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JOURNAL & MESSENGER.
J AMES T. HKBET AND BIMRI ROSE,
EDITORS.
Tkirtf*StenA C ongress—Second Session.
Feb. 2, 1853.
SENATE.
The Chair laid before the Senate a conmiunication
from Mr. Kenned}', superintending clerk of the census,
asking investigation of his official conduct; referred.
The at ntv appropriation bill was further amended and
prsscd. *
The civil and diplomatic appropriation bill was con
sidered, and numerous amendments were agreed to
At about 4 o’clock, the further consideration of the bill
was postponed until Monday, and some private bills
were acted unou.
After which, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
After the reading of a personal communication from
the lion. A. H. Stuart, Secretary of the Interior De
partment, relative to certain allusions to himself occur
ring recentlv in debate, it was laid upon the table. It >
explained the employment of a lad in the census de
partment, subsequent to the death of his father, upon ;
condition that onc-tifth of his salary should be paid to
a competent clerk.
The House next agreed to the report of the commit- ‘
tec of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two
houses upon the Military Academy, (West Point) ap
propriation bill.
On motion of Mr. Houston, the House then went into
committee of the whole tin the state of the Union, (Mr.
King, of New York, in.the chair, wherein amendments
to the naval appropriation bill were considered and dis
cussed in five minutes speeches until a late hour. Al
ter whicn, the said bill was duly passed-
Mr. Fay, on leave, introduced a bill authorizing a
street to be laid out over the lands connected with the
Government hospital at Chelsea, Massachusetts; and
then the House acljourned.
Feb. 23.
SENATE.
Mr. Hunter moved to take up the civil and diplomat
ic appropriation bill.
Mr. Walker, by consent, reported hack the letter of
Mr. Kennedv, the sti|>erintenaing ck*rfc of the census,
asking an investigation of his conduct, which had been
referred to the select committee on the census, by mis
take. Mr. W. suid that if an investigation was ordered
by the Senate, he would prove *1 ? . he had said concet n
ingMr. K., and much more in addition.
The first amendment to the civil and diplomatic b 11
was one appropiiatmg £500,000 to pay back duties paid
■on goods destroyed by fire in New York, in 1 5 45, and ,
SIOO,OOO for goods destroyed by tire in California.—
Adopted.
Several amendments were agreed to ; amongst them
the following:
To authorise the Secretary of the Treasury to pur
chase any of the outstanding stocks of the U S.
Authorising the business of the refinement ot gold
for coinage, by private individuals.
For a custom-house at Richmond, $75,00*; Norfolk.
$20,000; Bangor, Me., $15,000; Bath, Me., sl2, O'* 1 ;
Belfast, s'_'o,ooo.’
An amendment classifying the cletksitt the Treasury,
Interior, War, Navy and Post-office Departments into
four classes—lst at $9O0; 2d, $12"0, 3d, $1,'00; 4Sh,
$1,300. The chief clerks of bureaus to receive $2,0 iM ’
and chief clerks of departments $2,200. One disburs
ing clerk in each of War, Narv and Post office Depart
ments, and three in ci.ch of the Treasury tunS Interior
Departments. No clerk to be hereafter a|>|>inted un
less he be examined aud found qualified by the head of
a bureau and two other clerks.
Mr. Hunter moved an amendment appropriating
$240,000 for the purchase of sites aud the const met ion
of houses in Washington for the Vice President, aud j
the seveml S’ cretaries and Post-master General.
This was debated at length—Messrs. Borland, Brad
bury, Ilutler, Rusk :uul Dodgenpjtoscd it; Messis. Me- :
son, Jones, of Tennessee, Hunter and Downs supported
it; it was then rejected—yeas 28, nays 4. The vote
was reconsidered, and modified so *s k> increase the
salaries of the officers to $3,000 per annum, which was
adopted —yeas 10, navs Jo.
Fifty thousand dollars was added f<w a bridge at the
Little Falls of the Potomac.
An amendment, appropriating slf>n,oon towards sup- 1
plying Washington and Georgetown with water, to be
obtained wherever and brought iu bv such means as
may determine, was oftcrcd by the com- |
nnttec ou finance.
Mr. Hunter, from the committee on finance, live ■'-cl j
at amendment allowing railroad iron to be imported !
with a credit of five t ears fi r the duties thereon.
Mr. Mason moved to amend it by providing for the
total repeal of all those duties.
Mr. Brodbtad and Mr. Miller opposed the anteudment.
and while the latter war speaking. Mr. Hunter, by di
rection of the committee, withdrew bis amendment .
Mr. Mason offered amendments increasing (he allow- 1
ance to Ministers to Eugland, France, Russia and Spain,
s*>,i*oo, for house rent, Ac., and s4,'Hjo hi the Minister
to Turkey,
He then renewed his amendment, under instinct ions
from the Legislature of Virginia, for a repeal of the du
ties on railroad iron.
Mr. Douglas moved to modify it by suspending the
duties on railroad iron for three rears.
Messrs Miller, Seward, Cooper and Bro.ihcad oppos
ed the amendment.
Mr. Seward is now speaking.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The House at a late hour on Saturday, having passed !
the naTal appropriation bill, and having negatived four
previous motions to adjourn,
On motion of Mr. Hamilton, cf Md., a bill was taken j
tip and passed, authorising the issue of an American
register to the barque May, of Baltimore.
A resolution was passed calling for the <Trc*|>or*- ■
dance by the American MirtiiWer at Madrid, with retei- |
enee to the expedition fitted out from the United Staes
against Cuba, and the ultimate release of the prisoners
connected therewith.
A bill granting pre-emption rights t< itli respect to
UDgrauted lauds on lines of railroads, securing settler*
on lots of one hundred and sixty acres, was on motion
of Mr. Brown, of Miss., taken up mid jtossed.
An amendment to pay to Califiirnisi the amount of
duties colleeted before that State was admitted into the
Union, proposed by Mr. McCord e, was negatived; whs* :
afterwards proposed a smaller sum ($?>Oo,OCO > for the j
purpose of concluding his explanatory remarks, which
was negatived.
Mr. Marshall moved another smn for the purpose of
expressing his views as to the treatment ivhieh Califot
nia had receivedj which, if persisted in, he contended,
must drive California to shift for itself The amend
ment was negatived.
The remaining amendments were taken up and dis
posed o£ After which the committee rose and the
House adjourned.
March 1.
SENATE.
Mr. Hunter moved to take up the civil aud diploma
tic appropriation bill, which motion was agreed to.
The Chair laid before the Senate the annua! report of !
the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, and of the
coast survey service, which were ordered to be prin- 1
ted.
Mr. Rusk, by consent, reported the post route bill, ;
with numerous amendments, which wire agreed o. j
Among the amendments was one making all railroads j
and parts of railroads post routes; also, making ihesa’-
ary of the Assistant Postmasters General $?/**• a year
each, and providing for their future appointment by
the President, by and with the advice and consent of
the Senate, and punishing the counterfeiting of stamped
envelops.
The bill was then passed.
The civil and diplomatic appropriation hill was re
sumed. Several amendments were proposed and adopt
ed. One appropriating $29,000 fi>r refitting and refurn
ishing the President’s mansion.
The amendment ot Mr. Mason to rejieal all duties on
railroad iron was taken up
Meows. Butler, Shields, Hunter, Tourer, Botiand,
Man gum and Bright, though infavorof the amendment,
were unwilling to legislate upon the subject of the ta
riff by means of the appropriation bill; and after further
debate the amendment was rejected—yeas 11*, nays 36.
Mr. Bradburv, then moved a scale of salaries for the
judges of the L*. S. District Courts.
Mr. Pratt moved to make the salarv of the District
Judge of Maryland $2,500 j*er annum, which was agreed
to.
The amendment as amended was debated at M ine
length, and was then, bv consent, withdrawn.
Mr. Hamlin moved an amendment, giving Wendell
A Van Benthuvseu SIB,OOO, to cover losses as printers
to Congress. This was debated and rejected.
An amendment explaining an act of last session so as
to allow Mr. Ritchie $5,000 for certain printing was
adopted.
Mr. Fish submitted an amendment to establish an
office for the refinement, melting, parting aud assaying
of gold and silver bullion and foreign coins, and for cast
ing the same into bars, ingots or discs ; with the neces
sary officers, Ac., Ac., which was adopted—yeas 58,
navs 11.
Mr. James offered an amendment to nay dark Mills
$20,000 for constructing the statue of Jackson, and to
make it the propertv of the United States. Adopted.
An amendment allowing the President to purchase,
for $30,000, Hiram Power s statue of “America,” was
debated and rejected.
