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<Tir o v a i * Gtlturapl)*
i n« «
M2SSAG-:
of your
ratu-
Fellow-cilizens of the Striate
and House of Representatives :
In performing my duty at the opening of j
present session, it gives me pleasure to corner
l.ito you again upon the prosperous condition of
«.ur beloved country. Divine Providence has
favored us with general health, wiih riel* re
wards in the fields of agriculture and iu every
branch of labor, and with peace to cultivate and
4-xtcnd tne various rcssources which e<. ploy the
virtuo and cutet prize of our citizens, Let us
trust that, in surveying a scene so flattering to
f.nr froo inrti’utioas, our joint deliberation* to
preserve them may lie crowned with surcess.
Our foreign relations continue, with but few
exceptions, to maintain the favorable aspect
which they bore in my last annual message, and
promise to extend those advantages which the
principles that regulate our intercourse with other
•nations nre so well calculated to secure.
The question of the northeastern boundary is
atill pending with Great Britain, and the propo
sition made iu accordance with the resolution of
the Scnnto for the establishment of a line arcor-
•ding to the treaty of 1783. has not been accepted
by that government. Believing that every dis
position is felt on belli sides to adjust this per
plexing question to the satisfaction of all the par
ries interested in it. the hope is yet indulged that
it may ho effected on the basis of that propo
sition.
With the Governments of Austria, Russia,
I’russin. Holland. Sweeden, ami Denmark, the
best understanding exists. Commerce, with all.
is fostered and protected by reciprocal good will,
under the sauctiou of liberal conventional or legal
provisions.
In the midst of her internal difficulties, tho
Queen of Spain lias ratified the Convention for
llie payment of the claims of ourcitizcus arising
since 1310. It is in the course of execution on
her part, and a copy of it is now laid before you
for such legislation ns may he found necessary
to enable those interested to derive the benefit
■of it.
Yielding to a force of circumstances, and to
tho wi»o counsels of tiino and experience, that
the unnatural position in which she stood to the
now Governments established in this hemisphere,
I have tho great satisfaction of stating to you
that in preparing the way fur the restoration of
"harmony between those who have sprung from
the saute ancestors, who nre allied by common
interests, profess the same religion, and speak
tho same language, the United .States have been
actively instrumental. Our cflbris to effect this
good work, will be persevered in while they arc
deemed useful to the parties, and our entire dis
interestedness rnntiuuos to he felt nod understood.
The act of Congress to countervail the discrimi
nating duties, levied to the prejudi -e of our na
vigation, iu Cuba and Porto Rico, lias been
■transmitted to the .Minister ol the Bailed States
at Madrid, to be communicated to the Govern
ment of the Queen- No intelligence o f its re
ceipt lias yet readied the Department of State.
If the present condition of the country permits the
Government to innko a careful and enlarged
examination of the true interests of these impor
to commit the too common error of purchasing J
present repose by bestowing on sonic favorit
..J ,5 -
leaders the fatal gift ot irresponsible power,—will
not bo rca'ized. With all these governments, &
with that of Brazil; no unexpected change* in our
relations have occurred during the preseut year.
Frequent causes of just complaiut have arisen
upon the part of the citizens of the U. State,--
sometimes from the irregular action of the con
stituted subordinate authorities of the niaratime
regions, and sometimes from the leaders or par-
tizaus of those in arms against the established
governments. In all casus, representations have
been, or will be made, and as soon as their polit
ical affairs are in a settled position, it is expected
that our friendly remonstrances will be followed
by adequate redress.
The government of Mexico made known iu De
cember last, the appointment of commissioners
and a stirreyor. on its patt. to run, iu conjunction
with ours, the boundary line between its territo
ries mid the United Slates, and excused the de
lay for reasons anticipated—the prevalence of
civil war. Tho commissioners and surveyors not
having met within the time stipulated by the trea
ty. a new arrangement became necessary, & our
Charge il'Affuirs was instructed, in January last,
to negotiate, iu Mexico, an article additional to
the pre-existing treaty. This instruction was
acknowledged, and no difficulty was apprehend
ed in the accomplishment of that object. By in
formation just received, that additional article
will lie obtained, and transmitted to this country,
as soon ns it can receive the ratification of the
Mexican congress.
The reunion of the three states of New Grana
da, Venezuela, and Equnclor, forming the repub
lic of Colombia, seems every day to beeomemore
improbable. The commissioners of the two first
arc understood to be now negotiating a just divi
sion of the obligations contracted by them when
united under one government. The civil war In
Equndor. it is believed, has prevented even the
appointment of a commissioner on its part.
I propose, at an early day, to submit in (he
proper form, the appointment of a diplomatic a-
gent to Venezuela. The importance of the com
merce of that country to the U States, and the
claims of our citizens upon the government, ari
sing before and since tho division of Colombia,
rendering it, in my judgment, improper longer
to delay this step.
Our representatives to Central America, Peru
and Brazil, are cither at, or on their way to, their
respective posts.
From the Argentine republic, from which a
minister was expected to this government, noth
ing further has been heard. Occasion has Irecu
taken, on the departure of a new consul to Bu
enos Ayjes, to remind that government that its
long delayed Minister, whose appointment had
been made known to us. had not arrived.
