extremes of the line, render it also indispensable
that a liberal provision should be made to meet
the necessary charges daring the fiscal year
ending on the 30th of Jane, 1851. 1 according
ly recommend this subject to your attention.
In the adjustment of the claims or American
sltiser.• on Mexico, provided for by the late
treaty, the employment of counsel, on the part
of the government, may become important for
the purpose of assisting the commissioners in
protecting the interests of the United States. I
seco.nonend this subject to the early and favor
able consideration of Congress.
Complaints have been made in regard to the
rnellieieney of the means provided by the gov
ernment of New Grenada for transporting the
United States mail across the Isthmus of Pana
ma, pursuant to our Pwital convention with that
republic, of the oth of March, ISN. Our Charge
d' Affairs at Bogota has been directed to make
such representations to the government of New
Grenada, as will, it is hoped, lead to a prompt
removal of this cause of complaint.
Toe !sanguinary civil war with which the Re-
pablic of Venezuela has for some time past been
ravaged has been brought to a clone. In its
progress, the rights of some of our citizens res
ident or trading there have been violated. The
restoration of order will afford the Veneznelau
government an opportunity to examine and re
dress these grievances and others of longer
standing, which our representatives at Cameras
have, hitherto ineffectually urged upon the at
tention of that government.
Tine exteniion of the coast of the United
states or, the Pacific, and the unexampled rap
idity with which the inhabitants of California,
especially are increasing in numbers, have im
parted new consequence to our relations with
the other countries whom territories border up.
en that ocean. It is probable that the inter
smut between those countries and our possee,
alone in that quarter, particularly with Cie Re
public of Chili, will become extensive arid
mutually advantageous in proportion as Cali
fornia and Oregon shall increase in population
sal wealth. It is desirable, therefore, that this
government should do every thing in its power
to Meter and strengthen its relations with those
&ate', and that the spirit of amity between us
should be. mutual and cordial.
1 recommend the observance of the same
course towards all other American States. The
United States stand as the great American pow
er to which, as their natural ally and friene,
they will always be disposed, firot, to look for
mediation and assistance, in the event of any
eollidion between them and any European na
tion. As such, we may often kindly mediate
in their behalf, without entangling ourselves in
foreign ware or unnecessary controversies.
Whenever the faith of our treaties with any of
them shell require our interference, we meet
necessarily interpose.
A convention has been negotiated with Bra
all, providing for the satisfaction of American
chains on that government, and it will be sub
mitted to the Senate. Since the last session of
Congress,
we have received an Envoy Extraor
dinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from that
empire, and our relations with it ere founded
upon tne most amicable understanding.
Your attention is earnestly invited to an
amen hnent of our existing laws relating to the
African slave trade, with a view to the effect
net suppression of that barbarous trafic. It is
not to be denied, that this trade is still, in part,
tarried on by moans of vessels built in the Uni
ted States, and owned for navigation by seine
of our calcine. The correspondence between
the Department of State and the Minister and
Consul of the United States at Rio de Janeiro,
which has from time to time been laid before
Congress, represents that it is a customary , de
vice to evade the penalties of our laws by mean:
of sea letters. Vessels sold in Brazil, when
provided with such panels by the Consul, in
stead of returning
to the United States for a new
resister, proceed, at once, to the coast of Afri
ea; for the purpose of obtaining cargoes of
slaves. Much additional information, of the
same character, has recently been transmitted
to the Department of State. It has not been
codeidered the policy of our laws to subject en
Americancitizen, who, inn foreign country pur
chases a vessel built in the United States, to the
inconvmience of sending her home for a new
register, before permitting her to proceed on a
voyage. Any alteration of the laws, which
might have a tendency to impede the free trans
fer of propirty in vessels between our citizens
or the free navigation of those vessels between
different parts or the world, wLen employed in
lawful commerce, should be well and cautiously
considered; but I trust that your wisdom will
devise a method by which our general policy, in
this respect, may be preserved, end at the same
time the abuse of our flag, by means of sea-let
ters, in the manner indicated, may be prevent
ed.
