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f RESIDENT’S MESSAGE.'
Ftlkw r.tnens of toe Senate
at,a Hotueof Representatives:
1 re;ret that I cannot, on this occasion,
congratulate you that the past year has
ceil woe of' unalloyed prosperity. Tiie
lava 'cs ol’ lire autl disease have painfully
nULtc I otherwise flourishing portions ot
■our country : and serious embarrassments
>ct derange the trade ot" many ol our cities.
But notwithstanding these adverse circum
Stances, that general prosperity which has
been heretofore so bnnuttl iliy bestowed
Upon os by the Author of all good, still
v. au IIU'S to tor oar warmest gratitude.
Especially have we reasons to rejoice m
I lie exuberant harvests which have lavishly
recompensed well directed industry, and
given to it that sure reward which is vainly
nought in visiouaiy speculations. 1 can
not indeed view, without |>eculi.:r satisfac
tion, tlie evidences afforded by the past
season of the benefits that sprang from the
steady de-vo'ion of til ■ husb-mtm n to bis
honorable pursuit. No means ol individ
ual comfort is inure certain, aud no source
o’ national prosperity is so sure. Nothing
c in compensate ape c le for a dependance
up >n others for the bread they eat ;*titiil
tint cheer.id abundance on which the hap
piness of every one so much depends, is to
be looked for nowhere with such sure te
ll nice as in the industry of the agricultur
ist and the bounties of the tatth.
With foreign countires, our relations ex
hibit (he same favorable aspect which was
presented in my hist annual message, and
afford continued proof of the wisdom ofthe
pacific, just, and forbearing policy adopted
by the o.it administration o the Federal
tioveraincui, and pursued by its successors.
The extr..or unary powers vested in me by
an act oi Congress, for the defence of the
country in an emergency, considered ro
far probable as to require that the -Execti
live should possess ample means to meet
it, have not been exerted. They have,
therefore been attended with no other re
sult than to increse, by the confidence thus
reposed iD me, my obligations to maintain,
with religious exactness, the cardinal prin
ciples that govern our intercourse with
other nations. Hapj ily, in our pending
questions with Great Britain, out of which
this unusual grant of authority arose, not
thing Ins occurred to require its exertion;
and as it is about to return to flip Legists
tare, I trust that no future necessity may
call for its exercise by them, or its %ele,;a
tion to another department of the Govern
ment.
For the settlement of our Northeastern
boundary the proposition promised by
Great Britain for a commission of explore
tion and survey, has been received, and a
counter project, including also a provision
tor the certain and final adjustment of tin;
limits in dispute, is now before the British
_ Guvernme it fir ns consideration. Vjust
regard to tue delicate-tate of this question,
and a proper respect tor the uatui il impa
tience of the Slate of Maine, not less than
a conviction that the negotiation lias in m
already protracted longer than is prudent
on the part of either Government, have led
me to believe that the present favorable mo
ment should on no account be suffered in
pass without putting the question for ev r
■at rest. I feel confident that the Govern
ment of her Britannic Majesty will take
the same view of this subject, as lam per
suaded it is governed by des res equally
strong and sincere fertile amicable termin
ation ofthe controversy.
To tlie intrinsic difficulties olquestions of
boutt l-iry lines, especially those described
in regions unoccupied, and but partially
known, is to be added in our country the
embarrassment necessarily arising out ol our
•Constitution, by which the General Govern
ment is trade the organ of negotiating, and
sleeping upon the particular interests of
the State on whose frontiers t- -c line
are to be traced. To avoid another contro
versey in which a State Government might
rightfully claim to h ive her wishes consult
ed, previously to the conclusion of conven
tional arrangements concerning her lights
of jurisdiction or territory, l have thought
it necessary to call the attention ofthe Gov
ernment of Great Britain to another portion
of our conterminous dominion, of which the
devision still remains to be adjusted. I re
fer to the line from the entiance of Lake
Superior to the most northwestern point
ol the Lake oi the Woods stipulations fin
the settlement of which are to be found in
the seventh article of tho treaty of Ghent.
The commissioners appoined under that
nr i*de by the two Governments having dif
fered in their dpinions made seperate re
ports, according to its stipulations, upon
the points of disagreement, and these differ
ences are now to be submitted to the arbit
ration of some friendly sovereign or State.
The disputed points should be settled, and
toe line desig itiled, Pel"re the territorial
government, es which it ,s one ofthe boun
daries, {takes it- place in the Union ns a
Stare; nail rclv upon the cordial co oper
ation of the British Government to clfcct
that object.
There is everv reason to believe lint dis
turbances hue those which lately agitated
the neighboring British Provinces will n t
again prove the sources of b irder ( omen -
lions, or interpose obstacles io the contin
uance of that good i.ndt rst mdiag which it
is the run ual interests of Gred Britain ai.d
the United States to'preserve and mu main.
