The Columbus times. (Columbus, Ga.) 1841-185?, June 10, 1841, Image 3

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE. To ihe Senate anJ House of tlepresen'alive* of the United States : Fellow-Citizens : You have been assembled in your respec tive halls of legislation under a proclamation bearing the signature of the illustrious citizen who was so lately called by the direct suffra ges of the people to the discharge of the im portant functions of their chief executive office. Upon the expiration of a single month from the day of his installation, he has paid the great debt of nature, leaving behind him a name associated with the recollection of nu merous benefits conferred upon the country during a long life of patriotic devotion. With this public bereavement are connected other considerations which will not escape the at. tention of Congress. The preparations ne cessary for his removal to the seat of Gov ernment in view of a residence of four years, must have devolved upon the late President heavy expenditures, which, if permitted to burden the limited resources of his private fortune, may tend seriously to the embarrass ment of his surviving family; and it is there fore respectfully submitted to Congress wheth er the ordinary principles of justice would not dictate the propriety of its legislative interpo sition. By the provisions of the fundamental law, the powers and duties of the high station to which he was elected have devolved on me, and in the dispositions of the representatives of the States and of the people Will he found to a great extent a solution of tho prob cm to which our institutions are for the first time subjected. in entering upon the duties of this office, 1 did not feel that it would be becoming in me to disturb what had been ordered by my lamented predecessor. Whatever, therefore, may have been my opinion, originally, as to the propriety of convening Congress at so j early a day from that of its late adjournment,! I found anew &, a controlling inducement not to interfere with the patriotic desires of the ‘ late President, m the novelty of the situation in 1 which I was so unexpectedly placed. My first wish under such circumstances would necessarily have been to have called to my aid. in the administration of public affairs, the com bined wisdom of the two Houses of Congress, in order to take their council and advice as to the best mode of extricating tin Government and the country from the embarrassments weigh ing heavily on both. lam then most happy in rinding myself, so soon after my accession to the Presidency, surrounded by tlie immediate representatives of the States and people. No important, changes having taken place in our foreign relations since the last session of Congress, it is not deemed necessary on this occasion to go into a detailed statement in re gard to them. lam happy to sty that i see nothing to destroy the hope of being able to preserve peace. The ratification of the treaty with Portugal has been duly exchanged between the two Governments. This Government lias not been inattentive to the interests of those of our citi zens who have'claims on .the Government of Spain founded on express treaty stipulations, and a hope is indulged that the representa tions which have been made to that Govern'- ment on tins subject may lead ere long to beneficial results. A correspondence has taken place between the Secretary of State and the Minister of her Britannic Majesty accredited to this Govern ment,-on the subject of Alexander McLeod's indictment and imprisonment, copies of which are herewith communicated to Congress. In addition to what appears from these pa pers, it may be proper to state that Alexander McLeod has been heard by (lie Supreme I ‘ourt of the State of Now York on Ins motion lo be discharged from imprisonment, and that the decision oi that Court lias not as yet been pronounced. • The Secretary of State has addressed to me a piper upon two subjects, interesting to the commerce ot tin.’ country, which will receive my consideration,-atnl which I have the honor tty communicate to Congress. So far as it depends oil the’ course of this (hnv.l-mn'ciit, onr relations of good-will and Ir clidbh’p will lie sedulously cultivated with all Millions; The true’ American policy wi'l be lot Hid to’Consist in the exercise of a spirit of lustice to bo intiiiifettted m tho discharge of all onr international obligations, to the weakest of the family of nations as well as to the most powerful. Occasional con the ts of opinion may arise, but when tire discussions incident to them are conducted in the language of truth and with a strict regard to justice, ! Ie scourge of war will for the most part be avoided. The time ought to be regarded a? having gone by when a resort to arms is to be esteemed as the only proper arbiter of national differences. The census recently taken shows a regu larly progressive increase in our population. Upon the breaking out of tho war of ihe Rev olution our numbers scarcely equalled-three millions of souls ; they already exceed seven teen millions, and will continue to progress in a ratio which duplicates in a period of about twenty-three years. Tho old States contain a territory sulli-ient in itself to maintain a popu lation of additional in llions, and the most populous of the new States tiny even yet he regarded as but partially se’tled, while of the new lands on this shin of the Rocky Moun tains, to sav nothing of the immense region which stretches from the base of those moun tains to the mouth of the Columbia river, about 770,000,000 of acres, ceded and unceded still remain to be brought into market. We hold out to the people of other countries an im pa- tjon to conic and settle among’ us as uictnocrs of our rapidly growing family; and, for the blessings which we oiler them, we require ot them to look upon our country as their coun try, and to unite with us in the great task of preserving our institutions, and thereby per petuating our liberties. No motive exisis tor foreign conquest. N\ e desire but to reclaim our almost illimitable wildernesses, and to intro duce into their depths the lights ot civiliza tion. While we shall at all tunes he prepared to vindicate the national honor, our most earnest desire will be to maintain an unbroken peace. In presenting the foregoing views, I cannot withhold the expression of the j opinion that there exists nothing m the extension of our empire over our ac- , knowledged possessions to excite the aiarm of the patriot tor the safety ot our institutions. The Federative system, leaving to each State the care of its domestic concerns, and devol ving on the Federal Government those ot gen era! import, admits in safety ot the greatest expansion, but at the same time, 1 deem it proper to add that, there will be found to ex ist at all times an imperious necessity tor restrainimmll the functionaries oi this Govern ment within the range of their respective powers, thereby preserving a just haance be tween the powers granted to tins Government aninbose reserve! to tto Sut*. and lo the people. From the report of the Secretary of too Treasury, yon will perceive that tne fiscal means present and accruing are insufficient to supply the wants of the Government tor the current year. The balance m the treasury on the fourth day of March last, not covered bv outstanding drafts, and exclusive ot trus funds, is estimated at $830,000. rii ; s in cludes the sum of §215,000 deposited in the Mint and its brandies to procure metal or coin in” and in process of coinage, and which could “not be withdrawn without inconven ience; thus leaving subject to draft mthe various depositories the sum ot • b>.UUU.