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PRES!DENTS ME-SAGB.
Idlin'* ('ll tens of the Senate and
pruvi«ii s fTfat Congic.-fs shall
unnunily on lire fir.-t Monday of Decern
IxT, and il has been ujunl for tire Pii-si
d«-nt lomiikenoQdintauniction i>fa public
fliaructiT to iuo irnafo- aiVd Ifousu oi
Itaj re eniHlivi'S until utKi.-t.-d of ilreii re
adme s to w«lv« it. I have def rred lo
I is-usage until the ch»t* of the firs: month
of the s's-iufabut liiy'con»ictions of Jut\
wllfnoiyiiMTMH'me longer lo pu>t| one the
di.sUuu-jfe.oLj he obligation, erydued by
tla/ coii-titiilioii upon the President "to
give to fWtTohgfess information of the
*4«ce.ttf .the. Union, and recommend to
their cousidetnliou such measures as he
shall judge necessary and expedient.”,
o&fefl matter of congratulation (bat
fee Republic is tranquilly advancing in
a career of pspsperity and peace.
FOREIGN KELATlONS-CENTttAL AMERICA.
Whilst relations of amity contii je to
exist'between (he Uuited States and all
forefjsnyriwers, with some of them grave
questions'nt*e depending, which may
require i he consideration of- Congress.
Of sueli questions, the most important
is that which lias arisen out of the .ne
gotiations with Great Britain in refer
ence to Central America.
' Bylin; convention concluded between
the twj giver mens 01 the 19th of
April, •1830, both parties covtmar.ted,
that “neither will ever” “occupy or for
tify, or colonize,.or assume, or exercise
any' dominion over, Nicaragua, Costa
Rica, the Mosquito coast or any purt of
Central America.’*
: It was the umlnuhtud understanding
of the United Slides in making this trea
ty, that all the present Slates of the
forrotr repnbl c of Central America,
and the entire territory of each, would
thenceforth enjoy complete independence
and that both contracting-pui ties engag
ed equally, and to-the same extent, for
the present and for the foture ; that if
either them had any claim of right in
Central* America, such claim, and all
occupation or authority under it, were
unreservedly rUinquised by the stipula
tion* of the-- convention, and that no
dominion was, (htrcaficr to Ire exercis
ed tor asMimcd in any part of C-ntual
America, by Great Britain or the United
States.
-< The government consenred to restiic
tions in.regard to a region of country,
wherein- ire had specific and peculiar
interests,- only upon the conviction that
the-like restrictions were' in.the same
sense obligatory on Great Britain. But
fl>r this understanding^ the force and ef
fect of. die convent ion, it would, never
have been concluded by u
So clear was this understanding on
die part of the United States, that*, in
wbrrespondenoc contemporaneous with
ihe ratification of the contention, it «a-
distinctly expressed, that the mutual
covenants of non-occupation were not
intended to apply to the British establi.-h-
ment at the Baiize. This qualification
ia to be ascribed to the foett that in vir
t*<e of-succesive treaties . with previous
1 aovereigns-of the country, Great Bri
tain had obtained a. concession of the
•right to cut mahogany or dye-woods at
•the Baiize but with positive exclusion
of all domain or sovereignly; and thus
it confirms the natural const ruction and
understood import of the treaty as lo all
the-rust of Ihe region to which the stip
ulations applied.
♦pyJR h:never, became nppanut. at a:
ehrly iday after entering upon the dis
charge of ray present functions, ib.it
Great Britaiu still continued in the ex
ereise or assertion of n Urge authority
in all that part of Centra! America com
JOpnly called the Mosquito const, and
covcring the entire length of the Siatr
of Nicaragua, and- part of Costa Rica ;
that she regarded the.Baiize as hev nb-
-colute domain, and was graduu'ly extend
ing its limits at the expense of the Suite
of.Honduras; and that she ha-1 formal
ly colonizel - a considerable - insular
•{troupe known.ns the Bayglslcnds. and
belonging, of right, lo that Slate.-
AU th se. acts or preu n-ionsof Great
-Britain being contrary to the rights of
the States of Central Ainci ic 1 , and to
-the munife.-t tenor of. her stipulations
With lire Uuited States, as.-tuidcrsiood
by this governraeut, have '-ecu inadr.tlu-
subject of negotiation through tire Amer
ican Minister in-London I truusmiiJjcre-
with instructions to liim on' -.tire subject.
