Newspaper Page Text
till.
4hovn
•nle Umern-
A'VW,
‘rlHIrrl.
iF.H' 18,18411.'
M ...
. Annum ( l\iriHnmiths,W
■ Annum ; for It Wi
*M>VANtK.|
'syrra/ 1 1* both Pnjttri,
ami ) t ull-*trorti<, over
Stare*
Me«sauk
prom il«i Prasidohinf tho United Flute* t«» the
loo House* of CnligioM. nt lint commence,
troutt «f tim t*«cuml Session «r the Twenty*
Mill Congress.
t'filoK-rilhrun qf the Smate
and I ton# of Hrpmcvtntice*•*
•' Omrtfovtml smtitude U ttuu to'the'Supreme
- JlfltfH for ItavTug graciously cuniiiiim1*to mu
country, through tint visslttidca nl'nnotlnmyeiirj
'* • invaluable blessing* nfkenlth, plenty am).
•h,—Seldom Iins thin favored Kind by on so.
jmucrnlly wxctmwd ifami Um ravaeea ofdi*oa*»c» ’
ortho labor ofthe liuabtiiiduinu tnoro nmply re
warded; mill nevorbefore hnvo our relations with
other eminiric* been placed on u more favorable
|in«i* linn that w liicli limy an happily occupy at
n Vu* cr'uiodaotyrtHOlmo in titoaffninoftiw world.
A rlgul aiubponMiVeniiK nbstinenco from till Inter*
fere lire with Iho domestic and political rotation*
of oilier ritntos. alike dm; to tho genius and dis
tinctive rbnmefer iff our Government, nud to the
principles hv wliich ilia directed; a faithful oh*
aarvnucu, ill tiflufyAuatometit’ of onr foreign re*
Intioiia, of tho practice of speaking plainly, deal
ing jn*Uy, and Venturing truth and justice in re-
turn, ns the bust onrervntivc* of the peace of na-
' lions,'a strict iinpnrtialiiy in our mauifosbitioiis
of friendship. in the commercial privileges we
restcede, and Untie we require from others i these,
. accompanied by n disposition as,prompt t<» main
tain. in every emergency, our own right*, ns wo
arc from principles uvorsotu tlm invasion of those
ofotheirs, have given pin'ccnuntjv and Govern-
incut n standing itt-lbe groat fhiM{ly of nations of.
ahidiwo liavoiuKt uwwoao tio,^<ennil. mid tho
advantage* of which are* njprrieticudfoy ouroiti?
r.«ns ilirnitgltmit every portion nf-iho earth
** which their uitterpririug atid ndyttntawitis spirit
may carry them. Fuw. if any. remain insensi
ble to tUcsudiiftofuftur friendship, or ignorant of
the term* on which it may be acquired, and by
which it cuu alone be preserved.
A ser ies of quertions of long standing .difficult in
their adjustment, and important in their rouse*
ntieiicps, lu wbicli Um rights of our citizens and
the honour of die country were deeply involved.
" have.in the course of a few years, (the most of
them during the successful mlministnuion of my
iiuinediato predecessor.) been brought to a sat*
iffactory conclusion;.nud the must minnrtaul of
those remaining are, I am layijiy to believe, inn
fair way ofbeiug speedily aud-satisfactorily ad
justed.
With nlillie Powers ofthe world our relations
aratlinse of hiinorable.peace. Sitice.yonr mljour-
. uienl, nothing serious has occurred to interrupt
> or threaten this desirable harmony. -If»e|«ud*
liowcred above the other hemisphere, they
ot cast their proteiltoii* shadows open 01
upon tho Ion
not yet been mi’
uieiits into whir'
Tho rhargo «r<
ail the Uthmtiati of Ids ti<vi eminent hollo pi
long tho treat v of IfaWiHt will cease to- be obliga-
lory upon«l(fier party nri’tho HMi deyiff Decent*
her, loll, when the attentive commercial Inter*
course between the United .Slate* and that vast
empiif will no longer be regulated "by express
stipulations.
It affords mo plmwirn to coinintnthinte to you
that tho (lot ermnent nf Chili hna v-ntored into nn
agreement to imluiuniiy tin* vlnimnutM tit thn case
of the Macedonian, for American property s*iz-
od In IdUM and lo add; Hint infurmatioiehas also
been received w hich justifies tho hope of an ear*
ly adjustment or tho remaining claims upon Unit
< in veriiirthwt.
•Tho comiMiss’oner* appolntcddu nwnunnee of
thrtcouvoutiou between thu Halted Slates mid
Texas, forumkiiig tho boundary between them,
have, according to Uw« last report raccivc.d from
onr commissioners, surveyed and established the
wliolo extent of tho boundary north along thu
western hank of the-Biibiuo river, from it* ett-
trmico into the Gulfonf Mexico to ^ tho thirty-
second degree of north latitude. Thu column-
(Hiiusr.djmirned on tlm 10th of June last, to reus*
«nttdtle mi the 1st of November, f»r the purposo
of establishing accurately tho interjection ot tho
tliirty-secoud degree nf latitude with the western
hunk oftlm Bubble, and the meridian line thence
to Red river. It is presumed that the work will
.be concluded in thu present season.
Tim present sound condition of their finances,
and tlto success with which cinbarrassmoui* in
te.gurd to them, at times apparently insurmount
able, have been overcome, are matters upon
which the penphnmd Government oftlm United
Stat**s may well congratulate themselves. An
overflow ing Treasury, however it may ho regnr-
dud as an evidence of public prosperity, sel
dom conducive to the puruiuiieiit welfare of any
pi-ople; mill experionco has dciuonstrnicd its in*
compatilalitv w ith the salwury action of politicnl
iiistiiutiotw like those of the United States. Our
«afc»t reliance for filiaiieiul ellicieney and inde-
pendencc has on the coutniry, been found to cou
sin in ample resource* unencumbered with debt;
and in this respect, the Federal Government oc-
nupies a singiilaily fortunate tiud truly enviah.e
position.
When-1 witereiHipon thn di#shnrge of my of-
frci;»l datieft in March, 1£17, the net tor the distri
bution-fcf the. surplus rcveuue w as in a course of
rapid execution. Nearly twenty.wight millions
of dollars til*the ptthlic monies were, in pursu
ance of its provisions, deposited*Vnidr the Stntw
in thn months of January, April and July, of that
year. In May there occurred a general suspen
sion of specie payment hy the banks, including
with very few exceptions, those-in which the
public moneys were deposited, etui upon whoso
fidelity the Government had unfortunately made
iLselfdepiuideul fur the revenues which had been
collected from the People, mid were indispensa-
bio to the public service. This sofpNiwm. and
the * xcessea in banking uml • commerce onl- ot
which it arose, end* winch were greatly aggrava
ted by its occurrence, made to a great extent,un
available the principal part of tho public money
then on hand; suspended the collection of many
minimis accruing on our merchants’ bauds; mid
gre.itly reduced the revenue unsiug from cus
toms and tin; public lands. These eficcts have
continued to operate, ill various degrees, to the
iving tixproxs* cants for appropriations Ibr works
tl hot to pro* the uccoutmodull
FT*
cntjl
hi thn ri-o and TsINf
selfish Importunities* o
t uwnt nir.vbui
ars.who
happy shores, tfuuud hy no entangling allian
ces, yut Imkcd hv a cniiuiinn uatnre and Mil wrest
vvitiitlie (Uber.uqtious nfiiiankimlMHir aspiration*
nre for Utegtraservutiuit of pence,in vvltovo wdid
and civilizing triumphs all may participate with a
generous emulation. Vet it behooves ns to lu
present period; mid, in addition to the decrease in,
prepared fur any event, and to he nlwnysrendy
imtiiiinin tliose jiutnnd enlightened principles
national intercourse for which this Gov ermnent
ha* ever.contnndrd. lit the shuck nfcoiiUmrijti^
empires, vt i* only hy assuming a resolute tmuriug
and clothing themselves with delimsivn Minor,
that nentrnbtnaioiis can muiiitaiu their indepen
dent right*.
