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Augusta, £a. Saturday Morning, Dec. 29, 1849. JAMEJ 51. Editor andTuMisiier' ANDREW H. H. RAWSON. Assistant Editor. CT he Office of the Republic linn been removed to the Brick Building firwt door below the Cagle and Phoenix Hotel. Agent for the Republic. Having engaged the services of Mr. Joseph Barton as a Travelling Agent for the Republic, we comtndld him to the kind aid of our friends. He is authorized to receipt for subscriptions and advertisements. S 3” Our usual variety of editorials and se lected matter is necessarily prevented to-day by the length of the President’s Message. St. Jfohu’H Bay. This time-honored day was celebrated on Thursday by the Masonic fraternity of this city and Hamburg. We learn that the ora tion of W. H. Hull, Esq.,of Athens, deliver jn the Masonic Hall, was chaste, elegant and impressive, and are pleased to hear that it will be published. The supper in the evening, prepared by Mr. Win. Allen, and which is stated to have been one of the most sump tuous ever gotten up in this city, we are told, was an occasion of much social en joyment. We regretted that indisposition prevented our attendance. .The Bresidcut’s Message. pug, denies us the JpportunltyMo accomMt.y f the President’s Mmage, with sach remark's { ! as portions of it seem to require. It is brief. ■ and comprehensive. It presents a very satis- ; factory account of our relations with foreign powers. As to our domestic interest# we eould not do justice to the Message or ourself in thiTfew words for which we could make room now. We need scarcely say, however, that from the indications thrown out on the Califor- - nia question wo cannot concur with it. Our review must be postponed till Tuesday, for the accompanying reports of the. Secreta ries or ample synopsises of them we will make room as early as we can. Steamer Oregon. I A large number of citizens of this city and Hamburg partook of a fine supper given on board of this noble Steamer on Wedms4>iy evening. The Oregon is a superior affords excellent accomodations for passengers. ‘ *>be will run between this city and Savannah. ' The Book Auction. The citizens of Augusta have never had a better opportunity to supply themselves with I books, stationary, &c., than this auction room affords them, and they seem to know it. The i sales are conducted with the strictest fairness | toward the bidder. is no by-bidders , employed against him, and be is permitted to select any book he wants, and it is cried off at once. This is a courtesy not always shown to the public jit book Auctions. We have : rarely ever seen a largeqselection of excellent - and elegant books for sale, even in the largest . Book Stores. The selection ranges at large through science, art, politics, literature and , religion, and all the principal works are got ' ( up in the most expensive and gorgeous style, also in the simplest and cheapest editions suited to the varied tastes and means of pur IT We would ask attention to the advertise ment in reference to the Meson Academy.— (fective departments: Lexington* is perhaps 1 as healthy a village as there is in the State, ( and for morality, and intelligence, is excelled , by none. i (iovernor of Alabania—luaugu- , ration. ( The inauguration of Governor Collier took i place at Montgomery on the 17th inst. The 1 procession, consisting of the military, citizens, ‘ &.C., marched to the Methodist Church, where the ceremonies took place. The Flag & Ad- ■ vertiser says: • 1 At the Church, an appropriate prayer was ' made by the Rev. Dr. Hamilton, Chaplain of the day, after which the Governor elect deliv- 1 ered his address, which was listened to with ' great attention and interest by the large con- ' course of persons who had assembled on the occasion. The oath of office was administer- 1 ed by the Hon. L. P. Walker, Speaker of the House of Representatives. After the inauguration, the procession was ' again iormed, and escorted the Governor to his rooms. The procession was attended by the excel lent band of music attached to the Circus of ; Messrs. Robinson & Eldred. Everything cannectcd with the ceremonies passed off in good style; and,considering the gloomy wea ther of the morning, and the feeling of sadness which has hung over the city since the de struction of our beautiful capitol, it was as gay a time as we usually see on such occasions. | The inaugural dwells considerably upon the vast resources of Alabama, and urges upon the people to use the means to devalope them ■ to the best advantage. On the subject of our Federal Relations, Gov. Collier holds that the declaration by Congress that no more slave States shall be admitted into the Union, would, if submitted to, degrade the South in the wti . mation of the civilized world—would be an as sault upon the honor of the slaveholding States, and would be an assumption of power not , granted by the Constitution. Gov. Collier fa ‘ vors the measure of a Southern Convention. His positions appear to be mildly but firmly ta- JTA correspondent of the New York Tri- • bune in a letter of the 19th inst. said : In the Senate Mr. Calhoun looks as inex orable as ever. Occasionally a sardonic smile slightly diversifies the character of his coun tenance. But its expression in repose is cold, . determined, belligerent. His arrowy glance warns you that he has buckled on his armor , —that he belongs to a military people—that he already snuffs the breath of war. The slave of a single absorbing idea, all the dis cursive properties of his mind are paralyzed, . and his brilliant conversational powers have dwindled into fretful, spasmodic breathings of I this solitary purpose of his ambition. From this description of Mr. Calhoun’s looks we should like them admirably. They are I I just the looks we want from Southern men in i Congress at this time. We have no doubt I Mr. Calhoun is as determined as he looks. ■ This writer says Mr. Calhoun is the slave ■ of a single absorbing idea, but he seems to ■ forget that there is a reason for the whole ■ South to entertain that one idea, in order to » enable them to confbat the one idea of anti- B shvi try at the North. ■ What the Tribune writer sees in Mr. Cal- K houn.is •• His soul bright beaming from his eyes.” ■ resolved on nothing less than justice to the |B South. I The slavery question he sees, is the absorb ■ ing question at the North, and no wonder it is absorbing one with him as it should be Bfwith all Southerners, when, if left to the Rguidance of Northern fanaticism it would not prostrate the independence and honor of |3g||ia!f the States of the Union, but even the I itself. WIIKLI £-<llo’l IIIIC BY JAIES SMYTHE, r Z 1 WSBKtI #OW tIT ft.’l bcUOUd .I® NCWS, „ Citcrature, Enetai Intelligence, 3nmdture,'&r. *. < ANDREW H. H. DAWSON, - - - ASSISTANT EDITOR. Terms—TWO HOLLARS a year, invariably in advance. AdV'ertisemeHt< HlSertpd the CUStO- Or $2,50 if not paid within two months. ■ * ?'’■ Tri-Weekly, per advance ‘ / UlftTV TatCS.* Or $5.00 if not paid within two months. x x . • a /■ .