From the Nat. Intelligencer, Extra, June 1.
This day the President of the United
States transmitted to both houses of Con
gress, the following
ME SSAGE.
To the Senate and House of Representatives ■
of the United States :
loLLow-cnizENs:
You have been assembled in your res. I
pective halls of legislation under a procla
mation bearing the signature of the illus- j
trious citizen who was lately’ called by the
direct suffrages of the people to the dis
charge of the important functions of their
chief executive office. Upon the expiration
of a single month from the day of his instal
lation, he has paid the great debt of nature,
leaving behind him a name associated with
♦he recollection of numerous benefits con
ferred upon the country during a long life i
of patriotic devotion. With this public be
reavement are connected other considers - |
tions which will not escape the attention of
Congress. The preparations necessary for
his removal to the seat of Government, in
viewofa residence of four years,must have
devolved upon the late President heavy ex
penditures, which if permitted to burden
the limited resources of his private fortune,
may tend seriously to the embarrassment
of his surviving family ; and it is therefore
respectfully submitted to Congress whether
the ordinary principles of justice would not
liictate the propriety of its legislative in- |
terposition. By the provisions of the fun
damental law, the powers and duties ofthe
high station to which lie was elected have
devolved upon me, and in the dispositions
if the representatives of the States and of
the people will he found to a great extent a
solution of the problem to which our insti
tutions are for the first time subjected.
In entering upon the duties of this office,
I did not feel that it would be becoming in
me to disturb what had been ordered by nty
lamented predecessor. Whatever there
ore may have been my opinion, originally
as to the propriety of convening Congress
at so early a day from that of its late ad
journment, I found anew and controlling
inducement not to interfere with the patri
otic desires of the late President, in the nov
elty’ of the situation in which I was so un
expectedly placed. My first wish, under
suc h circumstances would necessarily have
called to my aid, in the administration of j
public affairs, the combined wisdom of the !
two Houses of Congress in order to take
their counsel and advice as to the best mode
of extricating the Government and the coun
try from the embarrassments weighing
heavily on both. lam then most happy in
finding myself, so soon after my accession
to the Presidency, surrounded by the imme
diate representatives of the States and peo
ple.
No important changes having taken place
in our foreign relations since the last session j
of Congress, it is not deemed necessary on
this occasion to go into a detailed statement
in regard to them. lam happy to say that
I sec nothing to destroy the hope of being a
hlc to preserve peace.
The ratification of the treaty with Portu
gal has been duly exchanged between the
two Governments. This Government has
not been inattentive to the interests of those
of our citizens who have claims on the Gov
ernment of Spain founded on express treaty
stipulations, and a hope is indulged that the
representations whiclt have been made to
that Government on this subject, may lead,
ere long, to beneficial results.
A correspondence has taken place be
tween the Secretary of State and the Minis
ter of Her Britannic Majesty, accredited to
this Government, on the subject of Alexan
der M’Leod’s indictment and imprisonment,
copies ofwhichare herewith communicated
to Congress.
I;i addition to what appears from these
papers, it may be proper to state that Alex
ander M’Leod has been heard by’ the Su
preme Court ofthe State of New York on
bis motion to be discharged from imprison
ment, and that the decision of that Court
has not as yet been pronounced.
The Secretary of State has addressed to
me a paper upon two subjects, interesting
to the commerce ofthe country, which will
receive my consideration, and which I have
the honor to communicate to Congress.
So far as it depends on the course of this
Government, our relations of good-will and
friendship will be sedulously cultivated
with all nations. The true American pol
icy will be found to consist in the exercise
of a spirit of justice to be manifested in the
discharge of all our international obligations
to the weakest of the family of nations as well
as to the most powerful. Occasional con
flicts of opinion may arise, but when the
discussions incident to them are conducted
in the language of truth, and with a
strict regard to justice, the scourge of war
will for the most part be avoided. The
time ought to be regarded as having gone
by when a resort to arms is to bo esteemed
as the only proper abiter of national differ
ences.
