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have 1 e m mentioned, is to collect only revenue enough to meet the , wants of the Government,and let the people keep the balance ot the i property in their own hands, to be used ibr their o" n protit.. Each ; State will then support its Own Government, and contribute its due ■ share towards the support of the General Government. I here would ; be no surplus to cramp and lessen the resources ot individual wealth I and enterprise, and the banks would be left to their oidinary means. < Whatever agitations and fluctuations might arise from our unfortunate i psper system, they could never be attributed, justly or unjustly, to the | action of the Federal Government. Their would be soineguaiantv that. tlte spirit of wild speculation, which seeks to convert the suiplus r< ve nue imo banking capital, would be effectually clierked, and that the scenes of denior.dix.itmn, which are now so prevalent through the land, , wotiiil disatipear. , IVithosil d -siiin" m conceal that the experience and observation of the last two vears, have operated a partial change in ny views upon this in cresting subject, it is nevertheless regretted that the sugestions , made hv me in riy anual messages of 1829 and 1830, have been great* Iv m s liiilrrstood. At thnt time,the great atruegle was begun against th it I tti'.ndin irian construction ofthe constitution, which authorizes tl.e i unlimited appropriation of the revenues of the Union to internal im-I provemctits within the States, tending to invest in the hands, aid | place under the control, of tlte General Government, all the principal roa Is mid canals of the country, in violation of state rights, and in der ogation of Stmc authority. At the same time, the condbion of the manufacturing interest was such as to create an apprehension that the duties on imports could not, without extensive mischief, be reduced i« season to pran nt the accumulation of* considerable surplus after the payment of the national debt. In view of the dangers of such a surplus, and in preference to its application to internal improvements in deret’atien of the rights and powers ofthe State*, the suggestion of an amendment of the constitution to authorize its distribution was mule. It was an alternative ft>r what were deemed greater evils— temporary resort to relieve an overburdened Treasury until ti e Gov ernment could, without a sudden and destructive revulsion in the busi ness of tlte cuintry, gradually return to the just principle of raising no more revenue from the people, in taxes, than is neccssarv for its cco ■ nnteal snpp >rf. Even tlwit alternative was not spoken of but in con nection witii an amendment of the constitution. No temporary incon venience can justify the exercise of a prohibited power, ora powet not granted by that instrument; and it was from a conviction that the power to distribute even a temporary surplus of revenit' is ofthat character, that it was suggested only in connection withan appeal to j the so iree of all high power in the General Government, tl.e States I which it ivc “stnblislied it. No such appeal has been taken, tnd ini mv opinio i n distribution of the .surplus revenue by Congress ei thei to the States or the people, is to be considered as among the prohibi- ■ tiohs of the constitution As already intimated, my viewshave tin-' dergune a change, so far as to be convinced that no alteration of the constitution in tiiis respect is wise or expedient. The influence of an accumulating surplus upon the legislation of the Goner il Government and the States, its effects upon the credit system of the countrv, pro ducing daagerous extensions and ruinous contractions, fluctuations in the price, of property, rash speculation, idleness, extravagance, and n • deterioration of moral*, have taught us the important h s'.on, that anv transient mischief which may attend the reduction of our revenue t'a ths w tat* of o ir Government, is to be borne in preference to an over flowing Treasury. 1 heg leave to call you attention to another subject intimately associ ated with the preceding one—thecnrrency of the count y. It is apparent. from me whole Context of the constitution, as well as the history of th* times which gave birth to it. that it was the purpose of the convention to establish a cnrrcncy consisting of the precious metals. These, from tlici ■ peculiar properties, which rendered them the standard of vafue ia all other countries, were adopted in this a* well reestablish its commcr etal standard in reference to foreign countries by n permanent rule, as to exclude th? u«e of a mutable meuiuin of exchange, such as of cert.in ag ricultural co.-umo lities, recognised by the statutes of some States as a ten der for bel ts, or tbs still more pernicious expedient of a paper currency. The last, from the experience of the evils of the issues of paper during the revolution, hsd beewwe so jastly obnoxious, as not only to suggest the clause ia thecnastitutjen forbidding the emission of bills of credit by the Rtatvs. but also to produce that vote in the convention which negatived the proposition to grant power to Congress to charter cm poranons— a propisitioo iroii understood at the time, as intended to authorize the es tnblsahwieu of a national bank, which was to issue a currency of bank n OSes.-on a capital to ha created to soineextent outof Government stocks. Although this prop sition was refused by a direct vote of the the object was afterwards in effect obtained, by it® ingenious advocates’, through a strained construction of the constitution. The debts of the rev olution were funded, at prires which formed no equivalent compared with the nominal amount of the stock, and under circumstances which expo cd the motives of sjine of those wio parti ipaled in die passage of the act. to distrust. The farts that the valuc-ef the stock was greatly enhance,! by the cre ation of the bank, that it «**« well understood that such would be th® case andtbst some of tbe aduucales of theaucasure were largely hnnefitt-d by it. belong to the n Utvy of the utnea, and ar® well cd, ulated to diminish ths rrapoct which nought olheswiM have been due to the action of the Congress n lucb.ccrazed tbe inslitutio®. On the eslnhiwixaieutof a aujoaaJ bank, it became the interest of its creditors, that gold ®hould be superseded by xbc paper of tbe bank, as a general currency. A value was seen attached to the gold coin, 'which made their expiration to fareig® countries, as a mercantile commodity, mere profitabieuhan tbeir reteßtiou and use at home as money. It follow ed, as a matter at course, if not designed by those who established tho bank, tha* the bernk became, in