Having ascertained that there is no' prospect
of the re-union of the five States of Central
America, which formerly composed the repub
lic of that name, we have sep irately !negotiated
with so ne of them treaties of amity and corn
tnerce, which will be laid before the Senate.
A contract Leavittg been concluded with the
State of Nicaragua, by a comnany composed of
American citizens, for the purpose of ccnstrurt
ine, a ship canal, through the territory of that
State, to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans,
I have directed the negotiation of a treaty with
Nicaragua, pledging both governments to pro
tect those who shall engage in and perfect the
work. All other nations are invited by the
State of Nicaragua to enter into the same trea
ty stipulations with her ' • and the benefit to be
derived by each from such an arrangement, will
be the protection of this great inter-oceanic
ecurennication against any power which might
seek to obstruct it, or to thonopolize its advan
tages. All States, entering into such a t.eaty,
will enjoy the right of passage through the ca
nal on payment of the same tolls.
The work, if constructed tinder these guar
antees, will become a bond of peace, instead of
a subjectof contention and strife, between the
nations of the earth. Should the great mare
tim! States of Europe consent to this arrange
ment, (and we have no reason to suppose that a
proposition so fair and honorable will be oppo
sed by any,) the energies of their people and
ours will co-operate in promoting the success
of the enterprise. Ido not recommend any ap
propriation from the National Treasury for
this purpose, nor do I believe that such an ap
propriation is necessary. Private enterprise,
if properly protected, will complete the work,
should it prove to be feasible. The parttee who
have procured the charter from Nicaragua, for
its construction, desire no assistance from this
Government beyond its protection; and they
profess that, having examined the proposed line
of communication, they will be ready to com
mence the undertaking whenever that protec
tion shall be extended to them. Should there
appear to be reason, on examining the whole
evidence, to entertain a serious doubt of the
practicability of constructing such a canal, that
doubt could be speedily solved by an actual ex
ploration of the route.
Should such a work be constructed, under the
common protection of all nations, for equal ben
efits to all, it would be neither just nor expedi
ent that any maratime State should command
the communication. The teritory through
which the canal may be opened ought to be
freed from the claims of any foreign power. No
*aril power should occupy a position that would
enable. t hereafter to exercise so controlling an
Influence over the commerce of the world, or to
•otistruct a highway which ought to be dedica
s4a #0 tits imams we of mankind.
The routes across the Isthmus, at Tehuante
pec and Panama, are also worthy of uur serious
consideration. They did not fail to engage the
attention of my predecessor. The negotiator of
the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was instructed
to•offer a very large sum of money for the right of
transit across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The
Mexican government did not accede to the prop
osition• for the purchase of the right of way,
probably because it had already contracted with
private individuals for the construction of a
passage from the Guasacualro river to Tehuan
tepec. I ■hall not renew any proposition to
purchase, for money, a right which ought to be
equally secured to all nations, on payment of a
reasonable toll to the owners of the improve
ment, who would, doubtless, be well contented
with that compensation and the guarantees of
the maratime States of the world, In separate
treaties negotiated with Mexico, binding her and
them to protect those who should construct the
work. Such guarantees would do more to se
cure the completion of the communication thro'
the territory of Mexico; than any other reason
able consideration that could be offered; and as
Mexico' herself would be the greafest gainer by
the opening of this cotninunication between the
Gulf and the Pacific ocean, it is presumed that
she would nut hesitate to yield her aid, • in the
manner proposed, to accomplish an improvement
so important to tier own best interests.
We have reason to hope that the proposed
railroad across the Isthmus at Panama will be
successfully constructed, under the protection
of the late treaty with New Grenada, ratified
and exchanged by my predecessor on the 10th
day of June 1818, which guarantees the perfect
neutrality of the Isthmus, and the rights of sou
ereignty and property of New Grenada over that
territory, with a view that the free transit
fro., ocean to ocean may not be interrupted or
embarrassed" dining the existence of the trea
ty. It is our policy to encourage every prac
ticable route across the Isthmus, which con
nects North and South America, either by rail
road or canal, which the energy and enterprise
of our citizens may induce them to complete ;
and I consider it obligatory upon me to adopt
that policy, especially in consequence of the ab
solute necessity of facilitating in:ercourse with
our possessions on the Pacific.