,nnd the correspondence .between him
and the British Secretary for Foreign
Affairs. by which you .will perceive that
the two governments differ widely and
. irreconcilcably as to the construction of
the convention,.and. its effect on their re-
.fpoclive ft-iulions to Central. America
, Great Britain so construes :he conven
tion a-. to maintain unchanged all her pr> -
viousprefe.:s*ons over the Mosqui'o const,
and in different parts of Central America
Ute-e pretensions^ ns to the Mo q'tilo
coast, are founded on the as.- u nption of
political relatlbiriiPtvVCen Great Britain
mid the remnant of a tribe of Italians on
• ilwt.eoast, entered into at a lime when
; |jh« whole country \yas a Culqnial posses
sion- of Spain. ji cannot he successfully
controverted. that, l*y the public law t>
Kit rope and A-npiTiM. no possible act of
'«tch Indians or their predecessors could
confer on .Great Britain any |ioU!ieai
Great Britain does not allege the as
sent of Spuin ns the origin of her -claims
on the M isquito coa-'t. She lias oil the
Contrary, by T-o| rented and rocce-sive
treaties, renounced and relinquished ’ai
pretensions of tier own. and r*ehg«tizc*
the full and sovereign rights of'S}miu in
the most unequivocal tenii*. Yet these
pretension*, so- without sofi-l foundation
in the beginning, and thus'repeatedly
abjured, w-ere nt a recent period* revived
by Grant Britnin, atminst tW Central
American States, the legitimate sneevsors
to all the ancient jurisdiction ol’Sj-ain in
re is-ei ted t-» this extent, nofsviihstand-
ing engagements of the Uuit> d States.
OtC'he eastern coasi of Nicaj'qgprrarei
Ces^a Uha. Jhe hiterlViencel of jGreat-
though exerted atone tittje in
tin- form <>f military occupation of the
part tff San Joan del Norte, th* n in iln-
peace!til msiciran of tin; appropriate
authorities of ihe Central American
SmtfSj is riow 11tv-seined by her asilie
rightful exercin* of a protectorship: over
tin- Mosquito tribe of Indians.
But the establishment at the Bdize,
now reaching far beyond its treaty limits
into the State of Honduras, and that of
the Bay island-vappertaining.of right to
the same State, are as distinctly colonial
government as those of Jamaica or Can
ada,' and therefore contrary to the very-
letter as well as the spirit of the conven-
lion with the-United States, as it was at
the-time of ratification, and now is under
stood by this Government: —
The interpretation which the British
government thus ?n assertion and .net,
persists in ascribing to the convention,
entirely changes its char cter.—
While it holds-us to all obligations, it in
a great measure releases Great Britain
from those, wjjicli constituted the con
sideration of this government for enter
ing into convention. It is impossible, in
my judgment, for the Uuited States to,
acquiesce in such a construction of the
respective relations of the two govern
ments to Central America.
. To. a renewed call by this government
upon Great Britain, to abide by, and
carry Into effect, the stipulations of the
convention according to its obvious, im
port, by withdrawing from the possession
or colonization of portions of the Central
American States of Honduras, Nicaragua
and Costa Rica, the British government'
has at length replie 1, affirming feat the
operation of the treaty is prospectiveonly,
did not require Crept Britain .to abandon
or contract ai*/ possession held by her in
Central America at the date of its con
clusion, ' -
This reply substitutes a partial issue,
in the place of the general one presented
by the United Slates., The British .go
vernment passes over the question ofthe
rights of Great Britain, real or supposed,
in Ceiilral America, and assumes that
she bad. such rights at the date of the
treaty, audfeal those rights comprehend
ed the protectorship of th.e Mosquito
Indians, tire extended jurisdiction and
limits of the Baiize, and. the coionyof
the B-iy I-laods. and thereujion proceeds
by impiiftition to infer, that, if the , st *p-
ul.tiio is of the treaty he merely future
in eir*>ci r Great Britain may. still con
tinuelo hold the contested portions of
Central America.. Tbq United States
cannot admit either the inference or |he
premises. We steadily deny,tiu\t at the
date of the treaty j Great Britain: had any
possession there, othere than the limited
and peculiar est ihlishment at the B dize,
and maitain that, if she had any, ..they
were surrendered by the convention.
This gowrnrpi-iv.. recognizing the
obligations of (t e treaty, lias of course
-b sired to see it executed in,.good faijl
by both parties, and in fbe discussion
therefore, has ‘tiot looked to. rights,
’which we might ass^t, independently
of the treaty, in, consideration of our
geographical position and of Othir clr-
iMinisf.-uicfesj which create for us rclatibiis
lo the Central AmeWcaii Suites, different
from those of any govei-nnient of 'Eu
rope. _ draw" *
.The British Government, in -its last
communication, although, well knowing
the views of tpe United States, still de
dares that,it sees.no. reason why a con
dilatory spirit may not enable tire,two
Governments ti> overcome ail obstacles to
satisfactory adjustment of the sul>ject
Assured of the correetnea-, of lire con
iruction of the treaty constantly adher
ed to by ibis Government iny| resolved
o insist on tile rights of the United States,
yet actuated also by the 'same desire,
wliieu-is ayod- d by the British Goveni-
roi-nt, to remove all causes of serious
ini-uiidei-stuiiding betvveen tw-g^ nations
nss.odaied hy so many ties of interest
and kindred, it has appeared to tne
proper not to consider an amicable solu
tion of the controversy hopeless.
