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—Bwric )■ rrißi * r ' llC *
unquestionab y necessary, to pre-’,
vent the evil? which it w.is foreseen
the bank itself would endeavor to
create, in a ii lai struggle to procure
a renewal oi its charter. It may be
thus, too, in some degree, with the
further steps which may be taken to
prevent the excessive issue of other
bank paper; but it is to be hoped that
nothig will now deter the Federal &
State authorities from the firm am’
vigorous performance ot their duties
to themselves and to the people in
this respect.
In reducing the revenue to the
wants of the Government, your par
ticular attention is invited to those
articles which duty on salt was laid
as a war tax, and was no doubt co -
tinned to assist in providing for the
war debt. There is no article the
release of which from taxation would
be felt so generally and so benefi
cially- To this may be added all
kinds of fuel and provisions .Jus
tice and benevolence unite in favor
of releasing the poor of our cities
from burdens which are n t n *c.,s
sary to the support of our Govern
ment, ami tend only to increase the
wants of the destitute.
It will be seen by the report of the
Secretary of the Treasury, and the
accompanying documents, that the
Bank of the United States has made
no payment on account of the stock
held by the Government in that in
stitution, altaongh urged to pay any
portion which might suit its conven
ience, and that it has given no infor
mation when payment be expected.
IS or, although repeatedly requested
has it furnished the iaform.iti >n i
relation to its condition, which Con
gress authirized the secrecatary to
collect at their last session; sinh
measures as arc within the power ol
the Executive, have been taken to
ascertain the value of the stock, and
procure the payment as early as
possible.
The conduct an I present condi
tion of that bank & the great amount
of capital vested in it by the U.S. re
quire your careful attention. It.
i » w i»i»i ■■ w|■ X. .1. » I /Tl 1 I v (
March last, and it has now no pow
er but that given in the 21 st section
“to use the corporate name, style,
and capacity, for the purpose of suits
for the final settlement and liquida
tion of the affairs and accounts of the
corporation, and for the sale and dis
position of their estate, real, person
al, and mixed, but not for any other
purpose, or in any other maimer
whatever, nor for a period exceeding
two years after the expiration of the
said term of incorporation.” Before
the expiration the stockholders
of the bank obtained aa act of incor
poration from the Legislature of
Pennsylvania, excluding only the (J.
States. Instead of proceeding to j
wind up their concerns, & pay over
the United states the amount 6 io on
account of the stock held Lx idem,'
the president and directors of the
old bank appear to have transferred
the books, papers, notes, obligations
and most or all of its propert- to this
new corporation, which enter <1 up
on business as a continuation of the
old concern. Amonghts other acts
of questionable validity, the notes
of the expired corporation are known
to have been used as its own, and
again put in circulation. I'hat the
old bank had no right to issue or re
charter, cannot be denied, ami that
it could not coster any such right on
its substitute any more than exer
cise it itself, is equally plain. In law
and honesty, the notes of the bank
in circulation, in the expiration of
its charter, should have been called
in by public advertisement, paid up
as presented, and, together wii.i
those on hand, cancelled &. destroy
ed. Their re-issue is sandi med In
no law, and warrented by no cer
tainty. If the I . S. is not rcsp »n
--sible in their stock for the pavment
of these notes, their re-issue, bv the
new corporation, for their own proli
is a fraud on tin* Government. If
the I nited States is not rv'qoiiM
ble, the;', there is no letial resnonsi
bilitx in an\ quarter. ;• . it is a fraud
upon the country. They are redeem
cd notes of a dissolved pa.t u rdiir.,
but contrary to the wishi * of th< re
firing partner, ami withou hi* , >a-
sent, are again rc-is .ucd, and circula
ted - b . . J
Il is tin high an I peculiar duty o.
Congress to de> ide whether any fur
ther legislation be necessary for the
security ofth ? large amount of public
property now hd I a id in use by the j
new bank, and for vindicating the.
rights of the (Government, and com
pelling a speedy and h me?t settle
ment with all the creditors of the
old bank, public & private, or whe
ther the subject shall be left to the ;
power now possessed by the execu-,
five and Judiciary. It remains to be :
seen whether the persons, as mana-1
gers of the old bank, undertook to'
control the Government, rained the
public dividends, shut their doors’,
upon a committee of the House ofi
Representative, a id filled the coun
try with panic to accomplish their
own sinister objects, may now, as
managers ol a new ba ik, continue
with impunity to floo I the country
with a sup.irious currency, use the
seven millions ol Govern nent stoex
’ for their own profit, and refuse to
the United fates all inform itio.i as
to the present condition of their own
’ property, an t the prospect of recov
ering it i do their own possession.
