Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

mW f o r 0 i A 2P i N a v * l> l> ♦ PBESIDEai r’S M£SSAfl • ' Lvnliuutii Jrurn first p*#*- . tv hi c h have accompanied tho paym’l of the pub.ic debt, nnd the adoptiou of tho pr&scnt revenue laws, is manifest from the fact, that, compared with 1833, there is a diminution of near twenty five millions in the last two years, and that our expenditures independently of those for the pub lic debt. have been reduced near nine millions during' tho s^rno period. Let us trust, that by the continued observance of economy, and by harmonizing tho great interests of agriculture, manufactures and commerce, much more may be accomplished to diminish the burdens of Gov ernment, and to increase still further tho enter prise aud the patriotic affection of all classes of our citizens, and all the members of our happy Confederacy. As tho data which the secretary of the Treasury will lay before you, in regard to our fiuancial resources, are full and extended, and will afford a safeguard in your future calcu lations, 1 think it unuecessary to offer any further observations on that subject here. . Among tho evidences of the increasing pros perity of the country, not the least gratifying is that afforded by the receipts from the sales of the public lands, which amount, in the present year, to tho unexpected sum of $11.000,000. This circumstance attests the rapidity with which ag riculture, the first and most important occupation of man, advances, aud contributes to the wealth and power of our exteuded territory. Being still of the opiuiau that it is our best policy- as far as we can consistently with the obligations under wiiicb those lands were ceded to the Uni ted Slates, to promote their speedy settlement, I beg leave to call the attention of the preseut Con gress to the suggestions I have offered respecting it in my former messages. . The extraordinary receipts from the sales of the public lands invite you to consider what im provements the laud system, and particularly the condition of the Geueral Laud Office, may re quire. At the time this institution was organized near a quarter of a century ago, it would proba bly have been thought extravagant to anticipate, for this period, such au addition to its business as has been produced liy the vast increase of those sales during the past and present years. It may alsA'bo observed, that since tho year 1812 the lamj. offices and suiveyiug districts have been greatly multiplied, nnd that numerous legislative enactments, from year to year since that time, have imposed a great amount of new aud addi tionalduties upon that office, while the want of a timely application of force, commensurate with tho care and labor required, has caused the in creasing embarrassment of accumulated arrears in the different brauches of the establishment. These impediments to the expedition of much duty in the Geueral Land Office induce mo to •ubroit to your judgment, whether sonic mollifi cation of tne laws relating io its organization, or an organization of a new character, he not called for at the present juncture, to eiinhlo tho office to in by tbo people, Would have changed tho whole character of our Government, every candid anil intelligent individual must admit that, for the at tainment of the great advantages of a. sound currency, we must look to a course of legislation radically different from that which created such an institution. . . lu considering the meaus of obtaining so im portant an end, we must set aside nil calculations of temporary convenience, and lie influenced by those only which are in harmony with the true character and the permanent interests of the Re public. We must recur to first principles, aud see wbat it is that has prevented the legislatiou of Congress aud the States, tin tho suhjei of cur rency, from satisfying the public expectation, and realizing results corresponding to those which have attended tho aeiiou of our system when truly consistent with tho great principle of equal ity upon which it rests, aud with that spirit of forbearance, and mutal concession, and generous patriotism, which was originally, nod must ever continue to be. the vital clement o! our Union. On this subject, 1 am sure that I cannot be mistaken in ascribing* our want of success to the undue countenance which has been afforded t*» the spirit of monopoly. All the serious dangers which our system has yet encountered, may lie traced to the resort to implied powers, and the use of corporations clothed with privileges, the effect of which is to advance the interesis of tho few. at the expense of the many. H e have tell hut one i lass of these dangers, exhibited in the question could have been otherwise preserved-— Although clothed with the legal authonty, and supported by precedent, I was aware that there wa®, in the act of the removal of the dopostlcs. a liability to excite that sensitiveness to Execu tive power w hich it is the characteristic ami the duty of freemen to imlulgo : but I relied on this feeling, also directed by patriotism and intelli gence; to vindicate the conduct which, in He end. would appear to have been called for by tho best interests of tny country.. The apprehen sions natural to this feeling, tint there may have been a desire, through tho instrumentality of that measure, to extend the Executive influence, or that it inav have been prompted by motives not sufficiently free from ambition, were not over looked. Uuder the operation of our institutions, tho public servant who is called on ta lake a step of high responsibility, should feel, in the freedom which gives rise to such apprehension*, hi* high- cst security. When uufoumlcd, the uttcutiou which they arouse, and tho discussions they ex cite, deprive those who indulge them, ol the power to do harm ; when just, they but hasten the certaiuty with which the great body of our citizens never fail to repel an attempt to procure their sanction to any