The exnitrincut which grew nut of the territo
rial controversy between the United estate* and
Great Britain having in n great men sura subsi
ded, it is hoped that n iiivnmhle period is np-
jiroarliiag for iu-fiuul soUlemrut. Roth Govern
ments nuist law bo oanvinced of Urn dangers
with which tliiv/pmstion is fraught; mid it must
he their denive, hs it is tlieir iumrest, tlmtthU per*
petital cause of irritaiioii should he removed a*
speedily am practicable, lu my last nunnal mes
sage you were in tin med dial die propo-iiiou for
a couini'usion of exploration uud survey promiv-
ed by. Great llritain has been received, ibid that
licnmiter project, mclmling nUn a provision for
tie curtain and Jimd adjusluient of the limits of
dispute, was then before.tho British Government
**• The answer of dint Govern-
'additional propositions of
* *l« r «"'Sb * u niiuister here,
since your separation. These were promptly con-
Vred; swetr as were d*o »«d correct in prinri-
s. and .consistent with u duo regard to die just
;hts of tho United .Btatw and of tho State of
laiiie.eoncurrad in; and tlierensmisferdisaeu-
t’ug from the residuu, vvidi an additional sug
gestion tut out part,cuumuuucnted by the Secre
tary of State to Mr. Fox. That Minister, not
feeling himselfsofiiRieiiUyrtiistriicleil ii|hiii some
ofthe petal* raised lit tho discussion, felt it lobe
his duty to refer the matter lo his own Govern
ment for fejklwrther decision. Having wow been
fur some tkuo under its advisement, n speedy
nnavvor m ivtlie eotifidcutly expected. From the
clmracicr of the points still in dificrence, and the
tin luiihteiltSispositiuit nfhodi parties to bring the
matter to aw uarly conclusion, 1 look until entire
confidence to a prompt aud-xatisfucinry tertniun-
tcoii hT the nogociiilioii. 'i’ltrue cotuuuisioiicrs
were appokttttd shortly nfier the ndjimrnmcut of
Congress, under die act of die las* session provi
ding for the exploration nod survey of die lino
whicH separates die States of Maine and Now
Hampshire from tho British Provinces; they have
been actively awnployed until their progress was
interrupted hy the inclemency of dm season, and
wilt re*utiin tlieir labors as soon as practicable m
lire ensuing year.
It is understood that thaVrrespective cxainitm-
turns will uunwtievv light t*pm» the subject in
coulioversy and serve to remove any erroneous
impressions which may .have been" made els,*,
where prejudicial to the right* of the U. Suites.
It was. among other rjasan*. with u view of pre
venting the embarrassment* which, in unr pecu
liar system of government,4tiip«du and compli-
cate naguciations involving die. territorial rights
' i Btatc, tlvnt \ thnnghl U tny d»ty, ns you Imv v.
ii informed on a previous occasion, in pro-
o to die British Governnieiu, tlirongii iis min-
•nt Washington, that early steps should lie
.jit to .adjust tho points of.liit'r rence-nn the linn
f boundary from tnc ctitniuce of Lnlto Superior
to dm most uortliwestern point pf die Lalte ofthe
Woods, by die nrhi'ration of a friendly Power,
ill conformity with the seventh article of llie trea
ty of Ghent. No answer has yet been returned
by tint Hritidi Government to (bis proposition.
Wltli Austria, France. Prussia, Russia and Um
remaining powers of Ktirope, I um ii.ippylo in
form you our rnlatioiiH fuiiUiiim to he of die most
friendly character. With Belgium, a treaty of)
coiniii'Tce and iiuvigutimi. based upon liberur
principles of reprocity and equality, was conclud
ed iu March Iasi, and having been ratified hy die
Belgian Government, will he duly laid before the
Seinta. It ia a subject uf coiigrutnlatiun that it
(provide* fur tlm satisfactory adjustment of a long
sumliwgquestion ofcntitrovcMy; thus removing
lUiu pul/ obstacle which could obstruct die friend-
|Iy and mutually advautageims juiercourso lm-
it wee tl llie two nations. A messenger lias been
iitaspntclied with the Hanoverian treaty to Her*
liio. where, according to stipulation, die ruliiicu-
■tions nre to bo.oKhouged. r I am happy to tin-
'" ■ ‘"M to you tint, after many delays und ditUcul-
a treaty of commerce mid huvigatioii, be-
a tlm United Stall's and Portugal, wascotij
if amt signed iitiLisbnn.ou Uio -Hlthuf An-
hy die IMmiipotennVies of the two
Is# .Its4lipit|aliousme founded upon
^V-of imittinl liberality and iidviiu*
WuiUnl 8titles have always sought
i he ris-of Uo'ir intercom so with for*
;, uni it u hoped diey will tend to
il strengthen dm commercial intercourse
o countries.
jtropifiutipu of the last session of-
gnu has Iwen um to (ierntnny fin
promoting dm interim of mtr to*
aglonew appointed iitjder. dm con-
ie ndjqsliiiHUt of claim* of citizens
“exlciv having »w>| and
Vngnst lest, the pa-
Government, re la-
wore communicated to die
tub/aced hy thft wmeiu
it of negotiation between
dirowgh thfc medium of
,Ho disturb tho haruimiy
itlui '(Jilfereut Goveriinietii*
* ji'grehjltovvi'r’cr, to he
the reveiitte tbun produced, two ami n half mil
lions of duties have been relinquished by two bi
ennial reductions under the uctof ItKl’J, mid pro
bably ns much more under the importation of
iron for railroad*, hy special legislation.
Whii-t such hits been our condition for the
Inst four )ear* iu relation to revenue, weliave,
during llie same period, been subjected to un un
avoidable cnuiimiance of targe Extraordinary ex
pense* necessarily growing mil of past tniUMc-
lions, and which* nouhl lint he immediately ar
rested without great .prejudice to the public-in
terest. Of these, dm charge upon the Treasury,
in c.ontequencM-ef Ute -Gtierokne treaty ulnae,
without adverting mothers arising out of Indian
treaties, hu* already execeded five millions ofdu|.
lars; that fur die piosecution nf measure* fnr-the
removal of die cteiuinole Indian*, which were
found ill progress, has bemi nearly fourteeu mil*
lions; i-iiu the public buildings have required the
tinurimt sum nfnrarly three millions.
It ntlords me, however, great pleasure to be
able to say, that, Irani the commencement*of this
period to the present day. everv demand upon
the Government, at home <n abroad. Juts be»-n
promptly met. This ha* heeii dona,-not only
witbont creating * permanent debt, or a resort to
additional taxation iu any form, but ill thu midst
nf n steadily progressive reduction of existing
burdens opuu tho IVqpJc, leaving etiil a consid
erable balance nf available funds which will re
main in the TretwuryutUw end of the year. The
small amount ofTreasnry notes, not exceeding
four and n half millions nf dollars, still nukcatid
ing, and less by twenty-three million* than the U.
Sute* have ill deposite wilh the States, is'POin-
posed ofsucli only a* are uutyet due. nr have not
iieell piescuted for;payiiieut. They may ho re
deemed out of the accruing revenue, if the ex
penditures do mU exceed the amount xy ithin
which 1I117 may, it -is thought, he kept without
prejudice to thu public interest, and tho rc-cnue
shall prove to'be as largo u* may justly ho antici
pated.
