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From the PRESIDE:4T OF THE UNITED STATES 10 both
Ilona= or CONGRESS, at the Second Session of the
Twenty-Fourth Cong-ress, delivered last Tuesday:
Fellow-Citizens of the &nate
and House of Represcniatirrs:
Addressing to you the last arnual mes
sage I shall ever present to the Congress
of the United Slates, it is a source of the
most heartfelt satiblaction to be able to con-
gratulato you on the high state of prosperi
ty which our beloved country has attained.
With no etitt: , o at home or abroad to lessen
the confidencewith which we look to the fu•
. _
hire for continuing proofs of the capacity of
our free institutions to produce all the fruits
of good government; the general condition
of our affairs may well excite our national
pride.
I cannot avoid congratulatino . a you and
my country, particularly, on the success
of the : efforts made during my administra
lion by the Executive lied Legislature, in
conformity..with the sincere, constant, and
earnest desire of the people, to mantain
peace, and establish cordial relations with
all foreign. powers. Our gratitude is due pr
the Supreme Ruler of the Universe; and I
to_unile with me in olThring to
him fervent supplication, that his providen
tial care may ever be extended to those who
follow us, enabling them to avoid the dan
gets and the horrors of war, consistently
with a just and indispensable regard to the
rights and honor of our country. But, al
though the present state of our foreign af
fairs,standing without important change as
they did when you separated in July last,
is flattering in the extreme, I regret .to say,
that many questions of an interesting char
acter, at issue with other powers, are yet
unadjusted. Amongst the must prominent
of these, is that of our northeastern bounda•
ry. With an undiminished confidence in
the sincere desire of his Brittonic Majesty's
Government, to adjust that question, 1 am
nut yet in possession of the precise grounds
upon which it proposes a satisfactory adjust
ment:
With France our diplomatic relations
have been resumed, and _miler circumstan
ces which attest the disposition of both Gov•
ernnients to preserve a mutually beneficial
intercourse, and foster - these 'amicable feel
ings which are so strongly required by the
true interests of the two countries. With
Russia, Austria, Prussia, Naples, Sweden,
and Denmark, tho best understanding ex
ists, and our commercial intercourse is
gradually expanding itself with them. It
is encouraged in all these countries, except
Naples, by their mutually advantageous and
liberal treaty stipulations with us.
The claims of our citizens on Portugal'
are admitted to be just, but provision for the
payment of them has been unfortunately de
layed by frequent political changes in that
kingdom.
The blessings of peace have not been se
cured by Spain. Our connexions with that
country are on the best footing, with the ex
ception of the burdens still imposed upon
our commerce with her possessions out of
. Europe.
The claims of American citizens for loss.
es sustained at the bombardment of Ant-'
warp, have been presented to the Govern
ments of Holland and Belgium, and will be
presented, in due season, to settlement.
With Brazil, and all our neighbours of
this continent, we continue to maintain rela
tions of amity and concord, extending our
commerce with them as far as the resources
of the people and the policy of their Gov
ernments will permit. The just and long
standing claims of our citizens upon some
of them, are yet sources of dissatisfaction
and complaint. No danger is apprehended
however, that they will nut be peacefully,
although tardily, acknowledged and paid by
all, unless the irritatincr °
effect of her strug
gle
with Texas should unfortunately matte
our immediate neighbor, Mexico, en excep
tion.
It is already known to you, by the cor
respondence between the two Governments
communicated at your lust session, that our
.conduct in relation to that struggle is reg.
ulated by the same principles that governed
us in the dispute between Spain and Mexico
herself, and I trust that it will be found, on
the most severe scrutiny that our acts have
strictly .corresponded with our professions.
That the inhabitants of the United States
shouli feel strong prepossesiiens fur the
one party is not surprising. But this cir
cumstance should, of itself, teach us great
caution, lest it lead us into the great error
of suffering public policy to be regulated by
partiality or prejndice; and there are con
siderattons connected with the possible re
sult of this contest between the two parties
of so much delicacy and importance to the
United States, that our character requires
that we should neither anticipate events.
nor attempt to control them. The known
desire of the Texans to become a part of our
system although its gratification depends
upon the reconcilement of various and con
flicting interests,necessarily a work of time,
and uncertain in itself, is calculated to ex
pose our conduct to misconstruction in the
eyes of the world. There are already those
who, indifferent to principle themselves, and
prone to suspect the want of it in others,
charge us with ambitious designs and insi
dious policy
-IYou will perceive by the accompanying
drilitiinents, that the extraordinary mission
from Mexico has been terminated, on the
. sole grounds, that the obligations of this
Government to itself and to Mexico, under
treaty stipulations, have compelled me to
trust a discretionary authority to n high
officer of our army, to advance into ten ito
ry claimed as part of Texas, if necessary to
protect our own or the neighboring frontier
from Indian deiiredation. fu the opinion
of the Mexican functionary, who has just
loft us, the honor of his country will be
'Wounded by . American soldiers entering,
with the most amicable "avowed purposes,
upon ground from which the followers of
his Government have been expelled, and
over which there is at present 110 certainty
of a serious effort on its part being made to
re.establish its dotninion. The departure
of Ogg sinister was the more singular, as
he was apprized that the sufficiency of the'
crimes assigned for the advance of our
troops by the commandiug general had been
seriously doubted by me, and that there
was every reason to suppose that the troops
of the (Toiled States—their commander
having had time to ascertain the . truth or
fi l lsebood of the information upon which
they had been marched to Nacogdoches—
would be either there in perfect accordance
with the principles admitted to be just in his
conference with the Secretary of State, by
the Mexican Minister himself, or were al-
ready withdrawn in consequence of the im
pressive warmaga their commanding officer
had received from the Department of War.
It is hoped and believed that his Govern
inent will take a more dispassionate and just
view of this sthject, and not be disposed to
constnie a measure of juslifiable precaution
made necessary by its known inability, in
execution of the stipulations ofour treaty, to
act upon the frontier, into an encroachment
upon its rights or a stain upon its honor.
In the inean time, the ancient complaints
of injustice, mile on behalf of our citizens,
are di,-regarded, and new causes of dissatis
faction have arisen, some of them of a char
acter requiring prompt remonstrance, and
ample and immediate redress. I trust, how
ever, by tempering firmness with courtesy,
and acAting with great forbearance upon eve
that has occurred, or that may
happen, to do and to obtain jubtice, and thus
avoid the necessity of again bringing this
subject to the view of Congress.
It is my duty to remind you that no pro.
vision has been mile to execute our treaty
with Mexico for tracing the boundary line
between the two countries. Whatever may
be the prospect of Mexico's soon tieing able
to execute the treaty on its part s it is proper
that we should be, in - anticipation, prepared
at all times to perform our obligations. with
out regard to the probable condition of those
with whom wo have contracted them.
The result of the confidential inquiries
made into the . condition and prospects of
the novily'dee fared "reknit' Government,will
bo communicated to you in the course of
th,e session.
Commercial treaties, promising great ad
vantages to our enterprising merchants and
navigators, Iliac) been formed with the dis•
tant Governments of Nluscat and Siam. Tho
ratifications have been exchanged, but have
not reached the Department of State. Co
pies of the treaties will be transmitted to
you, if received betbre, or published, if ar
riving after, the close of the present session
of Congress.
Nothing has occurred to interrupt the
good understanding that 'has long existed
with the Barbary Powers, nor to check the
good will which is gradually growing up in
our intercourse with the dominions of the
Government of the distinguished chief of
the Ottoman Empire.
Information has been received at the De
partment of State that a treaty with the Em•
poror of Morocco has just been negotiated,
which, I hope, will be received in time to
be laid before the Senate previeusto the close
of the session.
You will perceive, from the report of the
Secretary of the Treasury,that the financial
means of the country continue to keep pace
with its improvement in all other respects.
The receipts into the Treasury during the
! present year will amount to about $47,691,-
698; those from customs being estimated
at $22,523,151, those from lands at about
$24,000,000; and the residue from miscel
laneous sources. The expenditures for all
objects during the year, are estimated not
to exceed $32,000,000, which will leave a
balance in the Treasury for public purposes,
on the Ist day of January next, of Omit
841,723,959. This sum, with the excep
tion of five millions, will be transferred to
the several Slates, in accordance with the
provisions of the act regulating the deposites
of the public money.
The unexpended balances of appropria-
Lion on the Ist day of January next, are es
timated at $14,639,062, exceeding by $9,-
636,062 the amount which will be left in the
deposite banks, subject to the draft of the !
Treasurer of the United States, after the
contemplated transfers to the several States'
are made. If, therefore,the future receipts
should not he sufficient to meet these out
standing and future appropriations, there
may be soon a necessity to use a portion of
the funds deposited with the States.
