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IlKlIy. Trl-'l|r—ly »»ri WmMv.
At Constitution requlraa that I
ItM toUme^ notonlj
PROrRIRTOM AND PUBUSURM.
*«>
.1.Milan.
int, tail
.HkMio ih.ll give Information tu them ol
too stato or tho Union. To do this fully In-
MlvM expoidtlou of all matter* In to. actual
condition of too country, domntloor foreign,
lly concern tho general welfare.
itng hie eoniMlutlomd doty in tbU
Uto Praudenf does not eneak merely to
convictions. botes tho cxeeii-
li&S
arts1
■H
it.ofjOougremwIwtover.
emof Inurmoulmt cp.op-
The PraldM'i VeWr' position, and gglled upon by hie official Qbllgn-
Thle document reached lid at a quarter put bone, to Bean with an Impartial eyo_ the Inter-
11 o'clock hit ttlgU. Wo' weto.dbto to p#t It
to pnu thb morning at 1 o'clock. Onr
neighbors or to. ArpvNIcm and toe Nm, by
nailing their ftorCM, were probably able to
flnlth toe Job a little earlier.
Oommentd on the aurdgeare neceaurlly re-
Pakita |eh M || In inMiawla
Sannnah hu within her llmlta two '■ Pnbllo
Bohoole,” of which any city might be prood.
Wehddyuterday the satisfaction of rlaltlng
both while they were In eeetlon, and reryhlgh
•atlifeoUoa It was. The good mannera, order
ly deportment, and reapectfal bearing of the
popUe, male and female, coartltote the htgheet
teetluioay la behalf of their management
Onr lint visit wu to the “lUemi School."
a handeome building lately elected at the cor
nor of Gordon and Abercorn strata. The coot
of the etraoten with ita tnrnitnre, paring Ao.,
may bare been about did,000 paid out of the
Houle Hind, a bequest of a gentleman of that
name to the city for educational purpose*
The School went Into operation on the loth
of October loot under the charge of Hr. Hal.
Ion u Principal, oulateto-tfy Miss Mason, tin,
Oamwell, Him Cubbadge, and UIm Butler. It
hu accomodations for 200 pupils, and already
numben 110. At the commencement of the
eeocod quarter, the drat or January. It will
doubtleu reoelre Its full complement. Two
thirds of the pupils recoin tuition fnt of
oharge-dhe remainlng one third paying at the
rate of fire and elz dollars per quarter.
The pupilaare compound of boys and girls
Ut newly equal numben. Though sitting In
theume room and reciting in tho some etw
ees—thus exercising on Important restraining
and stimulating influence upon each other—
there la at no time any communication between
the two sense. They moke their entrances and
■xltsby different doors, bare separate play
grounds, and are Indeed nerer thrown togeth
er except under the Immediate eye of the
tesoher when reciting their lessons. This ar
rangement la one ol the moot admirable fea
tures of the organization or the school.
For admission pupils are required to be able
to nod. [This' was a necessary limitation, yet
It forcibly suggests the Importance of early
precision by the city for primary schools.] In
struction la Riven In the various branches of an
English education including natural philosophy
and Mathematics, drawing, Latin and French.
[The latter at the cost of tho pupil.] Last,
though not feast—for no school ought to be
without It—Instruction Is given In vocal music-
The coune will probably be extended ea the
pupils advance.
Five boon dally (with the exception of
Saturday!, and Sundays) are devoted to the
school room—from 9 A. If. until 9 P. M.
It hoe been our fortune to know, intimately,
for yean the principal of the Massle
and to be acquainted with his Bystem of school
management. Thus prepared to speak, we
have no hesitation la expressing the opinion
that bad the Commissioners ransacked the Un
ion, they could not have found a gentleman
better salted to the post. His assistants too,
ore doubtless laborious and faithful. It is very
rare that corporal ponlsliment la administered
In any form, yet a more quiet and orderly
collection of children we never saw.
The annual expense of the Hassle School Is
estimated at 13500. Of this 01600 may be ex
pected from tuition fees. The remainder will be
g charge upon the Snanciesof the city.
Huob that has been said of "Hassle School" ap
pliesto the" Public School" situated at the corner
of Barnard and Taylor sts: The Utter building
was constructed at the expense of the accumu
lated school fund of Chatham County. Of that
fund Buffloicnt'remains, when its proceeds are
united with the tuition fees of the poping pu
pils, to support the school. It was organised
early In 1854. It was a favorite enterprise with
the Rev. J.P. Tustln, whllo a rlaldent of Savan
nah, and It is perhaps not too much to say that
but forhlspenlstenteffortsli would never have
been projected and urged on to Its successful 1
consummation.
The school U now'uoder the charge of Mr.
W. H. Baker, (a gentleman singularly well
fitted 'for the pUce) assisted by Miss Frlsble
and Miss Godfrey—both excellent teachers
The pupils, male and female, are 150; and these
are not all who have sought admission. It la to
be regretted that the school has not ampler ac
commodations. An enlargement of the build
ing to something like the capacity of the Mas-
ale school la a work tor the future.
Both theso schools are under the geueral
control and supervlsorship of the School Com-
mlirioners-MsJ.Porter.John Stoddard, Esq.nnd
Solomon Cohen, Esq., and (we believe) one or
two others. To them, for their dlslnterasted
services In this great work, our community
owes a lasting debt of gratitude.
PxnxsTBiiN Fist—Kennovei, an Irish pe
destrian, bos fust completed In California the
great feat of walking on a twenty-foot plank,
100 consecutive hours, without sleep or rest.
What about Paddy Hoofs who wagered to
walkaniuddalady, fully rigged, one hundred-
times In us many successive days. We are
anxious to learn tho result of tho bold adveh
lure.
Mr. Cobb finds himself already booked as the
new chief of toe Treasury Department. He is
not quite fast enough for the new Southern
party, but as a prudent sad conservative man,
he will suit Hr. Buchanan very well.
Among the members of Congress who are
likely to bB called Into tho Cabinet, are, beside
Mr. Cobb, Senators Cass, Bright and Toucey,
and Mr. Faulkner of tho House.
Bo says the Washington correspondent of the
Hew Turk Commercial Adctrliur.
The Aspinwdll Courier of the 18th Instant
soya:—
Our markets are now goad—tho health of
the Isthmus Is bolter than usual at this season
of the year—and yet we have had more rain
during the fortnight than in any other within
our remembrance. The railroad Is In good con
dition, much better than could bo expected
after so much wet weather. Tho depot, at this
plum. Is rapidly approaching completion, and
olds fair to no the most serviceable and durab
construction of the Company thus far made.
The Washington correspondent of the Cunr
lor and Enquirer ontertalns tho opinion that
H. Ferrer, the Nicaraguan Minister appointed
by Provident Walker, will evontoslly^e re
ceived by oar Government, Rivas having ap
pointed none.
Elohwnt Frustuatio.—There camo von
near being another fashionable elopement In
New YoS lust week. Tho gontleman Is s
handsome Italian, a favorite tenor _at the
vote of tho whole, and oi every part of the Uid-
ted States.
