taxes on those' and the United States, new and impor
stantly in the treasury four millions of ! of necessity and low price, consumed by I tent markets have already been opened
dollars, to guard against contingencies. the people. I for our agricultural and other products;
If such surplus were not required to be ; It was a system, the inevitable effect . commerce and navigation have received
retained, then a loan of nineteen millions of which was to relieve favored classes ! a new impulse ; labor and trade have
of dollars would be sufficient. If, how- and the wealthy few from contributing been released from the artificial tram
ever, Congress should, at the present . their just proportion for the support of mels which have so long fettered them; I
session, impose a revenue duty on the government, and to lay the burden on and to a great extent reciprocity, in the
principal articles now embraced in the the labor of the many, engaged in other , exchange of commodities, has been in.
free list, it is estimated that an addition- ! pursuits than manufactures. troduced at the sante time by both
al annual revenue of about $2,500,000, A system so unequal and unjust has I countries, and greatly for the benefit of
amounting, it is estimated on the 30th been superseded by the existing law, both. Great Britain has been forced by
of June, 1848, to $4,000,000, would be which imposes duties not for the benefit the pressure of circumstances at home,
derived from that source; and the loan or injury of classes or pursuits, but dis- to abandon a policy which has been up
required would be reduced by that ain't. tributes, and, as far as practicable, equal- I held for ages, and to open her markets
It is estimated, also, that should Con- izes the public burdens among all classes. for our immense surplus of breadstuff's
gress graduate and reduce the price of . The favored classes who under the une- I and It is confidently believed that other
such of the public lands as have been! qual and unjust system which has been ! powers of Europe will ultimately see
the wisdom, if they be not compelled
' long in the market, the additional repealed, have heretofore realized large
by the pauperism and sufferings of their
enue derived from the source would be profits, and many of them amassed large !
crowded population, to pursue a similar
annually, for several years to come, be- fortunes, at the cost of the many who have
tween half a million and a million of dol- been made tributary to them, will have no policy. Our farmers are more intc
'
lays; St the loan required may be reduced reason to complain if they shall be re- rested in maintaining the just and libe
by that amount also. Should these mess- quired to bear their just proportion of I Tal policy of the existing law than any
ures be adopted, the loan required would the taxes necessary forother class of our citizens. They con
not the support of '
probably exceed eighteen or nineteen government. So far from it, it will be stitute a large majority of our popula•
millions of dollars—leaving in the urea- , perceived, by an examination of the ex- tion ; and it is well known that when
sury a constant supply of four millions fisting law, tints discriminations in the they prosper, all other pursuits prosper
of dollars. The loan proposed, it is es- rates of duty imposed, within the rev- also. They have heretofore not only/
timated, will be sufficient to cover the enue principle, have been retained in
received none of the bounties or favors
their favor. The incidental aid against
of government, but by the unequal ope
necessary expenditures, both for the war
and for all other purposes, up to the 30th foreign competition which they still en
d June, 1848 ; and an amount of this joy gives them an advantage which no rations of the protective policy, have
been made, by the burdens of taxation
loan not exceeding one-half, may be re- other pursuits possess ; but of this which it imposed, to contribute to the
quired during the present fiscal year, and , none others will complain, because the bounties which have enriched others.
the greater part of the remainder during duties levied arenecessary for revenue. When a foreign as well as a home
market is opened to them, they must
receive, as they are now receiving, in
creased prices for their products. They
will find a readier sale, and at better
prices, for their wheat, flour, rice, In
dian corn, beef, pork, lard, butter, cheese,
and other articles, which they produce.
The home-market alone is inadequate to
enable them to dispose of the immense
surplus of food and other articles which
they are capable 'of producing, even at
the most reduced prices, for the mani
fest reason that they cannot be consum
ed in the country. The U. States can,
from their immense surplus, supply not
only the home demand, but the deficien,
cies of food required by the wholeworld.
That the reduced production of some)
of the chief articles of food in Great
Britain and other parts of Europe, may
have contributed to increase the demand
for our breadstuffs and provisions, is not
doubted ; but that the great and effi
cient cause of this increased demand,
and of increased prices, consists in the
removal of artificial restrictions hereto
fore imposed, is deemed to be equally
certain. That our exports of food, al
ready increased and increasing beyond
former example, under the more liberal
policy which has been adopted, will be
vastly enlarged, unless they be checked
' or prevented by a restoration of the pro
tective policy, cannot be doubted. 'net
I our commercial and navigating interests
; will be enlarged in corresponding ratio
' with the increase of our trade, is equal
ly certain; while our manufacturing in
terests will still be the favored interests
; of the country, and receive the inciden
tnl protection afforded them by revenue
duties; and more than this they cannot
justly demand.
In my annual message of December
last, a tariff of revenue duties, based
upon the principles of the existing law
was recommended ; and I have seen no
reason to change the opinion then ex•
pressed. In view of the probable bene-
I ficial effects of that law, I recommend
that the policy established by it be main
! tained. It has but just commenced to
operate; and to abandon or modify it
without giving it a fair trial, would be
inexpedient and unwise. Should defects
in any of its details be ascertained by
actual experience to exist, these may be
; hereafter corrected ; but until such de
,' fects become manifest, the act should be
; fairly tested.
It is submitted to your consideration.
whether it may not be proper, as a wsr