!The consequences apprehended when the
deposite act of the last session received a
reluctant approval, have been measurably
realized. Though an act. merely for the
deposite of the surplus moneys of the United
States in the State treasuries for safe-keep
ing, until they may be wanted for the ser
'ice of the General Government,it has been
extensively spoken of as an act to give the
money to the several States, and they have
been advised to use it as a gift, without re
gard to the means of refunding it when call
ed for. Such a suggestion has doubtless
been made without a due consideration of
the obligation of the deposite act, and with
out n proper attention to the various princi
ples and interests which ore affected by it.
It is manifest,that the law itself cannot sanc- .
tion such a suggestion, and that, as it now
stands, the States have no more authority
to receive and. use these deposites, without''
intending to return them, than any deposite
hank, or any individual temporarily aharg-1
ed with the safe keeping or application of
the public money, would now have for con.
verging the same to their private use, with
out. the consent and against the will of the
Government. But independently of the
violation of public faith and moral obligation
which are involved in this suggestion, when
examined in reference to the terms of the
present deposite act, it is believed that the
considerations which should govern the fu
ture legislation of Congress on this subject,
will be equally conclusive against the adop.
tion .of any measure recognising the pr..nci
pies on which the suggestion has been !lade.'
Considering the intinilcc,ennexion of the
subjbet a:'.,ilh the !financial interests of the
country, and its great importance in what
ever aspect it can be viewed, I have bestow.
ed upon it - the most anxious reflection, and
feel it to be my duty to state to Congress
such thoughts as have occurred to me, t 3,
aid their deliberation in treating it in the
manner bes - t calculated to conduce to the
common good.
The experience of other nations admen•
ished us IQ hasten the extinguishment of
the public debt; hut it will be in vain that
we have congratulated each other upon the
disappearance of this evil,if we do not guard
against the equally great one of promoting
the Unnecessary accumulation of public rev
enue. No political maxim is better estab
lished than that which tells us that an im
provident expenditure of money is the pa
rent of profligacy, and that no people can
hope to perpetuate their liberties, who long
acquiesce in a policy which taxes them for
objects not necessary to the legitimate and
real wants of their Government. Flatter-
ing as is the condition of our country at the
present period, because of its unexampled
advance in all the steps of social and politi
cal improvement, it cannot be disguised that
there is a lurking danger already apparent
in the neglect of this warning (rut h,and that
the time has arrived when the representa
tives of the people should be employed in
devising some more appropriate remedy than
now exists, to avert it. _
Under our present revenue system, there
is every probability that there will continue
to be a surplus beyond the wants of the Gov.
ernment; and it has become oar duty to
decide whether such it result be consistent
with the true objects of our Government.
Should a surplus he permitted to accumu•
late beyond the appropriations, it must be
retained in the Treasury as it now is, or
distributed among the people or the States.
To retain it in the Treasury unemployed
in any way,is impracticable. It is,hes des,
against the genius of our free institutions to
lock up in vaults the ti ensure of the nation.
To take from the people the right of bear:
ing arms. and put their weapons of defence
in the hands of a standing army, would be
scarcely more dangerous to their liberties,
than to permit the Government to accumu
late immense amounts of treasure beyond
the supplies necessary to its legitimate wants.
Such a treasure would doubtless be employ
ed at some time, as it has been in ether
countries, when opportunity tempted am
To collect it merely for distribution to the
States, would seem to be highly impolitic,if
not as dangerous as the proposition to retain
it in the Treasury.. - The shortest reflection
must satisfy every one, that to require the
people to pay taxes to the Government
merely that they may be paid back again,
is sporting with the substantial interests of
the country. and no system which produces
such n result can be expected to receive the
public countenance. Nothing could be gain
ed by o,even if each individual who contri
huted a portion of the tax could receive
back promptly the same portion. Bur, it is
apparent,that no system of the kind can ever
be enforced which will not absorb a consid•
erable portion of the money to be distribu•
ted in salaries and commissions to the - a•
gents employed in the process, and in the
various losses and depreciations which arise
from other causes; and tho practical efli!ct
of such an attempt must ever bo to burden
the people with taxes, not for purposes ben
eficial to them, but swell the profits of de
posito banks and support a band of useless
public officers.
A distribution to the people is impracti
cable and unjust in other respects. It would
bo taking one man's property, and giving it
to another. Such would be the unavoidable.
result of Fuch a rule of equality,. (and none
other is spoken of, or would be likely to be
adopted,) inasmuch as there is no mode by
which the amount of the individual contri
butions of our citizens to the public revenue
can ho ascertained. We know that they
contribute unequally; and a rule,therefore,
that would distribute to them equally would
be liable to all the objections which apply to
the principle of an equal dision of property.
To make the General Government the in
strument of carrying this odious principle
into effect,would be at once to destroy the
means of its usefulness and change the cha
racter designed for it by the framers of the
Constitution.
But the more extended and judicious con•
sequences likely to result from a policy
which would collect a surplus revenue for
the purpose of distributing it, may be forci
bly illustrated by an examination of the ef
fects already produced by the present depo
site act. This act, although certainly de
signed to secure the safe-keeping of the
public revenub,is not entirely free in its ten- o i
dencies from many of the objections which
apply to this principle of distribution. The
Government hdd,without necessity,received 6 ,
from the people a large surplus, which, in•'
stead of being employed as heretofore, amt
returned to them by means of the public ex!
penditure,was deposited with sundry bnnks.
The banks proceeded to make loans upon
this surplus,and thus converted it into *
mg capital; and in this manner it has tendi
ed to multiply bank charters, and has had
a great,agency in producing a spirit of wild
speculation. The possession and use of the
property out of which this surplus was cre
ated, belonged to the people; but the Gov
ernment has transferred its possession Win-,
corporated banks, Whose interest and effort
it is to make large profits out of its use. 1
This process need only to be stated to show
its injustice and bad policy.
And the same observations npoly to the
influence which is produced by the steps ne
cessary to collect as . well as to distribute
such a revenue. About three•fifths of all the
duties on imports are paid in the city of N.
York ; but it is obvious that the means to
pay those duties are drawn from every
quarter of the Union.' Every city to every
State,who purchases and consumes an arti
cle which has paid a duty at that port, con
tributes to the accumulating mass. The
surplus collected there, must, therefore, be
made up of moneys or property withdrawn
from other points and other States. Thus
the wealth and business ofevery region from
which these surplus funds proceed, must be
to some extent injured,svhile that ofthe place
where the funds are concentrated and are
employed in banding,are proportionably ex
tended. But both in making the transfer of
the funds which are first necessary to pay
the duties and collect the surplus, and in
making the re-transfer which becomes ne
cessary when the time arrives for the distri•
bution - of that surplus, there is a : considera- be a corresponding increase of taxes ; and
tie period when the funds cannot be bro't the people, becoming awakened, will neces
into use; and it is manifest thatitesides the sarily scrutinize the character of measures
loss inevitable from such an operation, its which thus increase their burdens. By the
tendency is to produce fluctuations in the watchful eye of self.interest; - the agents of
business of the country, which are always the people in the State Governments are re
productive of speculation and detrimental to' pressed, and kept within the limits of a just
the interests of regular trade. Argument economy. But if the necessity of levying
can scarcely he necessary to show, that a the taxes be taken from those who make
measure of this character ought not to re• the appropriations, and thrown upon a more
ceive further legislative encouragement. distant and less responsible set of public a-
By examining the practical operation of gents,who have power to approach the peo
the ratio for distribution adopted in the de. pie by an indirect and stealthy taxation,
posite bill of the last session, we shall disco- there as reason to fear that prodigality. will'
ver other features that appear equally ob• soon supercede those characteristics which
jectionable. Let it be assumed,for the sake have thus far made us look with so much
of argument, that the surplus moneys to be pride and confidence to the State Govern
deposited with the States have been collec- meats as the mainstay of our union and lib- ;
ted - and belong to them in the ratio of their erties. The State legislatures, instead of
federal representative population—an as- studying to restrict their State expenditures
Slimpt ion founded upon the fact that any de- to the Smallest possible sum,will claim credit
ficiencies in our figure revenue from imposts mot their profusion arid harass the General
and public lands, must be made up by direct Government for increased supplies. Praq4;
taxes collected from the States in that ratio. tically, there would soon be but one taxing
It is proposed to distribute the surplus, say power, and that vested in a body of men fir
8:30,000,000, not according to the ratio in removed from the people, in which the farm•
which it has been collected and belongs to ing and mechanic interests would scarcely
the people of the States, hut in that of their he represented. The States would grade
votes in the colleges of Electors of Presi- ally lose their purity ns well ns their judo;
dent and Vice President. The effect of a pendence; they would not dare to murmur
distribution upon that ratio is shown by the at the proceedings of the General Govern•
annexed table marked A. ment, lest they should iose their supplies;
By an examination of that table, it will all would be merged in a practical consoli
be perceived - that in the distribution of a dation, cemented by wide spread corruption,
surplus, of 830;060,000 upon that basisaliere which could only be eradicated by one of
is a great departure from the principle those bloody revolutions which occasionally
which regards representation ns the true overthrow the despotic systems of the old
measure of taxation ; and it will be found world.