Of the condition of too domestio interests of
■jo Union,'Its agriculture, mlncs.manuluctiiro,
navigation, and commcrco, ItU ueccMury only
to in that the Internal prosperity or tho coun-
tryTjts continuous and steady advadeemout in
wealth and population, and In privuto as well
as publlo wclfc-bclng’ attest the wisdom of our
mutations, and the predominant spirit of in
telligence and patriotism, which, not* Ithstaud.
ing occasional Irregularities of opinion or ac
tion resulting ITOm popular freedom, has dis
tinguished and characterised tho people of
America.
lathe brief interval bottom the termination
-of the last and the commencement or the pres
ent session or Congress, tho publlo mind has
deen occupied with the cure or selecting lor
another conatitutteual term, the Presideut and
1 Pice-President of tho United States.
Thb determination of the) eraoiw, who nro of
right, or contingently to preside over tho ad*
ministration of the government, is, under our
system, committed to tbe States and the peo
ple. We appeal to tnem, by their voico pro
nonneed In the forma of law, to call whomso
ever they will to the high post of Chicl Magis
trate.
And thua.it ia that as tho senators represent
tho respective States ol tho Union, uud the
members ortho Mouse of Representatives the
several constituencies of each State, so the
President represent* the aggregate, population
or the United State*. Their election oi him U
the explloit and aolemn act ortho sole sovereign
authority of the Union..
It ia impoaa.ble to miaapprebend the great
principles, which, by thfeir recent political
action, the people af the Uhited States have
sanctioned and announced.
They have asserted the constitutional equal!
ty of each and* &U of the Stutes of the Union us
States; they have affirmed the constitutional
equality ot each and lor all the citizens or tho
United States as citizens, whatever‘their reli
gion, whatever their birth, or tueir residence;
j hey have maintained the inviolability of the
constitutional rights of their different sections
or the Union; and they have proclaimed their
devoted and unalterable attachment to the
Union and to the constitution, as objects or in*
teresi superior to all subjects' of lucal or sec
tional controver-y, as the safeguard ot the
rights or all, as the spirit and the essence of
the liberty, peace, and greatness of the Re
public. . V- ;
In doing this, they have. atUie same time,
emphatically condemned the idea of organizing
in these united States mere geographical
parties: of marshalling in hostile urray towards
each other the different parts of the couutry,
North or South, Mast or West.
Schemes or this nature, fraught with incal
culable mischier, and which the considerate
senso of the people has rejected, could bavo hud
countenance in no part of tho couutry, had they
not been disguised oy suggestions plausible in
appearance, ucting upon uu excited state of the
public mind, induced by caUses' temporary in
their character, and it is to bo hoped trausieut
in their influence.
Perfect liberty of association for political oh-
, ects, and tho widest scope of discussion, are
he received and ordinary conditions of gov
ernment in our couutry. Our institutions,
framed in the spirit of confidence in the iutel*
ligence and integrity of the people, do not for
bid citizens either individually or associated
together, to attack by writing, speech, or any
other methods, short or physical force, the
Constitution and the very existence oi tho
Union. .Under the shelter of this great liberty,
and protected by the laws and usages of tlie
l Government they asspil, association! have been
ormed,insome of the States of individuals,
who, pretending to seek only to' prevent the
spread of tho institution of slavery into the
present or future inchoate States of the Union,
are really inflamed with desire to change tho
domestic institutions of existing States. To
accomplish their objects, they dedicate them
selves to the odious task of depreciating the
government organization which stands in their
way, and of calumniating, with indiscriminate
invective, not only the citizens of particular
States, with whose laws they find fault, but all
others of their fellow-citizens throughout the
country.whodonot participate with them in
their assaults upon the Constitution, framed
and adopted by our fathers, and claiming for
the privileges it has secured, and the blessings
it has conferred, the steady support and grate
ful reverence of their childreu. They reck an
otject whioh they well kuow to be a revolu
tionary one. They are perfectly awaro that
the change in the relative condition of the white
and black races in the stavuhulding States,
which they would promote, is beyond their
lawful authority; that to them it is a foreign
oljcct; that it canuot be effected by any peace-
ful instrumentality of theirs; that lur them, and
the States of which they ate citizens, tbo only
path to its accomplishment ia through burning
cities, and ravaged fields, uud slaughtereu
populations, and all there is most terrible in
foreign, complicated with civil and rervilo war;
and that the first step in the attempt is the
foroible disruption ot a country embracing '
its broad bosom a degieo of liberty, and
amount of individual and public prosperity, to
which there is no parallel in history, and sub
stituting in its piaco hostile governments, driv-
en ut once and inevitably iuto mutual devas
tation and fratricidal curuge. transforming tho
new peaceful and felicitous brotherhood into a
vast permuuont camp of armed men like the
rival monarchies of Europe mid Asia. Well
knowing that such, and such only, are the
means and the consequences of their pluus uud
purposes, they endeavor to prepare the people
of the United States for civil war by doing
everything in their power to deprive the Con
stitution and tho luws of moral authority, uud
to andermiue the fabric of the Union by ap
peals to passion and sectional prejudice, by in.
doctrinatiug its people with reciprocal bailed,
and by educating them to staud face to lace os
enemies, rather than shoulder to shoulder as
friends.
It is by the agency of such unwarrantable in
terference,foreign and d-imestic.tliut the minds
of many, otherwise good- citizens, have been
so inflamed into the passionate condemnation
Of the domestio institutions of the Southern
States, as at length to pas inrensibly to utmost
equally pasaionate hostility towards their fel
low citizens of those Status, and thus finally to
fall into temporary fellowship with the avowed
and uctive enemies of the Constitution. Ar
dently attached to liberty in tbe abstract, they
do not stop to consider pructicully, how the ob
jects they would attain can bo accomplished,
nor to reflect that,even if the evil were us great
as they deem it, they have no remedy to ap
ply, and that it can be only aggravated by their
violence and unconstitutional action. A ques
tion, which Is ono of the most difficult of ull
the problems or social institutions, political
economy and statesmanship, they treat with
unreasoning intemperance of thought and lan
guage* Extremes beget extremes. Violent
attack from the North finds its inevitab e con
sequence in tho growth of a spirit of angry
defiance at tbe South. Thus in the progress of
events we bad reached that consummation,
which tht voice of the people has now so point
edly rebuked of the attempt of a portion of
the- States, by a sectional organization and
movements to usum tho control or tho govern
ment Ql' tbo Uuited States.
I confidently believe that tbo great body of
those who inconsiderately took tills fatal step,
are sincerely attached to the Constitution and
the Union. They would, upon deliberation,
shrink with unaffected horror, from any con-
sclous act of dfauuiun or civil war. But they
bavo eutered into a path,which leads nowhere,
unloas it to to civil war and disunion,und which
has no other possible outlet. They have pro*
ceeded thus for in that direction in consequence
of tbe successive stages of their progress hav
ing consisted of a series of secondary issues,
each of which profesesd to be confined within
constitutional am. peaceful limits, but which
attempted Indirectly what few men were will*
inir fn ii„ jt...ti I> ' tv., t. a. .... ......
this way tnat system or uarmouim, co-op-
.ration between too authorities ut the Untied
States uud ol too several Staten, lor the main •
tslnnnco ol their common Institutions, which
existed In too early yeatsof toe lleilutdlc, was
destroyed; conflicts of Jurisdiction canto to he
Irequuut; and Congress found itaell compelled
for toe support ot tbo Constitution, end the
vindication of its power, to authorise the an-
nolnuucntol uow officers charged with the
execution Of Itsaota, os If they and tho oHoen
ol tliu States were .the minister, respectively of
fuieign governments in a stale of mutualnoo-
tIUty, rather than fellow magistrates of* com
mon couutry, iieaculully subsisting under the
iroteeticu of one well-constituted Union. Thus
icre. also.aggreraion wns followed by reaction
and tho attacks upon tho Constitution at this
loint did but serve to raise up new carriers
hr Itndcfenco end security.