The position of the Sandwich Islands, with ref
erence to theterritory of the U. S. on the Pacific;
the success of our persevering and benevolent
citizens who have repaired to that remote quar
ter in chriatianiiing the natives and inducing
them to adopt a system of government and laws
gaited to their capacity anti wants ; and the use
made by our neumerous whale ships of the har
bors of the Islands as places of resort for obtain
ing refreshments and repairs, all combine to
render their destiny peculiarly interesting to us.
It is our duty to encourage the authorities of
those islands in their efforts to improve and ele
vate the moral and political condition of the in
habitants; and we should make reasonable al
lowances for the difficulties inseperable from
this task. We desire that the islande nosy
maintain their independence, and that other na
tions should concur with us in this sentiment.
We could in no event Ire indifferent to their
passing under the dominion of any other pow
er. The principal commercial States have in
this a common interest, and it is to be hoped
that no one of them will attempt to interpose
obstacles to the entire independence of the is
lands.
The receipts into the Treasury for the fiscal
year ending on the thirtieth of June last were,
in cash, forty-eight millions eight hundred and
thirty thousand ninety-seven dollars and fifty
cents, ($18,830,097 500 and in Treasury notes
funded, ten millions eight hundred and thirty
three thousand dollars, ($10,833,000,) making
an aggregate of fifty-nine millions six hundred
'gat sixty-three thousand ninety-seven dollars
and fifty cents, ($50,663,097 50,) and the ex
penditures, for the same time were, in cash,
forty-six millions seven hundred and ninety
eight thousand six hundred and sixty-seven dol
lars and eighty-two cents, ($16,798,667 8 2 0
and in Treasury notes funded, ten millions eight
hundred and thirty-three thousand dollars, ($lO,-
833,000,) making an aggregate of fifty-seven
millions six hundred and thirty-one thousand
six hundred and sixty-seven dollars and eighty
two. cents, ($57,631,667 83.)
The accounts and estimates which will bo
submitted to Congress in the report of the Sec
retary of the Treasury, show that there will
probably be a deficit, occasioned by the expen
ses of the Mexican war and treaty, on the first
day of July next, of five millions eight hundred
and twenty-eight thousand one hundred and
twenty-one dollars and sixty-sixcents, 05,828,-
121 660 and on the first day of July, 1851, of
ten millions five hundred and forty-seven thou
sand and ninety-two. dollars and seventy-three
cents, ($10,517,092 73,) snaking in the whole
a probable deficit, to be provided for, of six•
teen millions three hundred and seventy-five
thousands two hundred and fourteen dollars and
thirty-nine cents, ($16,375,211 30.) The ex
traordinary expenses of the war with Mexico,
and the purchase of California and New Mexico
exceed in amount this deficit, together with the
loans heretofore made for those objects.
therefore recommend that authority be given to
borrow whatever sum may be necessary to cov
er that deficit. I recommend the observance
of !Viet economy in the appropriation and ex-1
penditwe of the public money.
I reconmiend a revision of the existing tariff,
nod its adjustment on a basis which may aug
ment the revenue. Ido not doubt the fight or
duty of Congress to encourage domestic indus
try, which is the great source of national es well
as individual wealth and prosperity. I look to
the wisdom and patriotism of Congress for the
adoption of a system which may place home la
bor, at last, on a sure and permanent footing,
and, by due encouragement of manufactured,
give a new and increased stimulus to agriculture
and promote the development of our vast resources
and the extension of our commerce. Believing that
to the attainmcnr of these ends (as well as the
necessary augmentation of the revenue and the
prevention of frauds) a system of specific duties
is best adapted, I strongly recommend to Con
gress the adoption of that system, fixing the du-.
ties at rates high enough to afford substantial
and sufficient encouragement to our own indus
try, and at the same time so adjusted as to in
sure stability.
The question of the continuance of the Sub
treasury system is respectfully submitted to the
wisdom of Congress. If continued, important
modifications of it appear to be indispensable.
