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■a-Office in Bartlett's Building onMaenn Street.
f ‘ PRESIDENT’.*! message.
Citizens of the Senate
and of the House of Representatives:
H congratulate you and our cotninon const it u-
upon the favorable auspices under which
K meet for ) - our firstsession. Our country is at
■ with the whole world. The agitation liicli,
threatened to disturb the fraternal re-
■ lin s which make us one people, is fast subsid-
and a year of general prosperity and health
the nation with unusual blessings.—
can look back to the dangers which are
or forward to the bright prospect before
H without feeling a thrill of gratification, at the
time that he must be impressed with a
sense of our profound obligations to a
Providence, whose paternal care is so
in the happiness of this highly favored
S Invasion of Cm a.
Ktlic President gives a history of this invasion
H its results, denouncing it in strong terms as a
of the laws and deserving of the severest
and then proceeds as follows:]
these offenders against the laws have
the protection of their country, yet the
may, so far as is consistent with its
to otlier countries, and its fixed ptir-
Hc to maintain and enforce the laws, entertain
Hwatliy for their unoffending families and
■Bis, as well as a feeling of compassion for
■■selves. Accordingly no proper effort has
■B spared, and none will be spared, to procure
release of such citizens of the United States,
in this unlawful enterprise, as are now in
in Spain; but it is to be hoped that
interposition witii the government of that
may not be considered as affording any
of expectation that the Government of
States will, hereafter feel itself under
of duty to intercede for the libera-
H--r pardon of such persons as are flagrant of-
against the law of nations and the laws of
States. These laws must, lie executed,
ik-siie to maintain our respectability among
of the earth, it behoves us to enlbije.;
aim su’rmv me neutrality nets passeit m
and to follow, as far as may lie, the \io-
of those acts w ith condign punishment.
■at what gives a peculiar criminality to this
■fawion of Cuba is, that under the had of Span-1 (
H*itsubjects with the aid of citizens of the United ;
Bj§ts it has its origin, with many, in motives ot |
■litv. Money was advanced by individuals, i j
in considerable amounts, to purchase f u-: (
as they have been called, issued by j (
I.Lo] 7., sold, doubtless, at a very large discount, j .
payment of which the public lands and I f
Hlic property of Cuba, of whatever kind, and (
fiscal resources of the people and government,,
■that island, from whatever source to lie derived, |
pledged, as well as the good taitli of the go-j
expected to be established. All these j
■Sans of payment, it is evident, were only to be j
bv a process of bloodshed, war, and rev- j
BKilnn. None will deny that those who set on
■ military expeditions against foreign States by
like these, are far more culpable than the
and necessitous whom they induced to
as tlie ostensible parties of the proceeding.
originators of the invasion of Cuba seem
determined, with coolness and system,
Hu an understanding which should disgrace
■-country, violate its laws, and put to hazard
■ lives of ill-informed and deluded men. Ton
■ consider whether further legislation lie noeos-
to prevent the perpetration of such offences
■No individuals have a right to hazard the peace (
country or to violate its laws upon vague
of altering or reforming governments in . (
States. This principle is not only reasona-j
■ in itself, and in accordance with public law,;
■ U engrafted into the coiles of othei nations as
■las our own. But while such arc the senti- 1
of this Government, it may be added that
independent nation must be presumed to
able to defend its possessions against unauthor-
individuals banded togetlier to attack them.
■ Government of the United States, at all times
■ - its establishment, has abstained and has
restrain the citizens of the country,
entering into controversies between otlier
and to observe all the duties of neutrali
■ At an early period of the government, in the
of Washington, several laws were i
for this purpose. The main provision of i
laws were re-enacted by the act of April, 1 1
by which, amongst other things, it was do-1
that if any person shall, within the territo-1
jurisdiction of the United States, begin, or
■ on foot, or provide, or perpare the means tor j
■y military expedition or enterprise to be carried .
■ from thence against the territory or dominion 1
■ *ny foreign prince or State, or of any colony,
or people with whom the United States
■e at peace, every person so offending shaii bo I
guilty of a high misdemeanor, and shall !
■ ■ fined, not exceeding three thousand dollars, j
■ imprisoned not more than tliree years; and;
law has been executed and enforced, to the.