that the tendency of that departure will be In all the other aspects in which I have
to increase Whatever inequalities have been been able to look at the effect of such a prin
supposed to attend the operation of our fed- cipie of distribution upon the best interests
oral system in respect to its bearings upon of the country, I can see nothing to compen
the difisrent interests of the Union. In mak- sate for the disadvantages to which I have
ing the basis of representation the basis of adverted. If we consider the protective
taxation, the framers of the Constitution in- duties, which are, in a great degree, the
tended to equalize the burdens which are source of the surplus revenue, beneficial to
necessary to support the Government; and one section of the Union and prejudicial to
the adoption of that ratio, while it accom- another, there is no corrective for the evil
plished this object ,was also the means ofad- in such a plan of distribution. On the con
justing other great topics at king out of the trary,there is reason to fear that all the cony
conflictina" views respecting the political e- plaints which have sprung from this cause
quality of the various members of the con• would be aggravated. Every one must be
fialeracy. Whateveraherefore,disturbs the sensible that a distribution °fil° surplus must
liberal spirit of the compromises which es- beget a disposition to cherish the means
tablished a rule of taxation so just and emit- which create it; and any system, therefore,
table,and which experience has proved to be into which it enters, must have a powerful
so well adapted to the genius and habits of tendency to increase rather than diminish
our people, should be received with the the tariff: If it were even admitted that
greatest caution and distrust. the advantages of such a system could be
A bare inspection,- in the annexed table, made equal to all the sections of the Union,
of the differences produced by the ratio the reasons already so urgently calling for a
used in the deposite act, compared with the reduction of the revenue, would, neverthe
, results of a distribution according to the ra- less,lose none of their force; for it will always
;tin of direct taxationanust satisfy every un- be improbable that an intelligent and virtu.
prejudiced mind, that the former ratio con- ous community can consent to raise a surplus
travenes the spirit of the Constitution, and for the mere purpose of dividing it,diminislo
produces a degree of injustice in the opera- ed as it must inevitably be by the expenses
non of the Federal Government which of the various machinery necessary to the
would be fatal to the hope of perpetuating it. process.
13) the ratio of direct taxation,for example, The safest and simplest mode of obviating
the State of Delaware, in the collection of , all the diuliculties which have been mention
s3o,ooo,ooo of revenue,would pay into the ed is,to collect only revenue enough to meet
treasury $188,716; and in a distribution of; the wants of the Government, and let the
$30,000,000 she would receive back from people keep the balance of their property
the Government,. according to the ratio ofi in their own hands, to be used for their own
the deposite bill,the sum of 8300,122 ; and profit. Each State will then support its own
similar results would follow the comparison Government, and contribute its duo share
between the small and the large States th so% towards the support of the General Govern
out the Union; thus realizing to the small ment. There would be no surplus to cramp
States an advantage which would bo doubt- and lessen the resources of individual wealth
less as unacceptable to them as a motive for and enterprise, and the banks would be left
incorporating the principle in any system to their ordinary means. Whatever agibi
which would produce it, as it would be in- lions and fluctuations might arise from our
consistent with the rights and expectations unfortunate paper system, they could never
of the large States. It was certainly the in- be attributed, justly or unjustly,to the action
tention of that provision of the Constitution of the Federal Government. There would
which declares that "all duties, imposts and be some guaranty that the spirit of wild spec.
excises" shall "be uniform throughout the elation which seeks to convert the surplus
United States," to make the burdens of tax- revenue into banking capital, would be of
ation fall equally upon the people in whate- fectually checked, and that the scenes of
ver State of the Union . they may reside.— demoralization which are now so prevalent
But what would be the value of such a uni- through the land, would disappear.
form rule, if the moneys raised by it could Without desiring to conceal that the ex
he immediately returned by a &absent one, perience and obsorvatton of the last two
which will give to the people of some States years have operated a partial change in my
much more, and to those of others. much views upon this interesting subject,it is nes•
less, than their fair proportionsi Wore the ertheless regretted that the suggestions
Federal Government to exempt, in express made by me, in my annual messages of 1829
terms, the imports, products and manufac- and 1830, have been greatly misunderstood.
tures of some portions of the country from At that time the great struggle was begun
all duties, while it imposed heavy ones on against that latitudinarian construction of
others, the injustice could not be greater. the constitution which authorizes the unlim-
It would be easy to show how, by the oper- ited appropriation of the revenues of the
Minn of such a principle, the large States of Union to internal improvements within the
the
nnt milir w ha to contri- States, tending to invest in the hands, and
blissC.E Gooch, Willis G. Clark,• place under the control, of the Gentirat Goy-
Miss L. IL Medina, Joseph C Neal, eminent, all the principal roads and. canals
It. S. Mackenzie, L L. D., B. B. Thatcher,
Joseph R. Chandler It Penn Smith, of the country, in violation of State'tights,
The Proprietor of ,
the Lady's Book is determinedand in derogation of State authority. At
to use every means to maintain the superiority whiOthe same time, the condition of the menu
-3 his publication has obtained. For years he has gone,
and soacturing interest was such, as to create an
steadily on in the course of improvement,
flatters himself that his facilities arc such as togit'ealfpfehetiSiOn that the duties on imports
his work eminent advantages over his competitors.
Como not, without extensive mischief, be
ths very ample subscription list enables him to be
liberal in his expenditures upon it, and whatever canreduced in season to prevent the accumula
be accomplished by euterprize and cost he is resolvedtion of a considerable surplus after the pay
to effect. Besides the persons above mentioned al
ment of the national debt. In view of the
contributors,he has expectations of receiving original
articles from several distinguished female writers indatigers of such a surplus, and in preference
Europe: and as an inducement to writers of our own. o
. 1 its application to internal improvements,
ceinory s se is willing to pus for every article adopted
by him as suitable to his publicutien,as high a rate Oen derogation of the rights and powers of the
remuneration as will be given by the proprietors sf;states, the suggestion of an amendment of
any other periodical in the United States.
The mechanical portion of the Lady's Book will
the constitution - to authorize its distribution
likewise be iinPtored• The typography will p mo ti r : , was made. It was an alternative for what
eleganr,andateh the paper of
n b boner
eel, of quality.
several
tr,imr
F. were deemed reot gst titer evils— a temporary
I ladies willbe given; and every second month a co=resort to relieve an overburdened Treasury,
loured plate, illustrating the prevailing fashion, willuntil the Government could, without a sud- '
be furnished. Oilier embellisliments,calculated to en-'
hauler the appearande and increase the value of the
and destructive revulsion in the business
work,will be introduced; and generally . , every thingiOf the country, gradually return to the just
will be done that the most untiring purpose of makiw" o
r . .
g ,,p incipie of raising no more revenue from
the Lady's Book pre-eminently entitled to patrona
can suggest. With the experience he has acquired the people, in taxes, than is necessary for
during a long course of years devoted to the business, its economical support. Even that alterna
slid the aid to be derived from the distinguished lady
who will henceforth be associated with hielithe Puts tive was not spoken of but connexion with
iktksr is confident that he will tie able to render thi an amendment olthe constitution. No tern
amplest satisfaction to all who may become his pa orary inconvenience can justify the (mer
lins.. Ile,therefore,with a just reliance on his claw . P
ever this may ;tile botyseestiasaaseeus cise of a prohibited power, or a power not
in interpreting the powers granted to the granted by that instrument; and it was from
Federal Government, is. to regard the ab• a conviction that the power to distribute
senco of express authority to touch a sub. even a temporary surplus of revenue is of
ject so important and delicate as this is, as that character, that it was suagested only
equivalent to a prohibition. in connexion with an appeal to the source
Even if our powers were less doubtful of all legal power in the. General Govern
in this respect,asthe constitution now stands Meat, the States which have established it.
there are considerations afihrded by recent No such appeal has been taken, and, in my
experience, which would seem to make it opinion,a distribution of the surplus revenue
duty to avoid a resort to such a system. by Congress, either to the States or the pea
All will admit that the simplicity and e• ple. is to be considered as among the pro.
conomy of the State Governments mainly hibitions of the constitution. As already
depend on the fact that money has to be intimated. my views have undergone a
supplied to support them by the same men, change, so Mr as to be convinced that no
or their agents, who vote it away in appro• alteration of the constitution in this - respect
priations. Hence, when there are extrava- is wisp or expedient. The influence of an
pant and wasteful appropriations.thero must accumulating surplus upon the legislation of
the General Government and the States, its
effiict upon the crodit system of the country,
producing dangeroui extensions and ruinous
contractions, fluctuations in the price ofpro.
perry, rash speculation, idleness, extravu.
fiance, and a deterioration of morals, have
taught us the important lesson, that any
transient mischief which may attend the
reduction of our revenue to the wants of
our Government,is to be borne in preference
to an overflowin g Treasury.
