0":-Ilevoted to Politics, Foreign and Domestic Intelligence, Literature, Science, . .14riculture, the &Mechanic &Irts, Internal Improvement, and General &Miscellany...4x'
ment to the disavowal contained in the mes
sage itself, of any intention to intimidate by
menace—he truly declared that it contain
ed,and was intended to contain,no charge of
ill faita again 4 the King of the French, and
properly distinguished between the right to
complain, in unexceptionable terms, of the
'omission to execute an agreement, and an
accusation of bad motives in willih.)ld.ng
such execution; and demonstrated that the
necessary use of that right ought not to he
considered as an offensive imputation. Al-
though Miscommunication was made with.
oat instructions, and entirely on the Minis
ter's own responsibility, yet it was after
wards made the act of this Government by
my full approbation, and that approbation
was officially made known, on the 25th of
April,lB3s,to the French Government. It,
however,failed to have any effect. The law
after this friendly explanation, passed with
the obnoxious amendment, supported by the
King's Ministers, and was finally approved
by the King.
The People of the U. States are justly at
tached to a pacific system in their inter-
Course with foreign nations. It is proper,
therefore, that they should know whether
their Government has adhered to it. In
the present instance, it has been carried to
the utmost extent, that was consistent with
a becoming self respect. The note of the
29th of January, to which I have before al
luded, was not the only one which our Min
ister took upon himself the responsibility of
presenting, on the same subject, and in the
same spirit. Finding that it was intended
to make the payment of a just debt depen
dent on the performance of a condition which
he knew could never be complied with, he
thought it a duty to mtike another attempt
to convince the French Government, that
whilst self-respect and regard to the dignity
of other nations would always prevent us
.from using any language that ought to give
offence,yet we could never admit a right in
any foreign Government to ask explana.
tions of, or to interfere in any manner in,the
communications which one branch of our
public councils wile with another: that in
the present case, no such language had been
used, and that this had in a former note been
fully and voluntarily stated before it was
contemplated to make the explanation a con.
dition: and that there might be no misap.
prehension,he stated the terms used in that
note, and he officially informed them that
it had been approved by the President: and
that, therefore, every explanation which
could reasonably be askod,or honorably giv
en, had been already made—that the con
templated measure had been anticipated by
a voluntary and friendly declaration, and
was therefore not only useless, but might
be deemed offensive,and certainly would not
be complied with,if annexed as a condition.
When this latter communication,to which
I especially invite the attention of Congress,
was laid before me, I entertained the hope
that the means it was obviously intended to
afford, of an honorable and speedy adjust.
meat of the difficulties between the two na
ttons, would have been accepted; and
therefore did not hesitate to give it my sanc
tion and full approbation. This was due to
the Minister who had made himself respon
sible for the act; and it was published to the
People of the U. States, and is now laid be-
fore their representatives, to show how far
their Executive has gone in its endeavors to
restore a good understanding between the
two countries. It would have been at any
time communicated to the Government of
France, had it been officially requested.
The French Government having receiv
ed all the explanation which honor and prin
ciple permitted, and which could in reason
be asked, it was hoped it would no longer
hesitate to pay thelnstalments now due.—
The agent authorized to receive the money,
was instructed to inform the French Minis-
ter of his readiness to do so. In reply to
this notice, he was told that the money could
not then be paid, because the formalities re-
quired by the act of the Chambers had no
been arranged.
Not having received any official commu
nication of the intentions of the French Go.
vernment, and anxious to bring, as far as
practicable, this unpleasant affair to a close
before the meeting of Congress, that you
might have the whole subject before you, I
caused our Charge d'Affaires at Paris, to be
instructed to ask for the final determination
of the French Government; and in the event
of their relivel to pay the instalments now
due, without further explanations, to return
to the United States.
The result of this last application has not
yet reached us,but is dailyexpected. That
it may be favorable, is ray sincere wish.—
France having now, through all the branch
es of her Government,acknowledged the va
lidity of our claims,and the obligation of the
treaty of 1831, and there really existing no
adequate cause for further delay, will at
length, it may be hoped, adopt the course
which the interests of both nations, not less
than the principles of justice,so imperiously
require. The treaty being once executed
on her part,little will remain to disturb the
friendly relations of the two countries; noth
ing indeed which will not yield to the Bug
gestions ofa pacific and enlightened policy,
and to the influence of that mutual good will,
and those onerous recollections, which we
may confidently meet will then be revived
in all their ancient force.
In any event,however,the principle imply.
ed in the new aspect which has been given
to the cantroversy,is so vitally important to
the independent administration of the Gov.
eratnnt. that it can neither be surrendered
nor compromitted without national degiada
lion. I hope it is unnecessary for me to
say, that strh a sacrifice will not be made
through any agency of mine. The .honor
of my country shall never be stained by an
apotogy from me, for the .statement of truth
_ .
.an# the performance of duty; nor can I give
any explanation of my official acts, except
sueli,as is. due to integrity and. justice, and
consistent with the principle on which our
institutions have beam framed. This deter.
111111altietti will, Lam confident, be approved
THE GETTYSBURG STAR & R,FIPUBLIC.AN BANNER.
iby my constituents. 1 have, indeed,studied
1 their character to but little purpose, if the
I sum of twenty-five millions of francs will
I have the weight of a feather in the estima
-1 tion of what appertains to their national in•
dependence; and tf,unhappily,a different im
pression should at any time obtain, in any
quarter, they will, I am sure,rally round the
Government of their choice, with alacrity &
unantmity,and silence forever the degrading
imputation.
Having thus frankly presented to you the
circumstances which, since the last session
of Congress,have occurred in thisinterest ing
and important matter, with the views of the
Executive in regard to them,it is at this time I
only necessary to add,that whenever the ad
vices,now daily expected from our Charge
d'Afraires,shall have been received,they will
be made the subject of a special communi
cation.
The condition ofthe Public Finances was
never more flattering than at the present pe
riod.
Since my last annual communication, all
the remains of the Public Debt have been re
deemed, or money has been placed in depo
site for this purpose,whenever the creditors
choose to receive it. All the other pecuniary
engagements of the Government have been
honorably and promptly fulfilled; and there
will be a balance in the Treasury at the close
of the present year, of about nineteen mil
lions of dollars. It is believed, that after
meeting all outstanding and unexpended ap
propriations, there will remain near eleven
millions, to be applied to any new objects
which Congress may designate, or to the
more rapid execution of the works already
in progress. In aid of these objects, and to
satisfy the current expenditures of the ensu
ing year,it is estimated that there will be re
ceived,from varioub sources,twenty millions
more in 1830.
Should Congress make new appropria
tions,in conformity with the estimates which
will be submitted from the proper depart.
ments,amounting to about twenty-four mil
lions,still the available surplus at the close
ofthe next year,after deducting all unexpen
ded appropriations, will probably be not less
than six millions. This sum can, in my
judgment,be now usefully applied to propos
ed improvements in our Navy Yards,and to
new national works, which are not enumer
ated in the present estimates, or to the more
rapid completion of those already begun.—
Either would be constitutional and useful, &
would render unnecessary any attempt, in
our present peculiar condition, to divide the
surplus revenue, or to reduce it any faster
than will be effected by the existing laws.
In any event, as the annual report from the
Secretary of the Treasury will enter into
details, showing the probability of some de
crease in the revenue during the next seven
years, and a very considerable deduction in
1842, it is not recommended that Congress
should undertake to modify the present tar
iff, so as to distarb the principles on which
the compromise act was passed. Taxation
on some of the articles of general consump
tion, which are not in competition with our
own productions, may be, no doubt, so di
minished, as to lessen, to Rime extent, the
source of this revenue, and the same object
can also be assisted by more liberal provi
sions for the subjects of public defence,which
in the present state of our prosperity and
wealth,may be expected to engage your at-
tention. lf,however,after satisfying all the
demands which can arise from these sources,
the unexpended balance in the Treasury
should still continue to increase, it would be
bolter to bear with the evil until the great
changes contemplated in our tariff lawe. have
occurred, and shall enable us to revise the
system with that care and circumspection
which are due to so delicate and important
a subject.
It is certainly our duty to diminish, as far
as we can,the burdens of taxation,and to re
gard all the restrictions which are imposed
on the trade and navigation of our citizens,
as evils which we shall mitigate whenever
we are not prevented by the adverse legis-
lotion and policy of foreign nations,or those
primary duties which the defence and iride-
pendence of our country enjoin upon us.—
That we have accomplished much towards
the relief of our citizens by the changes
which have accompanied the payment of the
Public Debt,and the adoption of the present
revenue laws, is manifest from the fact that
compared with 1833, there is a diminution
of near twenty-five millions in the last two
years,& that our expenditures,independently
of those for the public debt,have been reduc
ed near nine millions during the same pe
riod. Let us trust, that by the continued
observance of economy,and by harmonizing
the great interests of agriculture, manufac
tures,and commerce,much more may be ac•
complished to diminish the burdens of Gov-
ernment,and to increase still further the en-
terprise and the patriotic affection of all
classes of our citizens, and all the members
of our happy confederacy. As the data
which the Secretary of the Treasury will
lay before you in regard to our financial re-
sources, are full and extended,and will afford
a safe guide in your future calculations, I
think it unnecessary to offer any further oh-
servations on that subject here.