The census recently taken shows a regu
larly progressive increase in our popula
tion. Upon the breaking out of the war
of the Revolution, our numbers scarcely e
qualled three millions of souls ; they al
ready exceed seventeen millions, and still
continue to progress in a ratio which dupli
cates in a period of about twenty-three
years. The old States contain a territory
sufficient in itself to maintain a population
of additional millions, and the most popu
lous of the new States may even yet be re
garded as but partially settled, while of the
new lands on this side of the Rocky Moun
tains, to say nothing of the immense region
which stretches from the base of those
mountains to the mouth of the Columbia ri
ver, about 770,000,000 of acres ceded and
unceded, still remain to be brought into
market. YVe hold out to the people of oth- I
er countries an invitation to come and settle
among us as members of our rapidly-grow
ing family ; and, for the blessings which we
offer them, we require of them to look upon
our country as their country,& to unite with
us in the great task of preservingour institu
tions. <sr thereby perpetuating our liberties.
No motive exists for foreign conquest. —
We desire but to reclaim our almost illimi
table wildernesses, and to introduce into
their depths the lights of civilization. While
we s!in.ll at all times be prepared to vindi
cate the national honor, our most earnest
desire will be to maintain an unbroken
peace.
lit presenting the foregoing views, I can
not withhold the expression of the opinion
that there exists nothing in the extension of
our empire over our acknowledged posses
sions to excite the alarm of the patriot for
the safety of our institutions. The Feder
ative system, leavingto each Statethe care
of its domestic concerns, and devolving on
the Federal Government those of general
import, admits in safety ofthe greatest ex
pansion, but at the same time I deem it
proper to add,that there will be found to ex
ist at all times, nil imperious necessity for
restraining all the functionaries ofthis Gov
ernment within the range of their respec
tive powers, thereby preserving a just bal
ance between the powers granted to this
Government, and those reserved to the
States and to the people.
From the report of the Secretary of the
Treasury, you will perceive that the fiscal
means present and accruing,are insufficient
to supply the wants of the Government for
the current year. The balance in the
Treasury on th 4tli of March last, not cov-
ered by outstanding drafts, and exclusive
of the trust funds, is estimated at $868,000.
This includes the $215,000 deposited in
the mint and its branches to procure metal
for coining and in process of coinage, and
which could not be withdrawn without in
convenience ; thus leaving subject to draft
in the various depositories the sum $645,-
000. By virtue of two several acts ofCon
gress, the Secretary of the Treasury was
authorized to issue, on and after the 4th
day of March last, Treasury notes to the
amount of ss,4l3,ooo,making an aggregate
available fund of $6,058,000 on hand.
But this fund was not chargeable with
outstanding Treasury notes, redeemable in
the current year and interest thereon to the
estimated amount of $5,280,000. There
is also thrown upon the Treasury the pay
ment of a large amount of demands accrued
in whole or in part, in former years, which
will exhaust the available means of the
Treasury, and leave the accruing revenue,
reduced as it is in amount, burdened with
debt and charged with the current expen
ses of the Government. The aggregate a
mount of outstanding appropriations on the
4th of March last was $33,429,616 50, of
which $24,210,300 will be required during
the current year : and there will also be
required for the use of the War department
additional appropriations to the amount of
two millions five hundred and eleven thou
sand one hundred and thirty-two dollars and
ninety’ eight cents, the special objects of
which will be seen by reference to the re
! port of the Secretary of War.
The anticipated means of the Treasury j
are greatly inadequate to this demand.— }
the receipts from customs lor the last throe
quarters ofthe last year, and the first quar
ter of the present year, amounted to $12,-
100,000 ; the receipts for lands for the same
time to $2,742,450 ; showing an average
revenue from both sources of $12,236,870
per month. A gradual expansion of trade
growing out of a restoration of confidence,
together with a reduction in the expenses of
collecting, and punctuality on the part of
collecting officers, may cause an addition
Ito the monthly receipts from the customs.
They arc estimated for the residue of the
year, from the 4th of March, at $2,000,- j
000 ; the receipts from the public lands for |
the same time are estimated at $2,500,000;
& from miscellaneous sources at $170,000; j
making an aggregate of available fund j
within the year of 14,670,000 ; which will
leave a probable deficit of 11,406,132 9S.
To meet this, some temporary provision is
necessary, until the amount can be absor
j bed by the excess of revenues which arc
! anticipated to accrue at no distant day.
There will fall due within the next three
! months Treasury notes ofthe issues of 18-,
40, including interest, about $2,850,000. —
There is chargeable in the same period for
arrearages fortakingthe sixth census $294,-
000 ; and the estimated expenditures for
the current service are about $8,100,000,
making the aggregate demands upon the
Treasury, prior to the first September next,
about $11,340,000.
