Newspaper Page Text
VOLUME 11. |
BY C. R. HANLEITER.
©ITA Y H PAIPEKio
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE.
To tie Senate and
House of Representatives of the U. S.
If any people ever had cause lo render
up thanks Jo the Supreme Being, for paren
tal care and protection extended to them
in all the trials and difficulties to which tliev
have been from time to time exposed, we
certainly are that People. From the first
settlement of our forefathers on this conti
nent —through the dangers attendant upon
the occupation of a savage wilderness—
thro’ a long period of Colonial dependence
—through the war of the Revolution—in
the wisdom which led to the adoption of the
existing Republican forms of Government
—in the hazards incident to a war subse
quontly waged with one of the most pow
erful nations of the esith—in the increase
of our population—in the spread of the
arts and sciences, and in the stiength and
durability conferred on political institutions
emanating from the People and sustained
by their will—the superintendence es an
overruling Providence has been plainly visi
ble. As preparatory, therefoie, to enter
ing once more upon the high duties of legis
lation, it becomes us humbly to acknowledge
our dependence upon Him as our guide and
protector, and to implore a continuance of
His parental watchfulness ovei our beloved
country. We have new cause for the ex
pression of our u t sit it nr le in the preset va
tion of the health of our fellow-citizens,
with some partial and local exceptions, du
ring the past season—for the abundance
with which the earth lias yielded up its
fruits to the labors of the husbandman—for
the renewed activity which has been im
ported to commerce —for the revival of
trade in all its departments—for the increas
ed rewards attendant on the exercise of the
mechanic arts —for the continued growth of
our population and the rapidly reviving
{prosperity of the whole country. I shall
lie permitted to exchange congratulations
with you, gentlemen of the two Houses of
Congress, on these auspicious circumstan
ces, and to assure you, in advance of my
ready disposition to concur with you in the
adoption of all such measures as shall he
-calculated to increase the happiness of our
-constituents and to advance the gloty of our
common country.
Since the last adjournment of Congress,
the Executive has relaxed no effort to len
der indestructible the relations of amity
which so happily exist between the United
States and other countries. Ihe treaty
lately concluded with Gteat Britain lias
tended greatly to increase the good under
standing which a reciprocity of interest is
calculated to encourage, and, it is nio.-t ar
dently to he hoped that nothing may tians
pite to interrupt the relations of amity
which it is so obviously the policy of both
nations to cultivate.
A question of much importance still re
mains to he adjusted between them !he
teiritorial limits of the two countries in re
lation to what is commonly known as the
Oregon territory still remain in dispute.—
The United States would he at all times in
disposed to aggrandize themselves fit the
expense of any other nation ; but while
they would he restrained by principles of
honor, which should govern the conduct of
nations as well as that of individuals, from
setting up a demand for territory •which
does not belong to them, they would as un
willingly consent to a surrender of their
After the most rigid, and as far as
practicable, unbiassed examination of the
subject, the United States have always cort
.tended that their rights appertain to the en
tire region of country lying on the I acific,
and embraced within the 42d mid 54th de
gree and 40 minutes of North latitude. *1 he
claim being controverted by Great Biitain,
those who have preceded the preset.t Ex
ecutive, actuated, no doubt, by an earnest
desire to adjust the matter upon terms mu
tually satisfactory to both countries, have
caused to he submitted to the British Gov
eminent, propositions for settlement and
final adjustment, which, however, have not
proved’ heretofore acceptable So it. Our
Minister at London has, under instructions,
again brought the subject to the considera
tion ot that Government, and while noil.-
iiig will be done to compromit the rights, ot
honor of the United States, every proper
expedient will be resorted to in mdei to
bring the negotiation now in progress <*• re
sumption to u speedy and happy termina
tion. In the meantime it is proper to re
mark, that many of our citizens are either
already established in the territory, or are
on their way thither for the purpose of form
ing permanent settlements, while others ate
preparing to follow —and in view of these
facts, I must repeat the recommendation
contained in previous messages, for the es
tablishment of military posts, at such places,
on the line of travel, as will furnishsecurity
and protection to our hardy udventureis
against hostile tribes ot Indians inhabiting
those extensive regions. Our laws should
also follow them, so modified as the circum
stances of the case may seem to require.