1 beg leave to call your attention to anoth
er subject intimately associated with the
preceding one—the currency of the coun
try.
It is apparent, from the whole context of
the constitution as as the history of the
times which gave birth to it, that it was the
purpose of the convention to establish a cur
rency consisting of the precious metals.—
These, from their peculiar properties,which
rendered them the standard of value in alt
Other countries, by a permanent rule, as to
exclude the use of a mutable medium ofox.
change, such as of certain agricultural com
modities, recognised by the statutes cisme
States as a tender for debts, or the still more
pernicious expedient of a paper currency.
The last, from the experience of the evils
of the issues of paper during the revolution,
had become so justly obnoxious, as not only
to suggest the clause in the constitution for
bidding the emit , sioo of bills of credit by the
Stows, but also to produce that vute in the
convention which negatived the proposition
to grant power to Congress to charter cor
porations; a proposition well understood at
the time, us intended to authorize the estab-
liBlnnent of a national bank, which was to
issue a currency of bank notes, on a capital
to be created to some extent out of Govern.
moot stocks. Although this proposition was
refused by a direct vote of the convention,
the, object was afterwards in effect obtained,
by its ingenious advocates, through a strain
ed construction of the constitution. The
debts of the revolution were funded,at prices
which formed no equivalent, compared with
the nominal amount of the stock, and under
eircuinstandes which exposed the motives of'
some of those•who participated itt the 'peas
age of the act, to distrust.
The' facts that the value of the stock was
greatly enhanced by the creation ofthe bank,
that it was well understood that such would
be the case, and that some of the advocates
of the measure were largely benefited by
it, belong to the history of the times, and
are well calculated to diminish the respect
which might otherwise have been due to the
action of the Congress which created the
hstitution.
On the establishment of a national bank,
it became the interest of its creditors that
gold should be superseded by the paper of
the bunk, as a general currency . . A value
was soon attached to the gold coins, which
made their exportation to foreign countries,
as a mercantile commodity, more profitable
hun their retention and use at home as mo-
ney. It followed, as a matter of course, if
not designed by those who established the
bank, that the bank became, ►n effect, a sub
stitute for the mint of the United States.
Such was the origin of a national bank
currency, and such the beginning of those
difficulties which now appear in the exces
sive issue of the banks incorporated by the
various States.
Although it may not be possible, by any
legislative means within our power, to
change at once the system which has thus
been introduced, and has received the ac
quiescence of all portions of the country, it
is certainly our duty to do - till that is cons;s
tent with our constitutional obligations ill
preventing the mischiefs which are threat
ened by its unduo extentiosi. That the
efforts of the fathers of our Government to
guard against it by a constitutional provis
ion were founded on an intimate knowledge
of the subject, has been frequently attested
by the bitter experience of the country.—
The same cause which led them to refuse
their sanction, to a power authorizing the
establishment of incorporation for banking
purposes, now exists in a much stronger do-
gree to urge us to exert the most vigilance
in calling into action the means necessary
to correct the evils resulting from the un•
fortunate exercise of the power, and it is to
be hoped that the opportunity for effecting
this great good, will be improved before the
country witnesses new scenes of embarms
ment and distress.
Variableness must ever be.tlie character
istic of a currency, of which the precious
metals are not the chief ingredient, or
which can be expanded or contracted with
out regard to the principles that regulate
the value of those metals as a standard in
the general trade of the world. With us
bank issues constitute such a currency, and
must over do so until they are made deport - .
dent on those just proportions of gold .and 7 ,,
silver, as a circulating medium, which eat
perience has proved to be necessary, not
ly in this, but in all other commercial coin
tries. Where those proportions are not in -'
fused into the circulation, 1 lid do not control
it, it is manifest that prices must vary ac
cording to the tide of bank issues, end the
value and stability of property must stand
exposed to nil the uncertainty which attends
the administration of institutions that are
constantly liable to the temptation aim in
terest distinct from that of the community
in which they are established.
The progress of an expansion, or - rather
a depreciation of the currency, by excessive
bank issues, is always attended by a loss to
the laboring classes. This portion of the
community have neither time nor opportu
nity to watch the ebbs and flows of the mo
ney market. Engaged from day to day in
their useful toils they do not perceive that
although their wages are nominally the
same, or even somewhat higher, Cloy are
greatly reduced in fact by the rapid increase
of a spurious currency, which, as it appears
to make money abound, they are at first
inclined to consider a blessing. It is not
so with the speculator, by whom this ope
ration is better understood, end is made to
contribute to his advantage. It is not until
the prices of the necessaries of life become
so dear that the laboring classes cannot
supply their wants out of their wages, that
the wages rise, and gradually reach a justly
proportioned rate to that of the products of
their labor. When thus by the deprecia.
Linn in consequence of the quantity of paper
in riieulation, wages as well as prices, be
ron:e exhorbitant, it is soon found thpt the
whole effect of the adulteration is a tariff
on our home industry for the benefit of the
countries where gold and silver circulate,
and maintain uniformity and moderation in
p r i c es. It is then perceived that the en.
chancoment'of the price of land and labor
produces a corresponding increase in the
price ofproducts, until these prodncts do not
sustain a competition with similar ones in
othercountries, and thus both manufactured
and agricultural productions cease to bear
exportation from the country of the spurious
currency, because they cannot be sold for
cost. This is the process by which specie
is banished by the paper of the banks.—
Their vaults are soon exhausted to pay for
• foreigh commodities; the next step is a stop
page of specie payment; a total degradation
of paper as a currency; unusual depression
Of prices, the ruin of debtors and the accu
mulation of property in the hands of cred
itors and cautious capitalists.
It was in view of these evils,together with
• the dangerous power wielded by the Bank
of the United States, and its repugnance to
our constitution, that I was induced to exert
the power conferred upon me by the Ameri
can people, to prevent the continuance of
that institution. But,although various dan•
gars to our republican institutions have been
obviated by the failure ofthut bank to extort
from the Government a renewal of its char
ter, it is obvious that little has been accom
plished, except a salutary change of public
opinion,towards restoring to the country the
sound currency provided for in the constitu
tion. In the acts of several of the States
prohibiting the circulation ofsmall notes,and
the auxiliary enactments of Congress at the
last session forbidding their reception or pay
ment on public account, the true policy of
the country has been advanced,and a larger
portion of the precious metals infused into
our circulating medium. These measures
will probably be followed up, in due time,by
the enactment of State laws banishing from
circulation bank notes ofstill higher denom•
inations; and the object may. be materially
promoted by further acts of Congress, for.
bidding the employment, as fiscal agents,of
such banks as continue to issue notes of low
denominations, and throw impediments in
the way of the circulation of gold and silver.
The effects ofan extension of bank credits
and over issues of' bank paper, have been
strikingly illustrated in the sales of the pub
lic lands. From the returns made by the
various Registers and Receivers in the ear
: ly part of last summor,it was perceived that
the receipts arising from the sales of the pub
lic lands were increasing to an unpreceden
ted amount. In effect, however, these re
ceipts amounted to nothing more than cred
its in bank. The banks lent out their notes
to speculators; they were paid to the Re.
ceivers, and immediately returned to the
banks, to be lent out again and again,being
mere instruments to transfer to speculators
the most valuable public land, and pay the
Government by a credit on the books of the
bnnks. Those credits on the books of some
of the western banks, usually called depos
. ites, were already greatly beyond their im
mediate means of payment,and were rapid.
ly increasing. Indeed each speculation fur.
nished means for another, for no sooner had
one individual or company paid in the notes,
than they were immediately lent to another
for a like purpose, and the banks were ex
tending their business and their issues so
largely, as to alarm considerate men, and
render it doubtful whether those bank cred
its, if permitted to accumulate, would ulti
mately be of the least value to the Govsrn
• meat. • The spirit of expansion and specu
lation was not confined to the deposite banks
but pervaded the whole multitude of bunks
throughout the Union, and was giving rise
to new institutions to aggravate the evil.
