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JPcrsftJCttt’fl fHcsaaflc. Fdloic-citiiciis of th- Sautle and of th-’ Htua of Roprctentalirrs: Under the'benignant Providence of Almighty God, the representatives of the States and of the people are again brought together to deliberate for the public good. The gratitude of the nation to the sovereign Arbiter ot ail butnan events, should be commensurate with the boundless blessings which we enjoy. Peace, plenty, and contentment reign through out our borders, and our b loved country presents a sublime moral spectacle to tin* worlJ. The troubled and unsettled condition of some of the principal European powers ha shad a necessa ry tendency to chock and embarrass trade, and to depress prices throughout all commercial nations; but notwithstanding these causes, the U. States, with their abundant products, have felt their effects less severely than any other country, and all our great interests are still prosperous and successful. FOREION RELATIONS. In reviewing the great events of the last year, and contrasting the agitated and disturbed state of other countries with our own tranquil and hap py condition, we may congratulate ourselves that we are the most favored people on the face of the earth. While the people of other countries arc struggling to establish free institutions, under which man may govern himself, we are in the ac tual enjoyment of them—a rich inheritance from our fathers. While enlightened nations of Eu rope are convulsed and distracted by civil war or intestine strife, we settle all our political contro versies by the peaceful exercise of the rights of freemen at the ballot box. The great republican maxim so on the hearts of our people, that the^^^VjUlte majority, constitution ally is our wire safeguard against ,U - ‘* a subject of just pride, that ourTrSCjj™ p character as a nation con tinue rapidly to aiftimfio in the estimation of the civilized world. To our wise nml free institutions it is to be attributed, that while other nations have achieved glory at the price of the suffering, dis tress and impoverishment of their people, we have won our honorable position in the midst of an un interrupted prosperity, and of an increasing indi vidual comfort and happiness. lam happy to in form you that our relations with all nations are friendly and pacific. Advantageous treaties of commerce have been concluded within the last four years with New Grenada, Pern, the Two Sicilies* Belgium, Jl;tnover. Oldenburg and Mecklenburg- Schwerin. Pursuing our example, the restrictive system of Great Britain, ottr principal foreign cus tomer, has been relaxed ; a more liberal commer cial policy has been adopted by other enlightened nations, and our trade has been greatly enlarged and extended. Our country stands higher in the respect of the world than at any former period.— To continue to occupy this proud position, it is on ly necessary to preserve peace, and faithfully ad here to the great and fundamental principle of ottr foreigh policy, of non-interference in the domestic concerns of other nations. Wo recognize in all nations the rights which we enjoy ourselves, to change anil reform their political institutions, ac cording to their own will and pleasure. Hence wo do not look behind existing governments capable of maintaining their own authority. We recognise all such actual governments, not only from the dictates of true policy, but from a sacred regard for the independence of nations. W tile this is our settled poliev, it does not fol low that we can ever be indifferent spectators of the progress of liberal principles. The govern ment and people of the United States hailed with enthusiasm and delight the establishment of tho French republic, as we now hail the efforts in pro gress to unite the States of Germany in a confed eration, similar in many respects to our own Fed eral Union. If the great and enlightened Ger man States, occupying as they do, a central and commanding position in Europe, shall succeed in establishing such a confederated government, se curing at the same time to the citizens of each State, local governments adapted to the peculiar condition of each, with unrestricted trade and in tercourse with each other, it will be an important ora in the history ol iiaman events. Whilst it will consolidate and strengthen the power of Germa ny, it must essentially promote the cause of peace, commerce, civilization, and constitutional liberty throughout the world. With all tlie governments on this continent our relations, it is believed, arc now on a more friend ly and satisfactory footing than they have ever been at any former period. • Since the exchange of ratifications of the trea ty of peace with Mexico, our intercourse with the government of that republic has been of the most friendly character. The Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States to Mexico has been received and accredited ; and a diplomatic representative from Mexico of similar rank has been received and accredited by this gov ernment. The amiable relations between the two countries which had been suspended have been happily restored, and are destined, I trust, to be long preserved. The two republics, both situated on this continent, ami with coterminous territories, have every motive of sympathy and of interest to bind them together in perpetual amity. This gratifying condition of our foreign rela tions renders it unnecessary for ine to call your attention more specifically to them. It has been my constant aim and desire to cul tivate peace and commerce with all nations.