Under the influence of our free system of
government, new republics are destined to
spring up, at no distant day, oil the shores of
the Pacific, similar in policy and in feeling
to those existing on this side of the Rocky
Mountains, and giving a wider and more ex
tensive spread to the principles of ct\n and
religious liberty.
A WssMy s Bavotodl to ffoMftfoß, Maws, ILfitoratairi Modhamito Arts, gaiama®, &®.
I. nut happy to inform you that the cases
which have arisen, fiom time to time, of
the detention of American vessels by Brit
ish cruisers on the coast of Africa,‘under
pretence of being engaged in the slave
trade, have been placed in a fair train of ad
justment. In the case of William & Fran
cis, full satisfaction will he allowed. In
the cases of the Tygtis and Seamew, the
British Government admits that satisfaction
iis due. In the ease of the Jores, the sum
accruing front the sale of that vessel and
cargo will he paid to the owners—while 1
cannot hut flatlet myself that full indemni
fication will he allow ed for all damages sus
tained by the detention of the vessel—and
in the case of the Douglass, her Majesty’s
Government has expressed its detetmina
• ion to make indemnification. Strong hopes
j me Ihe i cfoie entertained that most, if not
I tdl. of these eases will he speedily adjusted.
No new cases have arisen since the ratifi
cation of the Treaty nf Washington; and it
is confidently anticipated, that the slave
trade, under the operation of the eighth ar
ticle of that treaty, will he altogether sup
pressed.
1 lie occasional interruption experienced
hy our fellow-citizens engaged in the fi.slm
ties on the neighboring coast of Novia Sco
tia, has not failed to claim the attention of
the Executive. Representations Upon this
subject have her n made, but as yet no defi
nitive answer to those representations has
been received from the British Government
Two other subjects nf comparatively mi
nor importance, but nevertheless of too
much consequence to he neglected, remain
still to he adjusted between the two coun
tries. By the Treaty between the United
Nates and Gteat Britain, of July ISIS, it is
provided that no higher duties shall he lev
ied in either country on articles imported
front the other, than on the same articles int
poited from any other place. In 1836,
rough t ice, hy act of Parliament, was nd
milted fmm the coast of Africa into Great
Britain on the payment of a duty of one pen
ny a quarter, w hile the same ailicle front all
other conntties. including the United Ststes,
was subjected to the payment of n duty of
twenty shillings a quarter. Our Minister r.t
London has fmm lime to time brought this
subject to the consideration of the Btilisli
Government, hut so far without success
Ileisi strucleilto renew his representations
Upon it.
Some years since a claim was preferred
against the British Government on the pail
of certain American men hauls, for the te
turn of export duties paid I y them on ship
ments of woollen goods totlie Ulihed States,
after the duty on similar articles exported
to other cotitiiiies hud been repealed, and
consequently in conltiivetition of the corn
menial convention between the two na
tions securing to us equality in such cases.
The pi incipient) which the claim tests lias
long since been virtually admitted hv Gieat
Bt itain, hut obstacles to a settlement have
fiom time to time been interposed, so that a
large portion of the amount claimed has not
yet been refunded. Our Minister is now
engaged in the prosecution of the claim, anil
1 cannot put persuade myself that the Brit
ish Government will no longer delay its ad
justment.
1 am happy to he able to say that nothing
has occurred to disturb in any degree the re
lation of amity which exist between the
United Slates and Fiance, Austria and Bus
in, as well as with the other Powers of Eu
rope, since the adjournment of Congress.—
Spain has been agitated with internal con
vulsions fiir many years, from the effects of
which it is to he hoped she is destined spee
dily to recover—when under a more lihetal
system of commercial policy on her part,
our trade with her may again fill its old, and
so far as her commercial possessions ate
concerned, its almost forsaken channels,
thereby adding to the mutual prosperity of
the two countries.