The safety of the public funds and the in
terest of the people generally, required that
these operations should be checked; and it
became the duty of every branch of the Gen
oral and State Governments to adopt all le
gitimate and proper means to produce that
salutary effect. Under this view of my duty,
I directed the issuing of the order which
will be laid before you by the Secretary of
the Treasury, requiring payment for the
public lands sold to be made in specie, with
an exception until the 15th of the present
month,in favor of actual settlers. This mea- ,
sure has produced many salutary conse
quences. It 'checked the career of the west
. ern banks,and gave them additional strength
in anticipation of the pressure which has
since pervaded our eastern as well as the
European commercial cities. By prevent
ing the extension of the credit system, it
• .:measurably cut off the means of speculation,
.land retarded its progress in monopolizing the
most valuable of the public lands. It has
~17" tended to save the new States from a non
resident proprietorship, one of the greatest
obstacles to the advancement of new coun
try and the prosperity of an old one. It has
tended to keep open the public lands for
entry by emigrants at Government prices,
.instead of their being compelled to purchase
of speculators at double or treble prices.—
And it is conveying into the interior large
sums in silver and gold, there to enter per
manently into the currency of the country,
and place it on a firmer foundation. It is
confidently believed that the country will
find in the motives which induced that order
and the happy consequences which will have
ensued, much to commend and nothing to
condemn.
It remains for Congress, if they approve
the policy which dictated this order,to follow
it up in its various hearings. Much good,
in my judgment,would be produced by pro
hibiting sales of the public lands, except to
actual settlers, at a reasomable reduction of
price, and to limit the quantity which shall
be sold to them. Although it is believed the
General Government never ought to receive
any thing but the constitutional currency in
exchange• for the public lands that point
would be of leis importance if the lands were
sold for immediate settlement and cultiva
tion. Indeed, there is scarcely a mischief
arising out of our present land system, in
chiding the accumulating surplus of revenue,
which would not bo remedied at once by a
restriction on land sales to actual settlers;
and it promises other advantages to the
country in general, and to the new States in I
particular, which cannot fail to receive the f
most profound consideration of Congress.
Experience continues to realize the ex
pectations entertained as to the capacity of
the State Banks to perform the duties of
fiscal agents for the Government, at the
lime of the removal of the deposites. It was
alleged by the advocates of the Bank of the
United States that the State banks ' whatever
might be the regulations of the Treasury
Department, could not make the transfers
iequired by the Government, or negotiate
the domestic exchanges of the country.-
It is now well ascertained that the real
domestic exchanges performed, through
discounts, by the United States Bank, and
its twenty-five branches, were at least one.
third less than those of the deposite banks
for an equal period of lime and if a com•
parison be instituted between the amounts
of service rendered by these institutions, on
the border basis which has been used by
the advocates °file United States Bank in
estimating what they consider the domestic
exchanges transacted by it, the result will
be still more favorable to the deposite banks.
The whole amount of money tronsfer
red by the Bank of the United States in
1833, was $16,000,000. The amount
transferred and actually paid by the depos
it° banks in the year ending the first of
October last, was $39,319,809; the amount
transferred and paid between that period
and the sixth of November, was, $5,399,000
and the amount of transfer warrants out
standing on that day was, $14,450,000;
making un aggregate of $59,168,894.
These enormous sums of money first men.
tioned have been transferred with the great
est promptitude and regularity, and the
rates at which the exchange have been ne
gotiated previously to the passage of the de
posito act, were generally below those char
ged by the Bank of the United States. In
dependently of those services, which are
far greater than those rendered by the Un
ited States Bank, and its twenty five bran
ches, a number of the deposite banks have,
with a commendable zeal to aid in the im
provement of the currency, imported from
abroad, at their own expense, large sums of
the precious metals, for coining and circa.
lation.
In the same manner have nearly all the
predictions turned out in respect to the ef
fect of the removal of the deposites—a
step unquestionably necessary, to prevent
the evils which it was foreseen the hank
itself would endeavor to create, in a final
struggle to procure a renewal of its charac
ter. It may be thus, too, in some degree,
with the further steps which may he taken
to prevent the excessive. issue of other bank
paper; but it is to be hoped that nothing will
now deter the Federal and State authorities
from the firm and vigorious pertbrmance of
their duties to themselves and to the people
in I his respect.
In reducing the revenue to the wnnts or the
Government, your particular attention is invited
to those articles which constitute the necessaries
of life. The duty on salt was laid as a war tax,and
was no doubt continued to assist in providing for
the payment of the war debt. There is no article
the release of which from taxation would be felt
so generally and so beneficially. To this may bo
added all kinds of fuel and provisions. Justice and
benevolence unite in favor of releasing the poor
of our cities front burdens which aro not necessa
ry to the support of oar Governmont,and tend on
ly to increase the wants of the destitute.
IL will be seen by the report of the Secretary
of the Treasury, and the accompanying deco
ments,that the Bank of tho U. States fins made no
payment on account of the stock hold by the Go
vornrnent in that Institution, although urged to
pay any portion which might suit its coienionce,
and that it has given no information whon pay.
ment may be expected. Nor, although repeatedly
requested, has it furnished the information in re
lation to its condition, which Congress authorized
the Secre'ary to collect at their last session; such
measures as ale within the power of tho Execu•
tive,havo been taken to ascertain the value of the
stock,and procure the payment as early as possi.
ble.
The conduct and present conditioner that bank
and the groat amount of capital vented in it by the
the U. States,require your careful attention: — Its
charter expired on the 3d day of March last, and
it has now no power but that given in the 21st
section "to use the corporate name,style and capa
city, for the purpose of suits for the final settle
ment and liquidation of the affairs and accounts
of the corporation,and for the sale and disposition
of their estate, real,personal and mixed, but not
for any other purpose, or in any other manner
whatover,nor for a period exceeding two years af
ter the expiration of the said term of incorpora
tion." Before the expiration of the charter, the
stockholders of the hank obtained an act of incur.
poration from the Legislature of Pennsylvania,
excluding only the United States. Instead of pro
ceeding to wind up their concerns, and pay over
to the U. States the amount due on account of the
stock held by them, the president and directors of
the old bank appear to have transferred the books,
papers, notes,obligations and moat or all ofita pro
perty to this new corporation,which entered upon
business as a continuation of the old concern. A
mongst acts of questionable validity, the notes of
tho expiring corporation are known to have been
used as its own, and again put in circulation.—
That the qld bank had no right to issue or re-issue
its notes atler the expiration of its charter,cannot
be denied, and that it could not confer any such
right on its substitute, any more than exorcise it
itself, is equally plain. In law and honesty, the
notes of the bank in circulation, at tho expiration
of its charter, should have been called in by pub
lic advertlsement,paid,up as prosented,and,togeth.
er with those on hand,cancelled and destroyed.—
Their reissue is sanctioned by no law, and war
ranted by no necessity. If the U. States be re
sponsible in their stook for the payment of therm
notes, their re-issue, by the new corporation, for
their own profitos a fraud on the Government. If
the U. States is not responsible, then there is no
legal responsibility in any quarter and it is a fraud
nit the country. They are the redeemed notes of a
dissolved partnership, but, contrary to the wishes
nf.tho retiring partner, and without his consent,
are again re-issued and circulated.
It is the high and peculiar duty of Congress to
decide whether any further legislation be neces
sary for the security of the large amount of pub
lic property now held and in use by the new bank
and_for vindicating the rights of the Government,
and compelling _kspeedy and honoFt settlement
with all the creditors of the old bank, public and
private, or whether the subject shall be left to the
power now possessed by the Executive and Jodi.
Mary. It remains to be seen whether the persons
whn, ns =wagon, of tho old bank, undertook to
control the Government, retained the public divi
dends, shut their doors upon a committee of tile
House of Representatives, and filled the country
with panic to accomplish their own sinister ob
jocts,may now, as managers of a new bank, con
tinue with impunity to flood the country- with a
spurious currency, use the seven millions of Gov
ernment stock for their own profit,and reins° to the
U. States all information as to the present condi
tion of their own property, and the prospect of re.
covering it into their own posiossion
The lessons taught by the Bank of the United
States cannot well be lost upon the American
people. They will take care never again to place
so tremendous a power In irresponsible-hands,and
• it will be Catenate if they seriously confider the
consequenedk which are likely to result on a
smaller scale from the facility with which corpo
rate— powers aro granted by their State Govern
ments.
It is bOlieved that the law of the last session re
gulating the deposit° banks, operates onerously
and unjustly upon them in many respects: and it
is hoped that Congress, on proper representation,
will adopt the modifications which are necessary
to prevent this consequence.