It becomes my unpleasant duty to inform you
viz : ‘’The wines of France, from aud after the
exchange of the ratifications of ihe present con
vention, shall be admitted to consumption in the
States of the Union, at duties which shall not
exceed the fu
dlowing rates per gallon, (such as it | leinpt was made by the King or
is used at present for wines'in the United States) procure an appropriation to cari
to wit: six cents for red wines in casks; ten
cents for white wines in casks ; and twenty-two
cents for wines of all sorts iu bottles. The pro
portions existing between the duties oil French
wines thus reduced, and the general rates of the
tariff which went into operation outlie 1st Ja
nuary, 13-9, shall be maintained, in case tl.e
Government of the United States should think
proper to dimiuish those general rates iu a new
tariff.
in consideration ofthis stipulation, which shall
be binding on the United States lor ten years, the
French Government abandons the reclamation
which it had formed iu relation to the 3th article
of the treaty ofcessiou of Louisiana. It engages,
moreover, to establish on the long staple cot-! Minister iu Paris, in virtue of the assurance given
tons of the United States, which, after tlio ex- by the French Minister in the United Stales.
>ject of
Cettniry
tile,
s oom r 0|l||(}
have not been redeemed, j ernmeut, by doiug what it has itself acknowledg-1 tionS of the precious metals from a*imosi* >,,,,a *
The new chambers met on the 31st.July last, and jed tobe just, will be able to spare the United part of the world ; and !h»i at the dose
although the subject of fulfilling treaties was al-! States the necessity of taking redress into their tremendous effort to control our govern,„ e , ‘,
ludcd to iu the speech'from the throne, no at- j own hands, and to save the property of French ! bank found itself powerless amt no fo, r • "'f
- 'citizens from that seizure and sequestration loan otit its surplus means. The commit •. lo
which American citizens so long endured with-1 learned to manage its affairs without jtj^ -
the Minister of France
his Cabi.iet to
carry it into execu
tion. The reasons given for this omission, al
though they might to considered sufficient in an
ordinary case, are not consistent within the ex
pectations founded upon the assurances given
here, for there is no constitutional obstacle to en
tering into legislative business at the first meeting
of the chambers. This point, however might
have Veen overlooked,liad not the chambers, in
stead of being called to meet also early a day
that the result of their deliberation* might be
communicated to me, before the meeting of Con
gress, been prorogued to the 29th of the present
mouth—a period so late that their decision can
scarcely tte made known to the present Congress
prior toils dissolution. To avoid this delay, our
change of the ratifications of the preseut coiivcu-
tion. shall he brought directly theuce to France
by ihe vessels of tile United States, or by French
vessels, the same duties as o’i short staple cot
tons.”
The treaty was duly ratified iu tho manner pre
scribed by the constitutions ofhoth countries, and
the ratification was exchanged at the Cit\ oft
strongly urged tho convocation of the Chambers
at an earlier day, but without success. It is prop
er to remark, however, that this refusal has been
accompanied with the most positive assurances,
on tho part of the Executive Government of
France, of their intention to press the appropri
ation at the einniug session of tho Chambers.
The executive branch of this government has,
( learned to manage its affairs
out retaliation of redress. If she should con-I ance and trade had already foand new a
tinne to refuse that act of acknowledged justice, so that on the first of Oci. last, the extri"*!) 1 ' r ' f *
and in violation of the law of natious. make re- spectacle «ra* presented of a National u
■ISIS;,
rip$
prisals on our part the occasion of hostilities than one half of whose capital was eith
against the Uni.ed States, she would but add; unproductive! in Us vaults, nr inilieliand*'
violence to injustice, aud could not fail to ex ’ 1 ■ - ,s
Washington on thi 2d of February, 183-1. On j as matters stand, exhausted all the authority up-
nrcomjt of its commercial stipulations, it was iu i on the subject with which it is invested, aud
five days thereafter laid before the Cougress of I which it had any rcnsoti to believe could be beu-
ihe United States, which proceeded try enact such j eficially employed.
laws favorable to the commerce, of France as were 1 The idea ot acquiescing in the refusal to exe-
nccessary lo carry it into full execution ; and j cute the treaty will not, 1 am confident, be for a
0 C--— r • ■—- 1 moment entertained by any branch of this govern
France has. from that period to the present, been
in the unrestricted enjoyment of the valuable pri
vileges that were thus secured to her. The faith
of ilte French nation having Ireerr thus solemnly
pledged, through i.s constitutional organ, for tne
liquidation and ultimate payment of the long de
ferred claims of our citizens, as also for the ad
justment of other points of great ami reciprocal
benefits to both countries, and the United Estates
having with fidelity and promptitude by which
ihcircuiiduct will, 1 trust, be always characterized,
done every thing that was necessary to carry the
treaty into full ami fair effect on their part, count
ed. with the roost perfect confidence, on equal fi
delity and promaitude on the part of the French
Government. Iu this reasonable expectation
wo have been, I regret toinform you, wholly dis
appointed. No legislative prevision has been
made hy France for the execution of the treaty,
cither as it respects the indemnity to be paid, or
the commercial benefits to be secured to the Uni-
tbat tliis'pacific and highly gratifying picture of ted States, and the relations between the United
our foreign relations, does not include those with
France at this time. It is not possible that any
government ami people could be more sincerely
derirous of conciliating a just and friendly in’er-
couren with another nation, than are those of ths
United States with their ancient ally and friend.