■l extent of the power of the Government, from
day to this. i
In proclaiming and adliering to the doctrine of
and non-intervention, the United States j
. ■ not followed the lead of other civilized na-l
; they have taken the lead themselves, and J
“ ve been followed by others. This was admit- j
’ ■ by one of the most eminent of modern Bri- J
■]>, statesmen, who said in Parliament, while a
of the crown, ‘that, if he wished for a
■'h- in a system of neutrality, he should take
.j ■ at laid down by America in the days of W ash-
and the Secretaryship of Jefferson;’ and
Sl)c
we see, in fact, that the act of Congress of 1818
was followed, the succeeding year, by an actof the
Parliament of England, substantially the same in
its general provisions. Up to that time there
had been no similar law in England, except cer
tain highly penal statutes passed in the reign of;
George 11., prohibiting English subjects from en
listing >n foreign service, the avowed object of |
which statutes was, that foreign armies, raised for
the purpose of restoring the house of Stuart to the j
throne, should not be strengthened by recruits,
from England herself.
All must see that difficulties may arise in carry
ing the laws referred to into execution in a coun
try now having three or four thousand miles of,
seacoast, with an infinite number of ports and liar- j
l*ors and small inlets, from some of which unlaw
ful expeditions was suddenly set forth, without
the knowledge of Government, against the posses
sions of foreign States.
! Friendly relations with all, but entangled alli
ances with none, lias long been a maxim with us. i
Our true mission is not to propagate opinions, or
impose upon otlier countries our form of govern
ment, by artifice or force; but to teach by exam
ple, and show by’ our success, moderation and jus
tice, the blessings of self-government, and the ad
vantages of free institutions. Let every people
choose for itself, and make and alter its political!
institutions to suit its own condition and eonveni-1
cnee. Put, while we avow and maintain this neu- j
! tral policy ourselves, we are anxious to see tiie
j same forbearance on the part of other nations, j
I whose forms of government are different from our i
own. Tlie deep interest which wo feed in the
spread of liberal principles and the establishment!
of free governments, and the sympathy with which j
we witness every struggle against oppression, for
bid that wo should be indifferent to a case in
which tiie strong arm of a foreign power is invok
ed to stifle public sentiment and repress tiie spirit
of freedom iu any country.
Interference of England anu France.
Tlie government of Great Britian and France
have issued orders to their naval commanders on j
tiie West India station to prevent by force, if nec-!
essary, tlie landing of adventurers from any na-1
tion on the Island of Cuba with hostile intent.— |
Tlie copy of a memorandum of a conversation on j
this subject, between tlie Charge d’Affaires of her [
Britannic Majesty and tlie Acting Secretary of
State, and of a subsequent note of the former to |
tiie I lepartment of State, are herewith submitted, j
together with a copy of a note of the Acting Sec- j
rotary of State to tlie Minister of tlie French re
public, and of tlie reply of tlie latter, on tlie same |
subject. These papers will acquaint you with the I
grounds of this interposition of the two leading I
commercial powers of Europe, and with tlie ap |
prehensions, wliieh this Government could not tail
to entertain, that such interposition, if carried into i
effect, might lead to abuses in derogation of tlie j
maritime rights of the. United States. The mari
time rights of tlie United States are founded on a j
the ground of National Independence and!
i public law, and will be maintained in all their lull
! and just extent
! mit •• i. ...i ti. tl.te nov/irnmonf. lins liorc* i
ami liust c.\trm. , . r
The principle which this Government lias lieic j |
t, if, ire solmonlv announced it still adheres to, and s
will maintain ‘under ail circumstances and at all ,
hazzards. That principle is, that in every regu-1
larly documented merchant vessel, the crow wlm | (
navVate it, and those on board of it, will find j (
tliei"protection in the flag which is over them.—:
No American ship can Ik’ allowed to be visited or (
searched for tlie purpose of ascertaining the charac- (
ter of individuals on board, nor can there be al-,,
lowed any watch by tlie vessels of any foreign na-;
tion over'American vessels on the coasts ot the
United States or the seas adjacent thereto. It.