The ways and means in the Treasury,
and estimated to accrue within the above
named period, consist of about $694,000 of
funds available on the 28th ultimo ; an un
issued balance of Treasury notes authori
zed by the act of 1841, amounting to sl,-
955,000, and estimated receipts from all
sources, of $3,800,000, making an aggre
gate of about $0,450,000, and leaving a
probable deficit on the Ist ofSeptember next
of 4,845,000.
In order to supply the wants of the Gov
ernment, an intelligent constituency, in
view of their best interests, will without
hesitation, submit to all necessary burdens.
But it is nevertheless important so to im
pose them as to avoid defeating the just ex
pectations of the country, growing out of
pre-existing law's. The act of the 2d
March, 1833, commonly called the com
promise act, should not he altered except
under urgent necessities, which are not
believed at this time to exist. One year
only remains to complete the series of re
ductions provided for by that law, at which
time provision made by the same law, and
which then will be brought actively in aid
of the manufacturing interests of the Union
will not fail to produce the most beneficial
results. Under a system of discriminating
duties imposed for put poses of revenue, in
unison with the provisions of existing laws,
it is to be hoped that our policy will in the
future be fixed and permanent, so as to a
void those constant fluctuations which de-
I feat the very objects they have in view.—
We shall thus best maintain a position
which, while it will enable us the more
readily to meet the advances of other coun
tries calculated to promote our trade and
commerce, will at the same time leave in
our own hands the means of retaliating with
greater effect, unjust regulations,
In intimate connexion with the question j
of revenue is that which makes provision!
for a suitable fiscal agent capable of ad- j
ding increased facilities in the collection j
and disbursement of the public revenues, j
rendering more secure their custody, and
consulting u true economy in the great
multiplied and delicate operations of the
Treasury Department. Upon such an a
gent depends, in an eminent degree, the
establishment of n currency of uniform val
ue, which is of so great importance to all
the essential interests of society ; and on
the wisdom to he manifested in its creation
much depends. So intimately interwoven
are its operations, not onlv with the inter
ests of individuals, hut with those of the
States, that it may be regarded in a great
degree as controlling both. If paper he
used as the chief medium of circulation,
and the power he vested in the Government
of issuing it at pleasure, either in the form
of Treasury drafts or any other, or if battles
he used as the public depositories, with li
berty to regard all surplusses from day to
day as so much added to their active cap
ital, prices are exposed to constant fluctu
ations, and industry to severe suffering.—
In the one case, political considerations,
directed to party purposes, may control,
while excessive cupidity may prevail in the
other. The public is thus constantly lia
ble to imposition. Expansions and con
tractions may follow each other in rapid
succession, the one engendering a reckless
spirit of adventure and speculation, which
embraces States as well as individuals ; the
other causing a fall in prices, and accom
plishing an entire change in the aspect of
affairs. Stocks of all kinds rapidly decline
—individuals are ruined, and States em
barrassed even in their efforts to meet with
punctuality the interest on their debts.—
Such, unhappily, is the state of things now
existing in the United States. These ef
fects may readily bo traced to the causes
above referred to. The public revenues,
on being removed from tlie then Bank of
the United States, under an order of a late
President, were placed in selected State
banks, which, actuated by the double mo
tive of conciliating the Government and
augmenting their profits to the greatest pos
sible extent, enlarged extravagantly their
discounts, thus enabling all other existing
hanks to do the same. Large dividends
were declared, which stimulating the cu
pidity of capitalists, caused a rush to he
made to the Legislatures of the respective
States, for similar acts of incorporation,
which by many of the States, under a tem
porary infatuation, were readily granted,
and thus the augmentation of the circula
ting medium, consisting almost exclusively
of paper produced a most fatal delusion. —
An illustration, derived from the land sales
of the period alluded to, will serve best to
show the effect of the w'ltole system. The
average sales ofthe public lands for a pe
riod often years prior to 1834, had not
much exceeded 82,000,000 per annum.— t
In 1834 they attained in round numbers, to j
the amount of $6,000,000. In the succee
ding year of 1835 they reached $16,000,
000. And the next year of 1836, they
amounted to the enormous sum 0f525,000,
090. Thus crowding into the short space
of three years upw'ards of twenty three
years’ purchase ofthe public domain. So
apparent had become the necessit y of arres
ting this course of things, that the executive
department assumed the highly questiona
ble power of discriminating in the funds to
lie used in payment by different classes of
public debtors—a discrimination which
| was doubtless designed to correct this most
j ruinous state of things by the exaction of
! specie in ail payments for the public lands,
j hut which could not at once arrest the tide
j which has so strongly set in. Hence the
demands for specie became unceasing, and
corresponding prostration rapidly ensued
under the necessities created with the
banks to curtail their discounts, and there
by to reduce their circulation. I recur to
these things with no disposition to censure
pre-existing administration of the Govern
ment, but simply in exemplification of the
truth of the position which I have assumed.