The lessons taught by the bank
; of the U.S. cannot well be lost up » i
the American people. I hey wi 1
> take care never again to phv-e so
tremendous a power in irresponsible
hands, and it will be fortunate if they
' seriously consider the consequences
which arc likely to result on a small
er scale from the facility with which
corporate powers granted are by
I their Slate Governments.
It is believed that the law of the
• last io.i regulating the depo-ite
banks, operates erroneously and un
iustly upon them in many respects:
and it is hoped that Congress, on
proper representation, will adopt
the m) lificati )ns which are necessa
ry' to prevent this consequence.
The report of the Secretary of
*Var, / interim, and the accompa
ivi ig do ument all which arc here
with 1 ml before you, wid give you a
full view of the diversified an I im-
>< <v'.u»abm> xxf 'hit
mmit during the past year.
The military m ivements rendered
necessary by the aggressions of the
hostile portio is of the Semin >1 * and
Creek tribes of In liaus, and by oth
er circumsta ices, have required the
active employment of nearly our
vh >le regular force, inclu h’ng tut*
marine co p , and of large bodies of
militia volunteers. With all these
events, so far as they were known
at the seat of Government before the
termination of your last session, you
already acquainted, and it is there
fore only needful in this place to lav
before you a brief summary of what
has since oecured.
The war with the Seminoles, du
ring the mi n ner, was, on our part,
chiefly confined to Ihe protection of
our frontier seitlcmoi.ts, from the in
eurisions of the ♦ nemv; and as a ne
cessary and important means for the
accomplishment of that end, to the
maintenance of the post.** previously
established. In the couise of this
duty, several actions took place, in
which the bravery ami discipline of
both officers and me i were conspic
uously displayed; and which 1 have
deemed it proper to noth e, in re
spect to the : ormer, by tin,* granting
o* brevet rank for the gallant service
in tin* field But as tile force of the
Indians was not so far weakene by
these par tial mici e -s, as to lea lih in
to and a* their sa\ > j lt .
road* were frequentj, repeated, ear
i\ tncaMires were taken l-»r placing
at die di-posal of Governor (’all,
who, as conHiKuaL r in cliie. of the
rerritorial luiiitiu. hud been tempo
ral tly invested with the command,
an ample ior.cforthe purpose ot’re-
Mimiiig oilviiM. e operation**, in the
most cHicient ma;m<*.’, > > *ooii as the
season should per nit. .Major Gen
eral Jesup wa* also directed on th •
co.iclu-.ion ol hi* intie- in the ( re k
c itmti v. to repair to Florida, and as
sume the c mima’id.
Hie roMth oi the first movement
made by Ute force* mider the direc
tion of Gov. t all. in Uctober la-t.
as th-Ei L*d in the ar ‘ompanving pa
per*, ex ited mni h surprise air.!
iksappoi.itmcnt. A full explanation
has been required of the causes!
which led to the failure of that move
ment, but has not yet been reccive
ed. In the mean time, as it was
feared that the health of (Governor
(Gall, who was understood to have
suTered much from sickness, might
not be adequate to the crisis, and
as Major General Jesup was known
to have reached Florid e that officer
was directed to assume the com-
mand, and to prosecute all needlul
operations with the utmost prointi
tude and vigor. From the force at
his disposal, an I the dispositions he
has made and is instructed to make
and from the very efficient measures
which it is since assertained have
been Taken by Governor C 11, 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 by the report of
the Secretary, there is urgent neces
sity for further appropriations to
suppress these hostilities.
Hapily tor the interests of human
ity the hostilities with the Greeks
were brought to a close soon afler
our adjournment, without th it elu
sion ofbiood wmeh at one time was
apprehen led as inevitable. iln
unconditional submission of the hos-
ide patty was followed by their
speedy removal to the country as
signed them west of the Mississippi,
rhe inquiry as to alie fge frauds in
the purchase of the reservations of
these Indians, and the causes of their
hostilities, requested, by the resolu
tion of the House of Representatives
if the Ist .Lily last, to be made by
the President, is now going on
through the agency of commissioners
appointed for that purpose. i'lieir
report may be expected during your
present session.
rhe difficulties apprehended in the
Cherokee country have been pre
vented, and the peace and safety of
that region and its vi<*inity effectual
secured, by the timely measures ta
ken by the War department, and
j still continued.