Among thoTPftectiotw arising front the eonienj-
Illation oflliesccircnnouanccs, one, not dm least
gratifying, i* the consciousness tlmt die Govern
ment had die resolution and ability to adhere, iu
every eiuergf ncy. to the sacred obligation* of
law; to execute ull k* contracts according to the
requirements of die constitution, mid thus to pre
sent, vvheii most needed, a-rallying point, by
which the business of the whole country anight
he brought hack to a safe mid unvarying Stand
ard—a result vitally important II* well to the in
terest* ii* to the uionds of the people. There can
surely now lie no dilii*reiice of opinion in regaid
to tho incalculable m il* that would linvn 11:1*1:11
if thu Government, nt-dint critical moment, had
*1 life red itself to-be deterred from upholding the
only true standard of a-olite, either by ilm.pres-
sure ofndverse circumstance* or the violence nl
unmerited demvumtkut- Tlm manner in which
the people sustained the performance oftlii* duty
was highly fmtiorahl-a-t» their fortitude and pat
riotism. ItcnuuotJaU lo stimulate their agents
loadnere, tinder all circumstance.*, to dm line
ufduty; atid to satisfy them of tho safely with
which a course really right, and demanded bv a
financial crisis, may, in n community like ours,
he pursued however apparently ■severe its im
mediate operation.
The policy oftlm Federal Government, in ex
tinguishing as rapidly, as possible the luilinucl
debt, and subsequently in resisting every tempta
tion to create n new'one, deserve* to bb regarded
in the mine favorable light. Amodg the ninny
objection* to a -nalioual debt. |tlie certuiu
tendency of public securities to c<mcon->
rate ultimately 111 tho colfcrs of foreign stock
holder* is vote which »* every day gather-'
ills' strength. Already have tlw resources
of many oftlm riinii-* nod thn future indus
try nf llmir citizens been indefinitely mortgaged,
to the subject* of European Govi-rnments to the
umount ofivvelve redUmw uuuuully to jmy the
conslflutly uccruing interest oil burrowed money
—a sum exceeding half the ordinary revenue*
ofthe whole United Stite*. Thu pretext which
this relation tdfiud* to foreigmus to scrutinize
the management of nor domestic nfiairs, if not
actually to intermeddle vv ith tlmiu, present* a
subject for earnest attention, not tuxayofaerious
ahum. Fortimntety um Federal Government,
vvttn Um exception nf nil obligation entered into
in Imhalfofthe Didrict of(’oluinbin, which nui*t
soon he discharged, is wholly exempt from any
such embarrassment. It i* also, u* i* believed,
dm only Government which, having fully mid
faithfully paid nil its creditors, Im* ,nl*o 'relieved
itself entirely from debt. To tnaintuiu u distinc
tion *11 desirable, and *0 Immirable to onr nation
al character, should bean object of earliest so
Ueitudo.
Never should n free pec-pie, If it lie poraibla to
avoid it, expose tlnm«c|ve« fo the necessity of
having to treat ofthe peace, tho honor, or die safe
ty of die Republic, with UieGovvriuneiit* of for
eign creditor*. who, however well disposed they
may he lo cultivate with 11* ill general friendly
relation*, are nevertheless, by the law of llmir
own oouditioh, made hostile to the success um)
S erumneocy of political iiiMtitutioii* like oura.—
lo-r humiliating may Im dio euihurrasMiient*
couseqiietiLupoii such n condition. Another ob
jection, ueucrjJy Jess formidable, to the com
mencement of" a new debt, it it* inevitable ten
dency to increase in magnitude, and to foifrr
national wciravagnnco. fie has been nn unprofi
table observer nf went* who need* at thin on,
ie iHuiotiislied of the ditficnllissH which a Goft
item, hahitnnlly dependent un loans to
itsonliiinry expeiulintrcR, Im* to eucoiHiter iff re-
iixyng dm infliifincescon*tatiily exerted III,favor
of iuidition.il loans; hy capitalists, who enrich
llippisfllvcs hy Goveranieptwcarjties for antqj"
much exceeding live money they ocltwlly ad'
Public
Um of tho Public, hut tho ienl
chjecti ofwhichnre, too Requcntly, tho advance
ment of private interests. Tlm known necessity
which so many oftlm States will houuilerto hu*
pose taxes Ihs'the pay mentof tint Interest nn tlieir
debts, fitrnishes an additional and vary coiant
reason why tlm-Federal Government should re*
fritin IVotn creating a national debt, by which llie
People would be exposed to double tnXttVinn'fot
a similar object. We posses* within ourselves
ninpln rosnurstm 'for ovary emergency» and we
in iy Im quite sure that our citizens, in no future
exigency, will he .unwilling t«» supply tlm Gov*
ernment with ail the tnwntta asked tor the defetten
of the country. In’tlme of neuce there cao, at all
events, Im nn justification for thu creation «ftt
mminiiniit debt hy-the Federal Government. Its
limited rnugo of cnn«tittttiniin) duties may Ctrl
uiuty.vmdur such ctrcmusUvncus, he performed
vvidmutsuch a resort. It has, it is seen, Imett
nvnided during four-year* of greater fiscaldilli;
cullies than have existadin a similar period since
the adoption uf the Constitution, and mm also
remarkable fur the- occurrence of extraordinary
causes ufexpendituies.
But, to accomplish so desirable an object, two
things nre indispensable: first, that the notion of.
the Federal Goverinnrttt he kept within the
hnuudurms prescribed hy its founders; and,sec
ondly, that ull uppropriufinn* for objects admit
ted lobe conslilulinunl, and thu expenditure of
them nKo, he subjected to n standard of rigid hot
well-considered And prstticnl economy. Tho
first depend* chiotly* On the People themselves,
tho npitiioiM they torm of the true construction
nf dm Constitution, aud the confidence they re
pose itt tho politicnl sentiments of those they sc- (
iect us tlieir representatives in tho Federal I.egis-
l.itute; the second rests upon tint fidelity with
wliich their more inMiiediutorepresentatives, nud
other public fimcHon-iries. discharge the trust'
enumutted to them. The duty nf eeounmizing
the expenses ofthe public service Uuduuttedou
all hamls; vet there are few subject* upon which
then' exist* a wider difference of opinion than is
constantly manifested ill regard to the fidelity with
winch that duty is discharged. Neither diversity
of sentiment, unr cteii mutual recriminations,
upona point iu respect to 1 which tho public mind
i* *n justly sensitive, can well be entirely avoid-
ed; aud least *0 nt period*-of great pniiticil ex
citement. An intelligent People, however, seh
dotn fail to arrive, iu the end. nt correct conclu
sion* in such a matter, ri’mcticol economy in tho
management of public nffatr* ennhavo no advene
iuHueiii:e tocouteud with more powerful than n
large surplus revenue; and the-unusually large
uppropriniiou* for lt#7 may, without doubt, in
dependently ofthe cxUnurduiury.requisitions for
the public set vice, growing out of the state of our
Indian relations, be, in no inconsiderable degree,
traced to this source. Thu sudden nud rapid dis
tribution ofthe large surplus then tn the Treasu
ry, nud the equally sudden and unprecedentedly
severe rev uUiott m the‘commerce and business
ol the country, pointing with unerring certainty
to u great ami protracted reduction of tho-reve-
tme, strengthened the propriety of thu dorlist
practicable reduction of the public-ExpenditUre*
But to change a system operating npdnsnlargi
surface, mid applicable to such numerous and
diversified interest* and object*, vvn* mow than
tho work of a day. The attention of •‘very de
partment ofthe ’Government was immediately,
and ill good fiiilli, directed to tlmt end, nud has
been so continued fo the present moment. The
estimates mid appropriations for the year, iHJfci
(dm fir*t-()\er which I hud any con rol) were
semen hiu diminished. The expenditures ofiSdO
were reduced six million* of dollars. Those uf
lcS40, exclusive of disbursements for ptthlic debt
mid trust claims, vvill.probubly not exceed tvveu-
ty-iwn ami u half luilliom: being between two
n'tid three millions less Ibnu those ofthe preced*
inc year, and nine or tcn-ynillvoiw lets titan tinvse
ofl’eUT. Nor has it been found necessary, in or
der to produce this result. Rxreswrt to the power
conferred hy Congress,-of postponing certain
classes ol the public works, except by deferring
expenditure* lor a short period upon u'limited
portion of them; am. which posi pone meat ter
minated sumo time since, at the 1110100111.the
Treasury Department, by further receipt* from
the indented banks, became fully nssured-ofits'
ability to meet them without-prejudice to die
public service in other respect*. Cutises tire in)
operation which will, it i* believed, justify a still
further reduction! without injury to any impor
tant national interest. Tlm expenses uf sustain
ing dm lumps employed in -Fluridu have been
gradually and greatly reduced, through the perse
vering efforts of the SVnr,Department-: and a rea
sonable hone limy be entertained that the necessi
ty for military operation* iu that quai ter will soon
cense. Tlm removal ofthe Indians from within
our settled holders is nearly completed. The
pension list. 01m ofthe heaviest charges 11 poll the
Treasury, i* rapidly diminishing hy death. The
most costly of our public-buildings are cither fin-
idled,or nearly so; mid we tuny, I think, safely
irouiise-ourse’lves a columned exemption from;
innler difficulties.