— Tranquility at home, and peaceful relations a broad constitute the true permanent policy of our country. War, the scourgo of nations, sometimes become inevitable, but is always to ho avoided when it can he done consistently with the rights and honor of the nation. RESULTS OF THE MEXICAN WAR. One ot the most important results of the war into which wo were tecently forced with a neigh boring nation, is the demonstration it has afforded ot the military strength of our country. Before the late war with Mexico, European and other for eign Powers entertained imperfect and erroneous views of our physical strength as a nation, and of our ability to prosecute war, and especially a war waged out of our own country. They saw that our standing army on iho peaco establishment did not exceed ten thousand men. Accustomed them selves to maintaip n peace large standing armies lor the prutthrones against their own foreign enemies. ihoy lmd not couCeiHMm- ii was possible for a nation without such V. or-nsv, well disciplined and long service, to wage war successfully. They held in low repute our militia, and were far from regard ing them as an effective force, unless it might be for temporary defensive operations when invaded on our own soil. The events of the late war with Mexico have not only undeceived them, but have re moved erroneous impressions which prevailed to •oinc extent eveh among a portion of our own conn tryinen. That war has demonstrated, that upon the breaking out of hostilities not anticipated, and lor ” bieh no previous preparation had been m ule, a volunteer army of citizen soldiers equal to veteran troops, and in numbers equal to any emorgenev, can in a short period he brought into the field. Unliko what would have occurred in any other country, we were under no necessity of resorting to draughts or conscriptions. Ou the contrary’, such was the number of volunteers who patrioti cally tendered tijeir services, that the chief dirti ly was in making selections and determining who should he disappointed uaj compelled to remain at home. Our ciliz n-soldiet's are unlike those drawn from the population of any other country. They are composed indiscriminately of all profes sions and pursuits: of farmers, lawvers, physi cians, merchants, manufacturers, tnecliauics and laborers; and this, not only among the officers, but the private soldiers in the ranks. Our citizen soldiers are unlike thus'.’ of any other country in other re*)iccta. They are armed, and have been accustomed frym their youth up to handle and use lire-arms ; and a large proportion of them, espe cially iu the western and more newly-settled Buies, aro expert marksmen. They lire men who have a reputation to maintain at home by their good conduct in the field. They urn inudli- B® 1 ) 1 ’ tt,| d there is an individuality of character which is found in tho ranks of no other army.— In battle, each private man, as well an nib ccr, fights not only for his country, hut for glory nmi distinction among his fellow-cit.zens when he shall return to cb i! life. The war with Mexico has demonstrated not on ly the ability of tin* government to organize a nu merous army up< n a sudden call, lne also to pro vide it with all the munitions and n ressary sup plies with dispatch.convenience tie I use,"and to direct its operation- with efficiency. The strength of our institutions has not only been displayed in the skill and valor of our troops engaged in ac tive service in the field, hut in the organization of those executive brandies which were charged with the general direction and conduct of the war.— While too great praise cannot lie bestowed upon the officers and men who fought our battles, it would be unjust to withhold from those officers n - stationed tit home, who were charged with the duty of furnishing the army, in pro|ier time, ami at proper places, with all the munitions of war ami other supplies so necessary to make it efficient, the commendation to which they are en titled. The credit due to this class of our officers is the greater, when it is cm J -red that no army in ancient or modern tiin-s.vis ever hen nr ap pointed or provided than our armyfaoMcx c.n.— Operating itt an enemiy’s c two thousand miles from the ernment, its different corps tent of territory, hundreds and ev m \,.i -mu ol miles apart from each other, nothing short of iii • untiring vigilance and extraordinary energy of those officers could have enabled them to provide the army at all points, and in proper season, with all that was required for tho most efficient service. It is but an act of justice to declare, that the officers in charge of the several executive bureaus all under the immediateoye and supervision of the •Secretary of war, performed their respective du ties with ability, energy and efficiency. They have reaped less of the glory of the war. not hav ing been personally exposed to its perils in battle, than their companions inarms; but without tlicir forecast, efficient aid, ami co-opera lion, those in tho field would not have been provided with tho ample means they possessed of achieving for themselves and their country tbo unfading honors which they have won for both. When all these facts arc considered, it may cease to ho a matter of so much amazement abroad how it happened that our noble army in Mexico, regulars and volunteers, were victorious upon ev ery battle-field, however fearful tho odds aga inst them. The war with Mexico lias thus fully developed the capacity of republican governments to prose cute successfully a just and necessary foreign war with all the vigor usually attributed to more arbitrary forms of government. It has been usual lor writers on public law to impute to republics a want of that unity, concentration of purpose, and vigor of execution, which are generally admitted to belong tothe monarchical and aristocratic forms; and this feature of popular government has been supposed to display itself more particularly in the conduct of a war carried on in an enemy’s territory. The war with Great Britain in 1812 was to a great extent confined within our own limits, and shed but little light on this subject. But the war which we have just closed by au honorable peace, evin ces beyond all doubt that a popular representative government is equal to any emergency which is likely to arise in tho affairs of a nation. Tiie war with Mexico has developed most stri kingly and conspicuously another feature in ottr institutions. It is, that without cost to the govern ment or danger to ottr liberties, wo have in the bosom of ottr society of freemen, available in a just and necessary war virtually a standing ar my of two millions of armed citizen-soldiers, such as fought the battles of Mexico. But our military strength does not consist alone in our capacity for extended and successful ope rations on land. The navy is an important arm of i the national defence. If the services of the navy were not so brilliant as those of the army in the late war with Mexico, it was because they had no enemy to meet on their own element. While tho army Lad opportunity of performing more con spicuous service, the navy largely participated in the conduct of tho war. Both branches of tho sci rite performed lb. iv v.hnlo duty to the country. For the able and gallant services of the officets and men of the navy—acting independently as well as in