Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

PRESIDENT'S MESSiCE. Felint-Citizfns of lA* Senate, indof the ll&Hse of Representative — The Interest with which the people of the Republic anticipate the assembling of Congress, and the fulfilment, on that occa sion, of the duty imposed upon anew Pre sident, is one of the best evidences of their capacity to realize the hopes of the found ers of a political system, at once complex and symmetrical. While the different branches of the government are, to a cer tain txtent, independent of each other, the duties of all, alike, have direct reference to the source of power. Fortunately, un der this system, no man is so high, and none so humble, in the scale of public sta tion, as to escape from the scrutiny, or to sxempt from the responsibility, which all official functions imply. Upon the justice and intelligence of the masses, in a government thus organized, is the sole reliance of the confederacy, and the only security for the honest and ear nest devotion to its interest against the usurpations and encroachments power on the one hand, and the assaults of personal ambition on the other. The interest, of which I have spoken is inseparable from an enquiring, self-govern ing community, bat stimulated, doubtless, at the present time, by the unsettled con dition of our relations with several foreign powers; by the new obligations resulting firom a sudden extension of the field of en terprise; by the spirit with which that field has been entered, and the amazing ener gy with which its resources for meeting the demands of humanity have been de veloped. Although disease, assuming at one time the characteristic of a wide-spread and devastating pestilence, has left its sad tra ces upon some portions of our country, we have still the most abundant cause for reverent thankfulness to God for an accu mulation of signal mercies showered upon us as a nation. It is well that a concien ciousness of rapid advancement, and in creasing strength be habitually associated with an abididg sense of dependence upon Him who holds in his hands the destiny of men and nations. Recognising the wisdom ol the broad principle of absolute religious toleration proclaimed in our fundamental law, and rejoicing in the benign influence which it has exerted upon our social and political condition, I should shrink from a clear du ty, did I fail to express my deepest convic tion, that we can place no secure reliance upon any apparent progress, if it be not sustained by national integrity, resting up on the great truths affirmed and illustrated by divine revelation. In the midst of our sorrow for the afflicted and suffering, it has been consoling to sec how promptly disaster made true neighbors of districts and cities separated widely from each oth er, and cheering to watch the strength of that common bond of brotherhood, which unites all hearts, in all parts of this Union, when danger threatens from abroad, or calamity impends over ns at home. Our diplomatic relations with foreign powers have undergone no essential change since the adjournment of the last Congress. With some of them, questions of a disturb ing character are still pending, but there are good reasons to believe that these may all be amicably adjusted. For some years past. Great Britain has ■o construed the first article of the Con vention of the 20th April, 1818, in regard to the fisheries on the northeastern coast, as to exclude our citizens from some of the fishing grounds, to which they freely resorted for nearly a quarter of a century subsequent to the date of that treaty. The United States have never acquiesced in this construction, but have always claim ed for their fishermen all the rights which they had so long enjoyed without molesta tion. With a view to remove all difficul* < ties on the subject, to extend the rights of our fishermen beyond the lira ts fixed by the Convention of 1818, and to regulate trade between the U. Sand the British North American provinces, a negotiation has been opened, with a fair prospect of a favorable result. To protect our fisher men in the enjoyment of their rights, and prevent collision between them and British fishermen, I deem it expedient to station a naval force in that quarter during the fishing season. Embarrassing qncstions ha vs also arisen between the two governments in regard to Central America. Great Britain has pro posed to settle them by an amicable ar rangement, and oar mimutcr at London is instructed to aater into negotiations on that subject. A commission for adjusting the claims of oar citizens against Great Britain, and those of British subjects against the Uni ted States, organized ander the conven tion of the Bth of February last, is now sitting in London for the transaction of business. It is in many respects desirable that the boundary line between the United States •nd the British provinces in the northwest, M designated in the convention of the loth of June. 1846, and especially that part which separates the territory of Washing ton from the British possessions on th north, should be traced or marked. I therefore present the subject to your notice With F ranee, our relations continue on the most frieudly footing. The exten sive commerce between the United States and that country might, it is conceived, be released fromtgone unnecessary restric