Within the themselves tran
quillity is restored, .union oar (ion'ier that
misguided sympathy in tavnr of what was
pre turned to he a general t ilbrt in behalf of
of pup.ilar right* and which ia soul.; instan
e.cs misled a few of our more inexperienced
citizens, has subsided into a rational convio
tion strongly oppo ed to all iutnn-Mldlmg
v’t -h the internal a slams id our neighbors.
The people of tin; United States t .I, a , j
i • hoped they dway., will, a warm solici
r« - for tne stifcccss of all who art sincerely
e i lea voriug to improve the political con . i
ti ll ot mankind. This generous feeling
they eheri-h towards the most disitrd n.t
tiois . tend it was natural, therefore, that it
Kiiou’ i be awakened with nine liian'co.n
mon warmth in behalf of their immediate-!
neighbors. But it does not belong to their
char icter, as a community, to seek the
gratification of those feelings in acts which
vi. their duty as citizens, endanger tile
pe ice of their country, and tend to bring
I'pbn it the st ai nos a vn.fated faith Inwards
f ireign nations. If, zealous to confr ben•
ti s o i others, they appear for a mom at to
I >s • sight of the perin me it obligations in
posed upon mem as citizens, tli»v are s 1
ooni Ion; misled. From all the i■’«*<• imiion
I receive, confirmed, to some extent f y
personal observation, L am satis.'ie I that tn.’t
orte can now hope to engage in such enter
i'fbj!;’ wiilmnt, encou-ptering public itclig
iu ~) „ |,|,ti u ,to the severest penalties
<Ji l & i iw;
t\ i ts.it information also lends me to hope
irin-i .-murnot- Irb.n her Mnjmuv’g p,„
' V"™ vl *' have - mght refuge w.thui „ur
> i rndariesf, Hte di-p>se.i to lieqo nc peace
ail lo aW " ,i- ' f"* nafl at
“‘npHtacniaugemUe p« Wl! ofthat couatrv
which lias afforded them an asylum. On a ,
revitw of the occurrence on both sides ou |
the line, il is satisfactory to reflect, that in
almost every complaint against our country, j
the offence may be traced to emigrants from !
tlie Piovinces who have sought refuge here.
In the few instances in which they were
aided by citizens of the United States, the
| nets of these misguided men were not only
in direct contravention of the laws nnJ well i
, known wish.is of their own Government, j
but mer wirii (lie decided disapprobation ot j
tlie people of tlie United Slates.
I regret to state the appearance of a dit
lereoi spirit among her Majesty's subject in
the Canadas. The scutum ms of hostility
lo our people and institution*, which have
been so frequently expressed there, ami the
I disregard of our rights which have been
manifested on some occasions, have, 1 alii
sorry »o say, been applauded and encouraged
by the people, and even by some of the
I subordin ate local authorities, ofthe Provin- I
j ccs. 'fdie chief officers in Canada fortun-
I titelv have not enteitained tlie same feel
ing, and have probably p* evented excesses
that must have been fatal to the peace of
tiie two countries.
1 look forward anxiously to a period when
all the transactions wh ch have grown out
of this condition of o r affairs, and which
i have been made the subjects o r complaint
and reinon.sirnice by the two Governments
respectively, slia I be fully examined, and
ilie proper sat staction given where it is due
from either side.
.Nothing has occnrr°d to disturb the har
mony of our intercourse with Austria. Bel
gium, Denmark. France. Naples. Portugal.
Pru-sia, Russia, and Swecden. 'Flic inter
t cal s‘;tte of .Spain li is scusiblv improved,
1 and a well-grounded hope exists that llie re
turn of peace will restore m the people of
that country their bonier prosperity, ami
| enable the Government to f ilnl ail its obli
gations at heme and alum •. I. The Govern
ment of Portugal, 1 have the satisfaction to
stale, has paid in full the eleventh autl last
instalment due to our ci izeps for the claims
embraced in the settlement made with it on
the third of March, 1837.
I lay before you treaties n| commerce ne
gotiated with tlie kings of Sardinia and of
the Netherlands, the ratifications of which
have been exchanged since the adjournment
ofUongress. The liberal principles of these
treaties will recommend them to your ap
probation. That with Sardinia is the first
treaty of commerce formed by that kingdom,
and it will, I trust, answer the expectations
ofthe present sovereign, by aiding the de
velopment es the resources of his country,
and stimulating-the enterprise of his people.
Tint w ith tlie Netherlands happily termiu
ales a long existing subject of dispute, and
removes from our future commercial in
tercourse. all apprehension of embarrass
ment. The king of tlie Netherlands has
dsn, in further illustration of his character
j for justice, and of his desire to remove every
| cause of dissatisfaction, made conipensa
| rinu for ail American vessel captured in
ii- )',by a Fruicli privateer, and carried in
j to Cnraciii, where llie proceeds were ap
J preprinted to tlie use ofthe colony, then,
i and for a short time after, under tuedoniin
| ion of Llolland.
j The death of the late Sultan has pro
! tlueed no alteration in our relations with
J Turkey. Our newly appointed Minister
Resident has reached Constantinople, and
I h ive received assurances from the present
Ruler, that the obligations of «ttr treaty,
a id those of friendship, will be fulfilled by
himself in the same spirit that actuated
his illustrious father.