The discretionary authority given
to General Gaines to cross the Sa-
I and to occupy a position as far
tvt.m as ixarogdoches, m case lie
shoul I deem such a step necessary
io the pmtecti n of the f r > itier, an I
the fulfilment oi’the -dip ilati ms con
taiud in our treaty with Mexico, and
the movement subsequently made
by that officer, have been alluded to
i i a former part of this message
\t the date of the latest int lligence
from Nacogdoches, our troo »s were
yet at that station: but the officer
who succeeded General Gaines has
recently been advised that, from the
facts known at the seat of Govern
ment, there won't I seem to be no
adequate mu.-H, tor omj longer main
taining that position; and tie was ar
cordingly instructed, in case tip
troops were not already withdrawn
under the discretionary powers be
fore possessed by him, to give the
requisite orders for that purpose on
the receipt of the instructions, ui
less lie shall then have in his posses
sion such information as shall satisfy
him that the maintenance of the
poxt is essential to the protection of
o ir frontier, and tothedue execution
of our treaty stipulations, as previ
o ix|\ i xp'aiued to him
\\ hilst t he necessities existing du
ring the present sear, for the ser
vice of militia and volunteers, have
furnished n»m proofs of the patriot
ism of our I Ho v it.zens, they have
also .strongly iiluxtiat ■<! the impor
tance of aii ur. asr i. ( th rank an I
lilt* of the regular armv. I In* views
on this subject submitted bv the Se
cret iry of War, in Ins report meet
.*y entire concurrent e; an > are < ai
nestlv recom Headed to th deliber
ate alt(*iition of ( oiigress. In this
connection it is also proper to re
mind you, that the defects in our
pi’t s nt militii system are every day
rendered irore apparent. The duty
of making further provisions bv law
u>r organizing, arming and dtscipling
this arm of defence his been so re
peat *<’!y presented to < ongress by
myself and my predecessors, that 1
leem it sufficient on this occasion
io refer t > the List annual message
and to former Executive c unmuui
catioas, in which the subject has
been discussed.
Tt appears from the reports of the
officers charged with m istering into
service the volunteers called for un
der the act of Congress of the last
session, that more presented them
selves at the place of rendezvous in
Tennessee than were sufficient to
meet ihe requisition which had been
made by the Secretary of War up
on the Governor of that State. This
was occasioned by the omission of
the Governor to apportion the requi-1
sitio* l to the different regiments!
of militia, so as to obtain
the proper number of troops, and no ;
more. It seems but just to the pat-j
viatic citizens who repaired to the;
general rendezvous, under circum
stances authorizing them to believe
that their services were needed, and
would be accepted, that the expen
ses incurred by them while absent
from their homes, should be paid by
the {Government. I accordingly re
com mend 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 redezvous, and while
there; in connexion with which, it
will also be proper to make provis
ions for such other equitable claims
growing out of the service of the mi
litia, as may not be embraced in the
existing laws.
I On die -aieXiiec'ed breaking out of hosiili
! res in Florida, Vlabuua, and Georgia, il be
pfm ni’co-s 'iv, in some cases, to tike the
Inr petty of individuals for the public use.
j P; ivisiou should be in .de by law for indem
i y uji <h* owners; and 1 would also respect
| s ii><i«'st whettier some provision may not
he made, enn-isiently with the principles of
! <> <r Govern uem, for the relief of tin* sufferer*
;by (mb m depio.la ions, or Uy the operations
lot >nr own toops.
' No time was lost after remarking of the
requisite appropriations, in resuming tne jjreai
nanon d w >rk of compelling the unfinished
foriifi'-a'ions on om se.tbord, and of placing
mem m a propers ate of defence. In con
sequence, however, of the very late day at
which those bills were passed, but little pro
j gross eotild be. made during the season which
Ih>s ju t los-d A verv largo amouift of the mo
oey granted at your last session, according
ly T' mains unexpended; but as the work will
t>e again resumed at the earliest moment in
the comming spring, the ball irice of the exist
ting appromia'ions. & in several cas«s, which
will be laid before you with the proper esti
be usefully expended during the next year.