will lie seen by the last communication trom the j
British Charge d’Affaires to tlie Department ot |
! State, that ho is authorized to assure the Secreta
ry of State that every care will be taken that, mj
executing tlie preventive measures against tlie cx-i
PC, r,lions which tlie United States Government it
self has denounced as not being entitled to the
protection of any government, no interference shah
take place with the lawful commerce of any na-
U °ln addition to the correspondence on tins sub
ject herewith submitted, official information has
‘been received at the Department of State, of as
surances by the French government that, in the
orders irivon to the French naval forces they were
expressly instructed, in any operations they might <
ongao-e in, to respect tlie flag of the U nited States i
wherever it might appear and to commit no act
! of hostility upon any vessel or armament under its
I protection.
Spanish Consul at New Orleans. j,
[The President speaks of the affair at New Or-,,
; leans and of tlie deep mortification he felt on hear-1 ■
jpg of the outrage committed against the Span- ,
ish Consulate. Recommends proper indemnity ,
for the past and such modification of existing law (
as will give entire security and protection to ,
Foreign Ministers, Consuls, Arc., in tiie discharge
of their dutv, as well as to punish our own Con
suls for neglect of duty. i
Tiie President then recommends tiie following
i minor matters to the consideration of Congress.
Ist. Tlie question of reciprocal trade between
■ ! the United States and Canada and other British
jP ,L w;„n nf the
2d. To an authoritative demarkation ot me
boundary line between (>rogon and the British pos
sessions and an appropriation therefor.
3d. Conclusion of the Convention for tlie ad
justment of claims against Portugal and tlie re
ceipt of the first instalment of money.]
Turkey and tiie Hungarians.
fThe President annouces that the Turkish Go
vernment has expressed thanks for the kind recep- j
tion given to Amin Bey, tlie Sultans agent, on
l his recent visit to the United States—and the
S compliance of said government with the request,
] for the Hungarian prisoners to be permitted to re
i move to this country and of said prisoners cm
j barkation on board the Steam hr,gate Mississippi,
1 and tlie expected arrival of Kossuth in this coun
| t 1... w l, o the President recommends to the consid
i eration of Congress, as he and ids companions
! have been brought hither by its authority.]
rs . T . r . ,-TTO
Sadnwtcii Islands.
| [The President hopes that tiie difficulties which
I lia ve existed between tlie French and these Islands
, I will speedily be settled—and expresses a desire
. t hat the independence of tlie Islands shall be pie
■ served and so bo accessible and useful to tiie com
l merce of all nations.]
GA.,
Affairs with Mexico.
It is mucli to be deplored that
tranquility of the Mexican republic should*agajn’
be seriously disturbed; for, since the peace be
tween that republic and the United States, it had
enjoyed such comparative repose that the most
favorable anticipations for the future might, with
a degree of confidence, have been indulged.—
Tiiese, however, have been thwarted by the re
cent outbreak in tlie State of Tamaulipas, on the
right bank of the Rio Bravo. Having received!
information that persons from tiie United States
had taken part in tlie insurrection, and apprehend- i
ing that their example might be followed by oth
ers, I caused orders to be issued for the purpose of
preventing any hostile expeditions against Mexi
co from being set on foot in violation of tlie laws
of the United States, I likewise issued a procla
mation upon the subject, a copy of which is here
with laid before you. ‘Jliis appeared’ to be ren
dered imperative to tlie obligations of treaties and
the general duties of good neighborhood.
In my last annual message I informed Con
gress that citizens of the United Stales lutd un
dertaken tlie connexion of tiie two oceans by
means of a railroad across the Isthmus of Tehuan
tepec, under a grant of the Mexican government
to a citizen of that republic; and that this enter- j
prise would probably bo prosecuted with energy j
whenever Mexico should consent to such stipula-!
tions with the Government of the United States
as should impart a feeling of security to those
who should invest their property in tlie enterprise.
A convention between tlie two governments for
the accomplishment of that end lias been ratified
by this government, and only awaits tlie docision
of the Congress and tlie Executive of that repub
lic.
Some unexpected difficulties and delays have
arisen in tlie ratification of that convention by
Mexico, but it is to be presumed that, her decision
will be governed by just and enlightened views,
as well of tlie general importance of the oi ject, as
of her own interests and obligations.