There is, however, reason lo apprehend
that with Great Britain h>- the actual
occupation .of. the disputed lerriiories,
and tire treaty.therefore practicallynull,
$o far as regunL-pur riglps, this interna-
lional difficulty cannot long .remain un-
delcrnMned, without involving ip supluns
danger .the IrreiKlIy relations, .which: it is
tbttimerest .aa.wcil ns thu duty pf. both
^countries to. cherish ituil tpreser-vc. . It
will afford me sincere. gtaUfication,. if
fmur« efforts 6lmll result in. the success,
anticipated lieretofore wife more confi
dence than- the aspect oft be case permits
me now to entertain,.
, RECRUITMENT,
One other subject of discussion be
tween the Uuited Stales and Great
.Britain, has grown out of. the. attem. t,
' jive exigencies of the war in vvhioh
she -is engagj-d » ult ItcHsia^Taduccd her
toma^c, tq draw.recruits from tire.Unit
ed Stales. / • , . .
It is thevtradiiunuvl and settled policy
of ibej^-nited States to maintain impar-
tiaf rientridily . ihirkig the wnci, which
from tittle to tittle occur among fire great
(Hivvers of tire world. Perfirming all
the-duties of neutrality towards the re
spective belligerent States; may rea
sonably exp>*ct them not to interfere
with our lawful enjoyment of itsLenefits.
Notwitshinding the existence -of.isuch
hostilities, our citizens retain the individ
ual right to continue -^}l their-accustom
«d-' pursuits, by laud or by-sen, at home
nr abroad,-subject only to sdeh restric
tions in lb** i elation, as the laws of war,
ihe usage of nations, or special treatie.-.
may impose; and it ts our sovereign
right that but* territory and- jurisdiction
-ball not h£ invaded by either ofthe b<d-
llscreu'f.jlartle-*, for the irnnsit of tbeir
In pursu3iice to ihUjudicy^the.lavvj-
of the United States do n*>t torbid tbeir
citizens to sell to e.tlier of (be belligrr-
entftx [wt-ra articles contraband of war.
of to take monitions of war or soldiers
on board their private ships for trans
portation;' and although, in so doing,
the'individual citizen exposes his pro
perty or person to some of the hazards
ofv war v his acts do not involve'any
breach of national neutrality, nor'of
themselves implicate the government.
Thus, during the progress of the pres
ent war-in Europe, our citizens have
without national responsibility therefor,
sold gunpowder and arms to all .buyers,
regardless of the destination of those
articles. Our merchantmen have been,
an) still contiuaeto be, largely employ
ed'by Great Britain and by France, in
transporting troops, provisions and mu
nitions of 'war to. the principal seat of
military - operations, and in bringing 4
home their sick aud wounded soldiers;
but suc i use of our mercantile marine
is not interdicted either by the interna
tional,' or by our municipal law, and
therefore does not compromit our neu
tral relations with Russia.
But our municipal law, in accordance
with the law of nations, peremptorily
forbids,' hot only foreigners, but our cit
izens, to fit'out, within the limits of the
United States, a vessel to commit hostil
ities against any State with which the
United States are at peace, or to increase
the fore;.* of any foreign armed vessel
intended for such hostilities against a
friendly State.
' Whatever c-pncern may have been felt
by either of the belligerent powers lest
private armed'cruisers, or other vessels,
in the service of lone, might be fitted
out in the ports of this country to d'ep
re date oh the property of the other, all
such fears have * proved utterly gronnd-
fess. Ouf citizens hate been withheld
from any such act or purpose by good
faith, and by reject for ihe law.
Wjflfe the'laws of the Union are thus
peremptory In tbeir prohibition of the
equipment or armament of belligerent
cruisers in oiir ports, they provide not
less absolutely that no person shall,
wilhln ihe territory or jurisdiction o
the United States, enlist or enter him
self, 6r'litre or retain'another person to
enlist or enter himself/ or to go' beyond
the limits or jurisdiction of the United
States with intent to-be enlisted or en-
tbrhd, in (lie service of any foreign
State.'etfher as a soldier, or as a m iriuo
or seaman on board of any vessel of war,
letter of marque; J or prlVateet. * A«d
these enactments are also in strict Con
formity with the law of nations, which
declares, that no State has the right to
raise lor 'and or sea service in another
State without its consent, and that,
whether forbidden by the- ntun.ciptl
law or not. the very attempt to do it,
without such consent, is an-attack on
tilt national sovereignty.