This disposition is founded, as well on the most
taut portions of its dominions, no doubt is enter- j grateful and honorable recollections associated
taiued that their future intercourse with the Uni- with our struggle for independence, as upoti a
more just aud
ted states will be placed upon
liberal basis.
Tho Flmida archives linvo not yet been se
lected and delivered. Recent orders have b»*cn
sent to the agent of iheUuitcd States at Havana,
to return with all that he can obtain, so that
they may bo in Washington before the session of
the Superior Court, to be used in the Ivga! ques
tions there pnuding, to which the Government i«
a party.
Internal tranquillity is hnppily restored in Por
tugal. The distracted stale of the country ren
dered unavoidable tile postponement of n final
payment of the just claims of our citizens. Our
diplomatic relations will be soon resumed, and
the lung subsisting friendship with that power af
fords the strongest guarantee that the balance
due will receive prompt attention.
The first instalment due under the convention
of indemnity with the King of the Two Sicilies,
has been duly received, and an offer has been
mnilo to extinguish the whole by a prompt pay
ment—an offer I slid not consider myself autho
rized to accept, as the iudcmn.acation provided
is the exclusive property of individual ririzeus of
tho United States. The original adjustment of
our claims, ami the anxiety displayed r« fulfil at
once the stipulations tii^dc for the payment of
them, nre highly honorable to tho Government
of the Two Sicilies. When it is recollected that
they were the result of the injustice of an intru
sive power, temporarily domiuanl in its territory,
the repugnance to acknowledge and to pay which
would have been neither uuiiatiirul nor unexpec
ted, the circumstances cannot fail to exalt its
character for justice and good faith in ihe eves
of all nations.
Tho treaty of amity and Commerce between
the U. Stales nml Belgium, brought to your no
tice in my last annual message, ns sanctioned by
tho Senate, hut the ratifications of which liad not
been exchanged, owing to n delay in its reception
at Brussels, and a subsequent absence of the Bel
gian Minister of Foreign Affairs, lias boon, after
mature deliberation, finally disavowed liy that
government as inconsistent with the powers and
instructions given to their minister who negotiated
it. This disavowal was entirely unexpected, ns
the liberal principles embodied in the convention,
and which form the ground work of the objec
tions to it, were perfectly satisfactory to the Bel
gian representative, ami were supposed to bo not
only wiiliin tho powers granted, but expressly
conformable to the instructions given to him. Ail
offer, no!yet accepted, lias been made by Belgi
um to renew negotiations for ti treaty less liberal
iu its provisions, on questions of general mnra-
time law.
Our newly established relations with tho Sub
lime Porto prom iso to be useful to our commerce
aud satisfactory in every respect to this govern
ment. Our intercourse with the Barhary powers
well grounded conviction that it is consonant
with the tree policy of both. The people of the
United States could ttor, therefore, see without
the deepest regret, cveu a temporary interruption
of tho friendly relations between the two coun
tries—a regret which would. I am sure, be great
ly aggravated, if there should turn out to beany
reasoiiable^rouiid for attributing,such a result to
any act of omissiott or commission on our parr. I
derive therefore lb® highest satisfaction frjmbcing
able to assure you. that the whole course of this
government has been characterized by a spirit so
conciliatory nml forbearing, as to make it impos
sible that our justice aud moderation should be
questioned, whatever may ho the consequences of
a longer perseverance, ou the part of tho French
government, iu her omission to satisfy the conce
ded claims of our citizens.
Tho history of the accumulated and unpro
voked aggressions upon our commerce, commit
ted by authority of the existing Governments of
France, between the years 1800 and 1817, has
been rendered too painfully fainiliarto Americans
to make its repetition either necessary or desi
rable. It will bo sutlicieut licre to remark, that
there has. for many years, been scarcely a single
administration of the French Government by
whom tho justice and legality of tho claims of our
citizens to indemnity, were not, in a very con
siderable extent, admitted : and yet near a quar
ter of a century has been wasted in ineffectual
uegneiations to secure it.
Deeply sensible of the injurious effects result
ing from this stato of things upon the interests
ami character of both nations, I regarded it as
among my first duties to cause one more effort
to be made, to satisfy France that a just and li
beral settlement of ourclaims was as well due to
her own honor as to their incontestible validity.
Tho tiegociation for this purpose was contmcuccd
with the late Government of France, and was
prosecuted with such success, as to leave no rea
sonable ground to doubt that a settlement of a
character quito as liberal as that which was sub
sequently made, would have been effected, had
not the revolution, by which tire negotiation was
cut off. taken place. Thu discussions were re
sumed with the present government, and the re
sult showed that wc were not wrong in suppo-
sing, that nn event by which the tivo govern
ments were made t*approach each othersoniuch
nearer in their political principles, and by which
the motives for tho most liberal and friendly in
tercourse were so greatly multiplied, could exer
cise no other than a salutary influence upon the
negotiation. After the most deliberate and tho
rough examination of the whole subject, a treaty
between the two governments was concluded
aud signed alParis «u lhc4th of July, 1831, by
which it was stipulated that “the French Govern
ment, ill order to liberate itself from all the re
clamations preferred against it hy citizens of the
States nod that power, in consequence thereof,
arc placed iu a situation threatening to inter
rupt the good understanding which has so long
and so happily existed between the two na
tions.