1 regret to be obliged to inform you that
no convention for the settlement of the
claims of our citizens upon Mexico has
yet been talifieii by the Government of that
country. The first convention formed for
that purpose was not presented by the Pres
ident of Mexico for ihe .’.pprobafion of its
t.'ongrcss, from a belief that the king of
Prussia the arbitrator in case of disagiee
ment in the joint commission to be appoint
ed by the United Stares and Mexico, would
not consent to take upon himself that friend
ly office. Although not entirely satisfied
with the course pursued by Mexico, I felt
no hesitation in receiving in the most con
ciliitorv spirit the explanation offered, and
also -chertfully consented to anew conven
tion, in nrderto arrange the payments pro
posed to 'lie made to our citizens, in a manner
| which, while equally just to them, was
(Itemed less'onerous and ineonvetiii at n>
i the Mexican Government. Relying con
j ftdently upon the intention of that Gov-
I eminent, Mr. Ellis was diiected to repair
to Mexico, and diplomatic intercourse has
been resumed between the two countries*
The new convention has, he informs us.
been recently submitted hytlie President of
that Republic to its Congress, under circum
stances, v hich promise a speedly ratifica
tion; a result which I cannot allow myself
' to doubt.
Itisiruciions have been given to the Coin-
I missioner of the United States, under our
j Convention with Texas, for tiie demarcation
■ of tlie line which separates us from that
: Republic. The commissioners of both
j Governments met in New Orleans in August
last. The joint conruission was organized,
and adjourned to convene at the s line place
on the twelfth of October. It is presumed
to l> * now in the performance of its duties.
Th*' new Government of Texas lias shown
its and -sireto cultivate friendly relations with
ns. by a prompt reparafons f.ir injuries
rompb.iue lof in the cases of two vessels of
tin; I h,i ed States.
With < n*i,«l America a convention lias
been com holed tortile renewal of its former
treaty wuhthe United Stales. This was
nut ratified befor the <!epa-ture of our late
Charged' Affaires liom that country, and
the copy ol it brought by him was uot re
ceived be To re tlr* adjournment of the Sen
ate at the la at session. In the mean while,
the period limited for the exchange of rati
fications having expired, 1 deemed it expe
dient, in consequence of the death, of tlie
| (marge d* Al.-ii es, to send a special agent
I t> Cchtr il America, to close rlie affairs of
c-tir mission there, and to arrange wi»h the
| Govern.ne i;m extension of tiie time lor
| the exchange of i.atificntions.
i The commira-ion created by tlie Stafos
1 whicli lonucrfy composed the'Republic of!
Colnnibia, for adjusting the claims against
that <1 .ivernitisn , has. by a very unexpected
; construction ol the treaty under which it acts !
decided that no provision was ’ made for j
ilio-e claims of citizens oft lie United States
! which arose frmn ea; tures by Cotombiau !
| privateers, and were adjudged against the i
i claimants in the judicial tribunals. This ;
j deci-drtn will compel the United States to
appl. to th* several Governinents formerly
i united for redress. Willi all these—New
j Granada, Venezuela, arid Kruador—a per
} frctly good understanding exists. Ourtrea
j ty with Veuezuht, is faithfully carried into
i- x"c ot ion ; and that country, in the eri|oy
j men; ot tranquility, is gradually advancing
I m prosperity tinder the guidance of its pre- 1
s-nt distinguished President, General Paez.
Vv it i Ecuador, a liberal commercial con
vention l,as lately been concluded, which
will lie transmitted to the Senate at an ear
ly day.
With the great American empire of Bra-1
zil our relations continue unchanged, as doe- I
our friendly intereoutye with the other gov- 1
ernments of South Ante ica—the Argentine
Republic, and the Republics ol Uruguay,
Chili, Peru, and Bolivia- The dissolution
of the Peru Bolivian Confederation may
occasion some temporary inconvenience to
our citizens in that quarter, but ihe obliga
tions on tiie new governments which have
, arisen out of that confederation to observe
its treaty Mipulalioi s. will no doubt be soon
i understood, and it is presumed that no in- (
! disposition will exist to fulfil those which it
1 contracted with the United States.
The financial opeiatiousof the Gnvern
i nr cut during the present year have, l «m
i happy t-i stiv, been very -successful. Tlie
difficulties under which ilie Treasury De
; partinent lias labored from known defects
I in the existing la vs relative to the state
keeping of the public moneys, aggravated
iby the suspension of specie payments by
several ofthe banks holding public depos
iles, or indebted to public officers for notes
t received in payment of public dues, have
, been surmounted to a very gratifying extent,
j The large current expenditures have been
punctually met. and the faith of the Gov
ernment in all its pecuniary concerns has
been scitpuiously maintained.