Among the evidences of the increasing
prosperity of the country,not the least grati.
tying is that afforded by the receipts from
the sales of the Publirt Lands,which amount,
in the present year, to the unexpected sum
of $11,000,000. This circumstance attests
the rapidity with which agriculturF,the first
and most important occupation of man, ad-
vances, and contributes •to the wealth and
power of our extended territory. Being still
of the opinion that it is our best policy,as fur
as we can, oansistently with the obligations
under which those lands were ceded to the
U. States, to promote their speedy settle
ment,' beg leave to dall the attention of the
present Congress to the suggestions 1 have
offered respecting it,in my limner messages.
Theettmordinary receipts from the sales
of the public lands invite
.you to consider
what improvements the laud system, and
particularly the rendition of the General
Land Office, may require. At the time
this institution was organized, near a quar
ter ofa century ago, it would probably have
been thought extravagant to an•icipate, for
this period, such an addition to its/business
as has bean produced by the vast irier.mse of
t hose sales,during the pastand present years.
It may also lie observed, that, since the year,
1812, the land offices and surveying districts
have been greatly multiplied, and that nu
merous legislative enactments, from year to
year, since that time, have imposed a great
amount of new and additional duties upon
that office, while the want ofa timely appli
cation of force, commensurate with the care
and labor required, has caused the increas
ing embarrassment of accumulated arr oral
in the different branches of the e.tablish
ment.
These impediments to the expedition o
much duty in the General Land Office, in
duce me to submit to your judgment, wheth
er some modification of the laws relating to
its organization, or an organization ofa new
character, be not called for, at the present
juncture, to enable the office to accomplish
all the ends ofits institution with a greater
degree of facility and promptitude than ex
perience has proved to be practicable under
existing regulations. The variety of the
concerns, and the magnitude and complexity
of the details occupying and dividing the at
tention ol' the Commissioner, appear to ren•
der it difficult, if not impracticable, for that
officer, by any possible assiduity, to bestow
on all the multifarious subjects upon which
he is called to act, the ready and careful at
tention due to their respective importance,
unless the Legislature shall assist him by a
law providing, or enabling him to provide,
for a more regular and economical distribu
tion oflabor,with the incident responsibility,
among thaw employed under hie , iirection.
The mere manual operation of affixing his
signature to the vast number of documents
issuing from his o ffi ce; substracts so largely
from te tune and attention claimed by the
weighty and complicated subjects daily ac
cumulating in that branch of the public ser
vice, as to indicate the strong necessity of
revising the organic law of the establish
ment. It will be easy for Congress, here
after, to proportion the expenditure on ac
count of this branch of the service to its real
wants, by abolishing, from time to time,the
offices which can be dispensed with.
The extinction of the Public Debt having
taken place, there is no longer any use for
the offices of Commissioners of Loans and
he Sinking Fund. I recommend, therefore,
that they be abolished, and that proper mea
sures be taken tinr the transfer to the Trea
sury Department, of any funds, books, and
papers, connected with the operations of
those offices; and that the proper power be
given to that Department, for closing, final
ly, any portion of their business which may
remain to be settled.
It is also incumbent on Congress,in guard
ng the pecuniary interests of the country,
o discontinue, by such a law 14s was passed
in 1812, the receipt of the bills of the Bank
of the U. States in payment of the public
revenue; and to provide for the designation
of an agent whose duty it shall be to take
charge of the books and stock of the United
States, in that institution, and to close all
connection with it, after the 3d of March,
1806, when its charter expires. In making
provision in regard to the disposition of this
sock, it will he essential to define, clearly
and strictly, the duties and powers of the
officer charged with , that branch of the pub
lic service.
It will be seen from the correspondence
which the Secretary of the Treasury will
lay before you,that nowithstanding the large
amount ofThe stuck which the U. States
hold in that institution, no information has
yet been communicated which will enable
the Government to anticipate when it can
receive any dividends, or derive any benefit
from it.
Connected with the condition of the finan
ces, and the flourishing state of the country
in all its branches of industry, it is pleasing
to witness the advantages which have been
already from the recent laws regulating the
value of the gold coinage. These advanta
ges will be more apparent in the course of
the next year, when the Branch Mints au
thorized to be established in North Carolina,
Georgia, and Louisiana, shall have gone
into operation. Aided, as it is hoped they
will be, by further reforms in the banking
systems of the States, and by judicious regu
lations on the part of Congress, in relation
to the custody of the public moneys, it may
be confidently anticipated that the use of
gold and silver,as a circulating medium, will
become general in the ordinary transactions
connected with the labor of the country.--
The great desideratum, in modern times, is
an efficient check upon the power of banks,
preventing that excessive issue of paper,
whence arise those fluctuations in the stan-
dard of value which render uncertain the re
wards of labor. It was supposed by those
who established the Bank of the U. States,
that from the credit given toil by the custody
of the public moneys, and other privileges,
and the precautions taken to guard against
the evils which the country had suffered on
he bankruptcy of many ofthe State institu•
ions of that period, we should derive from
hat institution all the security and benefits
of a sound currency, and every good end
that was attainable under that provision of
the constitution which authorizes Congress
alone to coin money and regulate the value
thereof. But it is scarcely neces.ary now
to bay, that these anticipations have not
been realized. After the extensive embar
rassment and distress recently produced by
the Bank of the U. States, from which the
country is now recovering, aggravated as
they were by pretensions to power which
defied the public authority, and which, irac.
quieBced in by the People,would have Chung
ed the whole character of our Governtbent,
every candid and intelligent individual must
admit that, for the attainment of the great
advantages of a sound currency, we must
look to a course•of legislation radically
ferent from that which treated such an in
stitution.
In 'considering the means of obtaining so
important an end,we must set aside all calcu
lations of temporary convenience, and he in
fluenced by those only which are in-harmony
with the true character and the permanent
interests of the Republic. We roust recur
to first principles, and see what it is that has
prevented the legislation of Congress and
the Sta'es,on the subject of currency, from
satisfying the public expectation, and rea'iz
ing results corresponding to those which
have attended the action of our system when
truly consistent with the great principle of
equality upon which it rests, and with that
spirit of forbearance,and mutual concession.
and generous patriotism, which Will; ortgi
nally,and must ever continue to be, the vital
element of our Union.
On this subject,l am sure that I cannot be mis
taken in ascribing our want of success to the 1111-
due countenance which has been afforded to the
ripiritof monopoly. All the serious dangers which
our system has yet encountered,may be traced to
the resort to implied powera.and the use of corno.
rations clothed with privileges the effect of which
is to advance the interests of the few,at the expense
of the many. We have felt but one class of these
dangers, exhibited in the contest waged by the
Bank of the U. States against the Government for
the last 4 years. Happily,they have been obviated
for the present by the indignant resistance of the
People, but wo should recollect that the principle
whence they sprung is an over active one, which
will not fail to renew its efforts in the same and in
other forms,so long as there is a hope of success,
founded either on the inattention of the People,nr
the treachery of their roprosontativos,to the subtle
progress onto influence. The Bank is,in fact,but
one of the fruits of a system at war with the go.
nine of all our institutions; a system founded upon
a political creed, the fundamental principle of
which is a distrust of the popular will as a safe re
gulator of political power, & whose great ultimate
object,and inevitable result,should it prevail,is the
consolidation of all power in our system in one
central government. Lavish public disbursements
and corporations with exclusive 'privileges, would
be its substitute for the original, and,as yot,sound
Checks and balances of the constitution; the means
by whose silent and secret operation, a control
would be exercised by the few, over the political
conduct ofthe many,by first acquiring that control
over the labor and earnings of the great body of
the People. Wherever this spirit has effected an
alliance with political power, tyranny and despot.
i6m have been the fruit. If it is ever used for the
ends ofGovernment,it has to bo incessantly watch
ed,nr it corrupts the sources of the public virtuo,&
agitates the country with questions unfavorable
to the harmonious and steady pursuit of its true
interests.