.SUch heiujr the public rights and the
inutii tpal law of the United States, no
v Jicitude on the- sulgecl w.is entertain
ed by. this gorernment, when, a year
since, the British Parliament pissed an
act to provide for the enlistment of for
eigners in the military service of Great
Britain.: N.ithing on the face of the
act,-or in its public history, indicated
that the. British Government proposed
pi attempt zecruitineiii in the United
Stales; nor did U ever .give in imition
of such intention to this government,—
{t mas-matter of surprise, therefore, to
find, subsequently- feat the engagement
uf-persnns within 4hc Unit- d States to
proceed to Halifax, in the British pro
vince of. Nova Scotia, and there enlist
in the Service of Great Britain, was go
ing an extensively, with little or no dis
guise. . Ordinary, legal steps were im
mediately t.ikeu to arrest , and puni h
parties conocrued> aud so put an end to
ac:s infringing the municipal law and
derogatory, to-our sovereignty. Mean
while suitable representations- on the
Subject w<-re addressed- to t le B.-itisli
Government.. ‘ -
Thereupon it became known, by-’the
admission' of-the British government
itself, that the attempt to draw- recruits
from this country originated with it, o
at least had its- approve , and sanction
hilt it'"also appeared that the putdii:
gents engaged in it, had “stringent ‘ in
struct ions” not to violate , the municipal
law of tlie United States.
It is difficult to understand how
should-have been supposed that troops
could be* raided here by Great Britain
without violation » f the munioipal law
The uamisiakable object of the law was
to prevent every sucliact. which, if per
formed, must be cither in violation of
the law, or in studied evasion of it;
and in either alternative, the act done
would tie alike injurious to fee sover
eignty of the United States.
In the meantime the matter acquired
additional importance, by the recruit
ments in the United States hot being
discontinued, and the disclosure of th
fact feat’’they were prosecuted on a sys
tematic plan devised by official , author
ity that recruiting rendezvous had
been opened in our principal cities, and
depots foir the reception of recruits es
tablished on our frontier; and -fee
v^hole business conducted under the su
pervision and- by. the regular oo-opera-
tion of British officers,civil and military,
some In fee North American provinces,
and spine in the United States. The
complicity of fense officers iiyan under
taking, which could only be accom
plished by defying our laws, throwing
suspicion over our attitude of neutrality
itnd dis'regafding our territorial rights
Is conclusively prated by the evidence
elicited on the trial of such of their
agents as have been apprehended and
convicted. Some of the officers thus
implicated are of high official po-ition
and many of them beyond our jurisdic
tion," so th it legal process could not
Wruil^fBIk operations of tlreir H ts, the reacfrjhe source of tins mischkf:
l«»y of wiiopq for tbt3i < iirvi«, ill • lit-
that region. 1 trey were first -applied ling out of eraisers by orag*Hnst either,
only to 8 defined prirt ot tire •*"as| «,f or .|.,y other net of inrideiit war. : And
Nicaragua, afterwards to the whole ol its ihese undeniable rights of neutrality, in-
Atlantic coast, ami lastly ton pi»rt ol tliV dividual and national, ti/e United Slates
coast y! C- s a iiu a ; and^tliey arc no\y w j|l under no circumstances
Tliese cojisiderations, and the fact
that the cause of complaint was not
mere casual occurrence, hut a deliber
ate desTgn, entered upon w th
knowledge of on laws and national
surrender, policy, and conducted by responsible ’ s.-dmtl
public, functionaries, impelled me to
present the case to the British Govern
ment, in order to- secure, not only a
cessation of the wrong, but its repara
tion. The subject is still under discus
sion, fee result of which will be com
municated to you in due time.
I repeat the recommendation submit
ted to Ihe last Congress, that provision-
be made for the appointment of a'Com
missioner, in connection with Great
Britain, to survey and establish the
boundary line which divides the territory
«f Washington from the contiguous
British possessions. By'reason of the
extent and importance of the country,
in dispute, there has been imminent
danger of collision betweeq the subjects
“ Great Britain and the citizens
the - United- States, including
their respective authorities in that quar*
The prospect of a speedy jtrrarige-
mt-nt h;-s contributed hitherto to induce
on both sides forbearance to -assert by
force what each claims as a right.—
Continuance of delay on the part of the
twd Governments to act in the matter
will increase the dangers and difficult
ties of fee controversy.
Misunderstandingexists to the extent
character and value ofthe -possessory
tghts of the Hudson's Bay Company,
fee property of the Puget’s Sound Ag-
ricultutal Company, reserved in- our
treaty with Great Britain relative to the
Territory of Oregon, i have reason to
believe that a cession of the rights-of
both companies to the - United States,
which would be the- readiest means of
terminating all.questions, can be obtain
ed on reasonable .terms; and, with a
view to this end, I present thesubject to
the attention ot Congress.
The colony of Newfoundland, hav
ing enacted the laws required by the
treaty of the.Sth of. .June, 1854, is
now placed on- the same footing, m re
spect to commercial intercourse wife the
United States, as the other British
North American provinces.
The-commission,. which that, trealy-
onlempiated, for fee determining fee
rights of fishery-in rivers and mouths of
rivers on the coasts ni. the United
States ar.d the British North American
provinces has-b^en'organized,' and has
commenced , its labors ; - to ^complete
which there is needed ‘arther appropri
ations for the s-rviceof another season.
SOUND DUBS.
