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presidents message. ;
Rillotr-Citizent ttf the Senate !
a tvl of the House of Representatives :
I congratulate you and our common constitu
eiiry upon the favorable auspices under which 1
you meet for your first session. Our country is
at peace with all the world. The agitation
which, fora time, threatened to disturb the fra
ternal relations which make us one people, is
last subsiding; and a year of general nrosjierity
an ! health has crowned the nation with unusual
blessings. None can look back to the dangers
which are passed, or forward to the bright pros
pect before us, without feeling a thrill ol gratifi
cation. at the same time that he must be im
pressed with a grateful sense ot our profound ob
ligations to a beneficent Providence, whose pa
ternal care is so manifest in the happiness of this
highly favored land.
INVASION OP CURA.
Since the close of the last Congress, certain
< 'ubans and other foreigners resident in the Uni
ted States, who were more or less concerned in
the previous invasion of Cuba, instead of being
discouraged by its failure, have again abused the
hospitality of this country, by making it the
scene ol the equipment of another military expe
dition against that jxrssession of her Catholic ma
jestv, in which they were countenanced, aided
and joined by citizens of the United States. On
receiving intelligence that such designs were
entertained, I lost no time in issuing such in
structions to the proper officers of the United
States as seemed to be called for by the occasion.
II V the proclamation, a copy of which is here
with submitted, I also warned those who might
be in danger of being inveigled into this scheme
ol its unlawful character, ami of the penalties
which they would incur. For some time th re
was reason to hope that these measures had suf
ficed to pievent any such attempt. This ho|ic,
however,proved tube delusive. Very early in
the morning ol the third of August, a steamer
called the Pampero, departed from New-Orleans
tor Culm, having on hoard upwards of lour hun
dred armed men, with evident intentions to make
war upon the authorities of the island. This ex
pedition was set on foot in palpable violation of
the laws of the United States. Its leader was a
Spaniard, and several ol the chief officers, and
some others engaged in it, were foreigners. The
pci sons comixrsing it, however, were mostly citi
zens of the U nited States.
Before the expedition set out, and probably be
fore it was organized, a slight insurrectionary
movement, which appears to have been soon
suppressed, hail taken place in the eastern quar
tesofCuha. The impoitance of this movement
was unfortunately so much exaggerated in the
accounts ol it published in this country, that
these adventurers seem to have lieen led to be
lieve that the Creole imputation of the island not
only desired to throw oil the authority of the
iiintlier country, hut had resolved upon that step,
and had begun a well concerted enterprise lor
effecting it. The persons engaged in the expe
dition were generally young and ill informed.—
The steamer in which they embarked left New
Orleans stealthily and without a clearance.—
Alter touching at Key West, she proceeded to
Ihe coast ofCulia, and, on the night between the
11th ami 12th of August, landed the jiersons on
board at Playtas, within about twenty leagues
of Havana.
I’lie main body ofthem proceeded to, and took
possession of, an inland village, six leagues dis
tant, leaving others to follow in charge of the
haggag", as soon as the means of transjiortation
could be obtained. The latter, having taken up
then line of march to connect themselves with
the main body, and having proceeded about lour
leagues into the country, were attacked on the
morning of the lllth, by a body ol'Spanish troops,
and a bloody conflict ensiled; after which they
i'i treated to the place of discmbarcutiun, where
about fifty of them obtained lxiats and re-em
barked therein. They were, however, inter
cepted among the keys near the shore bv a S|>an
ish steamer cruising on the coast, captured ami
carried to Havana, and, alter being examined j
In-loro military court, aeiitrm-cil in in* |im,-
liely executed, and the sentence was carried in
to effect on the Kith ol August.
On receiving information of what had occurred, >
Commodore Foxhall A. Parker was instructed to >
proceed in the steam-frigate Saranac to Havana,
and inquire into the charges against the iiersons
executed, the circumstances under which they
were taken, and whatsoever referred to their trial
and sentence. Copies of instructions from the !
Depaitment of State to him, and of his letters to j
that Depaitment, are herewith submitted.
According lo the record of the examination,
the prisoners all admitted the offences chargedl
against them, ofbeing hostile invaders of the is
land. At the time of their trial and execution'
the main hotly of the invaders was still in the !
field, making war upon the Spanish authorities
and Spanish subjects. Alter the lapse of some
days, being overcome by the Spanish troops, they
dispersed on the 21th of August, Lopez, their
leader, was captured some days after, ami execu
ted on the Ist of September. Many of his re
maining followers were killed, or died of hunger
and fatigue, and the rest were made prisoners.
Os these, none appear to have been tried or ex
ecuted. Several of them were pardoned upon
application of their friends and others, and the
rest, about one hundred and sixty in number, |
were sent to Spain. Os the filial disposition
made til t hese we have no official information.