tions, to the nHH&I advantage of both parties. Withdrew to this object, some progress has been made in negotiating a treaty of commerce and navigation. Independently of our valuable trade with Spain, we have important political relations with her, growing out of our neighborhood to the islands of C üba and Porto Rico- I am happy to announce, that since the last Congress no attempts have been made, by unauthorized expedi tious within the United States, against either of those colonies. Should an v move ment be manifested within our limits, all the means at my command will be vigo rously exerted to repress it. Several an noying occurrences have taken place at Havana, or in the vicinity of the island of v Cuba, between our citizens and the Span authorities. Considering the proximity of thaftsland to oar shores, —lying, us it does, in the crack of trade betweeen some of ur principal cities, —and the suspicious rigitanoe with Which Foreign iutercour.se, particularly that with the United States, )* thejre guarded, a repetition of such oc currences may well be apprehended. As no diplomatic intercourse is allowed be tween oar Cousul at Havana,, aud the Captain General of Cuba, ready explana tions cannot be made, or prompt redress •forded, where injsry has resulted. All compla-nt on the part of our eitizßm, ttn der the present arrangement, must be, in xiie first place, presented to this govern ment, and then referred to Spain Spain again refers to hor local authorities in Cuba for investigation, and postpones an answer till she has heard frqjn those author ties, lo avoid these irritating and vexa tious delays, a proposition has been made to provide for a direct appeal for redress to the Captain General by our consul, in behalf of our in jured fellow citizens. Hith erto, the government of Spain has declined to enter into any such arrangement. This cource on her part is deeply regretted; for w thout some arrangements of this kind, the good understanding between the two countries may be ex[>osed to occasional in terruption. Our Minister at Madrid is instructed to renew the proposition, and to press it again upon the consideration of her Catholic Majesty’s government’ For several years Spain has been call ing the attention of this government to a claim for lo ses, by some of her subjects, in the case of th • solio >ner Amistud, This claim is believed to rest on the obligations imposed by our existing treaty with that country Its justice was admitted, in our diplomatic correspondence with the Span ish government, as e.irlv as vlarch, 1547; and one of my predecessors, in his annual m \ssage ot tuat year, recommended that provisions should be made for its payment In January last, it was again submitted to Congress by the Executive. It has re ceived a favor ble consideration by com mittees of both branches, but as yet there has been no final action upon it. I con ceive that good faith requires its prompt adjustment, and I present it to your earlv and favorable consideration. Martin Koszta, a Hungarian by birth, came to this country in and declared his intenti n, in due form of law, to become a citizen of the United States. After re- maining here nearly two years, he visited Turkey. While at Smyrna he was forci bly seized, taken on board an Austrian brig of war, then lying in the harbor of that place, and there confined in irons, with the avowed design to take him into the dominions of Austria. Onr consul at Smyrna arid legation at Constantinople terposed for his release, but their efforts were ineffectual. While thus imprisoned, Commander Ingraham, with the United States ship of war, St. Louis, arrived at Smyrna, and, after inquiring into the cir cumstances of the case, came to the con clusion that Koszta was entitled to the protection of the government, and took energetic and prompt measures for his re lease, Under an arrangement between the agents of the United States and of Austria, he was transferred to the custody of the French consul general, at Smyrna, there to remain until he should be disposed <f by the mutual agreement of the consuls of the respective governments of that place Pursuant to that agreement lie has been released and is now on his way to the U nited States. The Emperor of Austria has made the conduct of our officers who took part in this transaction a subject of grave complaint. Regard ng Koszta as still his subject, and claiming a right to seize within the limits of the Turkish Em pire, he has demanded of this government its consent to surrender of the prisoner, a disavowal of the acts of its agents, and satisfaction for the alleged outrage. Af ter a careful consideration of the case, I came to the conclusion that Koszta was seized without legal authority at Smyrna; that he was wrongfully detained on board of the Austrian brig of war; that, at the time of his seizure, lie was clothed with the nationality of the United States; and the acts of our officers, under the circum stances of the case, were justifiable, and their conduct has been fully approved by me, and a compliance with the several de mands of the Emperor of Austria has been declined. For a more full acc nut of this trans action, and my views in regard to it, I refer to the correspondence between the charge d’aflfairs of Austria a*id the Secre tary of Mate, which is herewith transmit ted. The principles and