exercise of power inconsis tent with the jealous maintenance of their rights. (Judci such couvictious, and entertaining no doubt rlnt my constitutional obligations demand ed the steps which were taken in reference to the removal of the depositee, it was impossible for mo to be deterred from the path of duty by a uui iiiiu i iii>> in iiit'iiu utnitt-ias u.xui-misw ... ...w . . iii . i-i * :i Wil contest waged by the Bank of He United States fear that my motives could be misjudged, or that - ' — political prejudices could defeat the just consui- eratioa of the merits of my conduct. The result has shown how safe is this reliance upon the pa triotic temper and enlightened discernment of •he people. That measure has uow been be fore them, and has stood the lest of all the severe analysis which its general importance, the inter ests it affected, and the apprehensions it excited, were calculated to produce; aud it now remains for Congress to consider what legislation has be come necessary in consequenco. 1 need only add to what I have on former oc casions said on this subject, generally, that in the regulations which Congress uiay prescribe re specting the custody of the public moneys, it is desirable that ns little discretion as may be deem ed consistent with their safe-keeping, should lie against the Government for the last four years Happily, they have beeu obviated fertile present by the iudigudn! resistance of tho Penplr, hut we should recollect that the priuciplc whence nicy spruug is an ever active one, which will not fail to renew its efforts in the same and otlir r forms, so long as there is a hope of success, founded ei ther on the iuattcution of the People, or the treachery of t!i«ir representatives, to. the subtle progress of its influence. The Bank is, iu fact, but one of the fruits of a system at war with the genius of all our institutions—a system founded upon a political creed, the fundamental principle of which is a distrust of the popular will as a lal'e regulator of political power, and whose great ultimate object, aud inevitable result, should it prevail, is the consolidation of all pow cr io our system in one central Government.— j given to the .Executive agents. No one can be Lavish public disbursements, and corporations . more deeply impressed thau I am with the souud w ith exclusive privileges, would lie its substitute for the original, and, as yet, sound checks aad iial.itiees of the constitution—the menu* by whose silent aud secret operation, a control would he exercised liy the few, over tho political conduct ness of 'he doctrine, which restrains aud limits, by specific provisions, Executive discretion as far as it can he done consistently with the pre servation of its coustitutioaal character. In ie- spect to the control over tho public moneys, this of die many, by first acquiring that control over j doctrine is peculiarly applicable, nnd is in har- thc labor and earnings of iho great body of the ; mouy with the great principle which I felt I was People. \\ herever this spirit has effected an al- I sustaiuiijg, in the controversy with the Bank of liauce with political power, tyranuy A-despotism | the United Stales, which has resulted iu severing, have been the fruit. If it is ever" used for the i to some extent, a dangerous connection between ends of Government, it has to he incessantly watched, or it corrupts the sources of the public accomplish all the'ends of its ius itution with a the country with questions - - —- ■ ■ -■ uufivorahlc to the harmonious and steady pursuit of it* true interests. We are now to see whether, iu theprcscut fa vorable condition of the country, we cantiot take au cffertual stand against this spirit of monopoly, greater degree of facility aud promptitude than experience has proved to he practicable, under existing regulations. The variety of the con cerns, aud the magnitude and complexity of the details occupying and dividing the attention of the Commissionei, appear to render it difficult, if ; ‘"' 1 |W;*«u»Hy prove, in respect to the curreucy BOt impracticable, for that officer, by any possi- ! ‘ s well as other important interests, that there is ipraclicable- ble assiduity, to bestow on all the 'multifarious subjects, upon which he is called to act, th; ready and careful attention due to their respec tive importance; unless the Legislature shall as sist him by law, providing, or enabling him to provide, for a more regular and economical dis tribution of labor, with the iocideut responsibili ty, among those employed under his direction.— The mere manual-operation of affixing his signa ture to tho vast number of documents issuing from his office, subtracts so largely from the time and attention claimed by the weighty and com plicated subjects daily accumulating in that branch of the public service, as to indicate the itrong ; necessity of revising the organic law of the establishment. It will be easy for Congress, hereafter, to proportion the expenditure on ac count of this branch of the service to its real wants, by abolishing, from time to time, the offi ces which cau be;dispensed with. The extinctioniof the Public Debt having taken place, there is uo longer any use for the officer of Commissioners of Loans and vf the Sinking Fund. I recommend, therefore, that they he flbolislied, and that proper measures be tHkeu for tbs transfer, Io iho Treasury Department, of any funds, books, and papers, connected with the operations of those offices; and that the proper t ower be givcu'to that Department for closing, nally, any portion of their busiuess which may vemniu to be settled. It is also incumbent on Congress, in guarding the pecuniary interests of the country, to discon tinue, by such a law as was passed in 1812. the receipt of tbo bills of tho Bank of tho United States in payment of the public revenue; and to provide for the designation of an agent, whose duty it shall he to take charge of the books and •tock of the United States