The Germanic Association of Customs
and Commerce, which, since its establish
ment, in 1533, has been steadily grow ing in
power and importance, and consists at this
time of more than twenty German Slates,
and etnbiaces a population of 27,000,000 of
people, united for all the purposes nf com
mercial intercourse w ith each other and
with foreign stales, offers to the latter
the most valuable exchatices mi prin
ciples more liberal than are offered in
the fiscal system of any other European
power. From its origin, the importance of
the German Union has never been lost sight
of by the United Stales. The industry,
morality and other valuable qualities
of the German nation, have always been
well knowi’J anil appreciated. On this sub
ject 1 invite tLet attention of Congress to the
report of the SeciefM'Y ofStatefrom which it
will he seen that w hile our cotton is admit
ted free of duty, and the atity on lice has
been much reduced, which Ims alrea
dy led to a greatly increased consump
tion, a strong disposition libh been recently
evinced by that great body to reduce, upon
certain conditions, their present duty upon
tobacco. This being the first intimation of
a concession on this interesting subject ever
made by any European power, I cannot but
regard it ns well calculated to remove the
only impediment which has so far existed
to the most liberal commercial intercourse
between us and them. In this view, our
Minister at Berlin, who has heretofore in
dustriously pursued the subject, has been
instructed to enter upon the negotiation of
MADISON, MORGAN COUNTY, GEORGIA, FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 15, 1843.
a commercial treaty, which, while it will
open new advantages to the agricultural in
terests of the United Slates, and a more
free and expanded field for commcn ial op
; erarions, will affect iujuiiniisty tin existing
interest of the Union. Should the negotia
tion he crowned with success, its tesults
] will he communicated to both Houses of
! Congress.
| I communicate herewith certain despatch*
j es received from our Minister at Mexico, and
; also a ciirrespiitidence w hich has recent 1 v oc
curred betvvi eri the Envoy from that Repuh
| lie and the Secretary of State. It must hr re
- guided as not a little extraordinary that the
Govt tnmi tit of Mexico, in anticipation of a
public discussion, which it has been pleas
ed to infer fiom newspaper publications, as
i likely to take place in Congress, relating to
j the annexation of Texas to the United
Slates, should have so far anticipated the
result of such discussion as to have an
nounced itsdetciminntio!i to visit utiv such
anticipated decision by a formal declaration
of war against the United Stairs. It de
signed to prevent Congress from introduc
ing that question, as a fit subject for its calm
deliberation and final judgment, the Execu
tive has no reason to doubt that it will en
tirely fail of its object. The Representa
tives of a brave and patriotic people will
suffer no apptehrusion of future conse
quences to embarrass them in the comse of
their proposed deliberations. Nor will the
Executive Department of the Government
fail, for any such cause, to discharge its
whole duty to the country.
‘1 he war which has existed for so long a
time between Mexico and Texas has, since
the battle of San Jacinto, consisted for the
most part of predatory incursions, which,
while they have been attended with much
of suffering to individuals, and have kept
the holders of the two countries in a state
of constant alatrn, have failed to approach
to any definitive tesult. Mexico has fitted out
no foimadalde armament hy land or by sea
for the subjugation of Texas. Eight years
have now elapsed since Texas declared her
independence of Mexico, and during that
time she has been recognized as a sovereign
power liy several of the principal civilized
states. Mexico, nevertheless, perseveres
in her plans of teconquest, and refuses to
recognise her independence. The preda
tory inclusions to which I have alluded,
have been attended, in one instance, with
the breaking up of the courts of justice, by
the seizing upon the persona of the judges,
juty and officetsof ifie* court, and dragging
them tilmig with unai med, and therefore
turn combatant citizens into a etnel and op
pressive bondage, thus leaving crime to go
unpunished and immorality to pass nnre
ptovi-d. A border wat fare is evermore to
he deprecated, and over stu h a war as has
existed for so many veats between these
two States, humanity has had gteat cause to
lament. Nor is such a condition of things
to lie deplored only because of the individ
ual suffering attendant upon it. The effects
are far more extensive. The Creator of the
L’niverse has given man the Esith for his
resting place, and its fruits for his subsis
tence \V hatever, therefore, shall make
the first or any pait of it a scene of desola
tion, affects injuriously his heritage, nitrt may
be regarded as a general calamity. Wats
may sometimes lie necessary; but nil ra
tions have a common interest in bringing
them speedily to a close. The United
.States have an immediate interest in seeing
an end put to the state of hostilities existing
between Mexico and Texas. They are our
neighbors, of the same continent, with
whom we are not only desirous of cultiva
ting the relations of amity, out of the most
extended commeteial intercourse, and to
practice all the rights of a neighbotlfiod
hospitality. Ournwn interests tiff deeply
involved in the matter, since, however neu
tral may be our course of policy, we can
not hope to escape the effects of a spirit ot
jealousy on the part of both of the powers.