Tlm available balance in tlm Treasury on the
1st nf Jammy next i* estimated ntonemilbun and
u half01* dollars. This sum, with tho expected
receipts from nil sources during the next year,
will, it is believed, he sufficient to enable the
Government to meet every engagement, and
Wave a suitable balance vvi Um Treasury allhe end
ofthe year, if the remedial measures cofifiected
with the ciistomsaud the public lauds, heretofore
recoumtiided, shall he adopted, and the new ap
propriations hy Goiigrcs* shall not carry the ex
penditures beyond the official estimates
The new system established by Congress for the
safe-keeping uf the public money, prescribing
the kind of-currettcy to he received lor llie public
revenue, um! providiugaddilioiml guards and se
curities against losses, lias now been several
mouths in operation. Although it might lie pre-
mature, upon an experience ot such limited dura
tion. to form il delimit! opinion in regard lo the
extent «f-il* influence* iu correcting many evils
under which the Federal Government and the'
coiintry-liitve hitherto snfiered^-espccially those,
that have grown out of hanking expansion*, u
depredated currency, and official defalcation*;
yet it is hut right to say dial nothing has occurred
111 the practical operation of die system to weaken
in the slightest degree, but much to strengthen,'
thu confident anticipation* of it* friend*. The
grevuwis ot these have been heretofore t-o fully
explained 11* to require tin recapitulation. In re
spect to the facility and convenience it a fiords in
cumliTctiiig the public service, and the ability of
the Government to discltaige through itsugeiicy
evety duty attendant 011 the. collection, transfer,
nnddobursomeiitoftiie public motley vvi'.liproinp-
titude and success, I cuu say, with cniilideuco,
thut tho apprehensions of those who lett it to be
their duty to oppose its adoption have, proved to
be unfounded. On die contrary, this branch of
the fiscal affairs ofthe Government bus been, and
disbelieved may always be, finis-carried oil with
every desirable facility imd.rw.urity. A few
changes und improvement* ill the details of the
system, without affecting aqy principles involved
in it, will bn submitted ro von by the Secretary
of the Treasury, inui will, lain sure, receive at
your bund*that uUettftou to which they may,on
examination, be found to bn entitled.
I have deemed this brief summary of our fiscal
nfiairs necessary to the due performance of 11
duty especially enjoined upon me hy the Comfi
fit turn. It will serve, also, to illustrate mote fully
die principles hy vvhirfi 1 have been guided in
reference to two contested point* in our public
point* in our public
policy, ■which were emliest in thcirdnvnloptiieut,
und liuve been more important iu their conse
quences, than any diut Irnvu arisen under our
complicated and difficult, yet admirable system
of government: I allude to a national debt and a
national bank. It was in these that the political
contests by which the country has been agitated
over since the adoption of dm Constitution; in o
great measure originated; and there is too much
reason tonppreliciid that the conflicting interests
and opposing principles thus marshalled will con
tinue, ns heretofore, to produce similar, if not ag-
grav uted. consequence*.
Coming into office tho declared enemy ofhotli,
I have earnestly endeavored lo prevent a resort
lo either.
The consideration that a large public debt af
fords an apology, and produces, iu some degree,
a necessity, ubo, for resorting to u system and
extent of taxation which is not only oppressive
throughout, hut likewise so apt lo lead, in die
end, to die commission uf that most odious of all
olfence* ugniust din principles nf republican gov-
ernment—the prostitution of political prtwor,
conferred for tlm general benefit, to tlm aggran
dizement of particular clusses, and thu gratifica
tion of individual cupidity—-is nloucsufficient, in
dependently oftlm weighty objections wliich nave
nlreudy been urged, to render its creation nnd ex
istence die sources of bitter and uiiappea*-
able discord. If we add lo this its inevitable
r .. wa
refi-r to fiie cxamplet'iff ovory GoU’rnmont
which hits existed for proof, how seldom it * that
thn system, \v}iqn nnco adoptedBtfi implanted
iu tint.policy ore country, iins foiled to expand
itself, until public credit was exhausted, and tho
ample wore tm longer able to endure its increes*
ug weight, it seems impossible to resist dm con
clusion,'that no benefits resulting from its career,
tin extent of conquest, no accession of wealth to
particular classes, nor any, nor nil III combined
advantage*, can counterbalance its ultimata lint
certain results—u splendid Government, und un
inumvorUlutd People. ....
if a national hank vvus,nsi« uiuleniobIe,repudInl»
ed by thn Atntmrs ofthe Constitution n* inemn-
■patihle with the right* oftlm State* nnd the liber*
tm* ofthe Focple; if, Itom the 'beginning, it has
henu regarded by large portion* of our cUtzeus
ns coming in direct collision with tlmt groat and
vital amendment of thu Constitution which do*
dares that all powers not conferred hy thntinstrn-
menton the Gotmrul Governmentl»r« reserved to
tho States and to the IVopIe; if it has boon viewed
by them nn tho first great step iu tho march of
Utitudiitoiis construction, which, unchecked,
would render that sacred instrument of ns little
value ns un unwritten cnnslitullftt), dependent,
as it would alone he, lor it* meaning, un the in
terested interpretation of a dominant; party, and
nfiording no security to the rights oftlm minority;
if such is undeniably tho case, Who! rational
around* could have been conceived for nntic.ipa*
ting ought but determined opposition to snch an
institution at the present day)
Could a different result have been expected,
when the consequence* which have flowed lYam
its creation and pardcnlarly front Its struggles to
■perpetuate it* existence, had confirmed, in so stri
king a manner, the apprehension* of it** earliest
opponents; when it bad been so clearly demon
strated that a concentrated money power, wield
ing so vastn capital, and combining such incalcu
lable mean* of influenco, may, in those peculiar
coujiiucfmusto which this Government i* mm-
voiduhlyexposed, prove an overmatch Ibr the po
litical now er uf the People themselves; when tlm
.true elmniotor of its capacity to regulate, accor
ding to its will aud its interacts, nnd the interest*
of it* favorites, the value nnd.production of the
labor and prupert)*of every man in this extend
ed country, Im* been so fully nbd fearfully devel
oped ; when it was notorious that all classes nf
this grant community hud, by means uf the povv*
cr and influence it thus possesses, been infected
to madness with u spirit ufhurdlc** speculation;
when it had been swell that, secure in the support
ofthe condonation of influences hy which it was
surrounded, it could violate its charter, and set-
the lawsut defiance with impunity; aud when,
too, it had become most uppercut thut to holmvc
that such nil accumulation of powers can over hu
grunted Without Um certainty uf being abused,'
was to indulge in ti fatal delusion.
To avoid the ueceasityofa permanent debt and
it* inevitable consequences, 1 have advocated,'
aud endeavored to curry into oliect, the policy of)
confining the appropriations for the.public sera
vice to siicli object* only ns are clearly within the
constitutional uuthori:y of the Federal Govern^
incut; of excluding from it* expenses those im
provident and unauthorized grants of public mo-'
tvey for work* of internal improvement, which
were so widely arrest# J hy the constitutional inter
position ofmytpredeccssor.niid which, if they had'
not been so chocked, would long before Ibis time
have involved the finance* of the General Gov-
vrnmvntin embarrassment* far greater than those
•which are now experienced by any of the States;
ofliiuitiug all our expenditure* to tliut simplo
, unostentatious, nnd economical administration of
public affairs, which is-nloim consistent with the,
character uf our institutions;'of collecting annu
ally from the customs nnd the sales ut public
lauds a revenue fully adequate to defray ull the
expenses thus incurred, but, under no .pretence
whatsoever, to impose t-.-xe* upon the people to
n greater amount than was actually necessary to'
the public service, couductcd upon die principles
I have stated.