in that institution, and to close all connexion with it, after tho 3d of March, 1836, when its charter expires. In mak ing provision in regard tu tho disposition of this stock, it wiil he esscutial to define, clearly and strictly, the duties ami powers of the officer char ged with that branch of the public service. It will be seen from the correspond* nco which th* Secretary of the Treasury will lay before you, that, notwithstanding tho largo amount of the clock which the United States hall in that insti tution, no information has yet been comnrinicn ted which willeoable tbs Government to antici pate when it can receive any dividends, or derive any benefit from it. Connected with tho condition of tho Finances nnd the flourishing state of tho country in all its branches of industry, it is pleasing to witness the advantages which have been already derived from the recent laws regulating tho value of the gold coinage. These advantages will be more apparent in the course of the next yoar, when the branch mints authorized to lie established in North Carolina, Georgi-i, ami Louisiana, shut bavo gone into operation. Aided, as it is hop thoy will he, by further reforms in the hanking •ystoms of the States, nnd by judicious rcgula tions on tho part of Congress, in relation to the custody of the pti'dic moneys, it may lie coufi dently anticipated that the use of gold ami silver, as a circulating medium, will become g-noral iu the ordinary transactions, connected with tne la bor of the country. 'The great desideratum, in modern times, is an efficient chock upon the pow er ol banka, preventing that excessive issue of paper, whence arise those fluctuations iu the standard of value, which render uncertain the rewards of labor. It was supposed by those tvho established the Bank ot the United Slates, that from the credit given to it by the custody of the public moneys and other privileges, and the pre cautions taken to guard against the evil which tho country had suffered in the bankruptcy of many of the State institutions of that period, wc should derive from that institution all the security and benefits of a sound curreucy, and every good end that w^s attainable under that provision of the Constitution which authorises Congress alone to coin mengy aud regulate the valuo thereof.— But it is scarcely necessary now to say that these anticipations have not been realized. After the no necessity for so extensive a resort to it as that winch has been heretofore pratised. The expe rience of another year has confirmed iho utter fallacy of the idea that the Bank of the United States was uecessary as a fiscal agent of the Go vernment Without its aid ns such, indeed, in despite of all the embarrassment it was iu its power to create, the revcuue has been paid with punctuality by our utizens ; the business of ex change, both foreign and domestic, has iieeu con ducted with convenience; and the circulating medium has becu greatly improved. By tlic use of tbe State banks, which do not derive their charters (rom the Geueral Government, aud are not controlled by its authority, it is ascertained that the moneys of he United States can he c«d- a moneyed and political power. The duty of the Legislature to define, hy clear and positive enactments, the nature and extent of tire action which it belongs to the Executive tu superintend, springs out of a policy analngou* to that which enjoins upon all the branches of the Federal Government, au abstinence from the exercise of powers nut clearly granted. Iu such a Govern ment, possessing only limited and specific pow ers, the spirit of its general administration cauuot be wise or just, when it opposes the reference of all doubt fill points to the great source of nudior- itv. the States and the People, whoso number nud diversified relations, securing them against the influences aud excitements whi. lt‘may mis lead their agents, make them the safest deposito ry of power. Iu its application to the Executive, with reference to the Legislative branch of the Government, tho sumo rule of action should mako the President ever anxious to avoid tbe ex ercise of auy discretionary authority which,can tie regulated by Congress. Tbo biases which may operate upon him will not ho so likely to ex tint part of the report of the Secretary of \\ ar which relates to this subject, and .recommend an appropriation sufficiently liberal to accelerate the armament of tbe foitifications agreeably to the proposition submitted by him, and to place our whole Atlantic sea-board in a complete state ol dcfeuce. Ajust regard to the permanent inter csts of the country evidently requires this meas ure. But there artr also other reasons which at the present juncture give it peculiar force, and make it my duty to call to tho subject yoar spe cial consideration. The present system of Military Education has been in operation sufficiently long to test its u-e- fulncss, and it hns given to the army a valuable body of officers. It is not alone in the improve ment, discipline, and operation of the troops, that these officers are employed. They are also extensively engaged in the administrative and fiscal concerns ol the various matters con fid it to the W.r Department; in the execution of the staff duties usually appertaining to military or ganization ; iu tho removal of the Indians, nud iu tho disbursement of the Various expenditures growing out of oitr Indian relations ; iu tile for mation of roads; and iu the improvement of har bors and rivers; in the construction of fortifica tions ; iu the fabrication of much of the m \TK- riki, required for the public defeneo ; and in the preservation, distribution, aud accountability of tho whole; and iu other miscellaneous duties, uot admitting of classification These iliver-lified mictions embrace very heavy expenditures of publi,- money, aud require fideli ty, -science, ami business habits iu their execu tion ; and a system which shall secure tho*c qualification* is demanded by the public interest. That this object has been iu a great measure ob tained by tilt* Military Academy, is shown by the state of the service, and hy the prompt nceounta bility which has generally followed the necessary advauces. Like all other political systems, the preseut mode of uiilitaiy education, no doubt lias its imperfections, both of principle and prac tice ; hut I irust these cau be improved hy rigid inspections, and hy legislative scrutiny, without destroying the institution itself. Occurrences, to which we as we'l as all other uatious arc liable, both in our iuternal aud ex ternal relations, point to the necessity of an effi cient organization of the Militia. 