- Ily virtue of two several acts ot Congress, the Secretary of the Treasury was authorized to issue, on and after the fourth dav ol March last notes to the amount ot So.4ld.otH*. making an aggregate available lund oi 058,000 on hand. But this fund was chargeable with outstan ding Treasury notes redeemable m t.ie cur rent year and interest thereon to the estima ted amount of five million two hundred and eighty thousand dollars. There is also thrown upon the Treasury the payment of a large amount of demands accrued in whole or i:i part in former years, winch 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 expenses of the Government — The aggregate amount of outstanding appro priations on the fourth dav of March last was be required during tbe current year; and there will also be required for the use of the I War Department additional appropriations to the amount of two million five hundred and eleven thousand one hundred and thirty-two I dollars and ninety-eight cents, the special objects of which will be seen by reference to ’ the repor 1 of the Secretary of War. The anticipated meansof the Treasury are greatly inadequate to this demand. The re j ceip s from customs for the last three quarters I of the last year, and the first quarter 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 #1,236,870 per month. A gradu jal expansion of trade, growing out ot a resto j ration of confidence, together with a reduction 1 in the expenses of collecting, and punctuality ion the'part of collecting officers, may cause an addition to the monthly receipts Irom the customs. They are estimated for the residue j of the year from the fourth of March at $12,- ! 000,000; the receipts from the public lands j for the same time are estimated at $ 3,530,090 ! and from miscellaneous sources at $170,000 ; j making an aggregate of available fund within j the year of #14,070,000; which will leave a • probable deficit of #11,406,132 98. To meet I this, some temporary provision is necessary, un til the amount can be absorbed by the excess of j revenues which are anticipated to accrue at j no distant day. * j There will fall due within the next three j months, Treasury notes of tbe issues of 1810, i including interest, about #2,850,000. There i is chargeable in the same perio 1 for arreara ges for taking the sixth census #294,000; and i tlie estimated expenditures for the current j service are about $3,100,000, making the ag gregate demands upon the Tseasury, pri< r to ; ihe first of September next, about #11,340,- 1000. The ways and means in the Treasury, and estimated to accrue within the above named period, consists of about $094,000, ot funds available on the 284i ultimo; an unissued balance of Treasury notes authorized by the act of 1811 amounting to #1,955,000, and esti mated receipts from all sources ot 3,800,000 dol ’ars, making an aggregate of about #6,450,- 000, and leaving a probable deficit on the Ist of September next of #4,845,000. In order to supply the wants ot the Govern ment, an intelligent constituency, in view ot their best interests, will, without hesitation, submit to all necessary burdens. But it is nevertheless important so to impose them as to avoid defeating the just expectations ot the country, growing out of pre-existing Jaws.— The aci of the 2d March, 1833, commonly called the compromise act, should not be al tered except under urgent necessities, which are not believed at tills time to exist. One year only remains to complete the series of re ductions provided for by that law, at which time provisions made bv the same law, and w hich 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 im posed for purposes of revenue, in unison with the provisions of existing laws, it is to be hoped that out pd cy will, in the future, be fixed and permanent, so as to avoid those constant fluc tuations which defeat the very objects they have in view. We shall thus best maintain a p isit ion which, while it will enable us the more readily to meet the advances ref other countries calculated to 1 promote our trade and ! commerce, will at the same time leave in our own hands the means of retaliating with great- I er effect unjust regulations. In intimate connection with the question of i revenue is that which makes provision for a | suitable fiscal agent, capable*of adding im ! creased facilit igs in the collection and disburse- j ment of the public revenues, rendering more secure their custody, and consulting a true j economy in the great multiplied and delicate 1 operations of the Treasury Department. Upon ! such an agent depends in an eminent degree i the establishment of a currency of uniform value, which is of so great importance to all tbe essential interests of society ; and on the wisdom to be manifested in its creation much depends. So intimately interwoven are its operations not only with the interests oi indi viduals but with those of the States, that it, may be regarded in a great degree as control ling both. If paper be used as the chief'medium •of circulation- and the power be vested in the Government of issuing it at pleasure, either in the form of Treasury drafts or any other, or if banks be used as the public depositories, with liberty to regard all surplusses from clay to day as ?