The nineteen millions of Treasury notes
authorized by the act of Congress of 1837,
and the modification thereof, with a view to
the indulgence ot merchants ori their duty
bonds, and ofthe deposit- banks in the pay
ment of public moneys held by them, have
been so punctually redeemed as to leave
less than the original *en millions outstand
ing at anv one time, and the whole amount
unredeemed now falls short three millions.
Os these the chiefportion is not duett I next
year, and the whole would have been alrea
dy extinguished th" Treasury have
realized the payments due to it from the
banks. If those due from them during the
next yearshall be purcttully made, and if
Congress shall ke.-p -the appropriations
within the estimates, tlf re is every reason
to believe that all the outstanding Treasu
ry notes can be redeemed, and the ordina
ry expenses defrayed, without imposing on
the people any additional burden, either of
loans or increased taxes.
To avoid this, and to keen the expendi
tures within reasonable bounds, is a duty,
second only in importance to the preserva
tion of our national character, and the pro
tection of our "itizens in their civil and
political rights. The creation, in time of
peace,of a debt likely to become perma
nent, is an i vil for which there is no equiva
lent. The rapidity with which many of the
States arc apparently approaching to this
condition admonishes us of o ,r own du
ties, in a manner ton impressive to be disre
garded. One, not the least important, is to
keep the Federal Government always in a
condition to discharge, with case and vigor,
its highest, functions, should their exercise
be required by a.iy sudden conjuncture of
public affairs—a condition to which we are
always exposed, and which may occurwhen
it is least expected. To this end, it is in
dispensable that its finances should be un
trammelled. audits resotitces, asfar as prac
ticable, unincumbered. No circumstances
could presem greater obstacles to the ac
complishment of these vitally important ob
je-ts, than the creation of an onerous na
tional debt. < )ur own experience, and also
that of other nations, have demonstrated the
unavoidable and fearful rapidity with which
a public debt is increased, when the Govern
ment lias once surrendered itself to rite
ruinous practice of supplying its supposed
necessities by new loans. The struggle,
on our part, to be successful, must be made
at tlie threshold. To make our efferls
effective, severe economy is necessary.
This is the surest provision for the national
welfare ; anil it is, at tlie same time, the
best preserva ive of the principles on which
our institutions rest. Simplicity and econ
omy in the affairs of State have never fail
ed to chavten and invigor te republican | rin
ciples, while these have b-en as surely sub
verted by national prodigality, under what
ever specious pretexts if may have been in
troduced or fostered.
These consi I,•rations cannot be lost upon
a people ivlm have never been inatten ive to
the efft et of their policy pj on the institu
tions they h ive created for themselves ; but
at the Present moment their force is aug
mented by the necessity which a decreasing
revenue -must impose. The check lately
gi'en to importations of articles subject to
duties, the derangements in the operations
of interaa! trade, and, especially, the reduc
tion gradually takirg place in our tarifl’of
duties, till tend materially to lessen our te—
ceipts; indeed it is probable that the dim
inution resulting from the last cause alone
will not tall short of five millions ol dollars
in tl:e year 1813, its the final reduction of
all dut'u s to twenty p»r cent, then takes es-
Irct l iie whole revenue then aecruing
from the c list os and from the sales of
public lands, if not more, will undoubted
ly be wanted to and. fray tlie necessary ex
penses of the Government under the most
prudent administration of its affairs These
are circumstances that impose tiie necessi'y
of rigi I economy and requiie its prompt and
constant exercise. With the Legislature
rest the power and duty of so adjusting the
! public expe dtiitre as to promote this end.
By the prov stuns of the cons:ilution it is
only iti cans qnettce of appropriations made
by law that money can be drawn from the
Treasury; no instance has occurred since
the establishment of the Government in
wh;eh the executive, though a component
part of the legislative power, has interposed
an objection to an appropr'alien billon the
sole ground of its extravagance. His duty
jn tills respect has been considered fulfilled
by requesting such appropriations only .as
the public service may be reasonably expect
ed to require* In the present etrnest di
rection ol the public mind towards this sub
ect, both the Executive and the Legisla
ture have evidence of the strict responsibili
ty to which they will he itiTi.i ; and wh’fle I
am conscious ol my own anxious efforts to
peiform, with fidelity, this portion of mv
public fiin.-tiotis, it is a satisfactioNlto me to
he able to comil on a cordial co-operation
from you.