Nor can this Government be itidifleient to
the fact, that a wa tfa re such as is waged
between those two nations, is calculated to
weaken both powers, and finally to rentier
them, and especially the w eaker of the two,
the subjects of interference on the part of
stronger and more powerful nations which,
intent only on advancing their own peculiar
views, may sooner or later attempt to Iniug
about a compliance with terms, as the con
dition of their inlet position, alike derognto
ty to the nation granting them anil detri
mental to the interests of the United Slates.
W e could not lie expected quietly to pet mit
any such interference to our disadvantage.
Considering ‘.lmt Texas is separated from
the United States hy a mere gengtnpliical
line, that Iter tenitorv, in the opinion of
many, down to a late period, formed a por
tion of the territory of the United States.that
it is homogeneous in its population and pur
suits with the adjoining Stales, makes conti i
hutions to the commerce of the world in the
same articles w ith them, nnd that most of her
inliabitantahavebeen citizensof theU.Stuies,
speak the same language and live under sim
ilar political institutions with ourselves, this
Government is hound by every consideration
of interest as well as of sympathy, to see
that she shall be left free to act, especially in
regard to her domestic affairs, unawed by
fotce, nnd unrestrained by the policy or
views of other countries.
In full view of all these considerations, the
Executive has not hesitated to express to the
Government of Mexieo how deeply it depre-
cated n continuance of the war. and how anx
iously it desired Ki witness its termination.—
1 cannot hut think it becomes the U. States,
as the oldest of the American Republics, to
bold a language lo Mexico upon this subject
of an unambiguous character. It is time that
tliis war had ceased. There must be a limit
to all wars; and if the parent State, after an
eight years’ struggle, lias failed to reduce to
submission a portion of its subjects standing
out in revolt against it, and who have not
only proclaimed themselves to be indepen
dent, but have been recognized as such by
other | oners, site ought not to expect that
oilier nations wit quietly look on, to their ob
vious injury, upon a protraction of hostilities.
These United States threw oft’ their colonial
dependence, artel established independent gov.
ernments: and Great Britain, after having
wasted lur energies in the attempt to subdue
them fur a less period than Mexico has at
tempted to subjugate Texas had the wisdom
and justi-e to acknowledge their indepen
dence, thereby recognising the obligation
which rested on Iter as one of the family of
nations. An example thus set by one of the
proudest ns well as most powerful nations of
the earth, it could in no way disparage Mex
ico to imitate. While, therefore, the Execu
tive w ould deplore any collision with Mexico,
or any disturbance of the friendly relations
which exist between the two countries, it
cannot permit that Government to control its
policy, whatever it may fie, towards Texas;
hut will treat her ns by the recognition of Iter
independence the United States have long
since declared they would do. as entirely in
dependent of Mexico. The high obligations
of public duty tiny enforce fiom the constitu
ted authorities of the United States a policy
which the course perseveied in by Mexico
will have mainly contributed to produce; and
the Executive, in such a contingency, will
with confidence throw itself upon the patriot
ism of the People to sustain the Government
in its course of action.
Measures of an unusual diameter have
recently been adopted by the Mexican Gov
ernment calculated in no small degree to
affect the trade of otliet nations with Mexi
co, and to operate injuriously to the United
States. All foieigners by a decree of the
23d day n/'September, uud after six mmitlis
from the day of its promulgation, ate for
bidden to carry on the business of selling
hy retail any goods within the confine* of
Mexico. Against this decree our Minister
has not fuiled to remonstrate.