An amendment adding $14,700 to the former appro
priation for paving Pennsylvania avenue, from 17th
street to Georgetown, was adopted
An appropriation of §2OO/ vO, to enable the President
to purchase Winder’s building, was debated and reject
ed; veas 21 —nays 29.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Yesterday, after the report was sent oft*, the House
remained in session till seven o’clock ; and the commit
tee of the whole on the state of the Uniin, took up the
amendment of the Senate to the army bill, appropriating
$500,000 for fortifications at San Francisco.
The yeas and nays having been again taken, the
House suspended the rules and went into committee of
the whole for the purpose of amending the Senate
amendments to the army bill, w hen the California for
tification amendment came up in order.
A great number of trivial amendments were moved,
to enable members to make five minute speeches
After expending about three hours in discussing the
proposed amendments to the amendment, on motion of
Mr. On - , of S. C-, the committee rose, and the House
passed a resolution terminating the debate on the sec
tion which had been under consideration.
The House again went into committee, when Ihe
question was taken, and it refused to concur in the
amendment of the Senate; yeas 68—nays 71.
During the discussion which took place, Mr. Riddle,
of Delaware, appealed to the committee in favor of
completing the fortifications on Pea Patch Island ; for
which object it had been surrendered to tbe Govern
ment.
The committee refused to concur in any of the forti
fication amendments.
An amendment of the Senate, authorising the Presi
dent to decide, after proper inquiry, as to transferring
the superintendence of the armories to civilians, warn
l concurred in. Also, the amendment providing for the
I survey of a route for a Railroad from the Mississippi
If river to the Pacific ocean.
The committee having disposed of all (he amend
ments, rose and reported its action to the House.
The question was then taken on the amendments up
on which no separate vote was asked, and they were
agreed to.
Before taking (he question on those amendment* up
on which a separate vote was demanded —
The House, after a continuous session of eleven hours,
adjourned.
March 2.
SENATE.
The Senate resumed the consideration of tbe civil and
diplomatic appropriation bill; which, after having been
further amended, was passed.
The joint resolution in relation to the priutingof the
census returns was then taken up, considered, and piss
ed.
. The annual Post Office ap(vtpri*tion bid was taken
up. An amendment was offered by Mr. Gwin, piovi- ■
dtng for a sgnii-inonthly mail front San Francisco to
China, on which Hr. Houston addresse 1 the Sena-a in
relation to the foreign policy of the UY.i.'cd .ti'ates. The
amendment was subsequen Jy withdrawn, and the b.l!
was passed.
, The bill establishing the Territory of Washington
! was considered and passed.
The rejxwt of the committee of conference upon the;
army bill, by which the Senate receded from its amend
ments in relation to the emigrant route to the Pacific,
. among other amendments, was concurred kt.
The naval appropriation bill was taken up, aud nu
merous amendments were adopted. Pending amend
ments for the reorganization of tbe navy, and for the
establishment of a board of accounts, the Senate ad
journed.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The House ordered committees of conference on the
disagreeing not* of ihs two houses upon the deficeincy
li!l, and tin- bill granting j re-etnption rights to actual
settlers ou the reserved alternate sect wire of the pub
lic domain traversed by railroads
They next passed the .Senate's jiat resolution author
izing the oath of office to be administered to the Vice
President elect in Cuba; and a resolution providing for
tlie settlement of certain per diem accounts of mcmbei s
of Congress.
After which they proceeded to the further considera
tion of the report *,f the Committee of the Whole on
the state of the Union an the Senate’s intendments to
the army appropriation bill; which keiw disposed of,
the House went into commitrce, i Me. i helps in the’
chair;) wherein tire light-house appropriation 1)31 was
-considered and disposed of. It was next passed in the
House.
Tie* report f Ihecomtuitteerd conference on the hill
for the relief of Lieutenant Colonel John Charles Frc
! moiit was then concurred in, aud also that in the case
of the bill granting pre-emption rights to sett lets <.n
alternate reserved sectieu*•*’tlee patilic domain travers
ed by rr.ilr- ,-is.
Mr. McCorkle then reported, from the Committee on
j Public Lands, the bill to provide for tlie survey of the
public lands ia California, granting pre-emption jrivile
tres thereon, Ac.; which was passed The tkn*e next
went into a Cofsntittee of the Whole ou the state of
the Uaioa. wherein the .Senate's amendments to the
civil juid diplomatic appropriation hill were considered
until a very iate hour; the House uor.-concttring in that
oite which appropriates $50,000 for a bridge over the
.Lillie Fall* and in that oue appropriating tpla'VWO for 1
supplying the City of Washington with wntre
Other amendments (there were lt*3 of them) were
concurred in, au 1 the House at midnight adjourned.
Makcu 3.
SENATE.
Mr. Miller presented the credentials of Hon. William
Wright, elected a senator from New Jersey for six
years from Maich 4th, I'53L
A bill nt iking appropriations for Ihe completion of j
public buildings in Minnesota was taken up and
j passed.
The naval appropriation bill was taken up. Among
.ur.endmenis ottered to it, which were debuted and rejec
ted, was one to establish a boatd for the investigation
jof claim* against the L’ titled .States; and *i*, one a|-
propria’ing s.K*<Jt,o'A'for a propeller frigate with Erics- j
sou caloric engine. Tbe amendment which was under ]
consideration yesterday, for the reorganization of the j
Unite*! States navy, was agreed to. Alter a long do- 1
bate, the bill was passed.
The light-house bill and the Indian appropriation bill |
were considered aad p>asse<i. |
Mr. Miller presented the credentials of the Hon. John j
R. Thompson, senator front New Jersey, a* successor |
Jto Mr. S.ockto.i, resigned ; and Mr. Desaussure present- !
jed the credentials <>l Hon. Josiab J. Evans, his succes- I
j sor as senator from .South Carolina,
j The bid making appropriation lor the transportation i
jof the United States mail by ocean steamers for the |
jnext fiscal year was considered and passed.
Tlie bill granting lauds to the several States for the
j benefit of the indigent insane was taken up, and was
undcr.-consideration at midnight.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The speaker laid before the iiouse several Executive
communications: which wore laid uj>on the table aud
ordered to be printed.
The House resolved Pselt into a Committee of Ihe
Whole on the siate of the Union upon the Host Office
Appropriation bill, aud acted ou the Senate’s amend
ments thereto. Some of them were non-concurred in ;
and the House afterwards acquiesced in the action of the
committee
The Dost route bill was next taken up, and most of
the Senate’s amendments were concurred in.
On motion of Mr. Houston, a committee of confer
ence was appointed on the disagreeing votes of t he two
j Houses on the civil and diplomatic appropriation bill.
A committee of conference was appointed on the dis
agreeing votes of tbe two Houses ou the Dost Office
’ Appropriation bill.
j Mr. Gorman made a report recommending the
i House to acquiesce in tire amendments of the Senate
i to the bill providing for the printing aud binding of the ;
tenth census Agreed to.
He also reported, from the Committee on Drinting, a i
resolution that there be printed fig the use of the j
, House one hundred thousand extra copies of the ogri- I
cultural portion of the Patent Office report for 1 852, I
and ten thousand for the use of the Patent Otiice; and 1
(titty thousand extra copies of the mechanical part, and 1
ten’ thousand for the use of the Patent Otiice of the I
same document. It was adopted
He likewise reported flout ihe same comniittea reso- :
lut.on | ruckling fi*r the printing and binding of thirty
(thousand copies of the obituary addresses of the House j
and Senate on the death of Daniel Webster for the use !
of members of ihe House; and also that five thousand ‘
copies of the report of the Superintendent of tbe Coast
Survev be printed and and bound—four thousand co
pies for the ust> of the Coast Survey office.
Both of these reports wete adopted.
Several private bills were passed.
Mr. Toombs I’tom the second conunittce of conference
on the d : Sßgreeing votes of the two Houses on the De
ficiency bill, made a rej.nt, aud explained what laid
been gtted iqon. Among other things, the Senate
had receded from tbe section providing tor an assay of
fice tit California, and the committee had substituted
another, extending the time S>r receiving bids for the
j erection of a branch mini in California until the first of
’ April next, and that the sum of three hundred thou
, sand dollars. Heretofore appropriated for that purpose, j
Lr so uuieh thereof as may Ik- necessary, be applied to J
the erection and putting the mint into operation, and
] not for the purchase of building.
I He stated the Secre’ary of the Treaaury has received !
j hi-'s within the appropriation for the mint at rian Prate j
j cisco.
Mr. Pickling asked if the bid was oil a lire proof |
building.
Mr. Marshall said there were more bids than one,
describing the buildings lo bo fire proofj the appara
tus. Ac.