policy, therein maintained on the part of the United States, will, whenever a proper occasion occurs, be applied and enforced, The condition of China, at this time, renders it probable that some i. portant changes will take place in that vast empire which will lead to a more unrestricted in tercourse with it. The commissioner to that country, who has been recently ap pointed, is instructed to avail himself of all occasions to open and extend our com mercial relation, not o ily with th * empire of China, but with other Asiatic nations. In 1852, an expedition was sent to Ja pan, under the command of Commodore Perry, for the purpose of opening con mercial intercourse with that island. In telligence has been received of his arrival there, and of his having made known to the Emperor of Japan the obiect of his visit; but it is not yet ascertained how far the Emperor will be disposed to abandon •is restrictive policy, md open that popu lous country to a commercial intercourse with the United States. It has been my earnest desire to main tain friendly intercourse with the govern ments npou this continent, and to aid them in preserving a good understanding among themselves. With Mexico, a dispute has arisen as to the true boundary line be tween our territory of New Mexico and the Mexican State of c hihuahua, A for iner commissioner of the United States, employed in running that line pursuant to the treaty of Gaudalupe Hidalgo, made a serious mistake in determining the initial point on the Rio Grande; but, inasmuch as his decision was clearly a departure from the directions for tracing the bound ary contained in that treaty, and was not concurred in by the .'surveyor appointed on the part of the United .states, whose concurrence was uecessaary to give validi ty to that decisiou this govern uent is not concluded thereby; but that of exico takes a different view of the subject. There are also other questions of con siderable magnitude pending between tin* two repubhes. Our minister in Mexico lias ample instructions to adjust them Negotiations have been opeued, but suffi cicut progress has not been made therein to enable me to speak of the probable re result Impressed w.t i the im- ortauce of maintaining amicable relations wth that republic, and yielding with liberality to all her just claims; it is reasonable to ex pect that an arrangement mutually satis factory to both couutrics may bo conclu ded, aud a lasting friendship between them confirmed and perpetuated Congress having provided for a full mis sion to the Mates of Central America, a minister was scut thither in July last. As yel,, he has had time to visit only on# of thiUft States —(Nicaragua) —where lie was received in thp most, friendly manner It is hoped that his presence and good offi ces will have a benign effect in composing the dissentions which prevail among them, and in establishing still more intimate and friendly relations between them respective ly, and between each of them and the U uited states. Considering the vast regions of this con tinent, and the number of States which would be made accessible by .the free nav igation of the river Amaz .n particular at tention has been given to this subject Brazil, through wiiose territories it passes into the ocean, has hitherto persisted in a! policy so restrictive, in regard to the use of this river, as to obstruct and nearly ex clude foreign commercial intercourse with tue bta,tes which lie upon, its tributaries and upper branches. Our minister to that country is instructed to obtain a relax* tion of that policy, and'o use lbs efforts to induce the the Brazilian government to opeu to Common Use, Under proper s <f?- gaards, this great natural h’ghway for in teruatioa.il trade Several of the South American States are deeply interested in this attempt to secure r ree navigation of the Amazon, and it is reasonable to ex pect their co-operation in the measure.— As the advantage of free commercial in tercourse among nations are better un lerstood, more liberal views are generally entertained as to the common rights of oil to the free use of these means which nature has provided for international com minieation. To these more liberal and enlightened views, it is hoped that Brazil will conform her policy, and remove all nn necessary restrictions upon the free use of a river which traverses so many States, and so large a part of the continent. I am happy to inform you that the Repub lic of Paraguay and the Argentine Con federation have yielded to the liberal poli cy still resisted by Brazil, in regard to the navigable rivers within their respective territories. Treaties embracing this sub ject among others, have been negotiated with these governments, which will be submitted lo the senate at the present anew branch of commerce, important to the agricultural interests of the United States, has, within a few years past, been opened to Peru. Notwithstanding the inexhaustible deposites of cin.io upon the islands of that country, considerable diffi culties are experienced in obtaining the requisite supply. Measures have been ta ken to remove these difficulties, and to secure a more abundant importation of the article. Unfortunately, there has been a serious collision between our citi zens, wiio have resorted to the hincha islands for it, and the Peruvian ut’ioritics stationed tiiere. Redress