Such is the melancholy result of this illegal and
ill-fated expedition. Thus, thoughtless young 1
men have been induced, by lalse and fraudulent!
representations, to violate the laws of their coun- !
try, through rash and unfounded expectations of; 1
assisting to accomplish political revolutions in ; i
other States, ami have lost their lives intheun- '<
dertaking. Too severe a judgment can hardly i
he passed, by the indignant sense of the commu- ’
nity, upon those who, being better informed i
themselves, have yet led away the ardor of youth I
and ill-directed love of political liberty. The
correspondence between this Government and '
that ol Spain relating to this transaction is here- I
with communicated. I
Although these offenders against the laws have 1
forfeited the protection of their country, yet the
«—>*icnt may. so far as is consistent with *
its obligations to other countries, and its fixed '
purpose to maintain and enforce the laws, enter- 1
tain sympathy for their unoffending families and 1
triends, as well as a feeling of compassion for *
themselves. Accordingly no proper effort has '
been spared, and none will be spared, to procure 1
t Ire release of such citizens of the. United States, 1
engaged in this unlawful enterprise, as are now 1
in confinement in Spain ; but it is to be hoped
that such interposition with the government of •
that country may not be considered as affording
any ground of expectation that the Government 1
of the United States will, hereafter, feel itself ‘
under any obligation of duty to intercede lor the
liberation or pardon of such persons as are da
grant offenders against the law of nations and
the laws of the United States. These laws must
be executed. If we desire to maintain our re
spectability among the nations of the earth, it
behoves us to enforce steadily and sternly the
neutrality acts passed by Congress, and to follow,
us far as may be, the violation of those acts with
condign punishment.
But what gives a peculiar criminality to this
invasion of Cuba is. that under the lead of Spanish
subjects and with the aid of citizens of the United
States, it had its origin, with many, in motives
of cupidity. Money was advanced by indivi
duals. probably in considerable amounts, to pur
chase Cuban bonds, as they have been called,
issued by Lopez, sold, doubtless, at a very large
discount, and for the payment of which the pub
lic lands and public property of Cuba, of whatev
er kind, and the fiscal resources of the people and
government ot that island, from whatever source
to be derived, were pledged as well as the good
faith of the go\ eminent expected to be estab
lished. All these means of payment, it is evi
dent, were only to be obtained by a process of
bloodshed, war, and revolution. None will deny
that those who set on foot military expeditions
against foreign States by means like these, are far
more culpable than the ignorant and the neces- j
sitous whom they induce to go forth as theosten- 1
sible parties in the proceeding. These origins-,
tors of the invasion of Cuba seem to have deter- '
mined, with coolness and system, upon an un
dertaking which should disgrace their country,
violate its laws, and nut to hazard the lives of ill
informed and deluded men. You will consider
whether further legislation be necessary to pre
vent the perpetration of such offences in future.
No individuals have a right to hazard the peace
of the country or to violate its laws upon vague j
notions of altering or reforming governments in
other States. This principle is not only reasona
ble in itself, and in accordance with public laws
but is engrafted into the codes of other nations as
well as our own. But while such are the senti
ments of this Government, it may be added that
every independent nation must be presumed to
he able to defend its possessions against unau- !
thorized individuals banded together to attack j
them. The Government of the United States. ;
at all times since its establishment, has abstained I
and has sought to restrain the citizens of the I
country, from entering into controversies be- j
tween other powers, and toobserve all the duties
of neutrality. At an early period of the Govern- |
ment, in the administration of Washington, sev- j
eral laws were passed for this pur[ose. The main ’
provisions of these laws were re-enacted by the
act of April, 1818, by which, amongst other
things, it was declared that if any person shall,
within the territory or jurisdiction of the United
States, begin, or set on foot, or provide, or pre- j
pare the means for any military expedition or
enterprise to be carried on from thence against
the territory or dominion of any foreign prince or
State, or of any colony, district, or people with
! whom the United States are at peace, every per
* son so offending shall he deemed guilty of a high
: misdemeanor, and shall he fined, not exceeding
' three thousand dollars, and imprisoned not more
’ than three years; and this law has been executed
' and enforced, to the full extent of the power of
r the Government, from that day to this.
* In proclaiming and adhering to the doctrine of
neutrality and non-intervention, the U. Slates
f have not followed the lead of other civilized na
tions; they have taken the lead themselves, and
' have been followed by others. This was admit
| ed by one of the most eminent or modern British
statemen, who said in Parliament, while a min
! ister of the crown, “that, if he wished for a guide
in a system of neutrality, he should take that laid
down by America in the days of Washington
' and the secretaryship of Jefferson;” and we see,
1 in fact, thatthe act of Congress of 1818 was 101-1
1 lowed, the succeeding year, by an act ol the I’ar
" liament of F.nglanff, substantially the same in its
1 general provisions. Up to that time, there had
l! been no similar law in England, except certain
highly penal statutes passed in the reign of
' George 11., prohibiting Knglish subjectsfiom en
listing in foreign service, the avowed object of
which statute was. that foreign armies, raised
’ for the purpose of restoring the house of Stuart to
r the throne, should not he strengthened by re
cruits from F.ngland herself.
All must see that ilillicullies may arise in car
' rying the laws referred to into execution in a
country now having three or four thousand miles
1 of seacoast, with an infinite number of ports and
harbors and small inlets, from some of which mi
-1 lawful expeditions may suddenly set forth, willi
s out the knowledge of Government, against the
possessions of foreign States.
Friendly relations with all, hut entangling al
liances with none, has long been a maxim with
us. Our true mission is not to propagate our
opinions, or impose upon other countries our
1 form of government, by artifice or force; but t»
teach by example, and show by our success, mo
deration and justice, the blessings of self-govern
ment, and the advantages of free institutions.
< Let every people choose for itself, and make and
alter its political institutions to suit its own con
dition and convenience. But, while we avow
and maintain this neutral policy ourselves, we
are anxious to see the same forbearance on the
part ol other nations, whose forms of govern -
' ment are different from our own. The deep in
i forest which we feel in the spread of liberal prin
ciples and the establishment oi iiw|>ovnii,iii;i>i«,
' and the synqiathy with which we witness every
struggle against oppression, forbid that we should
>' he indifferent to a case in which the strong arm
11 of a foreign power is invoked to stille public .sen
timents and repress the spirit of freedom in any
1 country.
| : ENGLISH ANU FRKNCII INTERFERENCE.