Not only has the French Government been
thus wanting iu the performance of the stipula
tions it has so solemnly entered into with the Uni
ted States, but its omissions have beau marked
meut; and further negotiation is equally out of
the question.
If it shall lie ihe pleasure of Congress to await
the further action of the French Chambers, no
further consideration of the subject will, at this
session, probably be require' 1 at your hands. But,
if, from the original delay in asking fur an appro
priation, from the refusal of tho Chambers, to
graut it when asked, from the .■'•mission to bring
ti'C subject before ’he Chambers at their Inst ses
sion, from the fact that, including that session,
there have been five different occasions when
the appropriation might have been made, and
from the delay in convoking the 'Chambers until
some weeks after the meeting of Congress, when
it was well known that a communication of the
whole subject to Congress at the iasl session, was
prevented hy assurances that it shank! be dispo
sed of before its present meeting, yon should fee I
yourselves constrained to doubt whether it be the
intention of tlio French Government in all its
pose herself to the just censure of civilized na
tions and to the retributive judgments of tleaen.
Collision with France is the more- to be re
gretted, on account of the position she occupies
in Europe in relation lo liberal institutions. But
in maintaining our national rights and honor,
all governments are alike to us. If by a collis
ion with Frauce, in a case where she is clearly in
the wrong, the march of liberal principles shall
be impeded, tho rcsposibility for that rcstilt, as
well as every other,-will rest oh her own head.
Having submitted these considerations, it be
longs to Cougress lo decide, whether, after what
has taken place, it will still await the further
action of the French Chambers, or uotv adopt
such provisional measures, as it may deem ne
cessary aud best adapted to protect the rights
and maintain the honor of the country. What
ever that decision may he, it will be faithfully en
forced by the Executive, as far as he is author
ized so tu do.
According to the estimate of the Treasury De
partment. the revenue accruing, from ail sources,
duriug the present year, will amount to twenty-
millions six hundred aud twenty four thousand
seven hundred and seventeen dollars, which with
;ii bankers.
To the needless distresses brought on the
try during the last session of Congress
' idded the open seizure of f
Hiore
)'ing
of for.
been
cnn n .
since
the public s;ock fo flic amount
I the dividend] ftl>
pf £170.041 under
pretence of paving damages, costs and inter, , '
llie protested FrondN Bill. This sum const’,,, £
a portion of the climated revenues forThe""^
ppropriations made b'r
1884. upon wlrielf the
Congress Here based. It Wohliiassonn ha'l,
expected that our Collectors would seize on iu
customs, or the receivers of our land offices '
the moneys arising from the sale pn |,| ic ,
under pretences of claims against the U. S,'', '
as that the Bank tvoii/d have retained tliediiL*'
ends Indeed,if the principle be establishedn,„’
anyone who chooses to set op a claim
the United ffiities,- may, h ithoiit authority oft !
seize on the public property nr inoiiev hlieopr,
lie can find it, to pay the claim, there »||| rfl
nn assureoctf that our revenue will *
Treasury, or that it will be appped alter
llie
propria,inn 6> llie purposes designated in ilij
The paymasters of mir army. « m | thepmsewIf
our navy lira'y, under like pretences, a tn,| v !
their own use moneys appropriated to *<“in
lion the public force, and in lime of i, '
the balance remaining in the Treasury on the j the country without defence. Tliwmeaid I '
first of January last, of eleven millions seven soiled toby ihe hank is disorganizing and ie#o
hundred and two thousand nine hundred and five luiionary, and If generally resoried to ft* . ■
dollars, produces au aggregate of thirty-two { citizens'itrlrker cases, would fill the Ian/#;*!!!!!
millions three hundred and twenty-seven thous- ! mrhy ami tioleuce.
and six hundred and twenty three dollars. The j It is u Otmoirtifinnal provision, that
total expenditure during the year for all objects.'
including the public debt, is estimated
branches to carry tho treaty into effect, and think
that such measures ns the occasion may be deem
ed to rail for, should be now adopted, the impor
tant question arises what those measures shall
be-
Our institutions are essentially pacific. Peace
and friendly intercourse with all nations, are as
much the desire of our Government as they are
the interest ©four People- Bu* these objects are
by circumstances which would seem to leave us 1 not to lie permanently secured, by surreuderin t
without satisfactory evidences, thatsuch perfo. -1 the rights of imr citizens, or permitting solemn
mniicc will certainly take place at :i future peri-1 treaties for their itrdemmty in fates- of flagrant
continues without important change, except that United States, for unlawful seizures, captures,
the present political state of Algiers has induced sequestra tions, confiscations, or destruction of
roc to terminate there the residence of a salaried ' ticir vessels, cargoes, or other property, engages
consul, and to substitute an ordinary consulate, to tu pay a sum of twenty-five millions of francs to
remain so long ns the place continues in the pos- 1 llie United States, who shall distribute it ainoug
session of Fiance. Our first treaty with one of those entitled, in the manner and according to
these po
wers—the emperor of .Morocco—was I the rules it shall determine ;” and it was also
formed in I78G and was limited to fifty years— ' stipulated ou the pan of the Fre jeh Govcrnincut,
That period has almost expired. 1 shall take that this twenty-five millions of francs should “be
measures to renew it with the grentersntisfactiun
ns its stipulations are just aud liberal, and have
been with mutual fidelity mid reciprocal advan
tage, scrupulously fulfilled.