At the time I "nr°rcd upon my present !
duties, our ordinary disbursements— without ■
including those on account of the public
debt, the post office, and the trust fun U in
charge ofthe Government—had been large- !
ly increased by’ appropriations for the re- !
iiiov.it oftlm Indians, for repelling Indian
hostilities, and lor other less urgent ex- *
penses which grew out of an ovetflowing j
1 teasurv. Independent of the redemption I
ofthe public debt and trusts, the gross ex- j
penditurcs ol seventeen and eighteen millions |
in 1834 and 1835 had, bv these causes, sivel- I
led to twenty-nine millions in 1836; and the !
appropriations for 18-37, ma le previously to j
the 4tit of March, caused the expenditure I
to rise to the very large amount of thirty- [
thtee millions. Y\ e were enabled during i
the year 1838, notwithstanding tlie contiu- ,
nance ol our indiiti embarrassments, some- !
what to reduce this amount; and that for
the present year. 1839, will not in.dl proba- !
bility exceed twenty-six millions, or six '
millions less than it was last year, estimates
for 1840 to be subject'd to the severest
scrutiny, and to be limited to the absolute
requirements of the public service. Titev
will be found less than the expenditures ol
1830 by over live millions cfdol'ars.
Tlie precautionary measures which will
be recommended by the Secretary of the
Treasury, to protect faithfully the public
credit under the tlm illations and condoeii
cies to which our receipts and expenditures
are exposed, and especially in a commercial
crisis like the preseut, are commeudc-d to :
yonr “arly attention.
On a former occasion yotir attention was I
invited to various considerations in support '
of a pre-emption la v in behalfof the settlers
on the public lands ; and also of a law grad
uating the prices for such lands as had long
been in the market unsold, in consequence
of their inferior quality. The execution o'"
the act which was passed on tlie first sub
ject has been attended with the happiest
consequences, in quieting titles, and secur
ing improvements to the industrious; and
, it Ins also, to a very gratifying extent, been
| exempt from the frauds which were prac
tised under previous pre-emption laws, it
! has, at the same time, as was anticipated.
! contributed liberally during the present year
to the receipts of th« Treasury.
The passage of a graduation law, with
tlie guards before recommended, would al
so. I am persuaded, add considerably to the
revenue for seveial years, and prove in oth
errespeels just anil beneficial.
Your early consideration of the subject
is. therefore, once more earnestly requested
The present condition of the defences
of our principal seaports and navy yards, as
represented by the accompanying report of
the Secretary of War, calls for the early
and serious attention of Congress ; and, as
connecting itself intimately with thissulijecf,
I cannot recommend too strongly to your
consideration the plan submitted by that
officer for the organization ofthe militia of
the United States.
In conformity with the expressed wishes
of Congress, au attempt was made in the
spring to terminate the Florida war by ue
gociation. It is to be regreted that these
humane intentions should have been frus
trated, and that tlre effort to bring these un
happy difficulties to a satisfactory conclu
sion should have failed. But after entering
into solemn engagements with the Com
manding General, the Indtanns, without any
provocation, recommenced their acts of
treachery and murder. The renewal of
hostilities in that Territory renders it neces
sary that I should recommend to yonr fa
voluble consideration the plan which will
be submitted to you by the Secretary of
War, in order to enable that department to
conduct them to a successful issue.
Having had an opportunity of personally
inspecting a portion of (he troops during
the last summer, it gives me pleasure to
hear testimony to the success ot the effort to
improve their discipline, by keeping them
togeihcr in as large bodies as the nature of
our service will permit. I recommend,
therefore, that commodious and permanent
barracks be constructed at the several posts
designated *>y the Secretary of Wnr. Not
withstanding tlie high slat” of their discip
line and excellent police, the evils resulting
to the service from the deficiency of compa
ny officers, were very apoarent, and I rr
commend that tlie staff officers be perma
nently seperated from the ii.ie.
The navy has been usefully and honora
bly employed in protecting the rights and
property of our citizens, wherever ihe con
<1 it ion of affairs seemed to require its pre
. settee. \V itli (lie exception of one instance.
. where an outrage, accompanied by murder,
; was committed on a vessel of tlie United
Slates while engaged in a lawful commerce,
nothing is known to have occurred to im
pede or molest ti e enterprise of our citizens
in that element where it is signaily displayed.
On learning this dr.ring act of piracy Com
modore Reed proceeded immediately to tiie
spot, and receiving no satisfaction, cither in
tlie surrender of tlie tnurderers.or the lestor
atioti ofthe plundered property, inflicted se
vere and merit! and chastisement on (he barba
rians
It will be seen, by the report of t e Sec
tary of the Navy respecting the disposition
of cur ships of war, that it has been deem
ed necess try to .iadon a competent farce
on the coasr <1 Africa, to prove it a fraud
uleiu use of our flag by for i.nrrs.
Recent experience ' has shown that the
provisions in ottr existing laws which relate
to the sale and transfer of American vessels,
while abroad, extremely defective. Advan
tage has been taken of these def, els to give
to vessels wltol'y belonging to foreigners,
and navigating tlie ocean, an apparent \-
merican ownership. This chaniciar has
been so well simulated as to afford them
comparative security io prosecuting the
slave trade, a traffic emphatically denounced
in our statutes, regarded with abhorrence
by our citizens, and of which the effectual
supression is nowhere more sincerely desir
ed than iu the United States. These cir
cumstances make it preperto recommend to
your early attention a careful revision of
these laws, so that, without impeding the
freedom and facilities of our navigation, or
impairing an important branch of our in
dustry connected with it the integrity and
honor of our ling may be carefully preserv
ed. Information derived from our consul
tit II wan t, showing the necessity of this,
was coinnmicated to a committee of the
Senate near the close of last s> ssion, but
too late, as >t appeared, to be acted upon.—
It will be brought to your notice by the
proper department with additions! commu
nications from other sources.