The third stage or this unhappy ecctkma!
controversy was m connexion wftn tho organ
ization or territorial governments, and the ad
mission of uow States Into tho Uulnu . When
it was proposed to admit tho Stato.ui Maine, by
separation or territory from that of Hasaaohu-
setts, and the State of Missouri, formed ol a
portlou of the territory ceded by Eiauce to too
United States, representatives la Congress oh-
Jecten to too admission of loo latter, unless
with conditions suited to particular views or
public policy. The Imposition of such aeon-
Ultlon was successfully resisted. But, at tho
same period, too question wue presented of Im
posing restrictions upou tlie residue of tbe
territory ceded by France. That question was,
lor too time, disposed of by tho adoption of a
geopraphical line of limitation.
In this connexion It should not bo forgotten
tost France, of her own uccunl, resolved, for
considerations of the most far-sighted sagacity,
to cede Louisiana to the United States, and
that accession was accepted by tho United
States, toe latter oxprc.v.1,- engaged that "tho
inhabitants of the ceded territory shall be in
corporated lu toe Uulon or the United States,
and admitted as soon as possible, according to
toe principles of the Federal Constitution, to
tbo enjoyment of all tbe rights, advantages,
and Immunltlesof citizen* oftno United States;
and in the meantime they shall be maintained
and protected in the free en joyment or their
liberty, property, and the religion which they
profess,"— that is to say, while it remains in a
territorial condition, its inhabitants are main
tained aud protected in the free enjoyment of
ed, In het>nd Itt.lnw, All the repeal did was
to relieve toe'Wutote*ot,k of ad idjecllonaMe
cnsclmeul, uncouslllutleual In t
Jiuious in terms tqtnfgeporaoi
Is It the bctV.toat, In tllVtofi lr . _ ..
Ions of the United 8tites, If emlgnilon be
glons ortho .United States, If etnlgnl
loft free to set In till, respect for itself, without
legal prohlbltlone on either tide, slave labor
will apontaueouriy eo i everywhere. In prefer
ence to free labor F la It toe fact, that the
peculiar domestio Instihitlona of the Southern
States possess relatively so much of vigor.that,
wheresoever an avenue la freely open to alt tbo
world, tbey.wlll penetrate to ton oxclusloh of
those of the Northern States? Is It the foot,
tost the former enjoy, compared with the 1st-
ter, Hindi irresistibly superior vitally, .11
eiill4meilt^
i*vo ocrni’i¥i!riii’IHfi lug iliiW'to rte-uiilW* aitef i teava.ol —_
Tlioae disorders ware not tlm conse- of u few w! ,J ,,,ml - «*e*tlon of Pjay. --
ce,_ln..Ksus»A..orJbo..freedom of sollr. ..lilgliiy Boncflolul In Its lafluonce. Thoappren-
government, conceded to that Territory hyalite system recently jidnpted Isevldtntfydes.
Congreii, but of unjust Inbtfereiicc onnefsoriH lined tu lucoi puraie Into the service a targa
nottnlifibltantsTir toe Tdmto'iy. Hindi inler- ilBiiioSrBDour uomiliyuioii hitherto sodlllcult
tlon to inoccHwrt or Wy lias Ikion repelled «»r v<*a-oK ami will return well tralnoil seamen,
mmproied by all the '^means which the C01U1I- linliiMunliMitee doiwilmeiil there isa decided
tutlon and tlui"laws 1 ulucu in (lid liHUdn dr tile nftil'umliryiug indication ofiirogWss creditable
Executive. ’ ‘ * 1 1 V ! U '' " 1 to itliiul tu the c.Mintey. The suggestions of
7w those jiirte uT the UnlU«I 8tati}»< Were by ‘f the ‘tfiturutary'hi tliu in regard to farther
'reason of the Inflamed state ofthe blind, UiIho'; tupruveinont lu that l»r.iuchj>r the service I
rumors aufi mlftrebreMutStion* han* the great*'I'lCominond to vour I'avowble action,
est cuirertcy.it hasbdefiassunifed that it W4* ' 7 Thbmew frigates ordered by Congress are
tho duty’ot the Executive not only ti> mipitifete .j'.iW afloat, 1 and two of them In active aervice.
inaurbctinniiry irtovemehtH- ‘Ui T KHnHH-, hut .They nro Muperlor modols of niual architecture,
also tnveo to the regularity of local eleutiotiH. j and with their lornddable battery add largely
partiesto
neutral
It ueids little argument to show that ilio Pres* j to (uiblio strength iiUd security,
dent of climi
iddiitthnano huoIi power. All govcnuueul in
the United HtuteH rasts sutatautiully upon popu
lar election.' TlmlrecdourOI WettiolwH lia-
able to bu impatred'by thh iutrinion of Unlaw
ful votirt] or the ‘cxoIuhIoii or lawful (me.*, by
lmpH'|M*r iulluenccs, by violence, or by rraud.
But the people of the United Staten lire tbein-
Icntal 1 *hcIvch tne-aufllciont guardians ol' their own
* righto, and tosuppoBc that they will net remedy
in due aeuirtm,' ahy such incident* ol vivlll
freedom, is to suppose 1 them in liave reused to
Ixi capable of selPgovenimentv Thu President
of tho United States irua nut power to iutei pofco
in elections, to see to their freedom, to chuvubw
them votes, or to liass u;Nm their legality in
territories ana more than in the States. If
[overumeut luhjbt he
circumstances, as to be able to produce the
supposed twills, In spite of the assumed mora]
and natural ofastaules to Its accomplishment,
and ofthe more numerous population of too
Northern States ?
Tho argument of thoeo who advocato too
enactment of tiMVilaws.ot restrietkm, sudicon-
demu the ropesl or old ones, ineflTOtavbratbat the Territories mu
their particular vlewsof government have no ho b id suuh power the govoruuicut might lie
eelf-extcndlng.rueelf BUotainliigiiower of their rcpn|illciiu in romi; hut it would bednummrhy
own, and will go »6 fchero'tmlM*^dorcod. bp. |Vf«ct;nnd if hu hud undertaken to exercise It
actofCongrcsA And. ir Congress do but pause ^
fbr a moment in the'pollcy of stern coeroliin ;
to expermont of leaving
ir It venture to try u_ . _
men to Judge for themselves what Institutions
will host suit them ; if It he not strained up to
perpetual legislative exertion on this point y
If Congress proceed thus lo act lu the very
spirit or liberty, It is at once charged with
aiming to extend stave labor into all too new
Territories of the United States.
Of course, these Imputations on tho inten
tions of Congress in this respect, conceived as
they were in prejudice, ana disseminated in
passion, arc utterly dcstltnteorany Justification
In the nature of things, and contrary to all
tho fnndamentnl doctrines and princlpt. s of
olvll liberty and self-government/
n tbe oaso of Kansas, ho would have ten just.
subject to toe charge of usuipAt|on, and of
violation or the ilemo, right. ,,r the* people of
the United Stales.
Unwiso laws, eipiidly with irreguIuiitU 1 * ut.
elections, aro, lu periodso) gieut oxeitoiucnt,
tho dccosioiial incidents ol even the freest end
best puliticul institutions. But nil experience
demonstrates tout in a country like ours, where
fife right of self-constitution exists in too coin,
detest form, the attempt to remedy umrUe
ogislutlon by resort to revolution, Is totally out
ofphico; Innsmuuh us existing legal Institutions
aflhrd marc prompt and cfllcuel us menus fur
the redress uf wrong.