fiaid at Paris in six auuual instalments of four
millions one hundred and sixty-six thousand six
hundred and sixty-six francs and sixty-six cen
times each, iuio the hands of such person or per-
liitestiuc dissensions have too frequently occur-j sous as shall be authorized hy tho Government
red lo mar the prosperity, interrupt the commerce i of the United State* to receive it.” The first
mid distract (ho governments of most of the na
tions of this hemisphere, which have separated
themselves from Spain. When a firm aud per
manent understanding nitli the parent country
shall hive produced a formal rfickirowledgment
of their independence, aud the idea of danger
from that quarter can be no longer entertained,
the friends of freedom expect that those countries.
t,o favored by ualure, will be distinguished for
their U»ve of justice and their devotion to tiiose
peaceful arts, the assiduous cultivation of which
confers honor upon nations and gives value to
human life- In the mean time I confidently hope
that the apprehension* entei taiued that somo of
ths people of these luxuriant regions may be
HmH iu a moment of unworthy distrust of
fifyi, 0 wb capacity fur the enjoyment of liberty,
instalment to be paid “at the expiration of one
year next following the exchange of ratifications
of this convention, and the others at successive
intervals of a year, one after another, till the
whole shall be paid. To tlio amount of each of
the said instalments shall be added interest al
four per centum thereupon, ns upon the other
instalments then remaining unpaid, the said in
terest to he computed from the day of the ex
change of the present convention.”
It was also stipulated, or :be part of the Uni
ted States, for the purpose of (icing completely
liberated from all reclamations presented hy
France on behalf of its citizens, that the sum of
oun million five hundred thousand francs should
bu paid to the Government of Frauce, in six an
nual instalments, to he deducted out of the annual i
od. Advice of the exchange of ratifications rea
ched Paris prioi to the 8ih April, 1832. The
French Chambers were then sitting mid contin
ued in session until ilie21st of that month, and
nhhough one instalment of the indemnity was
payable oil tin 2d of February, 1833, one year
after the exchange of ratifications, uo application
was made to the Chambers for the required ap
propriation, and in consequence of uo appropri
ation having then been made, life draft of the U-
nited States Government for that instalment,
was dishonored by ihe Minister of Finance, and
the United States thereby involved in much con
troversy. The next session of tho Chambers
commenced oil the i9tii November, 1832, and
continued until the 25th April, 1833. Notwith
standing the omission to pay the first instalment,
had bceu made the subject vf earnest remon
strance on our part, the treaty with the United
States, and a bill making the necessary appro
priations to execute it, were not laid before the
Chamber of Deputies umil the 6th of April, near
ly five tn.mtlis after its meeting, and only nine
teen days before the close of the session. The
bill was read and referred to a committee, but
there was i.o further action upon it. The next
session of the Chambers commenced on the 2Gth
of April, 1833, aud continued until the 26th of
June following. A new bill was introduced on
the 11 th of June, but nothing important was
done iu relation to it during the session. In the
mouth of April. 1834, nearly three years after the
signature of the treaty, the final action of the
French Chambers upon the bill to carry the trea
ty into effect, was obtained, and resulted hi a re
fusal of tho necessary appropriations. The avow
ed grounds upon which the bill was rejected, are
to be found iu tlic published debates of that body,
aud no observations of mine can be necessary to
satisfy Cougress of their utter insufficiency. 'Al
though the gross amount of the claims of our cit
izens is r reliably greater than will be ultimately
allowed by tho Commissioners, sufficient is, nev
ertheless, shown, to render it absolutely certain
that the indemnity falls far short of the actual a-
moiint of our just claims, independently of the
question- of damages and interest for the deten
tion that tlic settlement involved" a sacrifice'iu
this respect was well known at the time—a sac
rifice which was cheerfully acquiesced in by tho
different branches of the Federal Government,
whose action upon the treaty was required, from
a sincere desire to avoid further collision upou
this old and disturbing subject, am! in the confi
dent expectation that the general relations be
tween the two conntrie:- would he improved there
by.
The refusal to vote the appropriation, the news
of which was received from our iMinister in Bar
is about the 15th day of May last, might have
bceu considered the final determination of the
Freuch Government not to c A ecate the stipula
tions of the treaty, and would have justified nil
immediate communication of the facts to Con
gress, with a recommendation of such ultimate
measures as the iuterest and honor of the United
States might seem to require. But with the news
of the refusal of the Chambers to make the ap
propriation, were conveyed the regrets of tho
King, and a declaration that a national vessel
should be forthwith sent out, with instructions to
toe French Minister to give the most nmpie ex
planations of the past, aud the strongest assuran
ces for the future. After a long passage the
promised despatch vessel arrived. The pledges
given by the French Minister, upon the receipt
of his instructions, were, that ns soon after the
election of the new members ns the charter
would permit, the legislative Chambers of Franco
should be called together, aud the proposition for
an appropriation laid before them; iliat all the
constitutional powers of the King and his Cabi
net should be exerted to acccmplish the object;
and that the result 6l>ould be made known early
enough to be communicated to Congress at the
wrong, to be abrogated or set aside.