The report was concurred in.
On motion of Mr. Landry, the House took up and
passed the Senate resolution for the relief of tlie Span
i>h Consul aud other subjects of Spain, residing at
New Orleans, ami subject# of Spain residing at Key
West, bv indemnity for losses hi 1351.
The House went into a Committee of the Whole on
the State of ihe Cnton, and proceeded to the considera
tion of the Scuafe’s amendments to the Navy Appropri
ation bill—Mr. On in the Chair.
That appropriating 8150, inw for a basin and railwav i
at the dock at San Francisco, wius warmly discussed,
and ihen rejected —ayts 73, noes so.
Without disjHising of the amendments,
The committee rose to receive a report from tlie com
mittee of conference on the disagreeing votes ou the
Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation bill.
Mr. Houston moved ihe previous question, which
was seconded.
The question was taken amid the great confusion
which prevailed, and the House refused to concur in
the rcjKiit —-yeas o>, nays 106.
Mr. Meade moved a reconsideration of the vote.
Tlie motion to reconsider the vote by which the
House rejected the report of the committee of confer- j
ence was laid upon the table— yeas 00, nays 35.
Mr. Hall moved that the House ask the Senate for an
other committee of conference on the Civil and Diplo
matic Appropriation bill; and, under the operation of
the previrus question, this was agreed to.
The House again went into Committee and resumed
the consideration of the Senate amendments to the na
vy bill; and were in session at 12 o'clock.
Friday, March 4.
SENATE.
The new Senate assembled in special session at 12
o’clock meridian, and was called to order by Mr. Cass.
On motion bv Mr. Badger, the oath of office was ad
ministered to the new Senator*.
Mr. Shields introduced the following:
Ji. That the Hon. David R. Atchison, of Mis
souri, be chosen President pro tern of the Senate.
This resolution u-as unanimously agreed to, and Mr.
Atchison having resumed the chair, returned his thanks
in a very neat and appropriate manner for the addition
al mark*of confidence bestowed upon nitn.
The President of the United States, the Ex-Presklent,
the Chief Justice and Associate Judges of the Supreme
Court, and the Foreign Ministers having entered the
Senate chamber, the Senate proceeded to thecastern por
tico, the President delivered his Inaugural Address,
and the oath of office having been administered by
the Chief Justice, the Senate returned to the chamber.
On motion by Mr. Rusk,
Ordsrtd, That the daily hour of meeting be 12 o'clock
meridian.
On motion by Mr. Soule,
Re# lc*d, That when the Senate adjourn it adjourn
to meet on Monday next.
On motion of Mr. Pettit, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Little business was transacted in the House. Several
Senate bills were taken up and passed.
Mr. Jones, of Tennessee, at half-past eleven o’clock,
submitted the following resolution, which was agreed
to :
Segal ml. That a committee be apjiointed on the part
of the House, to join such committee as may l*e appoint
ed bv the Senate, to wait on the President of the Uni
ted States aud notify him that unless he may have fur
ther communications to make, this Congress, having
concluded the business before them, are ready to close
the present session by an adjournment. .
Mr. Jones, of Tennessee, from the joint committee
appointed by the two Houses to wait upon the Presi
dent of the United States and inform him that they had
dispatched their business and were r.ow ready to ou
jou.it, reported that thev had performed that duty, and
that the President ten lered his ill inks for the communi
cation. and said that he had no further communication
to make, end expressed the hojie that the two Houses
might adjourn i.t peace ami quietness, an J “he niembct s
return solely to their liarnes and their constituents.
Mr. J. then moved that the Home do now adjourn
st ‘*,■? die.
The question was put, and derided ia the affirmative
The speaker (hen rose ami made a brief address lo
the House; ai’er which many of the members came fi) -
ward lo take leave of huu, and in it few moments the
hall was cleared. Thus ended the Thirty-second Coo
gr -ss.
MACON. GEORGIA :
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 0, 185:).
2‘ttblic Medic*;.
We have been requested to announce that a meeting
of the citizens of Macon will beheld in the Gentlemen s
Parlors and the Lanier House, tins evening at 7j-* <> clock,
to ‘sake the necessary arrangements for the reception i t
ex-Presidcnt Fillmore, iu this city. We observe that
the citizens and authorities of Charleston, Savannah
and of other cities along the proposed route of Mr
Fillmore, in his tour to the South and South-1) est,
five already extended invitations to hint to visit them,
and we trust the people of Maonn will show equal alac
rity and unanimity in doing lionor to one who has done
some service to the S.ate
fr'orsjth rem ! i ; e Academy.
Severed enterprising citizens ot Monroe County liavo
purchased the large building in Forsyth, which wn >
originally erected for the Botanic Medical College i
Georgia, and are fitting it up in a very tasteful and sub
stantial manner, for the aowuninodation of a large Fe*
male School. The Ixiilditig will be completed in a few
davs. It will present a beautiful and commanding exteri
or. and in its dimensions ard its interior arrangements
will not bes urpassed by way building in tbe State up
preprinted to similar uses. The School will be under
the charge of the Rev. William C. )\ ilkes as Principal,
who is already favorably known to the public as a
Teacher. Its location is healthy, pleasant and accessi
ble, end vr* doubt iwst, it will at once assume a position
among the best Female Seminaries of the State. Gooi
gia, without governmental aid or encouragement, is
doing more than any other State in the Union in the
cause of Female Education. The next generation of
her women will lie educated, and Mrs. Partington will be
in Georgia, a pleasant myth. Schools like the Forsyth
Female Academy, endowed and supported by private
munificence, are (Ik agencies by which this great good
will be accomplished, and vve are gratified to notice the
multiplication of such Schools in our State
’-S’” The branch of the South-Western Railroad
running from Fort Valley to Butler, Taylor county, (the
terminus of the Muscogee Railroad) we learn, will be
completed by the Ist ot May. On the 15th inst., freight
and passenger tars will begin to run regularly front
this point, to a Dcjiot called Reynolds, upon ihe west
ern side of Dibit river, about twelve miles front Fort
Valley, and ten from the terminus of the Muscogee
Railroad. There w ill be therefore but ten miles of
s'agisg or wagoning between Savannah and Coltim.
bus by the 15th Lust. The work upon the railroad be
tween Columbus and Opelika a distance of twenty
eight miles-is rapidly progrejsing, and we shall soon
have uninterrupted communication by railroad from
.Savannah to Montgomery iu Alabama.
i sis Tl'tjraph to the Journal {• **• n<jcr.)
Cabinet of General Pierce.
Monday, March 7—4 P. M.
The following nominations of Cabinet Officers have
been sent by the President to the Senate, and confirmed
by that body:
W. L. M.ecv, Secretary of State.
J auks Gcttuuk, .Secretary of Treasury.
Rour. Mc€lei,lanh, Secretary of Interior.
J effeuson Davis, Secretary of War.
James C. Dobbin, Secretary of Nu\y.
James Campbell, Post Master General
Caleb Ct suing, Attorney General.
*
’TZT On Friday at noon, Mr. Fillmore resigned the
Presidential Chair, and his office, with its immense pow
er and patronage, was quietly transferred to his succcs”
sor by the unpretending ceremonial of his inaugura
tion. This change iu the head of the administration of
the General Government has been accomplished w itlt- (
out tumult, or confusion, or revolution; but it may !
notwithstanding, affect great, important and radical
changes iu the policy of that government. Changes
of rulers in republics are almost necessarily changes of
policy, and the jaiblic mind will be cm ions to know what j
President Pierce will do to illustrate his administration ‘
or to distinguish it from that of immediate prede
cessor. We piiiiiisl. the Inaugural Address of General
Pierce, and ibe Cabinet which he has formed and which 1
has been confirmed by the Senate. So far ns tlie In
augural discloses it, or the selection of his Cabinet offi
cers foreshadows it, the policy of the next administra.
tion is before the people- We received the Inaugural
but a few hours before going to press, and having had
time only to glance at it, we cannot pretend to |
have formed an opinion upon its merits. It is j
bolder, more decided, and more demonstrative, I
than Inaugural Addresses heretofore have been.— |
It leaves no question untouched upon which the popir j
inr mind is generally interested, and upon every one the
opinions of ihe President elect ate uttered with the
boldness of perfect candor. We can find nothing to
object to in this document, because w e can find nothing
new; nothing which lias not been urged by the Ad
ministration of Mr. Fillmore, with equal elegance
and force ; and nothing which separates or distinguishes
the incoming administration from that which has just
closed, or which arrays them in opposition to each oth
er The Inaugural of General Pierce fully andemphut
icnllj sustains the udministration of Mr. Fillmore in
its foreign and iu its domestic policy; and we look in
vaiu for any prominent and salient points of difference
between tlie. policy indicated by Franklin Pierce, and .
that which has been pursued by Millard Fillmore, which j
will authorize those to support the one who liavcoppo- j
sod the other. We have made great exertions to lay
this document before our readers at the earliest mo
ment. and must j ostpone our comments until our next
issue.