The recommendations of an increase in the
Engineer Corps, and lor a reorgamz ition of
the Topographical Corp*, smnmiited to you
in iny last an.iml message, derive additional
sirength from the great embaras*ments experi
enced during the present year, in those bran
ches of the service, and under which they -are
now suffering. Several of the m >st import.mt
surveys and constructions directed try recent
law*. I) ive been ex-pended in consequence nf
the want of adequate foice in these corps
Ihe like observations may be applied to the
Ordinance Corps, and the Gener.l S ff the
• peretions of which a* they are n«>w organiz
ed, must either he frequently in ci i upted, or
performed liy offi ers taken from the. line of
he arm* , to the great prejudice of the service.
•I’ k.wm •.£ . U.o < Jll .<> n of the ■
Military \cademy, and of other branches ot ;
tie military service not already noticed, as i
i*eli as Im fuller illustration* of those which !
nave been mention'd, I r for you to 'he au
ompanying locuinenl*, and among the vari
ous proposals contained therein for legislative
action I would patticularly notice the sug
gestion of the Secretary of W ar for the revision
•<f thepiyof the army, as entitled to your
favorable regard.
1 fie national policy, founded alike m inter-
j pst and in humanity, so long aud so steadily!
I pursued by this (Joveinment, for the rernov il j
of the Indian tribes originally settled on this
side <»l the Mississippi io the west of that riv- >
er. may hr* said to iia<e been consummated by
the lOielnsion of the lite Ire.t'y with (he,
Ci.eiokees. The measures taken in the exe
cution of that treaty, and in relation to our;
Indian affors g. nerally, will fully appear l.v
refc rmg to the accompanying piperg With
out d«e ling on the numerous and important |
topics embraced in them. I agitn invite!
voi r at’enmu t • the importance of providing
a w< Il d’g si. d and comprehensive svstern
t<>r prof, i 'ion. sup. r vsion. and improvement
of Hie various ti ib- - now planted hi the In ,
diati country. I,e suggt stions submitted bv •
iii.- Commissioner of Indian XfiTors. and en-,
(-•reed by itie Secretai v, -md inis subject, &
>i!su m regard to the establishment of addi ,
lion il miliary post* in the Indian country,;
are entitled to your profound consideration.;
Both measures ate necessary for ihe double
purpose ot protecting'he Indians liom intes
ine w it, and m other re-pecis complying with '
..in eng g mentg to th- in aud of securing our ;
west* ru frontier against incursions, which olh-
• r ise will assuredly be made on it. The
best hop. sos hu nao'iv, in regard to the abo.
• i.ond ram, the welfare ot our ia udly exten
ding M'i .’Prnents, and 'he honor of the U. S . '
are jII deeplv involved In the rrla ions exis* ;
ting between this G v mm nt and eimcrating
tribes. I tins', tuereiorc tn>» the var o.i* '
matters subinttied tn the arcompaovmg d«»cu I
men'*, m y.-spect to those relations, will receive
your early and mature deliberation; and tha
it may issue in the adop'ton of legislative
measures adopted to the circumstances, and
duties of the present crisis.
You are referred to the report of die Secre
tary of the Navy for a satisfactory view of the
operations of the department under his charge
during the present year In the constructions
of vessels at the diff lent navy yaids, and in
ihe employment of oor slips and squadi.ons
at sea, that branch of ihe service has been
actively and usefully employed. —While the
situation of our commercial inerests in the
West Indies required a greater number than
; usual «»f armed vessels to be kept on (he sta
ition, it is gratifying tn perceive that the pro
j lection due to our commerce in oilier quar era
of the world has noi proved insulH’lent. Ev
ery effmt has been tn de to fa d ate ’he
I equipment of the <*xploiing expedition an hor
j tzed by ihe act of Hie last session, but all 'ho
preparation necessary to enable it tn sail has
not yet been completed. No means will be
spared by the govern nent to fit om the expe«
diti >n on a scale corresponding with the liber
al approprirtion for the purpose, and with the
elvevated character of the objects winch are
to be effected by it.
I beg leave to renew the recommendation
m ide m my last annual reappointing
■ the enlistment ol boys in out naval servic , &
> io urge upon your attention the necessity of
( further appropriations to increase, the number
of ships afloat, and to enlarge generally the
capacity and force as ihe navy. The increase
1 of our commerce, and our position m regard
» to the other powers of the world, will always
[. make it our policy and in erest to cherish
the great naval resourses of our country.