Wo are now to see whether, in the present fa
vorable condition of the country, we cannot take
an effectual stand against this spirit of monopoly,
and practically prove, in respect to the currency
as well as other important interests, that there is
no necessity for so extensive a resort to it as that
which has been heretofore practised. The expe
rience of another year has confirmed the utter
fallacy of the idea that the Bunk of the U. States
was necessary as a fiscal agent of the Govern
ment. Without its aid as such,indeed, in despite
of all the embarrassment it was in its power to
croate,the revenue has been paid with punctuality
by our citizens; the business of exchange, both
foreign and domestic, has been conducted with
convenience; & the circulating medium has been
greatly improved By the use of the State banks,
which do not derive their charters from the Gen
eral Government,and are not controlled by its ail
thurity,it is ascertained that the moneys of the U.
States can be collected and disbursed without loss
or inconvenience; and that all the wants of the
community,in relation to exchange and currency
are supplied as well us they have over been before.
If, under circumstances the . most unfavorable to
the steadiness of the money market, it has been
found that the considerations on which the Bank
of the U.States rested its clai ms to the public favor,
were imaginary & groundless,it cannot be doubt
ed that the experience of the future will bo more
decisive against thorn.
In has been soon, that, without the agency of a'
groat moneyed monopoly, the revenue can be col.
lected,and conveniently and safely applied to all
I the purposes of the public expenditure. It is also
ascertained,thatinstead of being necessarily made
to promote the evils of an unchecked paper sys.
tem, the management of the revenue can be made
auxiliary to the reform which the Legislatures of
several of the States have already commenced in
regard to the suppression ofsmall bills; and which
has only to be fostered by proper regulations on
the part of Congress, to secure a practical return,
to the extent required for the security of the cur.
rency, to the constitutional medium. Severed
from the Government as political enginos,and not
susceptible of dangerous extension and combine
tion,the State banks will not be tempted, nor will
they have the power which we have seen exorcised
to divert the public funds etom the legitimate pur.
poses of the Government. The collection and
custody of the revenue being, on the contrary, a
source of credit to them,will increase the security
which the States provide for a faithful execution
of their trusta,by multiplying the scrutinies to
which their operations and accounts will be sub.
jected. Thus disposed, as well from interest as
the obligations oftheir charters,it cannot be doubt.
ed that such conditions us Congress may see fit to
adopt respecting the doposites in these institu.
lions, with a view to tho gradual disuse of the
small bills, will be cheerfully complied with; and
that we shall soon gain,in place of the Bank of
the U. States, a practical reform in the whole pa.
per system of the country. If,by this polioy.we can
ultimately witness the suppression of all bank
bills below twenty dollars, it is apparent that gold
and silver will take their place,& become the prin.
cipal circulating medium in the common busi
ness of the farmers and mechanics of the country.
The attainment of such a result will form an era
in the history of our country, which will be dwelt
upon with delight by every true friend of its lib
erty and independence. It will lighten the great
tax which our paper system has so long collected
from the earnings of labor, and do more to revive
and perpetuate those habits of economy and sim
plicity which are so congenial to the character of
republicans,than all the legislation which has yet
been attempted.
To this subject I feel that I cannot too earnest
ly invite the especial attention of Congress, with.
out the exercise of whose autliorit3 ,the opportuni
ty to accomplish so much public good must pass
unimproved. Deeply impressed with its vital inn
tance,the Executive has taken all the steps within
his constitutional power to guard the public rove.
nue,and defeat the expectation witch the Bank
of the U. States indulged, of renewing and par
petuating its monopoly, on the ground of its ne
cessity as a fiscl agent,and as affording a sounder
currency than could be obtained without such an
institution. In the performance of this duty,
much resposibility was incurred, which would
have been gladly avoided if the stake which the
public had in the question could have been other
wise preserved. Although clothed with the legal
authority,and supported by precedent, I was a
ware that there was,in the act of the removal of
the deposites,a liability to excite that sonsitivenss
. to Executive power which it is the characteristic
and the duty of freemen to indulge: but I relied
on this feeling, also directed by patriotism and
intelligence,to vindicate the conduct whicii,in the
ond,would appear to have been called for by the
best interests of my country. The apprehensions
natural to this feeling,that there may have bean a
desire,.thro' the instrumentality of that measure.
to extend the Executive influence, or that it may
have been prompted by motives not suffwiently
1 free from unbitten, were not overlooked. Under
the operation of our institutions,the public servant
who is called -on to take a step of high respunsi
(hility,should feel,in the freedom which gives rise
Ito such apprehensions, his highest security.—
When linfounded,the attention which they arouse,
and the discussions they excite,deprive those who
indulge thein,of the power to do harm; when just,
they but hasten the certainty with which the great
body of our citizens never fail to repel an attempt
to procure their sanction
. to any exorcise of power
inconsistent with the jealous maintenance of their
rights Under such convictions,nnd entertaining
no doubt that my constitutional obligations do
mended the steps which wore taken in reference
to the removal of the depositor', it was impossible
for roe to be deterred from the path of duty by a
fear that my motives could be inisjudged, or that
political prejudices could defeat the just consid
eration of the moths of my conduct. The result
has shown how safe is this reliance upon the pa.
triotic temper and enlightened discernment ofthat
people. That measure has now been before them,
and has stood the test of all the severe analysis
which its goner al importance,the interests it affi'c.
tad, and the apprehensions it excited, were 'Alen- 1
lilted to produce: and it now remains for Congress
to consider what legislation has bedume necessa
ry in consequence.
I need only and to what I have on former oc.
Elisions said on this subject, generally, that in the
regulations which Congress may prescribe sea
pecting the custody of the public money s, it is de•
sirablo that as little discretion an may be deemed
consistent with their safe keeping, should be giv.
on to the Executive agents. No one can be more
deeply impressed than I are with the soundness
of the doctrine, which restrains and limits,by spe
cific provisions, Executive discretion, as far ns it
can be done consistently with the preservation of
its constitutional character. In respect to the
control over the public moneys, this doctrine is
peculiarly applicable, and is in harmony with the
great principle which I felt I was susiaining,in the
controversy with the Bank of the U. States, which
has resulted in sorering.to some extent, a danger.
ours connection between a moneyed and political
power. The dirty of the Legislature to define,by
clear and positive onactinents,thb nature and ex
tent of the action which it belongs to the Execu
tive to superintend,oprings out of a policy analog.
ons to that which enjoins upon all the branches
oldie Federal Government, an abstinence from
the exercise of powers not clearly granted. In
such a Government, possessing only limited and
specific powers,the spirit of its general adminis
tration cannot be wise or just, when it opposes the
reference ofall doubtful points to the great source
of authority, the States and the People; whose
number and diversified relations, securing them
against the influences and excitements which may
mislead their agents,meke thorn the safest deposi
tory ofpower. In its application to the Executive,
with reference to the Legislative branch of the
Government,the sane rule of action should make
the President ever anxious to avoid the exercise
of any discretionary authority which can be regu.
lated by Congress. The biases which may ope
rate upon him will not be so likely to extend to
the representatives of the People in that body.
In my former messages to Cengress,l have re
peatedly urged the propriety of lessening the die.
cretionary authority lodged in the various depart
ments; but it has produced no eflbct,as yet,except
the discontinuance ofextra allowances in the Ir.
my and Navy, and the substitution of fixed sala.
ries in the latter. It is believed that the same
principles could be advantageously applied in all
cases, and would promote the efficiency and eco
nomy of the public service, at the same time that
greater satisfaction,and mote equal Justice,would
bo secured to the public officers generally.
Tho accompanying Report of the Secretary of
War, will put you in possession of the operations
of the Department confided to his care, in all its
diversified relations, during the past year.
I am gratified in being able to inform you,that
no occurrence has required any movement of the
military force.except such as is common to a state
of peace. Tho sorvicvs of the army have been
limited to their usual duties at the various garri
sons upon the Atlantic and inland frontior,w Rh the
exceptions stated by the Secretary of War. Our
small military establishment appears to be ade
quate to the purposes for which it is maintained;
and it forms a nucleus around which any addition
al force may be collected,should the public exigen
cies unfortunately require any increase of our
military means.
The various acts of Congress which have been
recently passed in relation to the army,havo im
proved its condition,and have rendered its organi
zation more useful and efficient. It is at all times
in a state fur prompt and vigorous action; and it
contains within itself the power of extension to
any ut.eful limit; while, at the same time, it pre
serves that knowledge, boil theoretical and prao•
tical, which education and experience alone can
give; and which, if not acquired and preserved in
time of peaco,must be sought under grout disad
vantages in time of war.