In negotiating upon this important subject, this
government lias had in view one, and only one,
object. That object has been, and is, tlie construe- j
tion or attainment of a passage from ocean to j
ocean, tlie shortest and tlie best for travellers and j
inoreh.nndise, and equally open to all tlio world, j
It lias sought to obtain no territorial acquisition,
nor any advantages peculiar to itself; and would
see, with the greatest regret, that Mexico should I
oppose any obstacle to the accomplishment of an
enterprise which promises so much convenience to
the whole commercial world, and such eminent
advantages to Mexico herself. Impressed with j
these sentiments and these convictions, tlie govern
ment will continue to exert all proper efforts to
bring about the necessary arrangement with tlie
republic of Mexico for the speedy completion of
tlie work.
For some months past the republic of Nicara
gua has been tlie theatre of one of those civil con-1
anti toe general’ prt*sperny ami social progress ot j
tlie States of Central America, have so often and \
so severely suffered. Until quiet shall have been
restored, and a government apparent ly stable have
! 1,,.,.,, organised, no advance can prudently be
made indisposing of the questions pending be
tween tlie two counties.
i am happy to announce that an inter-oceanic
communication trom the mouth ot the St. John
to the l’acitie has been so far accomplished as that
passengers liave actually traversed it iiiid iiieiLhiin
dise has been transported over it; and when tlie’
canal shall have been completed, according to the
original plan, the means of communication will
be further improved.
It is understood that a considerable part of the
railroad across the Isthmus ot 1 anauia Ihls been
; completed, and that tlie mail and passengers will
! in future be conveyed thereon.
St. Domingo and China.
! Peace has been concluded between the contend
j in<r parties in the Island of St. Domingo, and it is
! hoped upon a durable basis. Such is tiie extent
of our commercial relations with that Island, that
tlie United States cannot fail to feel a strong inter
est in its tranquility.
The office of Commissioner to China remains
unfilled; several persons have been appointed,
and tlie place has been offered to others, alt of
whom have declined its acceptance, on the ground
of tlie inadequacy of tlie compensation. The an
imal allowance by law is six thousand dollars, and !
j there is no provision for any outfit. I earnestly
recommend the consideration of this subject to
! Congress. Our commerce with China is highly
j important, and is becoming more and more so, in
| consequence of the increasing intercourse between
1 our ports ou the Pacific coitst und It*astern Asia,
i China is understood to be a country in which liv
ing is very expensive, and I know of no reason
■ w bv the American Commissioner sent thither
’ should not be placed, in regard to compensation,;
‘ on an equal footing with ministers who represent;
> this country at the courts of Europe.
OF THK FINANCES.
j>y rtifbrcncG to the Itcport ot the Sccrcturj ot
the Treasury, it will be seen that tlie
receipts for “tlie last fiscal year amounted to $25,-
312 979 $7, which, with, tlie balance iu the
Treasury on the Ist July 1850, gave, as tlie avail
able means for the year, the sum of $58,917,521,-
The for the same period
were $48,005,878 68.
The total imports for the year ending 30th
June, 1851, were • - - $215,750,095,
Os which there were in specie 4,967,901,
Tlie exports for the same period,
were $217,517 130,
Os which there were of
1 domestic products $178,546,555
Foreign goods re-exported 9,737,495
Specie - - - 29,231.880
P $217,517,130
Since tlie Ist of December last tlie payments in
cash on account of the public debt, exclusive of in- j
terest, have amounted to $7,501,456 26; which,
however, includes tlie sum $3,242,400 paid under j
tlie 12th article of the treaty with Mexico, and
the further sum of $1,591,2 13 45, being under |
the late treaty with Mexico, for which the issue of
stock was authorized, but which was paid in cash
from the Treasury. . . .
The public debt on the 28th ultimo, exclusive
of the stock authorized to be issued to Texas by
the act of the 9th September, 1850, was $02,-
500,395 36, .