For further details and views of the above,
and other matters connected with commeeci,
the finances, and revenue,l refer to the Report
of the Secretary of the reasury.
Na direct aid has been given by the general
government to the improvement of'agric - ulture,
except by the expenditure of small sums for
the collection and publication of agricultural
statistics, .nd for some chemical analyses, which
have basin, thus far, paid for slit of the patent
fond. This aid is, in my opinion, wholly in
'adequate. To give to this leading branch of
American industry the encouragement which it
merits, I respectfully recommend the establisti
lishmend of an Aericultural Bureau', to be
connected with the Department of the
Interior. To elevate the social condition of
the ay.riculturist, to increase his prosperity, and
to extend his means of usefulness to his country,
by multiplying his sources of information, should
be the study of every statesman, and a primary
object with every legislator.
No civil government having been provided
by Congress for California, the people of that
territory, impelled by the necessities of their
political condition, recently met in Convention,
for the purpose of forming a constitution and
State government, which, the latest advices'
give me reason to suppose, has been accomplish
ed ; and it is believed they Will shortly apply
for the admission of California into the Union,
,as a sovereign State. Should such be the ease,
and should their constitution be conformable to
the requisitions of the constitution of the United
States, I recommend their application to the fa
vorable consideration of Congress.
The people of NeW Mexico Will also, it is
believed, at no very distant iietiod, present
themselves for admission into the Union. Pre
paratory to the admission of California and New
Mexico, the people of each will have instituted
for themselves a Republican form of govern
mkt, "laying ifs foundations in such principles,
and organizing its powers in such form, as to
them shall seem most likely to effect their safe.
ty and happiness."
By awaiting their action, all causes of unea
siness may be avoided, and confidence and kind
feeling preserved. With a view of maintaining
the harmony and tranquility so dear to all, we
should abstain from the introduction of those
exciting topics of a sectional character which
have hitherto produced painful apprehensions
in the public mind ; and I repeat the solemn
warning of the first and most illustrious of my
predecessors against furnishing "any ground for
characterizing parties by geographical discrim
inations."
A collector has been appointed at San Fran
cisco, under the act of Congress extending the
revenue laws over California ; and measures
have been taken to organize the custom-houses
at that and the other ports mentioned in that
act, at the earliest period practicable. The
collector proceeded overland, and advices have
not yet been received of his arrival at San Fran
cisco. Meanwhile, it is understood that the
customs have continued to be collected there
by officers acting under the military authority,
as they were during the administration of my
predecessor. It will, I think, be expedient to
confirm the collections thus made, and direct
'be avails (alter such allowances as Congress
may think tit to authorize) to be expended with
in the territory, or to be paid into the Treasury,
for the purpose of meeting appropriations for
the improvement of its rivers and harbors.
A party, engaged on the coast survey, was
despatched to Oregon in January last. Accor
ding to the latest advices, they had not left
California ; and directions have been given to
them, as soUrr as they shall have fixed on the
sites of the two light houses and the buoys au
thorized to be constructed and placed in Oregon,
to proceed without delay to make reconoisan
ces of the most important points on the coast of
California, and especially to examine and deter
mine on sites for light houses on that coast, the
speedy erection of which is urgently demanded
by our rapidly increasing commerce.
° I
have transferred the Agencies from
upper Missouri end Council Muffs to Santa Fe
and Salt Lake ; and have caused to be appoint
ed sub-agents in the valleys of the Gila, the
Saciamento, and the San Joaquin rivers. Still
further legal provisions will be necessary for
the effective and successful extension of our
system of Indian intercourse over the new ter
ritories.
I recommend the establishment of a branch
mint in California', as it still, in. my &pinion, af
ford important facilities to those engaged in
mining, as well as' to the Government in the
disposition of the mineral lands.