It is undoubtedly in the power of congress 1 «e-
riously to affect the agricultural and manufactur
ing interests of France, by the passage of laws
relating to her trade with the U. States. Herpro-
ducts. manufactures & tonnage, may be subject
ed to heavy duties in our ports, or all commercial
intercourse wi’h her may be suspended. But
there arc powerful, &, to my mind, conclusive
objections to this mode of proceeding. We cannot
embarrass or cut off the trade of France, without
at the same timo, iu some dpgree, embarrassing or
cutting off our own trade. The injury of such a
warfare must fall, though unequally, upou our
ow citizens, and cuuld not but impair the means
of the government, and weaken <hnt united sen
timent in support of the rights and houor of the
uatiiiii which must now pervade every bosom.
Nor is it impossible that such a course of legisla
tion would introduce once more into our national
councils, those disturbing questions in relation to
the tariff of duties which have been so recently
out to rest. Besides, by every measure adopted
liy the government of the United States with the
view of injuring Franco, tho clear perception of
right which will iuduce our own people, and the
rulers aud people of all other nations, even of
Frauce herself, to pronounce our quarrel just, will
he obscured, and the support rendered to us in a
final resort to more decisive measures, will be
more limited and equivocal. There is but one
point in the controversy, and upon lhattlie whole
civilized world must pronounce France to be iu
thre wrong. Wc insist that she shall pay us a sum
of money, which she has acknowledged to be due;
and of the justice of this demand, there can be
but one opinion among mankind. True policy
would seem to dictate that the question at issue
should be kept thus disencumbered, and that uot
the slightest pretence should be given to Frauce
to persist in her refusal to make payment, by a-
ny act on our part affecting the interests of her
people. The question should beleftasitis now,
in such an attitude that when France fulfills her
treaty stipulations, all controversy will be at an
end.
It is my conviction that the United States
ought to insist ou the prompt execution of the
treaty, and in case it ho refused, or longer de
layed, take redress into their own hands. Af
ter the delay ou the part of Franee of a quarter
ofa century in acknowledging these claims by
treaty, it is not to be tolerated that another £
of a contury is to be wasted iu negotiatioug a-
bout tho payment. Tito laws of nations pro
vide a remedy for such occasions. It is h well
settled principle of the inter-national code, that
where one nation owes- another a liquidated
debt, which it refuses or neglects to pay, the ag
grieved party may seize- on property belonging
lotltc other, its citizens or subjects, sufficient to
pay the debt, without giving just cause of war.
This remedy has- been repeatedly resorted to,
and recently by France herself, towards Portu
gal. under circumstances less unquestionable.
The time at which resort should be had to
this, or any outer mode of redress, is a point to
be decided by congress. If an appropriation
shall not be made by rite French Chambers at
their uext session, it may be justly concluded that
the government of France has finally determin
ed to disregard its own solemn undertaking, and
refuse to’pay an acknowledged debt. Iu that
event, every day’s delnv on our part will be a
stain upon our national honor, as well as a de
nial of justice to our owu injured citizens.
Prompt measures, v hen the refusal of France
shall lie complete, will not only be most honora
ble and just, but will have tbe best effect upou
our national character.
Since trance, ill violation of the pledges giv
en through her minister here, has delayed her fi
nal action so long that her decision will not pro
bably be known, in time to lie communicated to
this Congress, 1 recommend that a law ho pass-
S25.-
591,390, which will leave a balance in the Trea
sury on the first of;January. 1835, $0736.232.
In this balance, however, will be included $1,-
150,000 of tvhat was heretofore reported hy the
Department as not effective.
Of former appropriations is- estimated that
there will remain unexpended at the close of the
yoar, $3,002,925, and that of this sum there will
not be required more than 85.14I.9G4, to accom
plish the otijeets of all tire current appropriations.
Thus it appears that after satisfying all those ap-
propriat ious, and after discharging the last item
of our public debt, which wi'l he dorreon the first
of January next, there will remain unexpended in
the Treasury an effective balance of about S-l-
40,000. That such should be tire aspect of our
finances is highly flattering to llie iudnslry and
enterprise of our population, and auspicious of
the wealth ami prosperity which await the future
cultivation of their growing resources. It is- not
deemed prudent, however, to rccommonif any
change for the present iu our impost rates, the
effectof the gradual reduction now in progress in
many of them, not being sufficiently tested, to
guide us in determinin'' the precise amount of
revenue which they will produce.
Free from public debt, at peace with all the
world, and with no complicated interests to'
consult iu our intercourse with foreign powers,
the present may he hailed as the epoch in our
history the most favorable for the settlement of
those principles in our domestic policy, which
shall lie best calculated to give stability to our
Republic, ami secure the blessing; of freedom to
our citizens.- Among these prim-iples, from our
past experience, it cannot he doubted, that sim
plicity m the character of the federal govern
ment, and a rigid economy hi its administration,
should be regarded as fundamental and sacred.