‘fhc jxipular mind appreciates nothing so well as
actual aud tangible power. Clothe an individual with
authority, and whatever may be his qualities of heart,
of head, or of person, he becomes greater in popir
lar estimation than one who has no power to wield and
[do patronage to dispense; though on hint nature and
providence may have been lavish of their favors, “ to
give to the world assurance of a man.” General Pierce
is the great man of the day, because be is the President
of the United Stales. There are others who have excell
ed him in every position in w hich he ltasliecn placed
at the forum, in the Senate, or on the field. I here arc
others, who, by the common consent of the people of
the United States, arc more justly entitled to the place
which he occupies, if public service, experience and
ability constitute a claim to the office of President. —
There are others, in the retirement of private life, in
the comparative seclusion of literary labor, in the learned
professions, and in the commercial and agricultural
clashes, who are as wise, as learned, as strong, us good,
as amiable, and as brave as General Pierce, and equally
enti led, w ith him, to the confidence and esteem and
admiration of their follow men. And yet he is greater
than them all—greater than each and every one of that
vast number of American citizens w ho have illustrated
the literature, the art, ihe science, the enterprise, the
arms, or the statesmanship of their country ; and from
the grave dignitaries of church, and of .State, to the
penny-a-liners of the newspaper press, flattery is heaped
upon him more gross, more fulsome, and more dis
gristing than that of the j*aid verses of a laureate, and
more false and insincere than ihe bought applause of
the professional dvpurs of a theatre. The splendor of
high oiiice, reflected upon a plain citizen of the Re.
public, has inode him dazzling with its liitor and it*
glitter, and the right which this plain man holds to dis
jiense patronage, to the amount of fifty millions, has
transformed him into a derm-god. This is the coarse
and vulgar truth.
From this newly-risen sun, which lias scarcely dissi
pated the clouds and the mist which obscured its rising,
wc turn to -that one which has set in an unclouded
blaze of living light, leaviug the glories of its career
reflected in the solid progress and prosperity of the
country. )Vc would institute no comparison between
Fillmore and Pierce. The one lias successfully con
ducted the administration ot the General Government,
htrough a period of unexampled interest and danger,
and has been sustained by the emphatic approval of
the people, in every step which he has taken, and in
every policy which he has pursued. The other enteis
upon this difficult aud delicate task with the confidence
and the support of a pow erful majority in Congress and
in the country, and with the hopes of every patriot that
he will be found equal to it, and yet no one can predict
what his cartel w ill be, or that clouds and darkness
will not rest upon its close. Millard Fillmore has
achieved his greatness. It is not a probability, but a
fact. It does not exist in the hopes of friends, or in tbe
exaggerations of partixans; but in the record of liis
official acts, in the history of his Administration, and
in the full re l /.aikm of the most sanguine expectations
;;f the country, in the success and ability of that Ad
ministration. President l’ictce has his career yet to
ti t, and Ins greatness vet to achieve. 1 li.it which he
now enjoys is adventitious, reflected —it is that which
belongs io the office aad attaches itself to its occupant—
it was Fillmore’s yesterday, it is Pierce’s to-day, and
w.il be Li* Successors to-morrow . His claims :o great
ness rest upon his position, and upon the interested
representations of friends and of partizans. Greatness
wh cii is true and inherent, w ill build itselt firmer
foundations; and if there is, in General Pierce, that
stmt’ of wltich great men are made, he has the opportu
nity to exhibit it, by proving himself equal to the grave
duties and responsibilities of his position. But until
he has done this, and has passed the fieri’ ordeal upon
which he has entered, his claims to any extraordinary
measure of confidence or admiration are conjectural,
and must be postponed to those of Fillmore, who has
passed this fiery ordeal, and w hose career and success
and ability are accomplished facts Opposed by his
own party, and by Congress, encountering extraordi.
nary opposition, and subjected to the abuse of W’ltigs
and of Democrats, of ultraists of the South and of the
North, this plain, strong, honest man, has quietly pur
sued. the course which he laid down at the advent of
his aim lustration, and has been triumphantly sustain
ed bv the people. In his retirement, lie will be followed
bv their respect aud confidence; and if the occasion
arises, will be called again from that retirement, to
bear again the grievous burthen of honors which he has
gladly resigned.
Proposed Mail Line between California and
China.
The following are extracts from the Report of the
Hon. J. P. Kennedy, Secretary of the Navy, in answer
to a resolution of the Senate, respecting the establish
ment of a line of Mail and War Steamers, between
the Western Coast of the United States, and the free
ports of China. When the line of Steamers is estab-
I shed and a Pacific Railwaybuilt, and the commerce of
China and of Japan opeu to us, wc may begin to have
some faint idea of the future magnificence of our Pa
cific Empire, and of the power and importance it must
attain.
45- *• * ■:* ■>:■
The acquisition of California, and the extraordinary
devehq.emeut of its mineral wealth, have given an im
pulse lo tlie business of this country that has already
enlarged its commercial prosperity beyond all former
example in the history of rations.
It is apparent that, if the Government shall adopt the
proper measure, to maintaia and improve the vantage
ground we have so fortunately obtained, a few years
more must find us exercising and enjoying an eminent
control over the most valuable commerce of the world.
Our policy successfully directed to the establishment
of a railroad connection between the Atlantic and Pa
cific coasts, would immediately secure to us, in great
part, both the intercourse aud the trade between F.u
rope and Asia. That trade is noted for its boundless
resource, and still, as for centuries past, offers the
means of the largest wealth to the nations which secure
it. In thirty tears only—from 1792 to 1822—the an
nual average trade between Great Britain and China
alone has been estimated at $63,160,449, and yielded
for ihe thirty years the aggregate revenue of $440,238,-
422. Lt the following years—from 1822 to 18.52 —the
amount contributed to the customs of England front
tlie i rode in the teas of China alone has averaged yearly
the sum of $18,343,720 —making the enormous aggre
gate of $550,311,614.
The trade of the United States with China amounts
to front $16,000,000 to $18,000,000 annually, and must
necessarily increase. And the same causes which pro
duce this increase must augment our trade with the
continent of Asia and the islands of the Pacific. These
consequences are so apparent and inevitable, that it. is
not deemed necessary to repeat what has been so often
said in relation to the trade referred to.
The position of the United States is now such as to
require the most active measures to secure such com
mercial connexion with China as shall bring about an
exchange of the commodities of the two countries. In
this respect Great Britain is very far ahead of us. For
the teas aud other products of China, that country ex
changes immense quantities of opium every year; while
ilie amount paid by us annually, to China, is in the pre
cious metals. It is very evident that, unless our pro
ductions are introduced into that country, our export of
these metals must increase at a rate corresponding with
our increased importation. The effect ot this will be
readily perceived. Since the beginning of our trade
w ith China, our imports from that country have exceed
ed our exports there more than $120,000,000, which
has been paid principally in silver.
The use of opium in China has been 1 lie great cause
| of preventing the extension of commerce into that coun
-1 try, while at the same time, many believe it has almost
I entirely shut out the lights and advantages of Christian
ity. lt, by any means that our government shall em
ploy, a trade between us attd the Cbinise shall be open
ed, there is reason to suppose that our tobacco will be
. wunouUlv “ , “' 4 as a substitute for this poison
ous drug lilts article,(now so onndantly produced m
our tobacco-growing States, will then become tlie pio
neer ot our trade, and ripen the way for our manufac
tures of cotton, wool, and particularly of cutlery and
other manufactures of iron—in which latter articles
the trade between Great Britain aud China is now very
large.
* * * ******
The numerous lines of English mail steamers place
in the hands of Great Britain almost an entire monopo
lv of the wealth of the East, and there is no reason to
suppose that, this wealth would not be shared largely by
I us if our government were to adopt a similar policy.
1 On the other hand, it is quite certain that, if our Dacit.c
[coast were connected with China by a line of inail-stea
! liters, we should, in a very short while, be repaid for
‘any expenditure to which we should be subjected by its
| establishment, in the increased intercourse and wealth
it would seeure to us.
**********
The necessity for the use of coal by the steamers on
litis lyte will cause the establishment of depots in the
islands of the Pacific. These depots, in time of war,
would be subject to the use ol the govern most, which, at
this time, has not a single depot from which war stea
mers can be supplied with any degree of certainty,
either in the Atlantic or Pacific ocean.