The report of the Secretary of War ad interim.
and the accompanying documents, all which are
herewith laic before yon, will give you a full view
of the diversified and important operations of that
Myra -intent during the past year.
The military movements rendered necessary by
the aggressions of the hostile portions of the Se.
minole and Crook tribes of Indians, and by other
circumstances, have required the active employ
ment of nearly our whole regular force, including
the marine corps, and of large bodies of militia
and volunteers. With all these events, so far as
they were known at the seat of Government be
fore the termination of your last session, you aro
already acquainted and it is therefore only need
ful in this ?lace to lay befor o you a brief summary
of what has Rine° occurred.
The war with the Seminoles, during the cram
mer, was, on our part, chiefly confined to the pro
tection of our frontier settlements,fiom the incur
sions of the enemy; and as a necessary and im.
portant moans for the accomplishment of that end,
to the maintenance of the posts previously °stab.
Belied In the course of this duty,sevoral actions
took place, in which the bravery and discipline of
both officers and mon were conspicuously display.
od, and which I have deemed it proper to notice,
in respect to the former,by the granting of brevet
rank for gallant services in the field. But as the
force of the Indians was not so far weakened by
these partial successes, as to lead thorn to submit,
and as their savage inroads were frequently re.
peated, early measures were taken for placing at
the disposal of Governor Call, whom commander
in chief of the Territorial militia,had been tempo
rarily invested with the commund,an ample force,
for the purpose of resuming offensive operations,
in the most efficient manner, so soon as the sea
son should permit. Major General Jesup was
also directed on the conclusion of his duties in the
Creek country, to repair to Florida, and assume
the command.
The result of the first movement made by the
forces under the direction of Governor Cull, in
October last, as detailed in the accompanying pa.
pots, exerted much surprise and disappoinment
A full explanation has boon required °Rho causes
Which led to the failure of that movement, but has
not yet been received. In the mean time, as it
was feared that the health of Governor Call, who
was understood to have suffered much from sick.
nests, might not ho adequate to the crisis, and as
Major General Jesup was known to have reached
Florida, that officer was directed to assume the
command, and to prosecute all needful operations
with the utmost promptitude and vigor. From
the force at his disposal, and the dispositions he
has made arid is instructed to make, and from the
very efficient measures which it is since ascot.-
mined have been taken by Governor Cull, there
is reason to hope that they will soon be enabled
to reduce the enemy to subjection. In the mean
time, as you will perceive from the report of the
Secretary, there is urgent necessity for further
appropriations to suppress these hostilities.
Happily for the interests of humanity,the hostilities
with the Creeks were brought to a close soon after
your adiournment,without that effusion of blood which
at one time was apprehended as inevitable. The un
conditional submission of the hostile party was fol
lowed by their speedy removal to the country assign
ed them west of the Mississippi. The inquiry as to
alleged frauds in the purchase of the reservations of
these %distils, and the causes of their hostilities, re
quested,by the resolution of the House of Representa
tives of the lst of July last, to be made by the Presi
dent,is now going on, through the agency of commis
sioners appointed for that purpose. Their report may
be expected during your present session.
The difficulties apprehended in the Cherokee coun
try have been prevented, and the peace and safety of
that region and it. vicinity effectually seeured,by the
timely measures taken by the War Department, and
still continued.
The discretionary authority given to Gen. Gaines
to cross the Sabine, and to occupy a position as far
west as Nacogdcches, in case he should deem such a
step necessary to the protection of the fronticr,and to
the fulfilment oldie stipulations contained in our troy
ty with Mexico, and the movement subsequently
made by that officer, have been alluded to in a former
part of this message. At the date of the latest intel
ligence fram Nncogdoches,our troops were yet at that
station; but the officer who has succeded Gen Gaines
has rec, ntly been advised that,from the fact known at
the seat of Goveriument,there would seem to be no a
dequate cause for any longer maintaining that posi
tion; and he was accordingly instructed, in case the
troops were not already withdrawn under the discre•
tiouary powers before possessed by him, to give the
requisite orders for that purpose on the receipt of the
instructions, unless he shall then have in his posses
sion such information as shall satisfy him that the
maintenance of the post is essential to the protectibn
of our frontiers,and to the due execution of our treaty
stipulations.as previously explained to him.
Whilst the necessities existing during the present
, year, for the service of militia and volunteers, have
fnrnishcd new proofs of the patriotism of our ellow
citizeus,they have also strongly illustrated the impor
tance of an increase in the rank and file of the regu
lar army. The views of this subject submitted by the
Secretary of War,in his report, meet my entire con
currence; and arc earnestly recommended to the de
liberate attention of Congress. In this connection it is
also proper to remind vou,that the defects in our pre
sent militia system are every day rendered more ap
parent. The duty of making provision by law for or
ganizing, arming and disciplining this arm of defence
has been so repeatedly presented to Congress by my
self and my predecessors, that I deem it sufficient on
this occasion to refer to the last annual message, and
to former Executive communications, in which the
subject has been discussed.
It appears from the report of the officers charged
with mustering into service the volunteers called for
under the act of Congress of the last session,that more
presented themselves at the place of rendezvous in
Tennessee than were sufficient to meet the requisi
tion which had been' made by the Secretary of Wa:
upon the Governor of that State. This was occasion
ed by the omission of the Governor to apportion the
requisition to the different regiments of militia, so as
to obtain the proper number of troops, and no more
It seems but just to the patrioticeitizens who repaired
to the general re. dezvous,under circumstances autho
rizing them to believe that their services were need
ed,and would be accepted,that the expenses incurred
by them while absent from their homes, should be
paid by the Government. I accordingly recommend
that a law to this effect be passed by Congress,giving
them a compensation which will cover their expenses
on the march to and from the place of rendezvous,
and while there: in connection with whieb,itivill al.
so be proper to make prtlvision for such other equita
ble chnrus,growing out of the service of the militia,as
may not be embraced in the existinz laws.
On the unexpected breaking out of hoatilies in'Flo
rida, Alabama and Georgia, it became necessary, in
sorno cases,to take the property of individuals for pub
lic use. Provision should be made by law•for indem
[drying the owners; and I would also respectfully sug
gest whether some provision may not be made,consis
tently with the principles of our Government,for the
relief of the sufferers by Indian depredations, or by
the operations of our own troops.
No time was lost after the making of the requisite
appropriations,in resuming the great national work of
completing the unfinished fortifications on our sea
board,and of placing them to a proper state ofdefence.
—ln consequence, however, of the very late day at
which those bills were passed. but little progress
could be made during the season which has just closed.
A very large amount of the moneys granted at the last
sassion, accordingly, remains unexpended; but as the
work will be again resumed at the earliest moment
in the coming spring, the balance of the existing ap
propriations, and in several cases which will be laid
before with the proper estimates,further sums for the,
like objects may be usefully expended during the
next year.
The recommendations of an increase in the Engi
neer Corps, and for a re-organization of the Topogra
graphical Corps, submitted to you in my last annual
message, derive additional strength from the great
embarrassments experienced during the present year
in the.° branches of the se rvice,and under which they
are now suffering. Several of the moat important sur
veys and constructions directed by recent laws, hare
been suspended in consequence of the want of ade
quate force in these corps. The like observations
may be applied to the Ordnance corps,and the Gene
ral Staff, the operations of which,as they are now or
ganixed,must either be frequently interrupted,ur per
formed by officers taken from the line of the army,to
the great prejudice of the service.
For a ge9eral view of the condition of the Military
Academy, and of other branches of the military ser
vice not already notieed,as well as for fuller illustra
tions of those . which have been mentioned,' refer you
to the accompanying documents• ' and among the vari
oue proposals contained therein for legislative action,
I would particularly notice the suggestion of the Se
cretary of War for the revision of the pay of the ar
my.as entitled to your favorable regard. -
The national policy, founded alike in interest and
in humanity, so long and so steadily pursued by this
Government, for the removal of the Indian tribes ori
ginally settled on this side of the Mississippi, to the
west of that river, may be said to have been consum
mated by the conclusion of the late treaty with the
Cherokees. The measures tnkcn in the execution of
that treaty,and in relation to our Indian affairs gener
ally,will folly appear by referring to the accompany
ing papers. Without dwelling on the numerous and
important topics embraced in them,' again invite your
attention to the importance of providing a well-diges
ted and comprehensive system for the
. protection, su
pervision and improvement of the various tribes now
planted in the Indian country. The suggestions sub
mitted by the Commissioners of Indian affairs,and en
forced by the Secretary, on this subject, and also in
regard to the establishment of additional military
posts in the Indian country, are entitled to your pro
found consideration. Both measures are necessary for
the double purpose of protecting the Indians from in
testine war,and in other respects complying with our
engagements to them, and of securing our western
frontier against incursions, which otherwise will as
suredly be made on it. The best hopes of humanity
in regard to the aboriginal race,thc welfare of our ra
pidly extending settlements, and the honor of the U.