In pursuanse of fee authority, con
fened-by a- resolution of the Senate of
the United Stales passed the 3d March
Inst, Mot'rce was given to Denmark, on
the 14th day of April,- of the intention
this government to avail itself of the
*ti|*)htton- of the subsisting conven
tion of friendship, commerce and navi
gation between that Kingdom and the
United Slates, whereby -either party
might; after ten years, -terminate -the
sjtneal the expiration.of one year from
the date of notice for that purpose.
The obnsidc-rations, .which led me to
call the attention of Cimgre s to that
convention, and. induced.-the Senate to
dopt lhe resolution referred to, still con
tinue in full force. The convention
contains an ariticie, which, alth >ugh it
do.-s ‘ uot directly engage the United
Stales to submit- to the imposition of
tnlls-on the vessels and cargi»es of Amer
•cans.passing into or from tbe. Baltic
sea,daring-fee continuance of the treaty
et may, by possibility, be construed as
mplying such subraissidO; v - The exnc
tiou of those tolls uot being justified by
any principle of iuteru itioinl law, it
bc-iunethe right: and duty of the United
>lalesto relieve themselves from.-fee
mplir-atiou of (ngagemmt on the sub-
allowed to take cognizance of th it par
ticular question, still it would not be’
competent to deal with the great inter
national principle involved which af
fects the right'in other.cases-of naviga
tion atul co nmercial freedom, as well as
that of ;ieces. to the Baltic. Above all
by the express terms'of the - proposition
it is ^contemplated, that th»' constdara
ti'on of the Sound dues shall be' com
mingled with, and made subordinate to.
-a matter wholly extraneous, the balance
of power among the govertnnenjs of
Europe. ' tt 1 T f
While, however, rejecting this propo
sition, and insisting on the right of free
transit inttf and from the Baltic, I have
expressed to Denmark a willingness on
on the part of the -United States to
sbare-iiberally with other powers in emit-
pensa-ing her for any advantages which
commerce shall hereafter derive - from
expenditures made by her for the im
provement and safety of fee' navigation
ofthe Sound or Belts.
I lay before you, herewith, sundry
documents on the subject, in which my
views are more fully disclosed Should
no satisfactory arrangements be sooh
concluded. I shall again call your atten
tion to fee subject, with recommenda
tion’ of such measures as may be re
quired in order-to assert ago secure fee
rights of the United States, so far as
the-e are affected by .the pretensions of
Denmark.
FRANCE.
I announce-with much gratification,
that since fee adjournment of the last
Congress, the question then existing.be
tween this Government und : that of
France, has been satisfactorily determiu
ed, and feat the relations of the two-
Gover nments continue to be of the most
friendly nature. ...
GREECE. . ;
A question, also, which:has been
pend tog for several years between-the
United States and the Kingdom of
Greece, growjng out of the sequestra
tion, by public authorities of that coun
try, of property belonging lo ihe pre&r
ent American Consul at Athens, aud
which had been the subject of very
earnest disc.ussi.on heretofore, has re
cently been settled to the satisfaction of
the party interested and of both Govern
ments.
, i( SPAIN,
With Spain, peaceful relations are
still maintained, and some progress .has
been made in securing the redress of
wrongs complained of by- this'Govern
meat. Spain has not only disavowed
iind disapproved the officers who illegal
ly seized and detained' the steamer
Black Warrior at Havana, but has also
paid the stlm claimed as indemnity fo
the loss thereby inflicted on citizens of
the United States.
In consequence of a destructive bur-
ricane which visited Cuba in 1844, the
supreme authority of that island issued
a .decree, permitting the importation
for fee period of six months,'of certain
building materials and provisiqns, free
of duty, but revoked it when hair the
pe> iod only bod elapsed, to the injury
of citizens of the United States,' who
had'proceeded to act on the faith of that
decree. The Spanish Government re
fused indemnification to the parties ag
grieved until teceotly, when it wns ab
sented to, payment being promised to
be made so soon as the amount due can
be ascertained.
; Satisfaction claimed tor the -arrest
.aud search of the steamer El • Dorado
has-not yet been accorded, hut there is
reason to believe thai It will be, 'and
that case, with others, continues lo Ire
cretary of .War and th e ,
documents,;* .• Bc
Experience, ga th ered f
which have transpired
annual menage, has but« er
States knd Russia on the 2’2d of July,
1854. These'treaties and conventions
will he laid before the Senate for ratifies
-tion.
o- IK®* 81 ™* . wu
The sta:«;nne.uts made, ,in my last > fir »i tiie opinion feeu evr,/ 6 " “*
* “ ' propriety of making
retired list,'for disabled officer' 05, '
increased compensation to ,k ’ ^
retained on the list for actveT
the reasons which existed
ject sous to-lre perfectly free to act in
he.premises in such a way as their pub
lie interests and honor shall demand.