■ | The governments ofGreat Britain and France
i j have issued orders to their naval commanders on j
| the West India station to prevent, by force, if 1
1 necessary, the landing of adventurers from any 1
| nation on the Island of Cuba with hostile intent, j
i The copy of a memorandum of a convention on
this subject between the Charge d’Affaires ol Her ;
Britannic Majesty and the Acting Secretary of j
State, and of a subsequent note of the former to 1
1 the Department of State, are herewith submit
j ted, together with a copy of a note of the Acting
Secretary of the State to the Minister of the
French republic, and of the reply of the latter,
on the same subject. These papers will acquaint
you with the grounds of the interposition of the
two leading commercial powers of Europe, and
with the apprehensions, which this Government
could not tail to entertain, that such interposition, I
if carried into effect, might lead to abuses in de
! rogation of the maritime rights of the U. Slates. !
j The maritime rights of the United States are
founded on a firm, secure, and well defined ba
sis; they stand upon the ground of National In
dependence and public law, and will be niain
j taineil in all their lull and just extent.
The principle which this Government has
heretofore solemnly announced it still adheres to, j
and will maintain under all circumstances and |
at all haz.ards. That principle is, that in every i
regularly documented merchant vessel, the crew
who navigate it, and those on board of it, will 1
find their protection in the llag which is over
them. No American ship can be allowed to he
visited or searched for the purpose of ascertaining
the character of individuals on baard. nor can
there be allowed any watch by the vessels ol any
foreign nation over American vessels on the coasts
of the United States or the seas adjacent thereto.
It will be seen by the last communication from
the British Charge d’Affaires to the Department
of State, that he is onthoriz.ed to assure the Secre
tary ot State that every care will be taken that,
in executing the preventive measures against
the expeditions, which the United States Gov- 1
eminent itself has denounced as not being enti
tled to the protection of any government, ”10 in- :
terference shall take place with the lawful com- :
merceof any' nation.
In addition to the correspondence on this sub
ject, herewith submitted, official information has 1
been received at the Department of State, of as- 1
surances by the French government that, in the 1
orders given to the French naval forces, they 1
e were expressly instructed, in any operations they
. might engage in, to respect the Hag of the United
I States wherever it might appear, and to commit
t 110 a ct ot hostility upon any vessel or armament
under its protection.
t SPANISH CONSUL AT NEW ORLEANS.
! Ministers and consuls of foreign nations are
) the means and agents of communication be
-1 tween us and those nations, and it is of the ut
most importance that, while residing in the
i country, they should feel a perfect security so
l long as they faithfully discharge their respective
1 duties and are guilty of no violation of our laws,
s This is the admitted law of nations, and no
• country has a deeper interest in maintaining it
than the United States. Our commerce spreads
, over every sea and visits every clime, and our
• ministers and consuls are appointed to protect
. the interests of that commerce, as well as to
1 S uara the peace of the country and maintain the
honor ot its tlag. But how can they discharge
these duties unless they be themselves protected
and, if protected, it must be by the laws of the
country in which they reside. And what is due
to our own public functionaries residing in for
eign nations, is exactly the measure oT what is
due to the functionaries of other governments
residing here. As in war, the bearers of dags
of truce are sacred, or else wars would be in
terminable, so in peace, embassadors, public min
isters, and consuls, charged with friendly na
tional intercourse, are objects of especial respect
and protection, each according to the rights be
longing to his rank and station. In view of these
important principles, it is with deep mortifica
tion and regret I announce to you that, during
the excitement growing out of the executions at
Havana, the office of her Catholic Majesty's
consul at New Orleans, was assailed by a mob,
his property destroyed, the Spanish flag found in
the office carried otF and torn in pieces, and he
himself induced to flee for his personal safety,
which he supposed to be in danger. On receiv
ing intelligence of these events, I forwith direct
ed the attorney of the United States, residing at
New Orleans, to inquire into the facts and the
extent of the pecuniary loss sustained by the
consul, with the intention of laying them before
. you, that you might make provision for such in
; demnity to him as a just regard for the honor of
| the nation and the respect which is due to a
j friendly power might, in your judgment, seem to
require. The correspondence upon this subject
! between the Secretary of State and her Catholic
i majesty s minister plenipotentiary, is herewith
I transmitted.
| The occurrence at New Orleans has led me to
j give my attention to the state of our laws in re
gard to foreign embassadors, ministers, and con
i suls. I think the legislation of the country is
I deficient in not providing sufficiently either lor
the protection or the punishment of consuls. I
j therefore recommend the subject to the consid
eration of Congress.
reciprocal trade.
Your attention is again invited to the question
of reciprocal trade between the United States
and Canada and other British possessions near
our frontier. Overtures for a convention upon
, this subject have been received from her Britan-
I nic Majesty s Minister Plenipotentiary, but it
seems to he in many respects preferable that the
matter should he regulated hy reciprocal legisla
tion. Documents are laid before you showing
the terms which the British government is wil
ling to offer, and the measures which it may
adopt, if some arrangement upon this subject
shail not he made.
OREGON BOI'NDARV.
From the accompanying copy of a note from
the British Legation at Washingion. and the re
ply of the Department of State thereto, it will
appear that her Britannic Majesty's government
is desirous that a part of the boundary line be
tween Oregon and the British possessions should
be authoritatively marked out, and that an in
tention was expressed to apply to Congress fur
an appropriation to defray the expenses thereof
on the part ol the United States. Your atten
tion to this subject is accordingly invited, and a
proper appropriation recommended.