•• ! ’. - .4 ; ! VOLUME in. THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE. The House of Representatives having at length been organized (after many days of in effectual efforts)by tlie election of a Speaker, the President of the United Stales yesterday transmitted to both Houses of Congress, by Col. W. W. 8. Bliss, his Private Secretary, the following Message : Fellow Citizens of the Senate , and House of Representatives: I Rtxty years siavc efnpt -1 r’Tice»ftmest*b i lishment of this Government, and the Con i gress of the United States again assembles v l | legislate for an empire of freemen. The pre . dictions of evil prophets, who formerly preten- . I ded to foretell the downfall of our institutions, ‘ are now remembered only to be derided, and : the United States <4 America at this moment ' present to the world the most stable and per ! manent Government on earth. i Such is the result of the labors of those who have gone before us. Upon Congress 1 will eminently depend the future maintenance of our system of free government, and the . transmission of it, unimpaired, to posterity. We are at peace with all the nations of the ! world,'and seek to maintain our cherished re- I lations of amity with them. During the past • year we have been blessed, by a kind Provi , deuce, with an abundance of the fruits of the earth ; and, although the destroying angel, for j a time, visited extensive portions of our territo ! ry, with the ravages of a dreadful pestilenco, "»pt, the Almighty has at length deigned to Fstay his hand, and to the inestimable : blessing of general health to a people who hafe acknowledged his power, deprecated his ; implored his merciful protection. Virile injoying the benefits of amicable i intercdWwe with foreign nations, we have not ; been insensible to the distractions and wars which have prevailed in other quarters ofthe r world. It is a proper theme of thanksgiving to Him who rules the destinies of nations, that we have been able to maintain, amidst all these contests, an independent and neutral position towards all belligerent Powers. Our relations with Great Britain are of the most friendly character. In consequence of the recent alteration of the British navigation acts, British and other foreign ports, will, (under our existing laws,) after the first day of January next, be admitted to entry in our ports, with cargoes of thegrowth, manufacture, or production of any part of the world on the same terms, as to duties, imposts, and charges, as vessels ofthe United States with their car goes ; and our vessels will be admitted to the same advantages in British ports, entering therein on the same terms as British vessels. Should no order in council disturb this legisla tive arrangement, the late act of the British ; Parliament, by which Great Britain is brought within the tetris proposed by the act of Con- j gress latof 11 U ’ d, will be countrie - - ment and to say has been terminated, and our Minister there has been received. It is therefore, unnecessary to refer to the circumstances which led to that interruption. I need not express to you the sincere satisfaction with which we shall wel come the arrival of another Envoy Extraordi nary and Minister Plenipotentiary from a sis ter republic, to which we have so long been and still remain, bound by the strongest ties of amity. Shortly after! had entered upon the dis charge of the Executive duties, I was appriz ed thut a war-steamer belonging to the Ger man Empire was being fitted out in the har bor of New York, with the aid of some of our naval officers, rendered under the permission of the late Secretary of the Navy. This per mission was granted during an armistice be tween that Empire and the Kingdom of Den mark, which had been engaged in the Schles wig-Holstein war. Apprehensive that this act of intervention, on our part, might be view ed as a violation of our neutral obligations, in curred by the treaty with Denmark, and of the provisions of the act of Congress of the 20th of April, 1818, I directed that no further aid should be rendered by any agent or officer of the Navy; and I instructed the Secretary of State to apprize the Minister of the German Empire accredited to this Government of my determination to execute the luw ofthe United States, and to.maintain the iaith of treaties with all nations. The correspondence which ensued between the Department of State and the Minister of the German Empire is here with laid before you. The execution of the law and the observance of the treaty were deemed by me to be due to the honor of the country, as well as to the sacred obligations of , the constitution. I shall not fail to pursue ' the same course, should a similar case arise, ■ with any other nation. Having avowed the opinion, on taking the oath of office, that, in disputes between conflicting foreign Govern- i ments, it is our interest, not less that our duty, ’ to remain stricly neutral, I shall not abandon I it. You will perceive from the correspondence I submitted to you, in connexion with this sub- ■ ject, that the course adopted in this case has I been properly regarded by the belligerent I Powers interested in the matter. Although a Minister of the United States to the German Empire was appointed by my pre decessor in August, 1848, and has for a long time been in attendance at Frankfort-on-the- Main, and although a Minister appointed to represent that Empire was received and accre dited here, yet no such Government as that of the German Empire has been definitely con stituted. Mr. Donelson, our representative at Fiankfort, remained there several months, in the expectation that a union of the German Stales, under one constitution or form ofgov ernment, might at length be organized. It is believed, by those well acquainted with the ex isting relations between Prussia and the States of Germany, that no such union can be per-1 manently established without her co-operation. I In the event of the formation of such a union, and the organization of a central power in Germany, of which she should form a part, it : would become necessary to withdraw our i Minister at Berlin; but while Prussia exists i as an independent kingdom, and diplomatic re | lations are maintained with her, there can be no necessity for tbe continuance of the mis ■ sion to Frankfort. I have, therefore, recalled I Mr. Donelson, and directed the archives of the legation, at Frankfort, to be transferred to the American legation at Berlin. Having been apprized that a considerable number ot adventurers were engaged in fit ting out a military expedition, within the Uni ted States, against a foreign country, and be ’ lieving, from tbe best information 1 could ob tain, that it was destined to invade the island ■' of Cuba, I deemed it due to the friendly rela tions existing between the United States and ' Spain; to the treaty between tbe two nations ; to the laws of tbe United States, and, above all, to the American honor, to exert the lawful authority of this Government in suppressing the expedition and preventing tbe invasion. To this end, I issued a proclamation, enjoining it upon the officers of ibe United States, civil and military, to use al) lawful means within their jxjwer. A copy of that proclamation is I herewith submitted. The expedition hae been suppressed. So long as the act of Congress ofthe 20th of April, 1818, which owes its ex istence to the law of nations and to the policy of Washington himself, shall remain on our statute book, I hold it to be the duty ofthe