' The duties of the Engineer Corps press hea.
vile upon that branch of the service ; and the
public interest requires an addition to its
strength. The nature of the works in which the
officers are engaged, render necessary profes•
sional knowledge and experience; and there is
no economy in committing to them more duties
thin they can perform, or in assigning these to
other persons temporaily employed, and tun of.
ten, of necessity, without all the quslifir•ations
which such service demands. I recommend this
subject to your attention, and also the proposi
tion submitted at the last session of Congress.
and now renewed, for a re-organiztition of the
Topographical Corps. 'flux reorganization can
be effected without any addition to the present
expenditure, and with much advantage to the
piiblic service. The branch of duties which de
volves upon these officers is at all times inter
eating to the community ; sud the information
furnished by them is useful in peace and in war.
Much loss and inconvenience have been ex
perienced, in consequence of the failure of the
bill containing the ordinary appropriations for
Fortifications. which passed one branch of the
National Legislature at the last session,but was
lost in the other. This failure was the more re
gretted, not only because it necessarily inter
rupted anti delayed t h e progress of a system of
National Defence, proj-cted immediately after
the I 'at war,and since steadily pnrsued,but also
because it contained a contingent apprAvia
tion, inserted in accordance with the views of
the Executive. in aid of this important object,
and other branches of the national defence,
some portmns of which might have been most
usefully applied during the past season 1 in.
vile yours ly attendon to that part o' the re
port of the Secret .ry of War which relates to
this subject. and reconrimond an appr-iviltion
sufficiently liberal to accelerate the armament
of the fortificatio , ,s agreeab y to the proposition
sitbnitted b$ him, and to place our whole At.
lantir pcaboard in a complete state of defence.
A just regard to the permanent inte , e-ts of the
country evidently revives this measure. 'Rut
there are also other reasons which at the pies.
ent juncture give it peculiAr force,and make it
my duty to call to the subject your special con
sider4tion.
The present system of Military Education
has been in opention sufficiently long to test
its usefulne”,and it hiis given to the army a vs.
liable body of officers. It is not alone in the
improvement, discipline and openit;on of the
troop%that these officers are employed. They
are also extensively engaged in the adrnin'stra•
Lively and fiscal entice' us ol.the various matters
confi led to the War Department; in the execu
tion of toe stuff duties wmally tippet t4ining to
mildsry or,:an.zation; in due remov .1 of the In-
dialio, and in the disbursement of the various
expetiditores growing nut of our Indi4n eela
n.; in the forinatinii of mails, and in the
provemetit of harbors and riv,:r n Ate von.
or for ificattons; in the fibrication of
nrirh of the materiel required for the public
defence; and in the preservation, distribution,
and accountability of the whole ; hd .n other
miscellaneous duties. not admitting of cla sifi
ration.
These dive's fled functions embrace very
heavy expert litures public money, and re
qutre fidelity, science, and la - ssiness habits in
their execution; and • , ystem which 5 1, a1l se_
cute these qualifications s 'deman•led by the
public interest. Tat this object has been in a
great measure nbtained by the Military Acade
my,,s shown hr the state of the service,and the
prompt acc , mitt .bility which has generally fol
lowed the necessa , y advances: Like all tither
political s) s'ems. the prtsent mode of militaty
educ •tion,tio doulA, has its imperfect . ons, butts
of principle and ptactire; but I trust these Cal
be improved by rigid inspect ons,and by legis
lative Fc , winy, aithout stroying the institn.
lion itself.
Occuiren-es to which we as well as all other
nations are liable, both in our internal and es
ter. al rel gions,point to the necessity of an effi
cient o.ganization iif the 1 am again in
dnced,by the impoi t•nce of the subject.to bring
it to ) our • tention. To suppress domestic vio
lence, and to repel foreign invasion, should
these cal imitica overtake us, we must rely, in
the first instance, upon the greet body of the
community,whose will has inatituted,and whose
power must support,the Government. A large
standing mil tary force is not consonant to the
spirt of our institutions, nor to the feelings of
our countrymen; and the lessonsot former days
and those of our own time,show the danger.as
well as the enormous expense, of these perma
nent and extensive mi itary organizations. That
just medium which averds an inadequate pre.
paration. on one hand, and the danger and "x
-pelage of a large force,on the other, is what our
constituents have a right to expect from their
Government. This object can be attained only
by the maintenance of • small military force,and
by such an o , g ,niz.tion of the physical atrengh
of the emlt , y as m iy bring uiis power into ac.
tion,whenever its services are requited. A clas
sification of the popolation offers the most °b
ai-ms means of effecting this organization. Such
a division may be made as will be just to all, by
transferring each,at a proper period of life,from
one class to another, and by calling first for the
services of that claas, whether for instruction or
action,which,from age, is qualified for the duty,
and may be called to perform it with least
inju
ry to themselves or to the public. Should the
danger ever become so imminent as to require
additional force, the other classes, in soccession,
would be ready for the call. And if,in addition
to this organization, voluntary aasociationa were
encouraged, and inducements held out fur their
formation, our militia would be in a state of effi
cient service. Now, when we are at peace,is the
proper time to digest and establish a practical
system. The object is certainly worth the ex
periment, and worth the expense. No one ap
preciating the blessings of • Republican Gov
ernment.. can object to his share of the burden
whion such a plan may impose. Indeed.% mode
rate portion of the national funds could scarcely
be better applied,than in carrying into effect and
continuing such an arrrangement, and in giving
the necessary elementary instruction. We are
happily at peace with all the world. A sincere
desire to continue so, and a fixed determination
to give no just cause of offence to other nations.
furnish, unfortunately, no certain ground of ex
pectation that this relation will be interrupted.
With this determination to give no offence.is
as
sociated a resolution,equally decided, tamely to
submit to none. The armor and the attitude of
defence, afford the best security against those
collisions which the ambition,or interest,or some
other passion of nations, not more justifiable, is
liable to produce. In many countries it is con
sidered unsafe to put arms into the hands of the
people, and to instruct them in the elements of
military knowledge. That fear can have no
place here,when it is recollected that the People
are the sovereign power. Our Government was
instituted and is supported by the ballot-box,
not by the musket. Whatever changes await it.
still g• s,ter changes must he made in our social
institurions,before our political system can yield
to physical force. In every aspect,therefore, in
which I can view the subject, I am impressed
with the importance of a prompt and efficient
organization of the militia.
The plan of rr•moving the Ahorigin II People
who vet remain within the settled portions or
the U States, to the country west of the Missis
sippi river,approaches its consummation. It was
adopted on the most mature consideration of the
condition of this race, and ought to be persisted
in till the object is accomplished,and prosecuted
with as much vigor as a just regard to their cir
cumstances will permit, and as fast RS their con
sent can be obtained. All preceding experi
ments for the improvement of the Indians have
failed. It seems now to be an established fact.
that they cannot live in contact with a civilized
community and prosper. Ages of fruitless en
deavors have.at length,bro't us to a knowledge
of this principle of intercommunication with
them. The past we cannot recall. hut the future
we can provide fur, independently of the treaty
atiptilations into wh:ch we have entered with
various tribes, for the usufructuary rights they
have ceded to us, no one can doubt the moral
duty of the Government of the U. States to pro
tect,and. if possible, to preserve and perpetuate
the scattered remnants of this race, which are
left within our borders. In the dis"harge of ihia
duty, an extensive region in the West hes been
assigned for their permanent residence. It has
been divided into districts, and allotted among
them. Many already removed, and others are
preparing to got and with the exception of two
small bands, living in Ohio and Indiana, not ex
ceeding fifteen hundred persons, and of the
Cherokees, all the tribel on the east side of the
Mississippi, and extending from Lake Michigan
to Flori la,have entered into engagements which
will lead to their transplantation.
The plan for their removal- and ro.es'ablish
ment is founded upon the knowledge we have
gained of their character and habits, and has
been (nettled by a spirit of enlarged liberality.
A territory exceeding in extent that relinquish
ed, Is is been grinned to each tribe. Of its cli
mate. fertility, and capacity to support an Indi
an population, the representations are highly
f.vur.ble To these districts, the Indians are
removed at the expense of the U. States, and
with certain supplies of clothing. arms, ammu
nitioe, and other indi-pimsable articles, they
are also f trni , hed gratuitously with provisions
for the period of a year • after their arrival at
their new homes. In that time,from the nature
of the country. and of the products raised by
them, they can subsist themselves by agrictit
teral labor. if they choose to resort to that
mode of life. If they do not,•theY are upon the
skirts of the great prairies, where countless
herds of buffalo ream, and a short time suffices
to adapt their own habits to the ch inges which
a change of the animals destined for their fo^d
may require. Ample arrangements have also
been made for the support of seheola- In some
instances, council.houses tind..cherches are to
he erected dwellings constructertfer the chiefs.
and milli for common use. Funds have been
set apart for the maintenance of the poor.