•> much added to their active capital, prices are exposed to constant fluctuations, and industry to severe suffering. In the one case, political considerations, directed to party purposes,-may control, while excessive cupidi ty may prevail in the other. The public is thus constantly liable to imposition. Expan sions and contractions 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 oilier causing a fall in prices, and accom plishing an entire change in the aspect of af fairs. $ locks of all kinds rapidly decline— individuals are ruined, and States embarrassed eveti in their efforts to meet with punctuality the interest on their debts. Such, unhajipily, is t lk? state of tilings now existing in tiie Uni ted States. These effects may readily be traced to the causes above referred to- The public revenues, on being removed from the then Bank of the United States, under an or der of a lata I resident, were placed in selected Sta'e banks, which, actuated by the double motive of conciliating the’ Government and augmenting their protits to the greatest possi ble extent, enlarged extravagantly their dis ; counts, thus enabling all other existing banks !to do tlie same, Large dividends were de clared, which, stimulating the cupidity of capi talists, caused a rush to be made to the Legis latures of the respective Slates for similar acts of incorporation, which, by many of the States, under a temporary infatuation, were readily granted, and thus the augmentation of the ! circulating medium, consisting almost exe'u- I sively 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 etl’ect of the whole system. The average sales of the public lands, lor a period ofter. years prior to 1831, had not much exceeded §2,000,000 per annum. In 1831 they attained, in round numbers, to the amount ot §3,000,- 000. In the succeeding year of 1835, they reached $16,000,000. And the next year, of 1830, they amounted to the enormous sum of §25,000,000. Thus crowding into the short space of three years upwards of twenty-three years” purchase of the public domain. So apparent had become the necessity of arrest ing this course of things, that the Executive department assumed the highly questionable [lower of discriminating in the funds to be used in payment by different classes of public debtors —a discrimination which was doubt less designed to correct this most ruinous state of things by the exaction of specie in all payments for the public lauds, but which could j not at ouee arrest the tide which had so strong ly set in. Hence the demands for specie be came unceasing, and corresponding prostra tion rapidly ensued under the necessities I created with the banks to curtail their dis counts, and thereby to reduce their circulation, i 1 recur lo these things with no disposition to j censure pre-existing administrations of the ; Government, but simply in exemplification of the truth of the position which I have assumed, i If, then, any fiscal agent which may be created | shall be place and, without due restrictions, either : in the hands of tbe administrators of the j Government or those of private individuals, the temptation to abuse will prove to be re sistless. Objects of political aggrandizement ; may seduce the first, and the promptings of a j boundless cupidity will assail the last. Aided 1 ity the experience of the past, it will be the 1 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 vvis ; dotn can accomplish it, on a footing of perfect ’ security. Within a few” years past three d.f ----\ ferent schemes have been before the country. | The charter of the Bank of the United Stales | expired by its own limitation in 1830. An effort i was made to renew it, which received the | sanction of the two Houses cf Congress,but the | then President of the United States exercised ’ his veto power, and the measure was defeated, j A regard to truth requires me to say that the ; President was fuliy sustained in the course he j had taken by the popular voice. His succes ! sor in the Chair of State unqualifiedly pro- I nounced his opposition to any new charter of j a similar institution ; and not only the popular election which brought him into power, but ; theelec-ions through muchot his term, seemed 1 clearly to indicate a concurrence 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 de posite with the State banks, and the result of i that policy lias been before the country. To say nothing as to the question whether that | experiment was made under propitious or ad ’ verse circumstances, it may safely be asserted j Miat it did receive the unqualified condemna tion of most of its early advocates, and it is believed was also condemned by the popular sentiment. Tlie existing Sub-Treasury sys tem does not seem to stand in higher favor with the people, but has recently been con demned in a manner too plainly indicated to admit of a doubt. Thu.-, in the short period of eight years, the popular voice may ue re garded as having successively condemned each of the three schemes of finance to which 1 i have adverted. As to the first it was intro-1 duced at a time (1816) when the State banks, J then comparatively few in number, had been j forced to suspend specie payments, by reason I of tho war which had previously prevailed ; with Great Britain. Whether, if tiie United ; States Bank charter which expired m 1811 i had been renewed in duo season, it would have been enabled tocontinue specie payments during the war, and tho disastrous period to j the commerce of tlie country which immo ii ately succeeded, is, to say the least, prouio.u- 1 atica!: and whether tho United States Lmk of 1810, produced a restoration of specie pay ments, or the same was accomplished through the instrumentality of other means, was a matter of some difficulty at that time to deter mine. Certain it is that, for the first years of the operations of that Bank, its course was as disastrous as for tho greater part of its subse quent career it became eminently successful. As to the second, the experiment was tried with a redundmt Treasury, wiiich continued to increase until it seemed to be the part of wisdom to distribute the surplus revenue among the States, which, operating at the same time,- with the specie circular, and the causes before adverted to, caused them to sus pend specie payments, and involved the coun try in tlie greatest embarrassment. And, as to the4lnn!,- if carried through all the stages of its transmutation, from paper and specie, to nothing but the precious metals, to say noth ing of die insecurity of the public moneys, its injurious effects Jiave been anticipated by the country in its unqualified condemnation.— What is now to be regarded as the judgment of the American people on this whole subject, I have no accurate means of determining but by appealing to tlieir more immediate repre ! scuta five's. The late contest, which termin ated in the election of Gen. Harrison to the Presidency, was decided on principles well known and openly declared: and, while the Sub-Treasury’received in the result the most decided condemnation, yet no other scheme ol finance seemed to have been concurred in.