1 am again induced, by the importance of the subject, to bring it to your attention. To suppress domestic violence, and to repel foreign invasion, should these calamities overtake ns, we must rely, in tiie first instance, upon the great body of the community, whose will has instituted, aud whose power must support, the Government. A large standing military force is not consonant to the spirit of our institutions nor to the feelings of our •couutrymeu ; nud the lessous of former days, and those also of our owu lime*, show the danger, as well ns the enormous expense, to theso perma nent and extensive military organizations. That just'medium which avoids an inadequate prepa ration, oh one hand, and the danger and expense of a large force, on the other, is wbat onr consti tuents have a right to e> pcct from their Govern ment. This object ran be attained only by the maintenance of a small military force, and by such au organization of the physical strength of the country as may bring this power into opera tion, whenever its services are required. A clas sification of the population offers the most ob vious means of effecting this organization. Such a division may bo Ltde as will be just to nil, by transferring ouch, nt a proper period of life, from ouc class to another, nnd hy calling first for the services of. that class, whether for instruction or actiou. which from age, is qualified for the duty, aud tuny he called to perforin it with least injury to themselves or to the public. Should the dan ger ever become so imminent as to require addi tional force, tiie other classes, iu succession, would bo rendy for tho call. And if, in audition to this orgauiz itiou, voluntary associations were mtiou, the representations are highly favorable. ! Tile I’o ilicsu districts the ladi'ius are remove*! -it iho oral • xpeuse of the United States, and with certain action, au<! to effect -implies of clothing, arms, ammunition, and oth er indispensable at tides, they are also furnished gratuitously with provisions for tbe period of n year after their arrival at their new homes. In iu: measures adopted by the Postmaster I' to bring th.; means of tho dcnartc...... - C that time, from the nature of the country,'and of the products raised by them, they cau subsist themselves by agricultural labor, if they eh.iose to resort to that mode of life. If they do not, they are upon tho skirls of the great prairies, where countless herds of buffalo roam, anil a short time suffices to adapt their owu habits to changes which a change of the animals des'itied for their food may require. Ample arrangements have also been made lor the support of schools. In some instances, council-houses aud churches are to be erected, dwellings constructed for the chiefs, aud mills foi common use. Funds have been set apart for the maintenance of the poor.— i'he most uecesss. v mechanical arts have been introduced, nnd blacksmiths, gunsmiths, wheel wrights. millwrights, &c. are supported among them. Steel ami iron, and sometimes salt, are purchased for them, anil ploughs and other farm ing utensils, domestic animals, looms, spinning vheels, cards, &c. are presented to them- Aud besides these beneficial arrangements, annuities are iu all cases paid, amounting ill some instances, to more than thirty dollars for each individual of the tribe; and in all cases sufficiently great, if justly divided, and prudently expended, to ena ble them, iu addition to their otvn exertions, to live comfortably. And as a stimulus for exer tion, it is now provided by law, that, “iu all cases of the appointment of interpreters, or other 1 to effect a speedy extiugufij,*"'. its debt, ns well a< to produce an efficient ^ ° "Utrntio" of its affairs, will lie found denlL i length in bis Mile and luminous report Vi by a reorganization on tbe priaeiplw ^7*7* and such salutary provisions in-the I insr ‘tl’ ting its administrative duties as the wisdif • Congress nny devise or approve, that i„„ )0 “| of department will ooon attain a degree of n tv ness proportioned to the increase of U)lr ' lion and the extension of our settlements *" * Particular attention is solicited to that p 0 ,* of the report of tiie Postmaster General**?!? relates to the carriage of the Mails of the •*« upon railro-iils constructed by private, corjiw' tions under the authority of the several Si't The reliance which tho General Government eS ' place on those roads na a means of carrviiir ** its operations, aud tbo principles on wlndf!? use of them is to be obtained, cannot too soon | considered and settled. Airdnilysloet tbe unh uf monopoly begin to exhibit its natural proL,* s'ni.s, in attempts to exact from the pXir' for services which it supposes cauuot be oktugj on other terms, tho most extravagant company tion. If these claims be persisted in lhenJ-j. tinu may arise whether a combination^ofdfiuuJ acting uuder charters of incorporation, fro* (V States, can hy a direct refusal, or tlm demand of an exorbitant price, exclude the United Suit* from the use of the established channels of com* inuuicalion between the different sections of ;ho country; and whether tbe United , States caiiao! without transcending their coiistituional powm secure in the Post Office Department the n se 0 [ persons employed for the