for the outrages committed by the latter, was promptly demanded by our minister at Lima,- This subject is under consideration, and (here is reason to believe that Peru is disposed to offer adequate iudcmniu to the aggriev ed parties. We are thus not only at peace with all foreign countries, but in regard to politi cal affairs, are exempt from any cause of serious disquietude in our domestic rein- ■ tions. The controversies which have agitated the country heretofore, are passing away with the causes which produced them and the passions which they had awakened; or, if any trace of them remains, it may be reasonably hoped that it will only be per ceived in the zealous rivalry of all good citizens to testify their respect for the rights of the States, their devotion to the Union, and their common determination that each one of the State, its institutions, its welfare, and its domestic peace shall be held alike secure under the sacred agis of the constitution. This new league of amity and of mutual confidence and support, into which the people of the republic have entered, hap pily affords inducements and opportunity for the adoption of a more comprehensive and unembarrassed line of policy and ac tio i as to the great material interests of the country, whether regarded in them -elves or in connection with the powers of the civilized world. The United “dates have continued grad ually and steadily to expand, through ac quisi tions of territory, which, how ranch soever some of them may have been ques tioned, are now universally seen and ad mitted to have been wise in policy, just in charar ter, and a great element in the ad vancement of our country, and, with it, of the human race, in freedom, in prosperity and in happiness Ihe thirteen States h‘ve grown to thirty-one, with relations re iciiiug to Europe on the one side, and on, the other to the distaut realms of Asia. 1 am deeply sensible of the immense re sponsibility which the present magnitude of the republic, and the diversity and mul tiplicity of its interests, devolves upon me; the alieviation of whi. h, so far as relates to the immediate conduct of the public bu siness is, first, in my reliance on the wis dom and patriotism in the two Houses of o igress; and, secondly, in the directions afforded by the principles of public policy, affirmed hy >ur fathers of the epoch of t sanctioned by long experience, and consecrated anew by the overwhelming voice of the people of the United Mates. Recurring to these principles which con stitute the organic basis of the union, we perceive that, vast as are the functions and duties of the federal government, ves ted in, or entrusted to, is three great de partments, the legislative, executive, and judicial, yet the substantive power, the popular force, and the large capac ties for social and material development exist in the respective States, which, all being of tnemsetvcs well constituted republics, as they preceded, >o they alone are capable of maintaining and perpetuating the A merican Union. Tae te teral government ius its appro pnate line o> actio i in tne specific and limited powers conferred on it by the con stitution, chitdly as to t iohc tilings ill which the Mates .ace a common interest in their relat ions *o one another, aud to foreign -iOverumeub;; while the great mass Ot interest wmen belong to cultivated men ! tne ordinary bi-i.ios; of life, the springs of industry, all the diversified personal and lomostic affairs of society, rest securely ipou the general reserved powers of the icople of the several States. There is the ! affective democrac of tuc nation, and! there the vital essence of its being, and its ‘ greatness. j One of the practical consequences which 1 How from the nature of the federal gov- ; eminent,, the primary one is the dut y of 1 administering with integrity and fidelity the high trust reposed in it by the consti tution, especially in the appiicatioo of the publiefunds, m drawn by taxation from the people, and appropriated to specific objects by (Congress. Happily I hare ‘no occasion to suggest any radical changes in the financial policy of the government.— Ours is almost, if not absolutely, the soli tary power of Christendom, having a sur plus revenue drawn immediately from im l>o ;es on commerce, and therefore mea sured by the spontaneous: enterprize and national prosperity of the country,, with such indirect relation to agriculture, man ufactures, and the products of the earth and sea, as to viblatei po constitutional doctrine and yet rigorously promote the general welfare. Neither as to the sources of the public treasttfe/b'dr as to the man ner of keeping amj managing it, does any grave controversy now prevail, there be ing a general aoqaiesence in the wisdom qf the present pysteui. i . The report of Rfecretary if she Tfcja-j sury. will exhibit in detail the atate of the public finance*,, qnjl th.e condition of the various branches, of the public service ad ministered bv that department of the gov enmeftt, i w v-v. - The revenue of .the country,) levied al most insemih'y to the tax payer,’ goes on 1 from year to year increasing beyond ei ther the interests or the prospective * ants of the government. - At the clo<e of the fiscal year ending June 30, 18 )2, there remained in the trea sury a balance of fourteen million six hun dred and thirty-two thousand one hundred and thirty-six dollars. Tile public revenue for the ,fiscal year ending June 30, 1853, amounted to fifty eight million nine hun dred and thirty one thou-and eight huu huudrud and sixty five dollars from custo nier.