CLAIMS ON PORTUGAL.
j A convention for the adjustment of claims of
citizens of the United Slates against Portugal,
, has been concluded, and the ratifications have
been exchanged. The first instalment of the
amount to he paid hy Portugal fell due on the
dOth ol September last, and has not been paid.
The President of the French llepiiblic, accord
ing to the provisions of the convention, has been
selected as arbiter in the case of the General
Armstrong ; and has signified that he accepts the
i trust and the high satisfaction lie feels in acting
as the common friend of two nations, with
which France is united by sentiments of sincere
I and lasting amity.
I THE SriILIMK PORTE —THE UINfiAItIANS.
Ihe Turkish government has expressed its
thanks lor the kind reception given to the Sul- :
tan s agent, Ajini Bey, on the occasion of his i
| recent visit to the United States. On the 28th ;
of February last a despatch was addressed hv I
; the Secretary of State to Mr. Marsh, the Arnen
can Minister at Constantinople, instructing him
to ask of the Turkish government permission lor
the Hungarians, then imprisoned within the do
minions ol the Sublime I'orte, to remove to tin
| country. On the .'id of March last, both Houses ;
ol Congress passed a resolution requesting the !
i '’...la—.*. 4. ...ii.*r.r. ... V 4.; 0 y.....„i „f a >
public vessel to convey to this country Louis'?
Kossuth and his associates in captivity.
The instruction above referred to was com
plied w.th, and the Turkish government haring
released Governor Kossuth and his companions
from prison, on the I Oth of September last they ;
embarked on board of the United States steam- ;
: trigate Mississippi, which was selected to carry I
into cllect the resolution of Congress. Governor j
Kossuth left the Mississippi at Gibraltar, for the
j purpose of making a visit to England, and may j
shortly be expected in New York. By com-!
; munications to the Department ol State he has 1
I expressed his grateful acknowledgments lor the ;
interposition ol this Government in behalf of
himselt and his associates. This country has 1
! been justly regarded as a safe asylum for ’ those I
whom political events have exiled from the:r
own homes in Europe; and it is recommended to j
Congress to consider in what manner Governor'
Kossuth and his companions, brought hither by j
its authority, shall be received and treated. '
the sandwich islands.
it is earnestly to be hoped that the differences !
■ which have for sometime past been pending be
tween the government of the French republic
, and that ot the Sand wich Islands, may he pea- i
[ eeably and durably adjusted, so as to secure the j <
independence of those islands. Long before the I ■
events which have ol late imparted so much j ]
importance to the possessions of the United ;
States on the Pacific, we acknowledged the in- 1
dependence ol the Hawaiian government. This ;
Government was first in taking that step, and i
several ot the leading powers of Europe imnie- 1
diately followed. We were influenced in this
measure by the existing and prospective inipor- (
tanee ol the islands as a place of refuge and re- t
freshment for our vessels engaged in It he whale :
fishery, and by the consideration that they lie
in the course of the great trade which must, at
no distant day, be carried on between the wes
tern coast of North America and Eastern Asia.
We were also influenced by a desire that those
islands should not pass under the control of any
other great maritime State, but should remain in
an independent condition, and so be accessible
and useful to the commerce of all nations. I need
not say that the importance of these considera
tions has been greatly enhanced by the sudden
and vast developement which the interests of
the United States have attained in California
and Oregon; and the policy heretofore adopted in
regard to those islands will be steadily pursued.
It is gratifying not only to those who consider
the commercial interests of nations, but also to
a|l who favor the progress of knowledge and the
dillusion ot religion, to see a community emerge
from a savage state and attain such a degree of
civilization in those distant seas.
INVASION OF MEXICO.
It is much to be deplored that the internal tran
quility of the Mexican republic should again be
seriously disturbed; for. since the peace between
that republic and the United States, it had en
joyed such comparative repose that the most fa
vorable anticipations for the future might, with a
degree of confidence, have been indulged. These,
however, have been thwarted by the recent out
break in }he State of Tamaulipas, on the right
bank ol the Rio Bravo. Having received infor
mation that persons from the United States had
taken part in the insurrection, and apprehending
that their example might be fallowed by olhers.
I caused orders to be issued for the purpose of
preventing any hostile expeditions against Mex
ico from being set on foot in violation ofthe laws
of the U nited States. I likewise issued a procla
mation upon the subject, a copy of which is
herewith laid before you. This appeared to be
rendered imperative by the obligations of trea
ties and the general duties ofgood neighborhood.
TEHUANTEPEC RAIL HOAD.
In my last annual message. I informed Con
gress that citizens of the United States had un
dertaken the connexion of the two oceans by
means of a railroad across the Isthmus of Te
huantepec, under a grant ofthe Mexican govern
ment to a citizen of that republic; and that this
enterprise would probably be prosecuted with
energy whenever Mexico should consent to such
stipulations with the Government of the United
States as should impart a feeling of security to
those who should invest their property in the
enterprise.
A convention between the two governments
for the accomplishment of that end has been
ratified by this Government, and only awaits
the decision of the Congress and the Executive
of that republic.
Some unexpected difficulties and delays have
arisen in the ratification of that convention by
Mexico, hut it is to he presumed that her deci
sion will be governed hy just and enlightened
views, as well of the genera! importance of the
object, as of their own interests and obligations.