States, are all deeply involved in the relations exist
ing between this Government and the emigrating
tribes. I trustohereitire,that the various matters sub
mitted in the accompanying documents, in respect to
those relations,will receive your early and mature do
liberations;. and that it may issue in the adoption of
legislative measures adapted to the circumstances,aud
duties of the present crisis.
You aro referred to the report of the Secretary
of the Navy for a satisfactory view of the opera.
tient, of the department under his charge, during
the present yorr. In the construction of vessels
at the different navy yards, and in the employ
meet of our ships & squadrons at sea,that branch
of the service has been 'actively and usefully em
ployed. While the situation of our commercial in
terests in tho West Indies required a greater
number than usual of armed vessels to be kept on
that station, it is gratifying to perceive that the
protection duo our commerce in other quarters of
the world line not proved insufficient. Every offhrt
has been made to facilitate the equipment of the
exploring expedition authorized •by tho act of the
last session, but all tho preparation necessary to
enable it to sail has not yet been completed. No
means will ho spared by the Government to fit out
the expedition on a scale corresponding with the
liberal appropriation for the purpose,nnd with the
elevated character of tho objects which are to be
effected by it.
I bog leave to renew the recommendation mndo
in my. last annual message, respecting the enlist
ment of boys in our naval scrvice,and to urge up,
on your attention the necessity 4 of further appro•
printions to increase the number of ships afloat,
and to enlarge generally the capacity and force
of the navy. The inci ease of our commerce, and
our position in regard to the other powers of the
world,will always make it our policy and interest
to cherish the great naval resources of our coun
try. •
The report of the Postmaster General presents
a gratifying picture of the condition of the Poet
Office Department, Its revenues for the year end
ing the 30th of June last, wore $3,398,455 19,
showing an increase of revenue over that of the
preceding year of $404.878 53, or more than 13
per cons. The expenditures for the same vear
were 82,755,623 76, exhibiting a surplus 0f5642,-
831 43. The depar't has boon redeemed from em
barrassment and debt, has accumulated a surplus
exceeding half a million of dollars, has largely ex
tended,and is preparing still further to oxtond,the
mail service, and recommends a reduction of pos
tage equal to about 21) per cont. It is practising
upon the great principle which should control ev.
cry branch of our Government,of rendering to the
public the greatest good possible, with the least
possible taxation to the people.
The scale el postageS , suggested by the Post.
master General recommends itself;not only by the
reduction it proposes, but by the simplicity of its
arrangement,its conformity with the Federal cur
rancy,and the Improvement it will Introduce into
the accounts of the Department and its agents.
Your particular attention is invited to the sub
ject of mail contracts with railroad companies Tho
present laws,providing for the making of contracts
aro based upon the presumption that competition
among bidders will secure the service a fair price.
But on most of the railroad lines,there is no com
petition in that kind of transportation,and adver
tising is therefore useless. No contract can now
he made with them except such as shall bo nego
tiated before the time of offering, or afterwards,
and the power of the Postmaster General to pay
them high prices,is practically without limitation.
It would bo a relief to him, and no 'doubt would
conduce to the public intorest,to proseribe,by law,
some equitable basis upon which such contracts
shall rest,and restrict him by a fixed rule of allow
ance. Under a liberal act of that sort he would
undoubtedly be able to secure the services of most
of the railroad companies, and the interest of the
Department would be thus advanced.
The correspondence between the people of the
U. States and the Europoan nations, and purlieu
laity with the British islands,has become very ex
tonsive,and requires the interposition ofCongress
to give it security. No obstacle is perceived to an
interchange of mails between New York and Li.
verpool,or pther foreign ports, as proposed by the
Postmast General; on the contrary,it pronrisos,by
the security it will afford,to facilitate commercial
tranaCtions, and give rise to an enlarged Inter
course among the people of different nations,
which cannot but have a happy effect. Through
the city of New York most of the correspondence
between the Canada. and Europe is now carried
on,and urgent representations have been received
from the head of the Provincial post office.asking
the interposition of the U. States to guard it from.
the accidents and losses to which it is now sub
jected. Some legislation appears to be called for,
as well by our own interest, as by comity to the
atining British Provinces.
Phe expediency of providing a fire-proof build.
ing for tho important books and papers of the P.
0. Deportment is worthy of consideration. In the
present condition of our Treasury,it is neither ne.
cessary nor wise to leave essential public interests
exposed tc so much dsnger,when they can so res.
dily bo made secure. There aro weighty consid
erations in the location of a now building for the
Department, in favor of placing it near the other
Executive buildings. •
The important subjects of a survey of the coast
and the manufacture of a standard of weights and
measures for the difkrent custom-houses, have
been in progress for s kins yoars,under the gener
al direction of the Etecutive, and the immediate
superintendence of a gentleman possessing high
scientific attainments. At the last session of Con.
gross, the making of a set of weights and meas
ures for each State in the Union,waa added to the
others by a joint resolution. •
Tho care and correspondence as to all these sub
jects have been devolved on the Treasury Depart
ment during the last year. A special report from
the Secretary of the Treasury will soon be corn.
municated to Congrose,which wilt show what has
been accomplished as to the whole, the number
and compensation of the persons now employed in
these duties,and the progress expected to bo made
during the ensuing year, with - a - copy of the va
rious correspondence deemed necessary to throw
light on the sutjects which seem to require addi
tional legislation. Claims_liavo been made for re.
trospective allowancea in behalf of the superinten.
dont, and some of hie assistants, which I did net
feel justitred in granting; other claims have been
made for large increases in compensation, which,
under all the circumstances of the several cases,
I declined making without the express sanction
of Congress. In order to obtain that sanction,the
subject was at the last seesion,on my suggestion,
and by request of the immediate superintendent,
submitted by the Treasury Department to the
Committee of the House of Representatives. But
no legislative action having taken place s the early
attention of Congress is now invited to the enact-
ment of some iwress and detailed provisions in
relation to the various claims made for the prist,
and to the compensation and allowances deemed
proper for the future.
It Is further respectfully recommended that
such being the Inconvenience of attention to these
duties by the Chief Magistrate,and such the great
pressure of business on the Treasury Department
the general supervision of the coast survey, and
the completion of the weights and measuresof the
works are kept united, should be devolved on a
board of officers, organized specially for that pur
pose, or on the Navy Board attached to the Navy
Department.
All my experience and reflection confirm the
conviction I have so often expressed . to Congress.
in favor ofan amendment °fill° constitutinn,which
will prevent, in any event,the election of the Pres
ident and Vico President of the United States de
volving on the Hnuso of Representatives and the
Senate; and I therefore beg leave again to solicit
your attention to the subject. There wore various
other suggestions in my last annual message; not
acted upon, particularly that relating to the want
of uniformity in the laws of the District of Colum
biadhat aro doomed worthy of your favorable con
sidoration.
Before concluding this paper. I think it duo to
the various Executive Departments to boar testi.
mony to their prosperous condition, and to the a.
bility and integrity with which they have been
conducted. It has boon my aim to enforce in all
of them a vigilant and faithful discharge of the
public buainess,and it ls gratifying to me to believe
that there is no just cause of complaint from any
quartor,at the manner in which they have fulfilled
the objects of their creation.
Having now finished the observations deemed
proper on this, the last occasion I shall have of
communicating with tho two Houses of Congiess
at their meeting, I cannot omit- an expression of
the gratitude which is duo to the great body of
my follow-citizens, in whose partiality and indul
gence I have found encouragement and support in
tho many difficult and trying scenes thro' which
has been my lot to pass during my public ca
reer. Thuugh deeply sensible that my exertions
have not been crowned with a success correspond.
ing to the degree of favor bestowed upon me,l am
sure that they will bo considered as having been
directed by an earnest desire to promote the good
of my country; and I am consoled by the warm.
Ilion that whatever errors have boon committed
will find a corrective in the intelligence and pat.
Holism ofthoso who will succeed us. All that has
occurred during my administration is calculated
to inspire We with increased confidence in the
stability uf our institutions; and should I beeper
ed to enter upon that retirement which is so suit.
abaci to my ago and infirm health, and so much
desired by mo in other respects, I shall not cease
to invoke that beneficent Being to whose provi
dence wo are already so signally indebted for the
continuance of his blessings on our beloved coon
try.