I he latest accounts from the Exploring
Expedition represent it as proceeding suc
cessfully in its objects, ami promising re
sults no less useful to trade anil navigation
than to science.
The extent of post roads covered by
mail service on tlie Ist of July last, wps a
boitt 133-999 miles and the rates of annual
transportation upon them 34 496,878 miles.
I lie numbei ol post offices on that day was
12.780, and on the 30th ultimo. 13.048.
; The revenue of the Rust Office Depart
j tnent r or the year ending with the 30th of
j Jitiifo last, was four millions four hundred
j and seventy six thousand and thirty eight
■ dollars—exhibiting ;m increase over the pre
| ceding year of two hundred an I forty-one
thousand five hundred and sixtv dollars.—
; l ' lle engagements and liabj'itics of tho lJe
| partinent for the same period are lour mil
fioiissix hundred and twenty four thousand
' one hundred and seventeen dollars.
I I iic excess of liabilities over the revenue
| for the last two years lias been met out of
the surplus which had previously ticcutnu
j kited. The cash on ln-ul on the 30th ulti
! mo, was about §306,701 95, and the current
; income of the Department varies very little
from the rate of current exnendituresl—
! Most of the service suspended last year has
[ been restored, and most ol the new routes
established by the act of 7th July, 1838,
i havp been set in operation at an annual co<t
of §13(5,963. Notwithstanding the peem
| tliary difficulties ol the country, the revenue t
I ol die Department appears to be increasing ; j
and unless it shall be seriously checked by
tlie recent suspension of payment by so
many of the banks, it wilt be able not only
to maintain the present mail service, but ini
a snort time to extend it. It is gratifying to 1
witness the promptitude and fidelity with
whic'i the agents of the Department iu
general perform their public duties.
Some difficulties have arisen iu relation
to contracts for the transportation of tiie
mails by railroad and steamboat companies.
It appears that the maximum of compensa
tion provided by Congress for the transpor
tation of the mails upon railroads is not suf
i rtcient to induce some of the companies to
| convey them at such hours ns are required
I tor the accommodation of the pnh'ic. It is
i ob* es the most important duties of the
I General Government to provide and main
tain for the use of the people of the States
the best practicable mail establishment,
i To arrive at that end, it is indispensable that
the Post Office Department shall be enabled
to control the hours at whicli ihe mail shall
Ue carried over railroads, as it flow does
over all other roads. Should serious incon
veuience arise from the inadequacy of tiie
compensation now provided by law, or from
unreasonable demands by any-of the rail
road companies, tlie subject is of such
gpneral importance as to require the Prompt
attention of Congress.
In relation to steamboat lines, the most
efficient remedy is obvious, and has been
suggested by the Post Master General.
The War and Navy Departments already
employ steamboats in their service; and
although it is by no means desirable that
tlie Government should undertake the
transportation of passengers or freight as a
business, t.iere can be reasonable objection
to running boats, temporally, whenever it
inay be necessary lo put down a'tempts at
extortion, to be discontinued as soon is
reasonable contracts can be obtained.
The suggestions of rhe Postmaster Gen
eral relative to the inadequacy of the legal
alljwance tu witnesses in cases of prose
cutions for mail depredations merit your
serious consideration. The. safety of tho
mails requires that such prosecution shall
be efficient ; and justice to the citizen whose
time is required to be given to the public,
demands not only that his expenses shall
be paid, but that he shall receive a reason
able compensation.
Tlie reports from the War, N..vy and
and Post Office Departments will accom
pany this communication, and one from t ie
Treasury Department wid he presented to
Congress io a few d.ivs.
For vairious details in respect to matters
in charge ol tln»«o Departments, 1 would
refer you to those important documents,
satisfied that you will find in them many
valu tjtle suggestions, which will he found
well deserving tlie attention of tlie Legis
lature.
From a report made in December of last
year by the Secretary of State, to the Sen
ate, showing the trial docket of each of
the Circuit Courts, and tiie numbor ol
miles each judge has to travel in the p- r
tormancc of lit* ilnii''s. a great ieeqn.iffty
impears in the amount of labor assigned to
cticb Judge. The number of teims to be
held in each of th** courts composing the
ninth circuit, t 1 e distances between the
places at which they si’, and from thence to
the sett of Government, arc represented to
be such as to render it impossible for the
judge of that circuit to perform, in a man
ner corresponding with the } tibiic exigen
cies, h;s term and circuit duties. A re
| vision, therefore, of tlie present arrange
ment of tlie citcuiis seems to lip called for,
anti is recommended to your notice.