co-operation with ottr troops —in the conquest of the California?, the capture of \ era Cruz, and tho seizure and occupation of oth er important positions on the Gulf and Pacific coasts, the highest praise is duo. Tlteir vigilance, energy, and skill rendered the most effective ser vice in excluding munitions of war and other sup plies from the enemy, while they secured a safe entrance for abundant supplies for our own army. Our extended commerce was tlowhere interrupted; and for this immunity from the evils of war, tho country i? indebted to the navy. High praise is duo to the officers of the several executive bnreas, navy yards, and stations con nected with tiie service, all under tho immediate direction of the Secretary of the Navy, for tho in- 1 dustry, foresight and energy with which every thing was directed ttud furnished to give efticicn cy to that branch of the service. The same vigi lance existed in directing the operations of the navy as of “the army. There was concert of ac tion and of purpose between the heads of the two arms ot service. By tho orders which were from time to time issued, our vessels of war oil the Pa cific and the Gulf of Mexico, were stationed in proper time and in proper positions to co-operate efficiently with the army. By this moans their combined power was brought to bear successful ly on the enemy. The great results which have been developed and brought to light by this war, will he of im measurable importance in tho future progress of our country. They will tend powerfully to pre serve its from foreign collisions, and to onablo us to pursue uninterruptedly our cherished policy of “peace with all nations, entangling alliances with none.” TERRITORIAL ACQUISITIONS-— THEIR VALl'Ij, Occupying, as we do, a more commanding sition among nations than at any former period, our duties and our responsibilities to ourselves and to posterity are correspondingly increased. This will be the more obvious when wo consider the vast additions which have been recently made to our territorial possessions, aud their great impor tance and value. ° \\ ithin less than four years the annexation of Texas to the Union lias been consummated; all conflicting title to tho Oregon Territory south of the forty-ninth degree of north latitude, being all that was insisted on by any of tny predecessors, l\ a! L . 0,1 ; and New Mexico and Upper California have been acquired by treaty. Tho area ot those several Territories, according to a report carefully prepared by the Commissioner of the General Land Office from the most authentic information in his possession, and wkVh is here wiui transmitted, contains ty dred and ninety-three thousMftoiW|b>lo\v ae square miles or seven iFitidomM tlflflooiree millions five hundred and fifty.,and lot tv acres : while the area of the roinaimng twenty time status and the territory not vet organized in to States east ot the Rocky mountains, contains two millions fifty- inn* thousand.'five Hundred and thirteen square miles, or thirteen hundred and eighteen mtilionsoito hundred and twenty-six thoti tvinu and iitiy eight acres. These estimated show that the territories recently acquired, and over wluclt our exclusive jurisdiction .vt I *do niniou ia\e been extended, constitute a co’nntrv more hati hall as large as all that which was held by the , m! , before their acquisition. If Oregon oe excluded trout the estiniato, there will still re maut u i'hm the limit- 0 f Texas, New M exico, and La.it trnia, eight hundred and fifty-otic thou sand live hundred and forty-live million ninety square miles, or live hundred and twelve 111 ■-vlhoiisaveii hundred ami twenty acres ; being an addition equal to more than one-third of till the the territory owned by the United Stales before tlicir accquisition ; and including Oregon, nearly as great an extent of territory as the whole of Ru [‘ n l H j> K-UHHia only CXCcpted. Tho Mississippi, 30 lately the frontier ol ottr country, is now only its centre. \V itlt tho audition of the late acquisition-, the l imed Statesaro now estimated to be nearly jt’ largo as tho whnlo of Europe. It is estimated ,lu ‘ ■"perinteiideiit of the coast survey, in th • O'yj y § (B® ©HI © HUM ©©© TTo ■ accompanying report the extent of the soacoast of Texas on the Gulf of Mexico is upwards of four hundred miles; of the coast of Upper California, on the Pacifiic, of nine hundred and seventy miles; and of Oregon, including the Straits of Fuca, of six hundred and fifiv miles; making the whole , extent of sc t coast on the Pacific one thousand .-ix l hundred and twenty miles, and the whole extent ! (nt luith tiie Pacifiic and the Gulf of Mexico two thousand slid tw.m'v miles. The length of the coast nil the Atlantic from the northern limits of the United States, around the Capes of Florida to j the Sabin >. on the eastern boundary of Texas, is estimated to lie three thousand one hundred miles: so that the addition of seacoast, including Oregon, is very nearly two-thirds as great as all we pos i sessccl before; and excluding Oregon, is an ad ii i lion of one thousand three hundred and seventy miles; being nearly equal to one-half of the extent j of coast which we possessed before these acquisi- I tions. We have now three great maritime fronts —on the Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific—making in the whole an extent of sa coast exceeding five thousand miles. This is the extent of tho soacoast of the United States, not in dueling hays, sounds, and small irregularities of the main shore, and of the sea islands. If thus ■ he included, the length of the shore line of estimated by the supirintondent of tho j 8” a is% survey, in his report, would ho thirty-three thousand and sixty-threo miles. It would he difficult to calculate the value of these immense additions to our territorial poss'.s sions. Texas lying contiguous to the wesfrn | boundary of l/mis'iana, embracing within its ‘un its a part of the tributary waters of the Mississippi and an extensive seacoast, could not long have re mained in the hands of a foreign power without i endangering the peace of our south-western fron tier. Her products in the vicinity of the t*Usufci ries ol the Mississippi must have sought a market through these streams running into and through our territory; and the danger of irritation and collision of interests between Texas as a foreign State and ourselves would have been imminent, while the embarrassments iti the commercial in tercourse between them must