— To you, then,’ who have come more directly from the body of our common constituents, 1 submit tlie entire question, as best qualified to give a full exposition of tlieir wishes and opin ions. 1 shall be ready to concur with you in the adoption of such system as you may pro i pose,- 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 coun i try ;■ a power w hich l could not part with even ■it 1 would, but which 1 will not believe any ! act of yours will call into requisition, j 1 cannot avoid recurring, in connection with this subject, to tlie necessity which exists for ; adopting some suitable measures whereby tlie | unlimited creation of banks by the States may jbe corrected in future. Such result can be ! most readily achiev'd by the consent of the I States, to be expressed in the form of a coin | pact among themselves, which they can only : enter into with the consent and approbation of ; this Government; a consent which might, in tlie present emergency of the public demands,’ I justifiably 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 ex- I perieuce of the past, and the condition of the ! present, much to sustain it. And it, is greatly j to be doubted whether any scheme of finance i can prove lor any length of time successful j while the Stales shall continue in the unre-; ! strained exercise of the pow er of creating I banking corporations. This power can only i ! be limited by their consent. With the adoption of a financial agency of a 1 | satisfactory character, the hope may be indul- 1 { ged that the country may once more return to | a state of prosperity. Measures auxiliary! j thereto, and, in some measure, insepcrably j | connected with its success, will doubtlesclaim t the attention of Congress. Among such, a j distribution of tlie proceeds of the sales ot the ; public lands, provided such distribution does \ \ not force upon Congress the necessity of im ! posing upon commerce heavier burdens than those contemplated by the act of 1833, would act as an efficient remedial measure by being brought directly in- aid of tbe States. As one j sincerely devoted to the task of preserving a just balance in our system of government, by the maintenance of tlie States in a condition the most free and respectable, and in tlie full pos- session of all their power.. 1 can no otherwise than feel desirous lor their emancipation from j the situation to which the pressure on their fi- : nances now subjects them. And, while I | must repudiate as a measure founded in error, i and wanting constitutional sanction, the slight- j est approacli to an assumption by this Govern ment of the debts of the States, yet 1 can see, j in the distribution adverted to, much to recom- 1 mend it. The compacts between the proprie tor States and this Government expressly guar anty to the States all the benefits which may arise from the sales. The mode by which this is to be effected addresses itseif to the dis- j cretion of Congress, as the trustee for the States; and its exercise, after the most bene ficial manner, is restrained by nothing in the grants or in the Constitution, so long as Con gress shall consult that equality in the distri- . bution which the compacts require. In the J present condition of some of the States, the question of distribution may be regarded as substantially a question between direct and in i direct taxation, li the distribution be not made in some form or other, the necessity will daily become more urgent with the debtor S ates for a resort to an oppressive system of direct ! taxation, or their credit, and necessarily their po.-,cr and iulTuence, will be greatly diminish ed. The payment of taxes, after the most in | convenient and oppressive mode, will b3 ex acted in place of contributions for the most part voluntarily made, and therefore compara tively unoppressive. The States are emphat ically the constituents ot this Government; — and we shou and be entirely regardless ot the ob jects held in view by them in the creation of this Government if we could be indifferent to their good. The h3ppy effects of such a meas ure upon all the States would immediately be manifested. With the debtor States it would effoetthe relief to a great extent of the citizens from a heavy burden of direct taxation ufliich presses with severity on the laboring classes, and eminently assist in restoring the general prosperity. An immediate advance would take place in the price of the State securities, and the attitude of the States would become once more, as it should ever be, lofty and erect. With States laboring under no extreme pres sure from debt, tlie fund which they would de rive from this source would enable them to improve their condition in arf eminent degree. So far as this Government is concerned, appro priations to domestic objects, approaching in amount the revenue derived from the land sales might be abandoned, and thus a system of un equal and therefore unjust legislation would be substituted by one dispensing equality to all the members of this confederacy. Wheth er such distribution should be made directly ; to the States in the proceeds of the sales, or in tlie form of profits by virtue of the operations : of any fiscal agency having those proceeds as ! | fls basis, should such measure be contempla ie,3 by Congress, would well deserve its con sideration. “ Nor would such 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 making any new ar j rangement as to the price of the public lands 1 which might in future be esteemed desirable. 1 beg leave particularly to call your atten tion to the accompanying report from tlie Sec retary of War. Besides the present state of the war which has so long afflicted the Terri tory of Florida, and the various other matters of interest therein referred to, you will learn from it that the Secretary has instituted an in quiry into abuses, which promises to develope gross enormities in connexion with Indian i treaties which have been negotiated, as well j as in the expenditures for tlie removal and suh j sistence of the Indians, lie represents, also, | oilier irregularities of a serious nature that ; have grown up in the practice of the Indian | Department which will require the appropri ; ation of upwards of #299,090 to correct, and ! which claim the immediate attention oi Con i gress. In reflecting on the proper means of defend ! ing the country, we cannot shut our eyes to J the consequences which the in-reduction and ! use of the power of steam upon tlie ocean are i likely to produce in wars between maritime I States. We cannot yet see the extent to which this power may be applied in belligerent operations, connecting itself as it does with re cent improvements in the science ot gunnery and projectiles, 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 enterprize ol our fellow-citizens receive proper encouragement and direction from the Government. True wisdom would, nevertheless, seem to dictate the necessity of placing in perfect con dition those fortifications which are designed for the protection of our principal cities and roadsteads. For the defence of our extended maritime coast, our chief reliance should he placed on our navy, aided by those