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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-