The receipts for the fiscal year are estimated at
| ¥51,800,000, which* with the’ preTK^Junappro”
1 printed ‘balance iftltb Treasury, on ti MPsth June
next/vvill ’available means
for tii,at year, tluffiTy;’ $03,25.8,743 00.
proper, in view of the large
expenditures coiisequcTj*upoii tlie acquisition of
territory from Mexico, that tlie estimates for the
nexyise.nl year should #lJiaid before Congress in
such*manner as to distinguish the exeiulitures so
requ’rc-d ,t>. >m the otherwise ordinary demands
upon thcYlVcasurv.
Tli(ftotal expenditures*for tlie next fiscal year
are estimate^!t*s42, 792*299 19, of which there
is ret [hired foißthe erd iffary 1 purposes of tlie Go
vernment, otlier ( hank! loseteonscquent upon tlie
of our tewTerritories, and deduct-!
ing the paymont.on account of tlie public debt,.
the sum of $33,343,198 08; and for tlie purposes j
connected dtrectfy or indirectly ri*L -t'yg*..Lei■ ■- j
tories, and in the fdfllment of the obligations of
tlie Governxient, contracted in consequence of their 1
acquisiton, (lie sum of $9,540,101 11.
If tlie views of the Secretary of tlie Treasury in ;
reference to tlio expenditures required for these
Territories dial I bs met by corresponding action
on tlie part el Congress, and appropriations made
in accordance therewith, there will bo an estima
ted balance in tlie Treasury ou tlie 30th June,
1853, of $20,360,443 90, wherewith to meet that
portion of the public debt due on tlie first July
following, amounting to $6,237,031 35, asweilj
as any appropriations which may be made be-1
yond tiie estimates.
In thus refering to tlie estimated expenditures
on account of our newly-acquired Territories, I
may express the hope that Congress will concur
with me in tiie desire that a liberal course of poli
cy may be pursued towords them, and that every
obligation, express or implied, entered into in con
sequence of their acquisition, shall l*o fulfiled by
the most liberal appropriations for that purpose, j
The values of our doraectic exports for tlie Inst [
fiscal year, as compared with those of previous!
year, exhibited an increase of $43,646,322. At
first view this condition of our trade with tlie for
eign nations would seem to present the most flatter
ing hopes of its future prosperity. An examination
of the details of our exports, however, will show
that tlie increased value of our exports, for tlie last
fiscal year is to lie found in tins high price of cot
ton which prevailed during tlie first half of that
year, which prico inis sineo declined about one
half.
The value of our exports of breadstuff’s and pro
visions, which it was supposed tlie incentive of a
low tariff and largo importations from abroad
would have greatly augmented, lias fallen from
$68,701,921, to $26,051,373 in 1850, and to
$21,948,653 in 1851, with a strong probability,
amounting almost to a certainty, of a still further
reduction in this current year.
Tlio aggregate values of rice exported during
the last fiscal rear, as compared with the previous
.... ; ( I -7 e il.( ‘">( S’-*!. ‘XiUOO Ul
the exports of tobacco for {lie same period, make j
an aggregate decrease ill these two articles of $1,’
15G?7C1.
The policy which dictated a low rate of duties
on foreign liiorehamliso, it was thought by those
who promoted it, would tend to
benefit the farming population of this country,
by increasing tlie demand and raising the price of
agricultural products in foreign markets.
The foreign facts, show incon
testiiily that- no tlie adop
tion of this polivy. *nfeHffy, notxvitii
stmiding tlie corn laws in
England, the foreign demand for tlie products of
tlie American farmer has steadily declined, since
the short crops and consequent famine in a por
tion of Europe have been happily repi“d by full
crops ami comparative abundance of food.
It will i*e scen,*y recurring to tlio commercial
statistics for tlie past year, that the value of our
domestic exports lias been increased in tlie single
item of raw cotton by $40,000,000 over tlie val
ue of that export for the year proceeding. This is
not due to any increased general demand for that
article, but to the short crop of tiie preceding year
which created an increased demand and an aug
mented price for tlie crop of last year. Should
tlie cotton crop now going forward to market be
only equal in quality to that of theyenr proceed
ing and he sold at the present prices, then there
would Ik a falling off in the value of our exports
! for tlie present fiscal year of at least $40,000,000
compared witii tlie amount exported for the
year ending 30th June 1851.
The production of gold in California for the
past year seems to promise a large supply of that
metal from that quarter for some time to come.
This large annual increase of tlie currency of the
world must bo attented with the usual results.