I also recommend that conimissions Ire or
ganized by Congress, to examine and decide up
on the validity of the present subisting land ti
tles in California and New Mexico ; and that
I provision be made (or the establishment of offi
ces of Surveyor General in New Mexico, Cali
fornia, and Oregon, and for the surveying and
bringing into market the public lands in those
territories. Those lands, remote in position
and difficult of access, ought to be disposed of
on terms liberal to all, but especially favorable
to the early emigrants. . . _
In order That the situation and character of
the principal mineral deposites in California may
be ascertained, I recommend that a geological
and mineralogical exploration be connected with
the linear surveys, and that the mineral lands
be divided into small lots suitable for mining,
and be disposed of, by sale or lease, so as to
give our citizens an opportunity of procuring a
permanent right of property in the soil. This
would seem to be as important to the success of
mining as of agricultural pursuits.
The great mineral wealth of California, and '
the advantages which its ports and harbors, and
those of Oregon, afford to commerce, especially
with the islands of the Pacific and Indian oceans,
and the populous regions of Eastern Asia, make
it certain that there will arise, in a few years,
large and prosperous communities on our west
ern coast. It, therefore, becomes important
that a line of communication, the best and most
expeditious which the nature of the country will
admit. should be opened, within the territory of
the United States, from the navigable waters of
the Atlantic or the Gulf of Mexico, to the Pa
cific.
Opinion, as elicited and expressed by
two large and respectable conventions,
lately assembled at St. Louis and Mem
phis
points to a railroad as that which it
practicable, will best meet the wishes
and wants of the country. But while
this, if in successful operation, would
be a work of great national importance,
and of a value to the country which it
would be difficult to estimate it ought
also to be regarded us an undertaking
of vast magnitude and expense, and one
which must, if it be indeed practicable,
encounter many difficurtita ►n its con
struetiola and use:
Therefore, to avoid frrifure and disap
pointment; to enable congress to judge
whether in the condition of the &antis ,
through . Which it must pass, the work
be feasible and if it be found so whether,
it should be undertaken as a natural im
proVement or left to individual enter
prise; and i-e'the latter alternative, what
aid, if any, ought tube extended to it by
the Government, t recommend as a pre
liminary measure a careful reconnois
sance of the several proposed tiYute's by
a scientific corps,- and a repot.t an to' the
practicability of making eiieh a road with
lan estimate of the cost of its construc
tion and support.
For further views on these and on oth
er matters connected with the duties of
the Home Department, I refer you to the
report of the Secretary of the interior.
I recommend early appropriations for
continuing the river and harbor improve
ments which have been already begun,
and also for the construction of those
for whieh. estimates have been made, as
well as for examinations and estimates
preparatory to the commencement of
such others as the wants of the country,
and especially the advatiee of our popu
lation over new districts, and the exteu•
vion of comerce, mny render necessary.
An estimate of the amount which can be
,advantageously expended within the
next fiscal year, under the direction of
the Bureau of Topographical Engineers,
accompaniez the report of the Secrettity
of War, to which 1 respnctifully invite
the attention of Congress. . . . .
The cessions of territory tirade by the
late treaty with Mexico has greatly el
tended our exposed frontier, and ren
dered its defence more difficult. That
treaty has also brought us under obli
gations to Mexico, to comply with which
a military force is requisite. But our
military establishment is not materially
changed, as to its efficacy, from the con
dition in which it stood before the com
mencement of the Mexican war. Some
addition to it will therefore be necesary ;
and I recommend to the favorable con
sideration of Congress an increase of the
several corps of the army at our distant
western posts, as proposed in the tiecom•
panying report cf the Secretary of War.
Great embarrasment has resulted from
the effect upon rank, in the army, here
tofore given to brevet and staff commis
sions. The views of the Secretary of
War, on this subject, are deemed iinpor
taut, and if carried into effect will, it is
believed, promote the harmony of the
service. The plan proposed for retiring
disabled officers and providing an asylum
for such of the rank and file as from age,
wounds, and other infirmities occasioned
by service, have become unfit to perform
their respective duties, is recommended
as a means of increasing the efficiency
of the army, and as an act of justice due
from a grateful country to the faithful
soldier.