I contlilcntly trusted that now, when the
leucefUl condition of Kansas uflords onportu-
Wbile, therefore, in general, the people of inty for calm refleetiou and wl«i legislation,
tho Northern States have never, at any time, either tho legislative assembly id the Terrttnr
arrogated for tho federal government tho pow- ’
* " -‘•“with the domestio con-
their liberty and property, with a right then
to pass Into tbo condition of States on a foot
ingof ported equality with the original Stater
The enactment, which established this ia
strictive geographical Una, was acquiesced In
rather than approved by tbe States of tho
Union It stood on the statute book, however,
tor a number of years; and tho people of too
respective States acquiesced in toe reenact
ment of the principle as applied to the State
of Texas; and it was proposed to acquiesce in
its farther application to the territory acquired
by toe United States ITOm Mexico. But this
proposition was successfully resisted by the
representatives Irom the northern States, who,
regardless uf the statute line, insisted upon ap
plying restriction to too new territory gener
ally, whether lying north or sooth of it, thereby
repealing it, as a legislative compromise, and,
on toe part ofthe north, persistently violating
the compact, If compact there was.
^Thereupon this enactment ceased to have
uindlug virtue in any sense whatever,la re
spects the North or the South; and so in effect
it was treated on the occasion of the admission
of tho State of California, and the organisation
of tho territories of New Mexico, Utah, and
Washington.
Such was the state of this question when the
time arrived for the organization of the territo
ries of Kansas and Nebraska. In tbe progress
or constitutional inqnirv and reflection, it had
uow at length come to be seen clearly that
Congress does not possess constitutional power
to impose restrictions of this character upon
any present or future State of the Union. In
a long series of decisions, on the tallest argu
ment, and after the most deliberate considera
tion, theSuprcmo Court of the United States
had finally determined this point inevery form
under which this question could arise, whether
asaffectingpublioor private rights—in ques
tions of the public domain, or religion, of nav
igation, and of servitude.
The several States of the Union are, by force
of tbe constitution, co-equal In domestio legis
lative power. Congress cannot change a taw
of domestic relation in tbe 8tate of Maine; no
more than it can in the btate of Missouri. Any
statute that proposes to do this is a mere nul
lity; it takes away no right, it confers none.—
If it remains on the statute book unrepealed, it
remains there only as a monument of error, and
a beacon of warning to the legislator and
statesman. To repeal it will be ouly to remove
imperfection from the statutes without affect
ing, either in the sense of permission or pro
hibition, the action of the States, or of tueir
citizens.
Still, when the uominai restriction of this
nature, already a dead letter iu law, wan in
terms repealed by the lost Congress, in a clause
of the act organizing the territories of Kansas
and Nebraska, that repeal was made the occa
sion of a wide-spread and dangerous agitation.
It was alleged that the original enactment be
ing a compact of perpetual moral obligation,
its repeal constituted an odious breach of faith.
An act of Congress, while it remains unro-
pealed, more especially if it be constitutionally
valid in the judgement of those public functio
naries whose duty it is to prououunce on that
poiut, is undoubtedly biudiug on the conscience
of each good citizen of the Republic. But in
what sense cun it be asserted that the enact
ment in question was invested with perpetuity
and entitled to the respect of a solemn com
pact. No distinct contending powers of tbe
government, noseperate sections of the Uniou,
treating as such, entered into treaty stipulations
on the subject. It was a mere clause of an act
of Congress, and liko any other controverted
matter of legislation, received its final shape
uud was puesed by compromise of conflicting
opinions or sentiments ot tbe members of Con
gress. But if it hud moral authority over men’s
consciences, to whom did ttie authority attach ?
Not to those of tbe North, who had repeatedly
refused to confirm it by extension, and who
had zealously striven to establish other and jn-
compatible regulation* upon tbe subject. And
if, as it thus appears, tlie supposed compact
had no obligatory force as to the North, of its
course it could not have had any as to the
South, for all such compacts must be mutual
and of reciprocal obligation.
it has not uufrequently happened that law
givers, with undue estimation of the value of
the law they give, or in the view of imparting
to it peculiar strciigth, make it perpetual in
term?); but they cannot thus bind the consci
ence, the judgment, and the will of those who
may succeed them, invented with similar re
sponsibilities, and clothed with equal authority.
More cm elul investigation may prove tho taw
to be uusouud in principle. Experience may
show it to bo imperfect in detail and impractf*
bio iu execution, And then both reason and
right combine not merely to justify but to
quire it* repeal.
The Constitution, uuprime as it is over all the
departments of the government, legislative, ex
ecutive, and judicial, is open to amendment by
its very terms, aud Congress or the States may,
in their dlscreat on, propose amendments to
it, solemn compact though it in truth is be
tween tbe sovereign States of the Union. In
the present instance, a political enactment,
which had increased to nave legal power or
authority of any kind, was repealed. The
position asssumed, that Congress had no mor
al right to enact such' repeal, was strange
enough, aud slngulurly so in view of the fact
that the argument came from those who open
ly refused obedience to existing taws of the*
land, having the same popular designation and
quality as compromise acts—hay, more, who
unqulvocally disregarded and condemned the
most positive and obligatory injunctions of tbe
Constitution itself, and sought, by every means
within their reach, to deprive a portion of their
f..il-... it.. ....1 —*-- ■■
ditlon of persons in tbs Southern State., but
i n toe contrary have disavowed all such In
tentions, and have shrunk (tom conspicuous
affiliation with those few who pursue their fa
natical objects avowedly through the contem
plated means M revolutionary change ofthe
government,-knd-with acceptance of the no.
csaauy consequences—a civil and servile war
—yet many citizen, hive suffered themselves
tone drawn Into one evanescent political Issue
of agitation after another, appertaining to the
same set ofoplnlona, and which subsided, as
rapidly aathey arose when It came to be Been,
as it uniformly .did, that toey were, incompa
tible with the compacts of the Constitution
and the existence ol the Union. Thus, when
the acts of some of tho Btstea to nullify the
existing extradition law Imposed upon Con-
peas the duty ot passing a new one, tho coun-
ry was Invited by agitators to enter into par
ty organization for Its repeal; but that aglta-
Aotdemy of Mnilq/anA his name In Brlgnoll. ing to do directly, that Is. to act aggrossivoly
The mother of theyoang lady had an Inkling Jgakuttho constitutional rlght/of nearly onb
ofwhatwaagroipg on, and. managed to upset half of too tkiriy-bue States?
the well laid plan of the loving ooaple. Her St the long series or aotsofindlroctsggrea-
famlly are Inexorably opposed tea connexion “ ,nn t* 1 " n~‘ .
with eny of the "toot a toot" tribe. _
Poo* “Nam*.”—n!V. WUIls, the editor of ^thm^stei."’ negro cmuucl " ulln " ti,i
to, Home doprtm), ta jgrin raid toU ldv ?g| Jhe rocond .^lu to, S R . u , „ r e?) ,
■p.heoould
i Lis Mend
people of the Northern
»1 Instances of their gov-
eonstltn* States,andin severallusiaucos,or tueir nov-
.elements, aimed to. facilitate tho. ewana of
penouhdd to aervice In tha Southern (K
and to prevent their extradition whoa reclaim
ed according to law and In virtue of axnresa
provMons ofthe Constltatloa. To promote
fallow-citizens of the equal enjoyment of those ftttoro domestic Institutions wastaevltsbls;lbat
rights and privileges guardalned alike to all by that no human prudence, no form of legialz-
tbe fundamental compact of onr Union. *> -.r»-—„_,—u
This argument against the repeal of the stat
ute Hue in question, was accompanied by
another of congenial character, and equally
with too former, destitute of foundation In
reason and truth. It waa imputed that the
measure orglnated In the conception of ex
tending the limits of slave-labor beyond thoao
previously assigned to It, and that such waa
its natural as well os Intended effect; and tbeeo
baseless assumptions were nude, in the North
ern Stutes, toe ground of unceasing auanlt'
upon constitutional right.