Executive faithfully to obey its injunctions. While this expedition was in progress, I was informed that a foreigner, who claimed our protection, had been clandestinely, and. as was supposed, forcibly carried off in a ves sel from New Orleans to the island of Cu •fret —R- such steps to ?be taken, as I in case the • information I had received should prove cor rect, to vindicate the honor of the country, and the right of every person, seeking a:i asylum on our soil, to the protection of our laws. The person alleged to have been abducted was promptly restored, and the circumstances of the case are now about to undergo investiga tion before a judicial tribunal. I would res pectfully suggest that, although the crime charged to have been committed in this case, is held odious, as being in conflict with our opinions on the subject of national sovereign ty and personal freedom, there is no prohibi tion of it, or punishment for it, provided in any act of Congress. The expediency of supply ing this defect in our criminal code, is, there fore, recommended to your consideration. I have scrupulously avoided any interfer ence in the wars and contentions which have recently distracted Europe. During the late conflict between Austria and Hungary, there seemed to be a prospect that the latter might become an independent nation. However faint that prospect at the time appeared, 1 thought it my duty, in accord ance with the general sentiment of the Ameri can people, who deeply sympathised with the Maygar patriots, to stand prepared, upon the contingency of the establishment by her of a permanent Government, to be the first to wel come independent Hungary into the family of nations. For this purpose I invested an agent, then in Europe, with power to declare our willingness promptly to recognise her indo T pendenoe in the event of her ability to sustain it. The powerful intervention of Russia in the contest extinguished the hopes of the struggling Magyars. The United States did not. at any time, interfere in the contest; but, the feelings of the nation were strongly enlist ed in the cause, and by the sufferings of a brave people, who had made a gallant though unsuccessful effort tdbe free. Our claims upon Portugal have been, dur inglhe past year, prosecuted with renewed vigor, and it has been my object to employ every effort of honorable diplomacy to procure their adjustment. Our late Charge d’Affaires at Lisbon, the Hen. George W. Hopkins, made able and energetic, but unsuccessful, efforts to settle these unpleasant matters of controversy, i and to obtain indemnity for the wrongs which I were the subjects of complaint. Our present Charge d’Affairs, ’jht tnat Court, will also bring dition of Portugal, in past times, has been re- i presented as one of the leading causes of her 1 delay in indemnifying our suffering citizens. But I must now say it is matter of profound 1 Regret that these claims have not yet been set tled. The ontrssion of Portugal to do justice 1 to the American claimants, has now assumed 1 a character so grave and serious, that I shall shortly make it the subject of a special mes- ! sage to Congress, with a view to such ultimate ' action as its wisdom and patriotism may sug- i gest. With Russia, Austria, Prussia, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the ; Italian States, we still maintain our accustom- | ed amicable relations. During the recent revolutions in the Papal | States, our Chatge d’Affaires at Rome lias been unable to present his letter of credence, which, indeed, he was directed by my prede cessor to withhold until he should receive fur ther orders. Such was the unsettled condi tion of things in those States, that it was not deemed expedient to give him any instructions on the subject of presenting his credential let ter different from those with which he had been furnished by the late Administration, un til the 25th of June last, when, inconsequence of the want of accurate information ofthe ex act state of things at that distance from us, he was instructed to exercise his own discretion in presenting himself to the then ernment, if in his judgment sufficiently stable ; or, if not, to await further eveia*. Since that period Rome has undergone another revolu tion, and he abides the establishment of a Gov ernment sufficiently permanent to justify him rn opening diplomatic intercourse with it. With the Republic of Mexico, it is our true policy to cultivate the most friendly relations. Since the ratification of the Treaty of Guada lupe Hidalgo, nothing has occurred of a seri ous character to disturb them. A faithful ob servance of the Treaty, and a most sine 're respect for her rights,' cannot fail to secure the lasting confidence, and friendship W that Republic. The Message of my predecessor, to the House of Representatives, of the Bib of February last, communicating, in compliance with a resolution of that body, a copy of a pa per called a Protocol, signed at Queretaro, on the 30th of May, 1848, by the Commissioners of the United States and the Minister of For eign Affairs of the Mexican Government, hav ing been a subject of correspondence’between the Department of St'te and the Envoy Extra ordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of that Republic, accredited to this Government, a transcript of that correspondence is herewith submitted. The Commissioner on the part of the Unit ed States for marking the boundary between the two Republics, though delayed in reaching i San Diego, by unforeseen accidents, arrived I at that place within a short period after the I time required by the Treaty, and was there joined by the Commissioner on the part of 1 Mexico.' They entered upon their duties; and at the date of the latest intelligence from that quarter, some progress had been made in the survey’. The expenses incident to the organi sation of the commission, and to its convey ance to tbe point where its operations were to begin, have so much reduced the fund appro priated by Congress, that a further sum, toco ver the charges which must be incurred during j the present fiscal year, will be necessary. ' The great length of frontier along which the ■ boundary extends, the nature of tbe adjacent j territory, and the difficulty of obtaining sup ' plies, except at or near tbe extremes of the line, render it also indispensable that a liberal ’ provision should be made to meet the necessa- I ry changes during the fiscal year ending on the 30th June, 1851. 