benefit of tho Indians, j those roads, bv au act of Congress which ahull a preference shall be given'rn persons of ludian provide within itself * -me equitable inode of ad- dcseent, if such can he found who are properly 1 justing the amount of compensation. To alirum qualified for tho discharge of the duties." j if possible, the necessity of considering *his ques- Such are tho arrangements fur the physical l tion, it Is suggested whether it be nos expedient comfort, and for the moral improvement of the I to fix by law, the aiiiouuia winch shall beoUWed Indians. The necessary measures tor their \t.t- j ;o rail road companies for He cconveyance of the litical advancement, and for their separation j mails, graduated according to their averse from our citizens, have uot been neglected- The weight, to hi ascertained and declared liv die pledge of the Ui .States has been given by Con-j Post Mastei General. It is pr-dtable timta Ifo. gross, that tho country destined for the residence I oral proposition of that son would lie accepted, of this people, shall be fore ver “secured and I Iu connection with these provision* io rejati^ guarantied to them.” A country, west of Mis- j to the Post Office Department. 1 most also invite souri and Arkansas, has been assigned to them, j your attention to the painful cxciienisnu in the into which the white settlements are not to be j South, by attempts to circulate through the niaili pushed. No political communities can be form- j inflammatory appeals addressed to the passions ed in that extensive region, except those which j of the slaves, in prints, nnd in various sorti of are established hy the Indian* I ham selves, or by J publications, calculated to stimulate them loin- tiled. States for them, and with their concur- 1 surrcclioil, and to produce all tile horrors of a renco. A harrier has thus been raised for their j servile w ar. protection, against the encroachments of our ci- | There is, doubtless, uo respectable portion »,f tizens, and guarding the Indians, ns far as pos - our countrymen who can be so far misled as to slide, from those evils which Inve brought them feel any other sentiment than thaf of indignant to their present condition- Summary amhority tend to the representatives of the Peoplo in that ' encouraged, and inducements hold out for their body lu my former messages to Congress, 1 have lected and disbursed without loss *.r incuttveii j repeatedly urged the propriety of lessoning tho icuce; and that all the wauls of the community, in relation to exchaugo and curruucy, are sup plied as well as they have ever been belore. If, under circumstance* the most unfavorable to the steadiness of tho money mnrkot, it has been found that the considerations on w hich the Bank of tho United Stases rested its claims to the pub lic favor, were imaginary and groundless, it can not he doubted that the experience of the future wdl he mure decisive against them, it has beeu soeu. that, without the agency of a great tin ncyed monopoly, the revenue can lie collected, nud conveniently and safely applied to all the purposes of the public expenditure— It is also ascertained, that, instead of'being ne cessarily made to promote tho evil* of mi un checked paper system, tho management of the revenue can bo inado auxiliary to tho reform which the Legislatures of several of the States have already enmmeuced iu regard to the sup- discicliotiary authority lodged iu the various de partments ; hut it has produced no effect, as yet, except the disconlinnuco of extra allowances in the Army and Navy, and the substitution of fixed salaries in tho latter. It is believed that the same principles could he advantageously applied in all cases, and would promote the efficiency nud economy uf the public service, at the same lime that greater satisfaction, and more equal justice, would he secured to the public officers generally. The accompanying Report of the Secretary of War, will put you iu possession of the operations of tho Department coufiued to his care, in all its diversified relations, during the past year. 1 am gratified in heiug able to inform you, that no occurrence has required any movement of the military force, except such as is common to a state of peneq. The services of tho tinny have heeu limited to their usual duties at the various pressioo of small bills; anil w hich has only to he ] garrisons upon the Atlantic and inland frontier. fostered by proper regulations on the part of Congress, to secure a practical return, to the ex tent required for the sicttrity of the currency, to the ccusiitutioual medium Severed from the Government as political engiues, aud not susesj tihle of dungerou* extculion and combination, the Slate banks will not he templed, nor will they have the power which we havo seen exercised, to divert the puldic funds from tho legitimate purposes of :ho Government. 'The collection aud custwly of the revenue heiug, ou the contra ry, a source of credit to them, will increase the security which tiie States provide for a faithful execution of their trusts, hy multiplying the scru tinies to which their operations ami accounts will bo subjected. Thus disposed, as well from interest as tho obligations of their charters, it cauuot be doubted that such conditions ns Con gress may sec fit to adopt respecting the depos its in these institutions, with n ’ view to the gni.ilia! disuse of the small hills, will he cheer fully complied with; and that wo shall soon gain, iu place of the Bank of the United riiates, a practical reform in tSe whole paper system of the couuiry. If, ny this policy, we can ultim ately witness the suppression of all hank hills be low twenty dollars, it is apparent that gold and silver will take their place, and become the prin cipal circulating medium it the common busi ness ol the farmers and mechanics of the coun try. The attainment of snch a result will form an era iu the history of our country, which will lie dwelt upon with