AH must % sensible that the estisitenee of the
” V IT'": t".H "
uey slutII tie drown from lire Treason bm ; n
■sequence of appropriations made by’law." yj
palpable object of this provision is in preVentili e
expenditure of the public money for any pnmosi!
whatever, which shall not Imre been firV
veil by the Representative* of the people sndiT.
.Stales in emigre** assembled. In Ve>w,|,.
power of declaring for wlmt purposes the pul,;;,
money shall be expended in Hie Legislative B,.
parluient of the GoVCrinneni. i„ the exchAnniff
llie Executive and Judicial, and ii is n„i
the constitutional authority al either of ibnft ^
ffirlnrenls to jr-iv it away wifli.mf law, or
lion it* payment. According to this plain 6*.
Miiiifioii-.il provision theclaiurol the bani tu
iieVer lie paid without an appropriation hr act of
Congress. B(ti ihe hank has never a-ked h.tm
appropriation. It attempts to defeat the i
i«m of the constitution, and obtain paymenf s'si-
oiifan act of Congress. Instead of awaitbwj,
appropriation passed fiy both Houses anil ajmi-
edhy rbe Presirteuf.it makes an apprnprt fa I
itself, and invites an appeal to the Judifian |,
snncTioir if.- fli.it the money had nut teClimcalli
been paid info flic Treasury, does mu i:-
prirreiple intended to he established by (berm-
si if irf ion. 1 lie Execiiiiveanrl Judiciary hare n |
littic right to appronriate and expend lliepwUic
motley wit limit authority of law, before il isplr-
ced to the credit of the Treasurer, as to uiu
from tbe Treason-.- In tin
Secretary of llie Treasury,
nonce with the President of
public debt, by rendering taxation necessary fru
its extinguishment, fins increased the difficulties
commencement of tbe present session. Reiving I ed, athorizing reprisals upon French property.
upon these pledges, mid uot doubting that the nc
knowledges justice of onr claims, the promised
exertions of the King and his Cabinet, aud above
all, that sacred regard for the natioua! faith and
in case provision shall not be made for the pay-
mtnt of the debt, at the approaching session of
tho French Chambers. Such a measure ought
not to be considered by France as a menace. Her
honor for which tho French character has bsea* pride and pow.tr are too well known to expect
which are inseparable from every exercise of tho
taxiug power; and that it was; ill this respect, a
remote agent ivt producing those disturbing ques
tions which grew out of the dfscoissiorts relating
to the tariff, If such lias been the tendency of a
debt incurred in the acquisition and maintain--
ance of our national rights and liberties-, the ob
ligations of which all portions of the Union
cheerfully acknow ledged, it must lie obvious, that
whatever is calculated to increase the bnVdens of
government without necessity, must lie fatal to
nil our hopes of preserving its true character.
While we are felicitating ourselves, therefore,
upon the extinguishment of the national debt,
and the prosperous state of our finances, let us
not be tempted to depart from those sound max
ims of public policy which enjoin a just adaptation
of the revenue to the expenditures that are con
sistent with a rigid economy, and an entire absti
nence from all topics of legislation that are not
clearly within the constitutional powers of the
Government, and suggested hy the wants cf the
country. Properly regarded, midersuch a policy,
every diminution of the public burdens ari
sing from taxation, gives to individual enterprise
increased power, and furnishes to all the members
of our happy confederacy, new motives for patri
otic nffectiou and support. But above all. its
most important effect will be found in its influ
ence upon the character of the government, by
confining its action to those objects which will be
inuaT frpnrt <>! lit
I in !»i’<rnrre«p<*>
. he’ f nnd tW
opinions of flip’ Attorney General; ar^iiiiipamit'
it. you will fool :r limber AtarmilSHiioi ,i|Y
claims ol llie Uaui, oiuJ the cobrsC it Iihsjiihh
ed.
Il sppiiis due In Mie safely of rtfc* pnMic(**
remaining in ih.ii Bank, aml ro tin- liounr ofi'-j
American people, that ineasYire/ae ukeiiluiq-|
arate the Guv eminent entirely from an inMir-
tinn so ntiselrtevnlrs fo llie public prosperin'.)
so regardless of the constitution | amf . | ,
transferring the politic deposit!**, tiy appoint*
other I elision Agents, as fir as it fi.ul itie pn,nj
by ordering file disconfriiir.inre of die receipt
bank checks in payment of the public lines tfi
fbe first of January lext. tile Executive Imr
pried afl its lawful authni itv to sever the con ;
inn heftveWrr the Government and thisfciiUe
efflr f> oration.
I !| e high Impried career of tliis iiisiitniion '
pnves upon the coustiiutional funi-tionario 1
Ibis Government, duties o r llie gravc-I aral«»
imperative character—duties which they cr
avoid, and from which I trust there niPi**
clinntion on the pin of any of I hem ly dirioL-J
My own sense, nl them is most clrar.asi.nl*’
readiness to discharge iliose which may rigbh'
!v fall on me. To continue anv business reb-
wiib the bank of llie Doited Slates lbat ira 1
avoided without a violation of Ibe imtioiiatf, |
alter that institution has set at oiiph ilcfi“"
conceded riglu of the Government to exam <
affairs; after it lias done all in its powern |
tide the public autlioritv in oilier respects
bring it into disrepute at home and abiw
it has attempted to defeat the efearly «pe'|
will of the people l>y turning against tht® ;
immense power entrusted io its hands, f
involving a country oil erwise pnedol.k
ing and happy.in dissensions, einbnrrssjnif* I
distress—would make the nation itself a p ,_ ’ J
tlie degradation so sedulously prepared ' l
public agents—and do much to destroy d :it J
de
ho
Is II
tilt
lie*
tbe
I,if
J .it!