inventions which arc destined to recommend themselves to public adoption. But. no time should be lost in placing our principal cities on the sea board and tlie lakes in a state ol entire secu rity from foreign assault. [Separated as we are from tlie coun rles of tbe old world, and in much unaffected by their policy, we are hap pily relieved from the necessity of maintain ing large standing armies in times ol peace. The policy which was adopted by Mr. Mon roe, shortly after the conclusion of the late war with Great Britain, of preserving a regu larly organized staff sufficient for the com mand oi a large military force, should a neces sity for one arise, is founded as well in econ omy as in true wisdom. Brovision is thus made, upon filling up tlie rank and tile, which can readily be done on any emergency, for the introduction of a system of discipline both promptly and efficiently. All that is required m time of peace is to maintain a sufficient number of men to guard our fortifications, to meet any sudden contingency, and to encoun ter the first shock of war. Our chief reliance must he placed on tho niilila. They consti tute the great body of national guards, and, inspired 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, 1 doubt not, at a suita ble time, as one of its highest duties to attend to their complete organization and discipline. The State of the navy pension lurid re quires the immediate attention of Congress. By the operation of the act of the 3d of March 1837, entitled “An act for the more equitable administration of tlie navy pension fund,” that fund has been exhausted. It will he seen from tlie accompanying report of the Com missioner of Pensions that there will be re quired for the payment of navy p listeners, on tiie first of July next, #84,006 061 3, and on the first of January, 1842, tlie sum ot #40,000. In addition to these sums, about #6,000 will | be required to pay arrears of pensions which I will probably be allowed between the first of IJuiy and the first of January 1842, making in | ihe whole #150,006 06 1-3. To meet these I payments there is within the control of the i Department the sum of #28,040, leaving a ! deficit of #121,966 06 1-3. The public faith i requires that immediate provision should be made for the payment ot these sums. In order to introduce into the navy a dcsir : able efficiency, anew system of accountability ; may be found to be indispensably necessary.— I To mature a plan having lor its object tlie ac | coinplishment of an end so important, and to j meet the just expectations of the country, re ! quire more time than has yet been allowed to the I Secretary at the head of the Department.— 1 The hope is indulged that by tlie time oi your ! next regular session measures of importance,* j in connection with this branch of tlie public ! service, may be matured for your considera i lion. A1 though the laws regulating the Post Ol fice Department only require from the officer charged with its direction to report at the usu al annual session of Congress, the postmaster General has presented to me some facts con nected 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 exis ting liabilities of that Department beyond the means of payment at its command cannot be less than five hundred thou sand dollars. As the laws organizing- that branch ot the public service confine the expenditure to its own revenues, deficiencies therein cannot be presented under the usual estimates for the expenses of Government. It must therefore be lett to Congress to determine whether the moneys now due to contractors shall be paid trom the public Treasury,or whether that department shall continue under its present embarrass ments. It will be seen by the report of the Postmaster General that the recent lettings | of contracts in several of the States have been ■ made at such reduced rates of compensation ; as to encourage the belief that if the depart ment was relieved from existing difficulties, its future operations might be conducted without any farther call upon the general Treasury. The power of appointing to office is one oi a character the most delicate and responsible. | The appointing power is evermore exposed Ito be led into error. With anxious solicitude ! to select the most trustworthy for official sta tion. I cannot be supposed to possess a person al knowledge of the qualifications of every i applicant- I deem it therefore proper, in fins jinost public manner, to invite, on tlie part of ‘the Senate, a just scrutiny into the character and pretentions ot every person whom J may bring’ to their notice in the regular form ol a nomination for office. Unless persons every I way trustworthy are employed in the public service, corruption and irregularity will inevi tably- follow. I shall, with the greatest cheer tillness, acquiesce in the decision of that body, and, regarding it as wisely constituted to aid the Executive department in the performance of this delicate duty, I shall look to its ‘‘con sent and advice” as given only in furtherance of the best interests of the country'. 1 shall I also at the earliest proper occasion, invite tin ! attention of Congress to such measures as in J | inv judgment will be best calculated to reg- j ul'ate and control the Executive power iu ref erence to this vitally important subject. I shall also, at the proper season, invite your attention to the'statutory enactments for the suppression of the slave trade, which may require to be rendered more efficient in their provisions. There is reason to believe that the traffic is on the increase. W hether such increase is to be ascribed to the abolition of slave labor in the British possessions in our vicinity, and an attendant diminution in the supply of those articles which enter into the general c n sumption of the world, thereby aug ment ing the demand from other quarters, and thus calling for additional labor, it were need less to inquire. The highest considerations of public honor, as well as the strongest promptings of humanity, require a resort to the most vigorous efforts to suppress the trade. In conclusion 1 beg to invite your particu lar attention to the interests of this District. Nor do I doubt that, in a liberal spirit of leg islation, you will seek to advance its commer cial as well as its local interests. Should Con gress deem it to be its duty to repeal the existing sub-Treasury law, the necessity of providing a suitable place of deposite for the public mon eys which may be required within the Dis trict must be apparent to all. I have felt it to be due to the country to pre sent the foregoing topics to your consideration and reflection. Others, with which it might not seem proper to trouble you at an extraor dinary session* will be laid before you at a fu ture day* I am happy in committing the important affairs of the country into your hands. The tendency of public sentiment, I am pleased to believe, is towards the adop tion, in a spirit of union and of such measures as will fortify the'public interests.