The repeal In terms of a statute,’ whioh wu
already obsolete, end also null for unconstltn*
Humility, could have no inffaence to olatruct
or to promote the propagation of eonfllotlhg
views of political pr social institution. When
thaact organising tbo Territories of Kuow
and Nebraska wot passed, tbo inherent tflbn __
upon tost portion ofthe publlo domain, thus the Ttrettoriesior Nebraska .--nr—. n—
open to legal settlement, was la admit Httlsn grass abstained ITOm Imnostna restraints nnon
from all tto States ofthe .Union oUka, etch with fEn. tTwh”hSrtato W SStoXd
his • ooviotlons of publlo policy and private la* been au^tet, therefor* dUontere ooourrtdln
„ „ 7,
or Congress, will see that 110 uct shall remulu
on its statute book violative of the pr ivintous
of the Constitution, or subversive of the great
objects for which that was ordained and estab
lished, and will take all other uecessary steps
to assure to its inhnbitabta the the enjoyment,
without obstruction or abridgement, of ail tlie
constitutional rights, privileges uud immuni
ties »t citizeusof tho Uultcd State*, as con
templated by the organic law of the Terri
tory. | ,
Full Information in relation toreceut events
in this Territory will be inuud iu the documents
communicated herewith from the Departments
of State and War.
, I refer yon to the report of the Secretary of
thi Treasury for pertlcular information con
cerning the financial condition of the govern
ment, and tbe various branchtu of the public
service connected with the Treasury Depart
ment
During the last fiscal year the receipts from
customs were, for tho first time, more thau
sixty four milliau of dollars, aud from ull
aonrees. seventy three miliUma uine hundred
and, eighteen thousand one hundred and forty-
orte dollars; which, with the balance on hand
up to theAbt of July, 1855, made the total re
sources of the yeqr to amount (0. ninety-two
million eight hundred and fifty .thousuud one
hundred and seventeen dollars. The expendi
tures, including three million dollats in execu
tion of the treaty with Mexico, and excludiug
sums paid on account of tliu public debt, tmouut
ed to sixty million one hnddred and seventy-
two thousand four hundred and one dollars,
anfijncluding the latter, to aeventy-two million
nine hundred and forty-fight thousand se
ven hundred and ninety-two dollar*, tlie pay
ment of this account having amounted to
twelve million sevcu huudred and seventy-six
thousand three hundred and ninety dollars.
On the fourth of March, 1853, the amount of
the public debt was sixty-one million one hun
dred and twenty nine .thousand nine hundred
and thirty-seven dollars. There wax a subse
quent increase of two million .seven hundred
aud fifty thousand dollars for the debt of Texas
—making a total nf scventy-ouc million eight
hundred aud seventy-nine thousand niue hun
dred and thirty-seven dollars. Of this tiic sum
of forty-five million five hundred und twenty-
five thousand three hundred aud nineteen dol
lars, including premium, has beeu discharged,
reducing the debt to thirty million seven hun
dred and thirty-seven thousand oue hundred
and twenty-nine dollars; ail which might be
paid within a year without embarrassing the
public service, but being not yet due, and ouly
redeemable at the option of the holder, cannot
be pressed to payment by the government.
On exuiningthe expenditures of tlie laat five
years, it will l>o seen that tlie average, deduct
ing payments on account of the public debt,
und ten million paid by treaty to Mexico, has
been about forty-eight million dollar*. It ia
believed that, under an economical udministra
tion of the govt rnnx-nt, the average expendi
ture for tho ensuing five yearn will not exceed
that sum, unless extraordinary occasion for its
Increase should occur. Tlie ads granting
bounty land* will soon have been executed,
while the extension of our frontier t-.cttlumenta
wjll cause u continued demand for lauds und
augmented receipts, probably, from that source.
These considerations will justify a reduction of
the cevenue from customs, so as to exceed for
ty-eight «.r fifty million dollar?. I think tho
exigency for kucIi reduction fa imperative, und
again urge it upon the consideration of Con
gross.
Tho amount of reduction, a.i well as tho
rnanuer of effecting it, are questions of great
and geueral intercut, it bciugcwjcntial to indus
trial enterprise and the public prosperity, us
well ts the dictate of obvious justice, that tho
burden of taxation be mudo to rest an equally
as possible oil all classes, and all sections nnd
interests of the country.
I have horotorib recommended to your 0011-
Bideration the revision of the revenue laws,pre
pared under the direction of the Secretary or
the Treasury, and also legislation upon Home
special questions affecting the bu?ine?Hof that
department, more especially tlie enactment of
a law to punish the abstraction of oiTlciul book*
or papers from the files of the government , and
requiring all such book? nnd papers and all
other publicproperty to be turned over by tho
outgoing' officer to ufa tmccewior; of u law re
quiring disbursing officers to deposite all pub
lic money in tho vaults of the treusury or In
other legal depositories, where the same aro
conveniently aceeaaible; aud a law to extend
existing penal provisions to all persons wiio
may become possessed of public money by de-
posite or otherwise, and who shall refuse or
neglect, on due demand, to pay tho same into
the treasury. I invito youfattentinn anew to
each of these objects.
The army during tbe post year has been so
constantly employed against (tortile Indians
In various quarters, that it can seareely
be said, with propriety of language, to
have been a peace (establishment. Its duties
have been satffactnnly performed, and we
have reaaon to expect, as a result of the year’s
operations, greater secueity to tho frontier in
habitants than baa been hitherto enjoyed. Ex
tensive combinations among the hostile Indians
of the Territories of Washington and Oregon
at one time threatened the devastation ofthe
newly formed settlement of that remote por
tion of the countnr. From recent information,
we are permitted to hope that the energetic
and sucoenlnl operations conducted there will
prevent such combinations in future, and se
cure to those Territories an opportunity
to make steady progress in the development
pf their agricultural and mineral resources.
Legislation has been recommended by me on
previous occasions to cure defects in the existing
organization, and to increase the efficiency of
the army, and further observation has but serv
ed to confirm mb ihjtbb views then expressing
tad to enforce on my mind the conviction that
such immures i|fe not only proper hot neces-
aary*
Itb Idle to npporo toot ton particular pro. I "^..ofprovlil
vWons of their organic It* were the cause of
agitation. Thoeo proririoni were but tbe oc-
cashm^or tta pretext of an agitation which
was Inherent fc|he|uture of thing!. Cc-
by a geographical line, had been repealed the
country waa urged to demand ita restoration,
and that project also died almost with its birth,
Then followod the Cry of J alarm ITOm the
North against Imputed Southern encroach
ments; which cry sprang In reality ITOm the
apirlt or revolutionary attack on the domestio
Inititotlons of the South, and, after a troubled
existence of a few months, has been rebuked
by tbe volce.of a patriotic people.