In negotiating upon this important subject,
this Government has had in view one, and only
one. object. That object has been, and is, the
construction or attainment of a passage from
ocean to ocean, the shortest and the best for
travellers and merchandise, aid equally open to
all the world. It has sought to obtain no ter
ritorial acquisition, nor any advantages peculiar
to itself; and it would see, with the greatest re
gret, that Mexico should oppose any obstacle to
the accomplishment of an enterprise which pro
mises so much convenience to the whole com
mercial world, and such eminent advantages to
Mexico herself. Impressed with these senti
ments and these convictions, the Government
will continue to exert all proper efforts to bring
about the necessary arrangement with the repub
lic of Mexico for the sjieedy completion of the
work.
NICARAGUA.
For some months, past the republic of Nicara
gua has been the theatre of one ol those civil
convulsions, from which the cause of free institu
tions, and the general prosperity and social pro
gress of the States of Central America, have so
often and so severely suffered. Until quiet shall
have been restored, and a government apparent
ly stable shall have been organized, no advance
can prudently be made in disposing of the ques
tion pending between the two countries.
1 am happy to announce that the inter-oceanic
communication from the mouth ol the St. John
to the Pacific has been so far accomplished as
that passengers have actually traversed it and
merchandise has been transported over it; and
when the canal shall have been completed, ac
cording to the original plan, the means of com
munication will be further improved.
PANAMA RAIL ROAD.
It is understood that a considerable part of the
railroad across the Isthmus of Panama has been
completed,and that the mail and passengers will
in future be conveyed thereon.
Whichever of the several routes between the
two oceans may ultimately prove most eligible
for travellers to and from tbe different States on
the Atlantic anil Gulf of Mexico and our coast
on the Pacific, there is little reason to doubt that
all ol them will be useful to the public, and will
liberally reward that individual enterprise, by
which alone they have been or are expected to
be Carried into effect.
ST. DOMINGO.
Peace has been concluded between the con
tending parties in the Island of St. Domingo,
1 and it is hoped upon a durable basis. Such is
the extent of our commercial relations with that
Island, that tlie United States cannot fail to feel
a strong interest in its tranquility.
COMMISSIONER TO CHINA.
i The olGce of Commissioner to China remains
unlillcd ; several persons have been appointed,
and the place has been offered to others, all ot
j whom have declined its acceptance, on the
ground ol the inadequacy ol the compensation.
i The annual allowance by law is six thousand
j dollars, and there is no provision for any outfit.
1 earnestly recommend the consideration of this
subject to Congress. Our commerce with China
is highly important, ami is becoming more and
more so. in consequence ol the increasing inter
| course between our ports on the Pacific coast
and Eastern Asia. China is understood to be a
i country in which living is very expensive, and
l Kll'MV us **<•> ivuouu •• ktj the American Com
missiouer sent thither should not be placed, in
t regard to compensation, on an equal footing with
ministers who represent this country at the courts
of Europe.
THE FINANCES.
I By reference to the Report of the Secretary of
i the I reasury, it will be seen that the aggregate
I receipts tor the last fiscal year amounted to $52,-
312,979 S7; which, with the balance in tire
Treasury on the Ist July, 1850, gave, as the
available means for the year, the sum of SAv
-917,524 50.
i he total expenditures for the same period
were 818,005,878 08.
The total imports for the year ending noth June,
ISSI, were $215,725,095
Ol which there were in specie 1,907,001
The exports lor same period were. .$217,517,130
Os which there were of
domestic products . .$178,540,555
Foreign goods re-ex
ported 9,738,095
Specie 29,231,880
Since the Ist of December last the payments
in cash on account ol the public debt, exclusive
of interest, have amounted to $7,501,456 50;
which, however, includes the sum of $3,242,400
paid under the 12th article of the treaty with
-Mexico, and the further sum of $2,591,213 45,
being the amount ot awaiJs to American citi
zens under the late treaty with Mexico, for
which the issue of stock was authorized, but
which was paid in cash from the Treasury.
The public debt on the 20th ultimo, exclusive
of the stock authorized to be issued to Texas by
the act of 9th Septemder, ISSO, was $62,560 -
395 26.
The receipts for the next fiscal year are esti
mated at 501,800,000, which, with the probable
unappropriated balance in the Treasury, on the
30th June next, will give, as the probable avail
able means lor that year, the sum of $63,258,-
7-13 09.
It has been deemed proper, in view of the
large expenditures consequent upon the acquisi
tion of territory from Mexico, that the estimates
for the next fiscal year should be laid before Con
gress in such manner as to distinguish the ex
penditures so required irom the otherwise ordi
nary demands upon the Treasury.
1 he total expenditures lor the next fiscal year
are estimated at §42,892,299 19, of which there
is required tor the ordinary purposes of the Go
vernment, other than those consequent upon the
acquisition of our new Territories, and deducting
the payments on account of the public debt, the
sum of §33,343,198 OS; amt for the purposes
connected directly or indirectly with those Ter-
and in the fulfilment of the obligations
ot the Government, contracted in consequence of
their acquisition, the sum of $9,549,101 11.
If the views ot the Secretary of the Treasury
in reference to the expenditures required for these
Territories shall be met by corresponding action
on the part ot Congress, and appropriations made
in accordance therewith, there will be an estima
ted unappropriated balance in the Treasury on
the 30th June, 1853, of $20,366,443 90, where
with to meet that portion of the public debt due
on the first July following, amounting to $6,237.-
931 35, as well as any appropriations which may
be made beyond the estimates
In thus referring to the estimated expenditures
on account of our newly acquired Territories, I
may express the hope that Congress will concur
with me in the desire that a liberal course of pol
icy may be pursued towar.lsthem, and that every
obligation, express or implied, entered into in
consequence ot their acquisition, shall be fulfilled
by the most liberal appropriations for that pur
pose.