effect, a substitute for the mint of the Uaitssd States. Such was the origin nf a national bank currency, and such the begin ning of those difficulties which now appear in the excessive issues of the banks incorporated by the various States. Allltmigli it may not be possible, by any legislative means within •ur [tower, to change atonce the system which has thus been intro duced, aud h u received the acquiescence of all portions of the country it is certainly oar duty to do all that is consistent with cur constitu tion d obli.'ativ.vs in preventing the mischiefs which are threatened by its undue extensions. That the edbrts of the fathers of our Govern ment to guard against it by a constitutioual provision were founded on an intirnite knowledge of the subject, has been frequently attested by tho hitler exp ricnce of the country. Th? same causes which led them to refuse thuir sanction to a [wwer authorising the establishment of in eorporation® for banking puqmses, now exist iu a much stronger degree to urge us to exert the utmost vigilance in calling iitto action the means necessary to correct the evils resulting ficin the unfor tUDite exorcise of the [tower, and it is to be hoped that the op portunity .lor effecting this great good, will be improved before tie eoußtry uttnusses new scenes of embarrassment and distress. Variableness must ever be the characteristic of a currency, of which the preciou* metal® are not the chief ingredient, or which can be ex panded «r contracted without regard to the principle® that regulate the value of tiwee metals as a ®tandard in thegeneral.trade of the world. With <>« baak i««ues constitute snch a currency, and must ever do so uatil they are.made dependent on lho»e just proportions of gold and waver, m ■ eircnlatiug medium, which experience has proved to bem enwry, nut only in this, but in all other commercial countries. Where those propertioas are not iufiiM-d into the circulation, and do not con ical it, it m manifest that prices matt vary according to the tide of bank Mines, and the value aud stability of pro|>ertymusi stand exposed to all the uncertahrty which aU“ixls tlu- administration of institutions that are consUndy liable to the temptation of an interest distinct from that of the community iu which they are established. The progress of an expansion, or rather a depreciation of the cur rency, by excessive bank istues, is always attended by a loss to the iaboriug njasses. This portion of the community have neither lime nor •ppoctunity to watch the ebbs and flows of the money marxe'. En gaged from day to day iu their useful toils, they do not perceive that *Jttio>jg*i then wages are uominaliy the same, or even somewhat liiglt er, they are greatly reduczxi in fact by the rapid increase of a spurious currency, which, as ii apjvcars to make money abound, thev aie'at first inclined to < ox> ider a blessing. 11» not so with the speculator, by whom tills operatiaa u better understood, anJ is made to contribute to his ad vantage. It is uot until tbe prices of tbe necessaries of life become *0 dear llixfjthe laboring classes cannot supply tiieir wants out of their wag that the wages rise, stud gradually reach a justly proportioned rate to that of the products es their labor. When thus by the depreci atios iu consequence of the quantity of paper in circulation, wages as well asprices heroine exorbitant, it is soon found that the whole effect of the uduheratiou is a tariff on our home industry for the benefit of the countries wlw*re gold and silver circulate, ami maintain uniformity an.l ui xleraiion in prices. It is then [terceived that the enhancement 1 of the price of laud and hib<-r jwodnccs a vonespouding incre.is.- io! the ju ice ufjiroj irt*, until these jirmhicts do not sustain a competition ' with similar ones in other cuuutries; aud thus both manufactured and * acricultiu .d productions cease toliear exportation from the country of I the sp'.irioioi currency, becaiMC liwy cannot be sold for cost. This is ! jhe l«r>ri!sii by which sjjecie is banished by the paper of the banks.! Fheir'.luhr. are soon exhunsted <o pav tor foreign commodities; the] next step L stoppage. <vf sja-ejs? payment; a total degradation of' paper j a curienrr; uao.-njj o fprices; the ruin of debtors, and lite 1 of in tla: iutuds of creditors and cautious capi-' tsLuts. ’ Il W 4» in vi).-,v ol t’wse evil®, tugctlier with the dangerous power wisl-. -d by tin* /jf tlu* United States,ata! its repugnance to our jwusututioa, f!;at I wa* induced to exert tiie power conferred upon me P ? | • I ‘*' l ’' , ' A! ’ l K ' ,> ; 1 h: to prevent the continuance ofthat institutiwn. ut, 14 1 ‘"iig i various dangers to our rcpublicaa institutions have been U V * J 1 i 'f. *>f that bank to extort from ti e Government a ’■'W*-'’ 1 “ >■<- '.niter, it i>. obvious that little has Iteen accouqilisbed, < ' xe( I” a *' d 1 ‘ty < naugc of puffin, opinion, towards restoring to the cojjt. , ~,1 &o.i i.> , iirymy provided for in the constitution. In the .r.,Ki « ! lc prohibiting the circulation of small notes, U |*’. .i •' ‘ t,a< •menu of Congres® at tile last session f<u bi<l- ■ r ‘ 1' n "* 0,1 P u fih f *l>c [tolicy of -'..r'’ '/■ 11 ami a larger jiortion of the ptccimis -I I t f fl"'" 7° ' n i ; ,CU '’'i 011 'uvdmm. Tiicsc measures will prob- H-nXbMiiptG.htalntAno.es B f .pl! hi* . r den mi unions; urn! ! | th< object may be materially promoted by further nets of Congress, ■ t forbidding the employ mein, us fiscal agents, of such banks us continue . i to issue notes ot low denominations, aud throw impediments. in the way i of the circulation of gold und silver. 'l'he ellects of an extension <>i bunk credits A over issues ofbi.nk paper 1 have been strikingly illustrated in the sales of the public lands. From the , returnsmade by the various Registers trad Receivers in the early part of i last summer, it was perceived that the receipts arising Ironi the sales of j the public lands were increasing loan unprecedented amount. Lneflect, | howe'er, these receipts aintiimtcd to nothing more tlitui credits in [ bank. The bunks lent out their notes to speculator; they were paid to the Receivers, mid immediately returned to tl.e banks, to be lent I out again tint! again,being mete instruments to transfer to speculators ! the most valuable public land, tint! pay the Government by a credit) on the books ofthe banks. Those credits on the books of sonic of the i western banks, usually culled deposit.