Of thin hut agitation, one lamentable feature
was, that it waa carried on at . toe immediate
expense or toe peace and hspplness ofthe peo
ple ofthe Territory of Kansas. That was made
the battle-field,not so much of opposing fac
tions or Interest, within, Itself, ator thecon-
fllctlng paseloniof toe whole people ofthe
United States. Berolationary disorder In Kan-
us had Ita origin In projects of intervention,
deliberately arranged by certain members of
that Congrese, which enacted toe law for toe
organization of the Territory. And which the
— lgandlet colonization or Kansas had thus
undertaken In one- oectlon of.the Union,
for the lyutamatlo promotion of its peculiar
views of poUey, there ensued, ts a matter of
course,, counter-action with the opposite views
inotoersectlonioftoe Unson.
In consequence of these and other inoldcnts
many acts of disorder, It Is. undeniable, have
been perpetrated in Kansas, to the occasional
interruption, rather then toe permanent sus
pension, of regular government. Aggressive
and most reprehensible Incursions' Into the
Territory were undertaken both iu the North
and too South, and entered It on its northern
border by the way of Iowa, os well aaonthe
eastern by way of Missouri: and there hnsex-
Isted within It a state of Insurrection against
the constituted authorities, not without counte
nance from inconsiderate persona In each of
eat sections of the Union. But toe diffi
in tost Territory have bcenextrava-
exaggerated for purposes of political
agitailon elsewhere. The number and gravity
of toe acts ol violence have been magnified
partly by statements entirely untnie, and partly
by reiterated accounta of toe same rumors or
facts. Thus toe Territory has been seembiRly
filled with extreme violence, when too whole
umouot of such acts bas not boon greater than
what occasionally possess before us in single
cities to too regret of all good citizens, bat
without being regarded as of general or perma
nent political consequence.
Imputed irregularities In the elections in Kan
sas, like occasional irregularities of toe same
description in the States, were lioyond the
sphere af action of the Executlvo. But inci
dents of actual violence or of organized ob
struction of too law, pertinaciously renewed
from time to time, have been met as they oc
curred, by such means as wars available and as
toe circumstances required; and nothing of this
character now remains to affect toe general
peace ofthe Union. The attempt of a part of
too inhabitants of toe Territory to erect a rev-
olutionenr government, through sedulously eu-
courugcd and supplied with pecuniary ala from
active agents of disorder In some of tho Stabs,
hzs completely filled. Bodies of armed men,
foreign to toe Territory, have been prevented
from entering or compelled to leave it. Preca
tory bands, engaged In acts of ranine, under
cover of the existing political disturbances,
have been arrested or dispersed. And every
well disposed person is now enabled once more
to devote himself In pence to toe pursuits ol
prosperous industry, for toe prosecution of
which he undertook to participate in too settle
ment of ton Territory.
It aflbrds me unmlngled satisfaction thus to
announce toe peaceful condition or things in
Kansas, especially considering the morns to
which It was necessary to have recourse fortke
attainment of toe end, nthnely, toe employ
ment of a part of toe military Force of the Uni
ted Staten. Tbe withdrawal of that force from
Its proper doty of defending toe country
■gainst foreign roes or. the savages or toe fron
tier, to employ It for toe euppreaslou ol a do
mestio Insurrection, la, when toe exigency o;
ocean, a matter ofthe most earnest solicitude-'
On toll occasion of Imperative necessity It has
been done with the beat results, and my satis
faction In the attainment of each results by
snob means Is greatly enhanced by the consic
oration, tout through toe wisdom and energv
of too present Executive of Kansas, and toe
prunence, firmness and vigilance of too milita
ry officers on duty there, tranqnlUty boa been
restored without one drop of blood having been
•hed in IIb accomplishment by toe forces ofthe
United Slates
The restoration of comparative tnnxnillity
In that Territory furnishes toe means ot ob
serving calmly, and appreciating st their Just
vain*, the erects which have occurred there
and the dlKtuslons of which too government
of tho Territory hu been the subject. •
Wo poroelyo that controversy concerning Its
«* were mpst oonsonstwlS toe priocli
popular sovereignty, which underlies on!
•Bunsnfc It could not have legislated <
wtow wiih<»t doing vtoleuoe to another great
principle of oar institutions, tbe impreaenpti-
tu wiJU of-equality 1 of the'aeretal Stated.
log a more rapid increase or tbe military arma
ment For details of these and other subjects
“’■‘•“ig to tbe army, I refer 1 to tbe report of
cretanr af'Wnr. i
The oondltiQU ,pf the navy Is not merely
satisfactory, but exhibits tbe most gratifying
evidences of increased vigor. As it is com
paratively small, It is more important that it
should lie as complete as possible in all the
elcroenta of strength; that it should be efficient
in the character of its officers, In the seal and
discipline of ita meh^ln tho reliability of its
S ordnance, and In Mro-capacity of its ships. In
B yatipni qualities the rtkyy has.made
rugreri? wlUiln tho last row years. The
on of the Jaw,of (tongre&.pf February
M, 1856. A* itoi .promote . the efficiency of tbe
vy.HhaaiiNn attendedaby the: most advan*
geous results.,Tfae lavr< fbr promoting > dl<w
olpline among the tnen Is found convenient and
Muntary. The cjitem of granting an honorable
dkobarg* to fluthftil seamen oo the expiration
I concur in the views expressed by theSecre
Ury ofthe DupurUiieiitiii iiivoror a still farther
iuereuHo of uttr naval force. ,
The report ofthe Secretary of the Interior
present? facts and view? in rclatlou to Internal
ufliiirHOver which the supervision of his de
partment I'xtemfa, of much interest and impor
tance.
Tlie tiggregiite sale? of tlie public lands,
during the lust Ifarul year, amount to nine mil
lion two hundred and -twenty-seven thousand
oisrht hundred and seventy-eight uores: for
which lute been received tho sum of eight mil*
lions eight hundre 1 ami twonty-one thousand
four hundred uud fonrteeu dollars. During the
same period there have been located, with
militu y scrip und lund-warrants, and for other
purjioses, thirty million one huudred thousand
two hundred and thirty acres, thus making a
total aggregate of thirty-aiue million three
hundred and twenty-eight thousand one hun
dred and eighty acres. On the 30th of Sep
tember lust, surveys had been made of aixteen
million eight hundred and seventy-throe thou
sand six hundred and ninety—nluo acres, a large
proportion ol which if* ready for market.
The HUggestio:w in this report in regard to
the complication aud progressive expansion of
tho business of the different bureaux of the de
partment: to the pension system; tu the colon!-
cation of Indian tribes, and the recommenda
tions in relation to various improvements in tbe
District of Columbia, are esi ecially commend
ed to your consideration.
Tht* report of the Postmaster General pre-
sen fa fully the condition of that department of
M verument. Its expenditures for the last
.rear, were ten miilfou four huudred and
seven thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight
dollars; und its gross receipts seven million six
hundred uud twenty thousand eight hundred
and one dollars—making nu excess of expendi
ture over receipts of two million seven hundred
aud eighty-seven thousand and torty six dol
lars. The deficiency of this department is thus
seven huudred forty-four thousand dollars
greater than for the year ending June 30,1853.
Of this deficiency, three hundred and thirty
thousand dollars is to bu attributed to the ea-
ditiouul compensation allowed postmasters by
the act of Congress of June 22, 1864. The
mail facilities in every part ofthe country have
been very much increased in that period, and
the large addition of railroad service, amount
ing to seven thousand nine hundred and eight
miles, has added largely to the cost of trans
portation.