The trade heretofore carried on hy our
citizens with Santa Fe, in which much cap
ital was already invested, and which was
becoming r.f daily increasing importance,
has suddenly been attested by a decree of
virtual prohibition on the part of the Mexi
can Government. Whatever may be the
right of Mexico to prohibit any particular
course of trade, to the citizens or subjects
of foreign powers, tbit late procedure, to
say the least of it, wears a harsh and un
ft iendly aspect.
The instalments on the claims recently
settled by theConveiition with Mexico have
been punctually paid as they have fallen
due, and mtr Minister is engaged in urging
the establishment of anew commission iti
pursuance of the Convention of ;he settle
ment of unadjusted claims.
With the other American States our re
lations of amity and good will have remain
ed uninterrupted. Our Minister near the
Republic of New Grenada has succeeded
in effecting att adjustment of the claim up
on that Government for the schooner “By
Chance,” which had been pending for many
years. The claim for the brig “ Morris,”
which had its origin during the existence of
the Republic of Columbia, and indemnifi
cation for which, since the dissolution of
that Republic, has devolved on its several
members, will be mged with renewed zeal.
I have much plenum e in saying that the
Government of Brazil has adjusted the
claim upon that Government in the case of
the schponer “John S. Bryan,” nnd that
sanguine hopes ate entertained that the
same spirit of justice w ill influence its
councils in arriving at an early decision up
on the remaining claims ; thereby remov
ing all cause of dissension between two
Powers whose interests are to some extent
interwoven with each other.
Out Minister at Chili has succeeded in in
due ng a recognition hy that Government
of the adjustment effected hy his predeces
sor of the first (lnitns in the case of thu
“ Macedonian.” The fust imstalrnent has
been received by the claimants in the Uni
ted •States.
Notice of the exchange of ratifications
of the treaty witk Peru, which will take
place at Luna, lias not yet reached this
country, hut is shortly expected to be re
ceived, w hen the claims upon that Repub
lic will doubtless be liquidated and paid.
In consequence of a misunderstanding
between this Government and that of Bue
nos Ayres, occurring several years ago, this
Government has remained unrepresented
nt that court, while a minister from it has
been constantly resident here. The causes
of irritation have in a great measure pass
ed away, and it is in contemplation, in view
of important interests which have gtnw-n
np in that country, at some early period
duiing the present session of Congress,
with the concurrence of the Senate, to re
store diplomatic relations between live two
count ties.
Under the provisions of an act of Con
gress of the last session, a Minister was des
patched from the United States to Chins, in
August of the present year, who, from
the latest accounts we have from him, was
nt Suez, in Egypt, on the 26th of Septem
ber last, on fiis route to Citing.
In regard to the Indisn tribes tesiding
within our jurisdictional limits, the greatest
vigilence of the Government lias been ex’
cried to preserve them at peace among
themselves, and to inspite them with feel
ings of confidence in the justice of this Gov
ernment, and to cultivate friendship with
the bolder inhabitants. This has happily
succeeded lo a great extent ; nut it is a sub
ject of regtet that thev suffer themselves in
some instances to he imposed upon by art
ful and designing men—anil this, notwith
standing all the dibit* of the Government
to prevent it.
The receipts into the Ttessury for the
calendar year 1843, exclusive of loans, were
little mote than eighteen millions of dol
lars ; and the expendittiies, exclusive of
payments on the public debt, w ill hsve been
about twenty-three millions of dollars. By
the Act of 1842, anew aitaugemrnt of
the fiscal year was made, so that it should
commence on the Ist day of July in each
year. The accounts and estimates for the
current fiscal year, will show that the loans
anil Treasury notes made ar.d issued befoie
the close of the last Congress, to meet the
anticipated deficiency, have not been en
titely adequate. Although, on the Ist of
October last, thete was a balance in the
Treasury in consequence of tin* provision
thus made of 83,914,082 77, yet the appro
priations already made by Congress w ill
absorb that balance, and leave a probable
deficiency of two millions of tlollats nt the
close of the present fiscal year. There are
outstanding Treasury notes to the amount
of four millions six hundred thousand dol
lars ; and should they he returned upon the
Treasury during the fiscal year, they will
require provision for their redemption. I
do not, however, regard this as probable,
since they have obviously entered into the
currency of the country, and will continue
to form a portion of it, if Ibe system now
adopted be continued. Tbe loan of 1541,
amounting to 55.672.97 G 88, falls due on
the Ist of January, 1845, and must he pro
vided for or postponed by anew loan. And.