have been constant and unavoidable. Had Texas fallen into the hands, or under the influence and control ol a inartiime or military foreign power, as she have done these dangers would have be&n still greater. They have been avoided by her vohm -1 tary and peaceful annexation to the United States. Texas, from her position, was a natural ami al most indispensable part of our territories. Fortn j natoly, she has been restored to our country, and i now constitutes one of the States of our confedc | racy, “ upon an equal footing with the original States.” Tho salubrity of climate, the fertility of soil, peculiarly adapted to the production of seine of our most valuable staple commodities, and her commercial advantages, must soon make her one of otir most populous States. New Mexico though situated in the interior, an 1 without a seacoast, is known to contain much fer tile land, to abound in rich mines of the precious metals, and to he capable of sustaining a large population. From its position, it. is tho interme diate and connecting territory between our settle ments and our possessions in Texas, and those on the Pacific coast. Upper California, irrespective of the vast mine,, ral wealth recently developed there, holds at this day, in point of value and importance to the rest of the Union, the same relation that Louisiana did, when that fine territory was acquired from France forty-five years ago. Extending nearly ten de grees of latitude along the Pacific, and embracing the only safe and commodious harbors on that coast for many hundred miles, with a temperate climate, and an extensive interior of fertile lands, it is scarcely possible to estimate its wealth until it shall ho brought under tho government of our laws, and its resources fully developed. From its position, it must command the rich commerce of China, of Asia of the Islands of tho Pacific, of Western Mexico, of Central America, the South American States, and of tho Russian possessions bordering on that ocean. A great emporium will doubtless speedily arise on tho Californian coast, which may be destined to rival in importance New Orleans itself. Tho depot of the vast com merco which must exist on the Pacific will proba blybe at some point on tho bay of Sail Francisco, and will occupy the same relation to the whole western coast of that ocean, as New Orleans does the to valley of the Mississippi and the gulf of Mexico. To this depot our numerous whale ships will resort with their cargoes, to trade, refit and obtain supplies. This of itself will large ly contribute to build up a city, which would soon become the centre of a great and rapidly increas ing commerce. Situated on a safe harbor, suffi ciently capacious for all the navies as well as the marine of the world, and convenient to excellent timber for ship building, owned by the United States, it must become our great western naval depot. It was known that mines of the precious metals existed to considerable extent in California at tho time of its acquisition. Recent discoveries ren der it probable that these mines are more exten sive and valuable than was anticipated. The ac counts of tho abuudanco of gold in that territory are of such an extraordinary character as would scarcely command belief were they not corrobo rated by the authentic reports of officers in tho public service, who have visited tiie mineral dis trict, and derived the facts which they detail from personal observation. Reluctant to credit the re ports in general circulation as to the quantity of gold, the officer commanding our forces in Cali fornia visited the mineral district in July last, for the purpose of obtaining accurate information on the subject. His report to the War Department of the result of his examination, and tho facts obtained on the spot, is herewith laid before Con gress. When he visited the country, there were about four thousand persons engaged in collect ing gold. There is every reason to believe that the number of persons so employed has since , been augmented. The explorations already made lyc-urrant the belief that the supply is very large, atutahat gold is found at various places in an ex tensive district of country. Information received from officers of tho navy and other sources, though not so full and minute, con firm the accounts of the commander of our milita ry force in California. It app’ars, also, from these reports, that mines of quicksilver are found in the vicinity of the gofd region. One of them is now being worked,'and is believed to bj among tiie most productive in the world. Tho effects produced by the discovery of these rich mineral deposites, and the success which has attended the labors of tlios: who have resorted to thorn, have produced a surprising change in the state of afl'iirs in California. Labor commands a most exorbitant price, and all other pursuits but that of searching for the precious metals are abandoned. Nearly th : whole of the male poptt 'dK’ioti of the country have gone to the gold district. Ships arriving on the coast are deserted by their crews, and their voyages suspended for want of sailors. Oar commanding officer there entertains apprehensions that soldiers cannot be kept in the public service without a large increase of pay.— Desertions in bis command have become frequent, and lie recommends that those who shall with stand tho strong temptation, and remain faithful, should be rewarded. This abundance of gold, and the all-engrossing pursuit of it, have already caused in California on unprecedented rise in the price of the necessa ries of life. Tint we may the more speedily and fully avail ourselves of tiie undeveloped wealth oi’ these mines, it is deemed of vast importance that a branch of the mint of the United States be au thorized to he established, at your present session, in < ‘alifornia. Among other signal advantages which would result from such an establishment would be that of raising tho gold to its par value in that Territory. A branch mint of the United States at the great commercial depot on the west coast, would convert into our own coin not only the gold derived from our own rich mines, but as s ‘ t e* bullion and specie which our commerce mu bring from the whole west coast of Central un I South America. Tho west coast of America an I the adjacent interior embrace the richest and best mines of Mexico, New Grenada, Central Amerii .t. Chili,ami IVrtt. The bullion anti specie ! drawn from these countries, and especially from those