EXPORTS.
The values of our domestic exports for the last
fiscal year, as compared with those of the previous
year, exhibit an increase of $43,646,322. At first
view, this conditien of our trade with foreign nations
would seem to present the most flattering hopes of
its future prosperity. An examination of the de- ;
tails of our exports, however, will show that the in
creased value of our exports for the last fiscal year
is to be found in the high price of cotton which pre
vailed during the first half of that year, which price
has since declined about one-half.'
The value of our exports of breadstuffs and pro
visions, which it was supposed the incentive of r.
low tariff and large importations from abroad would
have greatly augmented, has fallen from $68,701,-
921, in 1847, to $26,051,073 in 1850, and to $21,-
948,653 in 1851, with a strong probability, amount
ing almost to a certainty, of a still further reduc
tion in the current year.
The aggregate values of rice exported during the
last fiscal year, as compared with the previous year,
also exhibit a decrease amounting to $460,917,
which, with a decline in the values of the exports
of tobacco for the same period, made an aggregate
decrease in these two articles of $1,156,751.
The policy which dictated a low late of duties
on foreign merchandise, it was thought by those
who promoted and established it, would tend to
benefit the farming population of this country, by
increasing the demand and raising the price of ag
ricultural products in foreign markets.
The foregoing facts, however, seem to show in
contcstibly that no such result has followed the
adoption of this policy. On the contrary, notwith
standing the repeal of the restrictive corn laws in
England, the foreign demand for the products of
the American farmer, has steadily declined, since
the short crops and consequent famine in a portion
of Europe have been happily replaced by full crops
and comparative abundanco of toed.
It will bo seen, by recurring to the commercial
statistics for the past year, that the value of our
domestic exports has been increased in the single
item of raw cotton by $40,00U,6u0 over the value
of that export for the year precediug. This is not
due to any increased general demand for that ar
ticle, but to the short crop of the preceding year,
which created an increased demand, and an aug
mented price for the crop of last year. Should the
cotton crop now going forward to market bo only
equal in quantity to that of the year preceding, and
be sold at tbo present prices, then there would be a
falling off in the value of our exports for the pre
sent fiscal year of at least S4O,OOU,OUU, compared
with the aiuount exported for the year ending 30th
June, 1851.
The production of gold in California for the past
year seems to promise a large supply of that metal
from that quarter for some time to come. This
large annual increase of the currency of the world
must be attended with its usual results. These havo
been already partially disclosed in the enhancement
of prices and a rising spirit of speculation and ad
venture. tending to overtrading, as well at homo as
abroad. Unless some salutary check shall be given
to thcso tendencies, it is to be feared that importa
tions of foreign goods beyond a healthy demand in
this country, will lead to a sudden dram of the pre
cious metals from us, bringing with it, as it has
done in former limes, the most disastrous conse
quences to the business and capital of the Ameri
can people.
The exports of specie to liquidate our foreign
debt duriug the past fiscal year havo been $24,263,-
979 over the amount of specie imported. The ex
ports of specie during the first quarter of the pre
sent fiscal year have been $14,05 1,827. Should
specie continue to be exported at this rate for the
remaining three quarters of this year, it will drain
from our metallic currency during the year ending
dnth Juno, 1 S.'>2, the enormous amount of $58,-
607,308.
In the present prosperous condition of the nation
al finances, it will become the duty of Congress to
consider the best mode of paying oil' the public
debt. If the present and anticipated surplus in the
Treasury should not be absorbed by appropriations
of an extraordinary character, this surplus should
be employed in such way, and under such restric
tions, as Congress may enact, in extinguishing the
outstanding debt of the nation.
TEXAS CLAIMS.
By reference to the act of Congress approved 9th
September, 1850, it will be seen that, in considera
tion of certain concessions by the Blate of Texas,
it is provided that the “United States shall pay to
the State of Texas the sum of ten millions of dol
lars, in a ,-toek bearing five per cent, interest, and
redeemable at the end of fourteen years, tho inte
rest payable halt yearly, at tho Treasury of tho
United States.”
In the same section of the law it is further pro
vided “that no more than five millions of said stock
shall be issued uutil the creditors of the State
holding bonds and other certificates of stock of
Texas, irj'or hteh dutieson imports were sjttriul/y
pledged, shall first tile at tho Treasury of tho United
shales releases of ull claims against the United
i'llUCdi fU. </• V.. ..v.o'Us.t of . x»IA ». . „ ; g
cates, in such form as shall be prescribed by the
Secretary of the Treasury, and approved by the
President of tho United States.”
The form of release thus provided for has boon
prescribed by the Secretary of tho Treasury, and
approved. It has been published in ull tho leading
newspapers in the commercial cities of tho United
States, and all persons holding claims of the kind
specified in the foregoing proviso were required to
file their releases tin the form thus prescribed) in
the Treasury of the United States, on or before tho
Ist day of October, 1851. Although this publica
tion has been continued from the 25th day of
March, 1851, yet up to the Ist of October last com
paratively few releases had been filed by tho credi
tors of Texas.
The authorities of the State of Texas. }at the re
quest of the Secretary of the Treasury, have fur
nishad a schedule of the public debt of that State
created prior to hor admission into the Union, with
a copy of the laws uuder which each class was con
tracted.
I have, from the documents furnished by the
State of Texas, determined the classes of claims
which in my judgment tall within the provisions of
the act of Congress of the tlth of September, lt>so.