The accompanying report of the Sec
retary of the Navy presents a full and
satisfactory account of the condition and
operations of the naval service during
the past year. Our citizens engaged in
the legitimate pursuits of commerce
have enjoyed its benefits. Wherever
our national vest-els have gone they have
been received with respect, our officers
have been treated with kindness and
courtesy, and they have,on all occasions,
pursued a course of strict neutrality, in
accordance with the policy of our Gov
ernment.
The naval force at present in commis
sion is as large as is admissible, the
nullifier of men authorized byress
to be employed,
I invite your attention to the recom
mendation of the Secretary of the Navy
on the subject of a reorganization of the
Navy. in its various grades of officers,
and the establishing of a retired list for
such of the officers as are disqualified
for active and effective service. Should
Congress adopt some such measure as is
recommended, it will greatly Increase
the efficiency of the Navy, and reduce
its expenditures.
1 also ask your attention to the views
expressed by him in references to the
employment of war-steamers, and in re
gard to the contracts for the transporta
tion of the United States' mails, and the
operation of the system upon the pros
perity of the Navy.
By an act of Congress passed August
14th, 1818, provision was made for ex
tending post-office and mail accommo
dations to California and Oregon. Ex
ertions have been made to execute that
law; but the limited provisions of the
act, the inadequacy of the means it au
thorizes, the ill-adaptation of our post
office laws to the situation of that coun
try, and the measure of compensation for
services allowed by those laws, compa
red with the prices of labor and rents in
California, render those exertions in a
great degree, ineffectual. More partic
ular and efficient provisions by law is re
quired on this subject.
The act of 1845, reducing postage,
has now by its operation during four
years, produced results fully showing
that the income from such redueed pos
tage is sufficient to sustain the whole ex
pense of the service of the Post Office
Department, not including the cost of
transportation in mail steamers on the
lines from New York to Cliagres, and
from Panama to Astoria, which have not
been considered by Congress as properly
belonging to the mail service.
It is submitted to the wisdom of Con
gress, whether a further reduction of
postage should not now bn made, more
particularly on the letter correspon
dence. This should be relieved from
the unjust burthen of transporting and
delivering the franked matter of Con
gress, for which public service probision
should be made from the treasury. 1
confidently believe that a change may
safely be made, reducing all single-letter
postage to the uniform rate of five cents
regardless of distance, without thereby
imposing any greater tax on the treas ,
ury than would constitute a very mod
erate compensation for this public ser
vice; and I therefore •espectfully 'ecom
mend such a reduction. Should Con
gress prefer to abolish the franking priv
ilege entirely, it seems probable that no
demand on the treasury would result
from the proposed reduction of postage.
Whether any further diminution should
now be made, or the result of the reduc
tion to five cents, which I have recom
mended, should be first tested is sub
mitted to your decision.
Since the commencement of the last
cession of Congress, a Postal treaty with
Great Britain has been received and rat
ified, and oath regulations have been
formed by the Post Office Departments
of the ttvo countries, in pursuence of
that treaty, as to carry its provisions
into full operating. The attempt to ex
tend this same arrangement, through
England, to France, has not been equally
successful; but the purpose has not been
abandoned.
For a particular statement of the con-
dition of the Post Office Department and'
other matters connected with that brunch
of the public service, 1 refer you to the
report of the Postmaster General.
By the act of the 3d of March, 1849,
a Board was constituted to make ar•
rangements for taking the seventh cen
sus, composed of the Secretary of State,
I the Attorney General, and the Postmas
ter General; and it was made the duty
of Ibis Board "to prepare and cause to
be printed such forms and schedules as
might be necessary for the full enumer
ation of the inhabitants of the United
States; & also proper forms & ech.eda'es
for collecting in statistical tables, under
proper heads, such information us to
mines, agriculture, Commerce, rnanufae
tures, education, and other topics, as
would exhibit a full view of the pursuits
industry { education, and resources of
the country." The duties enjoined upon
the Census Board, thus estnblished, hav
ing been performed, it noii , rests with
Congress to enact a law for carrying into
effect the provision of the Constitution
which requires an actual enumeration•of '
the people of the United States within.
the ensuing year.