— To cherish 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. Nor can all be made satisfied with any system of meas ures. But I flatter myself with the hope that the great body of the people will readily unite in support of those whose efforts 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 property in full security; and, consulting the most rigid economy, to abolish all useless ex penses. JOHN TYLER. Washington, June 1,1811. From tire Richmond Enquirer, June 1. We respectfully recommend .Mr. Bela Bad ger to the scrutiny of tlve Senate'. The late trial of Glentworlh at N. Y. only heightens his fame as the head of pipe-layers. He is the principal chapman in corrupt votes ;• and so largely did he deal in corruption, that as Mr. Stevenson testifies, lie declared to him, that he “ wished he had 25 men from New York— lie could vote them with perfect ease three hundred time's at the coming deletion in Phil adelphia.” Badger also confessed that he did write the famous letters signed George W. Rhawn, and then sent ou the men to N. York called “yarns - ” A correspondent asks us,> if this was the same Badger, who lived in Fred ericksburg in 3, in the profession of a Faro Banker 1 Is it possible for the Senate to confirm such an appointment ] Can those honest, faithful ceiltinels who once objected to two or three of Gen. Jackson’s early nomina tions* now lend their votes in behalf of Mr. Badger 1 New York. —The Legislature adjourned ou Wednesday last. The Democrats pre served their majority in the House to the last. Mr. Root’s instructions to vote for a National Bank,-of course,’ slept the sleep of death on the table of the Senate'.’ The very attempt has distracted and weakened the Whig party. The Democrats have separated in the highest spirits—and they calculate confidently on car rying the State next lull. Tine Albany Argus states, that at an early hoirf on the morning of the adjournment “ the Democratic members of the Legislature assembled in the drawing room of the Assembly Chamber, and adopted an Address to tlie People, a series of resolu tions, and a letter to Mr. Van Buren. These will be published of course in due time. l — Democratic member of both houses, was present, and a high and buoyant spirit pervaded the assemblage. It was as obvious to them as to their friends out of doors, that they separate under circumstances’ auspicious to the restoration of Democratic councils, ar and the political redemption of the State.” Some of the Whig papers say,-that Mr. Van Buren has been invited to run as Governor of New York. We have he’ard nothing’to assure its of such a movement —but if Mr. Van Burett and his Democratic friends are agreed, we are sure that we shall not object to it. The Savannah Georgian of last Thursday contains a table, furnished by Col. Davis, United States Marshal, showing the popula tion of the principal cities in our stale, in 1840. From this table vve have made the following abstract: Savannah, population, 11,214 Augusta, 6,227 Macon, .3,928 Columbus, 9,106 Milledgevillc, 2,095 Darien, 753 Argus, June 9/ Corrcspoiitlfence of iho New York Frial Albany, iVlay 27‘. The address of the Dembcratic members of the Legislature to tbeir constituents is one of great ability, and notwithstanding- its length, will be read with avidity. They have also addressed a letter to Mr. Van Buren, expres sive of their unabated confidence in the wisdom of the principles which he advocated, and the purity of the motives which governed him.— After speaking of tire manner in which he sustained his high responsibilities, and of the [estimate which will hereafter be placed vpon : his course, they say to him that the country ‘lras indeed already evinced such an apprecia tion of his character, in that extraordinary, and in the history of this Government une qualled manifestation of confidence in the Executive discretion, by whtch-the power of this Government, its military and moral streiigt h its treasure and the great issue of peace or war, were placed by the unanimous act of Congress, and at the vofomtarv and urgent proffer of jxilitical opponents, wholly at his disposal. Among a people rightly jealous of a concentration of Executive power, and at a period when peculiar abuses in this respect were the catch-words of political opposition, amidst scenes also of pecuniary revolution and political controversy, unusually fierce and embittered, this was an act of confidence — of universal reliance—of profound repose’ in the integrity, patriotism,-and capacity of the functionary on whom it was aslionorable in itself as it was dangerous as a precedent, and as the surrender by him of this high delegation of authority unused, was in accordance with the genius and spirit of uur institutions; EXCHANGE & BANK NOTE TABLE CORRECTED VV NORTON & LASfIDBK. EXCHANGE. Bills on New York at sight, 15 per cent prom. Bills on Baltimore, 1 * Bills on Richmond, B Bills on Augusta, 14 Bills on Mobile, 6 Bills on Savannah, 14 Bills on'Charleston, 14 Bills on 1 Philadelphia, 14 Specie, 1-1 BANKABLE NOTES. All the Banks in Columbus. Western Bank of Georgia; at Rome, auT Branches at Columbus. Central Bank of Georgia, Ituckersville Banking Cos. Bank of St. Marx’s Georgia R. It. and Banking Company at Athens Ga. ami Branch at Augusta 1 ,• Bank of Haxvkinsville, SPECIE PAYING BANKS.- Insurance Bank of Columbus ut Macon. Commercial Bank at Macon. Bank of State of Georgia and Branches. Bank of Axigusta, Bank of Milledgevillc. Augusta Insurance and Banking Company. Bank of Brunswick and Branch at Augusta. Mechanics’ Bank of x\ugusta. Marine and Fife InStitance Bank of Savannah and Branch at Macon. Pi inters’ Bank in Savannah.- Farmers’ Bank of the Chattahoochee. Oeruulgec Bank at Macon, Alabama Backs, 3 per cent pre Branch of Western Bank of Roino at Columbus 10 perct. prem. Solith Carolina Bank Notes, 10 a I'd prem. Specie paying Bank Notes, 10 per cent premium. UNCURRENT BANK NOTES. Bank of Darien and Branches, 25 per cent discount. Monroe R. R. & B’g Cos. at Macon, 40 obs Life Ins. and Trust Cos. 40 do. Union Bank of Florida, 50 do. Bank of Pensacola, 75 do.’ New Orleans, June 5. Present prices of SUGAR, COTTON, attd WES TERN PRODUCE, compared with those current at the same period last season, iu N. Orleans. Sugar, I.a. ..’ . . lb— 4 i u — ofl — 3a— 4? Cotton, La'& Mi. m— a— 14 j— sja —lls Tobacco lh— 4tf'a— 9sj— 2sa 9jj Flour bbl 420 a-4 25’ 3 a'3 75 Corn ...... bush— 48 a —so j— 38 a’ —4O. Oats bush —4O a —42 SO a —33 Pork, Clear . . . bh’ 13 00 a— —a Pork, Mess . . . bbl 12 00 a 15 55 a 16 00 Pork, Prime ... bbl 875 aO 00 12 50 a Bacon, Hams . . .lb— 6a— 7 Bacon, Sides . . .’b — 6a— 6.1 j— 7ja 8 Bacon, Shoulders . lb— 3 a — 3}! — 6£a — 5 Lard lb— 5 a— 7j— 9*— 10* Whiskey, rec. . .gal— 17 nlB ;26 a—27 Whiskey, com. . gall a 1— —a COLUMBUS PRICES CURRENT. CORRECTED WEEKLY BY HIRAM YOUNtf & CO. 13Aooi>a-‘-Kcrilucky, yd 00 a 28 Indian, : : :’ “ 30 a 35 Inverness, : i 00 a 25 American Tow, i : “ 00 a 00 Bale Rohe, : : s lb’ 12$ and 14 Bacon—Ha s, : : “ 7 a 19 Sides, >’ : “ 07 a 8 Shoulders, i t’ “ 00 a 10 Beef— Mess, : : bbl 00 a 00 Priino, : : : “ 00 a 00 Butter —Goshen, : IE 25 a S7j’ Western, : “ 15 a 20 Candles —Sperm, : “ 50 a 00 Taliow,- ? T : “ 00 a 18 C as vinos, 6 a 7 Creese —Northern, : “ T 2 a 15 Cotton, . : :’ 8J a 10i Coffee —Havana green, “ 00 a 15J Rio, : : : “ t “ 00 a 16 Fish—Mackerel No. 1, bbV 00 a 00 ” “ 2, : “ 00 a 00 “ . “ 3, i <• 00 a 00 Heffings,’ : i box 00 a2 00 Flour—Northern, : bbl .00 a 8 Western, : : : “ 7 00 a 7 50 Country, : : ; “ 6 00 a 7 00 Grain—Corn, : btf 00 and 50 W n eat, : : : : “ 00 a 75 Gunpowder, r i keg 700 aS 00 Hides, Iff 7 a 8 Iron, f : t “ 07 a 8 Laud, : : : : “ 00 a 12 Peas, : :: : hit 00 a 75’ Raisins, j : box 3 00 a 4 00 Lime, :’ :’ cask 00 a 5’ 00 Molasses—N. O. : gas So’ a’ 37 Nails, : t f lb.’ 8 a 9 Pork, —Mess, : : ’ bbl Oo a <0 Prime,’ : : : lh 66 a 00 Rice, : : : : “ (10 a 06 P* Peer, : , : S’ “ 12 a 15 SpiriVs —Brandy,'Cog. gttV 175 a2 50 Peach, : i * 1 00 a 1 25 Apple, s S S “ .00 a 70 Gin—Holland, : s “ T 50 at 1 7a* Domestic, s’s : “ 45 a 50 Rum —Jamaica, s s “ 175 a 2 00 Domestic, : s s “ 00 a 45” Whiskey—lrish, : o*| a 4 00 Monongalia, s’ : *• 87 nr 1’ o 6 New Orleans, : : “ 35 and 40 Sun R—S-Nevv Orleans, lb’ 08 a 10 St. Croix, : s : “ 12 a 13 Loaf, : s s’ “ 18 a 25 Salt, : : : seek 00 a 2 50 Soap, : : lb 8 a 10 Shot, : : s : “ 00 a 12 AN EXAMINATION. examination of the Wynnton Female Acad- JiL emy will be oli Thursday and-'Friday, 10th and 11th June, commencing at Sr o’clock, A.M. The Trustees and patrons of the school are requested to be present. Ail persons interested in Ihe cause of ed-’ ucatioit aru rusjrectfully icquested to alterin'. It. W. 13'. MUNROyPrincipal.’ Wynhton, June S’ If 2t TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Mimedseville, 31 June, 184*1. 1 npo THE Tax collectors of the JL STATE OF GEORGIA :—T deem it my duty lo lay before you', the illird seciion of “ari'act to compel ihe several Banks of this State to redeem their j liabilities in specie, and lo provide for the forfeiture of j tlie charter or charters of such as iliay refuse.” The ‘ section reads as follows: “Sec. 3. And oe it further enacted by the oiltliority aforesa and, That the bits- oi such de'aulting Bank or Bank:, shall not be received in payment of any public due or dues into the Treasury of this State, or Central Bank, except those of the Central Bank of Georgia, which shall be receivable only in payment of Taxes and other die s payable to the State, of Central Bank.” By the provisions of this act, the bills of no Bank or Banks, are receivable in payment of Taxes to the State, bill such as redeem their liabilities “promptly,” in gold and silver, and therefore 1 call your attention to the subject in due time, that you may be prepared to act advisedly, in performing your duty as Collectors. The bills which are now receivable at the Treasu ry',arc those of The Central Bank. The Bank of Augusta. 1 Mechanic’s Bank of Augusta. Augusta insurance arid Banking Company. Bank of ihe Stale of Georgia, and all its branches, except the Branch at Macon. Planters’ Bank at Savannah. Marine Sr Fire Insurance Bonk at. Savannah. Central Rail Road St Banking Company. Brandi of the Georgia Rail Road & Banking Com pany at Augusta. Commeicia! Bark of Macon. Ocmulgee Bar' K at Macon. L surance Lank of Columbus at Macon.’ Bank of Miliedgeviile. Bank of ?jt. Mary’s. Bank r.r Brunswick. Ban,, of Kuckersville. Y estern Bank of Georgia-'. All which, you are authorized to receive for Taxes, so long as they coniinue to conform to the ob igaiious of said act, by a prompt redemption of theii bills in spe cie, arid 11 1 longer ; and you are further notified, that the bills of no Bank or Banks wine hr” do not r!eeni their bills as aforesaid, will be received at tins De partment from the Collectors, in payment of Taxes. Shou and a subsequent suspension takeplatfe with atu of the Banks and oVe enumerated, I shall take the ear lies! means lo apprise you of the fact ; or should any of those now suspended; subsequently resume, it Will also be promptly made known, with'instructions lo re ceive their bills. This Department expects ererv Collector, as well for his own safety, as for the public interest, to conform strictly, to the requirements of the law atxive referred to. T. liAYNES. Tr. June VO IS 2t McDO UG A L D & \V A TSON, ArroEMES AT LAW, Cuiuntuus. Gcoi g:a PRESENTMENTS. Os the Grand Jury of Muscogee county, Aprs! Adjourned Term, 1841. THE Grand Jury ilmsen and sworn on the second uancl, for ibis term of the Court—Report that they have attended to all business thal has coine before them, so far as it became their duty to do, arid ask have to make the following presentments: We present Peter It. Nolan, Nicholas Nelson & Cos. Nath’i. Howell, Thomas Richardson Geo. \N • XV a )’ Garland B. Terfy, Sullivan & Branuan, Jolin Quinn, Jolm M. Johnson, Daniel Johnson, Thomas McCarty, Lewis Livingston, James Dillon, Henry Loudon, Joint’ V\ ard, Joseph R. STorefield, Augustus C. Tiller, Fi Reechei, Elizabeth’Taylor, Aaron Cox, &Cos. David Cox, Bartlett Weeks, agent, John Biazile, Francis A. Wilde mid William Walling, for retailing spirituous liquors m ihe county of Muscogee, and State of Geor gia. without licence, and request that prosecutions bo commenced against them therefor; N. M. C. Robin son and Thomas Rogers, witnesses. And also, w'o present the guardian of Edmtlnd Hill (a free man of colo. Vfor pei mining bun lo retail with outlicenco. W c present the Jailor for pcimitling persons to make Uieir escape from Jail. We respectful y request the honorable the Inferior Court to urge the conitiletion of the nexx J il, as early as practicable: And os they may not liavu observed the leaky condition of the Couit House, x\'e take this opportunity of informing them that xve have observed considerable leakage during our present session. . Wo rtigret td'observe the increase of crime, and itn inora ity in the country and city, anil request the civil authorities to have the laws fully enforced, and espe cially for violatibris of the Sabbath. We would also direct the atteitt.on of the public to'the increasing fre quency of flagrant violations of the public peace, and transgressions of the Laws in the form ol Murders, winch are rife throughout the latid. We would also deprecate the interference of parly spp it to screen the guilty liom present punishment, and the consequential