The constant shipment of coal to the Pacific would
giie employment to a class of ships outward bound,
whose return voyages would most probably be made up
with large supplies of guano; thus reducing the price of
that valuable stimulant to vegetable production,now so
necessary to a portion of our lands. These two articles
of tobacco and guano would alone, without other com
modities, afford the means of opening a rapid and most
profitable intercourse with China. The product of to
; bacco would be increased in a measure corresponding
I to the increased demand of the two hundred millions of
Chinese consumers, and thus our national wealth be
greatly augmented.
Many other cogent considerations will doubtless occur
to the Senate to enforce a favorable contemplation of
this important subject, and to strengthen the conviction
that it re eminently worthy of the attention of the gov
’ eminent. The most obvious measure which a full ex
amination of this question suggests is the establishment
at as curly a day as it may conveniently be accomplish
ed, of u line of steamers, adapted to the character of the
trade and intercourse it is intended to secure. By what
means, or under what conditions—whether by the di
rect agency of the government, or by the encourage
ment and aid of individual enterprise, carefully and
effectively directed to that end to this object is to be secu
red with greatest advantage, national and commercial
interest, is a question upon which this department will
not venture to express an opinion, the subject being
mote appropriately and with the certainty of abetter
decision, let’ to the deliberation of Congress.
Madame Bishop’s Concert.
Madame Anna Bishop, assisted by the vetern Bochsa
and by a number of other artists, will give two Con
certs in this city on Thursday and Friday evenings a t
Concert Hall. She is accombanied by Signor Severe
Sti ini, Basso singer, who is altogether unknown in our
community, but who is heralded by flattering notices
in many of our exchanges. We take the following front
(he Columbia (S. C.) Banner :
“The lovers of song who were absent, lost a rich treat
last evening. Madame Bishop's reputation as a vocalist,
is too well known to require us to notice the silvery
stream of melody that flows with her voice- but Signor
Striui is not so well known, tit least amongst us. It
becomes us to bear testimony to hint as a man of extra
ordinary powers. Such a voice for depth and immense
strength we have never heard. While Madame Bish
op’s is the gentle trickling of the rivulet, gradually
coursing among flowery beds and grassy meadows,
gaining force and sweetness with its increasing current,
It is is the torrent, rising from rocky sources, pouring
rapidly out its cataract torce with a power and energy
absolutely startling. His ability as an actor is of the
highest order, whether in tragedy or comedy—though
in the latter we had a belter opportunity of enjoying his
efforts In the Cavatina “Largo al factotum ” llloir
hien, he was inimitable and as Dr. Dulcumura, exces
sively amusing. We predict for him great success.—
His voice is truly majestic, and ought to be heard as a
physiological phenomenon.”
“
The weight of the new silver coinage author
ized by the recent act of Congress, which goes into op
eration in June next, us compared with that coinage
since the passage of the act upon tlie same subject in
1837, is as follows:
Silver. Act of Jan. 1837. Act of Feb. 1853.
Dollar, 412 J,; grains. No change.
Half Dollar,
Quarter Dollar, 103j4 “ 96 “
Dime,
Half Dime, 20% “ 19.20 “
The reduction in the value ol the silver coin will be
about 3 per cent, below its present market value —the
whole reduction being near ! per cent., and the present
premium on American coin being 4 per cent. The Jour
nal of Commerce thinks this will be quite enough to retain
the silver in the country and bring a large supply into
circulation.
JST* The Hon. J. J. Crittenden, Attorney General of
the United States, was married at St. John’s Church,
I Washington City, on the evening of the 27th inst., to
I Mrs. General Ashley, of St. Louis.
Letter from Hon. E. K. Brown.
Amkrici's, March stb, 135”.
Messrs. Editors: — Contrary to my own inclination,
but through the advice of friend?, I will, by your kind
permission, vindicate myself from an aspersion throw’
i.pon me bv a communication signed “ Decatur <
Haele’trap,” in the Albany Putrlo * of the -.>tli ult.,
wherein 1 am charged with disregarding my obligation.?
t thep e pie, to my party and to my s- If, for being a can
didate for Judge of this Circuit, when I had written
t a supposed friend that I was willing to submit my
claims to a Convention, slauld there l’ one. 1 had tluee
reasons for not abiding the action of that Convention
Ist. I had no delegation in said Convention from
Sumter, and gave no one authority to use my name
therein.
2d. The Convention (as I was informed: was uot a
fair one, as the delegates from the counties of bee and De
catur were chosen by meetingsclandeslincly assembled
and the tnlsmen who served in that Convention for
Baker county, were picked up in the streets of Albany,
as talesmen are summoned by the Sheriff to serve on
the Jury. I presume no one except such a fire enter at
“ Decatur of Hackellrup” would suppose any honest
man was bound thereby.
Gd 1 was willing to abide the action of a Democratic
Convention, and not one of fre enters. Soon after I
wrote that letter, 1 learned that the leading fre eaters,
with nearly one accord, rose up and declared against
me—not calling my character or qualifications into
question, but because I was a In on man.
Hence, I abandoned all connection with said proposed
Convention, as it was clearly forcsceu that all the fire
eatiay elements of disunion and secession would be
embodied therein.
I ran as a freeman, and obtained a vote gratifying
to me, as each party had its favorite candidate in the
field, and the voles I received were mostly from per
sonal considerations. lam also much gratified at the
election of my worthy friend, W. C. l’erkins, who will,
I expect, make a courteous and able Judge, and is a
general favorite with the people.
lam a Jeffersonian Democrat hence for many years
past, [ have been alarmed at the dangerous manifesta
tions of modern progressive Democracy ; but disliking
the name of renaade, tarn-coat and a new comer, I
had concluded, under fair but false promises, to try “to
safer while i alls were tuff raU-,” and to endeavor to
persuade my so-called Democratic brethren, to lay down
and forget their dreaded schemes and machinations ;
but all has been in vain. I saw in the T. tats db Sentinel of
22d ult., the very day every man should have been the
breathing sentiments loyal to the Union, an editorial,
to the effect that the “Georgia Phtf.rrn ” was a sub
mission to wrong, as it was (he Jed to he prtferable to
a bold and manly resistance —that is, that a bold and
manly resistance by secession, disunion or revolution,
was preferable to the “ Gsuryia Didf am" —the same
old disunion doctrine promulgated two or three years
ago, thus sanctioned by t lie leading press of .South-Wes
tern Georgia, and approved or acquiesced in by every
fre eater throughout the length alul breadth of the
country; yet the very same fre eaters are the greatest
Democrats that ever were born.
Thus it is abundantly evident that the once honored
name of Democracy has now degenerated into a vveer-all,
under which every turbulent and disorganising faction
may find a welcome retreat.
Could the immortal Jefferson arise front the tomb, en_
dowed with the genius which proclaimed the principles
of primeval Democracy, and behold its perversion, he
would rebuke its audacity, and render a hearty appro
val to the leading measures of that brilliant and trium
phant administration which has just closed.
When 1 behold the united majesty and glory of this
republic, whic hsecures peace, protection and happiness,
far and wide—from the mansion of wealth to the cot
tage of poverty—my heart bounds with emotions of
patriotic delight. But it is with mortification that lam
sensible of the fact, that I am surrounded with thou
sands who would tear down the pillars of that Govern”
rnent, framed, by Washington, and transmitted to us
with admonitions of dying and paternal love, never
to forsake it.
1 wiil here take the liberty to assert my belief, at the
hazard of offending many dear friends, that when the
tempest of faction shall arise from the progress of wild
Democracy, and beat upon the temple of our liberty—
our political salvation will be found in the sound, safe
and conservative principles of the Whig Party.
Respectfully, EDWIN li. BROWN.
Thirty-Third Congress.
TERM COMMENCES FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1853, AND TERMI
NATES MARCH 4, 1855.
SENATE.
The Senate consists of two Senators from each State.
There are thirty-one States, represented by sixty-two
SLXATOIIS HOLDING OVER axi> ki.kct.
Whigs in Italics; Democrats in Roman. Those
marked F. S. are Free Seilers, or Abolitionists; U, those
elected as Union men ; S. R., those elected as Southern
or State Rights men.
President AVilliam R. King.
Secretary
Expires. tiepins.
ALABAMA. MICHIGAN.
Benj. Fitzpatrick \ ...1855 Lewis Cass 1857
Vacancy 1859 Charles E. Stuart... 1859
* ARKANSAS. MISSOURI.