of Western Mexico and Peru, to an amount in value of many millions of dollars, are now an nually diverted and carried by the ships of Great Britain to her own ports, to be recoined or used to sustain her National Bank, and thus contribute to increase her ability to command so much of the commerce of the world. If a branch mint be established at the great commercial point upon that coast, a vast amount of bullion and specie would flow thither to be recoined, and pass thence to New Orleans, and New York, and other Atlant ic cities. The amount of our constitutional cur rency at home would be greatly increased, while its circulation abroad would be promoted. It is well known to our merchants trading to China and the west coast of America, that great incon venience and loss are experienced from the fact that our coins are not current at their par value in those countries. Tho powers of Europe, far removed from the west coast, of America by the Atlantic ocean’ which intervenes, and by a tedious and danger ous navigation around the southern ca|e of tho continent of America, can never successfully compete with the United States in the rich and extensive commerce which is opened to us at so much less cost by the acquisition of California. The vast importance ami commercial advanta ges of California have heretofore remained unde veloped by the government of the c ountry of which it constituted a part. Now this fine province is a part of our country, all the States of the Union, some more immediately and direct ly than others, are deeply interested in tho speedy development of its wealth anil resources. No section of our country is more interested, or will bo more benefited, than commercial, navigating, and manufacturing interests of the eastern States. Our planting and farming interests in every part of the Union will be greatiy benefited by it. As oi.r commerce and navigation are enlarged and extended, our exports of agricultural products and of manufactures will bo increased; and in the new markets thus opened, they cannot fail to command remunerating and profitable prices. Tho acquisition of California and New Mexico, tiie settlement of the Oregon boundary, and the annexation of Texas, extending to the Grande, are results which, combined, are of grorfer con sequence, and will add more to the strength and wealth of the nation, titan any which have prece ded them .since tiie adoption of the constitution. TKIt!UTO HI A L GO VF.!tNJt KN T. But to cllect these great results, not only Cali fornia, but New Mexico, must be brought under the control of regularly organized governments. Thu existing condition of California, ami of that part of N -w Mexico lying west of the Rio Grande, and without the limits of Texas, imperiously de mand that Congress should, at its present session, organize territorial governments over them. Upon the exchange of ratifications of the treaty of peace with Mexico on the thirtieth of May last, the temper try governments winch had been es tablished over New Mexico and Cilil'omia by our military and naval commanders, by virtue of the rights of war, ceased to derive any obligatory force from that source of authority ; and hiving been ceded to the United States, till government and control over tltem under tho authority of M -xico had ceased to exist. Impressed with the necessi ty of establishing territorial governments over thnm, 1 recommended the subject to the favorable consideration of Congress in tny message com municating tiie ratified treaty of peace, on tiie sixtli of July last, and invoked their action at that session. Congress adjourned without mak ing any provision for their government. The in habitants, by the transfer of their country, had become entitled to the benefits of our laws and constitution, and yet were left without any regu larly organized government. Since that time, the very limited power possessed by the Executive has be Miexercis ul tnpreservoand protecttliem from the inevitable consequenc es of a state olanarchy. The only governm -nt which remained was that established by the military authority during the war. Regarding this to he a d-facto government, an I that by tho presumed consent of the inhabi tants it might bo continued temporarily, they were advised to conform and submit to it for the short intervening period before Congress would nggin assemble and could legislate on tin subject. The views entertained by the Executive on this point are contained in a communication of the Secretary of State, dated the seventh of October last, which was forwarded for publication toCali fornia and Now Mexico, a copy of which is here with transmitted. The small military force of tho regular army, which was serving within the limits of the ac quired territories at the close of the war, was re tained in them, and additional forces have been ordered there for the protection of the inhabitants, and to preserve and secure the rights an I interests of tho United States. No revenue has been or could be collected at tho ports in California, because Congress failed to authorize tiie establishment of custom-houses, or tiie appointment of officers for that purpose. The Secretary of tho Treasury, by a circular letter addressed to collectors of the customs, on the seventh day of October last, a copy of which is herewith transmitted, exercised ali tiie power with which lie was invested by law. In pursuance of the act of the fourteenth of August last, extending the benefit of our post of fice laws to the people of California, the Postmas ter General has appointed two agents, who have proceeded, the one to California, and the other to < Iregon, with authority to make the necessary ar rangements for carrying its provisions into effect. The monthly line of mail steamers from Pa nama to Astoria has been required to ‘"stop and deliver and taka mails at Sail Diego, Monterey, and San Francisco.” These mail steamers, con nected by the isthmus of Panama with the line of mail steamers on tho Atlantic between Now York and Chagres, will establish a regular mail communication with California. It is our .solemn duty to provide, with the least practicable delay, for New -Mexico and Califor nia, regularly organized territorial governments. The causes of the failure to do this at the last session of Congress tiro well wild deeply to be regretted. With the opening prospects of increased prosperity ami national greatness which the acquisition of these rich and extensive terri torial possessions