-1 remain of the opinion that the Uni
ted States ought n d 'o submit to- the
S aind dues, not so much because of
their amount, which is a second -ry that
ter, t>ut because is in effret the recog
uition of the right of-Denmark to-freat
one of fee gredt maritime highways of
nations ns a close -sea,.and. the naviga
tion --f it as a privilege for -which trifo^ _
»«-r. *• ^pmti uh* -•» -ferz
urged upon the attentio • of the Spanish
Government. 1 do uot abandou the
hope of concluding with • Spain some
general arrangement, which, if it do
hot w holly prevent t|\e recurrence of
difficulties in Cuba, Will render Them
less frequent; and whenever drey shaft
occur, facilitate their speedy settlement.
« MEXICO.
Tlie interposition of fee government
h;:s been invoked by inuuy of its citi-.
inesjage, respecting the anticipated re
ceipts and expenditures of the Treasury,
have been substantially verified.
It app- ars from tire rpport of the Secre
tary ofthe Treasury,that fee receipts du-
rins tj»e last fi-cai-year ending June 30,
1855, Irotn all sources, were sixty-five
million .three thousand nine hundred
and thirfy.dollars ; and that the public
expenditures for the same period,ex
clusive of payments on account of the
public debt," amounted to fifty-six mil
lion three bundl ed and sixty-five thou
sand feree hundred and ninety-three
dollars. During the same period, the
fwyments made in redemtion of the pub
ic debt, including interest and premium,
amouniisd to nine million eight hundred
and forty four thousand five hundred
and twenty-eight dollars;
The' balanced iu fee Treasury at fee
,beginning of the present fiscal year,
July 1. 1855, was eighteen'million nine
hundred and thirty-one thousand nine
hutgfre# qhd . stpyenty-six .dollars j the
’ for the first quarter, and tire
estimated riqeiuts for The remaining
three-quarters amount, together, to six-
ty-severi millions nine, hundred and
eighteen thousand seven hundred and
tbirty-four dollars ; thus affording in all,
as the available resources of the current
fiscal year, the sum of eigbty-six mil
lion eight huudred and fifty,stx thousand
seven hundred and ten dollars.
If,to the actual expenditures of the
first quarter of the current fiscal year,
be added the probable: expenditures for
fee reimining ( three quarters,as estimat
ed by the Secretary of the Treasury,
the sum total will leseventy-one million
two hundred and twenty-six thousand
eight hundred -and forty-six dollars,
thereby leaving an estimated balance in
the treasury on July 1,1856, o£ fifteen
million six hundred and twenty-three
thousand eight hundred and sixty-three
dollars and forty-one cents. In the
above estimated expenditures of the pre
sent fiscal year are included three mil
lion dollars to meet the Iasi instalment
of tire ten- millions provided for in the
late treaty with Mexico, and seven mil
lions seven bu'idred and.fifty thousand
dollars, apropriated on account of the
debt due to Texas, which the sums make
an aggregate amount of ton million
seven hundred and fifty thousand dol
lar.-, and.reduce the expend tures, actual
or estimated for ordinary objects of Ihe
year, to the sum of sixty million four
hundred and seventy-six thousand dol
lars.
The amount of the public debt, at the
commencement of the present fiscal year,
was forty million five hundred and
eighty-three thousand six hundred and
thirty-one dollars, and, deduction being
mudepfsubsepuent payments, tire whole
public debt of the federal gorerment
remaining at this time is less titan forty
million dollars.
Tlreyemnant of certain other govern
ment stocks, amounting to two hundred
anqiwty fetee thousand dollars, referred
to in my last message as outstanding,
has sifMfe been paid. - ,
I am fully* persuaded that it would
be-difficult todevi.se a. system superior
to tha:,iby nwhich the fi-cal business of
the government is now conducted.—
Notwithstanding the great number of
public agents of collection and disburse?
Tuent it is bziieved that the checks and
guard- provided, including the - require-
raem.ok monthly returns, render- it
scarcely possible^for i*ny considerable
fraud on. the .-part of tliose agents, or
neglect involving hJzard of serious pub
special.
measures were recommend^ ^
occasions, continue with om ° 8
tion, except so far as cir c *
have^given to some of th em ,
forcer . ■* 1
The recommendations
made for a partial reorganizZ*
araij'. are also renewed. ’Pk,,? 1 *
elemeotary education e \Z"
officers, .who commenced
with the grade of cadet, qo £V
to a considerable extent, to pe,^
duties ofevery arm ofthe sS? 1
to give the highest efficienev t. 1 '
requires,he prscic, “E"*'”
of many years; and it fe not
believed to be advisable to m aiM .
!h«n P T C ’ * lar 8 er force^«
than can be usually entnfovrf • ?
tszsFssss ■'vtrSw
s.snm^n.sri^^
±:7T U ^ "> d <
which those duties are discbargeV.
is not, as in the case of the artillml
speciality, but requires, also, an i **'
knowledge of the duties of anoi
fee line, and it U not doubted
complete the education ofanoflWi. 1
either the line or the generauX
desirable that he shall have smJ,
both. With this view,« 1*1
mended on a forner occasion th»
duties of the staff should te raainfonH'I
formej by details from tbeij^l
with a conviction ofthe adranlao^-’i^ I
should result from such a cfcaE Jt I
again presented for the consider*
Congress. 00 w I
NAVY.