1 accordingly recom j mend this subject to your attention. In the adjustment of the claims of American 1 citizens on Mexico, provided for by tlie late I Treaty, the employment of counsel, on the part I of the Government, may become important for i tlie purpose of assisting the Commissioners in I protecting the interests of the United States. I recommend this subject to the early and fa vorable consideration of Congress, Complaints have been made in regard to the inefficiency of the means provided by the Gov ernment of New Grenada for transporting the United States mail across the Isthmns of Pa nama, pursuant to our Postal Convention with AUGUSTA, GEORGIA, TUESDAY MORNING, JANUARY 1, 1850. that Republic, of the 6th of March, 1844. Our Charge d’Afl’aires at Bogota has been-di rected to make such representations to the governmentof New Grenada as will, it is hoped, lead to a prompt removal of the cause of com plaint The sanguinary civil war with which the Republic of Venezuela has for some time past been ravaged, has been brought to a close. In its progress the rights of some of our citizens, resident or trading there, have been violated. The restoration of order will afford to the Ve nezuelan Government an opportunity to ex amine and redress these grievances, and 6t7;- ers of long standing, which onr representa tives at Caraccas have hitherto ineffectually urged upon the attention of that Government. The extension of tlfe coast of the United States oft the Pacific, and the unexampled ra pidity with which the inhabitants of California especially are increasing in numbers, have imparted new consequence to our relations with the other countries whose territories bor der upon that ocean. It is probable that the intercourse between those countries and our possessions in that quarter, particularly with the Republic of Chili, will become extensive and mutually advantageous, in proportion as California and Oregon shall increase in popu lation and wealth. It is desirable, therefore, that this Government should do every thing in ilßpower to foster and strengthen its relations with those States, and that the spirit of amity between us should be mutual and cordial. I recommend the observance of the same course towards all other American States.— The United States stand as a great American Power to which as their natural ally and friend they will always be disposed first to lock for mediation and assistance, in the event of any collision between them and any Euro pean nation. As such, we may often kindly mediate in their behalf, without entangling ourselves in foreign wars or unnecessary controversies. Whenever the faith of our treaties with any of them shall require our interference, we must necessarily interpose. A convention has been negotiated with Bra zil providing for the satisfaction of American claims on that Government, and it will be submitted to the Senate. Since the last ses sion of Congress, we have received an Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from that empire, and our relations with it are founded upon the most amicable under standing. Your attention is earnestly invited to an amendment of our existing laws relating to the African slave trade, with a view to the effectual suppression of that barbarous traffic. It is not to be denied that this trade is still, in part, carried on by means of vessels built in tlie United States and owned or navigated by some of our citizens. The correspondence between the Depaatment of State and the Minister and Consul ofthe United States at Rio de Janeiro, which has from time to time ot otfr laws by oteaus <n sA-reuers l . ■ v-u-oet* sold in Brazil, when provided with such papers by the Consul, instead of . returning to the United States far a new Register, proceed at once to the coast of Africa, for the purpose of obtaining cargoes of slaves. Much additional information, of the same character, has recent ly been transmitted to the Department of State. It has not been considered the policy of our laws to subject an American citizen, who, in a foreign country purchases a vessel built in the United States, to the inconvenience of sending her home for a new register, before permitting her to proceed on a voyage. Any ■ alteration of the laws which might have a | tendency to impede the free transfer of pro j perty in vessels between our citizens, or the free navigation of those vessels between our citizens, or the free navigation of those vessels between different parts of the world, when employed in lawful commerce, should be well and cautiously considered; but I trust that your wisdom will devise a method by which our general policy in this respect, may be preserved, and at the same time the abuse of our flag, by means of sea-letters, ia the manner indicated, may be prevented. Having ascertained that there is no prospect of the reunion of the five States of Central America, which formerly composed the repub lic of that name, we have separately negotiated with some of them treaties of amity and com merce, which will be laid before the Senate. A contract having been concluded with the State of Nicaragua, by a company composed of American citizens, for the purpose of con structing a ship canal through the territory of that State, to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, I have directed the negotiation of a treaty with Nicaragua, pledging both Govern ments to protect those who shall engage in | and perfect the work. All other nations are I invited, by the State of Nicaragua to enter I into the same'treaty stipulations with her; and I the benefit to be derived by each from such i an arrangement will be the protection of this j <rreat inter-oceanic communication against any l Power which might seek to obstruct it, or to monopolize "its advantages. All States enter ing into such a treaty will enjoy the right of passage through the canal on payment of the same tolls. The work, if constructed under these guar atities, will become a bond of peace instead of a subject Os cunteffiton und strife between the nations of the earth. Should the great mari time States of Ruropp consent to this arrange- j ment, (and we have no reason to si9jM>se that i a proposition so fair and be ; opposed by any,) tbe energies of their people ; and> ouYs will co-operate in promoting the success of the enterprizc. I do not recom mend any appropriation from the National Treasury for this purpose, nor do I believe that such an appropriation is necessary. Pri vate enterprise, if properly protected, will com- , plete the work, should it prove feasible. The parties who haye procured the charter from Nicaragua, for its construction, desire no assis tance from this Government beyond its pro tection ; and they profess that, having examin ed the proposed line of communicqtioq, they I will be ready to commence the undertaking whenever that protection shall be extended to them. Should there appear to be reason, on examining tbe whole evidence, to entertain a serious doubt of the practicability of construct ing such a canal, that doubt cpuld he speedily solved by an actual exploration of the route. Should such a work be constructed under the common protection of all nations, for equal t benefits of all, it would be neither just nor ! expedient that any great tnaratime State should command tne communication. The i territory through which the canal may be opened ought to be freed from the claims of ! any foreign Power. No such Power should 1 occupy a position that would enable it here after u> exercise so pontroliiiig an influence | over the commerce ot the world, or to obstruct i a highway which ought to be dedicated to \ the common uses of mankind. ' Tbe routes across the Isthmus, at Tehuan • tepee and Panama, are also worthy our seri : ous consideration. They did not fail to en gage the attention of my predecessor. The negotiator of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidal go was instructed to offer a very large sum of money for the right of transit ac rose the Isth- mus of Telinartleppc. The Mexican Govern ment didjlQl accede to the proposition for the purchase of the right of way, probably because it had already Contracted with private individu als for the donptructiou of a passage from the Guasaculeo ifter. ,to Tehuantepec. I shall not renew* any proposition to purchase, for money, a right which ought to be equally se cured to all nations, on payment of a reasona ble toll totbe owners of the improvement, who would, donbtless, be-well contented with that compenstuion, mid the guaranties oj the mari tiinc Sttufe ofctlie world, jn" separate Treaties negoUt A|f.'