-; and two million four huad ed and five thousand seven hundred aud eight dollars from public lauds, and other mis cellaneous sources, amounting together, to| sixty one million three hundred and thirty seveu thousand five hundred and seventy four dollars; while the public expenditures for the same period, exclusive of payments on account of the public, debt, amounted to forty three bullion five hundred’ and fifty four thousand two hundred and. sixty two dollars; leaving a balance of thirty | two lailliou four hundred and twenty five tno united four hundred and forty seven dollars of receipts above expenditures. ! This fact, of increasing surplus in the j treasury, became the subject of anxions ; consideration at a,very early period of my ■ administration, and the path- of duty in ! regard to it seemed to me obvious and I clear namely: first, to apply the surplus revenue to the discharge of the public I debt, so far as it could judiciously be ■ done; and secondly, to devise means for i the gradual retTuciioa : of the revenue to j the standard of the public exigencies. Os these objects the first has been in j course of accomplishment in a manner ; and to a degree, highly satisfactory. *he amount of the public debt, of all classes, was, outlie 4th of arch, 1853, sixty nine millions one hundred and ninety, thousand I and thirty seven dollars; payments on which have been made since that peri and, I to the amount of twelve million seven hun dred and t ree thousand and three hun dred and twenty nine dollars, leaving un i paid, and in the continuous course of li j quidatiou, the sum of fifty six million four | haudred and eighty six thousand and se i ven hundred and eight dollars These pay ’ meats although made atr-the market prieje. : of tiiu respective classes of stocks, have been effected readily and to the general | advantage of tqjtatreasury, and have at the ( same time proved t>f signal utility in the relief they have incidentally afforded to the money market and to the industrial aud commercial pursuits of the coun try. The second of the above mentioned ob jects, that of the reduction of the tariff, is of great importance, and the plan sugges ted by the Secretary of the Treasury, which is to reduce the duties on certain articles, and to add to the free list many articles now tax'6d, and especially such as enter into manufactures, and are not large ly, or at all produced in the country, is uoinmended toyour candid and careful con sideration. You will find in the report of the Secre tary of the treasvry, also, abundant proof of the entire adequacy of the present fiscal system to meet all the requirements of the public service, and that, while properly administered, it operates to the advantage of the community in ordinary business re lations. I respectfully ask your attention to sun dry suggestions of improvements in the set tlement of accounts,” especially as regards the large sums of outstanding arrears due to the government; and of otuer reforms in the admim&j&itive Option of his department which are iflMieatedPby the Secretary; as also to the progress’ made in the construc tion of marinie hospitals, custom houses, and anew mint in Callifornia, and assay office in the city of New York,- heretofore provided for by Congress; and also to the eminently successful 1 progress of the l oast ‘ urvey, and of the Light House Boa rd Among the objects meriting your atteu tiou will be important recommendations from the Secretaries of “ar and Navy. I am fully satislicdthal tiie United States Na. vy is not in a condition of strength and effi ciency eorawTttfurate with the magnitude of our commercial and other interests; and commend to your especial attention the suggestions on this subject, made by the Secretary of the Navy. I respectfully submit that the army, which, under our system, must always be regarded with the highest interest, a$ a nucleus around whcli the vo ointeef forces of the nation gather in the hour of danger, requires augmenta tion, or modification, to adapt it to the present extended limits and frontier rela tions of tne country, and the conditions of the Indian tribes in the interior of the continent; the necessity of which will ap pear in the communications of the Secre taries o War and the interior. lulhd nimi listratioa of the Post Office Department, tor the fiscal yfcar ending June 0, ls-5 ’. the £rbss ex enditure was seven million auu.. hundred and eighty-two t.ions ind seven hundred aud fifty-six dol lars; and the gross receipts, diring the same period five million nine hundred and forty two thousand seven hundred and thirty four do lairs, showing’ that the current revenue'failed to meet the current expenses of the department by the sum of two iviilio>:) forty two thousand and thirty two* dollars. . The cause which, under the i(resent postal avsten* and laws, led inevi tably to this result, ar *, fully explained by the report of the postmaster General; one great cause being the- enormous rate# the department has been compelled to pay for mail service- rendered by railroad compa nies. . The exhibit :& the report of the Post-] master general of the