encouragement 10 tike acts on similar occasions, at a future day. We recommend that the offices of the Clerks of the Superior and Inferior Courts be removed to the base ment story of the Court House, for the preservation of the Books and Papers of said offices, in the event of the Court House taking fire. In taking leave of his Honor, Judge Wellborn, we cannot xvithho'd from him our hearty approbation for the able and diligent nunner in which lit has discharg ed his arduous official duties during the present term of the Court, and to the Solicitor General jiro tcm. Col. Wm. R. ShiVers, xve tender our thanks for his official courtesy and attention to this body. We recommend that these presentments be publish-” ed in the eitv papers. JOHN WOOLFOLK, Foreman. Davenport P. Ellis, John G. Mulford, Sherwood C. Lindsay, Daniel Iluft, sr. George Stewart,* Daniel Huff, jr. Peter McLaren, Prior Dozier, Matthew Hall, Win. 1\ Yongo, John C. Young, Jacob Smith, Asa Lynch,’ Jacob Barrow, Peter V. Guerrv, James M. Lyon, Charles McFarian, Geo. C. Sherwood.- Joint J. B. Hoxie. Oil motion of Wih. R. Shivers, Sol. GCn. pro tcm.’ ordereu that the presentments be published. A true copy from the minutes ei the Superibr Court’ of MustSogee county, April adjourned Term. 1841. . A. LEVISON, Clerk. June TO 18 h SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS REWARD fJIHE subscriber, residing in Colurtibus, Georgia, JL lost about ft rtibhlh since, a valuable negro man, forthe apprthertsibn of xxhofit in arty secure jail bo’ that he can get hint', he xx'rtl give twerity-fixie dollars ; and if the said negro tbati has been dedoyed away by any white person, or been furnished Willi free papers, (neither of which is improbable) life’ xYill give, in addi-’ ti'on, fifty dollars, if sufficient evidence ot that fact, bb communicated to him to ensure the conviction of the guilty person'. Said negro is about 28 years of ago. of small stature,’ and named Elijle. He is'believed to have never shav ed', and his appearance, in cohsequdnce, is somewhat sin<rnlar, the hair being long on his upfh flip. When spokan tb, EO almost invariably puts bis finger to th side of his head, and scratches Life hair, and his speedh is accompanied by a slight Resitancy. He has tha murks ol d’ gun shot, just above the ktiee, in the right thigh, it is thoughi; the Ixdne xvas fractured, and fht wound' is’still visible. The negro, when hb said anr thing about running away, which he occasional-’ lv did, mentioned Tennessee as the direction of his flight. SAMUEL BOYKIN. CohimbuSjGa. June 10 18 if dissolution! THE partnership heretofore exislitig in the natino of Whitesides & Wilifer for running a Stage Lute between Columbus, Ga. and Chattahoochee, Fla. xvas dissolved bymlitual consent, oh the first iristant.— ( All the unfinished business of the cOticarn xvill be closid by John WhitcsiUes, or Ins authorised agent. WHI : TESfDES:& WILDER, June It) 18 3t HEAD QUARTERS, lOth Div. G. Mv Columbus, May 24', 1841 1 . Division orders. —in pursuance of ttio General Orders of the Commander-ih-Chief, the folloxving’ xvill be the order for the Annual Review and’ Inspection of the 70th Division, In the county of Talbot, on’thu 28, 2D, and 30 June ndxt. Macon, 3 July Marion, s’, 6 do Sumter,’ 7, 8 do’ Stewart,’ 9, 10, do Muscogee,’ 12, 13’ do Harris, 14, 15’ do’ , The Field Sin.lt* Company, arid’ nrin-commiksibiied’ officers, will b’e assembled on'the first named day, irt‘ ’ each cohnty, for the purpose of Drill ; and the Hegib’ | ments entire, xvill be assembled on the succeedirig day if for Kcfiew arid Inspection, in conformity xvitji the’ law. By order of DANTEL V’cDOUG ALD, Major Genefal, 10th Divisiori, G, M 1 . 1 .. , BENJAMIN HENRY, June 3 T 7 4t Division Irispeclor'v GENERAL ORDERS. Head Quarters, Ist Brigade, 3th Division, G, M. Franklin, 20th May, Hf4l. THE foil, wihg will he the order of KeVifiw and Inspection sot life First Brigade, Nittflt Divis ion, G. M. viz ; In ttie county of Heard, on Moriday dntl Tuesday the sth arid 6th of July riext. In the county of Troup, on Wednesday and Thurs day the 7ih and Bth of July next. In the county of Meriwether, on Friday and Sat urday thefDth and 10th of July next'. The Field, Staff, Coitipariy arid non-Comntissioned Officers, of each county, xvill be assembled on the fit st named day, for the purpose of a Drill, and on the suc ceeding day, the regirritents entire will he assembled’ for the purpose of exercise, review and inspection, iip. terms of I lie law. By order of Brig. G’Cri. L: H. Foatherston. , J. T. SMITH. Aid-de.camp. May 27 16 1J GREAT SALE OF A V A LAC HICOLA PROPERTY. ON the Second Monday n July next, wilt be sold in’tllb City ofColumbus, alt ihe property of'tha Franklin Land and Apalachicola Lot Company, con sisting of bOO feet of xvharfs ip. front o( Blocks C and O. 56 lots improved arid unimproved iutbe Ctly of Ap alachicola. 5p acres adjoining said town. acres within three miles of said-town: Terms made known by the- Trustees on the day of sale xvhieh will be wilhotsS jeserve. Jt C. WATSON, IJt. PJIeDOUGAL, J.S. CALHOUN, B. HEI’BL’RN, May 13 14 td 1 Trustees. LOST ft DUE B.LL for one hundred dollars, g'ren fcy irx Lewis Livingston to Allen G. Bass, dated Stir r -r 6th of June. The subscriber notifies the public not* ta trade f<>t ibis due bill, as it has been settled. June 10 18 It A. G. BASS. WINDOW BEIND AND SASII FAC TORY Anti House and Sign Painting. THE undersigned has taken a shop on Rando'jVv street, betwen the Post (. ffice and Davies’ cou rier, where he intends keeping constantly on hand any quantity of window sash, and blmdr of all descrip tions arid of superior workmanship, made under his own direction. lie is also prepared to make to order at short notice any sizes or quality of these articles, which, may not be on hand. House, Sign and Fancy Painting-, attended to a usual. The public are respectfully invited to give me ft cal when any work in mv line is needed, and 1< will try to please them in quality and prices. I will sell Sash at the following prices; Sash 12 by 14—primed aud glazed. 40 cts. per light, do Ift by 12 do do 30 do do do 8 bv lo do do 20 do d-j do 7 by ft do do 15 do do MOSES GARRETT. -February 23- 3 ts TO BRICK MASONS AND CARPEN TERS. SEALED proposals will he received by the Cleric of the Inferior Court of Heard county, for the dins of a cr*srt house ill the town of ifr&skltf), Heard county, until the first Mondaw in June Dell. Bids ta be for three sizes, viz : one 40 by 50 feet, oue 30hv 50, the other 40 feet square, a hid for each ; the halt .and court room below, finished ; also a bid for each finished complete, after the style of the court house in LaGrange or Newnnn. For further particulars plv at the Inferior Clerk’s Office. Hy order of the In*, furier Court. B. BLEDSOE, c i. April 22 11 Ul