#ix Mexico, buiding her. aitd them to protect those wno shonld cotStretfr rim work. Such guaranties would do morq to se cure the completion of the communication through the territory of Mexico than any other reasonable consideration that could be offered ; and as Mexico herself would be the greatest gainer by the opening of this communication between the Gulf and the Pacific ocean, it is presumed that she would not hesitate to yield her aid, in the manner proposed, to accomplish an improvement so important to her own best interests. Wg ( have reason to hope that the proposed rail road across the Isthmus of Panama will be successfully constructed, under the protec tion of the late Treaty with New Grenada, ra tified and exchanged by my predecessor on tire 10th day of June, 1848, which guaranties the perfect neutrality of the Isthmus, and the rights of sovereignty and property of New Gre nada over that Territory, “ with a view that the free transit from ocean to ocean may not be interrupted or embarrassed” during the ex istence of the treaty. It is our policy to en courage every practicable route across the Isthmus, which connects North and South America, either by rail road or aanal, which the energy and enterprise of our citizens may imlflce them to complete ; and I consider it ob ligatory upon me to adopt that policy, especi cially in consequence of the absolute necessi ty of facilitating intercourse with our posses sions on the Pacific. The position ofthe Sandwich Islands, with reference to the territory ofthe United States on the Pacific; the success of our persevering and benevolent citizens who have repaired to that remote quarter in christianizing the na tives and inducing them to adopt a system of government and laws suited to their capacity and wants; and the use made by our numer ous whale-ships of the harbors of the islands as places of resort for obtaining refreshments and repairs, all combine to render their destiny peculiarly interesting to us. It is our duty to encourage the authorities of those islands in their efforts to improve and elevate the moral and political condition of the inhabitants; and we should make reasonably allowances for the difficulties inseparable from this task. We desire that the islands may maintain their in dependence, and that other nations should con cur with us in this sentiment. We could, in no event, be indifferent to their passing un- TWlinSTti dtimaiii or ..«y > n ’ **♦”*««• Ilia n com- mm.’ interest, and it is to no ontf of them will attempt to to the entire independence of mJ, islands. The receipts- into the Treasury for the fis cal year ending on the thirtieth of June last were, in. cash, forty-eight millions.eight hund red and thirty thousand ninety-seven dollars and fifty cents, ($48,830,097 50,) and in Tre asury notes funded, ten millions eight hundred and thirty-three thousand dollars, (10,833,000) making an aggregate of fifty-nine millions six hundred and sixty-three thousand ninety-seven dollars and fiftv cents. C 559,663,097 50:7 and the expenditures for the same time were, in cash; forty-six millions seven hundred and ninety-eight thousand six hundred and sixty seven dollars and eighty-two cents, ($46,- 798,667 82,) and in Treasury notes funded, ten millions eight hundred and thirty-three thousand dollars, (10,833,000,) making an ag gregate of fifty-seven millions six hundred and thirty-one thousand six hundred and sixty seven dollars and eighty-two cents, ($57,631 ,- 667 Bfi.) The accounts and estimates which will be submitted to Congress in the report of the Se cretary of the Treasury, show that there will probably be a deficit, ocasioned by the expen ses of the Mexican war and treaty, on the first day of July next, of five millions eight hund red and twenty-eight thousand one hundred and twenty-one dollars and sixty-six cents, ($5,828,121 66,) and on the first day of July, 1851, of ten millions five hundred and forty seven thousand and ninety-two dollars and seventy-three cents, ($10,547,091 73,) mak-‘ ing in the whole a probable deficit, to be pro- | vided for, of sixteen millions three hundred and seventy five thousand two hundred and fourteen dollars and thirty-nine cents, ($16,- 375,214 39 ) The extraordinary expenses of the war with Mexico, and the purchase of I California and New Mexico, exceed ia amount! this deficit, together with the loans heretofore made for those objects. I therefore recom mend that authority be given to borrow what ever sum may be necessary to cover that defi cit. I recommend the observance of strict economy in the appropriation and expendi- ! tore of public money. I recommend a revision of the existing tar- I iff and its adjustment on a basis which may ■ augment the revenue. I (to not dpubt the i riglit or duty of Congress tp encourage do- j mestip industry, which is the great soqree pf I l nationalas well as individual wealth and pros- ‘ perity. I look to the wisdom and patriotism ■ lof Congress fur the adoption of a system whieh rnay place home labor at last on a sure and permanent footing, and, by due encour agement of manufactures, give a new and in creased stimulus to agriculture, and promote the development of our resources, and tension of our commerce. Belfeyingthat to the i attaintflent of these ends (as well as the nece ssary augmentation of the revenue and the pre- I vention of frauds) a system of specific duties is best adapted, I strongly recommend tp Con gress tbe adoption of that system, feeing the duties a; rates high enough'to afford substan- I tial and sufficient encouragement to our own industry, and at the same time, so adjusted as to ensure stability. The question of the continuance of the Sub treasury system is respectfully submitted to the wisdom of Congres. (f continued, im portant modifications of it appear to be indis pensable. For further details and views of the al»ye, and other matters connected wjtl; camtoerce, the finances; and reyenue, I refer to the re port ofthetiecietary of the Treasury. No direckaid has been given by the General Government to the improvement of agricul ture, except by the expenditure of small sums for ibe collection and distribution ot agricultu ral statistics, and for some chemical analyses which have been, thus far, paid for out of the patent fund. This aid is, in my opinion, wholly inadequate. To give to this lading branch of American industry the eaaourage ment which it merits, t respectfully recom mend tne establishment of an Agricultural Bureau, to be connected with the Department of the Interior. To elevate the social, condi tion of the agriculturist, to increase his pros perity, and to extend his means of usefulness to his country, by multiplying his sources of I information, should be the study es every j statesman, and