These have been already partially disclosed in the
enhancement of prices and a rising spirit of spec
ulation and adventure, tending to overtrading, as
well at home as abroad. Unless some salutary
! check shall be given to these tendencies, it is to
be feared that importations of foreign goods be-
H yond a healthy demand in this country will load to
: a sudden drain of the precious metals from us,
■ bringing with it, as it lias done in former times,
- tiie most disastrous consequences to the business
■ and capital of tlie American people.
The exports of specie to liquidate our foreign
debt during the past fiscal year have been $24,-
263,909 over the amount of specie imported. The
exports of specie during the first quarter of the
presentfisca! yearliavobeen $14,651,827. Should
specie continue to be exported at this rate for the
remaining three quarters ot this year, it will drain
from our metalic currency during the year ending
30th June, 1852, the enormous amount of SSB,
| 607,308.
PUBLIC DEBT.
In the present prosperous condition of the na
tional finances, it will become the duty of Congress
to consider tlio best mode of paying oti the
public debt. If tlie present and anticipated sur
plus in tlie Treasury {should Jnot be absorbed by
appropriations of an extraordinary character, Riis
surplues should be employed in such way, and un
! der sucli restrictions, as Congress may enact, in
t extinguishing tlie outstanding debt of tiie na
tion. + f
By reference to the act of Congress approved
9th September, ls>o, it will be seen that, in con
sideration of cert* i concessions ‘ujMf ‘ of
Texas, it is prowled sltJfll
pay to tlie Statd of Texas the sum of ten iiflllions of
•dollars, in a sftcH*earing cent, interest,
,and reccemable at tlie eTTi of years, the
interest payable half yearly, at the Treasure
‘the United States.”
In tiie same sectioh of tlie law it is further pro
vided that no more than five millions of said stock
‘shall be issued until tlie credtiors of tlie State
’ ‘holding bonds and other certificates of stock of
Texas, for which duties on imports were specialty
‘pledged, shall first file at the Treasuiy of tlie Un
ited States releases of all claims against the Uni
‘ted States, for on account of said bonds or certifi
‘cates, in sucli forms as shall be prescribed bv the
‘Secretary of the Treasury, and approved by the
‘President of the'United States.”
The form of release thus provided for lias been
; prescribed by tlio Secretary of the Treasury, and
approved. It has been published in all the iead
; ing newspapers in the commercial cities of tlie
; viso were required to file their releases (in the
1 form thus prescribed) in the Treasury of tlie Uni*
| ted States, on or before the Ist October; 1851.
Although this publication has been continued
from tlie 25th day of March 1851, yet up to the
Ist of October last comparatively releases had
been filed by the creditors of Texas.
Whe authorities of the State of Texas, at the re
quest. of the Secretary of tlie Treasury-, have fur
nished a schedule of the public debt of that State
created prior to her admission into the Union,
j with a copy of the laws under which each class
was contracted.
I I have, from the documents furnished by the
j State of Texas, determined the classes of claims
which in my judgment fall within tlie provisions
of the act of Congress of tlie 9th of September,
1851.
On being officially informed of tlio acceptance
by Texas of the positions contained in the act re
ferred to, I caused tlio stock to be prepared, and
the five millions which is to be issued uncondi
tionally, bearing an interest of five per cent, from
the Ist of January, 1851 have been for some time
I ready to be delivered to tlie State of Texas. The
authorities of Texas, up to tlie present time, have
not authorized any one to receive this stock, and
it remains in the Treasury Department subject to
tlie oixlcra of Texas.
Tlie releases, required by tlie law to bo deposited
in tlie Treasury, not having lieen filed there, the
remaining five millions hare not been issued.—
This last amount of stock will bo withheld
from Texas until the conditions upon which it
is to be delivered shall be complied with by
tho creditors of that State, unless Congress
direct by a modification of tlie
law.
the tariff.
In my last annual message, to which I respect
fully refer, I stated briefly the reasons which in
duced to recommend a modification of tlie
present, tariff by converting tlie ad valorem into
! specific duty T^^vcy^ii^n ; faysF of the
(industrial pursuits of dnrTovrr- tmmtrr, as to on
i courage homo production without excluding for-
eign competition.