If’then an}’ fiscal agent which may be cre
ated shall be placed without due restriction
either in the hands of the administrators of
the Government, or those of private individ-
uals, the temptation to abuse will prove to
be resistless. Objects of political aggran
dizement may seduce the first, and the
promptings of a boundless cupidity will as
sail the last. Aided by the experience of
the past, it will bo the pleasure of Congress
so to guard and fortify the public interests,
in the creation of any new agent, as to
place them, so far as human wisdom can
accomplish it, on a footing of perfect securi
ty. YVithin a few years past, three differ
ent schemes have been before the country.
The charter of the Bank of the United
States expired bv its own limitation in
1836. An effort was made to renew it,
which received the sanction of the two Hou
ses of Congress, but the then President of
the U. States exercised his veto power, and
the measure was defeated. A regard to
truth requires me to say that the President
was fairly sustaind in the course he had ta
ken by the popular voice. His successor
in the Chair of State unqualifiedly pro
nounced his opposition to any new charter
of a similar institution ; and not only the
popular election which brought him into
i power, but the elections through much of
j his term, seemed clearly to indicate a con-
currence with him in sentiment on the part
of the people. After the public moneys
were withdrawn from the United States
Bank, they were placed in deposits with the
State Banks, and the result of that policy
has been before the country. To say noth
ing as to the question whether that experi
ment was made under propitious or adverse
circumstances, it may safely be asserted
that it did receive the unqualified condem
nation of most of its early advocates, and it
is believed was also condemned by the pop
ular sentiment. The existing sub-Treasu
ry system does not seem to stand in higher
favor with the people, but has recently been
condemned in a manner too plainly indi
cated to admit of a doubt.
Thus, in the short period of eight years the
popular voice may be regarded as having
successively condemned each of the three
schems of finance to which I have adverted.
As to the first it was introduced at a lime
(1816)when the Slate hanks, then compar
atively few in number, had been forced to
suspend specie payments, by reason of the
war which had previously prevailed with
Great Britain. Whether if the United
States Bank charter which expired in 1811,
had been renewed in due season, it would
have been enabled to continue specie pay
ments during the war and the disastrous
period to the commerce ofthe country which
immediately succeeded, is, to say the least,
problematical, and whether the United
States Bank oflßl6 produced a restoration
of specie payments, or the same was ac
complished through the instrumentality of
other means, was a matter of some difficul
ty at that time to determine. Certain
it is, that, for the first years of the operation
of that hank, its course was as disastrous as
for the greater part of its subsequent career
it became eminently successful. As to the
second the experiment was tried with a re
dundant Treasury, which continued to in
crease until it seemed to he the part of wis
dom to distribute the surplus revenue a
mong the States, which operating at the
same time with the specie circular, and the
causes before adverted to, caused them to
suspend specie payments,and involved the
country in the greatest embarrassment.—
And as to the third, if carried through all
the stages of its transmutation, from paper
and specie to nothing but the precious me
tals, to say nothing of the public moneys,
its injurious effects have been anticipate and
by the country in its unqualified condem
nation; what is now to he regarded as the
judgment ofthe American people on this
whole subject, I have no accurate means of
determining, hut by appealing to their more
immediate representatives. The late con
test which terminated in the election of
Gen. Harrison, to the Presidency, was de
cided on principles well known and open
ly declared, and while the sub-Treasury
received in the result the most decided con
demnation, yet no other scheme of finance
seemed to have been concurred in. To
you, then, who have come more directly
from the tody of our common constituents,
I submit the entire question, as best quali
fied to give a full exposition of their wishes
and opinions. I shall be ready to concur
with you in the adoption of such system as
you may propose, reserving to myself the
ultimate power of rejecting any measure
which may in my view of it. conflict with
the Constitution or otherwise jeopard the
prosperity of the country ; a power which
I could not part with even if I would, hut
which I will not believe any act of yours
will call into requisition.