-s, were till uidy greatly beyond j their immediate means of payment, and were rapidly increasing. In* ) deed each speculation furnished means for Another; ibr no sooner had ’ one individual or comptiny paid in the note®, than thev were immetli rifely lent to another lor a like purpose, and the banks were extending [ their business and tiieir issues so largely, as to alarm considerate men, I and render it tloubtlul whether these bank Ciediis, if permitted to ac- ' cumulate, would ultimately be of tin: least vtilue to the Government. : The spirit ot expansion an 1 speculation was not confined to the depos- J ito banks, but prevailed the whole multitude of banks throughout the , Union, and was giving rise to new institutions to aggravate the evil. ; The safety ol the public hinds, an I the interest of the people getter- | ally, required that these operations should be checked; and it became j the duty of every branch of tilt'General and State Governments to a.!- ' opt all legitimate and proper means to produce that salutary effect.! Under this view ol my duty, 1 directed the issuing of the order which ) will be laid before you by the Secretary of the Tieasury, requiring I payment for the public lands sold to be made in specie, with an excep- I tiott until the 15:h of the present mouth, in favor of actual settlers. I This measure has produced many salutary consequences. It check- j ed thecareer of th? western banks, and gave them additional strength • i i anticipation of the pressure which lias since prevaded our eastern as I well as the European commercial cities. Bv preVenting the extension of the credit system, it measurably cut eff the means of speculation,) and feta ded its progress in monopolizing the most valuabl ■ of the pub- , lie lands. It has tended to save the new States from a non-resident ! proprietorship, one ol the greatest obstacles to tiie advancement of a j ; new countiy and the prosperity of an old one. It has tended to keep) I open the public land lor entry bye nigrauts at Government prices, in- i j stead of their being compelled t^purchase of speculators at double or 1 ! trceble prices. And it is conveying into the interior large sums in sil- i I ver and gold, there to enter permanently into the the conn- | try, and place it on a lirnicrlbundation. It is confidently believed that j the to'tntry will find in the motives which induced that order, and the j happy consequences which will have ensluul, iuucb to commend and noth.ng to condemn. It rem tins for Congress, if llicy approve the policv which dictated this older, to follow it up in its various bearings. Much good, in mv I judgment, Would be produced by prohibiting sales of the public lands, except to actual settlers, at a reasonable redaction of price, and to I limit the quantity which shall best 11 to them. Although it is believed the General Government never ought to receive anv thing but the) constitutional currency in exchange for the public lands, that point! would be of less importance if the lands were sol I for immediato set- I tlcmcnt and cultivation. Indeed, there is scarcely a mischief arising ■ out of otir present land system, including the accumulating surplus] iff revenue, which would not be ro.nedic I at once by a restriction on I land sales to actual settlers; and it promises other a Ivantages to th ■ | country in general, an,l to the new Suites in particul ir, which cannot fail to receive the most profound consideration of Congress. Experience continues to retilizc the expectations enteitained as to the capacity of the State Banks to perform the duties of fiscal a>’ent; for the Government, at the time of the removal of the deposites. I was alleged by the advocates of the Bank of the United States tha' ' the Stats banks, whatever might, be ihe regulations of the Treasure Department, could not make the transfers required by the Government, or negotiate the domestic exchanges of the country. It is now well I ascerttvned that the real domestic exchanges performed, through dis- ' counts, by the United St it< s Bank an.l its twenty-five branches, were at least one-third less than those of th<; rlcposiie banks for tin eqml period of time; and if a comparison be instituted between tlte amounts ofs r.’tce rendered by these institutions, on the broader l atis which has been used by theadvocHtcs of the United States Bank in ostiin iting 1 what they con-i.lcr the domestic exchanges transacted by it, the r;- I suit will be still more favorable to the deposite banks. ' The "-hide amount of public money transferred hv lao Bank of the United States ilt 18-32, was $16,<400,000. The amount transferred and actually paid by the deposit': banks in the year ending the first of j October last, was $39,319,89.9, tho a nonet transferred and paid be- I tween that period and the sixth of November, was s.s,399,'tt>t’; ami II the amount of transfer warrants outstanding on that day was $14,45'1, )() )('; making an aggregate of $50,168,894. These enormous sums n>f 1 ■! money first mentioned have been transferred with the greatest jtronip ■ititude and regularity, and ti e rates at which the exchanges have been j negotiated previously to the passage of the deposite act, were general ly below those charged by lhe Bank of the United States. Indep.cn- I dently of these sen ices, which tire far greater than those rendered hv , the United States Bank, atnl its twenty-five branches, a number ofthe deposite banks have, With a Crtnirendable zeal to aid in the intprove j incut of the currency, imported from abroad, at their own e.vpetise, :! large sums of the precious metals, for coinage and circulation. j In the same manner have nearly’ all tl:c predictions turned out in re -1 spec’, to the effect of the reinoval ofthe deposites—a step unquestion •! ably necessary, to prevent the evils which it was for.-seen the bank it , self would endeavor to create, in a final struggle to procure a renewal • of its charter. It may be thus, too, in some degree, with the further steps which may betaken to prevent theexccvsive issue of other bank - paper; but it is to be lt< pod that nothirgwill uowdfU* j lo F ; .d, ; - 4 ] ;!IK | I S.atc authorities from the firm and vivo-', n <>r , - ■ ticuhraitf' 11 * 10 ' ‘ 0 ? “’5 (Q 'l :c "antsof th ■ govera:ncnt, your par- j !hoso constitute the'ne- I j , SS |' u 11 s 1,1 j l! duty on salt was laid as a war tax, and was no dtmbt ccnl:r.t:ed \ rtSs ; st j (i providirg for tho [tn;-iiicitt ofthe war debt. -j I here is n'> ~,nt ] e the :<deasc of v.hich Iro n taxation would he felt so • 1 gcncr.i.jy at,j 30 beneficially. Tothismay he added all kinds of fuel 5 ’..nd provisions. Justice and benevolence unite in favor of releasing the poor ol our ettius from burdens which are not necessary to tho sup- I I port of our Government, and tend only o increase the wants ofthe - j destitute. s I It «ill le seen by the report of the Secretary ofthe Treasury, and -: the accompanying documents, that the Bank ofthe United States, has > m ide no payment on account of the stock held by the Government in | that institution, although urged to pay any portion which might suit its ■ convenience, and that it has given no information when payment may ), be expected. Nor,although repeatedly requested, has it furnished the ■ : information in relation to its condition, which Congress authorized • t e .'ecrcirry to co lect at their last session; such measures as are witli- Ijm the power of the Executive, have been taken to ascertain tho val t : ue ot thcstock, and jtrocure tl.e payment as early as possible ill he conduct and present condition of that bank, and the pren’t amount o. capital vested in it by the I nited States, require your careful' attention. . tscliarterexpircd on the 3d day of M-.