income and ex pen-l ditures by mail steamers will be found ‘ peculiarly interesting, and of a character to demand the immediate action of Con gress. Numerous and flagrant frauds upon the Pension Bureau hare been brought to light within the last year, mid fn some m :i stances merited punishments inflicted; bni unfortunately, in others, guilty parties have escaped, not through the want oi sufficient evidence to warreot a conviction, but in consequence of the provisions of limitation in the existing laws. From the nature of the claims, the re - moteness of the tribunals to pass ttpon them,- and the mode in which the proof is, of necessity, furnished, to crime have been greately stiraupted by the ob vious difficulties of detection. The de fects in the law upon this subject are so apparent, and so fatal to the ends of jus tice, that your early action relating to it is most desirable. During the last fiscal year, nine million eight hundred aud nineteen thousand four hundred and eleven acres ofthe public lands have been surveyed, and ten million three hundred and sixty three thousandeight hun dred aid ninety one acres brought into market. YVithin the same period, tho sales of public purchase and private entry amounted to one million eighty-three thousand four hundred and ninety-five acres; located under military bounty land warrants, six million one hundred and sixty acres, located under other certificates, nine thousand four hundred and twenty* seven acres; ceded to the States as swamp lands sixteen million six hundred and eighty-four thousand two hundred and fifty three acres; selected for railroad and other objects, under acts of Congress, one million four hundred and twenty-seven thousand four hundred and fifty-seven acres Total amount of lands disposed of within the fiscal rear, twentv-five million three hundred and forty-six thousand nine hundred and ninety two acres; which is an increase in quantity sold, and located un der laud warrants and grants, of twelve million two hundred and thirty one thou sand eight hundred and eighteen acres over the fiscal year immediately proceed ing- .... “ The quantity of land sold during the second and third quarters of 1852, was three hundred and thirty four thousand four hundred and fifty-one acres. The amount received therefor, was six hun dred and twenty three thousand six hun dred and eighty seven dollars. The ! quantity sold the second and third quar ters ofthe year 1853 was one million six hundred and nine thousand nine hundred and nineteen acres; and the amonnt re ceived therefor, two million two hundred and twenty six thousand eight hudred and seventy six dollars. Ihe whole number of land warrants issued under existing laws, prior to the 30th of September last, was two hundred and sixty six thousand atid forty two; of which there were outstanding at that date, sixty six thousand nine hnndred and forty Seven. ‘I He quantity of land requir ed-to satisfy these outstanding warrants, is four million seven hundred and seventy eight thousand one hundred and seventy acres. • Warrants have been issued’ to 3Cth September last under the act of litli bebuary, 1847, calling for twelve million -eight hundred and seventy nine thousand and eighty acres; under acts of September 28, 1850 and March 22, 1552, calling for twelve million five hundred and five thousand three hundred and sixty acres; making a total of twenty five million three hundred and eighty four thousand six hundred and forty acres. It is believed that experience has veri fied the wisdom and justice of the present system, with regard to the public domain, in most essential particulars. You will perceive from the report of the Secretary of the interior, that opinion which have often been expressed in rela tion to the oporation of the land system ns not being a source of revenue to the feder al treasury, were erroneous. The net profits from the sale of the public lands to June 30ih 1853, amounted to the sum of fifty three million two hundred and eighty nine thousand four hundred and sixty five dollars. *’ I recommend the extension of the land system over the Territories of Utah and New Mexico, with such modifications as their peculiarities may require. Regarding our public domain as chief ly valuable to provide homes for the industrious aud enterprising. I am not prepared to recommend any essential change in the land system, except by modifications in favor of the actual settler, and an extention of the preemption princi ple in certain cases, for reasons, and on grounds, which will be fully developed in the reports to be laid before you. Congress representing the propriertera of the territorial domain, and charged es pecially with power to dispose of territo ry belonging to the United States, has for a long course of years, beginning with the administration of Mr. Jefferson, exercised the power to construct roads in the territo ries and there are so many and obvious dis taeutions between the exercise of power and that of making roads within the States, that the former has never been considered subject to such objections as apply to the latter, and snch may now be considered the settled construction of the power of the federal government upon the subject. Numerous applications hare been, and no doubt will continue to be, made for J rants of land, in aid of the construction of railways It is