The most nere-awry meehanical arts have been
introduced, and blacksmiths, gunsmiths. wheel
wright., mil' rights, &c. are supported among
them. Steel and Iron, and'sometimes salt. are
purchased for themond ploughs and other farm.
lflg utensils, domestic ar.imals, loom., 'Tinning
.wheels, cards, &c. are presented to them. And
besides these beneficial arrangements, annelties
ire in all cases pahl4morinting in same Mara I^.e•
to wire tbari-30.dollarifth' eatteind;vidoal o .be
0::7-Devoted to Politics, Foreign and Domestic Intelligence,. Literature, Science,- 61griculture, the Mechanic ✓lrts, Internal Improvement,•and General sialirceitany..co
tribe; and in all cases sufficiently west, if justly
divided,and prudently expended,to enable them,
in addition to their own exertionsou live comfor
tably. And as s stimulus fur exertinn it is now
pinvided by law, thst. "in all cases of the sp.
poin. ment of int. rpreters, or tither petanns ern
phi% eil far the benefit of the Ind.anso pr. Terence
shall be giv. n to persons of l•r d tan de-cent. if
such can he found who ore properly go dified
fo• the di.chavge of the duties."
such ore the arrangements for the physical
comfort,nnit Ibr the moral improvement of the In
diana. Thl, necessary meatmres for their political
ri:lvancernont, & for their separation from our citi•
zens,have 11.11 been neglected. The pledge of the
11. Mates leis been given by Congress, that the
country destined for the residence of this people.
shall be f..rever 'secured and guarantied to them.'
A country west of Missouri & Arkansas has been
assigned to thent,into which the white settlements
are not to be pushed. No political communities
can be firmed in that extensive region, except
those which are established by the Indians thorn•
selves,or by the U.Stetes for them, and with their
concurrence. A barrier has thus been raised for
their protection against the encroachments of our
eilizens,und guarding the Indians, as far as possi.
ble,from those evils which have brought them to
their present condition. Summary authority has
been given by law to destroy all ardent spirits
fatend in their country,withnut waiting the doubt.
fill result and slow process of a legal seizure. I
consider the absolute and unconditional interdic
tion cf this s rticle,aniong those people, as the fir,t
and great atop in their melioration. Half-way
measures will answer no purpose. These cannot
successfully contend against the cupidity of the
seller,and the overpowering ar petite of the buyer.
And the destructive effects of the traffic are mark
ed in every page of the history of our Indian in.
tercourse
Some general legislation seems necessary for
the regulation of the relations which will exist in
this new state of things between the Government
and peophs of the U. States and these transplanted
Indian tribes; and for the establtshinent among
the latter, and with their own consent, of room
principles ofintercommunication,which their jux.
tap:wit:on will call fin; that moral may be substi
toted for physical force,the authority of a fow and
simple laws for the tomahawk, and that an end
anay be put to those bloody wars,whose prosecution
seeing to have made part of their social system.
After the further details of this arrangement
are completeci,with n my general supervision - over
them, they ought to be left to the progress of e..
vents. Theml indulge the hope,will secure their
.prosperity and improvement, and a large portion
of the moral debt we owe thorn will thene paid.
The Report from the Secretary of th
,Navy,
lu
enving the condition of that branch of tl e 'public
t
service,is recommended to your special a ntion.
It appears from it„, that ow naval force at present
in commission, with all the activity which can bo
given to it, is inadequate to the protection of our
Tepidly increasing commerce. This consideration,
and the more general one which regards this arm
of the national defence ns our best security against
foreign aggressions, strongly urge the continu
ance of the measures winch promote its gradual
enlargement, and a speedy increase of the force
which has boon heretofore employed abroad and
at home. You will perceive, from the estimates
which appear in the report of the Secretary of the
Navy, that the expenditures necessary to this in
crease of its force,though of considerable amount,
are small compared with the benefits which they
will secure to the country.
As a means of strengthening this nationsl arm,
I also recommend to your particular attention , the
propriety of the suggestion which attracted the
consideration of Congress at its last session, res
pecting the enlistment of Boys at a suitable age
in the service. In this mannor,a nursery of ski!.
lul and able.bodied seamen can be established,
which will be of the greatest importance. Next
to the capacity to put afloat and arm the requi
aite numberofships„is the possession of the means
to man them efficiently; and nothing seems bet
tor calculated to aid this object,than the measure
proposed. As an auxiliary to the advantages
derived from our extensive commercial marine,
it would furnish us with a resource ample enough
for all the exigencies which can be anticipated.
Considering the state of our resources, it cannot
bo doubted that whatever provision the liberality
and wisdom at Congress may now adopt, with u
view to the perfect organization of this branch of
our service, will meet the approbation of all clas
ses °four citizens.
By the Report of tine Postmaster General, it ap.
pears that the revenue of that Departmont,during
the year endingon the 30th day of June last, ex
ceeded its accruing responsibilities, $236,206,and
that the surplus of the present fiscal year is esti.
mated at $176,227. It further appears that the
debt of the Department on the first day of July
last, including the amount due to contractors for
the quarter then just expired, was about $1,064,.
381, exceeding the available means about $23,700,
nd that on the Ist instant about $597,077 of this
debt had been paid: $409,991 out of postages ac
cruing before July, and $187,086 out of postage')
accruing since. In these payments are included
$67,000 of the old debt due to Banks. After ma
king these payments, the Department bad $73,
000 in Bunk on the Ist instant. The pleasing as
surance is given, that the Department is entirely
freo from embarrassment, and that by collection
of outstanding balances, and using the current
surplus, the remaining portion of the Bank debt,
and most of the other dobt, will probably bo paid
in April next, leaving thereafter, a heavy amount
to be applied in extending the mail facilities of the
country. Reserving a considerable sum for the
improvement of existing mail routes, it is stated,
that the Department will - be able to sustain with
perfect convenience, as annual charge of S3UO,-
000, for the support of new routes, to commence
as soon as they can be established and put in ope•
•ration.
The measures adopted by the Postmaster General
to bring the means of the Department into nction,and
to effect a speedy extinguishment of its debt, as well
as to produce an efficient administration of its affairs,
will be found detailed in his able and luminous report.
Aided by a re-organization on the principles sugges
ted,and salutary provisions in the laws regulating its
administrative duties as the wisdom of Congress may
devise or approve, that important Department will
soon attain a degree of usefulness proportioned to the
increase of our population,and the extension of our
settlements.
Particular attention is solicited to that portion of the
report of the Postmaster General which relates to the
carriage of the Mails of the U. States upon rail-toads
constructed by private corporations,under the author
ity of the several States. The reliance which the
General Government can place on those roads as a
means of carrying on its operations,and the principles
on which the use of them is to be obtained,cannot too
soon be considered and settled. Already does the
spirit of monopoly begin to exhibit its natural propen
sities,in attempts to exact from the public,for services
which it supposes cannot be obtained on other terms,
the most extravagant compensation. If those claims
persistedbe in,the question may arise,whether a corn
'bination of citizens, meting under charters of incorpo
ration from the States, can, by a direct refusal,or the
demand of an exorbitant price.exclude the U. States
from the use of the established channels of comment
'cation between the different sections of the country:
and whether the U. States cannot,without transcend
ing their constitutional powers,seeure to the Post Of
fice Department the use of those roads, by an act of
Coneress,w bleb shall provide within itself some equi
table mode for adjusting the amount of compensation.
To obviateapossible,the necessity of considering this
question, it is suggested whether it be nut expedient
to fix, by !mi . , the amounts which shall he offered to
railroad companies for the conveyance of the mails,
graduated according to the average weight, to be as
certained and declared by the Postmaster General. It
is probable that a liberal proposition of that sort would
be accepted. .
In connection with these provisions in relation to
the P. 0. Department, I must also invite your atten
tion to the . painful Excitement produced in the South,
by athAtipts to circulate through the mails iufla ama
tory appeals addressed to the passions of the Slaves,
in prints,and i. various sorts of publications,caculated
to stimulate them to insurrection, and to produce all
the horrors of a servie war. '
Them is donbtioss no: respectabin portion of 'our
couutil men who can be so far inislca. as to foci any
other sentiment than that of indignant regret atcon
duct so destructive of the harmony and peace of the
country,and so repugnant to the principles of our Ili;
tional compact, and to the dictates of humanity aid
religion. Our happiness and prosperity essentially
depend upon peace within our borders; and peace de•
prints upon the maintenance, in g , 0:1 faith, of those
compromises of the censtitution upon which the Union
in founded.