-eh hist, and ir has now no power , but that given 111 the -Ist section to use the corporate name, style and c*i ’' . f,,r I’urpt’se of suits for the final settlement and liquidation ol j ibe affairs and accounts of the corporation, and for the sale ami disposition , | of their estate, real, personal, and mixed, but nor for auy other j'urpose ; or in any other maimer whatsoever, nor for a period exceedinz two years | after the expiration of the said term of incorporation.” Before the ex- ' piramm of the charter, the stockholders ofthe bank obtained au act of incorporation from the Lcgislat.-re of Pennsylvania, excludin'' only the > I mted States. Instead of proceeding to wind up their concerns, and pay I over to the United State* tlio aiftonnt due oh account of the stock field hv i them, the president and directors of the old bank appear tn have traus [ feried the books, papers, notes, obligations, mid most or all nf its prope * | ty to this new corporation, which entered upon business as a continuation j jof the o d cmiccnt. Amongst otheracts of questional,le v ililiry, thcitotes i | of the expired corporation are known te have been used as its own and ' | again put in circulation. That the old bank had no ■ i g ht to issue or ro-is- I i sue its n >tcs after the expiration of its ch liter, cnmiet be denied, and that it could not confer any sueb right oa its substitute, any mo *e than exorcise I ■ itself, is equally plain. In law and honesty, the notes of the bank incir- 1 j dilation, at the expiration ofits charter, sli >u!d have been called in bv pub- I ' 'ic advertisement, pnid up as prerented, mid, together with those on hand ' 1 eancellcd mid destroyed. Tbeir re issue is sanctioned by no law, and war- i i-rmited by no necessity. If the United States be respou-ible in theirstock ! j for the‘payment of ihiaie notes, tbeirre-issue, by the new corporation, fur ' their <wu profit, is a fraud on tho Government. If the United States is I | not responsible, then there is 110 legal responsibility in any quarter, mid it | lis a fraud on the country. Tlicy arc the re leeined note’s of 11 dissolved [ jiartnership, but, contrary to the v islicr, ofthe retiring partner; and with j out bis consent, tire again re issued and circulated. j It is the high and peculiar duty of C itigress to decide whether anv further legislation be necessary for the security of the large amount of jniblic property now held ami in use by the new bank, and for vin dicating the rights of the Government, and compelling a speedy and | honc«t settlement with all the creditors of the old bank, public and pri- 1 vate, or whether the subject shall be left to the [lower now possessed 1 by the Executive and Judiciary. It remains to be seen whether the , persons, who, as managers of the old bank, undertook to control the i Government, retained the public dividends, shut their doors upon a < committee of th? House of Representatives, and filled ;he country with ' panic to accomplish their own sinister objects, mar now, as niami'mrs t of a new bank, continue with impunity toflood the country'with a sou. I 1 riouscurrency, use the seven millions of Government stock for tlmir ! s own profit, an 1 r.-fiisc to tin- United States all information as to the j» present condition ol their own properly, and the prospect of recoverin'' I ; it into tbeir own possession. 0 I r The lessons taught by the Bank of the United Stares cannot well be c I, s’ upon the American people. They will take ctire never again to ■ a [tbtcc so t einciidoiis a pawer in irrcsjiaiisibleham’s, ami it wi'l be for- i TH E ST A Nil AR i) OF I NI ON. jtuntite it they seriously consider the consequences which are likely to i result on a smaller scale from the facility with wiiich corporate powers are granted by their Statu Governments. It is believed that the law of the last session regulating the doposite banks, operates onerously and unjustly upon them in many respects: an.l it is hoped that Congress, on proper representation, will adopt the i modifications which are necessary to prevent this consequence. | Ihe report of the Secretary of VVarftrf interim, and the accompa- | Dying documents, all which are herewith laid before you, will give you j a lull view ol tin- diversified and important operations of that Depart i meet dm 'rg ih t . p asl y e ; ir . ■ Ine military movements tendered necessary by the aggressions of j the hostile portions of the Seminole and Creek tribes of Indians, aiid j ay other circumstances, have required the active employment ofnear- ! ly our whole regular force, including the marine corps, aud of large i bodies ot militia anil volunteers. \V ith all these events, so far as they {were known at the seat of Government before the termination of your I last session, you arc already acquainted: and it is therefore only needful in this place to lay before yo > a brief summary of what has i stare occurred. I'll? war with the Seminoles, during the summer, was, on our part, chiefly confined to the protection of our frontier settlements, from the i incursions of the enemy ; and as a necessary and important means for i the accomplishment of that end, to the maintenance of tiie posts previ i ously established, in the course of this duty, several actions took [ place, in which the bravery and discipline of both officers and men were I conspicuously displayed, and which 1 have deemed it proper to notice, lin respect to the former, by the granting of brevet rank for gallant | services in the field. But as the force of the Indians was not so far ■ weakened by these partial successes,as to lead them to submit, and as I their savage inroads were frequently repeated, early measures were I taken for placing at the disposal of Governor Call, who, as coinman- I der-in-chief of the 1 erritorial militia, had been temporarily invested | with the command, an