The nnmeruos frauds wliieli continue to be
practised upon the revenue, by false invoices and
undervaluations, constitute an unswcrablo rea
son for adopting specific instead of ad valorem du
ties in all cases where tlie nature of tlie commo
dity does not forbid it. A striking illustration of
these frauds will bo exhibited in the Report of
Secretary of the Treasury, showing tiie custom
house valuation of articles imported under a for
mer law subject to tlie specific duties, when there
’ was no inducement to undervaluation, and tlie cus
tom-house valuations of tlio same articles, under
tlie present system of ad valorem duties so great
ly reduced as to leave no doubt of the existence
of the most flagrant abuses under the existing
laws. The practical evasion of tiie present law, ,
combined with tlie languishing condition of ,
some of tlie great interests of the country, caused ,
bv over importations and consequent depressed ,
prices, and tlio failure in obtaining a foreign mar- ,
ketforour increasing surplus of breadstuff's and
provisions, has induced me again to recommend
a modification of the existing tariff.
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
[Cash sales from tiie public lands exceeds those
of the proceeding year —showing gratifying evi
dence of the growing wealth and prosjicrity of
our country.
Suitable measures have been adopted for com
mencing tlie survey of the public lauds in Califor
nia Further legislation recommen
ded as necessary.
The operations of the commission to settle pri
vate lands in California delayed, on account of the
difficulty of getting commissioners to accept. In
crease of compensation recommended. First meet
ing San Francisco on the Bth inst.,
If the Mineral and Agricultural lands of Cali
fornia, the President thus speaks:]
Tlie proper disposal of tlio mineral lands of
California is a subject surrounded by great difficul
ties. In my last annual message I recommended
the survey and sale of them in small parcels, un
der such restrictions as would effectually guard a
gainst monopoly and speculation. But upon fur
ther information, and in defference to the opinion
of persons {familiar with the subject, I am inclined
to change that recommendation, and to advise
that they bo permitted to remain, as at present a
common field, open to tlie enterprise and industry
; of our citizens, until further experience shall liave
developed the best policy to be ultimately adopted
! in regard to them. It is safer to suffer the incon
i venienccs that now exist, for a short period, than
; bv premature legislation, to fasten on tlie country a
, system founded in error, which may place the
whole subject beyond the future control of Con
gress.
Tlio aggricultural lands should, however, be
surveyed and brought into market with as little
delay as possible, that the titles may become set
tled, and the inhabitants stimulated to make pur
manent improvements, and enter on tlie ordinary
pursuits of life. To effect these objects it is desi
rable that the necessary provisions be made
by law for the establishment of land offices in Cal
ifornia and Oregon, and for tlie efficient prosecu
tion of the surveys at an earlier day.
AGRICULTURAL BURBAU:
Agriculture may justly be regarded as the great
interest of our people. Four-fifths of our active
‘population are employed in the cultivation of the
soil, aud tho rapid expansion of our settlements
over new territory is daily adding to the number
|j|thoso engaged in that vocation. Justice and
VOL. I.—NO. 31.
’ s l )Untl policy, therefore alike require that tha
Government should use all the means authorized
by the Constitution to promote the interest and
welfare of that importantclass of our fellow-citizens.
And yet it is a singular fact, that, whilst the man*
Ufactyring and commercial interest have engaged
the attentention of Congress during a large por
tion of every session, and our statutes abound in
provisions for their protection and encouragement
little has yet been done directly for the advance
ment of agriculture. It is time that this reproach to
our legislation should be removed; ands sincere
ly hope that the present Congress will not close
their labors without adopting sufficient means to
supply the omissions of those who have preceded
them. *
An Agricultural Bureau, charged with the du
ly - Qf.fplb’CJAP -vUi'orm-icm, rtiki-tn me
most effectual means of preserving and re
storing the fertility of the soil, and of pro
curing and distributing seeds and plants and
other vegitable productions, with instructions in
regard to the soil, climate, and treatment best
adapted to their growth, could not fail to be, in tho
language of Washington, in his last annual mes
sage to Congress, a “very cheap instrument of im
mense national benefit.”
BOUNTY LANDS.