The inconsiderable augmentation of the in
come ofthe Post Office Department under the
reduced rates of postage, ntid its increasing
expenditures, must, for tlie present, make it
dependent to dome extent upon the treasury
for support The recommendations of the
Postmaster General, in relation to tho abolition
t.f the franking privilego, and his views on the
establishment of umil steamship lines, deserve
the consideration of Congress. I also call tlie
special attention of Congress to the statement
of the Postmaster Geueral respecting the sums
now paid for the transportation of mails to the
Panama Railroad Company, and command to
their early and favorable consideration the sug
gestions ol thai ..fiber in relation to new con
tracts for mail transportation upon that route,
and also upon tbcTehauiitepeo and Nicaragua
routes.
The United State? continues in the enjoy
ment of uraicuble relations with all foreign
powers.
< When my last annual message was transmit
ted to Congress, two subjects of controversy,
one relating to the enlistment of soldiers intms
couutry for foreign service, nnd the other to
Central America, threatened to disturb good
understanding between the Uuited States and
Greut Britain. Of tbe progress and termina
tion ofthe former question yon were informed
at the time; und the other fa now in the way of
satfaf.ic'ory udjustmenl.
The object of the convention between the
United States and Great Britain of the 10th of
April, 1850, was to secure, for the benefit of
all nations, tho neutrality and the common use
of any transit way, or interoocanic communi
cation, across the fatbinu.s of Panama, which
might he opened within the limits of Central
America. The pretension subsequently assert
ed by Great Biitain, the dominion or control
over territories, iu or near two of tho routes,
those of Nicurugua und Honduras, were deem
ed by tho United States, not merely incompatU
bJe with tbe main object of the treaty, but op
posed even to its express stipulates. Occasion
of controversy ou this poiut lias been removed
by an additiouul treaty, which our Alinister at
Loudon has concluded, aud which will helm-
madintely Mibwitted to the Senate for its con
sideration. Should the proposed supplemental
arrangement be concurred in by all the parties
to ho affected by it, the objects contemplated
by the original convention will have been fully
attained.
The treaty between tho United States aud
Great Britain, of tho 5th or June, 1854, which
went into effective operation in 1855, put an
end to couses of irritation between tlie two
countries, by securing to the United State-the
right of fishery on the coast of the British sub
ject?. Besides the signal benefits of this treuty
to a large class of our citizens engaged iu a
pursuit connected to uo inconsiderable degree
witii our national prosperity and strength, it
lias hud » favorable effect upou other interests
lu tlie provision it made for reciprocal freedom
of trade between the United States and the Brit
ish provinces in Amuricu.
Tuo exports of domestic articles to thoso
provinces during tho last year urnouutcd to
more than twenty-two million of dollars, ex
ceeding those of tlie preceding year by nearly
?evcii tnilliou of dollars; and tho imports
therefrom, during the same period, amounted
to mure than twenty-one million—an increase
of ?iq million upon those ofthe previous year.
The improccu condition of this branch of our
commerce fa mainly attributable to the above-
mentioned treaty.
Provision was made, in the first article or the
treuty, for a commission to designate tho
mouths of rivers to which the common right
of fishery, on the couat of the Uuited States
aud tho British Provinces, was not to extend.
This commission has been omployed a part of
two seasons, hut without much progress in ac
complishing the ofijeot for which it was insti
tuted, in consequence of a serious difference of
opinion between tho commissioners, uot only
as to the precise point where the rivers termin
ate, but in many instances as to what consti
tutes a river. These difficulties, however, may
he overcome by resort to the umpirage pro-
vieed fur by the treaty.
The efforts perseveringly prosecuted since
since the commencement or my administration
to relieve aur trade to the Baltic from tbe exac
tion of sound dues by Denmark, have not yet
beeu attended with success. Other govern
ments have also sought to obtain a liko relief
to their commerce, and Denmaik was thus in
duced to propose an arrangement to all the
European Powers interested in tbe subject; and
he manner in which her proposition was re-
teived, warranting hea believe that a satisfac
tory arrangement with them could soon be con
eluded, she made a stroug appeal to this gov*
eminent for temporary suspension of definite
action on ita part,In consideration of the embar
rassment which might result to her European
negotiations by an immediate adjustment ofthe
questidu with the United Status. This request
uas been acceded to, upou the condition that
tlie sums collected after tho 10th of June last,
and until the 10th of June next, from vessels
and curgoes belonging to our merchants, are to
be considered as paid under protest and subject
t» future adjustment. There Is reason to be
lieve that an arrangement, between Denmark
aud the maritime powers or Europe on the sub
ject, will be soon concluded, and that tho
peuding negotiation with the United States
may then be resumed and terminated in a sat
isfactory manner.
With Spain no new difficulties have arisen,
nor has much progress been made in the ad
justment of pending ones.
Negotiations entered into for the purpose of
relieving our commercial intercourse with the
inland of Cuba of some of Ita burdens, and pro
viding for tho more speedy settlement of local
disputes growing out of' that iuteroourae, have
not yet been attended with any results.
Soon, alter the commencement of the late
war in Europe, this government submitted to
the consideration of all mamtime nations two
principle* for the security of noutral commerce:
one, that the neutral flag should cover enemies’
goods, except articles contraband of war; and
toe other, that neutral property on boar&mere-
chant vcAaefa or belligerents ahonld.be exempt
from condemnation, with the exception of con
traband article!* The .e were not presented ai
new rulee of international taw, having been
otx-- not al-
iT jtfi^Oue or the
10 war—Russia—as well at several
.to theso
.wo other prttierpaHefa
. ,TP9liftR*ty stem id to l*
a genera! recognition
of them both In Europe aud America.
But Great Brititid . and France, in coromor
with most ofthe Stretch of Europe, while for.
bearing to reject, did notaffirmotively oot unui
the overtures of the 'United State?: 1
While the question Was iutbis position, tin
representatives of Russia, France, Great Hri-
talD,Au»tri*,Pru»sia, Sardinia, and Turkey,
assembled at Paris, took into consideration tu
•abject of maritime rights, and put forth a de*
claration containing the two princinluH wk ch
this government had submitted, nearly uva
yean before, to the consideration ol rour.tim«
powers, and adding thereto tho following pm.
positions: "Privateering is utid reiumm
abolished.” and "blockades, in ordtr to u
binding, must be effective, that is to ray, main-
talned by a force, sufficient really to iirtvt i t
access to the coast ol tho enemy;" atm to tbe
declaration thus composed of lour point? two
of which hud already been proposed by Um
United States, this government has been nv n d
to accede by all the powers represented at Pur«
except Great Britain and Turkey. To tho | 0 kt
ofthe two additional proposition*—that iu ta
xation to blockades—11ic 10cun certainly bo no
objection. It is merely the definition of what
shall constitute tho effectual investment ou
blockaded place, a definition lor which this
government has always contended, daiujiyr
mdomnlty for losses where a practical violation
of the rule thus defined has been Injurious to
our commerce. As to tho remaining article of
the declaration of tho conference of Paris, "that
privateering isand remains abolished,”—I cere
talnly cannot ascribe to tlie power* rcpre ci ud
in the conference of Paris, any but liuti.d .ud
R hilanthropio views in the attempt to ( banco
ic unquestionable rule of maritime taw in ic-
S ard to privateering. Their proportion \ VlH
oubtless intended to imply uppnvulnj tiic
principle that private property upon ti,o ocean
although it might belong to the oil z. i s of a
belligerent Styte, should be exempted lain
capture; and bad that proposition beta
framed aa to give full effect to the principle, it
would have received my ready a.-rant on be
half of the United State?. But the meurare
proposed is inadequate to that purpose. It is
true, that if adopted, private propci ty upou the
ocean would be withdrawn from one mode of
plunder, but left exposed, meanwhile, to m,oth
er mode, which could bo uted with iumuud
effectiveness.