ample force, for the purpose of resuming oflen- I sive operations, in tha most efficient manner, so soon as the season j should permit. M ijor General Jesup was also diiccted oti the conclu [ sion of liis duties hl the Creek country, to repair to Florida, and assume i the command. I The result of the first movement made by the forces under the di i rection of Governor Call, in October last, as detailed in the accompa ! nying papers, excited much surprise and disappointment. A full ex- I planation has been required of the causes which led to the failure of | that movement, but has not yet been received. In the mean time, as j it was feared that the health of Governor Call, who was understood to ! have suffered much from sickness, might not be adequate to the crisis, and as Major Genetal Jesup was known to have reached Florida, that i officer was directed to assume the command, and to prosecuteall need* ; ful operations with the utmost promptitudeand vigor. From the force lat his disposal, and the dispositions he has made and is instructed to make, aud fro/n the very efficient measures which it is since ascertain ed have been taken by Governor Call, there is reason to iiope that [ they will soon be enabled to rednee the enemy to subjection. In the mean tinft, as you will jierceive from the report of the Secretary, there , is urgent necessity for further appropriations to suppress these hostili . tics. Happily for the interests of humanity, the hostilities with the Creeks j were brought to a close soon after your adjournment, without that ef j fusion of blood which at one time was apprehended as inevitable. Tits I unconditional submission of the hostile party was followed by their 1 speedy removal to the country assigned them west of the Mississippi, i The inquiry as to alleged frauds in the purchase of the reservations of ! these Indians, and the causes of their hostilities, requested, by the res ! ohitionof tiie ilouse of Representatives of the Ist of July last, to be made by the President, is now going on, through the agency of com missioners appointed for that purpose. Their report may be expected during your present session. The difficultiesapjirehen.led in the Cherokee- country have been prevented, and the petice and safety of that region and its vicinity ef fectually secured, by the timely measures taken by the War Dcptirt ment, and still continued. , The discretionary authority given to General Gaines to cross the i j Sabine, and to occupy a position as far west as Nacogdoches, in case .' he should deem suc i a step necessary to the protection of the fron- J tier,aiv.l to the fulfilment of the stipulations contained in our treaty | ! with Mexico, mid the movement subsequently ma le by that officer, , have been alluded to in a former part of this message. At the date of , i the latest intelligence Ironi Nacogdodies, our troops wore vet at that station ; but the officer who has succeded General Gaines has recent . ly been advised that, from the facts known at the seat of Government, j there would seem to be no adequate cause for any longer maintaining . that position ; and he was accordingly instructed, incase the troops | were not already withdrawn under the discretionary [rowers before f possessed by him, to give the req'iisite orders forth itpurpose on the . receipt of the instructions, unless he shall then have in his possession I such inlormntion as shall satisfy him that the maintenance of the post , is essential to th ; protection of our frontiers, and to the due execution f of our treaty stipulations, as previously explained to him. Whilst the n icessities existing during the present year, for the ser i vice of militia an I volunteers, have furnished new proofs of the patri . otism ol our feilow-cittzenx, they have also otrongly illustrated the im . portanec of an increase, in the rank and file of the' regular army. The views of this sib ject submitted by the Secretary of War, in his re > jrorl, meet my entire concurrence ; and are earnestly commended to . the deliberate attention of Congress. In this connection it is also pro ( per to remind you, tnat the detects in our present militia system are every day rendered more apparent. The duty of making further pro . vision by law for organizing, arming and disciplining this arm of de . fence has been so repeatedly presented to Congress by mvsclfjujd > . . predecessors, that J deem it sufficient on this occasion *o refer to tha | ; last annual nr ssagc.and to former Executive r .the subject h : Lccn discussed-, 1 .■ it a ' iron: <hc-.op. ~s cf .offijfrs charged with intistering I '".'. j S'.” ’"P t ne vOluhteers calleil for under the act of Congress of the . last session, that more presented themselves at the place of rendezvous in Tennessee than were sufficient to meet the requisition which had . been made by th? Secretary of war upon the Governor of that State. . This was oce isioncd by thc-omission of the Governor to apportion the ) requisition to the different regiments of militia, so as to obtain the pro per number of troops, and no more. It seems but just to the patriot ; ic citizens w' o epaired to the genera] rendezvous, under cireumstan ] res authorizi g them to L t'lkvo that their services were needed, and would be accepted, that the expenses inettrr. d by them while absent . from their homes, should be paid by the Govennffcnt. I acci r.lh; recommend that a law to this effect be passed by Congress,giving thciil a compem ation which will cover their expenses on the march to and I from the place of rendezvous, and while there ; in connection with i which, it will also be projier to make provision for such otherequitable i claims, growing outof the service of the militia, as may not beembra ; ccd in the existing laws. On the unexpected breaking out of hostilities in Florida, Alabama and Georgia, it became necessary, in some cases, to take the property of individuals for public use. Provision should be made by law for in demnifying the owners ; and I would also respectfully suggest whether some provision may not be made,consistently with the jirinciples of; our Government, for the relief of the sufferers by Indian depreciations, or by the operations of our own troops. No time was lost after the making of the requisite appropriations, in resuming the great national work of completing the unfinished fortifi cations on our seaboard, aud of placing them in a proper state of de fence. In consequence, however, of the very late day at which those bills were passed, but little progress could be made during the season which has just closed. A very large amount of the moneys granted at your last scssien, accordingly, remains unexpended ; but as