delight by every true friend of its liberty and iiidcpcudcucc. ft will lighten the great lax which our paper system has so long collected from the earning* of labor, ami do more to revive am! perpetuate those habits of economy aud si;upli*-ity which arc so congenial to the character of republicans, th in all iiie le gislation which has yet been attempted. To this sulijert 1 feel that I cauuot too earnest ly invite the especial attention of Congress, with out the exercise of whose authority, tho oppor tunity, to accomplish so much public cood must pass unimproved. Deeply impressed with its vital importance, tho Executive has taken all the steps within his constitutional power to guard tbe public roveuue, and defeat the expectation which the Bank of the Uoitod States indulged, of renewing and perpetuating its monopoly, ou the ground of its necessity as a fiscal agent, and extensive embarmunoent and distress recently j as affording a sounder currency than could lie produced liy tbe Rank of the United States, from obtained without snch -m institution. Iu tho whirh tbo country is now recovering, aggravated performance of this duty, much responsibility «• they were by prrtens-ons to power winch ilcfi- .v s incurred, v. hirli n o.il l b iv • l>-r:i gladh •d tbe public authority, and which if acquiesced j avoided if tbe stake which th* public hsd in the with the exceptions stated hy the Secretary of War. Our small military cstatilishinent appears to lie adequate to the purposes fo~ which it is maiutuined; and it forms a nucleus around which auy additional force may be collected, should the public exigencies unfortunately require auy in crease of our military means. The various acts of Congress which have been recently passeo in relation to tho army, have im proved its condition, and have rendered its or ganization more useful and efficient. It is at ail timer m a state for prompt aud vigorous action; nud it contains within itself tho power of exten sion to any useful limit; while, at the same tiaic. it preserves that knowledge, both theoretical nud pr-icticnl, which education and experience alone enugive; and which, if not acquired and pre served in time of peace, must lie sought under great disadvantages in time of war. The duties of tiie Engineer Corps press heavi ly upon that branch of the service; aud the pub lic interest requires an addition to its strength.— The nature of the works in. which the officers are engaged, render necessary professional knowl edge and cxpci icuce; nnd there is no economy in committing to them more duties than they can perform, or in assigning these to other persons temporarily employed, and too often, of necessi ty without all tho qualifications which such ser vice demand*, 1 recommend this subject to your attention, nnd also the proposition submitted at tho last session of Congress, and mrv renewed, for a reorganization of the Topographical Corps This reorganization can be effected without any addition to tho present expenditure, & with much advantage to the public service. The branch of duties which devolves upon these officers is at all times interesting to the -community; aud the information furnished by them is useful iu peace and iu war. Much loss am! inconvenience have been expe- contaiuiug the ordinary appropriation ficalious, which passed one brauch of the Nation al Legislature .at the last session, hut was lost in- the other. This failure was the more regretted, uot only because it necessarily interrupted and delayed the progress of a system of Nutional De formation, our militia would be in a state of effi c'cnt service. Now, when we are at poaec the proper time to digest and establish a practi cable system. The object is certainly worth the experiment, aud worth the expense. No one ap predating the blessings of a Republican Govern incut, cau object to his share of the burden which such n plan may impose. Indeed, a moderate portioa of the national funds could scarcely he better applied, than in carrying into effect and continuing such au arrangement, nnd in giving tlte necessary elementary instruction.. V*’e are happily aUpeace with all the world. A sincere desire to continue so, aud a fixed determination to give-no just cause of offence to other uatious. furnish, unfortunately, no certain ground of ex pectation that this relation will lie uninterrupted. With this dctermiuaiiuu to give no oflenVc, is as sociated a resolution, equally decided tamely to submit to none. Tho armor and the attitude of defence, afford the best security ngaim-t'hose col lisions which the ambition, or iuterest, or some otcer passion of nations, uot more justifiable, is linble to produce, hi many countries it is con sidered unsafe to put arms into the bauds of the people, and to instruct them in tho elements uf military knowledge. That fear can have no place here, when it is recollected that the People are iho sovereign power. Our Government was instituted aud is supported hy the ballot-box, not hy the inusket. Whatever cliaugcs await it, still greater changes must he made in our social in stitutions, before our political system can yield to physical force. In every aspect, therefore, iu which I ca - * view thu subject, I ain impressed with tho importance of a prompt and efficient or ganization of the militia. The plan of removing the Aboriginal People who yet remain within the settled portions of the United States, to the country west of iho Missis sippi river, approaches its consummation. It was adopted on the most mature consideration of the condition of this race, and ought to lie per sisted iu till the object is accomplished, and pros- ccntcd with as much vigor as n just regard to tiieir circumstance? will permit, and ns fast as their consent c;ju be obtained. All-preceding experiments fur the improvement of the Indians Ijavo failed. It soeuis uow to bo au established fact, that they eauao'.live in contact with a civil ized community and prosper. Ages of fruitless