not believed to be within the intent and meaning of the constitution, that the power to dispose of the public domain, should be used other wise than might be expected from a pru dent proprietor, and, therefore, that grants of land to aid in the construction of roads should be restricted to cases where it would be for the interest of a proprietor, under like circumstances, to contribute to the construction of these works For the practical operation of snch g ants thus fur, in advancing the interest of tlie States in which the works are loca ted, and at the same time the substantial interests, of all the States, by enhancing the value and promoting the rapid sale of the public domain, I refer you to the re port ot the Secretary of the interior. A careful examination, however, will Bhow that this experience is the result of a just discrimination, and wilt be far from afford* to a reckless or indis criminate extention of the principle. (To be concluded next Week.) Louis Napoleon has given a snm of lOOOOf, towards the monument to- be erec ted in Hamburgh, to the memory of the celebrated composer Weber. , m JEFFERSONIAN (MUFFIN. DECEMBER 15, 1853 {OTOMISB TICKET. .. For Sheriff, Wiley Patrick. For Deputies, Robt. K. Foster, John L. Giles. For Clerk Superior Court, Alexander Bellamy.; For Clerk Inferior Court, For Receiver Tux Returns, Nathaniel Collins. “t For Tax Collector, Richard Lawrence, For County Surveyor, Richard Ellis. For Coroner, J. H. Tiller. The above Ticket will be supported by ihe friends of Gen. Pierce’s Administra tion, and the friends of the Compromise, at the approaching January Election. COMPROMISE. Several communications received, are unavoidably crowded out this week; they will appear in our next. NOTICE.—The regular course of lectures of the Griffin Lyceum will be suspended until the first day of Febuary next C. P. B MARTIN, Pfcfe’t D. N. Marti*, Sec’ey. , . The accounts of the Synodical Female College arc in the hands of Prof. Bramul ler and Win. T. Martin, who arc hereby authorized to collect them during my ab sence; and it is hoped that .prompt pay ment will be made, as the necessaries of the Institution demand it.> i C. P. B. MARTIN, Prcs’t. We call the attention of our readers to the President’s Message, a portion of which will be found in our preceding columns; it will be concluded in our next week’s paper. YVc commend it to a careful pe rusal by all those who are friendly to the present administration. The “SOlttEß!”’ It will remembered by all, both great and small, and every body else, that the “SOIREE” given by Warren Lodge, No. 20, of I. 0 0. F., will “come off” this (Thursday) evening, at their new Hall, on Hill-Street; the proceeds of which is to be applied in-fitting up the Hall. Let all who like to spend an hour pleasantly call around. For. further particular? . see ad vertisement. - * Death of Col. AikihMß. W are paint'd to record the sudden death, in this city, on yesterday, of Col. R. A. L. Atkinson, -for several years,* merchant in Macon, and well known to. this community. On Saturday last Col. A. was about the city as usual, but late thnt evening was taken, unwell, fust, with something like a chi!!, which resul ted in Erysiplas of the face and head. He was not, how ever, considered in a danger ous condition, until yesterday morning, when he suddenly grew worse and depart ted this life ab ipt 11 o’clock, A: M. Col. Atkinses was a representative from Bibb county in the last legislature, and has served for some time aa Secretary of the board of Trustees of YYeslevan Female College. He leaves n wife and Iwo children to mourn the loss of a kind husband and father. His Funeral obsequies will take place at half past 10 o’clock to morrow morning from his late residence.- —Georgia Citizen. Fire in Birnesvillr. On Tuesday morning last, at 01 o’clock, a fire broke out in J. P May’s Grocery, in Barnesrille, and coraumel that building and the entire row of ouilding.i adjacent viz: John A. Fryer’s, Bullard’s Cabinet Shop, Stafford & Gardner’s Store, and A. Stafford’s dwelling house, Col. Dossier also sustained some loss. Most of the goods of Messrs. Stafford & Gardner, and of Mr. Fryer were saved.— lb. Coirespondcnce'sfthe Savannah Courier. LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS. IS HOUSE OF RSPBKfiE.VTATIVa* Millkdgkville, Dec. 7. A Bill to incorporate the city of Dalton was read the third time and passed. Tna memorial of Judge Scarborough, charging the Hon. Abner P. Powere with malpractice in office, was read and laid temporarily upon the table. The Senate amendment of a Bill incor porating McDonough Coleginte Sam inary, was lost. Mr. Hardeman introduced a Bill for the relief of the securities of Richard Caseett, late Tax Collector for the eounty of Bibb; a Bill to amend the second section of an act authorizing the construction of a Mag netic Telegraph to the city of Macan; also, a Bill giving to painters a lieu npoo buildings in certain cases. Mr. Shewmake A Bill to repeal eo much of the 11th section of the 3d article of the Constitution, as renders sherifla. ineligible to serve two successive terms; also,a Bill to appropriate money to re move obstructions from Brier Creek. Mr. Green—A Bill to incorporate Macon Manufacturing Company. Mr. Cleveland. Habersham—A Bill re quiring all grants to fractions of land in this Slate,to be taken