In lien of n national bank, or a dependence up
on hanks uf any description, for tlm management
ofniir fiscal afiairs, 1 recommend the adoption of
tlm system which is now in successful operation.
That system afford* every requisite facility for the
transaction of the pecuniary concerns ul the Go-
vniiiment; will, it is confidently anticipated, pro
duce in oilier respects many ofthe benefits wliich
have been from time to lime expected fioui the
creatiou-of u national bank, but which have nev
er been realized; avoid tlm manifold evils insep
arable from Hitch an institution ; diminish, to a
greater extent than could be accomplished by any
oilier inrun* of reform, the patronage ofthe’Fed
eral Gov rniqft.nl—a wise policy in all Govern
ments, hut mare especially so iu oue like our*,
wliich works well only iu proportion as it is made
to rely fur its support upon die unbiassed and un
adulterated (millions of its constituents ; do uvvay,
forever, 'nil dependence on corporate bodies, ei
ther iu thcraising, collecting, sufe-kcepiug, or
-disbursing die public revenues ; nud place the
Gov ermnent equally above the teinptutiao of fos
tering u dangerous and nuconalittuionnl institu
tion nt homo, or the necessity ofndupting it* pol
icy to the 1'iuvvs and interests ofu still more for
midable muucy*povver-abroad.
llisby adopting and carryitig out these prill*
fiplea, umfor circumsUiUces the most arduous and
discouraging, that the attempt has been made,
Uiiis far Hiiccessliilly, to duinoimtrate to the Peo*
pie or die United States that n'national hank ut'
all times, and a national debt, except il he incur*
•red at a period when Um honor umi safety of live
'nation demuiid tlm temporary sacrifice of a poli
cy, which sliimld only he nbuudoned in such ex
igencies. nre not merely unnecessary, hut in di
rect and deadly hostility fo the principles of tlieir
Government and to tlieir own permanent wel
fare.
The progress made iu Ute development of these
.positionsappears in Um preceding sketch ofthe
pust history and present stale of the fimmciul con-
corns of the Federal Government. The foci*
ihcie stuted fully authorize the assertion that ull
Um purposes for which this Government was in-
eliluted have been accomplished during lour
yours of greater pecuniary embarrassment than
were ever before experienced. In time of pence,
mid in llie face ofoppn-otinn as formidable a* uuy,
that was over before, arrayed ngninsUlm policy of
un AdminUtnuiuu; tlmt this lius been done when
lire ordinary revenue* of thu Government were
generally-decreasing, as well from the operation
ofthe law* ns tlm condition ofthe country, with
out ilie<oronlinii ofa permanent public debt nr in*
■curring any liability other than such a* the ordi
nary resources of the Government will speedily
disclmrge, and without the agency of n national
bank.
If this view ofthe proceeding* of the Govern
ment, for tlm period it embraces, bo warranted by,
thelifcts astlicy are known to exist; if the army
and navy have been sustained to tlm full extent
Authorized by daw, und wliich Congress deemed
sufficient for die defence of the country nnd die
pi election <»f it* rights and it* honor; if its civil
and diplomatic neryice Im* been (equally sustain
ed; if ample provision (ms been made for the nd-
tumitftruimu of justice and the execution ofthe
laws; if theclnims upon public gratitude in behalf
of tho solihc/i fff die Ruvnlutinn have been
promptly met and faithfully discharged; if there
have been no failures in defraying dm very lurgo
expenditure*growing nut ol diut long continued
and salutary policy xif peacefully removing die
Indians fo regions -of comparative safely odd
prosperity; if the public faith has nl all times, and
every where,been most scrupulously maintained
by a piompt dischmgo of the numerous, extend
ed, nnd diversified r'nitns ot* the Treasury; if all
these great and permanent objects, wills many
others tlmt might be slated,* have, for a .series of
years, marked hy peculiar obstacles and difficul
ties. been successfully accomplished without a
resort lo n permanent debt, or die aid of a nation
al bank; have we not a right to expect that a pol
icy,the object af which ha*been to tustiin the pub
lic service independently of either of these fruit
ful sources of discord, will receive the final sanc
tion oTtt people whose uni inssrd nnd fairly elici
ted judgment upon public affairs is never ulti
mately wrong?
Tlmt embarrassment* in the pecuniary con
cerns of iiulividiinls of unexampled extent and
duration, have recently existed in this, as in other
commercial nations, is undoubtedly true. To
suppose it necessary now to trace these reverses
to thnir sources, would he n reflection on die in
telligence of my fellow-citizens. Whatever may
have been the obscurity in wliich Uio subject
was involved during tho enriier stages of the re
vulsion, there cannot now be many by whom die
whole question is not fully understood.
Not deeming it within die constitutional pow
er* of the General Government to repair private
lossassustnined hy reverses iu husineishavingno
connexion wUh the public service, either by di-
reel appropriations from the Treasury, or by
special legislation designed lo secure exclusive
privileges and immunities to individuals or
dosses iu preference to,and at the expensed,
.. f rr -— -
die great majority necessarily debarred from any
(miJ-t.icv io |iwd-.c- nnd bar fwtTcSpntinn in ititm, no nitennrt lodowha.
nr thn mil,lift 'inn„Av * hv I keen either made, recommended,
founts expenditures of tho pnldic money, ' hv j ® CL ! n l el, *’ 1 °‘) w*de, recommei.
Iftnce .wliich u necessity is created for new loans and | fo® present Executive,
v«d, HtiWovsr, that tlie^reit pur.
the ultnlfttnntit uf which 1 tlm Federal
lout was itiNtituted liavu ifot boon lost
Intrusted unly with certain limited
. lUliomly emiuieinlcil, diatinctlv spoci-
ied, nml definmlwith a precision and clearness
which would saetn to defy uiiscoiisiruciiou, it
hasheuu my constant aim to confine mysolfwith-
lit thu lludu.ro clearly tuaxkvd out, und «o cate*
Hilly gtmrdod. Having nlwiivs lieou uf opinion
that tlm Imsl preservative ul the union nf tlm
States i« In hu found iu a total abstincuca froitj
the exorcise uf all doubtful powers nn tlm part nl
the Federal Govoruumut, ruiluit than in aUempta
tn assume tlmm by n Inoso construction uf thn
Constitution, or an ingenious perversion of its
words, I havu endeavored to avoid recommend
ing any liimuniro which I hud ressnu to appro*
hand would, Itt the opinion even of a consider
able minority of toy fellow-citizen*, im regnrded
ns trenching on dm rights of tlm tf totes, or the
hallowed instrnmenl nftmr Union. Viewitig the
aggregate poworsol thu Federal Government ns
a voluntary concession oftlm {Status, it seemed
to me that such only should hu exercised ns weie
nt the time intended lo he given.
1 have been strengthened, ton, in the proprie
ty of this course, hy the conviction diut all utlbrtB
to go beyond this, tend unly to produce dUsutis*
faction aud distrust—to excite jealousies, and to
provoke resistance. Instead uf adding strength
to-the Federal Government, even when success
ful,-they must over-prove a source uf incurable
woukiic*.*. hy alienntingu portion of those whose
adhesion is iudispeiiMihiu to the great aggtegate
of united strength, nnd whoso voluntniy attach
ment is, iu my estimation, fur mare essential to
Umeflicicuuy ofa government strong in dm best
of all possible strength—-the confidence and at
tachment of all those who make up its constituent
element*.