the work will be again tesumed at the earliest moment in the coming spring, the balance ®f the existing appropriations, and in several cases, which will bo laid before you with the proper estimates, further sums for the like objects, may be usefully expended diming the next year. The: recommendations of an increase in the Engineers Corps, and for a reorganization of the Topographical Corps, submitted to you in my j last annual message, derive additional strength from the great embar , rassments experienced during the present year, in those branches of I the service, and under which they are now suffering. Several of the most important surveys and constructions directed by recent laws, | have been suspended in consequence of the want of adequate force |in these corps. I'he like observations may be applied to the Ord- I nance corp«, and the General Staff, the operations of which, as they j are now organized, must cither be frequently interrupted, or jterform ( ed by officers taken from the line of theaimy, to the great prejudice j I of the service. 1 | For a general view of the condition of the Military Academy, and!' jof other br indies of the military service not already noticed, as well ■ as for fuller illustrations of those which have been mentioned, 1 refer you to the acconqianving documents ; and among the various propo sals contained therein for legislative action, I would particularly no tice the suggestion of the Secretary of War for the revision of the [>ay of the ari» y, as enti’lod to your favorable regard. The national policv, founded alike in Interest and in humanity, so long and s > steadilv pursued by this Government, for the removal of t the Indian tribes originally settled on this side of the Mississippi, to 1 the west of that river, may hosaid to have been consummated by the i conclusion of the late treaty with the Cherokees. The measures taken ' in the execution of that treaty, and in relation to our Indian alfairs ( generally, will fully annear hv referilng to the accompanying papers. | Without dwelling on th" numerous an I important topics embraced in them, I again invite your attention to the importance of providing a well digested and comprehensive svstem for the protection, supervi- ' r sion. and improvement of the various tribes now planted in the Indi- i a>» ewnutry. The suggestions submitted by the Commissioner ol Indi- ! an Adairs, and enforced by the Secretary, on this subject, and also in regard to the estalilishnieiit of additional military posts in tha Indian country, are en'itlcd to votir profound consideration. Both measures arc necessary |’>r the double purpose of protecting the Indians from intestine war, an 1 in ■Ulu r respects complying with our engagements to them, and of seeming our wesern frontier against incursions, which otherwise will assuredly be m ide on it. The best hopes of liuinani ty, in regard to the aboriginal race, tl.e welfare of our rapidly extending settlements, and the honor of the United States, areal! deeply invol ved in tile, relations existing between this Government aud the emigra ting tVibcs. I trust, therefore, that the various matters subni'tted in the accompanying documents, in respect to those relations, will receive your early and mature deliberation ; and that it may issue in the adop tion of legislative ine.asures adopted to the ciicumstances, and duties of the present crisis. You are referred to the report of the Secretary of the Naw for a satisfactory view of the operations of the department under his'charge, during the present year. In the construction of vessels at the differ ent navy yards, and in the employment of otlr ships and squadrons at sea, that branch of the survive has been actively and usefully employ ed. While the situation of our commercial interests in the West Indies required a greater number than usual of armed vessels to be kept on that station, it is gratifying to perceive that tlte protection due to our commerce in other quarters of the world has not proved insufficient. Every effort has been made to facilitate the equipment of the explo ring expedition authorized by the act of the last session, but all the preparation necessary to enable it to sail has not yet been completed. No means will be spared by the Government to fit out the expidition on a.scale corresponding with the liberal appropriation for the purpose, and with the elevated character of the objects which are to be effected by it. I beg leave to renew tbe recommendation made in my last annual message, respecting the enlistment of boys in our naval service, and to urge upon your attention the necessity of further appropriations to increase the number of ships afloat, and to pnlarge generally the capa city and force of the navy. The increase of our commerce, and our position in regard to the other'powers of the world, will always make it our policy and inte: ewt to cherish the great naval resources of our country. The report of the Postmaster Gen-iral presents a gratifying picture of the condition of the Post Office Department. Its revenues ibr the yearending the 30th of June last, were $3,398,455 19, showing an in crease of revenue over that of the preceding year of $404,878 53, or more than 13 per cent. The expenditures for the same year were $2,755,623 76, exhibiting a surplus of $642,831 43. The Depart ment has been redeemed from embarrassment and debt, has accumula ted a surplus exceeding half a million of dollars, has largely .extended, and is preparing still further to exte:*!, the mail service, and recom mends a reduction of postage equal to about 2 ) per cent. It is prac tising upon the great principle, which should control every branch of our Government, of tendering to the public the greatest good possible, with the least possible taxation to the p;ople. Thescaleof postages suggested by tiie Postmaster General recom -1 mends itself, not only by the reduction it proposes, but by the simpli city of its arrangem. nt, its conformity with the Federal currency, and the improvement it will introduce into the accounts of the Depart ’ meet and its agents. 