The report of the Secretary ot ffie I
Navy, herewith submitted, exhibits ia I
full the Naval operations of the pa I
year, together with ihe present ettij.
tion of the service^, and it makes rJ
gestion of further legislation, to whick |
your attention is invited.
The construction of thesis, atul
frigates* for which appropriations vat I
made by the last Congress has proceed I
ed in the most satisfactory manner, nil
with such expedition, as to warrantU|
belief that they will Be ready for strtial
early in the coming spring. Impotial
us this addition to our naval face is,i|
still remains inadequate to the conii^l
ent exigences of the protet^km of hi
extensive sea co tst r.ndvast commeiti!
interests of the United States. Inrinl
of this fact, aud of the. acknowledg'd
wisdom ofthe policy ofthe gradualtpl
tematic increase of the navy, ah appal
priation is recommended for the c»|
struction of six steam sloops-of-war.
In regar.d to >the* steps taken inns]
cution of the act of Congress, to pi
mote the efficiency of the Navy, it iii
necessary for me to say more tbu8
express entire concurrence in the obstrl
vations on.that subject presented by ikl
Secretaryjn bis report
... r . - POST OFFICE.
It will be perceived, by the reporti
the Tost master Geueral, that the pal
expenditure of the department fottkj
last fiscal year was uin% tmllioni
huudred and rixty-eight thousand WI
hundred aud forty-two do’jara,.a8lk I
gross receipts seven million., tweefol
dred and forty-two thousand one huotktl |
and thirty -six dollars, making a/ete»
h tfe oedasion Druse it.
' "ThetJoverrmient, on a former occa
sion not unlike the present, signatiz- d
its determination to maintain the free
dom of the snas, and ofthe great natural
Channel of navigation The Burbary
States had, for a long tim% coerced fee
payment -Of tribute jram all nations,
whose ships frequented ttie Mediterran
ean. To the last demand of such, pay
ment made by them, the United .States,
although suffering Jess by their depreda
tions than many other nations, returned
the explicit answer; that we preferred
red war to tribute, and thus opened t he
way to the relief Of the commerce of
the world from an? ignominou-r tax, so
long submitted to by the more powerful
nations pf Europe.
V Jf the manner of payment 6f the
Souqil dues differ from .that of the trib
ute formerly’ conceded to the Barbary
Si ales, still their exaction by Denmark
has no better foundation in right. Each
was nu its origin, nothing but a* tax on
a common natural right; extorted by
those whowere at that time able to ob
struct the'free and secuVe jinj »yraent of
it; but who no longer posseis tnat power.
DeUmatk, while resisting our asser
tion of the freedom of the Baltic Sound
and Belts, has indicated a readiness to
make some new arrangements, on the
subject* and has invited the govern
ments interested, including the United
States, to be represented- in a conven
tion lo assemble for ute purpose of re
ceiving aiid considering a proposition,
which'shein’ends to submit, for the cap
italization of the Sound dues, and the
distribution of the sum to be paid as
commutation among the governments,
according to the respective proportions
nffiitbeir - maratime commerce to and
from the Bdtic. I have declined in
behalf of the United States to accept this
invitation'for the im-t cogent reasons.
Onei-, tint U.-n iui k does not olfer to
submit to the convention the question of
tlie.ir persons and property for which the
Mexican'Republic is responsibly, I'he
unhappy situation of feat couuiry, for
same time past, has hot allowed its go-
verniueni to give due 'consideration to
claims of private reparation, and has ap
peared to call foe and justify some for
bearance, in such matters ou the part of
this government. But, -if the revolu
tionary movements, Wi-iqh have lately
occurred in that republic, end in the
organization of a suitable’government,
urgent appeals toils justice, will tlrea. be
made, and, it may Ire hoped, wife sue-
ce-s, for the redress of all complaints of
aur citizens.
CENTRAL AMERICA
In regard to fee American republics,
which, front their proximity and.. other,
considerations,have peculiar, relations.lo
ttos government, while it 1ms been my
constant aim strictly to observe all the
obligations ol political friendship and of
good neighborhood, obstacles, to this
have arisen in- tome of them, Jrotn.lheir
awn insufficient power to oheck lawless
irruptions, which in effect throws most
of the task on the United States. Thus
it-is that the distracted internal , condi
tion of the State ofNicaragua has made
it incambeat on me to^nppeal to the good
faith of our citizens to abstain from any
unlawful intervention in its affairs, and
: to adopt preventative measures , to the
end,.which, oiv.a similar occasion, hud
the best results ui reassuring the peace
of the Mexican States ol 8pnoro and
f.mvhr I .4 ? } t.