a primary object with every . legislator. No civil government having been provided i by Congress for California, the people of that I Territory, impelled by the necessities of their j. political condition, recently met in Convention i for the purpose of forming a constitution and State government, which the latest advices give meTcason so suppose has been aecotnp lishedjjmd it-fs believed they will shortly ap ly for the -admission of California into the Union as trsorifreign Stalo. Should such be ' IC . (, '4sfal‘ l ld4th <) jlld theiMonstitution be oon-, j application to the favorablqrconsiderations of Congress. >< The people of New,Mexico will also, it is believed, at no vefy distant period present themseloes for admission-into the Union. Pre paratory to the admission of California and New Mexico, the peoplp of each will have in stituted for themselves-a republican form of government,'"“laying its foundations in such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to ef fect their safetyand happiness.” Byjwjailing their action, all causes of un casi-nnR may be avoided, and confidence and kind feelfug preserved. With a view of main taining the' harmony and tranquility so dear to all, we should abstain from the introduction of those exciting topics of a sectional charac ter which have hitherto proceed painful’appre- Ijensions in the public and I repeat the solemn warningofthe first and most illustrious ’of my predecessors against furnishing “any ground for characterizing parties by geograph ical discriminations.” • A Collector has been appointed at San Francisco, under the act of Congress extending the revenue Jaws over California; and meas ures have been taken to organize the custom houses at that and the other ports mentioned in that act, at the earliest period practicable.— The Collector proceeded overland and ad vices have not yet been received of his arri val at San Francisco. Meanwhile, it is under stood that tiie customs have continued to be collected there by officers acting under the mi litary authority, as they were during the Ad ministration <1 my predecessor. It will, I think, be expedient to confirm the collections thus made, and direct the avails (after such allowances as Congress may think fit to au thorize) to be expendel within the Territory, or to be paid into the Treasury, for the purpose of meeting appropriations for the improvement of its rivers and harbors. A party, engaged on the coast survey, was dispatched to Oregon in January last. Ac cording to the latest advices, they had rot left California ; and directions have been given to them, as soon as they shall have fixed on the sites of the two light-houses and the buoys au thorized to be constructed and placed in Ore gon, to proceed witKout delay to make recon- , coast, the speedy eriftion of which is u’rgeut *ly demanded by our, rapidly increasing com ' merce. I have transferred the Indian Agencies from I Upper Missouri and Council Bluffs to Santa ' Fe and Salt Lake, and have caused to be ap pointed sub-agents in the valleys of the Gila, the Sacramento, and San Joaquin rivers. Still further legal provisions will-be necessary for the effective and successful extension of our system of Indian intercourse oyer the new territories. I recommend the establishment of a branch mint in California, as it will, in my opinion, afford important facilities to those engaged in mining', as well as to the Government in the disposition of the mineral lands, I also recommend that commissions be or ganized by Congress to examine and decidq. upon tne validity of the present subsisting land titles in California and New Mexico ; and that provision be mad« for the establishment of of fices of Surveyor General in New Mexico, California and Oregon, and for the surveying and bringing into market the public lands in those territories. Those lands, remote in po sition and difficult of access, ought to be dis posed of on terms liberal to all, but especially favorable to the early emigrants. [n order that the situation and character of the principal mineral deposites in California may be ascertained, I recommend that a geo logical and mineralogical exploration be con nected with the linear surveys, and that the mineral lands be divided into small lots suita- I ble for mining, and 1 e disposed of, by sale or lease, sons to give our citizens an opportunity of procuring a permanent right of properly in the soil. This would seem to he as important to the suepess of mining 3 s of agricultural I pursuits. The great mineral wealth of California, and the advantages which its ports and harbors and those of Oregon afford to commerce, espe cially with the islands of the Pacific and In dian oceans, and the populous regions of East ern Asia, make it certain that there will arise in a few years large and prosperous cmnmuni ties on our western coast. 'ft therefore be comes important t|iat a iineof communication, thp best and most expeditions which the nature of the country will admit, should he opened within the territory of (he United States, from the navigable waters £»f the Atlantic or the Gulfnf Mexico to the Pacific. Opinion, as elicited at d expressed by tiro large and re spectable Conventions, lately assembled at St. Louis and Memphis, points to a railroad as that which, if practicable, will best meet the wish es ard wants of the country. sui vyhile tms. if in qf great patipritfi importance, and of a value to the country which it would be difficglt to, estimate, it ought also to be regarded as an undertaking of vest magnitude and expense, and ope v>hiph must, if it he indeed praetica file* enpouater many difficulties in its construc tion and use. Therefore, to avoid failure aud disappointment; to enable Congress to judge whether, in the condition of the country through which it must pass ; th? w?r? be fea sible ; and, if it ’■» found so,’ whether Ft should be gnjo.taken a;, a national improvement or left to Individual enterprise; and, in the latter alternative, what aid, if any, otmht t?he ex tended to it bv the Government, f recommend, as a preliminary measure,' a careful reconnais sance pf the several proposed routes by a sci entific corps, and a report as'-t'o the practica bility of making such a road, with an estimate of the cost of its construction and support. For fur l et views on these other mat ters connected w;th tpe duties of the Home department, 1 refer you to the report of the Secretary of tne Interior. I recommend early appropriations for con-, tinning the river tmu harbor improvements which have bepn already begun, and also for she construction of tho-e for which estimates have been made, as well as for examinations and estimates preparatory to the commence ment of such others as the wants of the coun try, aud especially the advance of our popula tion over new districts, apd the extension of commerce, tnay render necessary. An esti mate of the amount which can be advantage , ously expended within the next fiscal year l un- NUMBER 1 der the direction of the Bure*u-< Topographi cal Engineers, of tbe Secretary of War, tp .which ~1/espedtfully in vite the aitentiotvof.Crjgreii. ' j The cession of terfftory made by the late i treaty with Mexico lias greatly extended our i.exposed frontier, and rendere|Tts defence more I difficult, - That treaty has alio brought us un der oblations to . Aicxico, to comply with which a military, force'is requisite. But our military establishment is not materially chang ed, as to its efficiency)" from the Condition in whioh it stood before the commenosaent oi the Mexican war. tojE will there-, Jnre be necesjmry t nrqj I recommmd to 4be fit' viiiable ’c%u!