Tims believing, it hna been my purpose to se
cure to tlm whole l’cople, nnd to every member
of the Confederacy, by general, salutary, and®*
qnal laws ttlnne, the. benefit of those republican
institutions which it wu* the end and aim of llie
Constitution to establish, and tlm impnrtinl inlln-
enca of which is, iu my judgment, indispensable
to their, preservation. I cannot bring myself to
believe tliut the lasting happiness oftlm People,
tlm prosperity oftlm ritates nr llie permanency
ofthuir Union, cun be niaiu-.'iued by giving pre
ference or priority to any clu sofcitizetts, in the
distnbotinu of benefits or p vilegcs, or by tlm
adaption of measures winch l men one pot lion
nf tlm Union at tlm expeiuu of another; nor can I
see, iu thu interference oftlm Federal Govern*
moot with tlm fond legislation und reserved rights
oftlm States, a remedy tor present, or a security
against future dangers.
Tlm first, and assuredly not tlm least, impor
tant step towards relieving the country from the
condition into wliich il had been plunged by ex
cesses in trade, hanking, und credits uf all kinds,
was to place tlm hnsinens transactions of thu Go*
vcrnnietit itself on a solid hu*is;giviiigiind receiv
ing in all cuses valu-* for value, and neither coun
tenancing nor encouraging iu others tliut delusive
system ol credits from which it ha* been found so
difficult to escape, and which has left nothing be
hind it hut the wrecks tlmt mark its fittalcjreer.
That the financial affairs of tlm Government
arc now, and have been during the whole period
of these wide-spreading difficulties, conducted
with a strict and invnriublu regard tn this great
fundamental principle, nnd that hy tlm assump
tion aud maintenance oftlm stuudilms taken on
the very threshnUhtf tlm approaching crisis, more
than hy uny other cause or cause* whatever, tlm
community at largo lias been shielded from tlm
incalculable evil* ofu general and indefinite sus
pension of specie-payments, mid a consequent
annihilation, fur tlm whole period it might have
lusted, nl a just and invariable standard uf value,
will, il is-beltevcd, at this period, scarcely be ones-
tinned.
A steady adherence, on the part nf tho Govern-
Ittent, to the policy which bus produced such sal
utary results, aided by judicious State legislation,
and, what is not less important, by the Industry,
enterprise, perseverance, nud economy ofthe A-
uteric.in l'eopio, cannot fail to raise the whole
country, ut mi early period, to u state of solid and
enduring prosperity, not subject tube again over
thrown by the suspension of banks or dm explo
sion of n bloated credit system. It isTor the Peo
ple mid their Representmitos to dccido whether
or not thu permanent welfare ofthe country
(which all good citizens cqunll,- desire, however
widely they may differ as to liiciueonsofitsuc-
coutplWInuetU) shall lm in this way vecured; or
whether tlm management of tho pecuniary con
cerns ofthe Government—nud, hy consequence,
to a great extent, those of individuals nlso—shall
be carried hack to a condition uf things which
fostered those contraction* utidexpuusiuusafthu
currency, und those reck levs abuses of credit,
from foe baneful effect* ofuliirh die country lias
ho deeply suffered—u return that can proud w, in
tho mid, no better result* than to reproduce the
embarrassments the Government has experienced;
nud to remove from the shoulders of the present,
to tliose nf fresh victims, dm bitter I'm Tin of that
spirit of speculative enterprise to which unr
cflimtrvmcli are so liable, and upon w hich tlm
lessons of experieucu are so unavailing. Tlm
choice is an important oue, aud 1 sincerely, hope
that it uiuy hc lvisely made.
A report of the Secretary of War,presenting a
detailed view ofthe affairs of tlmt Department,uc-
companies this communication.
The desultory duties commoted with the rc-
•ttloval’of the Indiirhs, in w hich the army has been
constantly engaged on the northern and western
frontiers, und iu Florida, huyo rendered it im
practicable to carry into full effect llie plan re
commended hy the Secretary for improving it*
dbcipliiie. In every instui.cn where tlm regi
ments have been concentrated, they have utuuu
great progress; and tlm best result* tuny lie and-
etpntid from a continuance of this system. Dur
ing the last season, a pan of the troop* have been
employed in removing the Indians Irmu the in
terior t» the territory assigned them in the West
—u duty which they have performed efficiently
and with praisewotihy Immunity ; and that por
tion of them which lm* been stationed in Florida
continued active operations there throughout the
heats ■oftmunner.
The policy ofthe United Slates in regard to
the Indv.m*, of which a succinct account* is given
iu tuy uuosage of 18IW, and of the wisdom and
expediency*ofwhich 1 am fully satisfied, has been
continued in nctivo operation throughout tho
whole period of my administration. Since tho
spring*of 1837, more than forty thousand Indi
ans havo been removed to their new homes west
ofthe Mississippi; and I ntn happy to add that nil
accounts concur in representing the result of this
measure ns eminently beneficial to that people.
The emigration of the Scminoles alone lias
been attended with serious difiiculty, aud occa
sioned bloodshed; hostilities having been com
menced hy the Indian* in Florida, under the ap
prehension that they Would be compelled, by
force, to comply with dteir treaty stipulations.—
The execution of tho treaty uf I'uyim's Landing,
signed in lfc'.tt, but not ratified until 1(3.14, was
® toned at the solicitation of the Induing, until
, when they again renewed their agreement
to remove peaceably to tlieir new homes iu the
West. In die face of this solemn and renewed
compact, they broke their fitilli, and commented
hostilities by the mussucre of Major Dude’s com
mand, die murder o( their agent, (Jett. Thomp
son, nnd oilier nets of cruel treachery. When
this alarming and unexpected intelligence reach
ed the sent of Government, every effort appear*
to have been made to reinforce Gen. Clinch, who
commanded the troops then in Florida. Gnue-
nil Kttstis was despatched with reinforcements
from Charleston; troops were called out from
Alabama, Tennessee, aud Georgia 5 nud Genera)
tfcott was sent to take the command with ample
powers ami ample means. At the firm alarm.
General Gaines organized a force at N. Orleans,
nnd, without waiting for orders landed in Flori
da, where ho delivered over the troops he had
brought with him to General b'cott.
Gov. Cull wu* suhseqeutly appointed to con
duct u summer campaign, and, at die closo of it,
was replaced hy Gen. Jesup. These events um)
changes took place under the administration of
my predecessor. Notwithstanding the exertions
ol the experienced officers who had command
there for eighteen months, on entering upon tho
administration iff tlw Government I found the
Territory of Florida n prey to Indian atrocities.
A strenuous effort wu* immediately made to
bring these Instililies to a clone; nnd the army
under Gen. Jesup, was reinforced until it amoun
ted to ten thousand men, and furnished with a-
hundntil supplies of every description. In this
campaign n great tmmbcrof tho enemv wore cap-
lured ond destroyed; hut die diameter of die con
test only was changed. The Indians, having been
defeated in every engagement, dispersed in small
hand* throughout tho country, and became uuen-
Jerpriimg, formidable and ruthless bunditti. Gen.
Taylor who succeeded Gen. Jesup, used his best
exertions to subdue them, and was seconded iu
hi* efforts by the officer* under his command 1
hut he, too, foiled lo protect tho Territory froui
tlieir depredations. By an set ofsignr.1 and cruel
J “*ne.iery, they broke the truce made widt them
Gen. Macouth, who waiaent from Waihinfc-
of carrying Into elfecrtho ex*
‘“■lgniss, mill havo continued
„ _ r ilnce. (Ion. Armistead,
itt when flan. TnylotJaft the.