affords, how irrational it would be to forego or to reject these advantages, by the agitation of a domestic question which is coeval with the existence of our government itself, and to endanger by internal strifes, geographical divis ions, and heated contests for political power, or for any other cause, the harmony of the glorious Union of our confederated States; that Union which binds ns together as one people, and which for sixty years has been our shield and protection against every danger. In the eye* of the world and of posterity, how trivial and insignificant will he ail our internal divisions and struggles com pared with the preservation of this Union of the States in all its vigor and with all its countless blessings! No patriot would foment and excite geographical and sectional divisions. No lover of his country would deliberately calculate the value of the Union. Future generations would look in amazement upon the folly of such a course. Oth er nations at tin present day would look upon it with astonishment; and such of them as desire to maintain and perpetuate thrones and mo narchical or aristocratical principles, will view it with exultation and delight, because in it they will see the elements of faction, which they hope must ultimately overturn our system. Ours is the great example of a prosperous and free self governed republic, commanding the admiration and the imitation of all tiie lovers of freedom throughout the world. How solemn, therefore, is the duty, how impressive the call upon us and tip on all parts of ottr country, to cultivate a patriot ic spirit of harmony, of good fellowship, of com promise and mutual concession, in the administra tion of the incomparable system of government formed by our fathers in the midst of almost in superable dilficnlties, and transmitted to us, with the injunction that we should enjoy its blessings and hand it down unimpared to those who may come after us! Til It SLAVERY UI’ESTION. In view of the Itish ami responsible duties which wo owe to oiirselvo* nm! to mankind, I trust you may lie able, at your present session, to approach the adjustment of the only domestic question which seriouUi’ threatens or probably ever can threaten, to disturb tne harmony’ and successful operation of our system. The immensely valuable possessions of New Mexico and California are already inhabited by a considerable population. Attracted by their (Treat fertility, theirmiu eral wealth, their commercial advantages and the salu brity of the climate, emigrants from the older States, in great numbers, are already preparing to seek new homes in these inviting regions. Shall the dissimilarity of the domestic institu tions in the different States prevent us from pro viding for them suitable governments? These institutions existed at the adoption of the consti tution. but the obstacles which they interposed were overcome by that spirit of compromise which is now invoked. ‘ In a conflict of opinions or of interests, real or imaginary, between different sec tions of our country, neither can justly demand all which it might desire to obtain. Bach, in the true spirit of our institutions, should concede some thing to the other. Our gallant forces in the Mexican war,by whose patriotism and unparalleled deeds of arms we ob tained these possessions as an indemnity for our just demands against Mexico, were composec of citizens who belonged to no one State or section of our Union. They were men from slavehold ing and non-slaveholding States, from the North 1 and the South,” from the Bast and the West. They | were all companions-in-arms and fellow-citizens j of the same common country, engaged inthcsaine 1 common cause. When prosecuting that war, they wore brethren and friends, and shared alike with each other common toils, dangers, and sufferings. Now, when their work is ended, when peace is ro i stored, and they return again to their homes, put otf the habiliments of war, take their places in so ciety, and resume their pursuits in civil life, sure ly a spirit of harmony and concession, and of equal regard for the rights of all sections of the Union ought to prevail in providing governments for the acquired territories—the fruits of their common service. The whole people of the U. States and of ovary State contributed to defray the expenses of that war; and it would not he i just for any one section to exclude another from all participation in the acquired territory. This i would not be in consonance with the just system ! of government which the framers of the consti tution adopted. The question is believed to be rather abstract i than practical, whether slavery ever can or would j exist in any portion of the acquired territory, even ; if it wore left to the option of tiie slavehoMiiig States themselves. From the nature of tlo* cli i mate and productions, in tnueh’the larger portion 1 of it, it is certain it could never exist: and in the ! remainder,the probabilities are it would not. J!ut however tliis may be. th • question, involving, as i it does, a principle of equality of rights of the separate and several States, as equal co-partners in the confederacy, should not We disregarded. In organizing governments over these Territo ! ries, no duty imposed on Congress by the consti tution requires that they should legislate on the | subject of slavery, while tlvbr pow cto do so is not only s irinnsly question • 1, but denied by miny | of the soundest expounders of that instrument.— j Whether Congress shall legislate or not, the peo ple of the acquired Territories, when assembled j in convention to form State constitutions, will pos sess the sole and exclusive power to determine for themselves whether slavery shall or shall not exist within their limits. If Congress shall ab stain from interfering with the question, the peo ple of these Territories will be left free to adjust it as they may think proper when they apply for admission as States into the Union. No enact ment of Congress could restrain the people of any of the sovereign States of the Union, olu or new, north or south, slaveholding or non-slaveholding, from determining the character of their own do mestic institutions as they may deem wise and proper. Any and all the States possess this right, and Congress can not deprive them of it. The people of Georgia might, if they choose, so alter their constitution as to abolish slavery within its limits ; and the people of Vermont might so alter their constitution