Andre* Jackson.
Washington City, December 6, 1836.
STAR & REPUBLICAN BANNER.
BY ROBERT W. MIDDLETON.
GETTYSBIIRGEI PA..
Friday, December. 9, 1830.
President's Message.
c•Wo hasten, in , advance of our regular pub
lication day, to lay this important document before
our readers. Of its merits, neither time nor space
will permit us to speak. Those who wade through
it, (and who will not?) will appreciate both as they
deserve.
cizThat we might give the Message entire
and early, a great variety of matters have been
laid over until our next.
oi-No Harrisburgh papers—Cunningham is e
lected Speaker of tho Senate and Dewart of the
House. Governor's Message not yet received.
Police Court—Justice New
bold presiding.
nitendering unto Cesar the things that are
Cceear4”..-Or "Giving the Devil his duel,'
COMMONWEALTU, The evidence In this
vs. case showed that one of
.
RETREATS had been effected in our favoured
Borough that is to be found upon record! It de
serves to be cherished,that the gallant author °fit
may take rank,actording to his merits, with Zeno
phon, Hannibal and Moreau! and that our hither
to obscure Village may hereafter vie, in celebrity
with Greece, Carthage and Franco!
It seems from the testimony of the complainant,
and other authentic sources, that the complain
ant holds,or lately held the honorable commission
of Major of Volunteers—that ho is also an Attor
ney and Counsellor at Law. That while proceed
ing,in the "peace of God and this Commonwealth,"
from his Otlice to the Court-House, where the
Court was then in session, he was violently assaul
ted by an obscure individual with a dangerous
and deadly weapon commonly called a Horse-
Whip, which the said assailant attempted to ap
ply to the shoulders and back of the said Major,
Attorney and Counsellor at Law. What, said the
complainant, was to ho dental At first his courage
prompted him to face about and defend himself.—
But then it instantly occurred to him that ho might
thereby receive sundry wounds,bruises and scratch
es, which,waiving the pain,which he did not regard
a fig, might deprive his clients of his valuable ser
vices for the balance of the court. This would have'
been disastrous, as he had been rotainedby R. W.
who was bound to appear in said court to answer
sundry heavy charges preferred against him by one
Frosty! Besides, he was encumbered with the
weight of his green bag, wherein was deposited
"Elias Helm's old Deed!" Sensibly alive to his
client's interests—moved thereto solely on their ac
count, and for no other cause whatever, the said
Major took to his heels and gallantly left his an
tagonist far in the rear!
Joe Jovial was next called,and corroborated ma
ny of the statements of the complainant. He sta
ted that when ho first observed the parties, the De
fendant was "laying the timber" to the Complain
ant with right good will; but that the complainant,
being swift of foot, soon distanced his pursuer!—
and "may it please your honor," said he, "although
I am an old sportsman, I have never seen animal,
biped or quadruped, so sure footed,and possessed'
at the same time of such heels and bottom! The
winning post appeared to be near the Judge's
bench; in making straight to which, ho jumped
over two Jurymen, run down one Lawyer, and be
tween the legs of a Stone-Mason—and yet at the
out-come ho did not appear the least distressed in
wind, although a little galled by the persuaders!
And faith, your honor, I'll back him against any
thing which can be brought against him, provided
that both run under the Whip from the jump!"
The Defendant was then called upon to answer
to what had been alledged against him. He is a
chap of middling size, of a determined, porcupine
appearance. Ho stated that the prosecutor,owing,
he supposed,to his habit at the bar of trifling with
the feelings of parties and witnesses, had taken the
liberty of stating concerning him certain great and
offensive errors of fact, which he could not well
brook. Ho admitted that having met him on the
street,he did lay the leather to his retreating back.
The Proscutor, who seems entirely free from
all the bumps of, combativeness, then offered to
drop the matter, if the Defendant would promise
upon his honor not to cow-hide him again. Which
the Defendant refusing to do,was bound over to
appear at the next court and answer, and in the
meantime not to horse-whip the said Major!.
A DVERTISEMEN'M
TEMPlZEuweers.
T HE Rock Creek Temperance Society
will meet at the Rock Creek Chapel
on Chriatmast Monday, the 26/k isestaid, at
1 o'clock r.
JOHN NV ILSON, Secretary.
December 12,1836. sm-37
Public Meeting.
T HERE will be a meeting of the Citi
zens of the Borough of Gettysburghott
the house of Mr. Yeatts, on SATURDAY
EVENING NEXT, at 6 o'clock, to take
into consideration the propriety of establish.
iog a LYCEUM orSOCIETY FOR THU
DIFFUSION OF USEFUL lENOWL..
EDGE. ricrAn are invited toattend.
Dec. 12,1836. MANY.
Look at this, Spfnihnseese
DEER & PDX CIUMIL
S PORTSMEN and all others fond ofinch
amusements, are informed that there
will be let loose, in Millerstown, as Friday
the 23d of December next,at 9 o'clock A..w.
.1 DEER and a 11 7 0.1,
All desirous of Irving the spmen and eaten
of their HOUNDS, are invited to 'attend
and participate In the chase.
• THE MANAGERS.
Millerstown, December 5,193 n.
Houses 4. Lots
FOR SALE.
ILL be sold at public sale on Mon
day the 26th instant, between the
hours ofl2 and 2 o'clock, on the 'itemises
.11 LOT OF GROUND,
Situate in Littlestown, adjmning . -lot of E
phraim Swope and an Alley—on which are
A GOOD Two Smut WEATHER,
BOARDED ammo
so •
HOUSE, BD II
Log Stable and a well of excellent water
convenient.
also—One other Lot of Ground
Adjoining the Littlestown Academy and an
Alley—having erected thereon
one story HOUSE, irt
Suitable for a Hatter, Saddler, Shoemaker
or Blacksmith—the latter of which is very
much wanted in that place.
• Mr. Henry Shriver will chew the above
to any person desirous of purchasing. The
Lots will be sold together or separately, to
suit purchasers.
The terms will quite reasonable,and will
be made known on the day of sale- --
JACOB BAUMGAB'TN. ER.
December 5,19 ° 6. t#-36
Call cilia See the Cheap
Ilats,CapStrj
& Bonnets
Wm. n Paxton
116ETURNS his sincere thanks to his
Friends and the Public generally for
the encouragement he has received, and
informs them that he has now on hand, and
will constantly keep, at his old stand in
Chambersburgh street, nearly opposite the
Indian King Hotel,
A large and excellent assortment of -
FUR & SILK HATS & BONNETS,
OP EVERY DESCRIPTION.
. Men's Castor HATS;
Roram de.
" Spanish body do.
" Plain Russia do.
" Silk Plush do.
Youths HATS, different ashiotag
Old Men's Broad Brims and Low
Crowns, fashioned.
.4180—LA DIES' FUR & SILK BON
NETS,of the latest New York Fashions,
of the following colors, id= blaik,brown,
drab, pink, white and green.
TOGETHER wrra
Second hand RATS, WOOL HATS;
Hair and Seal CAPS, &c. &c.
Oz!rAll of which he will sell Low for
CASH or COUNTRY PRODUCE. Call
and judge for yourselves.
AN APPRIENTWEI
Wanted to learn the above famines; about
If 3 or 17 years of age.
W. W. PAXTON.
Gettysburgh, Nov.. 29, 1836. tl--35
Notice, is - herel)3 Given
Frio all persons concerned, that the fel
" lowing TRUSTEE ACCOUNTS
are filed in the Prothonotary's Office at Get
tysburgh,and will be presented to the Judges
of the Orphans' Court of Adams County on
Tuesday the 3d day of January neat, for
confirmation and allowance--vi=
The Account of Henry Heagy, Trustee
of Phebe Ashbaugh, wife of Frederick Ash
baugh.
The Account ofGeo. Deardorffand Geo.
Robinette, Trustees of John Day, Jr.
B. GILBERT, Protley.
December 5, 1936. te-36
Notice i$ hereby Given,
V 0 all Legatees and other persons con
1s cerned, that the ADMINISTRA.
TIO:N ACCOUNTS of the deceased per=
sons hereinafter mentioned,will be presented
to the Orphans' Court of Adams County, for
confirmation and allowance, oa TiresdayLie
3d day of January next, viz:
The account of Jacob Miller arid John .
11 iller,Executors of the Estate of Ludwig& ,
Miler,deceased.
The account of Philip Reimer. Executor
of the &tate of John Outer, dammed
The account of George Baxeboar, Ad.
ministrator of the Estate of Margaret Gra,
deceased.
JAS, A. THOMPSON. Register.
Register's Office,Gettys•
burg, Nov. 28, 1830. 5 114-116