Solon Borland 1855 David C. Atchison.. 1855
W. K. Sebastian 1859 Henry S. Geyer 1857
CONNECTICUT. NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Truman Smith 1855 Moses Norris, Jr... .1855
Isaac Toucey 1857 Chas. G. Atherton... 1859
CALIFORNIA. NEW YORK.
W. M. Gwin 1855 IF. //. Seward (F. 5.)1855
John B. Weller 1857 Hamilton Fish 1857
DELAWARE. NEW JERSEY.
James A. Bayard 1857 John R. Thompson. .1857
John M. Clayton 1859 Win. Wright 1859
FLORIDA. NORTH CAROLINA.
Jackson Mort m 1855 Geo. F. liadjer 1855
Stephen A. Mallory... 1857 Vacancy 1859
GEORGIA. OHIO.
ll ~n. ('. Dawson 1855 S. P. Chase (F. S.;. .1855
Robert Toombs 1859 Benj. F. Hade 1857
INDIA N A. PENNSYLVANIA.
John Pettit 1855 Janu x Cooper 185,5
Jesse D. Bright 1857 Richard Brodhead.. .1857
ILLINOIS. RHODE ISLAND.
James Shields 1855 Charles T. James... 1855
Stephen A. Douglass. .1859 Vacancy 1857
IOWA. SOUTH CAROLINA.
AugustusC. Dodge 1855 A. P. Butler R.).1855
Geo. W. Jones 1859 Josiali J. Evans 1859
KENTUCKY. TENNESSEE.
Archibald Dieo/i 185.5 Janos C. Jones 1857
John B. T'Omptsan 1859 A whig 1859
LOI ISIANA. TEXAS.
Pierre Soule, (S. 1t.)...1855 Thomas J. Rusk 1557
J. P. Benjamin 1859 Sam Houston 18.59
MAINE. VERMONT.
Hannibal Hamlin 1857 -V whig 1855
Vacancy 1859 ks lomui Foote 1857
MASSACHUSETTS. VIRGINIA.
Claris Sumner, (F. 6.) 1857 J. M. Mason (S. R )..1557
Fdward Fctret * 1859 K. M. T. Hunter(S R)1859
MARYLAND. \\ ISCONSIN.
James A. Pearce 1855 Isaac P. Walker.... 1855
Thomas G. Pratt 15.57 Henry D0dge...,...1857
MISSISSIPPI.
Stephen Adams (U)..1857
B. W. Kin yon* 1859
*By appointment of Governor.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The House will consist of two hundred and thirty
four members and six territorial delegates, two new ter
ritories having lately been formed, viz., Washington
and Nebraska. The delegates, however, have no vote.
There have been elected to the thirty-third Congress,
1(2 Representatives; of which 88 are Democrats, 5o
Whigs and 4 Free Soilers. There arc ‘.‘2 members yet
to be elected.
Medical College Commencement.
The Annual Commencement of the Medical College
of Georgia was held yesterday at Masonic flail. The
| cereomonies were opened with prayer by the Rev. J. G.
i Binney. The degrees were conferred by Professor
Means—after which Dr. Ware, of South Carolina, deli
vered to the Graduating Class a very chaste and practi- <
cal address, replete with sound principles and good ad
vice.
The valedictory, which was delivered by Mr. Arring
ton, was a very appropriate and creditable one. The
exercises were interspersed by music from Mr. Holder's
tine brass band.
The following are the. names of those upon whom the
degree of Doctor of Medicine, was conferred in the pre
sence of a large and attentive audience:
FROM GEORGIA.
Aristides Reynolds, John Scogin,
L. J. Robert, Joseph Hatton,
James C. Carroll, E. \V'. Davis,
J. W. Stephens, J. T. Slaughter,
R. .1. Cochran, E. S. Means,
E. C. Hughes, Ormond Pinkerton,
F ,]. West, Johnson Matthews,
B. D. Smith, D. S. Perkins,
Henry Hicks, David Adams,
A. G. Couch, W. J. Arrington,
1.. W. Mobley, Loyd Knight,
W. H. Dean, John S. \S ilson,
A. F. Attaway, V. T. Hart.
John P. K. McWhorter, F. W. B Perkins,
W. T. Goldsmith, S. 1,. Hamilton,
John It. Humphries, R. F. Neely,
1.. S. CunningDatn, L. C. Fambro,
W. L. Rees, John S. Clements.
FROM ALABAMA.
James C. Billingslea, James Penn,
Wilson M. Liggen, B. C. Flake,
Ft T. Foote, W. A. Johnson,
S. E. Thompson, John E. Crews.
FROM SOUTII-UAKOLINA.
J. A. K. Holman, W. W. Graham,
J. W. West, S. C. Brunson,
G. W. A. McKee.
N. H. Wiggins, from North Carolina. —Chronical and
Sentinal 2d last.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Os the President of the United slates,
March 4, 1853.
My Countrymen: It is a relief to feel that no heart
but my own cai know the pet so ial regret and bitter
s mow, over which 1 have been borne to a position so
suitable for others, rath *r than desirable for mysclt
The circumstances under which I have been called,
‘or a limited period, to preside over the destinies of ihe
Republic, fill in. w th a pinion: and sense of. esp< usibili y,
but wi ii no thing like shrinking apprehension. 1 re
pair to tiie post assigned me, not as tonne sought, but
in obedience to ilia unsolicited expression of your will,
answerable only for a fearless, faithful, and diligent ex
etei.se of my best powers. 1 ought to be, and am, truly
grateful for the rare manifestation of the nation’s confi
dence: but this, so f;tr from lightening my obligations,
only adds to their weigh:. You have summoned me in
mv weakness—y ou must sustain me by your strength.
When look ng ior the fulfilment of reasonable require
| meals, you wiil not be unmindful of tlie great changes
which have occurred, even within the last quarter of a
ecntmy, and the consequent nugn.en'atii u and com pi x
ity of duties imposed, in the administration both of
your home and foreign affaire.
Whether the elements of inherent force in the Re
public have kept pace with its unparalleled progression
m territory, population aud wealth, has been the sub
ject of earnest thought and discussion, on both sides of
the ocean. Less than sixty-four years ago, the Father
of his Country mode “ the ” then “ recent accession of
ihe important B.ate of North Carolina to the Constitu
lion of the United States,” one of the subjects of his
special congratulation. At that moment, however,
when the agitation consequent upon the revolutionary
struggle had hardly subsided, when we were just emer
ging from the weakness and embarrassments of the
Con federation, there was an evident consciousness of
vigor, equal io the great mission so wisely and bravely
fulfilled bv our fathers. It was not a presumptuous as
sutance, but a calm faith, springing from a clear view
of the sources of power, in a government constituted
like ours. It is no paradox to say that, although com
paratively weak, the new born nation was intrinsically
strong. Inconsiderable in population and apparent re
sources, it was upheld Lv a bioad and intelligent com
prehension of rights, an l an all-pervading purpose to
maintain them, strong- r than armaments. It came
ftom the furnace of tlm revolution, tempered to the ne
cessities of the time'.. The thoughts of the men of that
day were as practical as their scniimeuts were patriotic,
i They wasted no portion of their energies upon idle and
delusive speculations, but with a firm and fearless step
advanced bev.ind the governmental landmarks, which
hud hitherto circumscribed tlie limits of human free
dom, ar,i planted their standard where it has stood,
against dangers which have threatened from abroad,
and internal agitation, which has at times fearfully me
naced at home. They approved themselves equal to
the solution of the great problem, to understand which
their minds had been illuminated bv the dawning lights
of the Revolution. The object sought was not a thing
dreamed of; it was a thing realized. They bad exhib
ited not only the power to achieve, but what all history
affirms to be so much more unusual, the capacity to
maintain. The oppressed throughout the world, from
that day to the present, have turned their eyes hither
ward, not to find those lights extinguished, or to fear
lest they should wane, but to be constantly cheered by
their steady and increasing radiance.
In this our country has, in my judgment, thus far
fulfilled its highest duty to suffering humanity. It has
spoken, and will continue io speak, not only by its
words, but by its acts, the language of sympathy, en
couragement and hope, to those who earnestly listen to
tones which pronounce for the largest rational liberty.
But, after all, the most animating encouragement and
potent appeal for freedom, will be its own history, its
trials, and its triumphs. Pre-eminently, the power of
our advocacy reposes in our example; but no example,
be it remembered, can be powerful for lasting good,
whatever apparent advantages may be gained, which is
not based upon eternal principles of right and justice.