«iderarf.n, of the several ebrps otWie ale western posts, as proposed in the accompany ing report of the Secretary of War. e Great embarrassment has resulted from the effect upon rank, in' the army, heretofote giv en to brevet and staff commissions. The views of the Secretary of War on this subject are deemed important, and if carried into ef fect will, it is believed, promote the harmony of the service. The plan proposed for retir ing disabled officers, and providing an asylum for such of the rank and file as from age, wounds, and other infirmities occasioned by service, have become unfit to perforin their re spective duties, is recommended as a means of Increasing the efficiency of the army, and as an act of justice due from a grateful country to the faithful soldier.. The accompanying report of the Secretary of the Navy presents a full and satisfactory account of the condition and operations of the naval service during the past year. Our citi zens engaged in the legitimate pursuits of com merce have enjoyed its benefits. Wherever our national vessels have gone they have been received with respect, our officers have been treated with kindness and courtesy, and they have on all occasions pursued a course of strict neutrality, in accordance with the policy of onr Government. The naval force at present in commission is as large as is admissible, with the number of men authorized by Congress to be employed. I invite your attention to the recommenda tion of the Secretary of the Navy on the sub ject of a re-organization of the Navy, in its va rious grades ot officers, and the establishing of a retired list for such of the officers as are dis qualified for active and effective service.— Should Congress adopt some such measure as is recommended, it v ill greatly increase the efficiency of the Navy, and reduce its expen ditures. I also ask your attention to the views ex pressed by him in reference to the employment of war steamers, and in regard to the contracts for the transportation of the United States mails and the operation of the system upon the prosperity of the Navy. By an act of Congress passed August 14th,' 1848, provision was made for extending post office and mail accomodations to California and Oregon. Exertions have been made to rizes, the ill adaptation of piir post office larks to the situation of that cocntry, and the mea sure of compensation for services allowed by those laws, compared with the prices of labor and rents in California, render those exertions in a great degree, ineffectual. More particu lar and efficient provision by law is required on this subject. The act of 1845, reducing postage, has now, by its operation during four years, produ ced results fully showing that the income from such reduced postage is sufficient to sustain the whole expense of the service of the Post Office Department, not including the cost of transportation in mail steamers on tbe lines from New Y’ork to Chagres, and from Pana ma to Astoria, which have not been considered by Congress as properly belonging to the mail service. It is submitted to the wisdom of Congress whether a further reduction of postage should not now be made, more particularly on the let ter correspondence. This should be relieved from the unjust burden of transporting and delivering the franked matter of Congress, for which public service provision should be made from the Treasury. I confidently believe that a change may safely be made, reducing all sin gle letter postage to the uniform rate of five cents, regardless of distance, without thereby imposing any greater tax on the Treasury than would constitute a very moderate compensa tion for this public service; and I therefore re spectfully recommend such a reduction.— Should Congress prefer to abolish the franking privilege entirely, it seems probable that no demand on the Treasury would result from the proposed reduction of postage. Whelherany further diminution should now be made, or the result of the reduction to five cents, which I have recommended, should be first tested, is submitted to your decision. . Since the commencement of tne last seszion of Congress, a postal treaty with Greqt Britain has been received and rtpifiad, and such regu lations have tteep, formed by the Post Office Ejepartmepts of the two countries, in pursu ance of that treaty, as to carry its provisions into full operation. The attempt to extend this sama arrangement, through England, to France, has not been equally successful; but thepurpose has not been abandoned. ror a particular statement of the coi dition of the Post Office Department, and other mat ters connected with that branch of the public service, I refer you to the report of the Post master General, By Ike act or ttd March, 1849, a Board was constituted to make arrangements for taking the seventh census, composed of the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Post master General; and it was made the duty of this Board “• to prepare and cause to be printed snch forms and schedules as might be necessa ry for the full enumeration of the inhabitants of the United States; and also proper forms and schedules for collecting, In statistical ta bles, under proper heads, such information as, to mine;, agriculture, commerce, manufap iqres, education, and other topics, as would ex hibits full view of the pursuits, industry, edu cation and resourqpa of the country.” ’J'he duties enjoined upon the Census Board thus pstabfished having been performed, it now rests with Congress to enact a la w for carrying into effect the provision of the Constitution which ■ requires an actual enumeration of the people of the United States withiq t'ia orisuing year. Among the dutfej assigned by the Constitu , tion to (he iqeneral government is one of local «ud limited aplication, but not on tfeii account the less obligatory: I io tlie trust com mitted to CougCLie, as the exclusive legislator and "ofe guardian of tbe interests cd the Dis -1 trie’, of Columbia. I fcgg to commend these interests to your kind attention. As the Na tional Metropolis the city of Washington must I be an object of general interest; and, found ed as it was under the auspices of him wMbse j immortal name it bears, its claims to tbe foster ing care ofCongress present themsemselves I with additional strength. Whatever can con tribute to its prosperity must enlist the feelings of its ccnstitutjsmal guardians, and command > their favorable consideration. , Our Government is one of limited powers, 1 and Us successful administration eminonfly -L. .U. it iii-i • depends on (lie confinement of each df' fte oo- I’ordfriate branches within* ftu bwn appftwfete sphere. The first section rif the Comjaiffi brduins that ‘all legislative powersxjjM'hiii, grunted shall be vested in a Xfeugreas rtf , 06. Uditcd States, wbrch shall consist of aefeMlp arfd House' of Represmitallves.” The Ew®/ cuilvethas suHiorlly to recommend (notlo die- . * tate) measures to Congress, Having perfdrtn ed tlrat dirty, ffieExecutive department of. the rightfully control' the de cision of Congress orfa'ny subject of legisla- 4 tion, utilil that decision shall have been official ly aifemiHcd to the President for approval.