1 cannot avoid recurring, in connexion 1
with tiiis subject to the necessity which ex- 5
ists for adopting some suitable measures ■
whereby the unlimited creation of banks 1
by the States may he corrected in future.— 1
Such result can he most rapidly achieved .
by the consent ofthe States, to be expressed
in the form of a compact among them
selves, which they can only enter into with
the consent and approbation ofthis Govern
ment ; a consent which might, in the pres
ent emergency of the public demands, justi
fiably be given in advance of any action
by the States as an inducement to such
action upon terms well defined by the act
of tender. Such a measure, addressing
itself to the calm reflection of the States,
would find in the experience of the past,
and the condition of the present, much to
sustain it. And it is greatly to be doubted
whether any scheme of finance can prove
for any length of time successful, while the
States shall continue in the unrestrained :
exercise of the power of creating banking j
corporations. This power can only be litn- j
itcd by their consent.
With the adoption of a financial agency
of a satisfactory character, the hope may be
indulged that the country may once more
return to a state of prosperity. Measures
auxiliary thereto, and, in some measure,
inseparably connected with its success, will
doubtless claim the attention of Congress.
Among such, a distribution of the proceeds
of the sales of the public lands, provided
such distribution does not force upon Con
gress the necessity of imposing upon com
merce heavier burdens than those contem
plated by the act of 1833, would act as an
efficient remedial measure,by being brought
directly in aid of the States. As one sin
cerely devoted to the task of preserving a
just balance in our system of government,
by the maintenance of the States in a condi
tion the most free and respectable, ar.d in
the full possession of all their power, I can
not otherwise than feel desirous for their e
mancipation from the situation to which the
pressure on their finances now subjects
them. And, while 1 must repudiate as a
measure founded in error, and wanting
constitutional sanction, the slightest ap
proach to an assumption by this Govern
ment of the debts for the States, yet 1 can
sec, in the distribution adverted to, much
to recommend it. The compacts between
the proprietor States and this Government
expressly guaranty to the States all the
benefits which may arise from the sales.
The mode by which this is to he effected
addresses itself to the discretion of Con
gress, as the trustee of the States ; and its
exercise, after the most beneficial manner,
is restrained by nothing in the grants or in
the Constitution as long as Congress shall
consult that equality in the distribution
which the compacts require. In the pre
sent condition of some of the States, the
question of distribution may be regarded as
substantially a question between direct and
indirect taxation. If the distribution bo
not made in some form or other, the neces
sity will daily become more urgent with the
debtor Staies, for a resort to an oppressive
system of direct taxation, or their credit,
and necessarily their power and influence,
will be greatly diminished.
The payment of taxes, after the most in
convenient and oppressive mode, will he ex
acted in place of contributions for the most
part voluntarily made, and therefore com
paratively unoppressive. The States are
emphatically the constituents of this Oov
ernrnent; and we should bo entirely re
gardless of the objects held in view by
them, in the creation ofthis Government, if
we could he indifferent to their good. The
happy effects of such a measure upon all
the States, would immediately he manifest
ed. With the debtor States, it would effect
the relief, to a great extent, ofthe citizens,
from a heavy burden of direct taxation,
which presses with severity on the laboring
classes, and eminently assist in restoring
the general prosperity. An immediate ad
vance would take place in the price ot the
State securities, and the attitude of the
States would become once more, as it ever
should be, lofty and erect. With States
laboring under no extreme pressure from
debt, tlic fund whiclt thoy would derive
from this source, would enable them to im
prove their condition, in an eminent degree.
So far as this Government is concerned,
appropriations to domestic objects, approa
ching in amount the revenue derived from
the land sales, might he abandoned, and
thus a system of unequal, and therefore un
just legislation, would be subslituted by one
dispensing equality to all the members of
the confederacy. Whether such distribu
tion should be made directly to the States
in the proceeds of the sales or in the form
of profits, by virtue of the operations any
fiscal agency having those proceeds as its
basis, should such measure he contempla
ted by Congress, would well deserve its
consideration. Nor would suelt disposition
of the proceeds of the sales, in any manner
prevent Congress, from time to time, from
passing all necessary pre-emption laws, for
the benefit of actual settlers, or from mak
ing any new arrangement as to the price
of the public lands which might in future
he esteemed desirable.