Regarding the act of Congress approved 28th
Sept. 1850, granting bounty lands to persons
who had been engaged in the military service of
the country, as agreat measure of national justice
and munificence, an anxious desire has been felt,
by the officers entrusted with its immediate exe
cution, to give prompt effect to its provisions. All
tho moans within their control were, therefore,
brought into requisition to e\|>edito the adjudica
tion of claims, and I am gratified to be able to state
that near one hundred thousand applications havo
been considered, and about seventy thousand is
sue,! within the short space of nine months. If ade
quate provisions be made by lay to carry into ef
fect the recommendations of the Department, it
is confidently expected that, before the close of tho
next fiscal year, all who are entitled to the bene
fits of the act will have received their war
rants.
The Secretary of the Interior has suggested in
his report various amendments of tho, laws relating
to pensions and bounty lands, for the purpose of
more effectually guarding against abuses and
frauds on the Government, to all of which I invite
your particular attention.
INDIAN RELATIONS.
The large accession to our Indian population
consequent upon tho acquisition of New Mexico
and the extension of our settlements into Utah and
Oregon, have given increased interest and impor
tance to our relations with the atjorignal race.
No material change has taken nlnra- iyitliin the
last, N-iWh.rwC'tl ot ITfOTississippi rt, et .’T” J'er
at peace with all of them, and it wi<7 ’ are
of pleasure to you to they .
lv advancing to civilization and the pursliief’of so
cial life.
Along the Mexican frontier, and in California,
and Oregon, there have been occasional manifes
tations of unfriendly feeling, and some depreda
tions committed. I am satisfied however, that
they resulted more from the destitute and starving
condition of tho Indians than from any settled
hostility toward the whit, s. As the settlements
of our citizens progress towards them, the fame
upon which they mainly rely for subsistence is
driven off cr destroyed, and the only alternative
left to them is starvation or plunder. It becomes
us to consider, in view of this condition of thing,,
whether justice and humanity, as well ns enlight
ened economy, do not require that, instead of
seeking to punish them for offences which are the
result of our own policy towards them, we should
not provide for their immediate wants and en
courage them to engage in agriculture and to rely
1 on their labor, instead of the chase, for the means
of support.
Various important treaties have been negotia
ted with different tribes during the year, by which
their title to large and valuable tracts of country
have been extinguished, all of which will, at the
proper time, be submitted to the Senate for rati
fication.
BOUNDARY BETWEEN UNITED STATES AND MEXtCO.
The joint commission under the treaty of Gua
dalupe Hidalgo lias been actively engaged in run
ning and marking the boundary line between the
United States and Mexico. It was stated, in the
last annual report of tho Interior, that the initial
point on the Pacific and the point of junction of
the Giia with the Colorado river had been deter
mined, and the intervening line, about one hun
dred and fifty miles in length, run and marked by
temporary nionumetits. Since that time a monu
ment of marble has been erected at the initial
point, and permanent landmarks of iroti havo been
placed at suitable distances along the line.
The initial point on the Rio Grande ‘has also
been fixed by the commissioners at latitude 32”
22', and at the date of the last communication
the survey of the lino had been made thence west
ward about one hundred and fifty miles to tho
neighborhood of the copper mines.
THE SEVENTH CENSUS.*
[Returns all received but from California.—
The proper department is engaged in classifying
and arranging in tabular form. An appropria
tion necessary to complete tile Work earnestly re
. commended.
The President recommends a uniform Fee Bill,
, to be nllowcd District Attorneys, Clerks, Marshals,
i &c. (
Recommends Congress to improve the harbors
of our great Lakes and sea coast and tho naviga
tion of our principal rivers. Thinks such matters
are within the Constitutional power of Congress.
The unobstructed navigation of the Mississippi
and the prevention of overflows of that river deem
ed of great importance. The survey of the Del
ta of the river with hat view is nearly completed.
President has done all he could to protect
Mexican Frontier from the incursions of Indians
within our borders—the case \ o\\<? o,f great
ficully.
Recommends an addition to the Military Force
of the Union in California, to keep the Indians in
subjection. Recommends an incense of the army,
to correspond with the increased wants of thq
; countiy.]
WAR AND NAVY DEPARTMENTS.
I invite your attention to the suggestions on