unless the resources of tevenue should lie
n a eiinllv inctea-ril by you. there will be a
probable deficiency for the service of the
fiscal year ending June 30th, 1645, of up
waids of four millions es dollars.
The ‘delusion incident to ar. enormous
ly excessive paper circulation, which gßve
a fictitious value to evety thing, and stimu
lated adventure and speculation to an ex
travagant extent, has been happily succeed
ed by the substitution of the precious met
als and paper promptly redeemable in spe
cie, and thus false values have disappeared,
and a sounder condition of things Inis been
introduced. This transition, although inti
mately connected with tlie prospet ity of the
country, has nevertheless been attended
with much embarrassment to the Govern
ment, in its financial concerns. So long as
the foteign importers con Id receive payment
for their cargoes in a cwrtency of greatly
less value than that in Europe, kui fully
available here in the purchase of out agri
cultural productions, their profits being im
measurably augmented by the operation,
the shipments were large and the revenue
of the Government became superabundant.
But the change in the character of the cir
culation from a nominal and apparently real
value, in the first stages of its existence, to
an obviously depreciated value in its second,
so that it no longer answered the purposes
of exchange or barter, anil its ultimate sub
stitution by a sound metallic and paper cir
culation combined, has Iwen attended hy
diminished impnilations, and a consequent
falling off in the revenue. This has induc
ed Congress, from 1837, to tesort to the ex
pedient of issuing Tteasury notes, and finally
of funding them, in order to supply defi
ciencies. 1 cannot, however, withhold the
remark that it is in no way compatible with
the dignity of the Government that a pub
lic debt should he created in lime of peace
to meet the current expenses of the Gov
ernment, or that temporary expedients
should be resorted to an hour longer than it
is possible to avoid them. 1 lie Executive
can do no more than apply the mean,, w liich
Congress places in its hands for the support
of Government; and, happily for the good
of the country and for the preservation of
its liberties, it possesses. tjo power to Uvy
exactions on the people, or to force from
them contributions to the public revenue in
any form. It can only recommend such
measures as may, in its opinion, be called
for by the wants of the public service, to
Congress, with whom alone rests the pow
er to “ lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts
and excises.” This duty has upon several
occasions heretofoie been performed. The
present condition of things gives a fluttering
promise that trade and commerce ate rapid
ly reviving, and, fortunately for the country,
the sources of reveuue have only to be
opened, in order to prove abundant.
While we can anticipate no considerable
increase in the proceeds of the stiles of the
public lands for reasons pet feet ly obvious
to all, for several years to come, yet the
public, lar.ds cannot otherwise than be re
garded as the foundation of the public cred
it. With so large a body of the most fer
tile lands in the world under the control
and at the disposal of the Government, no
j NUMBER 38.
V. T. THOMPSON, EDITOR.
one can reasonably doubt the entire abilirv
of the Government to meet its engagement's
under every emergency. In seasons nf
trial and difficulty, similar to those through
which we ate passing, the capitalist makes
his investment in the Government stocks
with the most assured confidence of ultimate
reimhutsement ; and w hatever may be said
tn B pet tint nf jjieot tinsnrmt piosprritv,
such as existed for some years after 1533,*1
should regattl it as suicidal in a season of
financial embarrassment, either to alienate
the lands themselves, or the proceeds arising
from their sale*. The first end paramount
duty of those to whom may be entrusted
the administration r.f public affairs, is to
guard the public credit. In re-establishing
the credit of this central Government, the
readiest and most obvious mode is taken to
restore the credit of the Nates. The ex
tremities can only he made sound by pro
ducing a healthy action in the Central Gov
ernment, and the history of the present day
fully establishes the fact, that att increase in
the value of the stocks of this Goveirnent.