Among the duties assigned by Bid',
Constitution to the General Oorernmentl
is one of local and limited application,
but not, on that account, the less obli
gatory ; I allude to the trust committed
to Congress, as the exclusive legislator
and sole guardian of the interests of the
District of Columbia. 1 beg to com
mend these interests to your kind atten
tion. As the National metropolis, the
city of Washington must be an object
of general interest; and, founded as it
was under the auspices of him whose
immortal name it bears, its claims to the
fostering care of Congress present them
selvs with additional strength. What
ever can contribute to its prosperity
must enlist the feelings of its Consti
tutional guardians, and command their
favorable consideration.
Our Government is one of limited
powers,find its successful administration
eminently depends on the confinment of
each of its co-ordinate branches within
its own appropriate sphere. The first
section of the Constitution ordains that
"all legislative powers therein granted
shall be vested in a Congress of the
United States, which shall consist of a
Senate and House of Representatives."
The Executive has authority to recom
mend (not to dictate) measures to Con
gress. Having performed that duty, the
Executive department of the Govern.
ment cannot rightfully control the de
cision of Congress or any subject of leg.
islation, until that decision shall have
been officially submitted to the Presi
dent for approval. The check provided
by the Constitution, in the clause con
ferring the qualified veto, will never be
exercised by me, except in the cases
contemplated by the fathers of the Re
public. I view it as an extreme meas
ure, to be resorted to only in estraordi.
nary cases—as where it may become lie ,
cessary to defend the Executive against
the encroachments of the legislative
power, or to prevent hasty and inconsid
erate or unconstitutional legislation.—
By cautiously confining this remedy
within the sphere prescribed to it in the
cotemporaneous expositions of the fra
mers of the Constitution, the will of the
people, legitimately expressed on all
subjects of legislation, through their
constitutional organs, the Senators and
Representatives of the United States,
will have its full effect. As indispensa
ble to the preservation of our system of
self-government, the independence of
the Representatives of the State and the
people is guarantied by the Constitution;
and they owe no respOnsibility to any
human power but their constitutions.—
By holding the Representative responsi
bly only to the people and exempting him
from all other influences, tve elevate the
character of the constituent and quick
en his sense of responsibility to his coun
try. It is under these circumstances
only that the elector can feel that, in
the choice of the law-maker, he is him
self, truly iv component part of the sov
ereign power 0r the nation. With equal
care we should study to defend the rights
of the executive and judicial depart
ments. Our Ocitetnnient can only be
preserved in its purity by the suppres
sion and entire elimination of every
claim or tendency of one co-ordingte
branch to encroachment upon another.
With the strict observance of this rule
and the other injunctions of the Consti
tutioa—with a sedulous inculcation of
that respect and love for the Union of
the States, which our fathers cherished
and enjoined upon their children, and
ivith the aid of that overruling Provi
dence which has so long and so kindly
' guarded our liberties and institutions,
we
may
a so na bly e xpect to
transmit
themwittheirinnumerabebiessioga
iotiere i testpost:ritr.
Butatchmenttote Union of t he,
statesshidbehapituaiyfortereaiu
eleryAmercanheart.Formorethan
half t cent kingdo ms
and empires have fallen, this Union has
stood unshaken. The patriots who for
med it have long since descended to the
grave ; yet still it remains, the proudest
monument to their memory, and the ob
ject of affection and admiration with
1, every one worthy to bear the American
name. In my judgment, its dissolution
would be the greater of calamities, and
to avert that should be th . : study of every
American. Upon its preservation must
depend our own happiness and that of
countless generations to come. What
ever dangers may threaten it, I shall
stand by it and maintain it in its integ
rity td the full extent of the obligations
imposed, and the power conferred upon
me by the Constitution.
Z. TAYLOR.
WASHINGTON, December 4th f 1849.
From the Lewistown Gazettes
Destruction of the
_Lewistown Mills in,
Fire.