I think it proper to c:i!t vottr attention to
the power assumed by Territorial Legisla
tures to authorize the issue of bends bv
eorporate companies oil the guarantv of
the Territory. Congress passed a law in
providing that no act of a Territorial
Legisb tore incorporating banks should
have the force of la tv until approved b\
Congress; but acts of a vi rv exceptionable
character, previously passed by t! e Legis
lature of Fieri *a, were suffered to remain
in force, by virtue of which bonds may be
issued to a very large amount bv these in
s'itutiors upon the faith of the Territory.
A resolution, inlending to be a joint one.
■ passed the Senate at the same .session, ex
pressing tho sense of Congress that the
laws in question ought not to be permitted
to remain in force unless amend; and in nun y
material r speefs, but it failed in the House
ol Representatives for want of time, and
the desired amendments have not been
made. The interests involved me of great
importance, and the subject deserves your
early and careful attention.
Tin* continued agitation of tin; question
relative to tlie best mode of ket ping and
disbursing the public money still i juriously
affects the business of the count rv. The
suspension of specie payments in ls:;~
rendered the use of deposite banks, as pre
scribe!! by the net of. 1836, a source rati.er
ol embarrassment ihan aid. and of necessity
placed the i ustody of most of the pnbiii
moneys aiterw.irds collected, in charge ol
the public officers. The new seen lilies for
itssnfely, which this required, weie ,i | linci
pal cause ol my convening an extra session
of Con gross; hut in consequence of a dis
agreement between the two Houses, neither
then, nor at any subsequent period. Las
there been any legislation on the subject.-
The effort made at the last session, to ob
tain the authority ol Congress, to pm ish
the use. of public money for private purpos's
as a crime—a measure attended under other
Governments with signal advantage—was
also uusucceessliil, from diversities of
opinion in that body, notwithstanding the
anxiety, doubtless fell by it, to afford every
practicable seemity. The result of this is
still to leave the custody of the public
money without those safeguards wlnch have
been for several years earnestly desired bv
the Executive; and, as the remedy is only
to be found in the action of the Legislature,
it imposes on me the duty of again' sub
mitting to you, toe pro; riety of passing a
law providing for the safe keeping of the
public moneys, and especially to ask that
its use for private purposes by any officer
et,trusted with it mly be declared to be a
lelony, punishable with penalties propor
tioned in the iniqpiitude of the offence.
These circims nnces added to known
defects in the exi ting laws and unusual
derangement in the general operations of I
trade, haw, during the last three years,
much increased the difficulties attendant
outlie collection, keeping, and disburse
ment ol the revenue, and.called forth cjr
responding exertions from those having
;Lem in charge. Happily these have been j
successful In ynnd expectation. Vast su ' s
have been collected and disbursed by the
several De|rartineuts with unexpected cheap
ness and ease; transfers have been readily
made to every p.ut of the Union, however
distant; and defalcations have been fir less
than might have been anticipated, from the !
absence ol adequate legal restraints. Since
• heofficers of the Treasury ami Post Office
Departments were charged with the custody
of most of the public moneys received by
th*m, there have been eollecteit sixty six
millions of dollars, and, excluding the case
of the late collector at N. Vork, the ag
gregate amount of losses sustained in the
collection cannot, it is believed, exceed
sixty thousaud dollars. The defalcation of
the late collector at that city, of the exteut
and circumstances of which Congress ha*
been fuMy informed, ran through all u ie
modes of keeping the public iitonev that
have been hitherto in use, and was distin
guished by an aggravated disregard of dutv,
that broke through the restiaiots of every
system, ahd cannot, therefore, be usefully
referred to ns a test of the comparative
safety of either. Additional information
will also be furnished by the report oftlm
Secretary of the Treasury, in reply to a
call made upon that officer by the House
of Representatives at the last session, tel
quiring detailed information on the subject
of defaults by public officers or agents uni
der each Administration, from 1789 to 1837
This document wil< he submitted to you in
■ a few days. The general results, (indepen
dent of the Post Office w hich is kept sen
; arately, and will be stated by itself,) S o f-, r
| ns they bear upon this subject, are, that the
losses which have been, and are likelv to be.
sustained,by any class of agents, have been
the greatest by banks, including, as re
quired in the resolution, their depreciated
paper received for public dues; that the
next largest have been by disbursing offi
cers an I tlie least by collectors and re
reirrrs. If tie losses on duty bonds are!
included, they alone will be threefold those
jby both collectors and receivers Our
I whole experience, therefore, lurn'shes the
strongest evidence that the desited legisla
tion of Congress' is alone Wauling to insure
in those op: rations the highest degtee of
security and facility. Such also appears
to have been tin* experience of oilier na--
! tioi s, From the r suits t f inquiries made
by Ihe Secretary of the T'easury in regard
to the practice among them. I am enabled
to state that in twenty-two out of twenty
s'-ven foreign Governments, from width
undoubted information has'been obtained
the public moneys are kept in charge of
public officers. This concurrence of opin
ion in favor of that system is perhaps as
great ns exists on any question of internal
j administration.