The aggressive capacity of groat naval poweis
would be thereby augmenxd, while tlie dtp-u-
sive ability of others would be reduttd. 1 nci.-h
the surrender of the means of proicating 10*
tilities by employing privateers, us pinnittd
by the conference ot Puria, is mutual in turns,
yet, in practical effect, it would bs tbe uu,-
quisbment of a light of little value tu one ih.va
ofSta.es, hut of essential importance ;o un-
other, and a far larger clu?s. It uugLt n<-t to
have been anticipated that a meabiue ra iluJi-
quateto the accomplishment uf the piopo.-td
object, and so unequal in ita operatum, would
receive the assent of nil maritime power*.—
Private property would be»till loll to tm. de
predations ofthe public aimed ouhtn.
I have expressed a readiness on tlie part of
this government, to accide to oil the pj.ui.
pies contained in tbe declaration <.t the O r*
Terence of Paris, provided that relating to iio
abandonment of privateering tun hesj enn tid
ed as to effect the object for which, as:»j u-
sumed.it was intended, the in.imiiiiiy ot pi*
vate property on the ocean from liurtilecrptmo.
To effect this olject, it fa proposed to :dn to
the declaration that "priv.tuiit g i? ctd ic-
mains abolished," tie fill wiig tinu.tnui.tj
"And that the private pro! city uf m.i jut-m d
citizens of a belligerent on tin! high
be exempt from teizurc Jy the public annul
vessels of the other belligerent, cmij il: le
contraband.” Thfa uuiondnicirt b.».-Lui pie-
sented not only to tiro power which have ui,«d
onr assent to the deeinrutien to nfab-l pi-
vateering, but to all other maritime Stitt*—
Thus far it has not been rejected by r.i?y, m d U
favorably entertained by nil which Imvi- made
any communication in reply.
Several ofthe government?, regarding wbh
favor the proposition of the Unite d States, ta ve
delayed definitive action upon it, only u t 0
purpose of consulting with others, j attic-to
the conference of Pari?. I have the rati.-fiuth ti
of stating, however. Dint the Emperor of Ru.-ia
has entirely and explicitly approved of tint
modification, and will co-oprinte in or.dchvi-i-
ing'to obtain the assent ol other power?; m.d
that assurances of tuhnilur purport have bn 11
received in relation to tho dtapoailiotr u tie
Emperor of the French.
The present aspect of thfa :mjiortai:t 311IJ ct
allows us to cherish the hope that a piiiicj.lo
so humane in Its character, >« jot aid iqml
in its operation, so essentia! to tin* pros; • my
of commercial nations, und consonant to
the sentiments of thfa enlightened perkd of
the world, will comtnund the npjirotmtirn of
all maritime power?, ntid thus lie incorpora
ted into the code ofiuternutiom l taw.
My views on tbo subject are* more fully set
forth in tho reply of fhe Secretary c f State, 0
copy of which fa herewith trammitted, to tho
commanicatious on the subject made to tfaa
government, especiaily to the communication
of France.
The government of the United States has ut
all times regarded with friendly interest die
other State? of America, formerly litre this
country. Europcau colonies, and now iidJ-
S endent member? of tho great family of nit
ons. But the unsettled condition of some of
them, distracted by frequent revolutions, in d
thus incapablu of regular and linn internal
administration, bus tended to embuiiura occa
sionally our public intercourse, by reason of
wrongs which our citizens sutler at their hnufa
and which they are slow to redress.
Unfortunately it fa against the Itcpnblio of
Mexico, with which it fa our special d< site to
maiutain a good understanding, that such com
plaints aro most numerous; and allhmph rcr*
ncstly urged upon its attention, they have net
as yet received thfa conrideraliou which thte
government had a right to expect. While re
paration for past injuries lias been withheid,
others have been added. The pul.ticul condi
tion of that country, however, hu? been Mich
as to demand forbearance on the pint of tl.o
Uuited States. 1 shall continue my 1 flints to
S rocnre for the wrong? of our cittern? Unit rc-
rcss which fa indispensable to tlie umtinud
friendly association of tho two republic*.
Tho peculiar condition of affairs in Nicaragua
in the early part of tho present year, rendered
it important that lh is gov*, rnment should have
diplomatic relations with that State. Through
ita territory had been opered one of the prin
cipal thoroughfares across the Lthums con
necting North and South America, ou which a
vast amount of property wu? transported, sod
to which our citizens resorted in great numb*
era, in passing between tho Atlantic and Paci
fic coasts of the United State?. The protection
of both required that the existing power iu that
should be regarded os a responsible gov< rnmci 1}
and ita minister was accordingly receive 1 .
But ho remained here ouly a short time. h< ou
thereafter the political aflair? of Nican.gia
underwent unfavorable change, and Uu wo
involved in much unceeituinty and con
fusion. Diplomatic reprnrantativca trust
two ccutendtug parties have been rreeut-
ly sent to thfa gnveruinct; hut, with the itii; tr
ied information possessed, it not pofsrole to
decide which was the government ih Judo;
and awaiting tbe further development, 1 Luvu
refused to receive either.
Questions ot tho moat serious nature arc pen
ding between the Uuited State? and tot fie*
S ubtle of New Granada. The guv ruiucut of
rat republic undertook, a year siuce, to im
pose tonnage duties on frreign vetacis ui her
ports, hut the purpose was resisted by thfa gov
ernment, aa being contrary to existing treaty
stipulation with tbe United State?, aud to rights
conferred by charter upon the Panama Iteulr- ud
Company, and was accordingly reliuqufabcd ut
that time, it being admitted that our vcbmH
were entitled to bo exempt from tonnage d.!)’
in the free , porta of Panama ui d Aspinwail-
But tho purpose has been recently revived, ott
the part of Now Granada, by tho enueiRnmt of
a law to subject vessels visiting bur peffa **
the tonnage duty of forty cent? per ton; and
although tiro taw bus not been put in
the right to euforce it i? frill at* c 1 ted lire ui •)’*
at ouy time, be acted ou by tlie guvwuhtaht 0*
that republic.
The Congress of New Granada hts atao •••
acted a law, daring tlie last year, which levies
s tax of more three dollars on every pound or
mail matter transported uurora tiro i>ti<raui.--
The sum that required to lie paid on the w mu
of tbe United Stutes would he nearly two mil
lions of dollars annually, in addition to tho
Urge snm payable by coutruct to the Paulina
Railroad Company. If tho only oljcution to
this exnotion were the exoihitaiuy ol m
amount, it conld not be tuLuiitted to by tW
United Statoa. . ? „
. The imposition of it. however, would obvfa
oosly contravene our treaty with New Gran
ada, and iufriuge tliu ♦•ontnret of that ri'i»u.iUo
.With the.Panama RailroadComp.my. 'I he law
providing fiir.thfa tux was, by -tea terms, to taf*
•Shot on the first of Sept«mU#r‘*hist, but jus
local autboritiw ou the i-thuia? have been fa*
duood to suspend Us execution, sad to await
kotow hotnotoos m tot saUMt Moth.