out by the, Ist ol July, 1854. Mr. Sweat—A Bill to incorporate an Aeademy in the county ot Meriwether. Mr. Stapleton —A Bill granting the Inferior Courts of thie State exclusive power to grant or withhold licensa for tha retail of epi:ituotis l.quora Mr. McMillan—A Bill appropriating’ money to .defray-the expenses of the State for the politicial years 1854 and 1855. On motion of Mr. Stewart, of Hancock, Resolved, That the General Assembly take; a recess after the 17th instant, until the 2d Monday in January next. Mr: Walton—A Bill to authorize dis tribution of estates in certain cases. Mr. Griffin-A Bill providing for the elec tion of assistant clerks for the House of Representatives. Mr. McCurdy—A -Bill to amend the Constitution of this State, so as to reduce the.number of Justices of the Inferior Court to one. Adjourned until 3 P. M. T t : ... Dec. 10, The Legislature convened this morn ing under brighter skies than, we have bad for the last two days. “The rain is over and {'one,’’and as a consequnce we have fuller houses to-day than usual. There is but little excitement at the Capitol. The principal inquiry amo ig the . meinoeis, seems to be“ where shall Christmas be celebrated.” You may not he surprised if the resolve to do it at home IK THE SEXATIi. The Judiciary committee failed to recommend an increase of the salary of Judges of the supreme Court, hut are of opinion that an extension of their term iff office may not be objectionable. The committee to whom was referred the bill to alter the Constitution so far as relates to the times and pi; c.\s of holding the supreme Courts, repor ed through their chairman, Mr. Guyton, of Laurens, in favor ofthe passage ofthe bill, and fix ing Milledgcville as the petmanel place for holding said Court. The Judiciary Committee repoted a bill for the better protection of the estates of deceased persons. The Committee on Banks reported in favor of the“ln|erior Bank ofthe of States of Georgia” to be established in the city of Griffm. A communication was received from the House of Kepsentatives informing the Senate that they had adopted a reso lution td make a recess front the 21st instant to the second Monday in January next. On motion of Mr. YY’ilhamson of New ton, the resolution of the House was taken up. - Mr. Dunagan moved to lay the resolu tion on the table for the halance of the session, upon which an interesting debate ensued. The yeas and nays being called for, were yeas 49 nays 38; so the motion to lay on the table prevailed. No doubt a motion to reconsider tho vote on the resolution to make a recess will be made Monday morning, and you need not be surprised if it is carried. Democratic Meeting. Zebulox, Dec., 6th 1853. At a meeting of the democratic partv, of the county of Pike, held in the court house to-day. Col. N. P. Daniel, on mo rion, was called to the chair, and Wru. C. Beckhan requested to act as secritnry. After the, meeting: was organized, and the names of the delegates called, the chair man made a few pertinet remarks, stating the object of the meeting to be for the purpose of naming asutiable candidate for the Legislature to fill the vacancy occa- WQ by the depth of Win. YV Arnold, and also to nominate candidates for coun - ty officers After adopting the old detn - .ocratic two third rule, (after several ballottings) John N. Maugham was nominated for the Legislature, and John A. Cochran for Clerk Superior court. ’ f "* ‘ Inferior, Dr. J. C. Beckham. Sheriff, Wiley W. Grisham. D. Sheriff, John Couch. Receiver, Bowling Green. Collector, J J. R. Culpepper. C. Treasury, i William Barret. (Surveyor, , Wm. Williams. ** Coroner, Joseph Fincher. On motion of Henry Jones, Resolved, that the proceedings of the meeting be signed by the Charman and Secretary, and published iu the Georgia Jefferson ian. N. P. DANIEL. Ch’ra. Wm. C. Beckham, Sec’t. o- are authorized to announce th# name of R. F. M. M \NN, as a candidate (independent) for the office of sheriff of Spalding county at the ensuing January election. i®?XOTICE. —The undersigned takes the present method of announcing himself a Candidate for the office of Tax Collector at the election in January next, for the County of Pike. AARON HAMIC Dee. 6, 1853. We are authorized to announce the name of BENJAMIN F MILNER, as a can date (independent) for the office of Tax Collector, of Pike county, at the ensuing January election. fcjrWeare requested to announce th# name of Wm. A. Adams, as a candidal# for Clerk of the Superior Court of Meri wether county, at th# election to take place on the first Monday in January next. t3r*We are authorized to announce the name ol A. M W’ebb, as a candidate for the office of Clerk of the Inferior Court of Meriwether county, at the ensuing Jan ary election. To the Voters of Spalding county. The undersigned feels thankful for past favors and solicits a continuation of tha same by re-election, for the office of Tax Collector. R. LAWRENCE. We are authorized to announce the name of Nathaniel Collins, as a candi date for the office of Tax Collector, at the ensuing January election. JVotiee. a LL person* indebted to th# Kstafe of Will t iam W. Wiggine, latent’ Spavin* county, dcceaeed, are hereby nuti:i* *1 to coine forwarJ *u,i make payment,amltho*e having cu >ma against aaid deceased are requested to pres-nt them in erms es the law- MAH YA. WIGGIN ’tHAr. h.l