In the modes of business and official res
traints on disbursing officers,no legal change
was produced by the suspension ol sp< c e
payments. The report last referred towi l
In; found to contain, also, much useful in
fnnnaiioii in relation to this sr.t.joi t.
I have heretofore assigned to Uongress
my reasons for believing that the establish
ment of an I dependent National Tn us
ury, is contemplated by the Constitution,
is necessary to the safe act ion of the Fed
eral Government. The suspension es
specie payments in 1337, by the banks
having the custody of the public mot.ev,
sl owed in so alarming a>lt gree out-Vie
petulance on those institutions lot the per
formance of dulies inquired by law, that I
then recommended the entire dissolution of
that connexion. This recbtv.tierdation ban
been subjected, ns I desired it should b'%
to severe scrutiny aid animated discus*ion;
and 1 allow m\sclf to believe that, nr.r
withstanding the natural diversities of
opinion which nay be antirip. ted no dl
subjects iavo ving such important consid
erations, i: has secured in its favor as g<n
eral a concurrence of public sentiment :s
cotiltl be expected on one of such magni
tude.
Recent events have also contributed to
develope new obje -tiotis to such a couno -
ion, Seldom is any bank, under the exiMii.g
system and practice, able to me»t, mi th
til-anil, nil its liabilities lot drpr sites at d'
notes in ciretth lion. Il mail ‘lnins s| < < e
payments and transacts a profitable bi.-siut >• ,
only by the confidence of the public in its
solvency; and whenever this is destrt>\<■ .
the demands of its depositors andTo'iTt -
tiers—pressed more rapidly than it ean mai •-
collections from its debtors-—force it to
stop | ay-men*. This loss of cmd'dri e>,
with its consequences, ocrurntl in i- i‘.
and a (forded tlie apology of the,-batiks fi r
their suspeiisioe. Tlie public ilgov «■ -
quiesced in the validity of die excuse; aid,
while the State Legislatures did not evai f
from them their forfeited charters. (Ti -
gress, in acemdanc’' w : th the rect tun intui
tion of the Executive, rtiji.wed them tin <•
•to pay over the public mousy they held,
although eotiip* red to issue Tic: sitt v notes
to supply the th fieieuev thus creati and.
li now appears that there an; i tl er mo
tives t;::iri a want of public cot faience m.drr
which tln* linf fcs seek In justify the mselvrs
in a refusal to mint their obligations.
Scarcely were the country and Goteitin.cm
r< IFved, in a dt gro*\ . f.oin the difficult)'s
occasioned by the gem rid suspension «and"
w hen a partial one, oretming will.in
thirty mouths of the former, produced new
mil soi ions etnhnrinssmeii's. though it had
mi palliaiion in such circumstances as were
alleged in justification of that wbi h bail
previously taken place. 'I here was limbing
in the cimtiitiotro! lire eoniitry to endanger
a tvel| managed banking instill.lion ; com
merce was deranged by i o foreign yvar; evciv
braneli ol mnnnf.iei in ing iudustiy was
e'rmvned with rieh lewards; and the mure
than usual abnndanee of our harvests, niter
supplying our domestic want-, had bit nor
granairus :n.J storehouses filled with a snr
plos tor exportation. h is in the inidst of
ibis.th.it an irredeeinl In and depreciat'd
paper currency is entailed upon the Peapie
jby a huge portion of the banks. They are
j not driven toil by the exhibition of a loss of
| public confidence or of a sudden pressure
j fioin their dejiositois or note holders, blit
they excuse'ifi'emselvt s by alleging that the
current of business, and exchange with
foreign countries, which lira- stlie precious
metals front their vaults, would requite, in
order to meet it, a large curtailment of lluir.
j loans to a comparatively small portion of
the community than it will be convenient
■ for them to bear, or perhaps safe for the
j banks to exact. The plea has ceased to be
i one of ecessity. Convenience and policy
j are now deemed sufficient to warrant these
institutions in disregarding their solemn
obligations. Such conduct is not merely
an injury to individual creditors, but it is
a wrong to the whole community, from
whose liberality they hold most valuable
privileges-—whose tight they violate, whose
business they derange, and the value of
whose property they render unstable and
insecure. It must be evident that this
new ground for bank suspensions, in re
ference to which their action is not only
disconnected with, but wholly indepenufut
of, that of the Public, gives a character
to tin ir suspensions more alarming tliatt
any which they exhibited before, and greatly
increases the impropriety of relying on the
banks in the transactions of the. Govern
ment. t
To be Concluded.
Judge Saunders is ta'ked of bv the Ad
ministration party, as n candidate for the
boiler of the Executive Chair of North Car
olina, at the expitatioti of Gov. Dudley's
second Term,
JOB HUNTING
NEATLY EXCOI’TLI/ AT THIS Oll'iCT,