On being officially- informed of the acceptance
by Texas of ihe propositions contained in the act
referred to, I caused the stock to be prepared, and
the live millions which are to bo issued uncondition
ally, bearing an interest of live per cent, from the
Ist day ot January, ISSI, havo been 'for some time
ready to be delivered to the State of Texas. The
authorities of Texas, up to tho present time, have
not authorized any one to receive this stock, and it
remains in tho Treasury Department, subject to
the order of Texas.
The releases, required by law to be deposited ip
: the Treasury, not having been tiled there, there
: maining five millions have not been issued. This
• last amount of the stock will bo withheld from
Texas until the conditions upon which it is to be de
livered shall be complied with by tho creditors of
i that State, unless Congress shall otherwise direct
, by a modification of the law.
the tariff.
In my last annual message, to which I respect
fully refer, I stated briefly the reasons which in
-1 duced mo to recommend a modification of the
present tariff, by converting tho ad valorem into a
specific duty, wherever tho article imported was of
such a character as to permit it, and that such a
discrimination should be made, in favor of the in
dcstrial pursuits of our own country, as to encour
age homo production without excluding foreign
competition.
The numerous frauds which continue to be prac
tised upon the revenue, by talse invoices and un
dervaluations, constitute an unanswerable rea
son for adopting specific instead of ad volorem du
ties in all easts wucrc the nature of the commodity
docs not forbid it. A striking illustration of these
frauds will be exhibited in tho Keport of the Secre
tary of the Treasury, showing the custom-houso
valuation of articles imported under a former law
subject to specific duties, when there was no in
ducement to undervaluation, and the custom-house
valuations of the same articles, undor the" present
system of ad valorem duties, so greatly reduced as
to leave no doubt of tho existence of the most fla
grant abuses under the existing laws. This practi
cal evasion of the present law, combined with the
languishing condition of some of the great interests
of the country, caused by over importations and
consequent depressed prices, and with the failure in
obtaining a foreign market for our increasing sur
plus of breadstutts and provisions, has induced me
again to recommend a modification of the existing
tariff'.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior,
which accompanies this communication, will pre
sent a condensed statement of the operations of
that important department of tho Government.
THE FFBLIC LANDS.
fSIt will be seen that tho cash sales of the public
lands exceed those of the preeeeding year, and that
there is reason to anticipate a still further increase,
notwithstanding tho large donations which have
been made to many of tho States, and tho liberal j
grants to individuals as a reward for military servi
ces. This fact furnishes very gratifying evidence 1
of the growing wealth and prosperity of our coun- *
try.
Suitable measures have been adopted for com
mencing the survey of the public lands in Califor- e
nia and Oregon. Surveying parties have been or-1 *
ganized, and some progress has ~
lishing the principal bLe and mcriffi“n
further legislation and additional Z at
will be necessary before the propersubci;, - ' B * 011 '
be made, and the general land svnem ;« nS , Ca "
over those remote parts of our territory ‘ eEa:r ‘g
On the 3d of March last an act was , j
tiding for the appointment of three coim»' C ? r'ro
to settle private land claims in California U ' B i?. ners
persons were immediately a],pointed, all e
however, declined accepting the ofc. , “ ,,ai
quence of the inadequacy of the corm« "To
others were promptly selected, who, forth. '
reason, also declined ; and it was not until u
thet season that the services of 'suitable', , m
could be secured. A majority of the
ers convened, m this citv, on the loth ,TT n
ber last, when detailed instructions were tlu '
them in regard to their duties. Their fin * n, °
for the tnnsaction of business will be
Francisco on the Sth day of the , lr - San
I have thought it proper tori£ to T U<k
not only to explain the causes of the de'a ■ h " I'’ 1 '’
the commission, but to call vour attenri mtil!in S
propriety of increasing the' eompensatpT t 0
commissioners. The office is one 0 f un 01 '“ e
and responsibility, and the compeii-arion^T I*lalor 1 * lalor
such as to command men of a high order r uIJ I,e
and the most unquestionable integrity * uleEti
The proper disposal of the mineral lknd, , fr ,
forma is a subject surrounded bv g rt . at a!l '
in my last annual message I recommende!foh
ycy and salo of them m small parce’s 7, , "* -
restrictions as would effectually guard * ■ r ~' ur!l
nopoly and speculation, liut'upon f ur Th ns ‘ !U '
matmn. and in deference to the opinion ,r' ‘ !!tor
familiar with the subject. lam imfo, c ,i t‘ 1
that recommendation, and to advise ,hV Uan -' 0
permitted to remain, as at present ae, J i t e
open to the enterprise and industry 0 i c .l<l,
zens. until further experience shall have l leUi'1 eUi '
the best policy to be ultimately ad
them. It is safer to suffer the hWm'en? **"l l '>
now exist, for a short period, than bv T !at
legislation, to fasten on the countVv a ’LTm
cd in error, which may place the wbofV f f ?*'
yound the future control of Confess '
Ihe agricultural lands should
veyed ami brought into market iiil rT?”
as possible, that the titles unv 1 ,ltt,e Jelov
the inhabitants stimulated to' ° seuU ' 1 an ' l
provements, and enter on ,h„ n T P crma ncnt im
iiie. To effect
„ j . NEW MFXI, 'o AND UTAH.
i> t Some difficulties havo occurred in r,n.,. ■ •
n Territorials governments of New Mexico
a- and, when more accurate information shall b 0 ol'
tamed of the causes, a fuiib. r ooil
o_ bo made on that subject, “nication will
■- agricultural bureau.
n 1,1 m - v annual communication to Congress I
•“ recommended tho establishment , 1
* Bureau, and I take this «!& “ft?