as to admit slavery within its limits. Both States would possess the right : though, as all know, it is not probable that oitli .r would exert it. , It is fortunate for the peace and harmony of the Union that this question is in it./nature tempora ry .and can only continue for the brief period which will intervene before California and New Mexico j may he admitted as States into the Union. From I the tide of population now flowing into them, it is highly probable that this will soon occur, i Considering the several States and the citizens of the several States as equals, .and entitled to equal rights under the constitution, if this, were an original question, it might well he insisted on that the principle of non-interference is the true doctrine, and that Congress could not, in the ab sence of any express g int of power, interfere with their relative rights. Upon a great emer gency, however, and under menacing dangers to the Union, the Missouri compromise line in re i spect to slavery was adopted. The same line was extended further west in the acquisition of | Texas. After an acquiescence of nearly thirty : years in the principle of compromise recognised | and established by these acts, and to avoid the Id inger to the Union which might follow if it were now disregarded. I have heretofore expressed ! the opinion that that line of compromise should ’ be extended on the parallel of thirty-six degrees thirty minutes from the western boundary ofTex | as, where it now terminates, to the Pacific ocean, j This is the middle ground of compromise, upon i which tiie different sections of tiie Union may meet, as they have heretofore met. If this he done, it is confidently believed that a large major ity of the people of every section of the country, however widely their abstract opinions on the sub ject of slavery may differ, would cheerfully and patriotically acquiesce in it, and peace and har mony would again till our borders. The restriction nortli of the line was only yield ed to in the case of Missouri and Texas upon a principle of compromise, made necessary for the sake of preserving tho harmony., and possibly the | existence of the Union. It was upon these considerations that at the close of your last session, I gave my sanction to the principle of the Missouri compromise line, by approving and signing the bill to establish “ the Territorial government of Oregon.” From a I sincere desire to preserve the harmony of the Union j and in deference for the acts of my predecessors, 1 felt constrained to yield my acquiescence to the extent to which they had gone in compromising | this delicate and dangerous question. But if Con gress shall now reverse the decision by which the .Missouri compromise was effected, and shall pro pose to extend the restriction over the whole ter ritory, south as well as north of the parallel of thirty-six degress thirty minutes, it will cease to i be a compromise, uni must be regarded as an ; original question. If Congress, instead of observing the course of non-interference, leaving the adoption of their own domestic institutions to the people who may 1 inhabit these Territories: or if, instead of extend ing the Missouri compromise line to the Pacific, shall preter to submit the legal and constitutional | questions which may arise tothe decision of the judicial tribunals, as was proposed in a bill which ■ passed the Senate at your last session, an adjust ment may be effected in this mode. 11 the whole ‘ subject be referred to the judiciary, all parts of the Union should cheerfully acquiesce in the final decision of the tribunal created by the constitu tion for the settlement of all questions which may arise tinder the constitution, treaties, and laws of j the United States. Congress is earnestly invoked, for tiie sake of i the Union,its harmony, and our continued pros perity as a nation, to adjust at its present session this, the only dangerous question which lies in our path—if not in someone of tho modes sug gested, in some other which may bo satisfac tory. St RVEY OF rtIF. TOAST. In anticipation of the establishment of regular governments over the acquired territories, a joint commission of officers of the army and navy has been ordered to proceed to tho coast of California and Oregon, for tho purpose of making ream• noissanccs and a report as-to the proper sites for the erection of fortifications or other defensive works on land, and of suitable situations for naval stations. The information which may be expect ed from a scientific and skilful examination of the whole face of the coast will be eminently useful to Congress, when they come to consider the pro priety of making appropriations for these great national objects. Proper defences on lan ts will be necessary for the security and protection of our possessions; and the establishment of navy yards, and a dock for the repair and construction of vessels, will be important alike to our navy and commercial marine. Without such establish ments, every vessel, whether of the navy or of the merchant service, requiring repair, must, at great expense, come round Cape Horn to one of our Atlantic yards for that purpose. With such estab lishments, vessels, it is believed, may be built or repaired as cheaply in California as upon the At lantic coast. They would give employment to many of our enterprising ship-builders and me chanics, and greatly facilitate and enlarge our commerce in the Pacific. [survey AND PROTECTION* OF TIIE MINES. As it is ascertained tiiat mines of gold, silver, copper, and quicksilver exist in New Mexico ami California, and tiiat nearly ail tiie lands where they are found belong to the United States, it is deemed important to the public interests that pro vision be made for a geological and mineralogical examination of these regions. Measures should he adopted to preserve the mineral lands, especi ally such a- contain the precious metals, for the use of the United States, nr if brought into mar ket, to separate them from the farming lands, and dispose of them in such-manner as to secure a large return of money to the treasury, and at the same time lead to the development ol their wealth by individual proprietors and purchasers. To do this, it will lx; necessary to provide for an imme diate survey and location of the lots. If Congress should deem it proper to dispose of the mineral lands, they should be sold in small quantities, and at a fixed minimum price. I recommend that surveyor general’s