Tne report of the P >si master General pre
’ seats a gi t’lfying picture of the condition of
- the Post Office D p<r inent. Its revenues for
i the year ending ihe 30ih of June last, were
$3,393,455.19. shoA'iog an increase of reve
nue over ibat of the proceeding ye ar of $104,-
' 363 53, or more than 13 per cent. The ex
peiid'tures for the same year w«re $2,755,-
e 622 76, exhibiting a surplus of $612, 831 43.
The Department has been redeem from em
barassment and debt, has accumulated a
' surplus exceeding half a million of dollars,
has grea'ly expended, and is preparing still
’ furthei to extend,'he mail service, and recotn
' mends a reduction of pus ages equal to obout
s 2O percent H is pr idtsing upon ’he great
principles, which should outrol every branch
i of oir Govenrnem, ol rendering tn (he public
' ( the greyest good possible, with the least pos-
I 1 spile I ixafiou to 'he people.
1 I The eeale of postage suggested by the
■ ; Postmaster General recommends itself, not
only by the reduction it proposes, but by the
simplicity of its arrangement, its conformity
>with tne federal currency, and the improve-
> merit it will intro luce into the accounts of Ihe
■ ' Department and its agents.
Yo ir particular a tention is invited io 'he
subject of mail c<»nuac s with rail road com
panies. The present laws, providing for ma
king of contracis, are. based upon ihe pre
sumption. that competition among bidders
Win Iri ure mmr.-i »>cr. n- w-r»ir pricw. Bm «m
most of (lie rail road lines, there is no compe
tition in that kind of transportation, a.d a river
lisi ig is, therefore, useless \o control Can
now be made with them, ex ept such as shall
lie negociaied before the tune of offering, or
afterwards, and the p >wer of ilie Post Master
General to pay them high prices, is praciii ally
w.thout limitation. It would be a relief to
him, and no doubt would conduse to the public
in'erest, to prescribe by law, some eqmteble
basis upon winch sn<‘h contracts shall rest, and
restrict him by a fixed rule of allowance
Under a liberal act of that sort he would
undoubtedly be aide to secure tne sei vices
of most of the rail road companies, and the
m'erest of the Department would be thus
advanced.
The coirespondenee between the people of
the Unfed States and the Europe tn nations,
and i i.i r tic of-ri v wuti the TVrmsTr rrtarn+Fj Iran
become very extensive, and requires the inter
position of Congress io give it security. i\o
obstacle i* perceived to an interchange of
mails, between New Yoik and Liverpool, or
otiiei fore, gti ports, as proposed by. the Post
Master General ; on the contrary, it promises
by the security it will aff>rd, to facilitate com
mercial transactions, and give rise to an en
larged intercourse among the oeople of differ
ent nation*, winch cannm but have a happy
effect. Through the city of New York, most
of the cotmspondence between the Cannadas
and Europe is now carried on, and urgent
, repteseriiauons have been received from the
head of the provincial p St < fli e, asking tl'O
interposition of the Un ted Slates to guard il
from the accid tits and lo«*es to which it is
now subjected. Some legislation appears to
be called for, as w li bv our nwn interest, as
bv comity to the adj onmg Briii-I> Provinces.
I fie expediency of provid ng a fir proof
Irnddmg for t <• important books and papers
ol m» Pus Oifi i Depart mi nt, is worthy of
cons <|» r dion. I u th* pre-ent cotidiiion of
our 1 r. as iry, it is neither necessary nor wise
to |e«ve essr final public uuer< SIS exposed to
*o ouch danger, when they can so readily be
made secure, Tiiere are weighty cmsidera
'roiis io ttie location of a < <jw building (or the
Departmem, m tavor of placing n m ar the
other Ex* < utiVe buddings.
I be important subject of the Survey of the
conn, and the manufacture of a st indard of
weights and measures ol the dtfft rent custom
houses, have been in progress for some years,
under the general direction of Hie Executive,
and the immediate superintendence of a gen
tleman possessing high a* i- tii.fi at ainmems.
\i the last session of Congress, the rn.kmg
of a set ol weights and measures fry. each
state tn the Union, was added to the o'iicts by
•i joint resolution.
I he care and . orrespondencr* as to all these
•'injects, has been dev dved on 'he i’rea*ury
Department, during the la*t year. A special
report Irani the Secretary of the Treasury will
soon be communicated to Congress, which
will show what has been accomplished, as to