1 Your particular attention is invited to the subject of mail contracts ■ with railroad companies. The present laws, providing for the making of contracts, are based upon the presumption that competition among 1 bidders will secure the service at a fair price. But on most es the rail road linns, there is no competition in tint kind of transportation, and ! advertising is therefore useless. No contract can now be made with ' them except such as shall be negotiated before the time of offering, or ■ afterwards, and the powers of the Postmaster General to pay them r high prices, is practically without limitation. It would boa relief te him, and no doubt would conduse to the public interest, to prescribe, ' by law, some equitable basis upon which such contracts shall rest and restrict him by a fixed rule of allowance. Under a liberal act of that i sort he would undoubtedly be able to secure the services of most of I the rail road companies, and the interest of the Department would bo I thus advanced. j The correspondence between the people of the. United States and the European nations, and particularly with the British islands, has be come very extensive, and requires the interposition of Congress t® ' give it security. No obstacle is perceived to an interchange of mails between N:w York and Liverpool, or other foreign ports, as proposed by the Postmaster General ; on the contrary, it promises, by the secu rity it will afford,to facilitate commercial transactions, and give rise to • an enlarged intercourse among the people of different nations, which cannot but have a happy effect. Tnrough the city of New York most of the correspondence between the Canadas and Europe is now car ried on, and urgent representations have been received from the head ( of the Provincial post office, asking the interposition of the United I Stales to guard it from the accidents and losses to which it is now sub - j i jected. Some legislation appears to be called for, as well by our own I ! interest, as by comity to the aijoining British Provinces. The expediency of providing a fire-proof building for the important books and papers of the Post Office Department, is worthy of conside ration. In the present condition of our Treasury, it is neither neces i sary nor wise to leave essential public interests exposed to so much danger, when they can so readily be made secure. There are weigh- ■ ty considerations in the location of a new building for the Department, • in favor of [dating it near the other Executive buildings. Tho important subjects of a survey of the coast, and the manufacture > of a standard ol’weights and measures for the different custom-houses, . have been in progress for some years, under the general direction of the , Executive, and the immediate superintendence of a gentleman possessing high scientific attainments. At the lust session of Congress, tbe milking of a set of weights and measures for esch State in the Usieu w<ts added to ! the others by a joint rcsohitjpn- The cure and .idence to aii tllfiie subject.' have been devolved on tiie T- 0^511 .. y Dcparlmen'.iiUring the last year. A special report from ’ | the Socretat j ol the Treasu.y will soon be commanicated to Congress, ) which "’ill show what has been acconqdished as to the " hole, the number . and compensation of the persons now employoiVin these duties, and the ■ progress expected to be made during the ensuing year, with a copy of the r | various correspondenco deemed nvcessary to throw light on the subjects i which seem to require additional legislation. Claims have been made for ! retrospective allowances in behalf of the superintendent, ar.cl some of liis ’ a-siotants, which I did not feel justified in gianting; othcrebritns have bean made so largo increases in compensation, which I declined making with- • out du express sanction of Congress. In order to obtain that sanction, ! the subject was at the last session, on my suggestion, and by request of ■ he immediate superintendent, submitted by tbe Treasury Department to ■ the Committee of Commerce of the llouso of Representatives. But no legislative action having taken place, the early attention of Congress is | I now invited to the enactment of some express aud detailed provisions in I relation to the various claims ma le for the past, and to the compensation ! j ;nd allowances deemed proper f( r the future. i It Is further respectfully recommended th it such being the iuconveni ' enco ; ” l , '° ■’ v ''“ s iu)<l suc *’ t!)8 great pressure ol*l>u iiifiss vu . T-’oasury Depnrtirt'lit, !*•"gsilPi at “I'pbi 1 - visiou of the coast survey, and the eompleti m ot P’9 Weights and mea sures, if a board of officers, oiganiz-d specially for that j)UTp'j» s > or on the N ivy Board attached to the Navy Department. All my experience and reflection confirm the conviction I baveso often •xprcsied t > Congress, iu favoi of an amendment of the constitution, which will prevent, in any event, tho election of the Pi evident and Vice President of the Unit id States devolving on the House of Representatives and the Senate; and 1 therefore beg leave again to solicit your attention to the . subject. There were various other suggestions in my last annual mos ssge.not acto l upon, particularly that relating to tho want of uniformity in the laws of the District of Columbia, that are deemed worthy of your fnvorablo consideration. Before concluding this paper, I think it due to the various Executive Departments to bear testimony to their prosperous condition, and to the ability and integrity with which they have been conducted. It has been my aim to enforce in all of them a vigilant and faithful discharge of the public business, and it is gratifying to me to believe that there is no just cause of complaint from any quarter, at the manner in " Inch they have fulfilled the objects of their creation. Having now finished tho observations deemed proper on this, ths last occasion I shall have of communicating with the two Houses of Congress at their meeting. I cannot omit an expression of the gratitude which is duo to the great body es my fellow-citizens, in whose partiality and indulgence I have found encouragement and support in the many difficult and trying scenes through which it has been my lot to pass during my public career. Though doi-ply sensible that my exertions have not been crowned with a success corresponding to the degree of favor bestowed upon me, 1 am sure that they will be considered as having been directed by an earnest desire to promote the good of my country; and I am consoled by tho per suasion that whatever errors have been committed will find a corrective in tho intelligence and patriotism of those who will succeed us. All that has occurreeduring my administration is calculated to inspire nie with increased confidence in the stability of our iustitutiens ; aud should 1 be spared to enter upon that retirement which is so suitable to my age and infirm health, and so much desired by me in other r•spects, I shall not cease to invoke that beneficieut Being to whose pi ovidence we are already so signally indebted for the continuance of his blessings on our beloved country. A N DRE W JACKSON. W.i snixsTcx, Dec. 6, 1£36. The eNew Orleans Bulletin of the 2Gtli ult. says— “ The procedinjrs- of the Texian Congress, contained in tbe files of the Texas Telegraph, received by the Pennsyvania, con tain but little that would be interesting to our readers al large. Various important measures had been introdeced, but were as yet' undecided. A direct tax on land and cattle has been proposed The re-organization of the military forces, will) the establichmen of a regular army, is under consideration. A committee has been appointed to investigate the numerous and conflicting letters to large tracts of land claimed by companies and ihdivitluals ; and numerous other local matters are engaging tin ir attention. I The following are the conditions upon wliii b they desire admis sion into tl.eUnion. 