— ’ Tiio elieekj>rovided by tie Constitution, in ; the clause conferring the qualified veto,-.will I never,, bp oxetcisetf by-me, except in the ca ses sontemplated by the Fathers of the Repnb- “ "■ diu. F view Utas an extretb# measure, to be. to only in extraordinary cases—as wherajt majr become neceisary te defend tbe Executive-ago inM thq encroachments of the LegUMtive power, or so preuenfrhasty and in considerate of uncotistitutional legislation. By qautiouslyjconfining thjaremedy within (he sphere prescribed to it in the' cctemporaneoua expositions pf the framers of the Constitution, tlie wilj of the .People, legiti|aate)y expressed l on all subjects of Legisltitidn, through their ■ constitutional organs, the lsenxtorV«»ia Repre eentatifts of the United IHlatee, will have its .full effect. As indispensable to the presents- ' tion'of our system of self-government, the in dependence of tbe Rejfresentatives of the States and the . People guarantied by the Constitution; and they ‘owe no responsibiHiy to any human power but. their constituents. ’* By holding the. Representative responsible r ; oply to the People, qnd exempting him from Ml other influences, we elevate the ebsraeter of the constituent, and quicken his dense of ■responsibility to his country. ,It is under these circumstances only that the Hector can feel that, in the choice of tbe law-maker, 'he is, himself, truly a component pan of the sover eign power of the nation. With equal care we should study to defend the rights of the Executive and Judicial Departments, Our Government can only be preserved in its puri b’ ■fe ! !l‘TP res W‘ a ® <l entir* elimination of eViSjr’cmni >e*t«iAeugy ncsordinsae to*.»tib-io.e O cr fl ftpfea»Dfp sqaWher. With the strict observ. or and xSe <uher injunctions of tftrf Constitution ; wiih a sedtf lous inculcation of that respect and Jove for the Union of the Slates which our Fathers cherished and enjoined upon their children; and with the aid of that over-ruling Providence which has so long and so kindly guarded our liberties and institutions, we may reasonably eXpect to transmit them with their innumera ble blessings to the remotest posterity. But attachment to the Union of the States should be habitua'ly fostered in every Ameri can heart. For more than half a century, during which kingdoms and empires have fall en, this Union has stood unshaken. The patriots who formed it have long since descend ed to tbegrave; yet still it remains, the proud est monument to their memory, and the object of affection and admiration with every one worthy to bear the American name. In my judgment, its dissolution would be the greatest of calamities, and to avert that should be the study of every American. Upon its preserva tion must depend our own happiness and that of countless generations to come. Whatever dangers may threaten it, I shall stand by it and maintain it in its integrity, to the full extent of the obligations imposed and the power con ferred upon mo by the Constitution. Z. TAYLOR. Washington, December 4th, 1849. Legislature. There was not much business or importaac in the House on the 20th. Mr. Joseph E. Brown introduced some res olutions into the Senate condemnatory of the course of Hon. T. Butler King in California, which were taken up and made the order of the day for Monday the 21»t of January next. These proceedings we will give in our next. Messrs. Toombs and Stephens. —We give in another column a detailed account of the proceedings of the Whig caacusat Wash ington for the nomination of a candidate for the Speakership, that our readers may have an opportunity of judging of the propriety of the course of our Whig Representatives in Con gress (Messrs. Stephens, Toombs and Owen.) ’ t .'Xu ’ln Jl”sl h “o’u Athens Whig. We are pleased to learn, says the Savannah Georgian, that Mr. Rosenband has succeeded tn obtaining the whole of his money which it was supposed had been destroyed by the fire on the 17th inst. It was removed to a place of safety in a box of clothing, and was discover ed ou examining the goods. Mrs. Partington's Opinion of the Ethiopians.—“{Yes, 1 did go to hear the Eat the-opium Sarah-naders, yes 1 did, and 1 don’t keer if Deaton Blathers does hear of it. I’d rather heer them blessed black martingales than a dozen of Deacon Blather’s old sar mints. One of them sung out « hat my poor Paul used to like, in tho salt seller voice, just like a baby’s whistle and musical snuff box together. One of ’em shook his fingers to gether and they rattled like pipe stems; but what I like mostest of all was the beautiful music of the according line. Oh how delwhes tbe music rolled out of it; I could have got tip and danced with delight.” And the old lady got up and really shook herself all over. MAR iFFeD . On Thursday evening, Dec. 20, by the Rev. Mr, Everett, Mr. James M. Hatcher, of Jefferson, and Miss Sarah Frances, daughter of Elias Lazenby, Esq., of Columbia county. dTe D. At San Francisco, California, on the 21st October last, Dr. Claiborne Anderson Watkins, a native of Richmond county, Geo. In California, u short time since, Ellsworth Foster Park, Esq., late of Hawkinsville, Ga., and snn of Col. John G. Park. At Milledgeville,on the 18th inst., Mrs. Eli za M. Randolph, relict of the late Dr. R. H. Randolph, in tbe 40th year of her age. Speriat Notices. < ‘ B '' a ■ - -AMSa. 'u . .~r :.'3c.a ■ [communicated.] To the generoii'i Voters of Rich* mond County. With the most profound feelings of .grati tude for your kind support, at former elections, 1 once more, and, perhaps, for the last time, in voke your aid on Monday next. All thtfte considerations of sympathy and Benevofence that operated upon the hearts of the humane voters who so kindly elected me to the office of Coroner still exist, and, if possible, with in creased weight. J plead with you, fellow ci tizens, not far myself, but on behalf of help less and dependent children: but-jor them, God knows I would not thrust myselfYiefora >you at this time. lam poor and unfortunate, “ and therefore it is that 1 am thus constrained thus to appeal to your generosity. lam forc ed to ask you, as men and Christians, in the name of charity, and in th*sacred name of hu manity, to extend to me a helping hand, in this my time of wed. Think not you are voting fftr tpe- No. each vote given in ray name, will be, as it were, manna from heaven put into llto mouths ot little creatures unable to sustain and support themselves—bread given to the poor and needy. Snatch from me the perquisites of this office, and you virtually doom myself and little ones to almost certain want and misery. I, therefore, in the most so lemn manner, with a spirit saddened and sub dued by misfortune, earnestly solicit yonr friendly aid. I beseech you, men of Rich mond, turn not a deaf ear to this appeal—but, animated by the noblest sentiment that dwells within the human breast, bestow your suffra ges upon one who sadly experiences the awfu I reality of niter destitution. JOSHUA 8. WALKER. Augusta, Dec. 29, 1849.