The unpleasant duty devolves upon us
this week of recording a most, destruc-•
tire fire, which broke out on Monday
evening ast, about 6 o'clock, in that ex.'
tensive flouring establishment known as
the "LEWISTOWN located on'
on Kishacoquillas creek, within the pre.'
cincts of this borough. The energy and
perseverance of JOJIN STERRETT, Esq.;
had just succeded in finishing and put ,
ting in complete order its machinery {
consisting of ten pair of burrs, smut
machine,. and many other mndern im.
profernents, and at the time of its de-•
struction was engaged in effecting incur
antes on it. A policy for $5OOO in the
was taken out some time ago;
another for a similar amount in the Cum
berland Was received enr the , the day the
mill burnt,. and negotintiOrit were on the
foot for $5OOO in a Philadelphia Compa
ny, but unfortunately not concluded.
How it originated, it is difficult to de ,
(ermine, though there can be no doubt
but that friction caused it. It broke our
in the upper story, and when first seen'
the flames had enveloped the machinery
connected with the smut machine, and'
in a moment ascended to the roof. We'
were there within a few minutes after
the first alarm, when free access to the
mill could be had, and although a good
hose company might then have extin
guished it, in ten minutes later all the
hose and engines within fifty miles would
not have put it out: &Me efforts were
repeatedly made Whli buckets, but it ap
peared so evident its fate was sealed
that little disposition was manifested by
the crowd to go to Work in earnest. After
much delay the hose was brought down
and attached to the nearest fire plug
but unfortunately did not reach. Neil'
the engine got to work, when it Was
discovered to be choked up or out of
order, and ill tr few minutes thereafter
it was so hot that the fire could no longer'
be approached. From this time forward
the structure was suffered to burn throw,
ing broad glare of light over the sur
rounding mountains far as the eye could.
reach, which being covered With snout,.
gave them a most imposing appearance.
The loss is severe. The mill, the lard'
gest probably in the interior of Pennsyl ,
'twin, was put up at an expense of abr
$30,000, and as we before stated .
but $lO,OOO insurance. Fortunately t;
amount of grain in. it was small—bo
tween 500 and 1000 bushel , s a part of
which was sawed—the bad ? roads fot
for several days previous having preven
ted att accumulation. Some flour and a
bout }bird of salt were burnt. The gates
haring beets' opened, the forebay and'
portions of the Water wheels Were pre--
served. The gable ends fell while the
fire was under way, and portions of the'
remaining walls have fallen since.
All the books and papers of value be ,
longing to the Mill were saved.
This milt was tr great convenience to'
our cit'iz'ens, and its toss is Very gener- -
lally regretted,. With a hope, however,
that Mr. S. will again rebuild it. Such
we understand is his intention, and ar
rangements are now being made to pros- -
ecute the work with all' possible des:
patch.
TASTE.-" Well," soliloquized the van:
erable Angeline Evergreen, ns she fold
ed the newspaper she had been reading
and laid aside her spectacles, " this ir
the most interesting newspaper I have'
seen for many a day. I believe it it
enough to do one's heart good to look
at it. Let me see—there 'is almost tlf
column of deaths,- one heart rending cc- -
eurence, one Murder, three Robberies,
three Stricides, with all the particulars,
besides almost a column of distressing
Accidents and Crimes, and I declare if
there is not an account of air executiest
for murder Such a paper ought to lie
patronized'. ft furnishes abundance of
amusement, mingled with instruction:
PERISHING IN THE WILDER . NRSS.-At
stranger, well dressed, getting Post in the
wild region of Centre county, perished
of hunger and eithaustinn recently.—
When found, his clothes face and hands
were much torn by his wanderings
through the woods,
Last Notice,
A" parsons indebted to the late firm of OZM.•
MILL de PORTER, either by note or book
account, are requested to call and pay the came ,
on or before the le day of January next. Thee
booke are now in the hands of John Gemmill,,
Who will make 'tenement with any who mar
,call. GE MMILL Bt, PORTER.
Alexandria, Dec. 12, 1849,
Axels. Springs, isc,
T UST received and for sale a new tot of Axel.,
Springs, Re., at the Shop of ROBERT
GRAFIUS, Alexandria.
Dec. 18, 1619.
111 ES II TEA S.
A PRIME article of Black Tea, Young Hy.•
11. eon, Imperial and other Teas ' just opened
CUNNINGRAWS.
Nnretnber 18111.