1. The ccntinuatii n of slavery. 2. A iguarantee not to settle Indians within the territory. 3. Full and equal privileges will) all the other States. For which considerations they will surrender all their unoccu p’n d territory to the Gt neral Government, aficr the payment of all the c'aims against their republic.” AT of Ihe friends of the Union are our friends, and its enemies, our enemies." . THURSDAY MOItNING, »ec. A. I’he 1 /jjgth of the President's Message ex cludes a quantity of Editorial and other matter, prepared for this paper. Our leaders, wetrust will overlook the imperfect manner in which oar p iper is put to press—journeymen cannot be ob taiued at any price; wo must, therefore ask ia* ulgence. A statement of tho number of Grants issued ia the following political years, to wit; In 1826 2680 *• 1827 2766 “ I«2S tSJB “ 1830 4 J 53 “ 1831 3140 “ 18:12 . 2656 “ 1833 5851 “ 1834 4429 18: « 5718 “ 1836 9190 From the IstNov. 1836, to tho 14 Doc. 183 S. (44days.) 3900 THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE. We present to our rendeas to-day, the last an nual message of our illustrious Chief Magistrate. It is a document full of wisdom, and should be studied ns a lesson, in all that is pure in principle, and sublime in moral instruction. It breathes a spirit of manly and disinterested patriotism, of that ardent devotion to the freedom and happi nes of his country, which have so signally marked bis long and b'illiant career. VV e have neither time nor inclination to com ment upon the merits of tho Message—it speaks for itself, and the people will road it, aad bless the head that conceived it, aud the baud which brought it forth. Le "ill soon retire from “t’*e dusty region of political contest,” where he cau review with pride and approbation, the incidents of his oveutful life, and where he will continue to receive tho plaudit® and benedictions of millions. Standing upon ilw highest elevation of human greatness—having ‘‘filled tux measure of me country’s oloky.” he can behold the rising gran deur of the lepublic, uud itnplors the blessings •! heaven upon his beloved country. There is something in the close of a patriot’® life, so calm and serene, that we love to look upon it, and contemplate its sublimity. It reads a les son, and inculcates a philosophy, the valu® ®f I wliieli, human intellect can never appreciate. I Axorew Jacksox, will shortly become a pri j vate citizen.—May his priueipies b» cherished, mid his devotion to the eoxsTrruTlojc and the union, he hold up as a bright example to the ri sing generation. DIED, At bis residence in Sparta, on the 4th mst ABRAHAM ALFRIEND, Esq. after au ill ness of several months, ultimately terminating i* Dropsey. H<‘ Was a native of Dinwiddie county Virginia* nut for the last twenty-eight years, a citizeu of Hancock county in this Stale. In the late war with Great Britain and the In> tlians, ho was among the first to vs'ltaiiteor hi# services in defence of bis country, mrd served w six month’s tour in the Cre«k natioa, m the army commanded by Gen. Floyd; and (participated in the honor of tho memorable charge at Calebs, which was so gallantly led by tho brave a»d la mented Hamilton, at the head of the Hagcock Trouf. Since that rime, fie fins filled sevoraKof tho moo* honorable and responsible offices in Hancock county, tl:«duties. o! "-.filch ho has-disclmrged with) the niost scrupulous fidelity. As a husband and father he was affectionate, as a master, kind and humane.—As a fricud, fief wait honest and true, and to the wants of the poor and needy, his hand was always open. lie is gone—and to his bereaved partner, aud his interesting and helpless offspring, his place can never he supplied. May '■•God temper the wind tn the shorn' lamb,'' aud be “a father to the fatherless, and a husband t;> the widow.” A MlOCliAfllATlOff. By, WILLIAM SCHLEY, Governor of raid State, To the honorable Justices ofgtltc Infc® rior Conn of the respective counties of this State 1 WHEREAS, a vacancy has occurcd by tho resignation of the Hon. GEORE W. B. i’OWNS, elected oil the first Monday in October 1831 a representative from this State in the House of R ppaesentativos on the Congress of tho United States for two years from and after the third day of March 183.5 ;—Now in order that said vacancy filled, and in pursuance of law ; 1 have thought proper to issue this my writ of election hereby r®« quiroingyou the said justices aforesaid to cause an ELECTION to beheld on Monday, tbe 2d day ofJANUARY NEXT, (1837,)atthoseveralplace® of holding election in your said county give due no tice thereof for a Representative to fill the vacan cy;—And I do further require you to make a re turn of said election to the Executive Department iuthetime prescribed by law. Given under My hand and tho great seal of the State at the Capitol in Milledgeville,th® 19ih day of November, oighceeu hundred and thirty-six, aud of American Indepen dence the 61st. WILLIAM SCHLEY. By the Governor* William A. Tennille. Sec’ry. of State- Dec. 15 47 2t. MaMsioza Iloecse Ssuvan* nah® This establishment having clmaged hands has undergone a tlmrougjh te tUniSag pair and uewley furnished throsgbout, A isftsax „.j[| | )e opened ®n Sunday the lOtlGnet. for the .the exception ot boarders ami thq.iuM-ojm,- inodation of ladies. Tii® private app irtment for the accowmnodation of Ladies and familes are specious ami airy,. and are furnished in a manner to insure tlus comfort W those who may vist them. ” h? Gentleman's appartinents. are- furnished in asimlar manner, are equal to those- of any other establishment in the Sonrthei i» country. The house will be conducted by Mr. Leander But ler. who has been at the City Hotel for three years under the supervision of the proprietor, who pledg es hiinsell to do every thing >4, his power for tbe comfort ol his guest. dec 15. !‘. WH.VBERGER. fiy l ha Augusta Constitir.ipnalist, Charleston Courier, and Milledgeville Statj. of Union, will in sort tbe above three times a wetjk ?•>< two w.-ola.