Army, hy permission, nssumuil thu cMhinaiid,
and, after active Mutmtior operations, tvtis met by
proposition* for.pencot nud, Horn the. fortunate
coincidence iff tlm arrival in Florida, nt tlw tuimo
period, of a dulanuon Horn tho Bemlimina who
uro happily rettfed west ofthe Mississippi, and
re now' anxious to piil-siinde tlieir countrymen
0 join Ilium there, hopes were Ibrsouw time on*
furtalned that the Indian* might he induced to
leave tlm Territory without further tliffiauhy.—
These fumes have proved fallacious, nnd liostili*
lie* have been renewed throughout tho whole uf
the Territory. That this foulest hits endured so
hmg, is m lm attributed triUiiut-s beyond die con*
irid of the Government. F.xperfenced general*
ha Vo hud the command oftlm troops? officers nud
soldiers have uliko distinguished thomsolvcs for
their'activity, patience, und enduring courage;
the Army him boon constantly furnished'tvitfi sup*
plies of every description t und we rmulltiok lor
tlm causes which havo so long procrastinated tho
issue of die contest, in the vest extent oftlm thea
tre of tioMlilifie*, fim almost insurmountable ob
stacles preHunted hy tlm nature of dm country,
tho climate, aud dm wily character of tlm suva-
gcs.
The sitim for marine hospitals on (ha rivers
and lakes, which I win nathomnd to select nnd
cause to lie purchased, liuvo ull been designated;
hut, die appropriation not proving sufficient, con
ditional arrangements only have been nindo for
tlieir acquisition, it is for Congress to decide
whutlmrithose conditional nurennse* shall Im
sanctioned, anti dm Immune iutentious of the law
carried into lull effect.
The Navy, us will uppenr from tho accompany
ing report of tho Hocretnry, bus boon usefully and
tumorahly employed in tlm protection of our
commerce nud citizens in tlm Mediterranean, tlm
Facitic, on the const of Brazil, and in the Gulf of
Mexico. A small squadron, consisting nf thu
frigute Constellation mid the sluop-nf-wur Boston,
under Commodore Kearney, is now mi its way
to (lie China and Indian seas, fur tlm purpose of
attending lo our interest* iu thut quarter, and
Commander Anlirk. in thn sloop ot-wiir York-
town, has been instructed to visit tho Sandwich
and .Society Islands, the’const* of Nu\v Zealand
and Japan, together w ith other ports and islands
frequented hy unr whale ships, for the purpose
of giving ‘thtfm countenance and protection,'
should they he required. Other smaller vessels
liuvo been, aud still nre, employed iu prosecuting
tho surveys oftlm const of the United States,,
directed hy various acts of Congress; and those'
which havo been completed w ill shortly bo laid
before you.
The exploring expedition, at tlm latest date,
was preparing tn leave thn Uny of Islands, New
Zealand, in further prosecution ofobjects which
have tlm* far boon successfully accomplished.
The discovery ofa new continent, w liich was first
seen iu latitude GO deg. 2 mitt, smith, longitude
154 deg. 27 min. east, and afterward* in latitude
GGdeg.fil min. south, longitude loll deg. 41) min.
caRt, by L'euteuuuts Wilkes nud Hudson, for tut
extent iff eighteen hundred miles, hut on which
they were prevented Horn lauding by vast bodies
of me which encompassed it, is one of tlm liouor-
nble result*of the enterprise. Lieutenant Wilkes
hears tertimnny to tlm zeal aud good conduct of
his officers and men; and it i* but justice to tlmt
officer to state that he appear* to have perform
ed the duties assigned tiiiu with an ardor, ability,
and perseverance which give every uMiirunco of
un Inmoiahlu issue to the undertaking.
Tho report of dm Postmaster General, here
with transmitted, will exhibit tlm service of that
Department the pasty par, nnd it* present condi
tion. Tlie transportation has been maintained
during tlm year to the full extent authorized by
tlm existing laws. Home 'improvement* have
been I'fiectcd which the public interest scciued
urgently to demand, but not involving any ma
terial expenditure. 'The contractors have gen
erally-performed their engagements with fidelity.
The postmaster*, with few exceptions, have ren
dered their account* nlid-paid tlieir quarterly bal
ances with promptitude. Atid the whole service
oftlm Department bus maintained tlm efficiency
for which it lias for several year* bceu distinguish
ed.
Tho acts of Congress establishing new mail
routes, und requiring more expensive service* om
others, nud the increasing wants uf the country,'
have, for three year* past, carried tho expeudi
lures something beyond thn nerruiug revenues;
the excess ha\ ing been lira,, until the post year
hy tlm surplus which had previously accumulated.
That having been exhausted, and thu nmicinutad
increase in thn revenue not having been realized,
owing to the depression in the commercial busi
ness ofthe country, the finances of the Depart
ment exhibit it small deficiency nt tlm close ofthe
last fiscal year. It* resources', however, are am
ple; and the reduced rates of compensation fot
Ute transportation w.rvice, which may he expect-
peeled on the future lettings, from the general
reduction of prices, with the increase of revenue
that may reasonably he anticipated from tlm revi
val of commercial activity, must soon place tho
fiuuucesofthe Department in a prosperous con*
diiion.
Considering the unfavorable circumstances
which have existed during the past year, it is a
gratifying result that the revenue has not declined
as compnred with tlm preceding year, hut, on the
contrary, exhibits a small increase; tho circuin-
stance* referred to having Imd no other effect
than trt’eheek the expected income.
It will he seen that the Postmaster General
suggests certain improvements in tho establish
ment. designed In reduce die weight ofthe mails,
cheapen tlm transportation, ensure greater regu
larity in the service, nnd secure a.cim*idoriibln re
duction in tlie rates of letter-postago—an object
highly desirable. The subject is one of geuural
interest to thu community, and is respectfully re
commended to your consideration.
Tlm suppression of the African slave-trade
lies received tho continued attention of dm Gov
ernment. The brig Dolphin and schooner
Grampus have been employed during the lust
season on the count of Africa, for the purposo of
preventing such portions of thut trade as wu* suid
to he prosecuted under the American flog. Alrcr
ci 11 zing off tliose parts ofthe const must usually
resorted to hy slavers, until the commencement
ofthe rainy season, these vessels returned to the
United States lor supplies, and have since boon
despatched on u similar service.
From the reporb; of the commanding ofliccrs,
lfi*_ hrltl.i,
swasa
„„„ ‘^wlrtthe Nlaml®, Wftv , iw
j oTKcr, m. IK, n missionary ofths Am.£ '
Board > Cap?, F, Jumicey, u,„fft, F.ForhTEf
BAVAftKAlfr
•• lie jMUnd fear wot, Jet oil the end* thou .ISTTI
thy CJmniiry *, thy God',, end Trutl.’i'• ,U
FOIt'CONGttliHB^ ^ ===i:!
Col. HIKES HOLT) ofiluicogca,
Klcti 'm on t1r»t iltomhyin January.
O" Wn have recoivetl ind shall publfeii to.
morrow, the Report of tho Commitaiouer nffiij
indigent deaf und dumb of this State.
03* Wo received yesterday JiW» our attentive
correspondent at Charleaton, per statm; packet
Southerner, Now York, Philadelphia, Washing,
ton aud Baltimore papers, otto day taler, than
those which catun to hand by yeaterdny’s mail,—
Tho space occupied by the President'*
chmpuls its to he briofln our extracts.
Wo ore nUo indebted for copica of the .Met-
sago'froin’-tho same source.
UTE FROM FLORIDA.
Wo ptfolislf bolow from one ofour Florida cor.
respondent*, tho latest news from the seal ofwnr
received hy the steamer Cincinnati, yesterday'
from Pllntko.
We learn vorlifttJy tlmt the number of Indian*
who canin'in was thirteen, and they report tlmt
quarrel hud taken -placo between Cou-cno-clm
und Tusteuuggco. This nows connected widt
the lute appearance of thu Indian*, hna to m,
upon the whole, u favourable appearance, hut
tlm*Iudian bproveibmlly « mighty unanrtln."
FLORIDA, Dec. 0.
Gk.xti.rmkz—I nth happy to stain to yon U»< t
few Indians havo come into Fort King, wliu
atulo that Aleck Tnstonnggco intends coining in
iu a Tew days. This is nt least a straw at which
0 drownttig men catch.
Very respectfully, jonr*.