Illl
am
li i
lies
a in
Get
rsi»
and
vi
of t.
g.nn
SCI V
fioie
vidi
ami
also
kuui
pros
MS ill
to Cl
a pe.
ed ii
ns it*
•in ii
ed ii
ilscii
gr:s*
F.
lieer
Hi.si
sure to secure to it tho attachment aud support of; fidence of mankind in popular "overrulin' 1
our fellow citizens.
Circumstances make it my duty to call the at
tention of Cougress to the Bank of the U. Slates.
Created for the convenience of the Government,
that institution lias become the scourge of tbe
people. Its interference to postponetlie payment
of a portion of ihe national debt, that it might
retain the public money appropriated lor that
purpose, to strengthen it in a political contest—
the extraordinary extension and contraction of
iis accommodations to the community—its cor
rupt nnd partisan loans—its exclusion of the pub
lic directors from a knowledge of its most impor
tant proceedings—the unlimited authority con
ferred on the President to expend its funds in
biting writers, and procuring the execution ol
printing, and ihe use made of that authority; Hie
retention of the pension money and books after
the appointment of new agents—the groundless
claim lo heavy damages, in consequence of the
protest ol ihe bill drawn on the French Govern
ment. have thro’ various channels been laid be
fore Congress. Immediately afler the close of
the last session, the Bank, thro’ its President,an
nounced its ability and readiness to abandon ths
system ol unparalleled curtailment, and interrup
tion of domestic exchange*, which it hadpractis-'
ed upon from 1st Aug. 1833, to June 30th, 1834,
and to extend its accommodations to thecmiimu-
nity. The grounds assumed in this annunciation
amounted io nn acknow ledgement that the cur
tailment, in the extent to which ii had b?en car
ried, was not necessary io the safety of the hank
and had been persisted in merely.lo' induce Con
gress lo grant tbe prayer of Ihe bank in its memo
rial relative to the removal of the deposits,and lo
give it il new charter.
They were substantially a confession that all
the real distresses which individuals and the coun
try hart fndured for the preceding 6 nr 8 months
had been needlessly produced hy it.wjih the view
of affecting ihro the sufferings of the people, the
lobring into contempt their umiioriiy :r
crency. In guarding against an evil m 1
magnitude, considerations of temporary c* ,r
lence should lie thrown out of the Oil(■■'’’s
we should lie influenced by such iiiotive» r - ! l
look to the honor and preservation ofri |,, f'P
lican system. Deeply nnd solemnly i 11 ’ 1 "I
with tile justice of these views. I feelit* sk f
duty to recommend to you, that a law b- J r J ' - j
authorising ihe sale of the public stock; h' I
provision of the charter requiring the rtttf
the notes ol the Bank io payment of Ik*I*
dues, shall, in accordance w ith rlie /io»rt ,! 1
ved to Congress in the I4ih section ol
ter, be suspended till the Bank pays totbf jl
urv the dividends withheld ; anil that ' !
connecting the Government or its oflie' *
llie Bank, directly or ino’irecily, be ,f, l f ""|
and that the institution be left herea-'t*
own resources and means ,
Events have satisfied mv mind. nl "’. ,
the minds of the American people, il” ,,f l
chiefs and <1. ngers which now flow fn
Urinal Bank far over-balance ill it* ‘"''T
The hold effort the present hawk I 1 * 1 ' "'j
control the Government, the el 1str•’.«« i ' i ’ ; 1
•only produced, the violence of which ''' T
llie occasion in one of our cities famed I ' I
servance of law and order, are hut |> ft,lll ’T
of llie f.ite which awaits the Aniei' cs "
should they lie deluded into a perpf 11 '. ]
this iliMit in ion, or the «?sialili*>liment ol
like it. It is fervently Imped, that*
i'lied. those who have here'.ornre fn*’"
tahlisliment of a substitute lor the l’ r, ' r r ,
will lie induced to abandon il. as it l ’ ,r *
belter lo incur any inconvenience '“ aI
reasonably expected, than to re |,c ‘ p j
whole moneyed power of the tf|'< lPllC
form wliaisoever. or under anv rev 1 ' 1 ' ^j
Happily it is already illnslraied tl' 11 ' '
cy of such an institution is not i |fCes \p,
fiscal operations of the Govern meut-
tne-ii
No
taken
range
Creel
Semi,
the it
comm
cause;
ttiatel i
rate. I
howev
ed evil
and in
ye.xi a,
that a
reuinai
facility
cured,
for the
pursuit
car,on.
which I
©d II] >11
their e>
The
grew u
carried
their a<
seen by
a great
dltures
these !a
their on
uitizatie
•'igetliei
• ion, wi
branch
time
pri
Circn
•hewing
tiie v„r.
ties for
to estim
'
thus fra
treasury.
such as
and the
ad minis!
%
ces and i
tionary
Hut wbil
should be
f.-r