It is fortunate for the country that the good sense,
the generous feeling,and the deep-rooted attachment
of the Peer& of the-non slavehol ling States to the
Union. and to their fellow citizens of the same blood
in the South, have given so strong and impressive a
tone to the sentiments entertained against the !pro
ceedings of the misguided persons who have engaged
in these unconstitutional and wicked attempts,and es
pecially against the emissaries from foreign parts,w ho
have dared to interfere in this matter. as to authorise
the hope that those attempts will no longer be persis
ted in. But if these express ons of the public will
shall not be sufficient to effect so desirable a result,not
a doubt can be cntertaired that the uon-slaveholding
States, so far from countenancing the slightest inter
ference with the constitutional rights of the South,
will be prompt to exercise their authority in suppress
ing,so far as in them lies, whatever is calculated pro
duce this evil.
In leaving the care of other branches of this interes
ting subject to the State authorities, to whom they
properly belong,it is nevertheless proper for Congress
to take such measures as will prevent the Post Office
Department,which was designed to foster an a-nicable
intercourse and correspondence between all the mem
bers of the confederacy, from being used as an instru
ment of an opposite character The General Govern
ment,to which the great trust is confided of preserving
inviolate the relations created among the States, by
the coustitution,is especially bound to avoid in its own
action any thing that may disturb them. I Would,
therefore,call the especial attention of Congress to the
subject,and respectfully suggest the propriety of pass
ing such a law as will prohibit,under severe penalties,
the circulation in the Southern States,thro' the mail,
of incendiary publications intended to instigate the
slaves to insurrection.
I felt It to be my duty,in the first message which I
communicated to Congress. to urge upon its attention
the propriety of Amending that part of the Constitu
tion which provides for the election of the President
and the Vice President of the U. States. The leading
object which I had in view was the adoption of some
new provisions which would secure to the People the
performance of this high duty, without any interme
diate agency. In my annual communications since, I
have enforced the same views, from a sincere convic
tion that the best interests of the country would be
promoted by their adoption. If the subject were an or
dinary one,l should have regarded the failure of Con
gress to act upon it as an indication of their judgment
that the disadvantages which belong to the present
system were not so great as those which would result
from any attainable substitute that had been submitted
to their consideration. Recollecting, however, that
propositions to introduce a new feature in our funda
mental laws cannot be too patiently examined, and
ought ought to be received with favor until the great ' ,
body of the People are thoroughly impressed with
their necessity and value,as a remedy for real evils,l
feel that, in renewing the recommendation I have
heretofore made on this subject,l am not transcending
the bounds of a just deference to the sense of Congress
or to the disposition of the People. However much
we may di ff er in the choice of the measures which
should guide the administration of Government, there
can be but little doubt in the minds of those who are
really friendly to the republican features of our sys
tem, that one of its most important securities consists
in the separation of the Legislative and Executive
powers,at the same time that each is held responsible
to the great source of authority which is acknowledg
ed to be supreme in the will of the People constitu
rionally expressed. My reflection and experience sa
tisfy me,that the framers of the Constitution, athough
they were anxious to mark this feature as a settled
and fixed principle in the structure of the Govern
ment, did not adopt all the precautions that were ne
cessary to secure its practical observance; and that we
cannot be said to have carried into complete effect
their intentions until the evils which arise from this
organic effect arc remedied.
Considering the great extent of our Confederaci,the
rapid increase of its population, and the diversity of
their interests and pursuits, it cannot be disguised that
the contingency by which one branch of the Legisla
ture is to form itself into an Electoral College, cannot
become one of ordinary oceurrence,without producing
incalculable mischief. What was intended as the me
dicine of the Constitution in extreme cases, cannot be
frequently used without changing its character, and
sooner or later producing incurable disorder.
Every election by the House of Representatives is
calculated to lessen the force of that security which is
derived from the distinct and separate character of
the Legislative and Executive functions, and while it
exposes each to temptations adverse to their efficien
cy as organs of the Constitution and laws,its tendency
will be to unite both in resisting the will of the Peo
ple,and thus give a direction to the Government anti
republican and dangerous. All history tells us that a
free People should be watchful of delegated power,
and should never acquiesce in a practice which will
diminish their coutrol over it. This obligation,so uni
versal in its application to all the principles of a Re
pnblic,is peculiarly so in ours.where the formation of
parties, founded on sectional interests,is so much fos
tered by the extent of our territory. These interests,
aepresented by candidates for the Presidency, are
constantly prone, in the zeal of party and selfish ob
jects, to generate influences unmindful of the general
good,and forgetful of the restraints which the great
body of the People would enforce, if they wereon no
contingency, to lose the right of expressing their will.
The experience of our country, from the formation of
the government to the present day, demonstrates that
the People cannot too soon adopt some stronger safe
guard for the right to elect the highest officers known
to the Constitution,than is contained in that sacred in
strument as it now stands.
It is my duty to call the particular attention of Con
gress to the present condition of the 1 istrict of Co
lumbia. From whatever cause the great depression
has arisen which now exists in the pecuniary concerns
of the citizens of this District,it is proper that its situ•
ation should be understml,and such relief or remedies
provided as are consistent with the powers of Con
gress. I earnestly recommend the extension of every
political right to the citizens of the District which
their true interests require, and which does not con
flict with the provisions of the Constitution. It is be
lieved that the laws for the government of the Dis
trict require revisal and amendment, and that much
good may be done'by modifying the penal code, so as
to give uniformity to its provisions.
Your attention is also invited to the defects which
exists in the Judicial system of the U States. As at
present organized, the States of the Union derive un
equal advantages from the Federal Judiciary, which
have been so often painted out,that I deem it unneces
sary to repeat them here. It is hoped that the present
Congress will extend to all the States,that equality in
respect to the benefits of the laws of the Union,which
can only be secured by the uniformity and efficiency
of the Judicial system
With these observations on the topics of general in
terest which are deemed worthy el your considera
tion, 1 leave them to your care, trusting that the le
gislative measures they call for, will be met as the
wants and best interests of our beloved country
demand.
andretv Jackson.
Washington City, December 8, 1835.
();:rThere is much truth and sound ad•
vice in the following article, from the Chum.
bersburg "Weekly iViessenger:"
WINTER THE TIME FOR STOOL—CoId
Winter has always been regarded as the
most favorable season for intellectual labor.
The schoolhouse fire burns brisk, and the
course of study begins to run strong and
hearty—while the evenings are consecrated
to the charms of social ecjoyment and plea-
sant amusement:
Who relates the most attractive story?
Who reads the most profitable book of nat.-
naives? Who stores his mind with the rich
est gems of literature and scien'cel Is it he
who loves his morning bed, and comes late
to school? or who idlee or sleeps away the
pleasant, long, long winter evenings? By no
means.
Let then, these hours. be diligently im
praued, and you will be amply repaid, by
the addition of much useful knowledge—and
the consolation of ni - it being an idler, who
kills tune in dojo!! nothing.
OLD N EWSPAPER.--The New Hemp•
shire (;azette published at Portsmouth, cam
pleted the 80th year of its age on the 10th
iost..litiving. been commenced in the year
1735, twenty.yeurs before the revolution.
AND
REPUBLICAN BANNER
BY ROBERT W. MIDDLETON.
At $2 per annum, half-yearly In advance.
GETTYSBURG, P.A.
TRznar,December 1 1,1835
(Win order to lay before our readers the Message
of the President of the United Statesore anticipate
our regular publication day.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
(0— This important and anxiously looked for docu
ment we give to the public to-day. It was received
on Wednesday night last, and with the assistance: of
two boys,(one of whom has only been at the business
a very short time,) we are enabled to lay it before
our readers this morning in advance of the other pa
pers who doubled teams!
The great length of the Message precludes us from
noticing its contents. On the subject of our relations
with France, the President speaks like an American.
Kt-Congress met on Monday last. On that day Mr
Van Buren took his scat as President of the Senate.
In the House of Representatives, Mr. Polk, of Tenn.,
was elected Speaker—Mr. Shunk, Clerk; and Blair
& Rives,(of the Globe,) Public Printers.
0:1-Harrison has written another letter "explana
tory" of the first! It won't do! In our view, it is de
eidedly more objectionable than the first.
Ela'Mr. STE VENS' bill for the suppression of Secret
Societies, is made the order of the day for Monday
SEIZURE OF JOHN Ross.--By the extract
below of a letter from Lewis Ross, it will
be perceived that John Ross, the Cherokee
Chief, has been forcibly seized and carried
into Georgia. We forbear comment until
all the facts connected with the transactions
are known.
ErrnAcr.--‘ On the night of the 7th
inst. the Georgia Guard, commanded by
Col. Bishop, and acting under the order of
Maj. B. F. Curry, as it is understood, came
to John Ross's residence, which is within
the chartered limits of Tennessee, arrested
him, and seized all the public documents
belonging to the nation, and have taken
them into Georgia. A gentleman from the
State of New York happened to be there,
who had been engaged in collecting matter
for publication, and whose name is John
Howard Payne, was also arrested, and his
papers all taken; and they are both now
prisoners in Georgia. What is to be done
with them I cannot now pretend to say."