tier-right t-1 levy the S>>U!i<l dues A
-* that if the optiventun were
-l ai _
lie loss., to escape detection. I rtStew. 1 0 f expenditure over tteceiptsoffirom//*
however, Abu:recotunnyidiuion, hisreto- fom six hundred and . twentysfi
fore .made 4fip me, of thie enactment of a
law vlecluring it, felony on t]re part of
public officere to insert false entries on
thcir.hook.s of recortl or account, or to
make fal-e returns,' ap<l also requiring
the in on the termination of their service
to deliver to their successors all bookj,
recur-is, and other objects of a public.na
ture in tlreir custody;; •
D rived as our public .revenue is,.i»
chief from duties ou imports, its-
mogniuide affords gratifying evidence of
the prosperity, riot only ofpu'- commerce,
but of tire other, great interests upon
which thft .depends..
The principle tljat ttH moneys not re
quired -for the curireftt expense of the
govcfinehi tfe^mainfs for active employ
mentiu tire bands ofthe people, and the
conspicuous fact that the annual revenue
from all sources exceeds, by many mil
lion*.of dollars, lire aimnint needed lor
a prudent and. economical administration
of public, affairs, cannot fail to suggest
fee propriety of an early revision and
reduction of the*tariff of' duties on
imports^, If is now so generally coneed-
cu. that the - purpose of revenue j ‘
.can jnstUy^he imposition, of dujh
amjiorts, that, in re-adjusting the. im
fobfos; and schedules, which unques
tionably require essential modifications,
a departure from the principles of the
present tariff ts not anticipated.
ARMY.
Lower California^
TREATIES.
Since the last sesssion of Congress a-
treaty of amity, commerce, and naviga
tion, and for the surrender, of fugitive
criminals, with the Two Sicilies
treaty of friendship, commerce, and
navigation with Nicaragua, und, a con
vention of commercial reciprocity wife
the Hawniiu kingdom have been nego
tiated. The latter kingdom and the
State of Nicaragua have also- acceded
to a declaration, reengniamg as nter-
ualiotial rights the principle- contained
in the convention between the Uniti
ted i
ivr I
The array during the past year has
been.actively engaged. in defending tly:
Indian frontier,'.the state of the service
permitting but few and small .garrisons
in our permanent. fortifications. The
additional regiments authorized at fee
last.session of Congress have been ie-
cruited ami organized, and a large
portion of tne troops have already been
sent to the field.. All the duties-ivhich
devolve on the military establishment*
have been satisfactorily performed.ana
the danger? undprivations incident to the
character of th? service required of our
troops have furnished additional evid
ence of their courage, zeal a:.cl capacity
to nieet any requisition tvhich their
country may make ofrthem. For the
de’f;ri|.i of the military operations, the
dtsirihutioit of tile troops and additmnn
provisions required for the military
‘ { service, 1 rell-r to the report of the Se
njid two hundred and six ddlu**,
that the cost of mail traaspott* 111
during that year $as six hundred**
seventy-four thousand nine hundred aw
fifty-two dollars greater than the pt*^
ous yew. Much of the heavy expeife*
litres to;which a Treasury i* thus sub
jected, is to he ascribed to there?
quantity of printed matter conveyed »I
the mails, either franked, or liable to*
postage by law, o? to very low rates
postage, -oopipared with thatchMJ*
on letters; and to the great cost ot o
service on railroad* and by ocean
raers. The suggestion**oP fee■ W
master General on the sulqeck desert
the consideration of Uonjresr.
rr f iSTERitiB.' . ’
The report «>f the Secretary oflk
Interior will engage your attention,*
well for useful suggestions it contai
as for the interest and‘importance
subjects** which they teter. .
ThS aggregate amount ol - public* »p
sold - during the la-t fiscal year,
with military .scrip or land ^' -
taken up-under grants for road^ .
selected as swamp fond* hjSt
24,557,109 acres; of whicUfee
sold was 15.729,524 acre*^X; e |
receipt the sum of $ 11 ;485^^ ^
snme period of time, 8,723,Bcti
have b6en surveyed; but, ia
tion offee quantity already
entry, no additional tracts h«
brought into market. jfa
T?Iie peculiar relation of
govermnenu to the Di?lricttdv ^
renders it' proper to eommen
care n«tt only its material,
moral imereets, including e rUO ydn
more especially in those P\ v jfoy
District outside ofthe cities « “
ton and Georgetown. . , l0 rf
The commissioners ■OTTO*!
vise and codify tile ]»»■>“' ' .
; have made such progress m 1 .
mancc of their ta 8 ^ n f a 1
plction in time prescribed c>
Congress. ,
Information has reef
cetvea.featWFaceoTlbes^p
in the Territorfes ot . 0 n^
iogtou is disturbed by 1 .. .
part ofthe vV ' 1 " "1 .. bo- 4 " 6
ccuubination* «»
:xtt‘lisj.ve caiumireuv- <
charbcter anieng the-tru
m