will, in a majority nf instances, he attended
l>y an increase in the value of the stocks of
the States. It should, therefore, Ite a mat
ter of Reneral congratulation that amidst all
the embarrassments atishig fiom surround
ing ritrumstani-es, the credit of the Gov
ernment should have been to fully testored
that it has been enabled to effect a loan of
seven millions of dollais to redeem that
amount of Treasury notes, on terms mors
favorable than any that have been offeied
for many years. And the six per cent, stock
which was created in 1842, has advanced in
the hands of the holders to neatly twenty
per cent, above its par value. The confi
dence of the people in the integrity of their
Government has thus been signally man'*
f.'stifd. These opinions relative to the pub
lic lands do not in any manner conflict with
the observance of the most liberal policy
towards those of our fellow-citizens who
press forward into the w ilderness and at*
the pioneers in the wink of its reclatnatic.lt.
in seeming lo hII such their rtghrs of pie
emptii n. the Government performs hut t.n
Set of retiihulive justice for sufferings en
countered and liHidships entluied, and finds
ample remuneration in the comforts which
its policy ensures and tlie happiness which
it imparts.
Should a revision of the tariff, with a
view to ravenue, become necessary in the
estimation of Congress, I doubt not yoa
will approach the suhjert with a just and
enlightened regatd to the interests of tha
whole Union. The principles and views
which I have heretofore had occasion- tie
submit, remain uni-hanged. It can, howev
er, never le too often repented flat tha
pmmiiient interest of every important pui
suit of life, requires for success permanen
cy snd stability in legislation. These can
only he attained by adopting as the basis of
action, model atioti in all things, which is aa
indispensably necessaiy to secure the liar*
motiioos action of tlie political as of the an
imal system. In our political organization,
no one section of the countiy should desire
tn have its supposed interests advanced at
the sacrifice of all others ; hut Union being
!> ureat interest, eonalby precious to alb
should ite fostered and sustained by mutual
concessions ami the cultivation of that spirit
of compromise from which tbe Constitution
itself proceeded.
You will be informed, hy the report from
the Treasury Department, of the measures
taken under the act of the last session, ai*
thorizing the re-issue of Treasury notes in
lieu of those then outstanding. The sys
tem adopted in pursuaiiee of existing laws,
seems well calculated to save the country a
large amount of interest, while it afl’otds
conveniences and obviates dangers and ex
pense in the transmission of funds to dis
bursing agents. I refer you also to that re
port for the means proposed by the Secreta
i v foincrrn.se the revenue, and particularly
to that pmtion of it which relates to the
subject of the ware-housing system, which
I earnestly urged upon Congress at its last
session, and ns to the importance of whivh
my opinion has undergone i"..
In view of t' it , tfisonjereil condition of
- Clift <-ncy nt lltg time, and the high rates
Oi exchange between different pail# of ilia
country, I felt it to he im umhent on me to
present totlie consideration of your prede
cessors a proposition ot.Aiding in no de
gree with the Constitution, or with the
rights of the - States, and having the aatg;-*
lion not in detail, but in principle, of some
of the eminent men who had preceded me
in the Executive office. That proposition
contemplated tbe issuing of Tteasury notes
of denomination not less than five nor more
than one hundred dollars, to be employed
in payment of the obligations of the Gov
ernment in lieu of gold und silver, at the op
tion of the public creditor, and to an amount
not exceeding 815,000,000. It was pro
posed to make them reeeivable evety where,
and to establish at vat ions points deposito
ries of gold ami silver to be held in trust
for the redemption of such notes, 90 ay tr>.
ensure their convertibility into sp cie, No
doubt wasetitcttainedthat such luitevwould
have maintained a par value with, gold and
silver, thus furnishing a paper currency of
equal value over the Union, thereby meeting
the just expectations of the peoph* and ful
filling the duties of a puiental Government.
V\ bother the depositories should, he oeV
milted to sell or purchase bills umbra VetV
limited restrictions, together with all its ntH