I beg leave particularly to call your at
tention to the accompanying report from
the Secretary of War. Besides the present
state ofthe war which has so long atllicted
the Territory of Florida, and the various
other matters of interest therein referred
to, you will learn from it that the Secretary
lias instituted an inquiry into abuses which
promises to develope gross enormities in
connexion with Indian treaties which have
been negociatcd, as well as in the expendi
tures for the removal and subsistence of
the Indians. He represents, also, other ir
regularities of a serious nature that have
grown up in the practice of the Indian De
partment, which will require the appropri
ation of upwards of $200,000 to correct,
and which claim the immediate attention of
Congress.
In reflecting on the proper means of de
fending the country, we cannot shut our
eyes to the consequences which the intro
duction and use ofthe power of steam upon
the ocean are likely to produce in wars be
tween maratime States. We cannot yet
see the extent to which this power may be
applied in belligerent operations, connect
ing itself as it does with recent improve
ments in the science of gunnery and pro
jectiles ; but we need have no fear of being
left, in regard to these things, behind the
most active and skilful of other nations if
the genius and enterprise of our fellow-cit
izens receive proper encouragement and
direction from Government.
True wisdom would, nevertheless, seem
to dictate the necessity of placing in perfect
condition those fortifications which arc de
signed for the protection ofour principal ci
ties and roadsteads. For the defence of
our extended maritime coast, our chief re
liance should be placed on our navy, aide and
by those inventions which are destined to
recommend themselves to public adoption.
Hut no lime should be lost in placing our
principal cities on the sca-board and the
lakes in a slate of entire security from for
eign assault. Separated as we are front
the countries of the old world, and in much
unaffected by their policy, we are happily
relieved from the necessity of maintaining
large standing armies in times of peace.—
The policy which was adopted by Mr. Mon
roe, shortly after the conclusion of the late
war with Great-Britain, of preserving a
regularly organized staff sufficient for the
command of a large military force, should
a necessity for one arise, is founded as well
in economy as in true wisdom. Provision
is thus made, upon filling up the rank and
file, which can readily be done on any e
mergency, for the introduction of a system
of discipline both promptly and efficiently'.
All that is required in time of peace is to
maintain a sufficient number of men to
guard our fortifications, to meet any sudden
contingency, and to encounter the first
shock of war. Our chief reliance must be
placed on the militia. They constitute the
great body of national guards, and, inspir
ed by an ardent love of country, will be
found ready at all times, and at all seasons,
to repair with alacrity to its defence. It
will be regarded by Congress, I doubt not,
at a suitable time, as one of its highest du
ties to attend to their complete organization
and discipline.
The state of the navy pension fund re
quires the immediate attention of Congress.
By the operation of the act of the 3d March,
1837, entitled an act for the more equitable
administration of the navy pension fund,
tliat fund has been exhausted. It will be
seen by the accompanying report of the
Commissioner of Pensions that there will be
required for the payment of navy pension
ers, on the Ist of July next, $88,706 06,
and on the Ist January, 1842, the sum of
$69,000. In addition to these sums, about
$6,000 will be required to pay arrears of
pensions which will probably be allowed
between the Ist of July and the Ist of Janu
ary, 1842, making in the whole 8163,706
06. To meet these payments there is with
in the control of the Department the sum of
$28,040, leaving a deficit 0f5139,666 06.
The public faith requires that immediate
provision should be made for the payment
of these sums.
I In order to introduce into the navy a de
j sirable efficiency, anew system of accoun
i tabilitv may he found to be indispensably
| necessary. ” To mature a plan having for
; its object the accomplishment of an end so
| important, and to meet the just expectations
| of the country, require more time than has
! vet been allowed to the Secretary at the
head of the Department. The hope is in
dulged that by the time of your next regu
lar session, measures of importance, in con
nexion with this branch of the public ser- s
vice, may he matured for your considera
tion.
Although the laws regulating the Post-
Oftieo Department only require from the
officer charged with its direction to report
at the usual annual session of Congress, the
Post-Master General has present td to mo
some facts connected with the financial
condition of the Department, which are
deemed worthy the attention of Congress.
By the accompanying report of that officer,
it appears that the existing liabilities oi
that Department beyond the means of pay
ment at its command, cannot he less than
$500,000. As the laws organizing that
branch of the public service confine the ex
penditure to its own revenues, deficiencies
therein cannot he presented under the usual
estimates, for the expenses of Government.