y»“ r favorable consideration of the soil,jeet okw
, d I . Agriculture inayjustly be regarded as the great
* j interest of our people. Four-fifths of our a '
' : population are employed in the cultivation of i ,
" *"'< and the rapid expansion of our settlementsovi
* , new territory is daily adding to tho number of ,
’ tiff'd i» that vocation. Justice and sound
n- ' T tliL-ueforc alike require that the Government
n should use all the means authorized ! y ,ho Co, f
•“ j tution to promote the interests and welfare of tint
t j important class of our fellow-eitixens. And v. '
’ . • 1S a angular fact that, whilst the manufacturing a,,
5 rnnimereial interests hare engaged the aitcntion ei
I Congress during a largo portion of every ..slog
! and our statutes abound in provisions for their i
| taction and encouragement, little hasyet been don,,
direct y for the advancement of agriculture. It is
i time that this reproach to our legislation should bo
tb removed; and i sincerely bop c that the presut
a- Congress will not close their labon without -I, it
is, : mg efficient means to supply the ummissioiis of tho--
to who have preceded them.
,1 I - ! All Agricultural Bureau, charged with the duty
nl iof collecting and disseminating correct informal' : mi
0. | us to the best modes of cultivation, and of the m -t
to I effectual means of preserving and restoring the for
| tility of the soil, and of procuring and tli-”ributir<’
o- seeds and plants and other vegetable produ.-tiei.'f
k , with instructions in regard to tho soil, climate ai d
10 .1 treatment best adapted to their growth, eouid not
ot tail to he, in the language of Washington, in bis
y last annual message to Congress, a “very cheap in
.d strument of immense national benefit.”
. BOUNTY LANDS
1C a Regarding the act ot congress approved 28th
if • eptember 18j0, granting-bounty lands to persons
who had been engaged in the military service of
, n the country, as a great measure of national justice
>d tuumfleence, an anxious desire has been I It
\g j\y officers entrusted with its immediate » xecu
id i ! un ’ t 0 « ,v « prompt effect to its provisions. All
,d the means within their control were therefor,
to brought into requisition to expedite the adjudica'-
in tion of claims, and I am gratified to be able to
is state that near one hundred thousand applicate,i,s
a- have been considered, and about seventy thousand
of warrants issued within the short space of nine
l- months. It adequate prov ision be made by law to
i- carr y effect the recommendations of die I>e*
partment, it is confidently expected that, before the
j. f' os e 'Jto next fiscal year, all who are entitled to
the benefits of the act will have received their war
-0 rants.
ii bi'G Secretary of the Interior has suggested in liia
i- report various amendments of the laws relating to
pensions and bounty lands, for the purpose of nn re
c effectually guarding against abuses and frauds, a
, s lhe Government, to all of which I invite vour pa;
,j- ticular attention.
INDIAN RELATIONS.
0 The largo accessions to our Indian population
J consequent upon the acquisition of New Mexico
and California, and the extension of our settlements
I into l tah and Oregon, have given increased intero t
“ and importance to our relations with the aboriginal
- race. °
“ . No material change lias taken place, within the
last .Year, in the condition and prospects of the In-
II dian tribes who reside in the Northwestern Terri
-0 tory and west of the Mississippi river. We arc al
peace with all of them ; and it will he a source f
1 ol pleasure to you to learu that they arc gradually
advancing in civilization and tho pursuits of social
i life.
1 Along the Mexican frontier, and in California, and
' Oregon, there have been occasional manifestations of
unfriendly feeling, and some depredations commit
-1 ted. lam satisfied, however, that they resulted
more from the destitute and starving condition of
the Indians than from any settled hostility toward
the whites. As the settlements of our citizens pro
gress towards them, the game upon which they
’ mainly rely for subsistence is driven off or destroyed,
t and the only alternative left to them is starvation or
. plunder. It becomes us to consider, in view of this
t condition of things, whctherjustico and humanity, as
well as an enlightened economy, do not require that,
’ instead of seeking to punish them for their offences
' which are the result of our own policy towards them,
we should not provide for their immediate wants ,
and encourage them to engage in agriculture, and to f
rely on their labor, instead of the chase, for the
means of support.
Various important treaties have been negotiated
' with different tribes duriug the year, by which their
title to large and valuable tracts of country has been
extinguished, all of which will, at the proper time be
submitted to the Senate for ratification.
MEXICAN BOUNDARY.
The joint commission under the treaty of Guada
lupe Hidalgo has been actively engaged” in running
and marking the boundary line between the United
States and Mexico. It was stated, in the last an
nual report of the Secretary of the Interior, that
the initial point on the Pacific and the point of iunc
tion of the Gila with the Colorado river had been
determined, and the intervening line, about one
hundred and fifty miles in length, run and marked
by temporary monuments. Since that time a mon
ument of marble has been erected at the initial
point, nnd permanent landmarks of iron have been
placed at suitable distances along the line.
The initial point on the Rio Grande has also been
fixed by the commissioners at latitude 32 deg. 22
min., and at the date of the last communication the
survey of the line had been made thence westward
about one hundred and fifty miles to the neighbor
hood of the copper mines.
The commission on our part was at first organized
on a scale which experience proved to be unwieldy
and attended with unnecessary expense. Orders
have, therefore, been issued for the reduction of the
number of persons empdoye within the smallest
limits, consistent with the safety of those engaged m
the service, and the prompt and efficient execution
of their important duties.
THE CENSUS.
Returns have been received from all the officers
engaged in taking the census in the States and Teiri
tories, except Ualilornia. Tho superintendent cm-