endeavors have, at lougth. brought us to a knowl edge of this principle of ioterconmiunicalionwith them. Tbe past we cauuot recall, hut the future we can provide for. Independently of the trea ty s.iptilatious into which wo have entered with the various tribes, for tho usufructuary rights Hey have ceded to us, ao ouc can doubt the mor al duty of tho Government of th;* United States to protect, and, if possible, to preserve nud per petuate, tho scattered remnants of this race, which arc left within our borders, lu the dis charge of this duty, an extensive region iu the West has been assigned for their permanent resi dcncc. It has been divided into districts, and al has been given, by law, to destroy all ardent spi rits found in their country, without waiting the doubtful result, and slow process of a legal sei zure. I consider the absolute nud unconditional iuterdictio'* of this article, among those people, as the first and great step in their melioration. Ilall-way measures will anew*’* no purpose.— Theso cannot contend successfully against the cupidity of the seller, aud the overpowering ap petite of tho buyer. And the destructive effects of the traffic are marked in every page of the In dian intercourse. suine general legislation seams necessary for the regulation of the relations* which will exist iu this new stato of thine* between the Govcrnm’t and people of the U. States, ami these transplan ted Indian irihes ; and for the establishment a- mong the latter, and with their own consent, of regret at conduct so destructive of the h-irnioiir and peace of the country, and so repugumt to the priucples of our nniiotial compact, and to the dictates of humanity and religion Our bap. pines* and prosperity essentially depend utxiu peace within our bo-dors—aud jieace depends upon the inaiutcunuce, iu good faith, of those compromises of the constitution upon which the Uijion is founded. it is fortunate for the country that the good sense, the generous feeling aud tho deep rooted attachment of the people uf the umi-slavciioldiug states to the Union, mid to their fellow citizens of the same blood iu the South, havo given s*» strong* and iuipressivo a tone to the «eutiuicnts entertained against tkj proceedings of tue misguided persou* who Inn engaged iu these uucoustiii.tional and wicked aiteinpls, aud cspc.ci.ijly against tho emissaries from foreign parts who have dared to interfere iu some principles of iuter-commanicatiou, which j this matter; as to authorize the hope, that those their juxtaposition will cill for; that moral may ( attempts will no longer be persisted in. Hut if he substituted for physical force the authority of j thc<c expressions of the public will, shall not be a few and simple laws, for the tomahawk ; and \ sufficient to effect so desirable a result, rxtadonbl that nil end may he put to those bloody wars, can lie entertained, that the iion-sl;»vebolding whoso prosecution seems to have made a part of their social system. After the further details of this arrangement arc completed, with a very geueral supervision over them, they ought to i»o left to tho progress of events. These, 1 indulge the hope, will secure their prosperity and improvement, and a large portion of the moral elebt we owe them, will then be paitl. The report from the Secretary of the Navy, showing the condition of that branch of the pub lic service, is recommended to your special at tention. It appears from it, that our naval force at present in commission, with all the activity which can he given to it. is inadequate to the protection of our rapidly increasing commerce. This consideration, and the more general one which regards this arm *»f the national defence as our best security against foreign aggressions, strongly urge the continuance of the measures which promote its gradual enlargement, and a speedy increase of tho force which lias hereto fore been employed abroad aud ut home. You will perceive from the estimates which appear in the roprrt of tho Secretary of the Navy, that the expenditure* nocessary to this increase of its force, 'hough of considerable amount, are small when compared with tho benefits which they will secure to the country. As a means of strengthening the national arm, I also recommend to your particular -nuentibu, the propriety of the suggestion which attracted States, so far from countenancing (lie slightest interference with the constitutional rights of the South, will he prompt to exercise their authority iu suppressing, so tar as in thorn lies, whatever is calculated to prodnee this evil. lu leaving the care of other branches of this interesting subject to tho Slate authorities, to whom they properly belong, it is novordieless proper Io- Congress to take such measures as will prevent the Post Office Department which was designed to foster au amicable intercourse and correspondence between ali the members of the Confederacy, from lioing used as an instru ment of an opposite character The Geuerl Government, to which the groat trust is confide*! of preserving inviolate the relations. created among the States by the constitution, is especial ly hound to avoid in its os u action, anything thit may disturb them. I would, therefore, cull the speci*il attention of Congress to the subject, atld respectfully suggest the propriety of passing such a law as will prohibit, under severe penalties, the circulation iu tin Southern States, through the mail, of incendiary publications intended to iusri- gate tho slaves to insurrection. I felt it to lie my duly, in the first message which I communicated to Congress, to urge qpnu in at* tendon tho propriety of amending that pari of the constitution which provides for the election of the President aad the vice President of the United States. Tho leading object which I had iu view was tho adoption of « nne new provisions, which would secure to tbe people the performance ol forccil the same views, from a sincere conviction that the best interests of the country wouldI h» promoted by their adoption. If *he subject were an ordinary one. I should have regarded tue failure of Congress to net upon it, as an indica- tlic consideration of Congress at its last session, respecting tho enlistment of boys at a suitable this high duty, without any intermediate age;,.;: ago in tho scrvico. In this manner, a nursery of fn my annual communications since, I have ei skilful and able bodied seamen can he establish ed, which will bo of the greatest importance.