SittpWRKeK.—-Wu learn from CapL Rxith,
of thu steamer Cincinnati, arrived at this port yes.
terday from Black Creek, .that the schooner
CAohe, from Baltimore hound to Pilatka, with
Government stores, was wrecked on Bu John’s
Bur, Odt inst. Vessel ohd’cargo total loss—crew
saved.
cur
es pres*
it appear* that thn trade i* now principally
ried on under Porttigiiesecoiors;niid they exp
the opinion that tho apprehension of tlreir pro-
Hence 011 die slave-const lias in u great degree, ar
rested the prostitution of the American flag to
tin* inhuman purpose. It i* hoped that, hy con
tinuing to maintain this force in that quarter, and
by thn exertions oftlm officers in command, much
vviilhn dune to put a stnp to whatever portion of
this traffic may have been carried 011 under tho
American flag, and to ptevntit it* use in ft trade
which, while it violate* tho law*, i* equally an
outrage oil the l ight* of others and the feelings of
humanity-, The efforts of the several Govern
ment* who nre noxiously seeking to suppress
this traffic must, however, he directed against the
facilities utihrded hy vvliut are now recognised us
legitimate commercial pursuits, before that ob
ject can be fully accomplished. BnppUel of
provisions, water-casks, merchandise, and articles
connected with the prosecution of tlm slave-trade
ore, it is understoou, freely curriud hy vessels of
dillnrnnt nations to tho slave factories; and thu ef
fect* of the factors are transported openly from
one alnVo station lo another, without interrup
tion or punishment hy cither of tint nations to
which they belong, engaged itt the commerce of
tlmt region. I submit in your judgments Wheth
er this Government, having been the fust to
prohibit, hy adequate penalties, the slave-trade-
die first to declare it piracy—should nut he the
first, ulso, to forbid to its’citizens ail trade with
tire slave factor* on the const nf Africa; giving
example to all nations in this respect vv Inch, if
fairly followed, cannot fail to produce Um most
effective resTilta in breaking up thbsedrtiKonn-
iquity- t M. VANBUREN.
Washington, Dec.5,1840.
From the N. Y. Journal oj Commerce, 10th inst,
A day t.ATKii rno u Ciu.ta."—Tho ship Niantic,
Cnpt. Doty, r.i this port, left Macao ott the 5th of
July, being oue day later Uiau our previous at
vices,
Tlm American ships Adelaide, b<ipt» Stiihbxi
and Washington, Cnpt Bansotl, Imd hoen de
tained nt Boccn Tigris, hy the blockading squad
ron. Application for tlieir release being made
hy tlieir agents tn Cnpt. Smith, then at Macoa,
lie rep lieu that orders should ho iumtedintely giv-
on for them to proceed, in chnrgo iffnn officer, to
tlw Cnp-sing-meon anchorage, where their ridpi
would lie promptly investigated. As these altipi
were 'Indmi prior lo tho 29th, nnd as they wore
furnished with proofdiercor under tho Consular
Beni, it is presumed that they will he relonsed.
The Reiuibnt of Atijter reported la Capt, Dhty,
af the Niautib, that uccoun s Imd been received
at Batavia from Singapore to Iho middle of Au
gust, bringing news of the failure of negotiation!
THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
Tins long-expected documenthn* come nt ln»t.
It is well written, as nil Mr. Vax Bunz.x’s papers
nte.hud, n*i* usual with thorn, it,is quite replete
with special arguments in support of his mens*
ures.
Tlw Message represents our relations with nil
the Powers of the world, as being those of hon
ourable (fence. A treaty af commerce aud navi
gation has receuiiybcen concluded widt Belgium
and with Portugal.
Upon the whole, the enmment* 011 our fereigh
relations uro very satisfactory.
Mr. Van Buhkr speaks ofthe "soundconii*
{ion of the finances" of die country, while die rot-
ten bauks, generated hy crushing Um U. 8. Bank
nnd the adoption of tho deposite system, are ex
ploding in nil directions.
lie says that '-every demand (pecuniary) upon
Government ut home or abroad, Ims been prompt;
ly met.” Now, it strikes us us strange, that su
round nn assertion a* Ibis should ho made as to
Inline matters, nt feast. Wo klitm of some Stage
Contractors vvfio linvn received nothing for tho
last six months, wllo would demur to diU propo
sition. Our folio tv*citizen, Gen. Cmsoh, will
rend the paragraph withiituiiingled nstdiifsliiiibfot,
after his nnsuccoxaftri jotffhey to' Washington
last June, iu quest of die claito allowed him by
Congress.
Air. Van Bumcn professes a holy horror nf for
eign indebtedness, nnd mildly rebukes the States
for making hums abroad. It seems to us that the
President of the United States has no right what
ever to say 0110 word on this subject to the sever
al States. W e trust that the States nre not so far
merged iu tlm operation ofthe General Govern
ment, ns to snhmitto dictation in this matter, and
we believe that the credit of most of the States
composing thisConfedtfraey is still gooff, notwith*
standing die paternal effort* of the pamphleteers
of tk’w Administration (o throw discredit on State
Bonds offered for sale in foreign markets.
Tho President says that ho lms not fnnnd .it ne
cessary “ to resort to 'the poictr conferred by Con
gress of postponing certain dimes of public troths,
cjcepl by deferring expenditures for a short time,
upona limited portion oj thm.” It seems to ns n
distinction without a difference, to say that they
are deferred, not postponed. The effect is obvi
ously the same—i.o. to withhold appropriations
l*y Congress for specific objects. Witness
(lie condition of life works ot ’Cockspnr Island.
According to Noah Webster’s Dictionary (which
die President certainly cannot moke use of,)—
to postpone, means, 1st. To put off; to defir
to a future 'or later,- time to delay. Sd. To set below
something else in value or importance. It strikes
ns that the President hAs n’dt spoken clearly in
this matter.
We approve highly of i«) much of the rae I
sage ns relutan to Um reduction of pHttage, aud
do not hesitato to repeat what we have said be*
fore, that there is nu manifest danger to public
liberty in the adoption bflh'o British systorn, or
ofono analogous to it.
As might havo been expected, a great pOrtit-n
nf the message is on utabarato defence ofthe hard
money, shin plaster, Sub-Treasury system—*(how
a ck wo are of this subject). That system which
three times was forced upon and forced through
Congress, still receives the caresses of its foun
der—and we cannot expect loss from Mr. Van
Burkn, than that he should enlarge upon the
beauty of his own creatioh. If he did not in this
ulcdictory occupy the ground again, he would
appear to ho strangely iheonsistent with his for
liter practice.
Accordingly he gdcs bVer the whole subject a*
gain. IIU voice is fhfible howaver to protect n
measure which Iins just been scouted nl front the
sen-board to the prarifis of tho West. "If (“7*'
tho President) n National Bank was, iu is unde
niable, repiidintoif by tho frntnorsof the Const-
lulion,” &c. &c. Now if, ns wo know to be the
case, the same men who established the National
Bank in 1701, also established one while in th®
Congress Iff tho old confederation, it would ap
pear that Mr. VanBnren'a remark is poorly
turned by facts. Wo really have but slight rt*
epect for the scuples of medbrn unscrupulous
politicians, who, while lliby disregard nn open
nnd palpable violation ofthe rights hf the States,
ns in tliecnso ofNew-Jefooy,setup their opin*
ione against those bf Wffihingtoit nnd Matron
nnd Cliier Justice MdWiall, bn qtieitions of con
stitutionality. The cbliltiry hoe pronounced m
n voice of tlmndcr n.verdict upbn Mr. Van Hi i
mb’s financial itiheHies, It tt, that they work
budly. •>■■■%*'
Suciio paragraph as tbb foilbwing grate*m°»
liarshly on our ears; '
Thus believing, it has bebn my purpose ^
cure 10 tho whole peopl®, and lo every uiotubof
of the cbtU'ednrany, hy general, 'Mtopfi
q.,Dl m clone, iho benefit of IhW MM ■
.imiiallofii wltfolut »»«tho Qlid ahd ulm uriti-
constitution tb ttlfiblbb) nud Ute flitpitriUl Iwj!