Our fathers decided for themselves, both upon the hour
to declare and the hour to strike They were their own
judges of the circumstances under which it became
them to pledge to each other “their lives, their for
tunes, and their sacred honor,” for the acquisition of
the priceless inheritance transmitted to us. The energy
with which that great conflict was opened, and under
the guidance of a manifest and beneficent Providence,
the uncomplaining endurance witli which it was prose
cuted to its consummation, were only surpassed by the
wisdom and patriotic spirit of concession which char
acterized all the counsels of the early fathers.
One of the most impressive evidences of that wisdom
is to be found in the fact, that the actual working of our
system has dispelled a degree of solicitude, which, at
the outset, disturbed bold hearts and far reaching intel
lects. The apprehension of dangers from extended ter
ritory, multiplied Stales, accumulated wealth, and aug
mented population, has proved to be unfounded. The
stars upon your banner have become nearly threefold
their original number, your densely populated posses
sions skirt the shores of the two great oceans, and yet
this vast increase of people and territory has not only
shown itself compatible with the harmonious action of
the States and the Federal Government in their respec
tive constitutional spheres, but has afforded an addition
al guarantee of the strength and integrity of both.
With an experience thus suggestive and cheering,
the policy of my Administration will not be controlled
by any timid forebodings of evil from expansion. In
deed, it is not to be disguised that our attitudeas a nation,
and our position, on the globe, render the acquisition of
certain possessions, not within our jurisdiction, eminently
important for protection, if not, in the future, essential for
the preservation of ihe rights of commerce and the
peace of the world. Should they be obtained, it will
be through no grasping spirit, but with a view to obvi
ous national interest and security, and in a manner en
tirely consistent with the strictest observance of nation
al faith. We have nothing in our history or position
to invite aggression, we have every thing to beckon us
to die cultivation of relations of peace wi* ointtv -~-H
nil nations. Puqio*es t tliorcforc, at once just and pa
cific, will be significantly marked in the conduct of our
foreign affaire. I intend that my Administration shall
leave no blot upon our fajr record, and trust I may
safely give the assurance that do act within the legiti
mate scope of iny constitutional control will be tolera
ted, on the part of any portion of our citizens, which
cannot challenge a ready justification before the tribu
nal of the civilized world. An administration would
be unworthy of confidence at home, or respect abroad,
should it cease to be influenced by the conviction, that
no apparent advantage can be purchased at a price so
dear as that of national wrong or dishonor. It is not
your privilege, as a nation, to speak of a distant past.—
The striking incidents of your history, replete with in
struction, and furnishing abundant grounds for hopeful
confidence, are comprised in a period comparatively
brief. But if your past is limited, your future is bound
less. Its obligations throng the unexplored pathway of
advancement, anti will be limitless as duration. Hence, a
sound and comprehensive policy should embrace not
less the distant future than the urgent present.
The great objects of our pursuit, as a people, are best
to be obtained by peace, and are entirely consistent
with the tranquility and interests of the rest of mankind.
With the neighboring nations upon our continent, we
should cultivate kindly and fraternal relations. We
can desire nothing in regard to them so much as to see
them consolidate their strength and pursue the paths
of prosjierity aud happiness. If, in the course of their
growth, we should open new channels of trade, ami
create additional facilities for friendly intercourse, the
benefits realized will be equal and mutual. Os the com
plicated European systems of national policy we have
heretofore been independent. From their wars, their
tumults and anxieties, we have been happily, almost
entirely exempt. Whilst these are confined to the na
tions which gave them existence, and within their le
gitimate jurisdiction, they cannot affect us, except as
they appeal to our sympathies in the cause of human
freedom and universal advancement. But the vast in
terests of commerce arc common to all mankind, and
the advantages of trade and international intercourse
must always pie ent a noble field for the moral influ
ence of a great people.
With these views firmly and honestly carried out, we
have a right to cx}>ect, and shall, under all circumstan
ces, require prompt reciprocity. The rights which
belong to us as a nation, are not alone to be regarded;
but those which pertain to every citizen in his individu
al capacity, at home and abroad, must be sacredly
maintained. So long ns he can discern every star in its
place upon that ensign, without wealth to purchase for
him preferment, or title to secure for him place, it will
be his privilege, and must be his acknowledged right,
to stand unabashed even in the presence of princes,
with a proud consciousness that he is himself one of a
nation of sovereigns, and that he cannot, in legitimate
pursuit, wander so far from home that the agent whom
lie shall leave behind in the place which I now occupy
will not see that no rude hand of power, or tyrannical
passion is laid upon him with impunity. He must
j realize, that upon every sea and on every soil, where
our enterprise may rightfully seek the protection of
our flag, American citizenship is an inviolable panoply
for the security of American rights. And, in this con
nexion, it can hardly be necessary to rc-affirnt a princi
ple which should now be regarded as fundamental.—
The rights, security, and repose of this confederacy re
ject the idea of interference or colonization on this side
of the ocean by any foreign power beyond present ju
risdiction as utterly inadmissible.
The opportunities of observation, furnished by my
brief experience as a soldier, continued in my own
mind the opinion, entertained and acted upon by others
from the formation of the Government, that the main
tenance of large standing armies in our country would
bo not only dangerous, hut unnecessary. They also il
lustrated the importance, I might well say the absolute
necessity of the military science and practical skill fur
nisi ted, in such an eminent degree, by the institution,
which has made your army what if is, under the disci} -
line and instruction of office!s not more distinguished
tor their solid attainments, gallantry, and devotion to
the j ttblic service, than for unobtrusive bearing and
high moral tone. The army, as organized, must be the
nucleus around which, in every time of need the
strength of your military power, the sure bulwark of
your defence—a national militia -may be readily formed
into a well disciplined and efficient organization. And
the skill ami self-devotion ot the navy assure xou
that you may take the performance of the past as a
pledge for the future, and may confidently expect that
the flag, which has waved its untarnished lolds over
every sea, will still float in undiminished honor. But
these, like many other subjects, will be appropriately
brought, at a future time, to the attention ot the eo
ordinate branches of the Government, to wliich I
shall always look with profound respect, aud with
trustful confidence that they will accord tome the aid
and support which I shall so much need, and which
their experience aud wisdom will readily suggest.
In the administration of domestic affairs, \on ex
pect a devoted integrity in the public service, and an
observance of rigid economy in all departments, so
marked as never justly to be questioned. If this rea
sonable expectation be not realized, I frankly confess
that one of your leading hopes is doomed to disap
pointment, aud that my efforts, in a very important
particular, must result in a humiliating failure. Offi
ces can be properly regarded only in the light of aids
for the accomplishment of these objects; and usoccu
p&ncy can confer no prerogative, nor importunate de
sire for preferment any claim, the public interest ini
peratively demands that they be considered with sole
reference to the duties to be performed. Goo 1
zensmny well claim the protection of good laws .
t e benign influence of good government; but a • ] a :
f *r office is what the people of a republic should unv**
recognise. No reasonable man of any party will” p 6r
p ~ct the administration to be so regardless" of jt s f
sp Risibility, and of the obvious elements of success’
R? 1 1 retain persons known to be under the infiae"re
of political hostility n :d partisan prejudice, in j„i s j
tious which will require, uot only severe labor, hut
cor. i li t?-. - ‘peratioti. Having no implied engagements
to ratify, no rewards to bestow, no res cut merits lore
member, amino personal wishes to consult, in selec
lions for official stat on. I shall fulfil til's ditfi .ult aad
delicate trust, admitting no motive as worthy either
ot my character or position, which does uot contem
plate Ru efficient discharge of duty aud the host in
t -rests of my country, j arkuowle Ige my oh’..-,,
turns to the masses ot my countrymen, and to tli'in
alone. Higher objects than personal aggrandizement
gave direction and energy to their exertions in tde
biro canvass, and they shall not be dis qipoitit.'d.
Th n require at my bauds diligence, integrity aad ca
pacity, wnerever there are duties to be performed.—
Without these qualities ia their public servants, more
stringent laws, lor the prevention or punishment of
fraud, negligence aud peculation, will be vain. With
them, they wiilb* unnecessary.
But these are not the only points to which you look
for vigilant watchfulness. The dangers of a concen
tration of all power in the General Government of a
Confederacy so vast as ours, are too obvious to be dig.
regaided. You have a right, therefore, to expect
your agents, in every department, to r *gcrd str’ctlv
the limits imposed upon them by the Constitution of
the United States. The great scheme of our consti
tutional liberty rests upon a proper distribution of
power between the Btate aud Federal authorities;
and experience lias shown that the harmony and ban
pi ess of our people mustdepeml upon ajust disen Di
li at ion between the separate rights and responsibili
ties of the States, and your common rights aad obli
gati ms under the general Government. Aud here,
in my opinion, are the considerations which should
tbrm the true basis of future concord in regard to the
tpiestions wliich have most seriously disturbed public
tranquility. If the Federal Government will confine
itselt to the exercise of powers clearly granted by the
Constitut:on, it can hardly happeu that its actiou up
on any question should endauger the institutions of
the States, or interfere with their right to manage
matters strictly domestic according to the will of their
own people.