— Next to tlm capacity to put afloat and arm tho requisiie number * f ships, is the possession ol the menus to man them efficiently; and nothing seems better calculated to aid this object than the j tion of their judgmeut. lha't the disadvantage measure proposed. As an auxiliary to the ad- i which belong to tho preseut sys.cm. were not so vantages derived from our extensive cummer- ■ great as those which would result from auy «ti»«' cial marine, it would furnish us with a resource ■ able substitute that had been submitted ,0 , " e,r ample enough for all the exigencies which can i consideration. Recollecting, however, »h**tpro- be anticipated. Considering the state of our re- j positions to introduce a new feature in our fund* 1 ' source 3 , it cannot lie doubted that whatever pro-j meutai laws cannot lie too patiently visiou tho liberality and wisdom of Congress uni ought not to lie received with favor, until ( *‘ a may now ad apt, with a view to tho perfect or- j great body of the peoplo are thoroughly gnnizition ,*»f this branch of our service, will sed with their necessity and value as a remedy ,,r meet the approbating of all classes of our cili - real evils. I feel tlm in renewing the rccoin’|W‘i' zc,,s * ! tlation I have heretofore made on this snbj^ 1 * By the report of the Postmaster Gauoral, it j I am not transcending the bounds of a just »Jcler- appears that the revenue of that department : cuco to the sense of Congress, or to tbo •lisp 051 * daring the year ending ou the 30th day ofJunn tion of tho j-mple. However much we ,n *Jj Isst, exceeded its accruingretponsibililics, $236, 1 differ on tho choice of tho measures which 206, and that! he surplus <>f the present fiscal year guide the administration of iho Govrrrnw' 1 ’* is estimated at $176 227* it farther appears there cau l e hut lndc doubt iu the minds *f that the debt of the department on tho 1st day of who are really friendly to the republic** fes'» r# ’ Ini.. U.t .1'*, nn,„„n, .i..« vI— of our system that one nf its reoVt i»pw , * Dt . s ^ luities consists in the separation of the UW’yTI ricnccd. iu 'consequence of the failure of the hill lotted among them. Many have already teinov containing the ordinary appropriations for Forti- ed. and others are preparing to go; and with the exception of two small hands, living in Oh.o aud Indiana, uot exceeding fifteen hundred persons, aud of iho Chcrokccs, all the tribes on the cast side of the Mississippi, and exieadiag from Lake Michigan t- Florida, have entered into engage- fence, projected immediately after thr. last war, | incuts which will lead to their transplantation, and since steadily pursued, hut also hoeausc it The plan for their removal and ro-ostahlish- ~ ment is founded upon tho kuowled gained of their character and habits. contained a contingent appropriation, inserted in accordance with the views of the Executive, in aid of this important object, and other branches of the national defence, some portion* of which mirht havo been most usefully applied during tbo last season. J invite your early attention to we have and has been dictated hy a spirit of enlarged liberality.— \ territory exceeding in extent that relinquished, has becu granted, to each tribe. Mf i's climate, fertility, am! capacity to support an Indian popu- July last, including tho amount due to cnn’fr.tc- tors for tho quarter then just expired, was about $1,064,381, exceeding tho available means about $23 700. and that on tho 1st instant, about $5D7 077 of this debt had heeu paid; $400.0!)! out of postages accruing before July, and $187,086 nut of postage* accruing siucc. In these pifvmenls are included $07,000 of the old debt due to|Bnnks. After in iking these payments tho department had $73,000 in B ank on he 1st instant. Tbe pleasing asmrancc is given that the department is entirely free from embarrassment, and thrtt, hy collection of outstanding halnuces. and taring the current surplus, the remaining portion of the batik debt, and mast ot the other doht, will probably he paid in Aoril next, leaving thereafter a heavy amount to bo applied in extending the mail facil ities <>f tho country. Rescrviuga considerable sum for the improvement of existing mail routes, ii is stated that the depn»tmout will be able to sustain with perfect convenience an annual charge of $•'100,000 for the support of new routes to com- i menco as soon as they can ho established and put in operation. five & Executive powers, at tho same tiu:c ^ each is held responsible to the great s* urc authority, which is acknowledged to be s,, P r ^' iu the will oftho peoplecon'titatinully c,|, | eS My reflection and experience satisfy ,uC * framers of the Constitution, although uW * ^ anxious tom*’rk this feature as a settled nui ^ principle in the structure of the Govenmcu , •Hit adopt all tlte precautions that were net; s ^ to secure its practile d observance, and 111 * y fCt cannot lie said to b < vet Carried iuto co«npl® ,e their intentions until the ovil* which s* 1 * this organic defect an; remedied. , ( i f . Considering the great extent of onr L ^ racy, the rapid increase **f its population *' B(1# | diversity of tbest 1 interests niid pursuits. •*' [i0 ho disguised that the contingency hy **•" „„ branch of the Legislature is to form it* 0 1 j; na ry electoral college, cannot become one o ^ occurrence, without prod wing inealcO *’ a f chid. Whit was intended is the ® el 'j ^ tho constitution in extreme cases, c*q"°