It must, therefore, he left to Congress to
determine whether the moneys now due to
contractors shall he paid from the public
Treasury, or whether that department shall
continue under its present embarrassments.
It will be seen by the report of the Post-
Master General, that the recent lettings of
contracts in several ofthe States have been
made at such reduced rates of compensa
tion as to encourage the belief that, if the
department was relieved from existing dif
ficulties, its future operations might he con
ducted without any further call upon the
general Treasury.
The power of appointing to office is one
of a character the most delicate and respon
sible. The appointing power is ever more
exposed to be led into error. With anxious
solicitude to select the most trustworthy for
official station. I cannot be supposed to
possess a personal knowledge of the quali
fications ot every applicant. I deem it
therefore proper, in this most public man
ner, to invite, on the part of the Senate, u
just scrutiny into the character and preten
sions of every person whom I may bring to
their notice in the regular form of a nomi
nation for office. Unless persons, every
way trustworthy,are employed in the public
service, corruption and irregularity will in
evitably follow. I shall, with the greatest
cheerfulness, acquiesce in the decision of
that body, and, regarding it as wisely con
stituted to aid the Executive Department in
the performance of this delicate duty, 1
shall look to its “consent and advice” as
given only in furtherance of the best inter
ests of the country. I shall, also, at the
earliest proper occasion, invite the attention
of Congress to such measures as in my
judgment will he the best calculated to re
gulate and control the Executive power in
reference to this vitally important subject.
I shall also, at the proper season, invite
your attention to the statutory enactments
for the suppression ofthe slave-trade, which
may require to be rendered more efficient
in their provisions. There is reason to be
lieve that the traffic is on the increase.—
Whether such increase is to be ascribed to
the abolition of slave-labor in the British
possessions in our vicinity, and attendant
diminution in the supply of those articles
which enter into the general consumption
ofthe world, thereby augmenting the de
mand from other quarters, and thus calling
for additional labor, it were needless to in
quire. The highest considerations of pub
lic honor, as well as the strongest prompt
ings of humanity, require a resort to the
most vigorous efforts to suppress the trade.
In conclusion, 1 beg to invite your par
ticular attention to the interests ofthis Dis
ti ict. Nor do I doubt that, in a liberal spir
it of legislation, you will seek to advance
its commercial as well as its local interests.
Should Congress deem it to be its duty to re
peal the existing sub-treasury law, the ne
cessity of providing a suitable place of de
posite for the public moneys which may he
required within the District must ho appa
rent to all.
I have felt it to be due to the country to
present the foregoing topics to your consid
eration and reflection. Others, with which
it might not seem proper to trouble you at
an extraordinary session, will be laid be
fore you at a future day. lam happy in
committing the important affairs of the
country into your hands. The tendency
of public sentiment, I am pleased to be
lieve, is towards the adoption, in a spirit of
union and harmony, of such measures as
will fortify the public interests. To cher
ish such a tendency of public opinion, is
the task of an elevated patriotism. That
differences of opinion as to the means of ac
complishing these desirable objects should
exist, is reasonably to be expected. No
can all be made satisfied with any system
of measures. But I flatter myself with the.
hope that the great body of the people will
readily unite in support of those whose ef
forts spring from a disinterested desire to
promote their happiness ; to preserve the
Federal and State Governments within their
respective orbits ; to cultivate peace with
all the nations of the earth, on just and
honorable grounds ; to exact obedience to
the laws ; to entrench liberty and proper
ty in full security ; and, consulting the
most rigid economy, to abolish all useless
expenses. JOHN TYLER.
Washington, June 1, 1841.
Cor. of the Charleston Courier.
YVashington, June 1.
The organization of the two Houses ol
Congress was effected yesterday. Mr.
Southard, President pro tempore of the Sen
ate, took the chair of that body, and a quo
rum was formed and the usual preliminary
business attended to. The Senators all
appeared to be in good health and spirits.
Mr. White was elected on the first ballot,
having 121 votes out of 221 that were giv
en. Mr. Wise received 8 votes, Mr. Kaw
rence, of Pa. 5, Mr. J. W. Jones 84<” and
there were a few scattering. There were
six YY’higs who did not vne at all, but who,
would eventually have voted for Mr. YY r isc X
| in ease he obtained such a support as wou/
i have rendered their votes available. ‘
j The caucus nominee for the Clerkship
j did not succeed so well. Mr. F. O. J,-.
! Smith obtained 90 votes cn the first ballot;