In expressing briefly my views upon an important
subject, which has recently agitated the nation to al
most a tearful degree, lam moved by no other impulse
than a most earnest desire for the perpetuation of that
Union which has made us what we are—showering
upon u blessings, aud conferiug a power and influ
ence which our fathers could hardly have anticipated,
even with their most sanguine hopes directed to a far
off future. The sentiments I now announce were not
unknown before the expression of the voice which
called me here. My own position upon this subject
was clear and unequivocal, upon the record of ray
words and my acts, aud it is only recurred to at this
time because silence might, perhaps, be inisc.oustru L d.
With the Union my best and dearest earthly hopes
are entwined. Without it, what are we, individually
or collectively ? What becomes of the noblest tie and
ever opened for the advancement of our race, ia reb
ginn, iii government, in the arts, and in all that digni
fies and adorns mankind ? From that radiant constel
lation, which both illumines our own way and points
out to struggling nations their course, let hut a single
star he lost, and, ii there be not utter darkness, the
lustre of the whole is dimmed. Do my countrymen
need any assurance that such a catastrophe is not to
overtake them, while I possess the power to stay it?
It is with me an earnest and vital belief that, as the
Union has been the source, under Providence, of our
prosperity to this time, so it is the surest pledge of a
continuance of the blessings we have enjoyed, and
which we are sacredly bond to transmit umiiminisb
ed to our children. The field of calm and free discus
sion in ourcountiy is open, and wiil always be sc. but
it never lias been aud never can he traversed for good
in a spirit of sectionalism and uncharitableness. The
founders of the Republic dealt with things as they
were presented to them, in a spirit of self sacrificing
patriotism, and, as time lias proved, with a compre
hensive wisdom, which it will always be sate fur us
to consult. Every measure tending to strengthen the
fraternal feelings of all the members of our Union has
had my heartfelt approbat ion. To every theory of so
ciety or government, whether th offspring of feverish
ambition or of morbid enthusiasm, calculated to dis
solve the bonds of law and affection which unite us, I
shall interpose a ready aud stern resistance. I be
lieve that involuntary servitude, as it exists in differ
ent .States of the Confederacy, is recognised by the
Constitution. I believe that it stands like any other
admitted right, aud tiiat the States where it exists are
entitled to efficient remedies to enforce the consititu
tional provisions. I hold that the laws ol 1850, com
monly called the “Compromise measures,” are strict
ly constitutional, and ought to be unhesitatingly carried
into effect I believe that the constituted authorities
of this Republic are bound to regard the rights of the
South in tins respect, as they would v iew any other le
gal and constitutional right, aud that the laws to en
force them should be respected aud obeyed, uot with
a reluctance encouraged by abstract opinions as to
their propriety in a different state of society, but cheer
fully, and according to the decisions of the tribunal to
which their exposition belongs. Such have been, and
are, my convictions, and upon them 1 shall act. I fer
vently hope that the question is at rest, and that no
sectional or ambitious or fanatical excitement may
aguin threaten the durability of our institutions, or
obscure the light of our prosperity.
But let not the foundation of our hope rest upon
man’s wisdom. It will uot be sufficient that section
al prejudices find no place in the public deliberations.
It will not be sufficient that the rash counsels of hu
man passion are rejected. It must be felt that there
IB HO ll*dlluua\ oocantj Y>vV iu icxvlviii* 3 llUlllDieO,
acknowledged dependence upon God and His over
ruling Providence.
We have been carried in safety through a perilous
crisis. Wise counsels, like those which gave us the
Constitution, prevailed to uphold it. Let the period
be remembered as an admonition, aud not as an en
couragement, in any section of the Union, to make
experiments experiments are fraught with
such fearful hazard. Let it be impressed upon all
hearts that beautiful as our fabric is, no earthly power
or wisdom could ever reunite its broken tabrics.—
Standing as I do almost within view of the green
slopes ot Monticello, and. as it were, within reach of
the tomb of Washington, with all the cherished me
mories of the past gathering around me, like so many
eloquent voices of exhortation from Heaven, lean ex
press no better hope lor my country than that the kind
Providence which smiled upon our fathers may eua
ble their children to preserve the blessings they have
inherited.
Savannah Internal improvements.
We make the following extracts from a letter dated
“South-Western Georgia, Jan. 24,” which appears iu
the New York Express :
“Great confidence seems to be felt in whatever Geor
gia lays her hand to. 1 have often heard it wondered
how the citizens of Georgia had succeeded so iu build
ing railroads, keeping out of debt, and making their
roads pay well.
Great caution and prudence were observed in requir
ing a good liberal bona fide subscription belore starting,
rather than relying on “financiering,” or selling bonds
of the company at a ruinous discount; and then the
most watchful “economy iu the expenditures of the
money ; this characterized the early beginning aud pro
gress of Georgia railroads.
Such things are uot perhaps generally looked for
“down South,” but it has been true of the past, and a
contrary practice even now, with the California aud
Australian mines showering gold, would be one more
honored in the breach than the observance.
The first great private enterprise, the budding of
Central Road, 190 miles long, was commenced in
when the times were hard and money scarce. At the
time of its completion, it was the longest single roa-’ n
the United Stares; it has been a sort of model or ex- -
pie for others. The personal of this road hud much •>
do with its success. As exhibiting this and showing
vviib what caution and economy they proceed'd, i may
state that William W. Gordon, Esq., a distingui lied
member of the Savannah bar, at the time a metnbe: of
“the State Senate, possessing largely the public confi
dence, a most practical thorough-going man, was elected
President. Mr. Gordon applied ion gentleman of high
reputation at the North, as Civil Engineer, to survey
and locate the road; his salary, I think, was io be $6 .'eO
a year. He came, and very unexpectedly brought with
him some twenty assistant engineers. Harnessing six
mules to a carriage, with his champagne baskets up be
hind, he proceeded to place some half dozen corps iu
the lield. The cautious and astute President looked on
iu litter consternation, and finally said to him, “r-ir, you
have mistaken us entirely, we are poor, we look to our
subscribers through the country to do the grading, or
to contribute the means for it, as they may be able,
while we hope to raise as much money from the citizens
of Savannah as will enable us to buy the iron, and erect
the superstructure; but we cannot afford the expense
of your numerous corps of engineers lor a single year.”
The result was that they were paid off', the matter satis
factorily arranged, and they left the work.
Among the assistant engineers was F. P. Holcomb, a
young man barely at majority, but with considerable
experience, and had attracted ihe attention of Mr. Gor
don, and .Mr. L. O. Reynolds, the letter now the able
and efficient President of the South Western road. It
was arranged that Mr. Reynolds should take the chief
ship, and he gave to Mr. Holcomb the location of ihe
road. Upwards of four years were occupied by him
with his single small corps in this survey, the road pass
ing through a country of difficult topography, a great
part of it a wilderness, and intersected by immense
swamps, the corps living in their tents summer and win
ter, sleeping on their’blankets in the absence of mat
trasses, and the annual expense of the whole engaged
probably not equaling the salary of the former Chief
Engineer. I may remark, as showing the good judg
ment of Messrs. Gordon and Reynolds, lhat from the
admirable location Mr Holcomb was universally conce
ded to have made of this road, he was recommended by
the Chevalier Bodisco, the Kusslau Minisier, to Ins gov
ernment, as an engineer of high capacity aud establish
ed reputation. Mr. H. did not go to Russia, but has
since located the South-western, the Columbus branch,
the Waynesboro’ and Augusta, and is now engaged
with his corps in a preliminary survey of the Savannah
and Pensacola rear..—These loads all have connection
with the Central, in most of them it is directly interest
ed ; their length when completed, including the Cen
tral will be some 700 miles.
Among the early employers of the Central Railroad,
in a ven subordinate capacity, was W. M. Wadley,
whoso talents and great business energies were discov
ered, and who became superintendent of the road, man
aging it and its great freight business with an efficiency
and success unsurpassed. He is now managing the
State Road, under an Executive appointment, ft om Gov.
Cobb; ihe poor mechanic boy tuav now be said to be
the “Railroad King” of Georgia, lie is the same gen
tleman to whom yourcitizen, G. B. Lamar, Esq., recent
ly addressed a letter through the public press, as the
prominent internal improvement man of tins State, on
e subject of the caloric engine.