[ll 7 aBhville Banner.
SPECULATION IN BEAVER, PA.—We Cony
the following from the Beaver Argue, of the
18th ult.
"Within ten days past, extensive sales of
real estate have been made in this vicinity,
to a company of Philadelphia capitalists,two
of whom (Messrs. Atkinson and Richards)
have been among us for some time. Their
most extensive purchase is the principal part
of Mr. Stone's property at Beaver Point,for
which they pay the sum of $20,000. We
understand that it is their intention at this
place to establish the culture and manufac
ture of silk, with a capital of $50,000:
preparatory to which they will immediate
ly attend to the selection and setting out of
plants of the mulberry, as well upon their
East Brighton purchases, as at the Point.
We are highly pleased that this important
branch of manufactures is about to be estab
lished in our neighborhood; and we indulge
the hope that it may lead others to devote
some attention to it. It is, no doubt, des
tined to be of great importance to the min
try."
MicurcAN.—The New York Courier and
Enquirer contains an article of considerable
length, headed by an extract from the Alba
ny Argus which charges the opposition to
tho.proceedings of the inhabitants of Michi
gan in erecting their Territory into a State
to party prejudices. Not having room for
the comments of the Enquirer, we will give
a synopsis of them.
By an ordinance of the old Congress, it
was provided, that whenever any of certain
states, to be formed out of the Territory
ceded to the United States Noith West of
the Ohio, should have sixty thousand inhabi
tants they should be admitted, by their dele
gates,into the Congress of the United States,
with certain provisions and conditions; upon
the fulfilment of these conditions the parties
whom such fulfilment would benefit have
undertaken to judge, and of course judged
favorably to themselves. But even it this
right of passing on a case in which they are
a party were justly claimable by the inhabi
tants of Michigan, under the ordinance to
which we have referred, and under which
they have acted, there are still other consid
orations. This ordinance was passed du
ring the old confederacy, and before the a
doption of the new constitution, consequent
ly wherever there are inconsistencies be
tween the two the former must yield, not
only because thereby virtually abrogated
but by a special provision in the act of the
old congress to which we have referred that
"the said Territory, and the States that '
may be formed therein, shall forever remain
a part of this Confederacy of the United
States of America, subject to the articles of
the Confederation and to such alterations
thereof as shall be constitutionally made, and
to all the acts and ordinances of the United
States in Congress assembled, conformable
thereto." The new constitution displaced
the articles of confederation entirely, and
ordains that "new States may be admitted
by congress into this union" dec. obviously
placing it in the discretion of Congress to
mako such admission, and to direct all the
proceedings which pertain to it. When l
Ohio was constituted a State, application was I
made to and permission granted by Congress
to hold a convent ion to frame a constitution;
and Congress fixed upon the time and• place
of holding the convention. It was also di
rected by the same 'authority that novo but
citizens of the United States, who had resi
ded within the limits of the Territory for a
year, should vote for delegates to the con
vention. This last provision, as well as
precedent has been—set at naught by the in
habitants of Michigan, who in tlieir late con
vention passed a proposition to annul forev
er all distinctions between natives and aliens.
The President has declared his intention to
enforce the Territorial laws.[Fred. Ex.
INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE.
NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 6, 1835.
Sin: Doubts are entertained by some per.
sons whether you claim to have become a
citizen of the United States by the admis•
sion of Louisiana into the Union, nr under
the naturalization laws passed by Congress,
while others again are of opinion that you
have never obtained, to citizenship in any
way in which can be constitutionally to for-
IMO
As it is but reasonable that such doubts
should be removed, and knowing your wil
lingness to communicate any information
upon a point which so materially affects the
relation between you and the People of Lou
isiana, we have ventured to ask the favor of
you to state, in reply to this note, the time
and place at which you became a citizen of
the United States, and whether by the ad
mission of Louisiana into the Union, or un
der the naturalization laws passed by Con
gress.
We beg you will have the goodness to
pardon the trouble this may give you, and
to be assured that our sole object is to ar
rive nt truth, and to satisfy the minds ofoth
ers as well as ourselves, upon a subject a
bout which you are best able to instruct us.
We have the honor to be, very respect.
fully, your obedient servants,
J. H. HOLLAND,
MARTIN GORDON, Jr.
J. R. STERETT,
THOMAS BANKS,
H. LOCKETT,
MARTIN GORDON, Sr.."
W. BOGART.
S. W. OAKEY,
W. CHRISTY,
JOS. M. KENNEDY,
H. B. CENAS,
To the Hon. ALEX. PORTER.
THE REPLY.
OAK LAWN, 12th Oct. 1835.
GENTLEMEN: I have the honor to ac
knowledge the receipt of your letter - of the
6th inst. in which you state that doubts are
entertained by some persons how I became
a citizen of the U. States; and that, "as it
is but reasonable such doubts should he re
moved," you require me to declare to you,
"the time and place at which I became a
citizen of the 11. States, and whether by the
admission of Louisiana into the Union, or
under the naturalization laws passed by
Congress."
You are also pleased to stale that this re
quest is founded on your knowledge of "my
willingness to communicateinformation on
a point which so materially affects the rela
tion between me and the State of Louisia
na." You further add, "that your sole ob
ject is to arrive at truth."
I am much gratified, gentlemen, by this
mark ef your attention, and perfectly appro.
ciate the excellent motive which appears
to animate you.
But while I am thus gratified with your
notice of me, I regret that I cannot justify
the confidence you express in "my willing.
ness," to be questioned by you: and that I
cannot answer the interrogatory proposed.
My sense of public duty forbids me.
To all and every matter which affects
"ray relations with the State of Louisiana,"
I trust I shall ever be found duly sensitive;
but the explanations by which these relations
may be correctly understood and maintain.
ed, are due only to the people of the Stato
or their Representatives. I cannot recog
nize you, gentlemen, to be either the one or
the other.
I repudiate, as unconstitutional in princi.
ple and most injurious in practice, the doc
trine implied in your demand, and, so far as
I can prevent it, a precedent by which it
might acquire force, shall not be set in my
person. That doctrine is identical with the
proposition that, after the People or their
Representatives have made an election, the
person elected must submit the evidence of
his qualifications to one or any number of
individuals, who may think proper to cate
chise him in regard to them. To one set
of inquisitive gentlemen, I suppose he must
explain how he became a citizen—to anoth
er he must prove he has the proper age—to
a third his property, qualifications, and so
on through every condition the State and
Federal constitutions may require. If the
right to interrogate and call for proof of
qualification exists, it cannot be for the grat.
ification of idle curiosity; if it has au
intelli
gible object it must be to enable the interro
gators to sit in judgment, and decide on the
proof. It is easy to see, gentlemen, to what
consequences such proceedings would lead.
The constitution, however, has provided an
other mode for settling these questions, than
the decision of the political opponents of the
person chosen. The body to which he is
elected is made the judge and the sole judge
of the qualifications of the Member sent to
it. You, gentlemen, have no power to eith
er accept or reject me, and I know of no au
thority you Lave to call for the proof of my
qualifications. If, disclaiming any object
ofihis kind, your purpose is to obtain infor
•mation from me by which you may contest
my right to a seat in the Senate of the Urn
ted. Stales, you .will excuse me fur declining
to give you any assistance.
WI had not the necessary qualifications
for Servitor, the proper time to have made
the objection - was when tho election was
pending before the Legislature: . If dtsre•
garded there, my right to take my seat
could have been contested when I presented
my credentials in the body to which I was
deputed. Had the objection been made at
that time, 1 was prepared with full proof
and ample explanations to remove it. 1
am still in possession of the both, and the
Senate trill sit next winter.
You will pardon me (or saying, that rifler
eighteen years of my life spent in the ser
vice of the State of Louisiana, it surprises
me no little to find at this late day, my cit
izeuship contested. How ignorant or cul
pably negligent must have been, gentlemen,
the People who sent me, then Representa
tive, to the Legislature—the Governor and
Senate, by whom 1 was appointed Judge of
the Supreme Court, and that Legislature
by whose vote 1 now hold the place of Sen.
ator. And the "some people" who are now
distressed by doubts of my capacity, where
was their vigilance and their patriotism,
when, for the lone period of thirteen years,
an alien, as they think, was administering
justice on the Supreme Bench of the State?
And you, too, gentlemen who are impelled
by the "sole love of truth," to take this un
precedented step, how comes it, that this
generous impulse did not animate your bo
soms and influence your actions in regard
to my disqualification, long before this? I
do not ask nny answer to these inquiries,
but I commend them to your reflections.