offices he authorized to he established in New Mexico and California, and provision made for surveying and bringing the public lands into market at “tiie earli est practicable period, in disposing of these lands,! recommend that tiie right of pre-emption be secured, and liberal grunts made to tiie early emigrants who have settled or may settle linen them. EXTENSION OF REVENUE LAWS. It will be important to extend our revenue laws over these Territories, and especially over Califor nia, at an early period. Tle*re is already a con siderable commerce with California : and until ports of entry shall he established and collectors appointed, u<> revenue can be received. I. ilio.se and other necessary and proper meas ures be adopted for the development of the wealth and resources of New Mexieoand California, and regular Territorial governments be established over them, such will probably he the rapid enlarge ment of our commerce and navigation, and such the addition to the national wealth, that the pres ent generation may live to witness the controlling commercial and monetary power of the world transferred from London and other European em poriums to the city of New York. NEW STATES NATIONAL STRENGTH. The apprehensions which were entertained by some of our statesmen, in the earlier periods of the government, tiiat our system was incapable of operating with sufficient energy and success over largely extended territorial limits, and that it this were attempted, it would fill to pieces by its own weakness, have been dissipated by our experi ence. By lhe division of power between the States and federal government, the latter is found to operate with as much energy in the extremes as in tin* centre. It is as efficient in the remotest of the thirty States which now compose the Union, as it was in the thirteen States which formed our constitution. Indeed, it may well be doubt ‘d, whether, if our present population bad been con fined within the limits of the original thirteen States, the tendencies to centralization and con solidation would not have been such as to have encroached upon the essential reserved rights of the States, and thus to ha ve made the fetb ral gov ernment a widely different one, practically, from what it is in theory, and was intended to lie by its framers. So fir from entertaining apprehensions of the safety of our system by the extension of our territory, the belief is confidently entertained that each new State gives strength and an addi tional guaranty for the preservation ol the Union itself. MEXICAN ft. VIM-L In pursuance of tin; provisions of the thirteenth article of the treaty of peace, friendship, limits, and settlement, with tiie republic of .Mexico, and of the act of July the twenty-ninth. 18 US, claims of our citizens which hud been “ already liqui dat’d and derided against the Mexican republic,” amounting, with the interest thereon, to two mil lion twenty-three thousand eight hundred and thirty-two dollars and fifiy-nne cents, have been liquidated and paid. There remain to be paid of these claims, seventy-four thousand one hundred and ninety-two dollars and twenty-six cents. Congress at its last s *>ion having made, no provision for executing the fifteenth article of tin; treaty, by which the United States assume to male; satisfaction for the “ unliquidated claims” ot our citizens against Mexico, to “an amount not ex ceeding three and a quarter millions of dollars,” the subject is again recomui aided to vour favora ble consideration. HOUND ARY LINE. The exchange of ratification.- ol the treaty with Mexico took place on the thirtieth of May, 1818. Within one year after that lime, the commissioner and surveyor which each government stipulates to appoint, are required to meet “at the port of Sail Diego, and proceed to run anl mirk the said boundary in its whole course to the mouth of the Rio Bravo del Norte.” It will bo seen from this provision, that the period uitiiin which a commis sioner and surveyor of the respective governments are to meet at Sail Diego, will expire on tiie thir tieth of May, 1849. Congress, at the close of its last session, made an appropriation for “ the ex penses of running and marking the boundary line” between the two countries, but did not fix the amount of salary which should be paid to tiie commissioner and surveyor to lie appointed on the part ot the United Stat. Cs. It is desirable that the amount of compensation which they shall receive should be prescribed by law, anJ not deft, as ar present, to Executive discretion. OREGON GOVERNMENT. Measures woie adopted at tiie earliest practica ble period to organize the “ Territorial govern ment of Oregon,” us authorized by the act of the fourteenth of August last. The governor and marshal of the Territory, accompanied by a small military escort, left the frontier of Missouri in September last, and look the southern route, by the way of Santa Fo and the river Gila, to Cali fornia, with the intention of proceeding thence in one of our vessels of war to their destination.— The governor was fully advised of tiie great im portance of his early arrival in the country, and it is confidently believed he may reach Oregon in the latter part of the present month, or early in the next. The other officers for tho Territory have proceeded by sea. INDIAN RELATIONS. 11l the month of May last, I communicated in formation to Congress that an Indian war had bro ken out in Oregon, and recommended tiiat author ity be given to raise an adequate number of volun teers to proceed without delay to the assistance of our fellow-citizens in that Territory. The author ity to raise such a force not having been granted bv Congress as soon as their services could be dispensed with in Mexico, orders were issued to the regiment of mounted riflemen to proceed to Jefferson Barracks, in Missouri, and to prepare to march to Oregon as soon as tiie necessary pro vision could be made. Shortly before it was rea dy to inarch, it was arrested by the provision of the act passed by Congress on the last day of tho last session, which directed tiiat all the non-com missioned otlicers, musicians, and privates of that regiment, who had been in service in Mexico, should, upon their application, be entitled to bo discharged. The effect of tins provision was to disband the rank and file of the regiment, and be fore their places could be filled by recruits, the sea son had so lar advanced that it was impracticable ( C<i itinurd on dir drat png’ )