Under this view of the matter, I must
decline answering your questions. It would
give me great pleasure to satisfy you, it my
understanding of my duty as a public 'ser
vant did not forbid me. You will perceive
that I have, from a sense of courtesy, waiv
ed all objection to the wantof proof of your
citizenship; which, in strict justice, I had a
right to demand, before I made any reply;
for I know of no reason you have to call my
quality of citizen in doubt, which would not
authorize me to ask for the evidence of
yours.
I am, very respectfully, gentlemen, your
obedient servant. Al PORTER.
To Messrs. MARTIN GORDON, sen. &c.
GAnniEL CRANE, the Ohio Prophet, has
favored us with a copy of his Proclamation,
from Waynesville, 0. concerning a destruc
tion of the world. We don't exactly under
stand him, but presume that the said des
truction is to take place instantly, since the
Prophet intends to be elected President next
year. Ho deals largely in Scripture and
reprobation—sets down J. Q. Adams as
Judas or something of the sort, and An.
drew Jackson and Martin Van Buren as
the Beast and False Prophet,'who are to
have their part, &c. We don't exactly
consider Gabriel an 'unavailable candidate '
for the Presidency, though he says, all "will
certainly perish" who come out in opposi.
tion to him. As it seems not material with
him, we should like to name the day for his
threatened destruction of the world, and
would select the day after our delinquent
patrons pay vs what they owe us. The
man who wishes it further off than this must
have an unreasonable objection to bonfires.
[New Yorker.
ALAS! SHE'S GONE.—Andrew Wilhelm,
of Cumberland, Md. offers a reward of $2O
for the recovery of a mare, lately taken
from his premises, by Martin Bore and Fre
derick Tar, who also seduced and decoyed
away from his "bed.and board," th's jewel,
Maria, from whom he has not heard any
thing since. She has left five of her chil
dren, one of them is but three months old.
A moturrnous TAPE WORM.--Mr. Ph ine
as Heywood states in the Barre Gazette,
that he discharged a Tape Worm a short
time since,which measuredfin,y-four feet six
inchesin length. He discovered the existence
of the worm about three years ago, and
during that period he declares that portions
of the worm have come from him at inter-
vals, making in all, including the length a
bove mentioned, about two thousand feet!—
Oh Phineas!
The Salem (Mass.) Register says:--
•House•wives must be cautious in cooking
their cabbages. We hear that in cutting
open a small cabbage, boiled whole, in this
town lately, a reptile of the Lizard species,
was found in it; and on giving pieces of the
meat cooked with the cabbage, to a dog and
catohe poisonous effects were immediately
visible. The dog became swollen and sick,
but recovered—the cat was affected in the
same way, ran off, and probably died. Had
the family partaken of the food, disastrous
consequences would undoubtedly have fol
lowed.
In consequence of the scarcity of lead in
Texas, one gentleman took up the pipes of
his aqeduct and run them into bullets. Ma
ny had converted the weights of their clocks
to the same patriotic use and even the ladies
were engaged in moulding bullets, and other
operations calculated to facilitate the great
object the colonist have in view.
"Capt. Joseph Bassett, of Hyennis, Cape
Cod, is the father of thirty children, by two
wives, the last of which, by a former hus
band, had borne four children—making in
all, thirty-four who had the honor of calling
him father. The old veteran is about 75
years of age."
This is a fair evidence of the astonishing
progress of American manufactures!
MARRIED.
On the 26th ult. by the Rev. Mr. Rutbrauff, Mr.
Conrad .snlder. Jr. of Mountplesuat, to Miss Sarah
Benner, of Straban.
Oo the 6th ult. br the Rev. Mr Gottwald, Mr So
mud Bummer to Mies Ann He/Jar—both of Menallen.
In Hanover, on the 3d inst. by Rev. Mr. Ruthrauff,
Mr. ,David Culp to Miss Mary Walker—both of this
placo.
1)1E1).
On the2lth ult. Mrs. -- Stallsrnithoridow of Mr
Peter Stallamith, of this place.
On the 24th ult, at the house of Mr. Michael Bush
man. in Cumberland township, Miss Henrietta Getz,
in the 24th year of her age
, In Pittsburg,on the 3tlth ult. Mr. Thomas Arcata
rg,(Toilor,lformarly of this place.
On tbo 7ttk inst. (Or. Zaehariah Danner, Druggist,
of this Place. in the Oath year of his age.
A vAtvAnz,E rani x
FOR SALE.
T UE Sidweriber, intending to remove to
the west, ofF..rs fur sale hie
‘443
Situate in Tyrone tint nhhip, Adams county,
Pa., containing 200 ACRES of Patented
Lund, adjoining the Towri of Hcidloraburg.
There arc about 8O Atoms of excellent
Timberland—about 20 Acres of choice
MEADOW, and the residue in a good state of
cultivation. The farm is woll supplied with
running wilier.
THE IMPROVEMENTS ARE A GOOD LOG
DWELLING
• .
us SE, ;;
Loa BARN, and other necessary out•huild
ings--with a well of water convenient to
the house and two never•fidling SPRINGS,
(one of superior Medical qualities.)
--ALSO
TWO BUILDING LOTS
in the Town of Hadlersburg.
Mr - If the above property is not sold be
fore the 11th of February next, it will on
that day, nt 12 o'clock, m. on the premises
be offered at Public Sale.
Persons wishing to view the property, and
wanting further information, and a knowl
edge of the terms,will apply to the subscriber
residing on the premises.
JOHN DUFFIELD.
December 14, 1885. (9-37
SPECIAL COURT.
Jurors, Witnesses- and Parties,
W HO have been summoned to attend
the SPECIAL COURT for Ole
county of Adams, on the 28th inst., or who
are interested in the same, will take notice,
'that the same has, by order of his Honor,
Judge Thompson,been postponed until furth
er notice.
JAMES BELL, Jr Sheriff.
Dec. 14, 1835. 3t-37
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL
DIRECTORS
Of the District consisting of the Borough of Gettys
burg, in the county of Adams, to the Superinten
dent of Common Schools, for the year ending the
first Monday in November, 1835.
Number of Schools—Six: besides a colored
School,which Was continued for 3 months.
Number of Sc hole rs—Males 149—Females
146—Total, 295.
Number of Teachers—Male, 4—Female, 2
Total, 6.
Teachers' Salaries—Male Teachers, $2O
per month—Female Teachers, $l2.
Characters of Teachers—good.
Branches of Study taught—Reading, Writ
ing, Arithmetic, Geography and English
Grammar.
Number of months each School has beta
kept open—Six have been continued since
January Ist; and one for three months.
Rent of School-houses, $1.75.
Other costs of maintaining the Schools—
sso.
Money received for the use of. the Schools:
Fffim the State,s2l2 70; from the Coun
ty, $170; from the Borough, $9Ol 07;
from other sources, $4 83.
SAMPSON S. KING,
J. F. MACFARLANE, I
G`EO. CHRITZMAN, '
JAS. A. THOMPSON, V
T. STEVENS, 2
R. G. HARPER,
[Published agreeably to the 16th section
of tho "Act to establish a General System
of Education by Common Schools," passed
Ist April, 1834.]
Gettysburg, Dec. 7, 1836.
TEMPERANCE.
THE"Rock Creek Temperance Socie
ty" will meet at the Rock Creek Chap
el, on the 25th of December inst. at 1 o'-
clock, P. N. Addresses by several gentle
men are expected.
By order of the Secretary.
November 7,1895. tm-38
SCHOOL AILA.WITERS.
ATEACHER is wanted in the tittles.
town Acadern). Oiae well qualified
would meet with liberal encouragement and
immediate employment. For particulars
inquire of
D. SHRIVER, Trustees.
G. WILL,
December 7, 1.8:15.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS.
T HE Assignees of A m os Guirsr, and al
so Of WILLIAX UNDERWOOD, of Lati
more township, Adams county, have ap
pointed to meet at. the House of Moses My
ers, in Petersburg, (York Springs,) on Sat
urday the 26th day of December next, for
the purpose cf distributing the money which
remain in their hands amongst the Several
Creditors according to their Claims. If
any of the Creditors in either of the above
cases, have not yet presented their claims
they are required to present , them on said
day before 12 o'clock, N. if they wish to
have their distributive share of the assets
remaining in the hands of the several As
signees. Upon neglect of presenting their
accounts they will be barred from receiving
any distributive share thereafter.
GEORGE DEARDORFF,
JOHN WO.LFORD,
Assignees for Amos (driest.
JOHN WOLFORD,
Assignee for Wm. Vaderwood.
November 30,1835. 8t .45
GETTPSLCURG GUAIRDS,
ATTENTION!
YOU will Parade in front of the College.
on Friday the let of January nexhin
full Uniform.
‘: ROBERT MARTIN, O. B.
Deumber 7, 1885. • • Se.
(cr- An Apprentice wanted ,
mediately at this Office.
4t-46